Rowe Cup (6.19 AEST) and Auckland Cup (6.49 AEST) tomorrow night
https://infohorse.hrnz.co.nz/datahrs...2065-race-8-dl
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Rowe Cup (6.19 AEST) and Auckland Cup (6.49 AEST) tomorrow night
https://infohorse.hrnz.co.nz/datahrs...2065-race-8-dl
Auckland Cup is a far stronger field with more genuine chances than we've seen in recent features. Copy That, Kango, Akuta and Self Assured are the lading chances. Only Copy That (2 from 3) and Self Assured ( 4 wins and a 2nd from 6 starts) have been successful over the 3200 metre standing start trip. Should Self Assured be successful he will create history by becoming the only three-time winner of the race.
Certainly worth watching.
Muscle Mountain's 4th in the Rowe Cup was the highlight of the night
He must have lost at least 60m at the start, tacked on, went to the lead at the bell, beaten 13m
He is the fluro green
https://harness.hrnz.co.nz/gws/ws/r/...rSite&Arg=TRUE
He would have been a great NZ rep at Elitloppet
Try a hundred metres, no exaggeration.Quote:
Originally Posted by Messenger
It was hard to tell Trev as he was not in the pic he was so far back!
He was a good hundred behind the leader and still tap dancing when the leader (and eventual winner) passed the winning post the first time. My on-track source told me it was at least 100 and probably should have won except for an overly ambitious drive.
The weather in Auckland has been extremely wet with multiple floods the past few weeks. Mark Purdon relocated the remainder of his team to Lincoln Farms earlier in the week from waterlogged Pukekohe. Akuta had missed the previous week due to a foot abscess that, fortunately, broke out of its own accord. So, an excellent performance by Akuta to win the Auckland Cup and another great, patient drive by Purdon.
Kango led and, as promised, David Butcher refused to hand up to any challenger. Self Assured was the early explorer when Natalie Rasmussen sent him forward in search of the lead; Butcher was having none of that. A second prod at Kango was also refused, so Self Assuered retreated to four-back the pegs. Kango dropped anchor which saw Copy That whip around to the death with Self Assured taking a sit behind him. Akuta got onto Self Assured's back, ensuring the eventual winner a dream trail home.
Self Assured got the better of Copy That upon straightening but was a sitting duck for Akuta. The runner-up was beyond brave, Michael Guerin going as far to suggest it was probably the greatest run of Self Assured's career. On watching the replay it is hard to dispute his argument, the horse being a little unlucky to fall short in his attempt to be the first three-time winner of the race.
Yes, I agree with that Trev
Natalie, no doubt wishes she had not made that early move - no doubt believed it was a reasonable chance of succeeding given that it was 2 miles
Somewhat weird how she got to go back to her posn 3 back on pegs, and 9 runners on the pegs for so long in a 2 miler seemed fairly strange but then again logical when you think about it
https://harness.hrnz.co.nz/gws/ws/r/...rSite&Arg=TRUE
Somebody had to go and make a race of it. Had Self Assured got to the lead, even by working overtime, it would have won. Nat was a bit stiff. Kango ultimately finished sixth, which indicates the gap in class. He may have still ran a drum if he handed up. Still, the tactics made for a terrific finish with only four horse lengths between first and last.
As spectacles go, we don't see enough adrenalin--pumping races in Group One racing.
PP highlights today what type of person Brett Mangos is
Check out this clip - focusing on the brief glimpse you get of what is happening after they cross the line
We are talking about the the red with white stars and the orange with a white star
https://youtu.be/eJH5JnHwbS0
From the Stewards Report (Racing Integrity Board - much harder to find this stuff in NZ)
13. Ms Chilcott’s evidence was that after the finish, she experienced Mr Mangos’ horse “veering off” towards her, which led her to think “I might be in a bit of trouble”. She said she could not see whether Mr Mangos was in any difficulty, and “just did not know”. He never said anything to her. But upon returning to “scale” she felt he was “angry about something – a bit abusive and visibly upset”. Her evidence was that Mr Mangos used the words “You picked on the wrong c..t”. She said she did not call out and was not in “serious danger” but had to pull up so as not to come into contact with the outside fence.
https://racingintegrityboard.org.nz/...-brent-mangos/
What do we think about Brett Mangos now :mad:
Another pathetic suspension by the NZ RIB. A similarly weak suspension akin to that of Johnny Cox being only suspended for 7 days for punching a horse in the head four times during a race (the cheeky bugger had the gall to appeal the suspension but was unsuccessful).
