We've already had a few <6 horse FFAs over the past 6 months.
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We've already had a few <6 horse FFAs over the past 6 months.
Hope there isn’t a scratching. I think that happened once this year and we were left with three horses in the race.
The four year old race may be interesting ie if Hoppys Way leads (disclosure - I co-own a starter, Lucca). If My Ultimate Ronnie gets to the lead that may be it.
Good luck Daniel - nice prizemoney
Thank you, we going to need it re luck (agreed re prize money - can pay for the smoochies if he earns)
I bet he slept well last night.
I hope the punters that had been on Wonderful when she was beaten 4 times at under $1.50 in her last 6 starts, got some of the $19
Well I hope no one jumped off re Wonderful to Fly - think everyone was blinded by My Ultimate Ronnie over here and he struggled in the last 100 or so (only beaten about 10 mtres mind you).
Our horse pulled up better than me. I got some sort of virus (negative for Covid) and had my worse night at the trots (both due to the horse running last and illness) and am just starting to feel better. Saw the horse this morning and he seems very bright so fingers crossed.
Small fields the order of the night again at GP. Only one race has a full field (i.e. the 9k race). Six horses in the FFA and 5 in the conditioned 25k race. December, in previous eras, used to be the premier month of racing ie leading up to Christmas! I can’t help but feel a little confused at the moment re many changes to race dates and names (especially with respect to the thoroughbreds). I for the first time had little interest in the Spring Carnival. One of the best races The McKinnon is now called the Championship (or something similar) and I completely missed the race (do we need another race with the word Champion in it!?). This is starting to occur in WA with the changes to the Pacing Cup and Fremantle Cup dates I feel with a slot race being the major focus of the current batch of administrators.
Apologies re whine, back to GP. The highlight for me is the return of Vultan Tin. Rising 12 year old, million dollar earner who recently won a trial in 1.55.8 and he will be having his 223rd start. Drawn 5 in the 5 horse race. Another interesting runner, earlier in the night, is Doc Holliday who is now in a new stable. He is always good to watch given his size and style of racing.
I know that he used to train and drive Soho Dow Jones and that Robert Watson still owns him but can you imagine flying in Michael Stanley to drive a horse in a big race for you
https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fi...23#GPM15122303
Best I could do is an Uber, possibly (disclosure bit again re Nugget).
Albany season begins again on Friday night. About 5 years ago I attended an Albany meeting and had a really good time, despite not backing a winner.
Brilliant night at GP last night, very good patronage (long line to get in). Not sure if they expected such a good crowd given that they had the same number of staff on the front gate. Great atmosphere, is there anything better than being in a racing crowd when the field comes down the straight for the last time and people start cheering for the horse they backed. You just can’t get that feeling on a phone or iPad. Great to see Vultan Tin win, given his age and status. More wins are in store given the conditioned racing system I suspect. Lavra Joe was impressive, his connections must have been greatly relieved to see him bounce back after his recent AF event in trials (quite distressing to watch).
Trikki Mikki was outstanding in the Nugget. My Ultimate Ronnie had no luck from the barrier. We went out o make our own luck and settled in the One by One only to be dragged back in the last lap, and then cop a slight check on the turn. Thrilling experience all round though just to have a runner in a Group One. Our trainer achieved our goal that I set around nine months ago so I am more than proud of that and how far Lou has come.
Even though there is a lot of negativity in the culture of harness racing at the moment (and I am guilty of this at times too), I can’t help but feel that the sport is primed for a revitalisation. It remains an exciting sport on the track, a way for families to either reconnect or remain connected and most of all a celebration of this wonderful and unique breed of horse that we are all richer for being around.
Thanks Daniel, here's hoping for a big crowd at Albion Park tonight and that the rest of Australia can catch WA's enthusiasm
Hi Daniel,Quote:
Originally Posted by Jasper
I agree to a point but It's unfortunate that the Golden Nugget, despite being around for so long and having champion horses win the stake money, is still only worth 250 grand. On the other hand, the Phoenix greyhound race at The Meadows was worth over a million dollars, making it no surprise that harness racing is considered a poor relation. It seems like million-dollar dog races are becoming a regular occurrence. While Tricky Mikki won, I also think Wonderful To Fly proved herself as the best four-year-old.
I also share your sentiments about the culture of harness racing at the moment. The number of races and the average performers can make it difficult to enjoy the sport, and the good quality horses tend to be overshadowed by the mediocrity of the lesser ones. Back in the day, the trots were a spectacular night out with enormous crowds, but it seems like the experience has changed.
