No personal preference clouding my judgement, as I already said - just normal whip use so unfair
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No personal preference clouding my judgement, as I already said - just normal whip use so unfair
If you missed the Auckland Cup on Friday night here is the low-down and replay
https://harnesslink.com/new-zealand/...ng-400000-cup/
https://harnesslink.com/new-zealand/...g-barn-awaits/
Bettor Twist retired
But the prospect of continually taking on the “boys” like Self Assured and Spankem has convinced Breckon that it’s time to pull the pin with his glamour mare and send her to the broodmare paddock.
PP ridicules The Magic Man's defence of his drive on Simply Sam the Friday before yesterday. You will see that he was last in the running line (on the winners back) and instead of coming wide cut down to the fence and a wall of horses, he surely was praying for a miracle in doing that or as PP suggests wanting to wait for next week. Despite defending his choice, McKendry has however pleaded guilty to not giving his horse the best opportunity.
Have a look for yourself
https://harness.hrnz.co.nz/gws/ws/r/...rSite&Arg=TRUE
To put this into context, compare Maurice's drive last week with his drive this week on the same horse.Quote:
Originally Posted by Messenger
https://harness.hrnz.co.nz/gws/ws/r/...rSite&Arg=TRUE
PP is right on the money, Maurice validated his claims. Previous "we wuz robbed" stories originating out of Lincoln Farms include the attempt to re-write history and have Copy That declared horse of the year. One of the most credible PR machines this side of Moscow.
PP rightly points out that the Magic Man's licensed backers who have come out in force and are attacking the competency of the stewards are breaking several NZ rules
And abusing anybody who disagrees, it would seem. McKendry's drive on Simply Sam Thursday night was exactly what everybody expected him to do the previous Friday when he decided, on the home turn, to go THREE back the pegs instead of pulling out wide in the straight. This was what the winner did and what Simply Sam did on Thursday. The horse was driven in a similar manner when it won convincingly at AP on 5 May and 20 May and when narrowly beaten by top class filly Queen of Diamonds on 27 May.Quote:
Originally Posted by Messenger
On 10 June the horse opened favourite before easing to second favourite. True, the horse was in a higher class race but its excellent form suggests it could handle the field. Statements made by connections generally fail to mention how the horse had been driven in its previous three starts.
I am not suggesting anything improper has occurred as I do not have access to betting fluctuations. However most drivers, even ones as lauded as Maurice McKendry, make the occasional error of judgement. However, this does not mean they only receive a pat on the shoulder and a "better luck next time". This was a shocker of a drive and not what you would expect on a favoured runner.
Whatever the outcome of the date as yet unknown inquiry one thing is a certainty. Whatever a fair and reasonable penalty might have been has been doused in petrol. And the horses foolish connections - the driver, trainer, part owner and PR guy - are shouting and waving their arms around while holding lit cigarettes. Do they really think the stewards will front up with fire extinguishers? A Jerry can of petrol would be more probable.
For those wondering what the 'beach training' is all about here is a clip for you (be sure to enlarge as the quality is good and there are Closed Captions if you need them)
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?ref=...t%20night%20tv
Maurice McKendry's awful drive on Simply Sam (10 June), for which he pleaded guilty to the charge of failing to take all reasonable and permissible measures at all times to give his horse the best opportunity to win has been heard.
It took three weeks to hear the charge by which time McKendry changed his plea to NOT guilty. No doubt this resulted from the outrageous media commentary that followed from stable connections urged the plea change. HRNZ stewards finally heard the charge on 30 June, the night Simply Sam again won although working to outside the leader. Here is the Stewards Report:
https://infohorse.hrnz.co.nz/datahrs...220630_002.htm
Why wasn't this charge heard on the night it occurred? The media bile and venom directed at the stewards in charge was disgraceful as was the abuse from the stable's paid correspondent towards anybody who pointed out the obvious flaws with their arguments.
The outcome? There weeks suspension. The big question is whether HRNZ has enough courage to support its employees, the stewards, for the abuse and reputational damage they copped from licences and owners? So far, not a word. Extremely poor and I would hope this would never happen in Australia.
