Jason Bonnington

[Messenger]

"Playwrights and script doctors typically live listless existences, endlessly agonising over nebulous narratives and uncompelling concepts.

It all seems such a waste when one night at Melton manifests every perfect portrait that a story arc could need. "

This is the opening to his review of Saturday night
Seriously JB you need a good dose of Laxettes to help pass that Dictionary you swallowed

You should have ditched the first 3 sentences, we might then have been able to overlook a couple of other slips into waffle

[Messenger]

JB still hasn't been able to pass that dictionary. Well it isn't so much his choice of words but rather the 'the waffle'

waffle
noun
1.
BRITISH
lengthy but vague or trivial talk or writing.
"we've edited out some of the waffle"

This is the opening to this week's piece, like last time he could have left all of this out

IN a world where previously predictable values and ethics are rapidly evolving, harness racing stoically holds its course.

In many ways, this game, religiously referred to as ‘the trots’, subconsciously symbolizes an Australian stereotype tepidly fading with time.

Harness racing relishes humility and respect.

In the world of standardbreds, egalitarianism is essential, work ethic is everything and asking for anything, ever, is utterly repugnant.

Taken in context, this expression of what should rightfully be regarded as great Australian values, validates the sport in a way few other attributes ever could.

https://www.thetrots.com.au/news/the-forum/bonnington/bonnington-trainer-masters-craving-for-success-with-freak-trotter/

[Messenger]

LOL it even permeates his form analysis

"Both this event, the EK Bray, and the Country Clubs Championship later in the evening are desperately beautiful races"

" If you were looking for a break from the bitter and twisted election campaigns dominating our screens at present, this is not your race."

https://www.harness.org.au/punting/punters-corner/form-analysis/?keyNum=341522

[Showgrounds]

Thinks he is Shakespeare. A bogan one at that,

[Messenger]

Oops
You could see the saddle becoming lopsided as the interview went on

https://twitter.com/TheTrotsComAu/status/1517665079797620736

I have been away for the long weekend and only catching up via replays - was that live to air?

[Yabbie]

it sure was!

[Messenger]

Thankfully for Jason and me I don't read his column every week
The enthusiasm of the Mister Hunter syndicate was fantastic to see and as is often the case, a picture is worth a thousand words (but JB will always give us a 1,000 anyway)

https://www.thetrots.com.au/news/articles/hunters-group-1-golden-moment-part-of-huge-night-of-celebrations/

[Messenger]

The picture was brilliant and we should be putting it out there big and bold, it probably doesn't even need a caption but I will go with:

[Messenger]

HarnessLink's coverage of the story of Mister Hunter

https://harnesslink.com/australia/syndicate-puts-the-score-on-the-board/

I don't think JB is going to get Terry Grange's gig at HarnessLink anytime soon

[Messenger]

JB did a nice job on Helluva's win for the Justices

https://www.thetrots.com.au/news/the-forum/bonnington/bonnington-helluva-nice-way-to-pay-tribute-to-a-trots-great/

He drifted off topic a little bringing in how the favourites went and could probably have had a quote or two from John instead or mentioned the fact that he also won the last race the day before at Maryborough but a good read nevertheless

[Messenger]

OMG he has really outdone himself with this one, basically a story about nothing

https://www.thetrots.com.au/news/the-forum/bonnington/bonnington-the-queen-who-could-help-reshape-the-trots-origins/

[Showgrounds]

You forgot the Golden Syrup and ice cream!

[Messenger]

Please make him stop

[Messenger]

https://www.thetrots.com.au/news/the-forum/bonnington/bonnington-will-the-sires-classic-produce-a-worthy-winner/

OMG who is he trying to impress
It reads ridiculously.

The second half/story reads better after he gets his 'once upon a rainbow' and 'deigning to declare' off his chest

[Messenger]

Fantastic, JB stopped trying so hard and wrote an easy reading column

https://www.thetrots.com.au/news/the-forum/bonnington/bonnington-stunning-stocks-give-andersons-a-grip-on-super-season/

[Bonnie]

He still got it wrong ! Good journalists get their facts right. Honolua Bay is named after a Bay in Hawaii and is by Somebeachsomewhere NOT Art Major.

[Messenger]

Yes Anne, with the name Honolua Bay, I think most would guess the sire without having to look it up

[gutwagon]

Our industry would be better off without JB !

[Messenger]

PP is always noting JB's constant use of alliteration
He is going to love the start of this week's column
I don't think JB can be aware of how often he does it

[Showgrounds]

Print this out, cut into quarters and keep in the toilet for emergencies.

Or file under verbal sludge.

[Messenger]

Maybe he does it on purpose?

[Showgrounds]

...and pumped-up boof-heads who believe they are the second coming of The Bard.

