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Sure is Kev.. You hardly ever see them do that at GP.. I feel sorry for the Irish horse.. Beautiful horse, BUT... He should have stayed in the Northern Hemisphere. What were they thinking?
Menin Gate went horrible.. He should have had a few runs before tackling WA's best..
Back on track with a great nights racing last night folks, Great to see Lenny and P Man driven to win or at least trying to win their heats instead of taking the soft option, I was pretty surprised initially to see Libertybelle Midfrew in the series as she could have waited for Frith's race to come around but full marks to the mare last night, She's certainly very smart, Devendra's run was sensational coming from the back at the 400m, His career has been very similar to Beautide's, Lots of racing in Tazzy then the odd trip away and now he's racing very well in the top grade, Lenny and P Man far from disgraced last night and how crucial is the draw for the final?? It's going to be a cracker with any number of chances. Menin Gate was bitterly disappointing after a tough run but Beaudene Boaz and Run Oneover are extra smart horses and it was never going to be a stroll in the park for MG.
Hi SmokenQuote:
Originally Posted by Smoken
I'm the opposite with regards to the series; I'm feeling it and loving it, but I made a point of watching and reading as much as possible as this is my preferred style for the Inter Dominion. Having said that I can understand your point because whilst Gloucester Park, in my opinion, are doing an outstanding job running and promoting it, on the eastern side of the country it really requires our media sources, both general and harness, to pick it up and run with it. I haven't seen much of that at all, just an occasional mention here and there. Add to that the commonly held view that West Australian horses are somehow not up to the east, the fact that Beautide, Arden Rooney and Christen Me are missing, and you can see why there isn't as much of a buzz over here. I've sat down and watched all the heats and last night's racing was outstanding. LTS and Philadelphia Man had their chances but they were not able to do the job on the night and I think that goes to support my view that the quality of West Australian horses is equal to any in Australasia. I'm not a fan of afternoon harness racing but nonetheless I can't wait for Sunday week. It will be an outstanding final :-)
Regards
Mark
Amazing that she has made the final after a mere 7th and 8th in the first 2 roundsQuote:
Originally Posted by The Escape Club
http://www.perthinterdominion.com.au...-points-table/
http://www.harnesslink.com/Australia...ound-in-Perth-
[QUOTE=Mark Croatto;45002]Hi Smoken
I'm the opposite with regards to the series; I'm feeling it and loving it, but I made a point of watching and reading as much as possible as this is my preferred style for the Inter Dominion. Having said that I can understand your point because whilst Gloucester Park, in my opinion, are doing an outstanding job running and promoting it, on the eastern side of the country it really requires our media sources, both general and harness, to pick it up and run with it. I haven't seen much of that at all, just an occasional mention here and there. Add to that the commonly held view that West Australian horses are somehow not up to the east, the fact that Beautide, Arden Rooney and Christen Me are missing, and you can see why there isn't as much of a buzz over here. I've sat down and watched all the heats and last night's racing was outstanding. LTS and Philadelphia Man had their chances but they were not able to do the job on the night and I think that goes to support my view that the quality of West Australian horses is equal to any in Australasia. I'm not a fan of afternoon harness racing but nonetheless I can't wait for Sunday week. It will be an outstanding final :-)
Regards
Mark
+1
Best night of harness racing anywhere in Australia this year.
DEVENDRA ??? definitely the one to beat in the final
I'm almost afraid that she'll win it. I've been backing her the whole way through. Before the 2nd round of heats, she'd blown out to $126 for the final so I had a go at her each way. Imagine my delight when she made the final and I checked my statement to see that I'd actually backed Northview Punter who was on the same line and not her.Quote:
Originally Posted by Messenger
Beaudiene Boaz 1:53:8 and My Hard Copy's 1:51:6 at Bunbury brilliant times for 8 and 900 metre tracks I hope that because WA horses make up half of the final field this does not deter the very best of the interstate horses from returning next year.
