Inter 2024

[Messenger]

The 4th and Final Rankings

https://www.interdominion.com.au/rankings/

These would have to be the weakest ever seen for both pacers (in particular) and trotters :eek:

To give you an idea of how decimated the fields have been by scratchings
Minstrel who was 15th in 3rd Rnd rankings is now 1st
At least he and Don Hugo have won Big races in the last couple of months

[trish]

Funny I was about to start a thread.
IMO I think if you ever wanted to win an Interdominion with a claimer , this is the year.
A FFA?

[trish]

The MM & Inter were the best races back in my day.
How times have changed.

[trish]

What a shame.


!st Rankings.
1 LEAP TO FAME ID23 - Grand Circuit QLD Grant Dixon
2 CATCH A WAVE Grand Circuit VIC Andy Gath
3 BETTER ECLIPSE Group 1 VIC Jess Tubbs
4 DON HUGO The Eureka NSW Luke McCarthy
5 MAJOR MOTH Kilmore Cup NSW Jason Grimson
6 SWAYZEE NSW Jason Grimson
7 SPEAK THE TRUTH QLD Shannon Price
8 MAX DELIGHT VIC David Aiken
9 DISTRICT ATTORNEY NSW Jason Grimson
10 MACH DAN




Final rankings.
1 MINSTREL NZ Group 1 WA Pacing Cup WA G F J Bond, S A Bond
2 DON HUGO The Eureka Golden Ticket NSW Luke McCarthy
3 BLACKSADANCE Queensland Cup Golden Ticket QLD Chantal Turpin
4 MAX DELIGHT VIC David Aiken
5 MACH DAN VIC Emma Stewart
6 CURLY JAMES NSW Jason Grimson
7 NERANO NZ NSW Jason Grimson
8 DISTRICT ATTORNEY NSW Jason Grimson
9 CANTFINDABETTORMAN NZ VIC Isabel Walsh
10 CAPTAINS KNOCK NSW Brad Hewitt

[trish]

How does the no 2 horse in the 1st heat get a run in front of the 2nd & 3rd emergency ??
The horse is rated 78 & has run 1.55.7.
The 2nd & 3rd emergency horses have run 1.51 & 1.49 & rated in the 90's.

[trish]

Maybe someone can explain my above question.

[Messenger]

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=NR291124#NRM29112401

It seems ridiculous that a 5yo horse that has only ever won 4 races can gain a start in the Inter

LOL he will probably be the surprise packet of the series - on his breeding it would be a real surprise

https://harness.hrnz.co.nz/gws/ws/r/infohorsews/wsd06x?Arg=hrnzg-Ptype&Arg=HorseDetails&Arg=hrnzg-DoSearch&Arg=TRUE&Arg=hrnzg-HorseId&Arg=6E95101E-5670-4DA2-9B32-F9929D5C1817&Arg=hrnzg-rSite&Arg=TRUE

[trish]

The reason I said anything was that I could not believe his inclusion over the 2nd & 3rd reserve , who have much better credentials. I would be pissed off if I owned either of those horses. if there was not a suitable explanation that is.

So who can I ask do you think?

DL 22-4-6-1 , $65 thou , 1.55.7. (gets a start) About 45-14-9-7 , $161 thou , 1.49.3 . (3rd res) Mont 60-14-9-10 , $200 thou , 1.51.5. (2nd res) . And their form is good., so you would not think it is that.

I am sorry but this does not make any sense to me.

[trish]

I sent an enquire to HRNSW.

I will let you ALL know , when they reply.

AND it might be a simple explanation but we would like to hear it.

[Messenger]

It would seem that the selectors do not rate the emergencies
In between the 2nd rankings and the 3rd rankings (Oct 16 - Oct 30) Donegal Luther jumped from 81st to 61st (passing Montalbano Em 2) but he only had one start in that period - a 21m 5th to LTF who rated 1.52 over 2300m in a $25k race at Menangle. He sat last the whole way and made some ground in a fair display
During this period Montalbano had 2 starts, a 5th and a 7th both behind Captains Knock who destroyed them all in sub 1.50 miles at Menangle. His efforts were just ordinary

[Messenger]

Hopefully I will get more excited when the heats begin

[trish]

Emergency's did not get a look in with the scratching of the NZ horse.

[trish]

Was he pulled out of the box after 9am??

[trish]

Just another nail in the coffin.


AND by the way NO ONE GOT BACK TO ME FROM HRNSW AFTER I SENT AN EMAIL ASKING TO EXPLAIN HOW SOME RESERVES DID NOT GET A RUN WHEN THEY HAD BETTER CREDENTIALS THAN THE 2 IN THE 1ST HEAT


IS IT ANY WONDER WHY I GAVE UP HARNESS RACING.
NAHHHHHHHHHHH.

[trish]

Photo of Minstrel winning shows the crowd at Newcastle.

