Country Cups for 2022

[Messenger]

It is the Bendigo Cup on Saturday and here is the field

http://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=BN080122#BNM08012201

It does have four 120 rated horses in it and two of December's Inter Final but overall it disappoints me slightly however it is exciting to see Phoenix Prince has made it back (He came 2nd in the Cup 2yrs ago)

The Maori Mile could be exciting with Tornado Valley (1) now having NSW/USA Aldebaran Revani (6) to contend with

[Messenger]

I guess that's what happens when the top 2 picks settle in the lead and death early, a bit of a yawn. You can see how draws mean so much and why PBD's and the handicaps of days gone by, can ensure a bit more action

[Messenger]

Cobram Cups today, the trot is only $5k less than the pace ($35k + $30k)

http://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=CO090122

[Messenger]

I don't know whether I have seen a Cup all over as fast as that - you just have to watch the first 100m of the replay folks

http://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=CO090122#COC09012201

[Messenger]

Only 8 in the Shep Cup

http://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=SP150122#SPM15012201

Why is it that the Stewart stable rarely race at Shep?

[Messenger]

Even money Lochinvar Art and pretty much even money both Powderkeg and Majestuoso in the Derby Royale (How tight are the bookies!)

[Messenger]

It took a Tk Record to beat Arty but Spirit Of St Louis made it a Bendigo - Shepparton Cup double thanks to a fantastic drive by young Jack Callaghan - he is most impressive (but could probably lose the chewy when being interviewed)
He mentioned that he would head back to NSW tomorrow as Peter Walsh was looking after the horse (for the McCarthy's)
Is this the same Peter Walsh that trained some topline horses around 20yrs ago?

[Showgrounds]

It took a Tk Record to beat Arty but Spirit Of St Louis made it a Bendigo - Shepparton Cup double thanks to a fantastic drive by young Jack Callaghan - he is most impressive (but could probably lose the chewy when being interviewed)
He mentioned that he would head back to NSW tomorrow as Peter Walsh was looking after the horse (for the McCarthy's)
Is this the same Peter Walsh that trained some topline horses around 20yrs ago?

Yes, same fella. Luke McCarthy leased Peter Hornsby's excellent stable complex at the end of Shepparton's back straight when he retired. Big Pete has been there looking after all the Victorian McCarthy horses ever since. They couldn't be in better hands.

Lochy was an OK run but probably didn't appreciate the change of "stables". Wasn't Kasey Kent the trainer?

[Messenger]

I nearly forgot that it is the Hamilton Cup today, I had not read the excellent story about Modern Bliss (see link below)

https://www.thetrots.com.au/news/articles/ashs-boy-finds-his-bliss-and-readies-for-another-hamilton-cup-crack/

The field he has to beat

http://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=HM160122#HMC16012201

Matt Craven is supplying the favourite for both cups

[Messenger]

Rackemup Tigerpie's first win in 31 months. I couldn't help but notice that Kerryn Manning on the leader would be entitled to pass on her chiro bill to Michael Stanley as he didn't seem to know/care where her head was

http://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=HM160122#HMC16012201

[Messenger]

Eva Mateo who mixed it with our best 3yo fillies last season without being up to their class, won the race before the cup and rated over 1 sec better over the same distance

[Messenger]

Ballarat Cup, a great field

[Messenger]

Arty is $1.70 favourite
Yep, you can have the rest of the field for a better return :eek:

https://www.thetrots.com.au/news/articles/punters-crunch-arty-into-firm-ballarat-pacing-cup-favourite/

[Messenger]

Ego and Max have not raced since the Inter - do horses win over 2710m not having raced for 6 weeks?

[Messenger]

How even is the field for the mares R1 at Ballarat tonight although both 10 & 11 have a bit on them Ratings wise but have to contend with their draws as a result of this

http://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=BA220122#BAM22012205

[aussiebreno]

Exciting race the Cup!