On face value, it appears the NZ RIB does not believe animal cruelty, dangerous driving and violence or threatening comments against women are serious issues. If not, the guides that it uses for handing down suspensions and disqualifications are askew with public expectations and must be reviewed as a priority.
Copy That has been scratched from the NZ Cup.
My best sources in NZ are suggesting he has a fractured knee but the seriousness of the injury is yet to be determined.
Akuta, super impressive when second first up in last Friday's Canterbury Classic, is now favourite from Self Assured who was also first up.
Reading Barry Lichter and Ray Green's take on the NZ champ's injury suggest, although they stop short of saying so, Copy That's racing days are over.
https://www.lincolnfarms.co.nz/stori...ll-be-crucial/
My Kiwi sources were correct, fractures in the knee. I've been involved with a few horses with similar injuries, a couple that made it back to the track but unsuccessfully.
Some run by all 3 place-getters in the 3yo Flying tonight
Zac Butcher thought Merlin was dodgem car
Chase A Dream was some 2nd in the 2yo Million for C&Gs. 3 wide or worse the whole way - while the winner never off the pegs, the difference in distance travelled would be phenomenal
https://infohorse.hrnz.co.nz/datahrs...TU5MS42MC4wLjA.
Yep, one of the greatest nights of racing you would ever wish to see. Get on the HRNZ website to watch all the replays.
Akuta was also terrific in winning. He is now the equal or better than any open class horse in Australasia in my opinion.
Zac Butcher got 3 days (a week) after pleading guilty to careless driving on Merlin
https://infohorse.hrnz.co.nz/datahrs...TA1OC42MC4wLjA.
Cup Day tomorrow
Is there any better way of watching than Sky?
https://infohorse.hrnz.co.nz/datahrs...906-race-11-dl
For all its faults Sky Racing 1 has given very good coverage of NZ Trotting Cup Day. Hopefully, they continue to do so.
We have a good race at 11.56am AEDST and the first of the big ones at 1.02pm AEDST
People dressed up at the trots - Wondrous
I'm thinking I had better start a bucket list
HRNZ Results make you appreciate our service. Always slow, they really should throw out the typewriter and get a computer. R3 run well over an hour ago and no sign of results (the norm)
On first viewing, Merlin's 3rd looked ordinary but the 2600m became a 400m race - it is hard to make ground when they come home in 26.3 Now posted as 26.1
Click on the Race History link under the race name on the fields page and you will see that this race has a helluva honour list
https://infohorse.hrnz.co.nz/datahrs...jor_race60.htm
PP will be asking how Grimson improved Cya Art out of sight in so little time
The reason why I want the HRNZ results (obviously you can get TAB results etc) is for things like Quarter splits and complete finishing order - things that many want when they are reviewing a race more or less immediately after it is runQuote:
Originally Posted by Messenger
It may be that HRNZ do not put the result up until they have the video replay ready to go
It would be good to see Millwood Nike over here. 16 from 16 and 3 wide or wider the whole way today
HRNZ records show Cya Art was transferred to Grimson on 8 November, just 6 days ago. I would think plenty of people, not just PP, SHOULD be asking questions.
What we have learnt already:
1. People were taking pot-shots at Don't Stop Dreaming and Milwood Nike after their "poor" performances at the trials last week. Perhaps some people don't understand what trial is, or the meaning of the word. Mark Purdon knows it.
2. Millwood Nike is a champion. That is a word I rarely utter.
3. Don't Stop Dreaming may have just proved he is superior to Merlin. The 10 length margin is hard to argue against.
4. NZ Trotting Cup is THE premier day in Australasia and is NZ's biggest meeting of all codes.
No notifiable gear changes eitherQuote:
Originally Posted by Showgrounds
How good was Chase A Dream's finish in the 2yo
Addington is such a fair track, I love attending small tracks but the extra distance makes the racing so much fairer
Home in 29.4 and 28.5, after briefly dropping onto Swayzee's back, I expected Akuta to finish over him. 400m out, I thought Swayzee was going to drop out
It’s difficult to know how to respond, and I backed Swayzee. The most aggressive drive won the race, Swayzee was attacking almost immediately.