[Messenger]

I managed to read the rest of the story and could not believe my eyes when I saw this:

Let’s be clear about something; Mick Stanley never needed to let us in on early hopes for Rock N Roll Doo, and, by doing so, he was patently aware of the rod pressing sharply against his own back.

He did so for two reasons.

One, to help those that speculate on the industry, and very much aid in sustaining it, punters.

And two, because predictions like those he outlined help promote the sport in ways that nothing else possibly can.

If Rock N Roll Doo had never won any feature event, Stanley was still supporting the industry he loves by pumping his tyres.

2yrs ago, Mick Stanley was just pumped up and singing the praises of a horse he had big dreams for
Why should we think he was doing it for the benefit of the industry
His twitter account has the opening line "Harness racing trainer\driver. I’m not here to be liked, I’m here to win"

[Messenger]

LITERARY genius Geoffrey Chaucer once sagely speculated that all good things must come to an end.

https://www.thetrots.com.au/news/the-forum/bonnington/bonnington-is-the-end-nigh-for-this-pacing-masterpiece/

Please make him stop. It is generally his openings - he thinks it has to be grandiose

[Showgrounds]

Geoffrey Chaucer came to an end on the 25 October 1400.

Did JB here Chaucer say this first hand or is he just making it up? Whatever, he is just regurgitating the previously reported drivel of others. Any excuse to show the boss you haven't been playing solitaire all day, no doubt this piece of prose will be a nominee for a Joseph Coulter Award.

[Theoldfox]

HE may be referring to the ending of the ride on the gravy train he's riding...for little in return? Well, at least many are hoping!


LITERARY genius Geoffrey Chaucer once sagely speculated that all good things must come to an end.

https://www.thetrots.com.au/news/the-forum/bonnington/bonnington-is-the-end-nigh-for-this-pacing-masterpiece/

Please make him stop. It is generally his openings - he thinks it has to be grandiose

[Messenger]

https://www.thetrots.com.au/news/the-forum/bonnington/bonnington-prelim-night-to-help-us-answer-grand-final-questions/

So much better

[Messenger]

JB won the punting duel which PP initiates/imagines between them
JB got his $200 back thanks to a part share of the Early Quaddie and Petilante running a place
Archie did not have a collect despite being all around the money with a couple of his bets

https://www.thetrots.com.au/news/articles/bonningtons-200-victoria-cup-night-game-plan/

I am about to watch the replay of last night's TrotsVision as you miss a lot when you are on track (you don't hear Dan's call for one) - I hope JB was in good form on there too

[Messenger]

I tuned into Burning Questions as with it being the trotters night on Saturday and me not being a great follower of the trotters, I need all the help I can get
JB really thinks he is a comedian but he is making inappropriate references/cracks about guest's facial hair and clothing colour.
It is hard to believe his superiors are comfortable giving him such free rein

https://www.thetrots.com.au/news/articles/burning-questions-andys-back-to-tackle-trotters-oaks-card/

[Messenger]

For decades, galloping zealots have represented the lowest hanging fruit for those charged with the task of broadening harness racing's church.

Sometimes, however, we're more than a little lazy when justifying the juxtapositions we create.

Given her class, charisma and - most germanely - her gender, Ladies In Red has been highlighted as harness racing's closest comparison to Winx.

https://www.thetrots.com.au/news/the-forum/bonnington/bonnington-elida-might-be-harness-racings-version-of-winx/

[Messenger]

I did not see this until very late (maybe they were hiding it)

Bonnington: Quality over quantity harness racing's way forward

https://www.thetrots.com.au/news/the-forum/bonnington/bonnington-quality-over-quantity-harness-racings-way-forward/

I am not really sure what he is on about
Is he trying to say we are going for Quality this weekend as opposed to the gallops on Vic Derby and Golden Eagle day?!

He is starting to sound a bit defeated:
"And the biggest loser of the three current codes is always the trots."

"Quantity is great, and financially rewarding, but quality – and thoughtful programming – are far more likely to push harness racing’s long-suffering barrow."

Not that I really blame him. I think the fight may be lost (our opportunities squandered) and we really only exist in our own little fish bowl
It probably only matters to those that want to make a career out of it. After all as a fan you can be a fan of anything you like - go karting, ice hockey, ... and get enjoyment from it.
I suppose it depends on being able to keep things going to a sufficient extent to retain enough fans because like 'clubs' of any sort you need a certain number of members or else things decline, eventually into oblivion.
(LOL this forum is probably a case in point)

If US harness also has no profile then days like Maryborough and tying in with European trotting may be our only hope of relevance even if it is to a European viewing audience once again

I just don't know that I would have come out swinging today JB

[Messenger]

On the one hand, the pace explosion which harness racing has rendered warrants absolute admiration.

On another, it’s redefined the sport’s identity faster than many can cope with or handle.

Without doubt, decisions must be made – and they won’t be easy.