[Messenger]

A fantastic Cup !
The horse that is 100% racing fit does it again

[Messenger]

Ararat would be very happy with their pacing cup field for this Sunday

http://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=AR130222#ARC13022201

[Messenger]

A good field for the Terang Cup

https://www.thetrots.com.au/news/articles/ararat-combatants-to-lock-horns-in-terang-pacing-cup/

[Messenger]

I remember reading that Steve Fennell was going to do the country cups circuit with Van Mara so I figure he entered for the Terang Cup but missed out
You would have to say he is unlucky not to be in the field. He has a 114 rating and at his last start ran 5th in the Ararat Cup beating the Craven and Lee runners who despite being below the 90 rating of the Terang Cup, got a start before him

[Messenger]

A very good field for the Horsham Cup tomorrow. They would probably have liked one superstar to get their $60k worth but let's face it, they're all up at Menangle

http://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=HS270222#HSC27022201

[Adaptor]

A very good field for the Horsham Cup tomorrow. They would probably have liked one superstar to get their $60k worth but let's face it, they're all up at Menangle

http://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=HS270222#HSC27022201

Perfect Stride is no slouch
50-14-10-7 for $319,030.

Agree Kevin that it is a good field.

[Messenger]

3 starters in the Cup for the Stewart stable and they fill all the placings

http://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=HS270222#HSC27022201

[Messenger]

Hes Under Wraps won the Boort Cup today by a SHFHD but he went inside at least one peg on the home turn the first time and the last time (and the top bend could make interesting viewing) - just sayin :confused:

[Showgrounds]

No published stewards report from Boort as yet but watching the replay shows how stiff the second horse was to lose. He covered heaps of ground out wide on the tight final bend and, unknown to driver Kerryn Manning, the winner took a shortcut around the bend.

Drivers, in these instances, cannot be expected to lodge a protest. It is a responsibility of the stewards. More accurately, this was the responsibility of the steward in the tower on the home turn. I'll give that person the benefit of the doubt unless there is a means to communicate the offence before the all clear is given. There lies the problem.

I note the winning driver Jordan Leedham was suspended. Until the published stewards report is posted we just don't know. If it was for allowing his horse to race inside the marker pegs then there is cause for concern. The stewards could be accused of being slack in suspending the driver but rewarding the horse a win. I noticed it ran inside a peg on the home turn before it ran inside the peg at the opening of the sprint lane. Therefore, it illegally covered less ground than the the other placegetters.

Had the stewards protested they would then have to assess whether the offending horse had gained a big enough advantage to affect the winning margin. Given the margin was about a cigarette paper and a bee's appendage the protest would surely be upheld.

I also noted other horses contacting the pegs in the last lap, the sixth horse knocking the sprint lane marker out of the ground. Not a good look.

[Messenger]

I relented and went to Horsham for the first 5 races and the club was doing a very good job.
I had my usual Conways salad roll for lunch but there was also a Lions Club BBQ (it may have been free even, I am not sure)
There was a very well attended Team Teal luncheon for the ladies in the new bistro
Paul Campbell was doing a great job as MC to keep people entertained between races. Unfortunately being a deaf coot I could hear him but could not decipher what they were actually saying but my wife said it was good

Only missed one race driving home and I just saw Have Horse Will Travel win the Trotters Cup in Tk Record time with Kate feeling a bit embarrassed about stealing it from The Penny Drops

As I have said in the Whip thread the real embarrassment was Jack Laugher winning the Drivers Championship as he is technically suspended after not even being able to control his horse flogging at the trials

ps I know the club hooked at least one fisherman from the town's weekend fishing comp

[Messenger]

Charlton have attracted good fields for both their Pacers and Trotters Cups on Sunday with the Stewart stable having 3 in the pacers

http://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=CH200322#CHC20032201

[Toohard]

Charlton Trotters Cup

Others would know better than me but pretty sure horses can't breathe through their mouth. So what's The Penny Drops up to? Having a quiet chat to the other horse? Muhammad Ali style?

What a fantastic race again between those 2 horses. 2 weeks in a row! 2 stars giving their all. Not being belted, just both competing & trying their arses off to win.

Great race!!