That wont happen Rod = $$$$$
If it did, those $$$$ would soon halve
I would be more comfortable if he didn'tQuote:
Originally Posted by Mighty Atom
Still disappointing to see a few negative comments about the series.
Traditional format, very competitive racing and building up to a great final day with an excellent supporting card.
A few of the superstars missing but only because they have had issues leading up to the series.
$1.3m final, the richest pacing race in the world, and still some try to tear it down, very hard to please.
That pretty much sums it up in what I was meaning Mark. I personally think that Gloucester Park is the best looking track in Australia. The scenery is numero uno! It would be great if they showcase the greatest harness race in the year more than what they are doing at the moment. It's the Melbourne Cup equivalent in the harness world. Harness deserves some of the glory of yesteryear. Maybe I am just too critical/picky, but I still hold to my opinion.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark Croatto
I personally can't see Devendra winning the final, unless the fancied runners are seriously used up at the start or have horrid runs. If Devendra draws the front, he better not do what he did at Bunbury... If he does, game over for Devendra. The draw will determine who is favourite and who is not. Critical!
I think the negatives are really only based on the scheduling (almost a clash with NZ) and the time difference (some - probably unfairly, make it out to be the equivalent of being in another country)Quote:
Originally Posted by Chariots
My only real reservation Ray, is what if you getting a stinking hot day next weekend
Totally agree with the showcasing issue. As we come up to both the Spring and Autumn carnivals, Sky Radio is constantly playing intro's to the feature races. It seems there is an ad every 10 or 15 minutes, and backed up by the obligatory sentimental musical score the ads really do a great job in promoting the gallops carnivals. We really need that sort of support as well.Quote:
Originally Posted by Smoken
Cheers
Quote:
Originally Posted by Messenger
This far out for what it's worth, the forecast at this stage is for 34, mostly sunny with a bit of cloud about.
You guys are probably used to that Robert, a bit of cloud and some breeze to go with the 34 would be bearable. Forecast here for Stawell tomorrow is 37 and I am umming and ahhing :(
Well said Mark! Btw, I don't think many people doubt the quality of the WA horses, it's there adaptation to GP track that some think favours them compared to the Eastern state horses. If only David Hercules was in the series.. Always had high regards of DH, from when he ran that great race behind Smoken Up @ Melton years ago. Sad that he retired.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark Croatto
I was a little sceptical of this years series before it started because I thought it was going to be boring but I remembered how much I enjoyed the 2012 series so I have stayed up to tune in to watch all the heats and im glad I did. Just to go back to the traditional format I believe has worked and it is such a level series it makes you want to tune in especially because every participant is having a go no one is lying down and conceding defeat. I have to say I like the final night of heats pbd on points it gave every horse a chance. The sport definitely needs to be showcased and I hope the series remains in this format into the future because in my opinion the last couple have been very boring and that's taking nothing away from Beautide hes a super horse. The final hasn't run yet and in my opinion the heats of this series have already surpassed the last two Inter finals.
Barrier draw is going to be so vital for the final.
1. Lovers Delight
2. Waylade
3. Lennytheshatk
4. Philadelphia Man
5. Our Blackbird
6. Libertybelle Midfrew's
7. Avonnova
8. Devendra
9. My Hard Copy
10. Flaming Flutter - 2nd line
Hard to see the winner coming outside 1-4.
Read somewhere that the Bunbury crowd was a bit disappointing, If that was the case, Pinjarra might be an option for a round of heats next year.
The final is over 2536m again I assume. The only other chance I see Ray, might be Devendra if they go hard and he is driven cold and gets a nice cart up on the back of Avonnova down the backQuote:
Originally Posted by Chariots
As someone who hasn't been too interested in the series this year I actually thought the draw has worked perfectly for creating the best race possible. It is Lennys race to lose but I believe horses 5-10 will have their fair chance.
With the next best two favoured horses drawn inside Lenny he may have a hard time. If both fit and firing it's been proven PMan can't beat Lenny and from that draw PMan will probably have the harder run so I can't see him winning.