Decisions around programming, around race distances, around race conditions; ultimately, we need solutions which prevent top-end domination and managing the import of barrier draws.

Maybe he is talking about the Stewart stable domination BUT once again I am not really sure what 'decisions' he is talking about

He seems to be suggesting the increase in speed is a problem but it has been across the breed - just as FFA horses are breaking records all races are faster (it has been happening for a decade as you will see if you look at our Speed Explosion thread)
We have struggled a bit on the 'champions' front compared to the gallops in recent years. Ladies In Red and Leap To Fame are being promoted as two at present, surely we don't want to curtail them

Here is a link to the whole article (if you want to read another mind numbing intro)

https://www.thetrots.com.au/news/the-forum/bonnington/bonnington-lots-to-ponder-as-harness-racing-changes-pace/

[aussiebreno]

On the one hand, the pace explosion which harness racing has rendered warrants absolute admiration.

On another, it’s redefined the sport’s identity faster than many can cope with or handle.

Without doubt, decisions must be made – and they won’t be easy.

Decisions around programming, around race distances, around race conditions; ultimately, we need solutions which prevent top-end domination and managing the import of barrier draws.

Maybe he is talking about the Stewart stable domination BUT once again I am not really sure what 'decisions' he is talking about

He seems to be suggesting the increase in speed is a problem but it has been across the breed - just as FFA horses are breaking records all races are faster (it has been happening for a decade as you will see if you look at our Speed Explosion thread)
We have struggled a bit on the 'champions' front compared to the gallops in recent years. Ladies In Red and Leap Of Faith are being promoted as two at present, surely we don't want to curtail them

Here is a link to the whole article (if you want to read another mind numbing intro)

https://www.thetrots.com.au/news/the-forum/bonnington/bonnington-lots-to-ponder-as-harness-racing-changes-pace/

No point in trying to fight the gallops speed with pacers speed as gallops speed win every time so if he's thinking if programming more 1609m or shorter races that wont get us anywhere.

If thinking about draws because the top end are getting quicker, well the 5th placed and last placed horses are still getting quicker too.

Theres sub 1.50 horses who aren't at the top end, yet BAF, Lazarus and ITMQ are my top 3 horses of the past 15 years and all are without a Miracle Mile! Just because speed is improving doesnt make it the selling point.

Not sure why he would write the article but not include some specific examples.

[Messenger]

When Harness Racing Victoria vowed to own late spring and early summer following the sport's pandemic-inspired calendar recalibration, most trotting zealots celebrated the concept.

https://www.thetrots.com.au/news/the-forum/bonnington/bonnington-bravo-to-a-scheduling-punt-that-has-reshaped-the-game/

Stop calling us Zealots, we are just fans

[Messenger]

Oh JB you started off so well this week - clear and coherent (I threw in that alliteration just to get your attention :))

But then we have an LP Hartley quote, traditional Christian Sabbath, valid and veracious debates and the narratives inherent within

Overall an improvement but I think your employer is giving you too much time to write this column and consequently you are thumbing through your Funk & Wagnalls Standard Dictionary and your Oxford Dictionary of Quotations to 'supposedly' justify the time spent

https://www.thetrots.com.au/news/the-forum/bonnington/bonnington-debate-on-hold-as-juvenile-racings-crowning-glory-arrives/

[Messenger]

Consider, for a moment, the tactical posturing and strategic acrobatics you’ve witnessed in the lead-up to this year’s Victorian state election.

Now, if possible, multiply those Machiavellian manoeuvres by an exponent of 50.

Then, perhaps, you’ll have some comprehension of what transpires through the course of a SENTrack Inter Dominion series.

https://www.thetrots.com.au/news/the-forum/bonnington/bonnington-buckle-up-for-an-inter-dominion-series-of-surprises/

Maybe the new CEO will make him stop PLZZZZZZZZZZZ

[Messenger]

https://www.thetrots.com.au/news/the-forum/bonnington/bonnington-no-rest-as-id22-pushes-both-horses-and-humans/

Good column JB

[Messenger]

He did it - 10 uses of alliteration in under 500 words

Mystery and mayhem
thrive most thoroughly
different, deliciously dichotomous
magical and magnificent
unmatched, unmatchable
Partisan patriotism
wateringly wonderful
dominance divine
wielding weaponry
shimmering shot

https://www.thetrots.com.au/news/the-forum/bonnington/bonnington-mystery-and-mayhem-is-sometimes-best/

Do you know you are doing it JB?

[Messenger]

There is no stopping him

UNSPURPRISINGLY, William Shakespeare likely said it best.

In one of his poems, the Bard opined that youth is full of sport, age’s breath is short: youth is nimble, age is lame; youth is hot and bold, age is weak and cold; youth is wild, and age is tame.