One thing though, how is that a standing start. They seemed to miss the standing bit.
Didn’t think Millwood Nike could win, in the run. You don’t see that too often/ever.
I think it is quite a good way to start them but it should be called a walk up start.
If 'walk up starts' became the accepted, I'm not sure how you would manage it (have room to walk up) if you had horses off 10m, 20m, 30m too. I don't watch much NZ racing - maybe they do
I watch abit but haven’t really noticed the walk up so much ie as much as yesterday. Earlier this year it was quite wet, at Cambridge (I think), and the mobile couldn’t get traction so they had a run up start (is what I will call it). The start wasn’t too bad either as the drivers seemed to do the right thing.
Most seemed to get away ok in the big race yesterday , which was positive.
(NZ workouts and trials are interesting to watch too ie watching horses progress)
If there was I'd didn't involve anything with straps or buckles.Quote:
Originally Posted by Messenger
Back to winter in Christchurch for Show Day, and a couple of big upsets.
The 2yo Fillies Sires final was won by Our Shangri Lana, who led all the way for Cameron Hart. She held on to win by a neck from the rapidly closing Madrid, who put in an incredible run six wide around the turn to mow down all but one.
In the Dominion Trot ($300,000 stake) Muscle Mountain was sensationally pulled out of the race at the bell after suffering atrial fibrillation. Bolt For Brilliance led, but was slightly disappointing while Oscar Bonavena, who sat in the 1/1 after a mid-race move, blew them all into the weeds in the straight for a career-best win.
The to the NZ FFA, the richest mobile FFA in NZ (The Race by Grins is not a FFA). Swayzee was scratched yesterday morning, said to prepare for the ID in Brisbane. You have to wonder why the accepted if that was the only reason. His Kentuckian Lodge stablemate Republican Party was also scractched yesterday, as was Pembrook Playboy. Akuta drew the pole and led while last year's winner Self Assured drew 9 but started from 6 with the scratchings. No matter, Herlihy dragged the old horse back to last. At the winning post with a lap to go, Akuta broke for a couple of strides, said to be caused by a loose hopple shortener cord tangling around a hopple loop. He settle and attempted to lead all the way having seen off the brave mare Aardies Express only for Self Assured to unleash a repeat effort of last year's race in coming from last at the 600 metres to win running away. he only had to round up 7 runners this year unlike the 12 last year and looked as fresh as a daisy in winning.
All the races were great to watch, log onto the HRNZ website to watch www.hrnz.co.nz
Our Shangri Lana - from a ½ sis to RNRDoo. I know Brendan will be interested ;)
Self Assured destroyed Akuta in the home straight - 5 lengths faster
The word from the driver was the horse was absolutely bolting around the turn. I'd love to see him back over here but I doubt whether that will happen.Quote:
Originally Posted by Messenger
"Self Assured destroyed Akuta in the home straight - 5 lengths faster"Quote:
Originally Posted by Showgrounds
Kev and Trev, I am no huge fan of Akuta, but to be fair, SA didn't spend a single penny until the last 400 and he didn't have a gut buster a few days earlier. SA has speed to burn for sure which he displayed in the run home, taking lengths of the leaders in 27.7 but if he couldn't do that after the effortless run he had enjoyed they would be entitled to be disappointed.
Hey Danno, good to see you back posting after Act Now put in a shocker :p ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Danno
Yeah, it was only the NZ FFA so li guess you would be disappointed if you didn't win! 26.54 final 400 coming from.last was a fair effort for a soon to be 8yo. And back to back last to first wins just don't happen in a race only the elite horses win. Check the race history if you don't believe me. And, Captain Obvious, it was well publicised the horse was withdrawn from the Cup to focus on the FFA. Just another special win by a special horse.Quote:
Originally Posted by Danno
Merlin gets it all his own way in the Derby
2yo Filly Dutchess Megxit looks a star in the making, in which case you would be pretty hopeful if you owned 4th placed Treacherous Love
Poor Nathan Dawson will have nightmares about that steer on Not As Promised, for many a long day
https://infohorse.hrnz.co.nz/datahrs...s/121032rs.htm