Mr Feelgood

[tyson]

Whats going on with him ?

Went up to watch him last night and he doesn't look the same horse ?

[Greg Hando]

Don't know but he has gone right off for some reason,perhaps he's had enough and feel's like standing down as 1 of our best.

[barney]

May explain why Luke stayed home and didnt drive him Had enough for what reason who knows, but they arent machines.

[Itisi]

Might be home sick, just not going at all over there

[William]

He's now going about the same as he was for Butt's before McCarthy took the horse over. Handy, but he gets a bit tired and hits a bit of a flat spot if he has a hard run, then just battles to the line.

[broncobrad]

Can only summise Luke knows the horse isn't going so well at present. He did drive him at his previous two at Gloucester and preferred to leave him in his Dads capable hands maybe hoping his Dad can nurse him through the series and hopefully pick up form by finals night if he gets in. Back in 2009 he only had a 3rd and a 5th in the heats before knocking over Blackie in the final when still in the Butts stable. A few of the also rans that night included Washakie, Smoken Up and Auckland Reactor.

[broncobrad]

That said, Fixed Odds NSW TAB has Heat 6 as Auckland Reactor at $2.20 and Mr Feelgood at $2.40 in a win only market at present. I wouldn't feel too good about those odds if I was backing MFG.

[Old Frank]

Mr Feelgood won great races with the Butt's, has won great races with McCarthy but has clearly shown recently that he doesn't want a bar of Perth and Gloucester Park, nor racing for that matter period and to be frank, looks completely disinterested in his racing. He's one-pacing and just going through the motions in my opinion.

He's been a great horse, done his job and won't surprise if they retire him, I was actually surprised they didn't retire him after his Victoria Cup win. I mean all bar winning a Miracle Mile, he's got nothing to prove here in Australia.

[tyson]

Thats better MR.....

[broncobrad]

I reckon. Took $2.50 fixed odds and just before they jumped took $2.85. Good to see you back fella.

[Greg Hando]

Gee he went well tonight the Mr of old, i hope he can draw a marble in the final he could just give it a big shake and i hope Quinn draw's 1 .

[aussiebreno]

Gee he went well tonight the Mr of old, i hope he can draw a marble in the final he could just give it a big shake and i hope Quinn draw's 1 .
I hope ITMQ draws anywhere but one.

[Old Frank]

Great win by old Mr Feelgood. Geez I had my doubts big time on him as let's be frank, his previous form has been below par, but tonight sitting cold early obviously did the trick and then allowed J.McCarthy to move into the race at his own pace.

Great stuff to see a good horse firing again and on that run, has to be considered a very live chance in the final.

[Danno]

I hope ITMQ draws anywhere but one.

Spot on Brenno!.If "quinn" is as good in himself next Friday as he was last night, barrier one is one of the very few things that might beat him. He was awesome last night, absolutely awesome!

[murray green]

Great win by old Mr Feelgood. Geez I had my doubts big time on him as let's be frank, his previous form has been below par, but tonight sitting cold early obviously did the trick and then allowed J.McCarthy to move into the race at his own pace.

Great stuff to see a good horse firing again and on that run, has to be considered a very live chance in the final.

Yep he went super but in saying that , it was the race they went mental in . IMO

[racefair]

Hi Nathan,
It's easier to say a lot in hindsight. Many gave up after his 1st heat when he sat outside of the leader. That actually was a solid run and it would appear that he's coming into peak form.
He's run yesterday was awesome.
Your comments that he may be past it don't make sense either and aren't consistent with your belief that Luke (the McCarthy's) know/train/understand there horses to the minute and far better than anyone else.
He's getting older and there is only one race that he needs to win - the final. Good luck to Mr. Feelgood.

[Triple V]

I've heard on a couple of occasions that the horse doesn't tend to do his best when coming off more than the usual travel prior to/close to race time. If that's actually the case then maybe it's just that he is settling in to his new surroundings over there. He certainly went a HUGE trip. 1:55.6 and a 57.8 close off the end of a tick over 1 & 1/2 miles. Not too shabby that.

[tyson]

It will be a great final.... I hope ITMQ draws the front and smoken up runs him into the ground. Mr Feelgood is my football team of harness racing. I follow him everywhere. ITMQ is a lot like Collingwood - I don't like either of them

[Triple V]

Bill Shorten at one time used to work for the Collingwood Football Club.

[Harold Parker]

I thought Cromac Johnny had him. If it was the Mr Feelgood on night 1 and possibly night 2 he would have. It was put on a platter for both of them but Mr Feelgood manhandled Cromac Johnny. The latter is underrated. I was impressed.