Regarding the track at GP, it does seem slow for this time of the year, except for some of the open horses the rest seem to be stuck in the 1:57.8 to 1:58.3 mile rates, and it's almost possible to guess the time just by watching the race go like the clappers for the first 400 and then drop anchor. It all makes for boring and predictable racing. More than a few of the times are similar to what they're clocking at Globe Derby.
Sorry to correct you but the Golden Nugget was worth 200k! The Greyhounds taking over the Trots is a big change that I have noticed since coming back to the sport so I agree with you in that regard.
I believe that we can get back to the old days of decent crowds (and I may be the only one) if the experience of participation can be sold to the public ie both through ownership and attendance. In the last 12 months I have been to more than 20 meetings to watch both my horse and the horses of other family members. On Friday alone around 15-20 family members came along to Gloucester Park. There was a line at the front gates which was the first time I had seen that in years. The other positive was the relatively short times between races, despite the late start. The Pony Trots was a real winner too.
I am not sure how to articulate this but I am sure that if the public had a spot where they could actually get closer to a horse or pony then that would add to the experience of attendance at the trots ie where they could feed them smoochies, carrots etc. Our breed seems to be perfect for that sort of interaction.
Agree with you re Wonderful To Fly. The trainer has to be commended for the way he has managed her over here racing career. Be good to see her in the next Pacing Cup (can’t get enthused about slot race re equity issue).
Had a serious look at Busselton re my horse but I don't think he would get a start. It looks like being an excellent season down there though so I hope it goes well. (These “community” meetings have been another positive thing that I have noticed since getting back into the trots).
This Friday at GP we have something like 63 starters. The same meeting last year had something like 93 starters. You have to wonder what is going on.
Is it time for RWWA to make some sort of statement in order to restore some sort of confidence in the future of harness racing in WA? If not, what does it take for this to happen?
Imagine if you were Vic and had prizemoney reductions and your leading stable under a disqualification cloud
I see your point but at least you have a decent number of starters re Shepparton (is that the equivalent to a metro meeting?).
Kalgoorlie’s last meeting, prior to it closing in 2017, had 49 starters. GP Friday with excellent money on offer and no travel factor has 63, as previously mentioned.
It will be interesting to see how the yearling sales go this year in both jurisdictions. I can only hope this Friday is an aberration but it seems like it has been coming for a while.
If Emma Stewart does end up on the sidelines I wonder if she is the first leading trainer to be disqualified? I can’t recall any in WA. The outcome of the Stewart appeal will be interesting re unusual charges/precedent (I think).
When Shayne Cramp was charged and stood down in the middle of the 2014-15 season, he was the reigning premier for the 2013-14 season in Vic
Oh.
Interesting times coming up in WA with Divided Stakes races being programmed for GP. It seems to me that all horses over Level 7 can be nominated and fields will be made up from this group (the races for younger horses are still programmed). It is unclear exactly how the fields will be determined and the drop back option may have been eliminated (?).
It happens already to a certain extent when races are split but this is usually within the class of the race. It kind of takes away the idea of placing a horse and you have to wonder if such races will be over one particular distance. The Level 7 preference clause for 7/9 races is not present for these races also, which isn’t a bad thing.
No announcement has been made, regarding this change, but you would have to think one is coming soon. (Please note I am no gun re programming but this is how it seems to me).
10 HES NEVER BEEN BETA NZ Fr7 7 Gary Hall Snr Gary Hall Jnr 79.40 $ 1.95 fav 3W W1 GG5 QP VXAR NAR
QP.......Really????
Yes, Jnr got stitched up there - a slow Q so he went and they did the next Q three seconds faster.
Stewards seem to have questions about his drive in R5 when the stablemate seemed to get a 'sprint lane' - I'm not sure there is anything in it and as for QDT I am not sure what was wrong with going to the lead, unless they think he went a long a bit too fast?
Oops, now I get it - I just read on PP that Brown and Hall are partners off the track
I think PP summed it up nicely.
Went to Bunbury last night, learnt a little about myself ie that I am a pessimist. I was the only person in our group who during the week thought “I hope the lights don’t go out”.
The lights, well the ones that work, are really impressive. Despite the problems last night you can see the potential for harness racing to be invigorated in the area. I am not sure what it is but they seem different to any other lighting system that I have experienced.
