Bring back Guerin.

Never thought I would be publically calling for the return of Michael Guerin to Trackside in Nz but here I am and the reason is simple. Like him or loath him Guerin had a knowledge and understanding of harness racing that is sadly lacking on Trackside at present. As we head into Cup week, we will be offered advice and predictions from presenters who haven't got a clue. Greg O'Connor and the 'Whale" are both able but that's where it ends. We will have Johnny Bright, Brendan Popperwell, Tom Wood and company involved and they just havn't got a clue. They all have a lack of knowledge and understanding of harness racing which is there for all to see by their inability to read and assess races. The public deserve better so hard as it is to say, Michael Guerin is needed--Bigtime.

Viv, I've found Mick Guerin very good to listen to when he's been over this side of the ditch and the times when I've watched NZ racing. I've found him brutally honest in his opinion and not everybody likes that about him. He's been around for a while and has gathered lots of knowledge with the horses and has also been able to ask the hard questions with trainers. He is definitely the man you want at the helm on a big race day.

Hey Viv I started pretty much the same thread in RaceCafe some months ago, I too would love to see Mick back on Trackside he just brought knowledge, interesting little tips, out of the ordinary up to date news etc and presented in a way that kept the viewer entertained and interested, and yes he did ask the hard questions of trainers drivers etc but did it in a manner that 'ENTERTAINED' he knew there were alot of 'fans' not just punters out there who loved the information he was getting - providing, I freakin miss his presentations hard! but apparently he has moved on now to other interests, and it would have to be somethin reeeeeeeaaaaaaaallly special to ever get him back to Trackside............... :)

Cheers Iraklis

Who's the Race Caller at Alexandra Park please???

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard prior

Who's the Race Caller at Alexandra Park please???

Gday Richard. My son Luke reckons Aaron White. Said used to be George Simons. Might have spelt names wrong but trust me, he'd know! Cheers

Hey Paul...
Gosh that son of yours is knowledgeable. he is so right. Only one LETTER wrong...Simon, not Simons.

Thanks very much Paul, Young Luke has a pretty sharp mind for the Harness game and I think he will go a long way. Have a great Xmas.

Yes TC u are right. Mowing before. Stopped for break and looked forum on phone. Saw question and yelled it out to Luke. He reeled off names instantly.

Mate of mine used to ferry horses round for a trainer. He was here the other night and Luke asking him lots questions. Mate said "No I carted that horse everywhere. Never raced in SA. These 2 did but not that one". Luke adamant it did. Goes turn on PC to look up.

$10 says he right says me.

I $10 richer!!

Merry Christmas to you too Richard. And everyone else on here.
Go well

Quote:

Originally Posted by Viv Strangman

Never thought I would be publically calling for the return of Michael Guerin to Trackside in Nz but here I am and the reason is simple. Like him or loath him Guerin had a knowledge and understanding of harness racing that is sadly lacking on Trackside at present. As we head into Cup week, we will be offered advice and predictions from presenters who haven't got a clue. Greg O'Connor and the 'Whale" are both able but that's where it ends. We will have Johnny Bright, Brendan Popperwell, Tom Wood and company involved and they just havn't got a clue. They all have a lack of knowledge and understanding of harness racing which is there for all to see by their inability to read and assess races. The public deserve better so hard as it is to say, Michael Guerin is needed--Bigtime.

I think you are under-selling Greg O'Connor with "able". He is very good at his job.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Garrick

I think you are under-selling Greg O'Connor with "able". He is very good at his job.

Competent but hardly outstanding. Greg is very professional and well liked but I don't see anything that suggests he brings the same level of understanding or knowledge of harness racing to the screen that Guerin use to. For that matter i have always preferred Justy to our present presenters but that wasn't the issue I raised. At the big meetings they bring in their galloping presenters to assist the two regulars and the standard is appalling. The Australian TAB continue to use Guerin on the big trans tasman nights. I might find myself disagreeing with him a lot but that's what makes it so interesting. The Auckland carnival is coming up soon and Guerin will report on it for New Zealand's largest newspaper. Shame Trackside doesn't use his talents as well.

Three years after he was dumped Mick Guerin suddenly reappears on The Box Seat last night. The show was the best for a long while. While you may not agree with everything he says he brings a wealth of knowledge of harness racing to the programme. I thought the three presenters bounced off each other really well and if this is the standard for the year than we will be well served by the addition of Mick to the programme.

Hi Viv

Just watched a replay of The Box Seat and it was great to see Mick back with his wealth of knowledge and hopefully more to come, overall I thought the show was fantastic with insight and straight to the point from the whole 3 on the panel. Look forward to next wk's edition.

Hi Dallas,

Mick is very entertaining but his knowledge is what sets him apart from the pack. I had started to give the Box Seat a miss as it was pretty bland last year but with Mick back it now becomes a must see.