Western Australia

[Mighty Atom]

The driving tactics played out just as I expected. Minstrel was in front, with Swayzee pressing on for the lead. If any horse other than Minstrel had been in that position, Hart would have raced to the front, and it would have been all over. Hall knew that Minstrel would not surrender the lead, so he took off, confident he would get the perfect trail. Swayzee's connections did not seem unduly concerned about sitting in the death position, as Grimson was enthusiastic about their chances. However, I should note that this was probably the first time Swayzee found himself in this position and ended up out of the money. Catch A Wave was never really in contention. Barrier 10 for Swayzee can be a reasonably good draw, but Barrier 9 for Catch A Wave at GP is a death wish. You know my conspiracy theories with barrier draws I don't think they wanted Catch A Wave to win the race again after winning the double last year.

[Mighty Atom]

I think they were all lucky that Mighty Ronaldo couldn't get a clear run he was finishing all over the top.

[trish]

Just watched the replay & yes Rod , he was so unlucky .

[Mighty Atom]

I actually thought Cameron would have run 3rd for sure if he was not tightened over the last , what 50?

Anyway let's hope the draw in the cup favours both Swayzee & CAW . And IF they get the cushy trips , see you later , bye MS .
Minstrel is a very good horse.

Do you think that 27.8 qtr was wrong Kev?

I agree with you, Trish. If either of those two horses is ahead of MS, I can’t see him turning the tables. I think the Halls might have the last laugh after Jason Grimson’s outright dismissal of Mister Smartee’s chances. Minstrel, Swayzee and Catch A Wave are the benchmarks all the other horses have to beat not the other way around. Leap To Fame, Swayzee, Don Hugo, Catch A Wave and Minstrel are the top five horses in the land at present in my opinion.

[Messenger]

It is easy for me to be critical from my armchair but you have to wonder whether applying pressure to the mile, take a breather for half a mile and then poor it on for the last half mile may have been better but it may not suit the horse.
Mighty Ronaldo would have won if he got clear but that would have been due to a dream run
I cannot agree with your conspiracy theories Rod ;) because if such a thing occurred - the ramifications would be too enormous

[trish]

I agree with you, Trish. If either of those two horses is ahead of MS, I can’t see him turning the tables. I think the Halls might have the last laugh after Jason Grimson’s outright dismissal of Mister Smartee’s chances. Minstrel, Swayzee and Catch A Wave are the benchmarks all the other horses have to beat not the other way around. Leap To Fame, Swayzee, Don Hugo, Catch A Wave and Minstrel are the top five horses in the land at present in my opinion.

Hi Rod .
CAW showed how good MS was a couple of weeks back.
He was gifted the race by Cameron last night & good luck to them.
I have always said a straight race in lanes like the Stawell gift is the way to go but you need heaps of land for that.
But it would sort the best out for sure. And lots of fun.

[trish]

It is easy for me to be critical from my armchair but you have to wonder whether applying pressure to the mile, take a breather for half a mile and then poor it on for the last half mile may have been better but it may not suit the horse.
Mighty Ronaldo would have won if he got clear but that would have been due to a dream run
I cannot agree with your conspiracy theories Rod ;) because if such a thing occurred - the ramifications would be too enormous

Yes that could have worked . I just watched LTF's win at Cambridge , he sorta did that there & he showed how great he is & how good DH is.

[trish]

A heck of a lot of horses need easy runs to win. And if their owners are lucky enough the drivers get it right.

[trish]

Where is Swayzee?
Or was he not racing on Friday night in the cup?

Great draw CAW but not his distance still I hope he wins.

[Messenger]

It may not be CAW's ideal distance but you would think he wins from that draw

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=GP020525#GPM02052503

[trish]

It may not be CAW's ideal distance but you would think he wins from that draw

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=GP020525#GPM02052503

Yes , I hope he does. Not sure if anyone can or will put pressure on him , so that could be that.
With no Swayzee , it looks like his race .
We know MS can not sit outside him & win .
But in saying that strange things can happen.

[Mighty Atom]

Minstrel won't let CAW have all his own way MS will be sitting right behind CAW gives the horse a big chance. Catch A Wave from 9 to 1 interesting.

[Messenger]

LOL you sure have a thing about barriers Rod

All CAW's WA draws:

11 - 4 - 6 - 5 - 9 - 1

Sure looks random to me

[Messenger]

My concerns over the distance for CAW should be considered a nonsense as he holds the Tk Rec from his win in this race last year

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=GP260424#GPM26042404

You will notice however that he could not run away from them after looking like he would
Last year Minstrel started fav and faded. He had a dream run early although Deni probably left the 1x1 a lap earlier than he needed to

Mighty Ronaldo doesn't really win out of turn but after last week maybe he is a danger - he was 4th last year
And Gee Heza Sport is in good form and has the driver

[Messenger]

Another dream run and MS does it again

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=GP020525#GPM02052503

I am stunned at how easily Junior pushed Luke wide

$672k in a week is not bad money

[trish]

Minstrel is WA's best horse .
Yes MS , no work again.
And did GH simply out drive LM ?

[trish]

No incidents to report in Fremantle Cup.

[trish]

PP is still going on about this race .

[Messenger]

Gee the money is good in WA even when there isn't a carnival on

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=GP230525

[trish]

Gee the money is good in WA even when there isn't a carnival on

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=GP230525


Yes it is , it has stayed good for a long time now . Good on them .

[Messenger]

So are WA's finances healthier than other states (although I think NSW is good too) - has it got anything to do with them still having a city central track?
I know on face value they have been swindled on the deal they did for a big chunk of GP real estate

[trish]

If we had 60 mil , we would have bought it .
Amazing position , we stayed on the other side of the Swan River & it lit up on Friday night .
I would think it has a lot to do with city central for sure .

Why did they sell??
I think it was a silly idea , bit like HP .

[trish]

IMO opinion , harness keeps going in the wrong direction .

[Messenger]

I think PP said that they were getting a new Grandstand and just $10m from developers for a sizeable chunk of Perth inner city