[Messenger]

A fantastic duel with plenty happening early too. Great video quality on replay
Not a lot of moves in the pacing cup but it was amazing to see 3 stablemates across the track with 400m to go

http://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=CH200322

[Messenger]

Three horses held the Charlton 2570m SS record for trotters from 2009, 2013 and 2021 - all having rated 2.03.3
The Penny Drops cleans up the Record book as he now holds it on his own at 2.01.6

[Messenger]

Hes Under Wraps won the Boort Cup today by a SHFHD but he went inside at least one peg on the home turn the first time and the last time (and the top bend could make interesting viewing) - just sayin :confused:

Hes Under Wraps hung in whilst leading and contacted the second last marker peg before being corrected by driver Jordan Leedham and racing outside the final peg prior to the entrance to the sprint lane.

http://www.harness.org.au/racing/stewards-reports/stewards-reports-detail/?mc=BT060322

I almost forgot this one. I must need my eyes tested

[Messenger]

Only 6 horses and 2 trainers contesting the $35k Echuca Cup tomorrow night

http://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=EC250322#ECC25032201

[Messenger]

The Stewart stable take all the honours in Echuca (just like at Charlton last week)

http://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=EC250322#ECC25032201

[Messenger]

Warragul Cup on Sunday and Demon Delight is lining up for his 8th cup race in a row
I am thinking if he persists off the mobile and takes the lead, he is unbeatable

The trotters cup will be most interesting to see if Havehorsewilltravel can overcome his 50m handicap

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=WR170422#WRC17042208

[Messenger]

Numbers are down for the Mildura Cup heats tomorrow night
Maybe the quality opposition put some off.
There would appear to be only 4 winning chances
Our Millionaire has the first heat all to himself
while Boots Electric, Phoenix Prince and Bulletproof Boy will fight out the second
Luckily Lance Justice is taking a couple up and of course the Douglas stable has a couple

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=ML190422

[Messenger]

Lance decides to stay home so now we only have heats of 6 and 5

[Messenger]

The depth of the Mildura Cup entrants was always a worry this year.
The odds for the final tell us what happens when you have NR60 v NR120

[Messenger]

The first four in the Mildura Cup was as expected (order was only question). It was a dashing drive by Scott Ewen on BB right from the get go. A massive effort by Boots Electric to get into the first four after some early trouble

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=ML230422#MLC23042201

ps It was a Tk Rec to Phoenix Prince

[Messenger]

Maryborough Cup today and Act Now would seem to have found his 3yo form leading all the way and running within a half a second of the Tk Rec

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=MH161022#MHC16102201

(no replay up yet - try TAB or wait until tomorrow)

[Messenger]

Geelong got 46mm last night so I am sure the track staff are very busy this morning

[Messenger]

3 scratchings from the Cup has to make it easier for those back in the field

For $60k it is lacking star power

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=GE221022#GEC22102201

[Messenger]

Our Millionaire breaks the Tk Rec by a full second in winning the Swan Hill cup

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=FD281022#FDC28102201

[Messenger]

Some strange drives in the YV Cup today
Is it any wonder that Sebs Choice began to pull after the way Rhys Nicholson revved it up to go to the lead (trucks and trains definitely in doubt)
After a poor start why would Mark Pitt go 10m clear when taking the lead on Hes Ideal, I reckon he could have been saving a bit more for the finish

Unless the VXAR comes up with something, you have to say Triple Eight was super disappointing. He has won a Gp1 and finished second in a Vic Cup but he is not going to reach champion status

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=YG031122#YGC03112201

[Messenger]

Some strange drives in the YV Cup today
Is it any wonder that Sebs Choice began to pull after the way Rhys Nicholson revved it up to go to the lead (trucks and trains definitely in doubt)
After a poor start why would Mark Pitt go 10m clear when taking the lead on Hes Ideal, I reckon he could have been saving a bit more for the finish

Unless the VXAR comes up with something, you have to say Triple Eight was super disappointing. He has won a Gp1 and finished second in a Vic Cup but he is not going to reach champion status

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=YG031122#YGC03112201

Nothing amiss with 888

Jess Tubbs, trainer of Triple Eight NZ reported subsequent to the meeting, that the gelding had recovered well. Ms.Tubbs could offer no explanation for the below par performance and stated Triple Eight NZ would continue with the current preparation.

https://www.harness.org.au/media-room/news-article/?news_id=54707

[Messenger]

