Great Southern Star

[Maorisidol]

Seems like this race is slowly fading in what we expected its brilliance to be a month or so ago.
We have lost I Can Doosit
Stig has had 2 below par races at Menangle and now at Melton...what's connections of him thinking at this point?
The European fella has also had 2 runs for 2 gallops, was going to lead last night but galloped which was a shame cos we may have seen what he could've done when leading over the short trip, knowing he was a fast beginner from the mobile I had some dollars on him fixed at $31...
After a promising start first up a few weeks ago, Sundons Gifts last couple have been more than ordinary, 1/1 last night finished 27m from winner, is retirement imminent again?
Hopefully all these guys can lift and be on their best behavior if they actually accept for the race!
Awesome run last night buy of course the winner, new track record to Vulcan, and massive run by Elegant Image who lost at least 40m at the start, hugged the pegs and slipped into 3rd!
Will b a great day with all Squaregaiters races 23 March at Melton.

[Maorisidol]

Update...
Sundons Gift officially retired as of today Monday, according to Chris Lang on In The Gig tonite.
Well done old fella, but as Chris said, he didn't really wanna b there any more and it showed in his last couple of starts.

Stigs trainer has admitted he has "played with his shoeing" before he came across and declares he has now remedied the problem. Hopefully. would b a shame for him not to perform at his best here. Gets his chance this weekend in Australian Trotting Grand Prix. Looks like a great field with I Didn't Do It, Sovereignty, Mister Zion, Elegant Image, Vulcan etc

[broncobrad]

Well Ash, the in-form horse did the job. Stig...BRAVE! Elegant Image did some hard yards, but he didn't get left. What did you think?

[Maorisidol]

Well Ash, the in-form horse did the job. Stig...BRAVE! Elegant Image did some hard yards, but he didn't get left. What did you think?

Quite right Brad, Vulcan in top form great drive, his sprint was too good. Good word for Stig...brave, great to see him fulfilling what he can really do. Haven't heard/read trainers critique of the run, but has to b way happier than last 2 runs! Hopefully can improve again for next week, I'm sure he should.
Tough run Elegant Image 3 wide last 1300 and yes battled on well without capitulating, stay with him.
Soverignty didn't get a run at them, has more to offer.
And I loved the run of My High Expectations in this class, which is only his 2nd attempt. Totally on the way up this bloke, amazing what D.Aiken is doing with his trotters at the moment! Great job.
Fiery Ginga disappointing having had the sit.
I Didn't Do It back to pulling hard and may have cost him a length or 2, thought he would've held on a bit more.
Sad to see Mister Zion race like that again, very rough last 800 then galloped no reason at 200 like he did at Menangle gotta be something wrong there, will be Havin a big spell after Great Southern i reckon if he actually races in it!

[teecee]

The full draws for each Pryde's EasiFeed Great Southern Star qualifier are as follows:
1. Earl Of Mot
2. Elegant Image
3. Bellingham
4. Keystone Del
5. Chuck Wagon (Em1)
6. Cold Sister
7. Aldebaran Shades
8. Kasyanov
-----------------------------------------
9. Stig
10. Ridgehead Cahore
11. Dreamit
And:
1. Aleppo Sunrise
2. Chuck Wagon (Em1)
3. Double Bundy
4. Motu Young Jacob
5. Neville Vaughan
6. Sovereignty
7. The Fiery Ginga
--------------------------------------------
8. My High Expectations
9. Our Dolly Would
10. I Didn't Do It
11. Vulcan

[HaroldParker]

Geez, there are some horses in those heats that flat out don't belong.

Over that short a trip they should of had 8 off the front, first 4 from both heats make the final.

Bellingham, Chuck Wagon, Ridgehead Cahore, Dreamit, Double Bundy, Motu Young Jacob, Neville Vaughan and Our Dolly Would are stocking fillers.

The best trotter in Australia won at the Gold Coast last Friday off 60m winning by 30+ rating 2.01 for a 2600m SS. He should be there.

[HaroldParker]

and the push for Dreamit, are you kidding me ?

He beat Vulcan via a 40m start rating 2.02+ around Menangle before beating the mighty Armed Guard by 5m in a tic under 2.01 last Friday. In Armed Guard's previous 8 runs, no better than 7th.

From a punting perspective, it's a below par meeting. They won't hold two bob for a feature night.

[Viv Strangman]

You are not serious. How can anyone take trotting in Queensland seriously. Not one trotter of grand circut quality. The horse has never tested himself against the best yet you rate him the best trotter in Australia.
UNBELIVABLE

[broncobrad]

Fully expect to get shot down in flames here but the bulk of the 'elite herd' at present are going pretty ordinary at the moment. I Can Doosit not being there is a huge let down for the series. Vulcan on a good day wouldn't get near him and he is the horse of the hour by default. Elegant Image is fast becoming an enigma, Mister Zion should be going around at Flemington. The Stig showed a bit more the other night but if I get on him, the impending feeling of doom decends again. Bob, I will grant you Supper Waltz has talent, its his brain that lets him down tooooo often.

The two qualifiers will allow the lesser lights an opportunity to show their wares if anything. Vulcan for mine again though.