[murray green]

I thought Cromac Johnny had him. If it was the Mr Feelgood on night 1 and possibly night 2 he would have. It was put on a platter for both of them but Mr Feelgood manhandled Cromac Johnny. The latter is underrated. I was impressed.

Cromac went great considering the difference between them . Feelgoods what a M lots & won $3,300,000.00 . Cromac about M 5-6-7 & won $190,00.00 .

[Triple V]

Speaking of Cromac...has there ever been a sire the Southern Hemisphere who's first couple of crops were so disliked (and especially so by the Kiwis) who has turned it around and fought back...seemingly from the edge of oblivion....and done so more spectacularly than has Courage Under Fire? After his opening efforts many people, and I'm ashamed to say including myself, thought he was dead in the water. Now go have look at his body of work.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4a/Raising_Lazarus007.jpg/217px-Raising_Lazarus007.jpg

It's a bigger comeback than Lazarus.

[David Summers]

You were not alone in your rubbishing of Courage Under Fire in his initial two seasons at stud. A careful investigative search on Google will take you to many posts and news items back then that I am certain all who posted these diatribes against CUF's stud prospects would like to just go away.

It is similar to the reception that Lohnro ( last season's leading sire) first received when he went to stud. Several currently so-called "respected" racing writers and commentators made some now very embarrassing comments about Lohnro , saying he was an absolute certainly to fail at stud.

Being a solid CUF fan since his 2YO days , I was just hoping he would eventually stick it up all his detractors when he went to stud. Every time another brilliant CUF colt or filly is produced it gives me a very warm feeling. CUF - A legendary pacer and , if it were possible , has become an even bigger legend at stud.

Where are all those who said "too small to have any sort of success at stud".

BTW, I know that Lombo Pocket Watch is performing below his best in Perth , but I have seen similar comments over the last year or so about his future stud prospects as were made about CUF.

Several of his early unraced progeny are absolutely flying behind the scenes. Whenever you see any of his early progeny , don't dismiss.

[aussiebreno]

You were not alone in your rubbishing of Courage Under Fire in his initial two seasons at stud. A careful investigative search on Google will take you to many posts and news items back then that I am certain all who posted these diatribes against CUF's stud prospects would like to just go away.

It is similar to the reception that Lohnro ( last season's leading sire) first received when he went to stud. Several currently so-called "respected" racing writers and commentators made some now very embarrassing comments about Lohnro , saying he was an absolute certainly to fail at stud.

Being a solid CUF fan since his 2YO days , I was just hoping he would eventually stick it up all his detractors when he went to stud. Every time another brilliant CUF colt or filly is produced it gives me a very warm feeling. CUF - A legendary pacer and , if it were possible , has become an even bigger legend at stud.

Where are all those who said "too small to have any sort of success at stud".

BTW, I know that Lombo Pocket Watch is performing below his best in Perth , but I have seen similar comments over the last year or so about his future stud prospects as were made about CUF.

Several of his early unraced progeny are absolutely flying behind the scenes. Whenever you see any of his early progeny , don't dismiss.
Interesting re Lohnro. I actually remember everybody being positive about him being retired to stud, being the best son of Octagonal - a line that included two of NZs best ever sires Zabeel and Sir Tristram.

[David Summers]

It's true Brendan. Comments about Lohnro when he started at stud were 50/50 in what he would do. You are lucky to have read mostly the positive ones. The negative ones , in part , brought out the old line "champion racehorses do not necessary mean they will be a success at stud".
Tell that to Redoute's Choice!

A few dismissed Lohnro completely.

OK, getting off topic here, it's about Mr. Feelgood. Very impressed with his improvement and courage shown last night.

Means nothing , but for what it's worth , my selections for the ID final are:

1. ITMQ
2. Auckland Reactor
3. Mr. Feelgood
4. Smoken Up.

Selections 2 and 3 are ruled by my heart , not really by my head , but just hoping anyway :-)

[aussiebreno]

It's true Brendan. Comments about Lohnro when he started at stud were 50/50 in what he would do. You are lucky to have read mostly the positive ones. The negative ones , in part , brought out the old line "champion racehorses do not necessary mean they will be a success at stud". A few completely dismissed him completely.

Tell that to Redoute's Choice!

OK, getting off topic here, it's about Mr. Feelgood. Very impressed with his improvement and courage shown last night.

Means nothing , but for what it's worth , my selections for the ID final are:

1. ITMQ
2. Auckland Reactor
3. Mr. Feelgood
4. Smoken Up.

Selections 2 and 3 are ruled by my heart , not really by my head , but just hoping anyway :-)
I could only hope those writers aren't writing anymore, or aren't commenting on breeding.