Given the era in which he existed, it’s very unlikely that Shakespeare directly influenced the thoughts of southern hemisphere harness racing administrators with this somewhat turgid stanza.

https://www.thetrots.com.au/news/the-forum/bonnington/bonnington-harnessing-youth-a-chance-to-give-an-early-shake/

We get that you love your Dictionary of Quotations but maybe your New Year's resolution could be to get a library card and read for your own personal enjoyment - not to impress

[Messenger]

We all know how JB loves to go off on a tangent - that is his way
This week's comparison of Jason Grimson to the people on which Moneyball is based is a little left field but it is still on the field - well done JB

https://www.thetrots.com.au/news/the-forum/bonnington/bonnington-shep-cup-shows-trots-landscapes-beane-rewritten/

I would however like to ask him why his Burning Questions continues to be all male when we follow an industry where females are not only the equal/superior to men but also involved in equal numbers

[Messenger]

PP has rightly gone to town on Bonno.
Bonno does not let facts get in the way of his opinion
He starts off with a boxing analogy which is totally wrong as Haggler v Hearns was over in 3 rounds
Then claims Copy That was gifted the Ballarat Cup with a bloodless lead

The Lead time of 80.8 and Q1 of 28.7 were faster than when Smolda set the Tk Rec

https://www.thetrots.com.au/news/the-forum/bonnington/bonnington-has-round-one-knockout-revealed-glory-champs/

[Messenger]

Change the title to 'JB try harder'
I am deaf but have great devices to eliminate my disadvantage in this area
Listening to the interviews that JB conducted before the R3 APG final, I could hear 'the interviewed' perfectly but JB was mumble mumble mumble (is it partly because he is all over the mic as though it was an ice-cream?)
Diction man - Diction, you are supposed to be a professional presenter

ps I have just realized that it is not all a diction problem for remembering that I read lips (not consciously but do) his covering his mouth with the mic is no doubt part of the problem

[Messenger]

Why is it that in an industry that is 50% amazing women, Burning Questions never has any of them on. I don't know if they are not invited or that they do not want to work with JB - we should have kept Nikita Ross and made her the host

https://www.thetrots.com.au/news/articles/bq-brings-the-bants-as-bon-a-mac-ryan-and-andy-team-up/

[Messenger]

https://www.thetrots.com.au/news/the-forum/bonnington/bonnington-the-vicbred-series-thats-grown-into-a-platinum-prize/

One of JB's better articles

[Messenger]

JB picked a few at Melton tonight with his best being $30 of Tri's in R6 returning $450

https://www.harness.org.au/punting/punters-corner/form-analysis/?keyNum=381149

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=MX270523

https://www.tab.com.au/racing/2023-05-27/MELTON/MLT/H/5/Win

[Messenger]

Please give 'zealots' a rest

https://www.thetrots.com.au/news/the-forum/bonnington/bonnington-a-revel-in-great-stallions-italian-as-beat-goes-on/

1. a person who is fanatical and uncompromising in pursuit of their religious, political, or other ideals.

I am not sure that it really applies
Fanatic or enthusiast are definitely better

[Showgrounds]

I just can't be bothered reading his stuff any more.

[aussiebreno]

PP hammering Bonno about a sexist comment. Some of its inaudible to me but isn't he just saying he's not good at keeping up with gear changes and saying Britt is good at keeping up with the gear changes? He mumbles and talks fast so I can't really catch the comment.

[Messenger]

I am the deaf coot on here Brendan but your interpretation seems a real stretch to me
I think he says it in the way he does because he is making a snide remark
There is no reason for him to reference Brittany (especially in your interpretation)

Unless someone goes to the trouble of improving/dissecting the audio - it will just blow over

Nevertheless for a sport with so many female participants, we are really struggling to find female presenters - last night's TrotsVision all male

[aussiebreno]

I am the deaf coot on here Brendan but your interpretation seems a real stretch to me
I think he says it in the way he does because he is making a snide remark
There is no reason for him to reference Brittany (especially in your interpretation)

Unless someone goes to the trouble of improving/dissecting the audio - it will just blow over

Nevertheless for a sport with so many female participants, we are really struggling to find female presenters - last night's TrotsVision all male
Having listened multiple times what I hear is
"never miss a trainer, driver or gear change again. I've never really followed the gear changes that much, (I) probably should. Brittany Graham's great. Not really my go"

I am extremely confident of every word except great. But whether the word is great or something else it is a completely different sentence to Brittany Grahams not really my go. The not really my go is him following the gear changes.

He is clearly talking about all gear changes (not just gelding) and that a flaw of his is he doesn't follow them. Then I think he is just paying Britt a compliment because she is all over them.