So if the pace is hot (which the draw gives the best chance of it being hot) horses 5-10 are right into it.
We've seen Libertybelle Midfrew sit 3 wide last 1000m in good times (eg Gold Nugget), we've seen My Hard Copy storm home in quick time off a hot pace (Bunbury Heat), we've seen Flaming Flutter should have ran past Lenny and PMan if not got held up (Shep Cup). In a series devoid of many GC regulars Avonnova been on the circuit 13 months and will get his easiest run of the series, and of course Devendra won 2 heats himself and got butchered in one. Probably can't really make a case for Our Blackbird but he did only get beaten 2m by Lenny a fortnight ago.
Even the emergencies Major Crocker has beaten Lenny and had to be close to run of the series when beaten at Bunbury, while Blazin n Cullen tends to save his best performances for Gp1s when you don't expect it eg Inter, Len Smith Mile.
I'm probably looking at the silver lining for each horses chances but from how I felt considering I been negative about the series for a couple months I am excited for the final.
Excellent thoughts on the Final Breno, It's going to be a cracker, I quite like the way that Waylade has progressed through the series, He's pretty inexperienced compared to most of the others and might be a year short but definitley one to keep your eye on in the future.
A good summary of Lover's Delight including breeding etc etc
http://www.harnesslink.com/Australia...he-1.3m-Final-
He has pretty much be up for 10mths but had 6wks between runs in June/July and another 8wks between runs with Sept free
From Harnesslink news compliments of racingbase.com
http://www.harnesslink.com/Australia...y-runner-guide
You will be surprised at his selections
No's 5&10 E/W
AVONNOVA fixed at $7.50 a place - he is as tough as nails & the extra distance will suit - as always depends on the run of the race - pretty good odds though
What do you mean by 'extra distance' James?
The Longer distance races suit him I meant sorry..especially from an average gate
Will Flaming Flutter be carted into the race? If so, what do you guys think of his chances? Definitely a nice horse, doesn't seem quite himself lately over all?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Messenger
I hope they go forward with her and don't let any of the others have an easy quarter during the race.
She's tough
Totally agree Rob, She's tough as old boots, Can't really see any slow quarters with WA's racing style, She's definitely a chance.
It's not a bad draw for Flaming Flutter James, Surely he will be right on the back of Lovers Delight who I think will lead but I'm not sure if FF is up to it on current form and will need a lot of luck getting off the pegs if he's in the hunt.Quote:
Originally Posted by Smoken
I wish the Final was over 2936m. Over that distance you can almost guarantee there will be moves.
I am relying on WA's reputed 'take no prisoners' style of racing to deliver us an exciting final. I am however a little worried that Lovers Delight will lead and Lenny will take the death and very little action will eventuate.
Sometimes there can be something to be said for team driving to create a bit of excitement (not malicious of course)
A reminder that 7mate is showing the Final live from 5pm Melb time - with no interruptions from Dubbo dogs or Upotipotpon gallops
Wa TABTOUCH's money back if 2nd or 3rd for Fixed Odds WIN bet, your first such bet only, up to $50 sounds appealing
https://www.tabtouch.com.au/home/index
Quote:
Originally Posted by Messenger
I wish I had been wrong for that procession is not likely to have converted any newbs tuned into 7mateQuote:
Originally Posted by Amlin
A real ding dong go up front between Lenny and Lovers Delight, Bit of a shame we didn't see any moves from the back and I thought that Avonovva's run was massive, Only 0.1 outside the track record but full marks to Lenny.
Was a good race to watch but my one dissapointment that Nsw and also Vic decided not to have a metro meeting to coincide with the showpiece of Harness racing.Quote:
Originally Posted by Messenger
The view of this years Inter- Dominions from this side of the Tasman has been less than glowing but no involvement does that.
The article by Mat Kermeen is a touch over the top but his views are widely held over here
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