Rick Reilly deserves to be favourite in today's Gunbower Cup at Echuca but one interesting fact about Rick is that he has been racing for 25 months with probably only 1 month off

In his 3rd NZ prep he raced from 6 Nov 2020 until 20 June 2021. He probably had his month off then as he was not exported to Aus until 30 July
I imagine he was pretty much straight into a prep then as he raced on Sep 1
He has raced continuously in Aus since then
He has had 56 starts for the Douglas stable in 65 weeks

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=EC041222#GUC04122201

[Messenger]

I know that it is too close to the Inter but only 7 in the $45k Stawell Cup and 2 of those way below the advertised 90 - 120 range
Two from the Inter is something
I hope nothing scratches from the Inter Consolation as it would be a real blow to lose Crime Writer who is emerg for that race (the consolation is only worth $5k more)

The Stawell Trotting Cup looks the better race - maybe next year they should consider closing the prizemoney gap between the pacing and trotting cups

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=SW111222#SWC11122201

[Messenger]

I fear Stawell have lost Crime Writer from the Cup as I cannot see him running over 2600m+ on 2 consecutive days
To only have a field of 6 for a $45k Cup must be heartbreaking for the club

[Messenger]

A creditable performance for Crime Writer to back up and run 3rd in what was a procession.
Stupidly talked myself out of rolling my Act Now winnings onto Kowalski Analysis on this leaders track, no driver initiative like last night, which is a particular danger with small fields

[Messenger]

The Cranbourne Trotting and Pacing Cups have attracted the quality fields their stakemoney should expect

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=CR171222#CRM17122209

[Messenger]

As Ryan Phelan picked up - the Decron Winners rug for the Cranbourne Cup says Gp2 when it is now a Gp1

[Messenger]

Adam Kelly had Major Meister up until Nov 5

I notice the other horses he had trained around that time are all with other stables too

What has become of Adam Kelly ?

[Messenger]

Major Meister, 2 starts ago (his last for Adam Kelly), on Nov 5 just 6 weeks ago
MM $7 and Rick Reilly $9 were in the same race at Melton and Rick led and came 2nd while MM sat in the death and finished 44m behind Rick
Tonight drawn next to each other MM started $3.40 and Rick $151

???????

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=MX051122#MXM05112201

[Showgrounds]

I feel a real good yarn brewing courtesy of PP about this race.

[Theoldfox]

Major Meister, 2 starts ago (his last for Adam Kelly), on Nov 5 just 6 weeks ago
MM $7 and Rick Reilly $9 were in the same race at Melton and Rick led and came 2nd while MM sat in the death and finished 44m behind Rick
Tonight drawn next to each other MM started $3.40 and Rick $151

???????

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=MX051122#MXM05112201

Watching Trotsvision tonight I learned that J Crimson is an expert in minor gear adjustments that get the most out of horses....I would argue its probably some "major gear" adjustment!

[Showgrounds]

Watching Trotsvision tonight I learned that J Crimson is an expert in minor gear adjustments that get the most out of horses....I would argue its probably some "major gear" adjustment!

There is gear, I.e., harness, and there is THE gear - with neither strap nor buckle in sight.

[Messenger]

Adam Kelly had Major Meister up until Nov 5

I notice the other horses he had trained around that time are all with other stables too

What has become of Adam Kelly ?

Adam is pretty crook at the moment - wishing him all the best

https://nationaltrotguide.com.au/trainers-inspiring-outlook-ahead-of-cancer-battle/

[Showgrounds]

Good luck to you with your battle Adam, you have a task much more difficult than making Cup horses out of old rogue horses. Every day you get out of bed, have breakfast and tick off any minor task is a win.

[Messenger]

Major Meister, 2 starts ago (his last for Adam Kelly), on Nov 5 just 6 weeks ago
MM $7 and Rick Reilly $9 were in the same race at Melton and Rick led and came 2nd while MM sat in the death and finished 44m behind Rick
Tonight drawn next to each other MM started $3.40 and Rick $151

???????