I'll put my hand up to commenting on steward's supposedly missing incidents in races eg, they were tending to their guide dogs;it was the last race and it's a long drive home. However the dissent dished out following M. McKendry MNZM making a mistake and slaughtering the winning chances of a fancied runner was underhanded, denigrates harness racing and undermines officials.
Well said Trevor. Maybe we need a system like the AFL where such commentary from stables would result in penalties
peterprofit.com has a scary multi part story on 3 horses from the same barn dying on track in the last 4 months - two 2yo's and one 3yo
peterprofit.com is a subscription only blog
Seasider, which collapsed and died at Cambridge last Thursday night, was a Downbytheseaside two year old having its first start. That is tragic but also strange for so many to collapse and die in races. I've known a few, Messini being one, that collapsed and died when walking off the track after a workout but this is a seriously weird occurrence - ALL HORSES FROM THE ONE STABLE? Hello!Quote:
Originally Posted by Messenger
Spring has sprung in NZ and the big guns are back. Akuta is first up in open company at Oamaru on Sunday in the Hannon Memorial while Spankem and Self Assured both came off 40 metres in a 2600 metre trial at Rangiora today. NZ Cup is only 8 weeks away.
Something does not feel right about
Guerin: Steve taking the Express lane to success in the Harness 7000
when their horses are dropping like flies
https://www.thetrots.com.au/news/the...-harness-7000/
Mark Purdon drove a lazy five winners from six drives at Oamaru today with Akuta impressive in doing all the bullocking work in the Hannon Memorial to win in the last stride. Two of his wins were catch drives on trotters.
https://infohorse.hrnz.co.nz/datahrs...9989-race-9-dl
Rock N Roll Doo in the important lead up to the Cup at 2.55 AEDT today
https://www.thetrots.com.au/news/the...z-cup-lead-up/
The idea of taking a horse that has never had a SS across for the Cup is looking a big gamble now
Thats a matter of perspective Kev. Didn't seem like much of a gamble to me laying him!
The accountants just get richer
At $4.50 Rock N Roll Doo seems incredibly short for the NZ Cup when it is only his second start from the stand and having missed away at his first.
He has drawn the two spot on the second line and will follow out Majestic Cruiser
https://harnesslink.com/new-zealand/...-field-is-set/
Too right. $4.50 is gross unders. I wonder how much difference in the NZ market.Quote:
Originally Posted by Messenger
Connections are upbeat with him winning a 3 horse trial. Winning a 15 horse race appears a tad harder.
Yes, no doubt he is fitter but I would want him to have drawn 2 and to be confident of him getting away to contemplate those odds
Tune in about 3.30 tomorrow for the NZ Cup
Two Aussie hopes in No.2 Majestic Cruiser ($17) and No.13 Rock N Roll Doo ($5)
Both have question marks beside their names regarding the Stand Start but if I had to pick one I am going the Cruiser with the better odds and better draw although I think Doo is the better horse
https://infohorse.hrnz.co.nz/datahrs...975-race-11-dl
I would be tuning in for the entire meeting because it is the best day of racing for the year in Australasia. The Cup field is the strongest in many years, the 2yo Sires final will be a stunner, the Nevele R final might yet reveal me to be an astute judge and every race is top-notch.
Definitely a day to be a lounge lizard watching NZ Cup Day. It is a fabulous day's racing. Sky 1 coverage - they've already done a 1 hour preview (Box Seat) and have another one coming up at 10am (NZ time) with Brittany Graham. Tape is running for me as I'm working (otherwise I'd be there in person!)Quote:
Originally Posted by Showgrounds
Rock N Roll Doo - what a total waste this exercise has been. Maybe Mick Stanley needed to find some wiser old heads to teach him how to get away BEFORE embarking on this pointless pursuit
Very admirable effort by the Cruiser, one ahead of him in the 3 wide train was not up to it down the back, otherwise he may have done even better
MS was very good at talking the talk pre-race but copped a large dose of NZ Cup reality when the starter said go. It is an affliction that has affected many Aussies over the years. 3:54 for the 3200 stand will do that, hats off to Copy That and Ray Green. I was concerned for the horse when he was in Australia.Quote:
Originally Posted by Messenger
The stewards report should be interesting to read. Majestic Cruiser was gallant in second while the run of the beaten brigade was Self Assured. He looked like he was ready to take off around the turn only to cop a bad check and almost break. He still sprouted wings once he got down and dragged a flat tyre to the line. Krug? Welcome to the big time Carter Dalgety, no favours given to the kid so three-wide, parked and punctured. I've felt for a long time that South Coast Arden was nowhere near the horse he was twelve months ago and, regretfully, he confirmed my thoughts. Very ordinary at Ashburton and terrible today, his connections have a lot of head scratching to do.