[Messenger]

Chris Alford - you Cant Find A Better Man

[Messenger]

https://harness.au/news/55013/fascinating-draws-for-id24-night-two

The story title is Fascinating Draws For ID24 Night Two

Lucky we have the TAB as I cannot find the draws anywhere on HRA or HRNSW

In the story the Greg Bond must be trying to push out Ministrel's odds

“Thankfully with Minstrel we got maximum points on night one,” Greg Bond said. “It’s going to be a lot harder for him at Bathurst.”

The bookies don't think it is going to be that hard - he is $1.35

[trish]

Thats a fine story but where are the fields?

[Yabbie]

Not sure why fields are not in usual places but they were posted by Harness Racing NSW on FB and Twitter/X on Saturday morning

https://x.com/hrnsw_harness/status/1862664724279959642?s=61&t=vLWBW8w7bq4xaabWXh3HBg

https://x.com/hrnsw_harness/status/1862664924847382885?s=61&t=vLWBW8w7bq4xaabWXh3HBg

[trish]

Not sure why fields are not in usual places but they were posted by Harness Racing NSW on FB and Twitter/X on Saturday morning

https://x.com/hrnsw_harness/status/1862664724279959642?s=61&t=vLWBW8w7bq4xaabWXh3HBg

https://x.com/hrnsw_harness/status/1862664924847382885?s=61&t=vLWBW8w7bq4xaabWXh3HBg



One of the BIG meetings one would think they would be on Harness.org & are still not.
Thanks Carol but we do not do twitter or facebook , so that's just grand.

[Yabbie]

One of the BIG meetings one would think they would be on Harness.org & are still not.
Thanks Carol but we do not do twitter or facebook , so that's just grand.

I know. Very poor. Fields not even available on their official Interdom website!!

[Messenger]

Like I said, lucky we have the TAB

[Messenger]

I think PP is spot on here

[trish]

He could have over estimated the amount of punters because I don't know anyone.

[Messenger]

Yes 1.2% is an interesting notion.
We will assume that we are of course talking about the population old enough to bet
Let's pluck a figure out of the air and say that number is 15 million
1.2% of that would be 180,000 - I think we would be VERY lucky to have 60,000 betting on the trots.
I would not be surprised if it was closer to 6,000 which would only be .04%

The figures would be better expressed as numbers instead of percentages (with an explanation of how they were determined)
It would be good to know what the figures are for gallops and AFL etc for comparison and you would think they (rather than the whole population) would be our first targets

[trish]

I agree Kev. I think the problem is simple. You don't see broken down football players / claimers winning premierships.

[Messenger]

Could it be that West Aussie Minstrel is not used to rain and a rain affected track

[Mighty Atom]

I think you're right, Kev. I don't believe the horse has ever raced on such a track with such appalling conditions; he was completely lost out there. Minstrel will likely need to finish first or second at Menangle to qualify for the final. It rained last Friday in Newcastle, and it poured down at Bathurst. What's next for Menangle? The weather on the East Coast is very unpredictable at this time of year. The only place to hold an event and be 90% certain of good weather is Gloucester Park.:(

[trish]

After the race stewards reported that Minstrel had a gear malfunction which in closer detail revealed that one of his shortening pins did not release. More importantly he showed no abnormalities after the race so he will be back at Menangle on Saturday to try and take his place in the final.

[Messenger]

You might be right about GP Rod - I have to get there one day. My son came back from a conference in Perth last month and said we all have to move to Perth. He has been there before with family in tow but this time your city definitely charmed him. He could probably do it as he works for Wesfarmers

[Messenger]

I think a 3rd or 4th will also see Minstrel in the final
I have left off the last column of stragglers

https://www.interdominion.com.au/id24-points-tables-following-round-2/

[Yabbie]

Barrier draws for final heats

https://x.com/clubmenangle/status/1864495369952088281?s=61&t=vLWBW8w7bq4xaabWXh3HBg

https://x.com/hrnsw_harness/status/1864490236308541882?s=12

[Messenger]

The fields

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=PC071224

[trish]

You might be right about GP Rod - I have to get there one day. My son came back from a conference in Perth last month and said we all have to move to Perth. He has been there before with family in tow but this time your city definitely charmed him. He could probably do it as he works for Wesfarmers


We have spent about 4 months in WA & Perth (2 weeks) in the last 5 months & we said the same . We would if we were younger. Its a beautiful place. The city is so easy to get around & the transport links are fantastic.
The Kimberley are a MUST DO.

[trish]

Lets see (who posts on here) if they can pick the winner of the ID pacers & ID trotters , this far out , of cause the draw is all important . You can have 3.

I will have a go & say , NERARO , MINSTREL , CAPTAIN'S KNOCK.

Trotters. THE LOCOMOTIVE , QUEEN ELIDA , PLYMOUTH CHUBB.

[Messenger]

The bookies (giving you little) see it as very even

[Messenger]

The draw will be a huge factor but for now I will go
1. Minstrel 2. Don Hugo 3. Curly James

[Toohard]

Pacers - Dangerous, Cantfindabettorman and Curly James
Trotters - Mufasa Metro, The Locomotive and Queen Elida

[trish]

We have spent about 4 months in WA & Perth (2 weeks) in the last 5 months & we said the same . We would if we were younger. Its a beautiful place. The city is so easy to get around & the transport links are fantastic.
The Kimberley are a MUST DO.


