Jason Bonnington

[Messenger]

I did not see this until very late (maybe they were hiding it)

Bonnington: Quality over quantity harness racing's way forward

https://www.thetrots.com.au/news/the...s-way-forward/

I am not really sure what he is on about
Is he trying to say we are going for Quality this weekend as opposed to the gallops on Vic Derby and Golden Eagle day?!

He is starting to sound a bit defeated:
"And the biggest loser of the three current codes is always the trots."

"Quantity is great, and financially rewarding, but quality – and thoughtful programming – are far more likely to push harness racing’s long-suffering barrow."

Not that I really blame him. I think the fight may be lost (our opportunities squandered) and we really only exist in our own little fish bowl
It probably only matters to those that want to make a career out of it. After all as a fan you can be a fan of anything you like - go karting, ice hockey, ... and get enjoyment from it.
I suppose it depends on being able to keep things going to a sufficient extent to retain enough fans because like 'clubs' of any sort you need a certain number of members or else things decline, eventually into oblivion.
(LOL this forum is probably a case in point)

If US harness also has no profile then days like Maryborough and tying in with European trotting may be our only hope of relevance even if it is to a European viewing audience once again

I just don't know that I would have come out swinging today JB

[Messenger]

On the one hand, the pace explosion which harness racing has rendered warrants absolute admiration.

On another, it’s redefined the sport’s identity faster than many can cope with or handle.

Without doubt, decisions must be made – and they won’t be easy.

Decisions around programming, around race distances, around race conditions; ultimately, we need solutions which prevent top-end domination and managing the import of barrier draws.

Maybe he is talking about the Stewart stable domination BUT once again I am not really sure what 'decisions' he is talking about

He seems to be suggesting the increase in speed is a problem but it has been across the breed - just as FFA horses are breaking records all races are faster (it has been happening for a decade as you will see if you look at our Speed Explosion thread)
We have struggled a bit on the 'champions' front compared to the gallops in recent years. Ladies In Red and Leap To Fame are being promoted as two at present, surely we don't want to curtail them

Here is a link to the whole article (if you want to read another mind numbing intro)

https://www.thetrots.com.au/news/the...-changes-pace/

[aussiebreno]

On the one hand, the pace explosion which harness racing has rendered warrants absolute admiration.

On another, it’s redefined the sport’s identity faster than many can cope with or handle.

Without doubt, decisions must be made – and they won’t be easy.

Decisions around programming, around race distances, around race conditions; ultimately, we need solutions which prevent top-end domination and managing the import of barrier draws.

Maybe he is talking about the Stewart stable domination BUT once again I am not really sure what 'decisions' he is talking about

He seems to be suggesting the increase in speed is a problem but it has been across the breed - just as FFA horses are breaking records all races are faster (it has been happening for a decade as you will see if you look at our Speed Explosion thread)
We have struggled a bit on the 'champions' front compared to the gallops in recent years. Ladies In Red and Leap Of Faith are being promoted as two at present, surely we don't want to curtail them

Here is a link to the whole article (if you want to read another mind numbing intro)

https://www.thetrots.com.au/news/the...-changes-pace/

No point in trying to fight the gallops speed with pacers speed as gallops speed win every time so if he's thinking if programming more 1609m or shorter races that wont get us anywhere.

If thinking about draws because the top end are getting quicker, well the 5th placed and last placed horses are still getting quicker too.

Theres sub 1.50 horses who aren't at the top end, yet BAF, Lazarus and ITMQ are my top 3 horses of the past 15 years and all are without a Miracle Mile! Just because speed is improving doesnt make it the selling point.

Not sure why he would write the article but not include some specific examples.

[Messenger]

When Harness Racing Victoria vowed to own late spring and early summer following the sport's pandemic-inspired calendar recalibration, most trotting zealots celebrated the concept.

https://www.thetrots.com.au/news/the...aped-the-game/

Stop calling us Zealots, we are just fans

[Messenger]

Oh JB you started off so well this week - clear and coherent (I threw in that alliteration just to get your attention )

But then we have an LP Hartley quote, traditional Christian Sabbath, valid and veracious debates and the narratives inherent within

Overall an improvement but I think your employer is giving you too much time to write this column and consequently you are thumbing through your Funk & Wagnalls Standard Dictionary and your Oxford Dictionary of Quotations to 'supposedly' justify the time spent

https://www.thetrots.com.au/news/the...glory-arrives/

[Messenger]

Consider, for a moment, the tactical posturing and strategic acrobatics you’ve witnessed in the lead-up to this year’s Victorian state election.

Now, if possible, multiply those Machiavellian manoeuvres by an exponent of 50.

Then, perhaps, you’ll have some comprehension of what transpires through the course of a SENTrack Inter Dominion series.

https://www.thetrots.com.au/news/the...-of-surprises/

Maybe the new CEO will make him stop PLZZZZZZZZZZZ

[Messenger]

https://www.thetrots.com.au/news/the...es-and-humans/

Good column JB

[Messenger]

He did it - 10 uses of alliteration in under 500 words

Mystery and mayhem
thrive most thoroughly
different, deliciously dichotomous
magical and magnificent
unmatched, unmatchable
Partisan patriotism
wateringly wonderful
dominance divine
wielding weaponry
shimmering shot

https://www.thetrots.com.au/news/the...ometimes-best/

Do you know you are doing it JB?

[Messenger]

There is no stopping him

UNSPURPRISINGLY, William Shakespeare likely said it best.

In one of his poems, the Bard opined that youth is full of sport, age’s breath is short: youth is nimble, age is lame; youth is hot and bold, age is weak and cold; youth is wild, and age is tame.

Given the era in which he existed, it’s very unlikely that Shakespeare directly influenced the thoughts of southern hemisphere harness racing administrators with this somewhat turgid stanza.

https://www.thetrots.com.au/news/the...n-early-shake/

We get that you love your Dictionary of Quotations but maybe your New Year's resolution could be to get a library card and read for your own personal enjoyment - not to impress

[Messenger]

We all know how JB loves to go off on a tangent - that is his way
This week's comparison of Jason Grimson to the people on which Moneyball is based is a little left field but it is still on the field - well done JB

https://www.thetrots.com.au/news/the...ane-rewritten/

I would however like to ask him why his Burning Questions continues to be all male when we follow an industry where females are not only the equal/superior to men but also involved in equal numbers