The other races have been terrific all day. One of the best drives you will ever see by M Purdon on Don't Stop Dreaming to win the 2yo Sires final with the hugely talented Sherlock, who can be a bit like a 17 year old boy thrown the keys to a Falcon GT-HO at this stage of his career, rocketing home to be beaten a neck.
True Fantasy was back to her very best which is far too good for any other three year old filly to romp home in the Nevele R final. Her mate Queen of Diamonds was heavily backed to beat her (guilty as charged) but broke and tailed out in the score-up. Perhaps she will bring her best to the NZ Oaks. The win was Jean Feiss' 4th win in the past six runnings of the race with Spanish Armada, Elle Mac and Amazing Dream being the others. All four have been plucked from the yearling sales. Luck only plays a small part, a great judge of horse I would say.
Only the best fillies win the Nevele R, check out the winners over the past decade and tell me which ones you wouldn't want in your paddock with a foal at foot.
https://infohorse.hrnz.co.nz/datahrs...jor_race10.htm
Republican Party (an omen bet if you are a US citizen) shape as the main danger to Akuta in the Derby and looks a sure thing to be the next best thing next Cup day on the way he won the Junior FFA. Even old Heisenberg trumped in at $58 with a terrific win in the race before the Cup. I thought he was going to be a pretty good horse three years ago and he looked a winner on the 2019 Cup day before Amazing Dream came via cape to blouse him and stamped her true class. I stopped him, it was only his second win in 25 months!
I'll get there one year. Next year, maybe.
A good drive by Purdon but giving up the lead to rely on the sprint lane should happen every meeting, I reckon it happened more when the sprint lanes first appeared as it was seen as a positive for leaders to do this
Feel sorry for anybody that took under $20 RnR Doo.
Friday's $200,000 NZ FFA might be more to his liking but, over 1980 metres, depends on the draw. But the field will not be any easier with 22 strong nominations this year.Quote:
Originally Posted by aussiebreno
He has drawn quite well in 5 while Majestic Cruiser has done badly with 13Quote:
Originally Posted by Showgrounds
https://infohorse.hrnz.co.nz/datahrs...976-race-12-dl
The folk of NZ harness racing are putting on their best blank faces after the late scratching of Rakero Rebel from the Nevele R final yesterday. It appears a disgraced and disqualified former driver was caught red handed drenching the filly at the Rangiora stables of its trainer yesterday morning. No names from me because the individuals concerned do not deserve the publicity. A wall of silence is all you get from HRNZ under the guise of innocent until proven guilty, as if being caught in the act proves nothing.
And we know from the G. Douglas / E. Tormey case in Victoria that it does prove nothing.
Brad Reid on Harnesslink News does not hold his punches. And neither should he.
https://harnesslink.com/new-zealand/...-our-industry/
I was just about to make this a thread when I saw your post Trevor but I will still go ahead and duplicate it
Final field hasnt turned out so strong with some pulling out. Draw has fallen his way as well. At least a win here salvages the trip, and he should very much so be winning.Quote:
Originally Posted by Showgrounds
Copy That and Akuta didn't accept and last year's winner South Coast Arden would only be making up the numbers. Majestic Cruiser has drawn outside the second row but the trip and draw suits Spankem to a tee. Self Assured will be cherry ripe and very underated in this part of the world. The race is no laydown mazaire for Doo Doo. He was out of gas when they turned into the straight on Tuesday so it will be a mighty performance to come up on Friday.Quote:
Originally Posted by aussiebreno
Yes the quick backup will be a factor. My comment was moreso geared towards should be winning to justify the hype. Lose this with things in his favour and it truly is a bubble bursting moment.Quote:
Originally Posted by Showgrounds
RNR Doo tackles the NZ Free For All at 3.57 AEDT
He is into the crazy odds of $2.60 Vic TAB
Majestic Cruiser is $8.50
I like the horse but $2.15 is madness