Hope this works because I am not computer savvy but I tried. Our trip in the Kimberley . We were lucky enough to have been on board with Mark Jones who made the video . Brilliant.
.
https://www.facebook.com/Diversitycharters/videos/diversity-and-its-crew-at-their-best-beautifully-captured-by-mark-jones/1217864262674147/

[trish]

Pacers - Dangerous, Cantfindabettorman and Curly James
Trotters - Mufasa Metro, The Locomotive and Queen Elida

Great to hear from you Paul.

[Messenger]

Hope this works because I am not computer savvy but I tried. Our trip in the Kimberley . We were lucky enough to have been on board with Mark Jones who made the video . Brilliant.
.
https://www.facebook.com/Diversitycharters/videos/diversity-and-its-crew-at-their-best-beautifully-captured-by-mark-jones/1217864262674147/

Top stuff

[trish]

Well I would reckon the first 3 across the line in the 1st heat tonight will get into the final

[Messenger]

Well after Heat 7 the first three will be through to the final while Pete Said So has a nervous wait
What a race - move after move after move

[Messenger]

Once again after Heat 8 the first three will be through to the final

[trish]

Yep.

[Messenger]

and Nerano will be right too

[trish]

And the next 3 in?

[Messenger]

I don't know the point scale precisely but I imagine that the first 12 in the ratings after the second round are all holding their spots
EXCEPT Minstrel would have moved into the top 12 and either Pete or Cantfindabettorman will have dropped out

Here is the Rnd 2 table again

[trish]

Looks about right Kev.

[trish]

It will be interesting to see how long it takes for the final field. It is 8.41pm Sat , 7th Dec.

[Yabbie]

Fields for both out by 9.45. Barrier draws done by 10.30

https://x.com/hrnsw_harness/status/1865385520463024418?s=61&t=vLWBW8w7bq4xaabWXh3HBg

https://x.com/hrnsw_harness/status/1865360816025059810?s=61&t=vLWBW8w7bq4xaabWXh3HBg

[Messenger]

Don Hugo would have to be favourite now

[Messenger]

The trotters is only worth $150,000

[trish]

Thats poor money for the trotters final.

[trish]

Don Hugo would have to be favourite now

Yes & if they let LM go to the front , like a lot do , its all over.

It has the potential to be a very boring race. , like one not long ago.

[Messenger]

Yes with Minstrel following out Don Hugo it has the potential for the Lead and Death to be determined early and nobody likely to challenge

[Mighty Atom]

If Don Hugo does lead and Minstrel follows through you wouldn't be comfortable with Minstrel sitting parked look what Tenzing Bromac did to DH in the first set of heats sitting in the breeze.

[Messenger]

Yes Rod although if you look at Don's lead in to this series I think he has come into it with peaking for the final the objective.
Nevertheless I give Minstrel a real chance of troubling him out of it however something finishing over the top of them is also on the cards
Maybe Dangerous, young Ryan has been handling him beautifully but coming into this, although we have always known him to be a well above average horse, I couldn't see him as an Inter winner as a 4yo

[trish]

Lets hope something takes DH on if he leads & make a race of it.
Otherwise it WILL be boring.

We will be on Norfolk Island & maybe not great coverage anyway but I would rather be there fishing.

[Messenger]

Did Victorian trainer Wayne Potter sell his share in The Locomotive?

[gutwagon]

I honestly didn't know this was on until after the first round of heats !

[Messenger]

It is does not seem to be generating a lot of media, even for the rusted-ons on the sites they frequent

[Messenger]

Jack Callaghan has chosen the longer priced Nerano for his drive

https://www.harness.org.au/media-room/news-article/?news_id=67885

[trish]

Jack Callaghan has chosen the longer priced Nerano for his drive

https://www.harness.org.au/media-room/news-article/?news_id=67885

I wonder if he knows something we don't.

[trish]

Grima reckons his mare can lead & then possibly hand up to LM.
No race if he does that.
OR maybe Curly James will take the leader on & make a race of it??

[Messenger]

We got an interesting race!
A full second off the Tk Rec.
Could Leap To Fame or Swayzee have gone any faster?
Luke the wise head drives according to what is happening
Nothing wrong with Deni's drive either

For a couple of them the race presented nightmare scenarios

[Messenger]

As he was through the series, The Locomotive was too good in the Trot and took 0.1 off the Tk Rec he set last week

[Messenger]

Amazing to think that two 4yo's have won the Inters, no doubt some of the absentees helped but normally I don't expect 4yo's to be seasoned enough to win Inters (I have not checked the record books)

[Messenger]

After Don has followed up by winning the MM, I have gone back and had a look at the Inter time again

1.50.5 MR for 2300m is just ridiculous and not something I thought horses were capable of

We had the lead time of 46.9 for 691m
That is the equivalent of running almost two quarters at 27.3 Q pace

Then we have quarters of 29.3, 28.0, 26.1, 27.6

Think of it as being like a horse going 27.3, 27.3, 29.3, 28.0, 26.1, 27.6

Like I said - ridiculous