Squaregaiters Banished from the Inter Dominions

[eljay]

Here's a good topic to get this forum underway. The (we are always right and know best) Aussies have decreed that the Trotters Inerdominions are to be scrapped. What do you guys think.
As a former owner and breeder of these majestic animals, my opinion perhaps is biassed but to me the decision simply STINKS and I hope Mr O'Brien and the board let us know exactly where they sit on this matter.

[Bruce Hadley]

Comes down to individuals preference I guess Lloyd. I am not a square gaiter fan, and dont find the decision that bad :)

[eljay]

You don't have to be a "fan" Bruce (they quite often blow out hot air) but I'm sure you do appreciate the deeds of Lyall Creek, Pride of Petite, etc. I suppose you are a "fan" of mobile miles too Bruce for the pacers and look forward with baited breath to when the Breeders succeed in running the NZ and Auckland Cups as mobile miles.
Incidentally, I understand New Zealand and Victoria opposed the axing of the trotters interdoms, but for once brawn beat brains!!

[Neil]

after being beaten by a nose in one before I am gutted that we may never get the chance to get one back

[Pinot]

it's a crying shame really,nothing better than a top trotter in full flight and this is what the Interdoms were about. It really is so short sighted with the advent of European stallions down here,how long before we have buyers from Europe here buying trotters ??

[Bruce Hadley]

You don't have to be a "fan" Bruce (they quite often blow out hot air) but I'm sure you do appreciate the deeds of Lyall Creek, Pride of Petite, etc. I suppose you are a "fan" of mobile miles too Bruce for the pacers and look forward with baited breath to when the Breeders succeed in running the NZ and Auckland Cups as mobile miles.
Incidentally, I understand New Zealand and Victoria opposed the axing of the trotters interdoms, but for once brawn beat brains!!

In fact Lloyd, whilst mobile miles dont excite me all the time, mobile racing is where its at. NZ Cup is a rare exception that is an unbelievable contest. but why oh why should we be subjected to maidens and c1's trying to go away in an orderly manner.:)

[nat]

Its no point crying over spilt milk, now its time for the interested parties to get togeather and develope a new series maybe modeled on Inter/Redwood/Hambo/Elitlop its time to think outside the box and work in with the Northem Hemisphere and let try and atract the best on offer world wide.

[eljay]

In fact Lloyd, whilst mobile miles dont excite me all the time, mobile racing is where its at. NZ Cup is a rare exception that is an unbelievable contest. but why oh why should we be subjected to maidens and c1's trying to go away in an orderly manner.:)

Stands - pacers, I agree with you Bruce but really I can't recall the last time I saw a C0 or C1 stand in the north. Maiden trotters do need that education and with the ever diminishing numbers stands will be required for handicapping in order get enough starters to make a field. Next time you see a mobile maiden trot take a close look - you will be surprised to see how many actually do break over the journey. But it's the old story, because the race is on you don't have to bet on it. I don't bet on mobile paces where theres a stinking hot favourite drawn one or two - and having owned squaregaiters I never bet on them anyway - they can be real heartbreakers but they can be most rewarding when they perform.
I really think a lot of the problem (not all but a lot) with the manners of maiden trotters can be attributable to the trainers not putting in the time educating them and this of course stems from "todays climate" where a return from the horse is required as soon as possible to minimise the costs and allow the trainers/drivers get stakes percentages sooner rather than later.

[Bruce Hadley]

Stands - pacers, I agree with you Bruce but really I can't recall the last time I saw a C0 or C1 stand in the north. Maiden trotters do need that education and with the ever diminishing numbers stands will be required for handicapping in order get enough starters to make a field. Next time you see a mobile maiden trot take a close look - you will be surprised to see how many actually do break over the journey. But it's the old story, because the race is on you don't have to bet on it. I don't bet on mobile paces where theres a stinking hot favourite drawn one or two - and having owned squaregaiters I never bet on them anyway - they can be real heartbreakers but they can be most rewarding when they perform.
I really think a lot of the problem (not all but a lot) with the manners of maiden trotters can be attributable to the trainers not putting in the time educating them and this of course stems from "todays climate" where a return from the horse is required as soon as possible to minimise the costs and allow the trainers/drivers get stakes percentages sooner rather than later.

That is true Lloyd. With most owners getting a bill for $1800 - $2000 in the North, it doesnt take long to realise they need a quick return. By the time a horse is 3yo, it has probably had more than $20,000 spent on training and agistment...not even counting the purchase price. Makes claimers look pretty cheap!!! Would cost more than most of their asking price just to jog them up :)

[Allan]

Let me preface this by saying I am a North American who is not very familiar with the racing action in Australia and New Zealand.

How was the wagering on the trotting Inter-Dominions when compared to the pacing side? Could it be the wagering is not sufficient to merit the expense of holding the Trotting Inter-Dom?

[eljay]

Wagering, in NZ especially, is being drastically diluted by the policy of the TAB, which believe it or not is an arm of the Racing Board, saturating the market with (apologies) crap races. The TAB knows that people will bet on almost anything regardless of it's merits or otherwise and I consider it is very irresponsible of the Racing Board allowing their TAB arm to concentrate on taking all the lolly (people only have so much to spare on leisure) rather than channel it towards the local product which they themselves theoretically administer.
In answer to the question raised by Allan, the pacers final is the most lucrative but the trotters are not too far behind.

[magic]

It is interesting that so far this season there has been more turnover through the NZ TAB on imported gallops than there has been on local gallops - it gives weight to the argument for the TAB to keep feeding all this imported product through Trackside. Proliferation of lots of crap imported product does nothing for the running of domestic meetings but does contribute to the distribution to the Codes.