I think that will be a pretty popular first four, not necesarily in that order. Although I'm not a fan of the Reactor myself.

[teecee]

[QUOTE=tyson;18146]It will be a great final.... I hope ITMQ draws the front

Fact....I can guarantee it.
Anybody want to bet against me.........HE WILL...!!!!!!

[teecee]

Speaking of Cromac...has there ever been a sire the Southern Hemisphere who's first couple of crops were so disliked (and especially so by the Kiwis) who has turned it around and fought back...seemingly from the edge of oblivion....and done so more spectacularly than has Courage Under Fire? After his opening efforts many people, and I'm ashamed to say including myself, thought he was dead in the water. Now go have look at his body of work.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4a/Raising_Lazarus007.jpg/217px-Raising_Lazarus007.jpg

It's a bigger comeback than Lazarus.

What is it exactly you are trying to say here. Courage served in his first 4 seasons at stud in NZ...
201, 163, 252, and 312 mares.
Our mare is included in years 1, 2, and 4.
His biggest problem was that so many expected that he would produce precocious horses like himself. He never really did.
Now his biggest problem is his fertility.
He was once timed at 26secs. from entry to the serving barn to exit in between unloading a fortnight's normal supply of sperm. He was one of the most fertile stallions to stand at NRS.
Nowadays his book is closed mid season, not because he is oversubscribed but because he can't produce.!!!!

[tyson]

We have, well had Franco Torro which is from the family of Cromac Johnny. Wish we waited 2 years and got the later

[aussiebreno]

[QUOTE=tyson;18146]It will be a great final.... I hope ITMQ draws the front

Fact....I can guarantee it.
Anybody want to bet against me.........HE WILL...!!!!!!
Lol

[Triple V]

No, not in his first 4 seasons at stud Tony. Rather, as racehorses...as in when his first few crops hit the track, the bagging was big, the Kiwis in particular were jumping off quicker than the proverbials leaving a sinking ship, and for quite a while the CUF's seemed to be doing very little if anything to refute it. Perhaps a bit too much was expected of them as you said, however to be fair who put that level of expectation on them to begin with? It wasn't solely the domain of the Breeders nor the Buyers. At the time NR played a pretty fair old hand in stoking that fire too.
Interestingly, and for reasons that perhaps may never become totally clear, over the years I reckon the complete converse has happened and there have been a few horses that, given their initial results, I'd have thought the Kiwi industry really should have run screaming from. Instead they have kept supporting them up to the point of them IMO having been given way, way more than a reasonable shot at the prize. Two horses in particular that come to mind right now are Elsu and McArdle. Honestly, what the...? The aforementioned Lazarus only ever made one comeback. CUF has starred in and won an Oscar for that role. Fertility wise, that Direct Scooter/ITP line has always been a bit touch and go in terms of reproductive longevity. ITP went that way himself, CC the same, CUF the same. I believe Mach Three's not so flash either.

[Mighty Atom]

[QUOTE=tyson;18146]It will be a great final.... I hope ITMQ draws the front

Fact....I can guarantee it.
Anybody want to bet against me.........HE WILL...!!!!!!

The only draw ITMQ doesn't need is barrier 1, he'll be dropping back looking for a trail but the first horse making a run in the three wide train he'll be following. Anyway I'm sure barrier 1 or 2 has been reserved for Smoken Up, 3 at worst.

[The Form Student]

[QUOTE=tyson;18146]It will be a great final.... I hope ITMQ draws the front

Fact....I can guarantee it.
Anybody want to bet against me.........HE WILL...!!!!!!

You've got the odds in your favour!........there are more runners off the front than the 2nd row...........what odds are you giving??????????

[aussiebreno]

[QUOTE=teecee;18176]

You've got the odds in your favour!........there are more runners off the front than the 2nd row...........what odds are you giving??????????
Whatever TeeCees give you I'll double it. For now does 100000/1 sound alright?

[The Form Student]

[QUOTE=The Form Student;18208]
Whatever TeeCees give you I'll double it. For now does 100000/1 sound alright?

I think I am getting handled here!.........so is it that ITMQ has to draw the 2nd line?

[The Form Student]

Steve, how closely have you been watching the heats?

They have been starting 9 across the front in 9 horse fields.

The final has 9 starters...

Thanks, Adam.........I knew something was wrong......9 horse final is a bit ridiculous!.....

[aussiebreno]

Steve, how closely have you been watching the heats?

They have been starting 9 across the front in 9 horse fields.

The final has 9 starters...
You are no good for my fledging bookmaking career!!! Was on an absolute certainty.

[The Form Student]

You are no good for my fledging bookmaking career!!! Was on an absolute certainty.