[Maorisidol]

Heat 1.
I think we have 4 horses here. Earl of Mot, elegant Image, Keystone Del and Stig.
EOM racing really well, will b handy throughout, whoever leads between the front horses will b very hard to roll. Elegant Image ran a super race when 3rd 2 weeks ago making up huge ground so if he can stay up front will be hard to pass.
Keystone Del ran super fast time 2 starts back, if he leads who can run faster than that especially if coming from behind?Stig follows EI thru at the start, so should settle close and gets his chance to claim first Aussie win. Dream It has been great but led both times and had it easy, will b hard pressed from outside second row over this trip, this will tell us how good he could b.
Heat 2
Well who will lead? Aleppo Sunrise can get out ok but Double Bundy crossed him easy at Menangle at one point he is a fast mobile beginner, will he then hand up to Sovereignty who comes out quick and or could the Ginga cross them all???
I reckon Double Bundy will hand up to Soverignty with Ginga in death who will capitulate from the 400. At this point I Didn't Do It will be leading up the 3 wide train with Vulcan glued to his back and it will b a very exciting last 300...
If by chance Aleppo leads and My High Expectations gets the sprint lane we could see him take his biggest step up in his rise into this class, we will see lots from him soon at this level.

[Maorisidol]

Great nights Squaregaiting.
Great Southern Star great success, exciting being there with the heats and then Final a few hours later. Amazing animals to run about 1:57 in heats then come out later and go even quicker.
Vulcan, on fire, actually unbeatable his last 400 in both races, and in final had the audacity to lead up 3 wide train from just after the bell and brained them. A pity Stig gallopped no doubt, and at least good to see Ridgehead showed us something in heat, but couldnt keep up with Vulcan after sitting on his back from the bell in final.
For me as indicated in my above post, My High Expectations is Australias next up and commer absolutely going places, 2 top runs from virtually last in heat and final, awesome. They were lucky he wasnt up front. D Aiken is also absolutely flying. I must say he is totally challenging Chris Lang as our top trotting conditioner! Look what he has done with Brylin Crescent as well as MHE, not to mention his 3, 3yo fillies.
Cant wait to see Blitzthemcalder go to NZ next week, that will be great to watch, now theres the I Can Doosit of 1-2 years time!!!
Thanks everyone for putting this night on with the Breed For Speed finals and the Monte too, am a fan of the trotters! (hence Maorisidol!)

[Viv Strangman]

Great to see an Aussie age group trotter come to NZ. Obviously very talented but he will need to be. Both Royal Aspirations (1.56.5- 2yr) and Habiti (1.57.7 1950m) are both racing in peak form and several others are not to far behind. Great to see and if I am back in NZ in time I will be there for sure

[aussiebreno]

Great runs Vulcan.
My High Expectations one for the future as Ash said.

[Mitch]

I read on twitter today that Ridgehead Cahore maybe be staying & purchased by local interests. Anyone know who?

[mightymo]

I heard similar, but then later heard that he is not for sale but will be staying here. Decision on trainer in the next week

[Maorisidol]

Great we have a far greater depth here in 2014 than last year!
Stent lookin hot at the moment with many others racing very well and some almost racing above themselves which is a great thing.
Heat 1.
Without goin to visit HRNZ to trowl thru replays who knows how fast Stent comes out of the gate? Will he hold from the pole? Aleppo Midas gets out quite ok, Blitz of course will be slow out unfortunately, but Cyclone Jake is a very fast mobile beginner as is Cold Sister. Not knowing Stents speed i predict Cyclone will lead and may try lead all the way, having said that if Aleppo is crossed by Cyclone after she has crossed Blitz and Stent, she won't wanna be left in death seat so a push to lead could be on. Nice heat. Then how much will big Blitz get involved once he gets balanced and Chris gets him moving forward to qualify?

Heat 2.
Well the 2 fastest Race Mile record holders line up here with same as last week, Flying Isa to lead and Keystone Del has to end up in death seat. However last years revelation My High Expectations HAS to go forward but will Keystone allow him to the chair? i think he has to, however they are all just looking to qualify here so some restraint should prevail. Elegant Image will find it tough from wide barrier over the sprint.

[brent_L]

Stent can get out pretty quick Ash but IMO it's a bad draw he's come up with. I'm 90% sure he could hold the lead early if they want, but the problem as I see it, is after the early burn to hold out Jake & Cold Sister then along comes AMidas who always goes keen. I'd imagine DeFilippi then takes the sit on her. It does look as though the race will be run to suit Blitz but I just can't forget the shellacking he copped at the hands of Midas a few weeks back. Quinella Stent & Midas for me.
2nd heat also intriguing as u point out. 5 of the 6 horses outside Isa are all go forward horses so exactly where Del ends up is a mystery.
Should be a good nights trotting.

[Viv Strangman]

Stent can really leave the gate if he has to. Could have lead at Menangle but handed up early which cost him the race. In media over here saying he won't hand up as he could end up missing the final if he didn't get clear.. Shame about the defection of most of Nz leading trotters but love the concept and hope it prospers.

[Messenger]

I think that in Race 5 Candy Digger from the pole has been set for this - it has only been 113 starts since she last won ;) It just goes to show we are not exclusive in Harness Racing. This race is even the first leg of the double and quaddie on Trotting's big night

She is another of Brian Kiesey's scheduled to have her 233 start. The 9yo might have trouble finding the line but she knows how to run a place with a record 232-6-43, including 6 placings this season and last.

Candy's stats caught my eye at Stawell today where she ran 4th behind Keystone Blues who was having his 212th start for Graeme Whittle and has now won over $86k. The 10yo now has a 212-13-41 record. Gee we have some incredible warhorses

[trish]

Well done Keystone Del, super win. Super drive & trained to perfection.
Congratulations to everyone involved.

[aussiebreno]

A great race series tonight. Awesome to watch.