(We also learnt that our new companion horse is the worse companion horse ever re running around bucking and kicking in the car park, parade ring etc.Turns out she (ironically her racing name is Sweet Suzi) hates ponies and given that the pony trotters were just down from us she caused a few problems and was on her worse behaviour. Might have even made our horse more anxious. I suspect she also had something to do with the lights malfunctioning too, just can’t prove it)
Great post Daniel LOL
Were there only 3 races run at Bunbury?
That would seem obvious from your post and the results page but I am just checking as the TAB do not have the results up for the second half of most meetings from last night
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jasper
:D:D
In a town of 50,000, they should be able to get a good crowd. I think they should get a van and pick up people from the retirement villages for a day out.
Works at Pinjarra re buses of older people having a day out, That was one of the things that impressed me when I came back re room full of retired people enjoying the Pinjarra trots.
I suspect though that Bunbury will improve re crowds. The lights offer something new and need to be promoted as such. I hope they don’t malfunction again though.
This news is a couple of days old but the brilliant horse Shockwave has been retired. Lifetime stakes of 567k, 39/50 top 3 finishes with 22 wins etc.
His most amazing win for mine was on the 11/9/23 (James Brennan Memorial) when he beat Chicago Bull over 2500 after putting in some small buck as after about 200 and then over racing and leading the field by about 40 metres with a lap to go (due to hitting the cart). The second quarter was run in 26.6 and the mile rate was 1.55.7.
Horses like this are rare over here and it would be fair to say that we probably didn’t see the best of him due to injury.
Well done Daniel, great win.
We were there to cheer you on.
"Travel All Over The Countryside" :DQuote:
Originally Posted by trish
Thanks Mike/Mal (pick your favourite LL brother). He went super! Dropped him off on June 7 last year so he has been in work for 9 months and still racing well (Kudos to the trainer, perfect drive too). He passed the 100k mark last night too, although this didn’t stop him kicking the cart numerous times pre and post race (which he does every week). Sidebar- Suzi was on her best behaviour last night too.
The win will pay for my treatment re my recently self diagnosed standing start, your horse starts favourite after galloping last week, anxiety disorder!
Ha ha Kev , but its fun.
We sing on the road again as well!!
Last years Nullarbor didn’t really capture me but this years race is shaping up to be a fascinating event with the inclusion of Catch A Wave into the field. The questions are how is he currently going? (How good was Triple Eight!), can he run a fast 2500 metres?, will he get around a 800 metre track ? etc.
Hopefully this years race won’t be so late and, fingers crossed, the weather will be kinder than it was last year. At the very least it will be great to see one of the best horses to travel to WA in many years.
He is a good inclusion but over 2500 and with his inconsistency, I would be backing against him
I know Q4 was 26 secs last Saturday but you would be wanting CAW to be winning the rematch this Saturday
https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fi...24#MXM30032401
You would think CAW would have to win to justify the trip. Not the greatest lead up to a 2500 metre race either. Mind you there are very few lead up mobile FFA races over the 2500 metres apart from a couple of country cups over here at the moment.
HAT will also be an interesting runner re The Nullarbor.
(Anyone wanting a punt on GP please note they start racing two hours early because of the football I guess. Full day Friday - Stations of the Cross , footy and the trots!)
The Wave will be arriving early enough to race at GP the week before the Nulla so he will be going 1720m, 2130m, 2500m but draws for him and St Louis will be everything
https://www.harness.org.au/media-roo...?news_id=64654
True, ditto for the locals after watching the Bunbury Cup. Excellent race as opposed to our usual GP FFA’s which favour front runners/small track It will be interesting should Pinny Tiger get a start in the Nullarbor given his point to point speed.
The Bunbury Cup raised a few questions re Never Ending’s ability to run 2500 against the best horses, even though he was beaten less than 5 metres and had a hard run. The only four year old I can remember making the transition , over here, as a four year old to genuine Group 1 racing was Village Kid when he won the Pacing Cup beating Preux Chevalier (I think) courtesy of a fantastic drive by Phil Coulson. NE might be up against it but I hope I’m wrong.
CAW was very good last night so he is on the right track re Nullarbor.
Oh- Apologies to San Simeon re 4year old transition point in previous post.
A half sister of Pinny Tiger is the dam of Tonkin's 2yo Storms Collide which looked impressive winning on debut at Ballarat on Thursday
https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fi...24#BAC28032406