Accountants never take any chances!!!!!!!!!!!!

[LisaB25]

He's drawn perfectly in one...

[murray green]

He's drawn perfectly in one...

Ok & the rest ???

[David Summers]

http://www.harnessracingforum.com/showthread.php?2282-Interdom-Final&daysprune=7

[Harold Parker]

Ring a Ding Ding, Mr Feelgood is going to be a two time Interdominion King !!

[teecee]

He's drawn perfectly in one...

How so. The pole didn't provide a winner in any of the 12 heats. Even Barrier 9 got a winner..Crombie...
Best heats barrier is 4. ..4 winners but no placings (1st 3) came out of 4. Barrier 3 dealt 2 winners 1 2nd and 1 3rd.

[aussiebreno]

How so. The pole didn't provide a winner in any of the 12 heats. Even Barrier 9 got a winner..Crombie...
Best heats barrier is 4. ..4 winners but no placings (1st 3) came out of 4. Barrier 3 dealt 2 winners 1 2nd and 1 3rd.
I don't think what happened in other races with other horses is really that relevant myself. One is a good draw for Feelgood imo.

[teecee]

As you might expect this should be the tightest racing all year on a track with no passing lane. A horse drawn one can expect no favours.
IMO the fence will not be the place to be no matter what horse it is.Anyone trying to push out is likely to get put right back where he came from....even jnr..
There are 4 genuine chances here and 5 others to get in their road.

[The Form Student]

Hail the king........Im The Mighty King........has a lap on the other runners just needs to get a good run and be near enough at the 500.......adios the rest!..... Mr Feelgood has looked ordinary.......fell in on friday night.........the only danger Smoken Up leading....but only just!!!!!!!!!!!!

[LisaB25]

Leading would be the best option surely? some of his best performances have been when he's led. If he was to hand up, will need a lot of luck getting out.

[The Form Student]

Leading would be the best option surely? some of his best performances have been when he's led. If he was to hand up, will need a lot of luck getting out.

He wont risk a pocket, will sit back on the outside, and wait for the opportunity to sprint!

[LisaB25]

i was talking about MF not quinn.

[The Form Student]

i was talking about MF not quinn.

Sorry, He won't hold the lead, he will try and get the sit behind Smoken Up, and hope he gets some luck to get out!.....can't be on MF in the final!

[Harold Parker]

Mr Feelgood will lead and win.

Nuff Said

[The Form Student]

Mr Feelgood will give up to SU, if he knows what's good for him!

[Harold Parker]

Mr Feelgood will give up to SU, if he knows what's good for him!

You're talking out of your sky rocket mate. Mr Feelgood isn't handing up in an Interdominion Final not around Gloucester Park or anywhere.

[The Form Student]

You're talking out of your sky rocket mate. Mr Feelgood isn't handing up in an Interdominion Final not around Gloucester Park or anywhere.

That's his choice, SU will be absolutely desperate to lead!........it won't help MF's chances!

[teecee]

You're talking out of your sky rocket mate. Mr Feelgood isn't handing up in an Interdominion Final not around Gloucester Park or anywhere.
I guess we shall see b4 the race when the McCarthys advise a change of tactics..??
""IF CIRCUMSTANCE PERMITS...etc...etc...

[Harold Parker]

I guess we shall see b4 the race when the McCarthys advise a change of tactics..??
""IF CIRCUMSTANCE PERMITS...etc...etc...

Why would they need to advise of a change of tactics ? He's gone forward and breezed in 2 heats and got into the running line from a barrier he couldn't lead from on Friday.

It's as if Mr Feelgood is an unknown quantity for you guys.

[teecee]

He couldn't lead from barrier 4 on Friday against arguably the weakest heat of the series???
But now a horse absolutely destined to lead from Gate 1 against the strongest field of the series. Huh..

[Just Saying]

I think SU will be driven to lead at all costs. Only chance he has.

[The Form Student]

SU will come out knowing he can get the lead off whoever is in front!.....If they want to stay in the race.....for some hope of prizemonmey!

[Chariots]

The bias towards number one from the release point is very significant and unless McCarthy is asleep it will lead into the back straight the first time. What he does after that is subject to conjecture. Owner doesn't need the place money so my guess he will roll the dice and hold the lead. Someone mentioned that number one has not been successful throughout the series but realistically there has only been two horses that have drawn one that have any winning chance and neither of them were favorite. Smokin Up may not be as keen to place undue pressure on the leader considering how many higH quality swoopers are in the race led by ITMQ.

[Harold Parker]

Mr Feelgood is Champion, one of the All Time Greats. The way he's improved as the series has gone on it's a lock that he'll be even better on Friday night.

Go you good thing !!