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=MX051122#MXM05112201

Go back one more start to October 21 and Major Meister $16 finishes 3rd to Hes Ideal $1.22 winner

Yet Saturday, No.1 Hes Ideal starts $8.50 and No.4 Major Meister $3.40 as previously stated

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=MX211022#MXM21102202

That makes 2 massive market reversals NOT based on head to head performances
(plus both Rick and Ideal had been in winning form before Saturday)

It was as if everybody believed Major Meister in a mere month with Grimson HAD GROWN AN EXTRA LEG

and I suppose it was true as only a fortnight after getting him MM started $1.75 and ran his fastest ever time donkey licking the opposition which included Rick at $11

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=BA261122#BAM26112202

Some are saying we are all being taken for a ride

[Showgrounds]

Go back one more start to October 21 and Major Meister $16 finishes 3rd to Hes Ideal $1.22 winner

Yet Saturday, No.1 Hes Ideal starts $8.50 and No.4 Major Meister $3.40 as previously stated

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=MX211022#MXM21102202

That makes 2 massive market reversals NOT based on head to head performances
(plus both Rick and Ideal had been in winning form before Saturday)

It was as if everybody believed Major Meister in a mere month with Grimson HAD GROWN AN EXTRA LEG

and I suppose it was true as only a fortnight after getting him MM started $1.75 and ran his fastest ever time donkey licking the opposition which included Rick at $11

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=BA261122#BAM26112202

Some are saying we are all being taken for a ride

Only the Three Wise Monkeys could honestly look at the facts and find everything is fine. Unfortunately, those given the responsibility of enforcing the highest level of integrity in our sport choose to either not look or ignore the facts that strongly suggest the improvement in these horses is unnatural.

[Mighty Atom]

Only the Three Wise Monkeys could honestly look at the facts and find everything is fine. Unfortunately, those given the responsibility of enforcing the highest level of integrity in our sport choose to either not look or ignore the facts that strongly suggest the improvement in these horses is unnatural.

Very much what happened in WA in the 80s.

[Mighty Atom]

Go back one more start to October 21 and Major Meister $16 finishes 3rd to Hes Ideal $1.22 winner

Yet Saturday, No.1 Hes Ideal starts $8.50 and No.4 Major Meister $3.40 as previously stated

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=MX211022#MXM21102202

That makes 2 massive market reversals NOT based on head to head performances
(plus both Rick and Ideal had been in winning form before Saturday)

It was as if everybody believed Major Meister in a mere month with Grimson HAD GROWN AN EXTRA LEG

and I suppose it was true as only a fortnight after getting him MM started $1.75 and ran his fastest ever time donkey licking the opposition which included Rick at $11

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=BA261122#BAM26112202

Some are saying we are all being taken for a ride

You're right Kevin but there's more than one bad apple in the barrel you only have to look at the results in Vic to see that's pretty obvious.

[Messenger]

From JB's latest

Since then, Grimson has carved an extraordinary swathe through the southern hemisphere’s greatest races following an amazing philosophy.

And that philosophy is thus.

Identify gifted but far-from-elite Victorian sit-sprinters, strengthen them with his outrageously effective regime and then take a sword to the largest prizes Australasian pacing has to offer.

https://www.thetrots.com.au/news/the-forum/bonnington/bonnington-another-major-success-continues-grimsons-rise/

'strengthen them with his outrageously effective regime' - this is some regime as when he broke the clock at Ballarat, it was only 21 days after he had started for Adam Kelly. What regime works in under 21 days?

[Showgrounds]

From JB's latest

Since then, Grimson has carved an extraordinary swathe through the southern hemisphere’s greatest races following an amazing philosophy.

And that philosophy is thus.

Identify gifted but far-from-elite Victorian sit-sprinters, strengthen them with his outrageously effective regime and then take a sword to the largest prizes Australasian pacing has to offer.

https://www.thetrots.com.au/news/the-forum/bonnington/bonnington-another-major-success-continues-grimsons-rise/

'strengthen them with his outrageously effective regime' - this is some regime as when he broke the clock at Ballarat, it was only 21 days after he had started for Adam Kelly. What regime works in under 21 days?

Correct choice of words. Outrageous is the only way to describe it. When we find out what the training regime is we are sure to be outraged.