[Messenger]

I believe you. I never passed on PPs comments from a couple of days ago because it was just another article of no interest

ps If anyone wants to listen to it, it is during an ad at the 8.30 minute mark of Burning Questions

https://www.thetrots.com.au/news/articles/watch-joe-and-milesy-join-bon-and-andy-for-burning-questions/

[aussiebreno]

PP hammering Bonno about a sexist comment. Some of its inaudible to me but isn't he just saying he's not good at keeping up with gear changes and saying Britt is good at keeping up with the gear changes? He mumbles and talks fast so I can't really catch the comment.

https://peterprofit.com/why-i-would-give-jamie-kah-12-months-not-for-chopping-coke-for-pigging-it/

Second last sentence "young bird with the tidy boobs"

Just when you think he has no integrity left to lose PP goes and proves you wrong.

[Messenger]

https://peterprofit.com/why-i-would-give-jamie-kah-12-months-not-for-chopping-coke-for-pigging-it/

Second last sentence "young bird with the tidy boobs"

Just when you think he has no integrity left to lose PP goes and proves you wrong.

Is that in the clips audio Brendan? (Deaf guys don't bother with most audio stuff)
We know PP is the opposite of an angel but sometimes he supplies good news
Do you subscribe?

[aussiebreno]

Is that in the clips audio Brendan? (Deaf guys don't bother with most audio stuff)
We know PP is the opposite of an angel but sometimes he supplies good news
Do you subscribe?

No - nothing to do with Bonno I just piggybacked that comment because of the sexist relevance.

That tidy boobs comment is PP describing a girl in the Jamie Kah cocaine video.

The hypocrisy is incredulous.

Yes am a subscriber.

[Messenger]

No - nothing to do with Bonno I just piggybacked that comment because of the sexist relevance.

That tidy boobs comment is PP describing a girl in the Jamie Kah cocaine video.

The hypocrisy is incredulous.

Yes am a subscriber.

I never said anything about Bonno. I was asking about the boobs reference - where it was, now I see that it was in the written text (my reading is a worry)

[aussiebreno]

I never said anything about Bonno. I was asking about the boobs reference - where it was, now I see that it was in the written text (my reading is a worry)

Sorry thought you meant from Bonnos audio.

Yep - written.

[Messenger]

JB is back alright

https://www.thetrots.com.au/news/the-forum/bonnington/bonnington-time-for-valour-as-we-look-to-a-brighter-future/

It is a propaganda piece (somewhat understandably positives only come from our administration) but it has some good points

Why, oh why, however does he finish with

And that aspiration, not compliance, will dictate going forward.

I am clearly not as learned as JB for I am sure I have never written 'aspiration' in my life and quite possibly have never read aspirations more than a few times

[Messenger]

On Saturday night at Melton Park, early markets suggested two horses in particular would start at “red figure” odds, that is, shorter than $2 or, in layman terms, less than yours for theirs.

Those horses were Yambukian in the evening’s open class contest, and Stir Me Up in the final event, which punters often reference as the “get-out stakes”.

Ultimately, Yambukian started at $4.40 and Stir Me Up $4.

Importantly, both runners drifted desperately soon before their races were staged.

More importantly, Yambukian finished last while Stir Me Up defeated just two of 11 rivals home.

What, in real terms, are the consequences of these markets flucs and the results which followed them?

That’s simple.

For those that follow harness racing here and there at best, it’s tough to think they wouldn’t feel both frustrated and manipulated.

How can they wager on this product with confidence when one-time market morals suddenly blow out late and subsequently finish well down the track?

As is normally the case, however, truth and perception lie many miles apart.

And the truth is this.

Neither Yambukian nor Stir Me Up should ever have opened at such prohibitive prices.

Both runners started somewhere near their correct quotes.

And both horses encountered burdens which they could not overcome.

This discussion isn’t intended to marginalise or pillory those price assessors that made the markets referenced above.

Setting prices is the toughest task in all three racing codes.

Nevertheless, without greater competition, these errors will always occur; and while smart players will leverage them, we’ll also lose peripheral punters the game so sorely needs.

Like most complex problems, there are no easy answers.

Nevertheless, that should not preclude us from searching for solutions.

Punter confidence – and existence itself - depends upon finding them.



This is a decent article BUT I have removed the first third of the article which a superior to JB should have done - who oversees his warble

https://www.thetrots.com.au/news/the-forum/bonnington/bonnington-competition-key-to-getting-the-markets-right/

[aussiebreno]

Herald Sun today we get a little article tucked away by Bonno on the Eureka. His point was we need to sell the narratives about the horses in the Eureka and engage the general public with them. Which is true. So why he did an article just saying we need to sell the narrative, instead of an article actually selling the narrative is mind boggling.

[Messenger]

I now see what Brendan was talking about (only read it just now)

Sports journalism, like so many iconic industries, has somewhat involuntarily endured an exponential evolution in recent decades, and, particularly, recent years.

In the ‘good old days’ there were rules. In the halcyon years, there was structure.

Back then – with ‘then’ representing an undefined construct as this revolution was rendered via stealth, not force – sporting scribes followed similar rules to their more ‘serious’ contemporaries.

Being right was infinitely more important than being first.

Accuracy superseded splendour.

And the journalist accepted their role as what one might call a consistent conduit.

Never the hero, always the messenger.

While many hold fast to such virtues, the gluttonous nature of sporting fans ultimately demands those previous principles – noble as they are – simply won’t cut muster.

Marketing terms like ‘agile’ should, and do, make most self-respecting humans’ shudder.

But sad it may sound, that very term applies when discussing media and broadcasting approaches across different sporting disciplines.

On one hand you have pervasive products like AFL, NRL, NBA, NFL and some other acronymic sporting bodies which thrive across the globe that have subtly adopted the concept of ‘narrative’.

Different folks will carry different opinions on this subject, but most dedicated zealots that religiously follow these gargantuan industries – locally or otherwise – care precious little for narratives.

If your world shifts and shapes by whether Carlton, Manly, Miami or New York win or lose on a weekly basis, manufactured storylines about their seasonal journeys mean near on nothing.

Harness racing, however, that’s a different yarn.

While those that love the trots are probably more passionate about the game they relish than any other single sporting fanbase we – unlike the behemoths referenced above – need narratives to thrive.

And fortunately, we have them in tonight’s inaugural edition of the world’s richest standardbred contest, The Eureka.

For myriad reasons, harness racing was painfully slow to leverage slot racing’s many benefits.

In retrospect, however, the results of said tardiness may represent more blessing than curse.

Against significant odds, The Everest has courageously paved the path for races of this nature to garner unexpected respect in record time and greyhound racing’s Phoenix has only helped that cause.

This means The Eureka, which isn’t Australasian pacing’s first crack at this concept, yet certainly it’s most ambitious, finds itself following triumphant footsteps.

And, as outlined, it also delivers the narratives that smaller sports require to capture broader interest.

Firstly, we have race favourite Leap To Fame, whose narrative is all about his Queensland bona fides.

Then there’s Catch A Wave, this season’s mercurial Miracle Mile champ who races to the beat of his own drum.

It doesn’t end there either.

The Lost Storm symbolizes youth and excitement, the three-year-old wunderkind tackling older rivals while Captain Ravishing encapsulates the very nature of flawed genius and unlimited potential.

Those that don’t live harness racing need these stories to engage.

And, once they engage, the rest is up to us.

https://www.thetrots.com.au/news/the-forum/bonnington/bonnington-capturing-the-tab-eurekas-wave-of-opportunity/

Everything in red is superfluous and should have been cut by his editor

I cannot tiptoe around this due to rumours about JB's health, his superiors are not doing there job and keeping him on topic!
Media is so important to our industry's survival and this waffle has to stop

[aussiebreno]

I now see what Brendan was talking about (only read it just now)

Sports journalism, like so many iconic industries, has somewhat involuntarily endured an exponential evolution in recent decades, and, particularly, recent years.

In the ‘good old days’ there were rules. In the halcyon years, there was structure.

Back then – with ‘then’ representing an undefined construct as this revolution was rendered via stealth, not force – sporting scribes followed similar rules to their more ‘serious’ contemporaries.

Being right was infinitely more important than being first.

Accuracy superseded splendour.

And the journalist accepted their role as what one might call a consistent conduit.

Never the hero, always the messenger.

While many hold fast to such virtues, the gluttonous nature of sporting fans ultimately demands those previous principles – noble as they are – simply won’t cut muster.

Marketing terms like ‘agile’ should, and do, make most self-respecting humans’ shudder.

But sad it may sound, that very term applies when discussing media and broadcasting approaches across different sporting disciplines.

On one hand you have pervasive products like AFL, NRL, NBA, NFL and some other acronymic sporting bodies which thrive across the globe that have subtly adopted the concept of ‘narrative’.

Different folks will carry different opinions on this subject, but most dedicated zealots that religiously follow these gargantuan industries – locally or otherwise – care precious little for narratives.

If your world shifts and shapes by whether Carlton, Manly, Miami or New York win or lose on a weekly basis, manufactured storylines about their seasonal journeys mean near on nothing.

Harness racing, however, that’s a different yarn.

While those that love the trots are probably more passionate about the game they relish than any other single sporting fanbase we – unlike the behemoths referenced above – need narratives to thrive.

And fortunately, we have them in tonight’s inaugural edition of the world’s richest standardbred contest, The Eureka.

For myriad reasons, harness racing was painfully slow to leverage slot racing’s many benefits.

In retrospect, however, the results of said tardiness may represent more blessing than curse.

Against significant odds, The Everest has courageously paved the path for races of this nature to garner unexpected respect in record time and greyhound racing’s Phoenix has only helped that cause.

This means The Eureka, which isn’t Australasian pacing’s first crack at this concept, yet certainly it’s most ambitious, finds itself following triumphant footsteps.

And, as outlined, it also delivers the narratives that smaller sports require to capture broader interest.

Firstly, we have race favourite Leap To Fame, whose narrative is all about his Queensland bona fides.

Then there’s Catch A Wave, this season’s mercurial Miracle Mile champ who races to the beat of his own drum.

It doesn’t end there either.

The Lost Storm symbolizes youth and excitement, the three-year-old wunderkind tackling older rivals while Captain Ravishing encapsulates the very nature of flawed genius and unlimited potential.

Those that don’t live harness racing need these stories to engage.

And, once they engage, the rest is up to us.

https://www.thetrots.com.au/news/the-forum/bonnington/bonnington-capturing-the-tab-eurekas-wave-of-opportunity/

Everything in red is superfluous and should have been cut by his editor

I cannot tiptoe around this due to rumours about JB's health, his superiors are not doing there job and keeping him on topic!
Media is so important to our industry's survival and this waffle has to stop

not doing their* job (sorry talking about editing was too hard to ignore)

I am still scratching my head that his point is we need to sell the narrative, but he used the platform that we can use to sell the narrative to waffle on instead of selling the narrative.

[Messenger]

Thanks for that Brendan :mad:
I have sent JB's last 2 waffles to Matt Isaacs (think I have his right email as they have not bounced) but no reply

[Showgrounds]

He sells the narrative, alright. It's just a case of being no buyers for his verbal sludge.

[Messenger]

Brilliant Irish playwright, political activist and general genius George Bernard Shaw once declared that defeatism is the wretchedest of policies.

And, while opinions will differ, as they do, it’s tough to argue against this pithy proverb from the man who penned Pygamlion and also formulated the phonetic dialect.

Sadly, without judging any particular participant or any specific zealot, harness racing can struggle at times with a certain brand of cynicism which horribly hampers the sport.

Think of it this way.

If you were invited to a party, and other invitees, perhaps even the hosts, were talking said soiree down, what would the ramifications of these bleak and gloomy reports be?

It’s possible you’ll still attend, but probably not.

Even should you patronise this party, your expectations will be compromised and your excitement nullified, despite the fact it may well be the greatest gathering ever.

On Saturday night, Australian harness racing, contrary to the curses of those "negative nellies" who damage the game with their miserable mindsets, created what the kids now call a "core memory".

The cause for enthusiasm was a little contest called the TAB Eureka.

This wasn’t the first slot race in Australasian pacing.

That honour goes to The Race by Grins at Cambridge, which has now enjoyed two fantastic editions.

Then came Western Australia’s inaugural running of The Nullarbor, staged in conjunction with thoroughbred and greyhound slots contests respectively titled The Quokka and The Sandgroper.

Trailblazing as those events have been, and elitist as it sounds, no race of this nature possessed a pragmatic chance of permeating public consciousness unless staged in Melbourne or Sydney.


https://www.thetrots.com.au/news/the-forum/bonnington/bonnington-dreams-prevail-in-a-world-of-negativity/

P is for Pink

I think his thesaurus is open at P or maybe he just has a pea stuck in his throat

This zealot has become -

[Messenger]

You want the rest of the article:

Make no mistake however, this event, this TAB Eureka, ferociously fulfilled every objective and every outcome outlined in its brief.

Critically, the crowd at Menangle was massive.

Not massive in that miserly, manipulative manner where numbers are multiplied, and the atmosphere accentuated.

Genuinely gigantic, at least in harness terms circa 2023.

That part, though, remains within Harness Racing New South Wales and Club Menangle’s control. And they should be lauded for achieving what they did.

What nobody assumed ownership of was the race itself.

And the staggering, sellable, succulent nature of those narratives which organically bloomed from what materialised on Western Sydney’s unique, 1400m circuit.

Only one mare contested The Eureka.

Her name was Encipher and she defied tradition by beating the boys.

Her owner/breeder was Tyson Linke, a hobbyist trainer from South Australia that bred his newly-crowned champ in a town of 5000 people.

The horse herself, Encipher, in case you’ve forgotten, was not among the original slot holders and only called up late, while her slot holders, Summit Bloodstock (along with Aaron Bain Racing), only came to existence during a global pandemic when three young blokes chanced their arm with little, or nothing, to lose.

Defeatism is wretched.

Dreams are real.

And ambition, individual or collective, is everything.



https://www.thetrots.com.au/news/the-forum/bonnington/bonnington-dreams-prevail-in-a-world-of-negativity/

Congratulations on the emboldened paragraph JB
Call me Mr Negativity but you are getting worse :rolleyes:

ps Please leave 'zealot' out of your column just for a week or two

[gutwagon]

One day JB will drown in his own excrement and that day can't come soon enough for me !

[Messenger]

Why Why Why does he have to start every article with paragraphs of WAFFLE.
He is clearly not answerable to any superior as they would edit this non trots crap out

He is however answerable to the harness public and I for one want him to stop trying to show us how educated he is (in his eyes) and stay on track (pun intended)

A place for everything, and everything in its place.

This durable dictum, most often attributed to prolific polymath and American forefather, Benjamin Franklin seems, on face value, to represent a truism simplistic and self-evident by nature.

In spite of initial appearance, however, this plaintive platitude, this fundamental cliché has confused and confounded its adherents in a way few other proverbs of such universal usage do.

And, if you’re dubious about the debates this idiom initiates, simply check Google.

It’s a wild ride for sure.

If you quietly cogitate on this headline phrase, however, and reference it to racing, soon you’ll comprehend the chaos experienced by those that feel its message has been lost in a maelstrom of misunderstanding.

https://www.thetrots.com.au/news/the-forum/bonnington/bonnington-a-super-timeslot-for-our-prestigious-series/

[Messenger]

Don’t it always seem to go, that you don’t know what you got ‘til it’s gone.

As most will recognise, these are lyrics from Joni Mitchell’s hit tune, Big Yellow Taxi, a song which has been regularly covered, most notably by Counting Crows with and Vanessa Carlton.

The track itself was a protest anthem in no way connected to racing.

Nevertheless, this one line tacitly transcends her politics and acts as a maxim of universal meaning.

We all know that feeling.

As children we carelessly catapult toys which no longer interest us, then beg for their return when somebody else, typically a sibling, chooses to enjoy this discarded plaything without our consent.

Even as adults, we often regret failed relationships only when former partners find someone else.

One suspects similar emotions may prevail when wunderkind training duo Emma Stewart and Clayton Tonkin terminate their ownership of Victorian harness racing.

https://www.thetrots.com.au/news/the-forum/bonnington/bonnington-lets-celebrate-heroics-now-not-after-theyre-all-over/

As usual the whole intro above should have been edited out. The harness racing based rest of the article is OK
No 'zealots' this week but we did get 'zeitgeist'

[Messenger]

Congratulations JB - straight into the topic!

https://www.thetrots.com.au/news/the-forum/bonnington/bonnington-odds-on-look-deep-on-vicbred-finals-night/

[Messenger]

https://www.thetrots.com.au/news/the-forum/bonnington/bonnington-a-super-series-that-has-whet-our-appetites/

Two in a row without the waffle intro

[Showgrounds]

Too late for me, I refuse to read his verbal sludge.

[Messenger]

JB has been retrenched

[aussiebreno]

If your job is to literally sell the story and you use Herald Sun column space to write a story saying the industry should sell the story about the Eureka rather than actually selling the story I can't say that you're hard done by when being retrenched.

[Showgrounds]

Bono gono.

Goodo.

[Jasper]

Only read his articles over the last two years, often twice to try and understand what he was actually trying to say. I was put off by the Shakespeare/ Sage quotes, alliteration and philosophical underpinnings of his articles. Liked the enthusiasm but most of the content was above my head.

Hopefully he bounces back but he needs an editor/mentor for his writing.

[aussiebreno]

If your job is to literally sell the story and you use Herald Sun column space to write a story saying the industry should sell the story about the Eureka rather than actually selling the story I can't say that you're hard done by when being retrenched.

After seeing HRV plugging Herald Sun on Facebook today I purchased it. Probably the 3rd time I have purchased Hun or any paper this year.

The equivalent article to the above I complained about was done by Tim O'Connor. The article covered what it needed to. It was moreso from a punting perspective rather than a racing perspective but thats neither here nor there.

There was also a good lift out in the middle which is why HRV gave it a plug. This is good timing to have the focus on us with Spring Carnival over and the Cranbourne Cup the main gallops meeting.

It did get me wondering how long something like this is worthwhile in the paper though considering I only bought it because I seen it on Facebook. While I was doing this post and thinking about the changing methods of consuming racing my wife rang me from her nursing home job asking what radio station the races are on haha! The old methods live still!

[Messenger]

I have rarely bought the HUN in the last 30yrs but they often had good trots lift outs in the old days

[aussiebreno]

I have rarely bought the HUN in the last 30yrs but they often had good trots lift outs in the old days

I normally just buy it a couple times a year for the nostalgia.

[Yabbie]

Herald Sun has a lift out for all major meetings eg Hunter Cup, Vic Cup, VicBred, Breeders Crown. Possibly more but these meetings spring to mind

[Messenger]

Yes, I am 99% sure we pay for them but you would think it is money well spent
Now as for The Age - they really do seem to have a set against us (historical)

[Messenger]

I think HRV need to do a little updating

[Messenger]

JB has got a gig with the Doggies