Oh the memories, certainly some very tidy performers you've mentioned, sounded like you enjoyed your travels to the small country meetings, by far the best in my opinion, even these days, the metropolitan meetings certainly don't have the same appeal to me, powley one of my favorites of that era, can remember the day I heard of her demise on the way back to the south island, so sad and unfair. As for racing where did it go wrong, a wise man said to me once, they introduction of paid officials would be its downfall, the early days so much was voluntary, right down to the steward on the birdcage gate, these days the industry very top heavy with overpaid salaries, interesting thing most of the smaller clubs with the picnic meetings that draw the crowds and get the turnovers, yet seem to be the ones for the chop, unfortunately the next generation are busy with their gaming and other interests, certainly a sad state of affairs, and the good ole days you mention have long gone, never to return.

Have you had a look at the Europeans in the Caulfield Cup tomorrow Stodge ? I’m interested in Valiant King at big odds. Those runs behind Desert Hero and Vauban would put him right in this.

Ellerslie R6 #8 $200 W Caufield R7 #5 $100 W Caufield R8 #4 $100 W Caufield R9 #2 $200 W Randwick R1 #2 $200 W Randwick R7 #5 $200 W Thanks to all concerned. It's gonna be a very interesting day tomorrow. 

Sky TV, Saturday shopping & the Internet killed Racing, many learnt how boring it is when they had choice of other options to fill in a Sat arvo. Racing hasn’t adapted or evolved with the times, 35 mins between races is farcical & a yawn in todays world. Yeah we all understand the reasoning, but it just doesn’t work today, find a way to make it work. 8 races over 3 hrs is doable.

Race 8 at Metro. Thanks Paul.

It's interesting that many, MANY other sports have live tv coverage and/or live streaming of events, and still attract great crowds. A part of that may be that we don't have as many champion draw-card horses as we once had - we sell so many as babies - and good horses do draw people to the track. Any good ones we do still have do much of their racing across the ditch. 

The rural population was about 27% in the 1950's, it is now about 13%. The total population of NZ in 1955 was 2.1 million, it's now 5.2 million. Racing was what a lot of people grew up with back in the day. Humans have changed a great deal in the last 50 years. Look at the many other entertainment options now, advanced technology and animal rights activism to name just a few of the things that have changed over the years.

I reckon taking Trackside off free to air TV must have been a big blow.  Coincidentally the same could probably be said about rugby.

AUCKLAND Best Bet: My Annie Belle (8) Trainer: Ken & Bev Kelso (Matamata) Jockey: Masa Hashizume Weight: 55kg 4 yo Chestnut Mare by SNITZEL (AUS) out of MELEKA BELLE (NZ) My Annie Belle comes into today’s race with a proven track record that makes her the standout bet of the day. Having returned to the track in impressive fashion, she secured a first-up win by 0.5 lengths at Taupo over 1100m on a soft track, highlighting her ability to perform on softer surfaces. That victory was her second win from two first-up starts, showing her knack for hitting top form early in the season. Boasting an overall win/place strike rate of 33%/83%, this mare consistently finds her way into the money. Her career stats of 6: 2-1-2 demonstrate her competitiveness across all conditions, and her ability to handle various track surfaces—especially soft going—adds further confidence to her prospects today. She’s also never missed the placings at today’s venue, which adds another layer of reliability to her profile. Trainer Ken & Bev Kelso have given her a steady preparation, including a recent fourth in a trial, ensuring she’s fit and ready. With Masa Hashizume aboard, a jockey who’s been solid over his last 50 rides (6-6-3), My Annie Belle is expected to settle just off the pace, where she can unleash her late speed. She is in top form after a fresh win and will only improve going second-up. Expect her to thrive under these conditions and be right in the finish.   EACHWAY: SWEYNESDAY (3) Trainer: Roger James & Robert Wellwood (Cambridge) Jockey: Masa Hashizume Weight: 59kg 4 yo Bay Horse by SWEYNESSE (AUS) out of KEEP THINKING (AUS) Sweynesday is a lightly raced horse with immense potential and is a must-watch today. With only two career starts, this 4-year-old bay colt has already displayed his ability to compete at a high level. He comes off a strong maiden win at Ellerslie over 1200m, where he defeated Sasperella by 0.5 lengths in a solid time of 1:10.99 on a good track, confirming his class and ability on firm footing. Sweynesday has never missed the top two, with a win and a second place from two starts, giving him a perfect 100% place rate. His debut second at Taupo over 1200m on a soft track was also impressive, finishing just 2.5 lengths behind the winner Tomodachi, showing he can handle different track conditions. He’s a backmarker by nature, so watch for him to settle at the rear and come storming home late in the race. Trained by the experienced duo of Roger James & Robert Wellwood, Sweynesday is in good hands, and his preparation for this race has been carefully managed. Although he’s stepping up in class today, his pedigree and racing style suggest he is more than capable of making the leap and adding to his winning tally. With Masa Hashizume in the saddle, who has a solid record over his last 50 rides (6-6-3), Sweynesday is poised to put in another bold performance. Keep a close eye on him—this colt is bred to win more than once and looks to have plenty of upside as he progresses through the grades. WATCH: JOLTED (5) Trainer: Ken & Bev Kelso (Matamata) Jockey: Vinnie Colgan Weight: 56.5kg 5 yo Bay Mare by DEEP IMPACT (JPN) out of ABBEY MARIE (AUS) Jolted is a seasoned mare with plenty of upside, making her a horse to keep a close eye on today. After returning from a five-month spell with a solid fourth-place finish over 1600m on a soft track at Ellerslie, where she was only two lengths behind the winner, Son of Sun, she looks primed for further improvement. Historically, she performs well second-up, having previously won at Tauranga over 1600m at this stage of her preparation, and her course experience adds another layer of confidence. With three wins and two placings from 13 career starts, Jolted has proven she can handle both good and soft ground, with her best performances coming in middle-distance events. Her strike rate (23% wins, 38% placings) makes her a reliable competitor, particularly over 1600m to 2100m, where she’s shown her staying ability. Though she often races from the back, jolted has a strong finishing burst, and if conditions suit, expect her to be powering home late. Vinnie Colgan takes the ride today, a jockey who’s been in form with 6 wins and 11 placings from his last 50 rides, adding to the intrigue of her chances. Jolted has had a steady build-up, and with her proven record second-up and track experience, she’s a horse worth following closely today. Keep her in mind, especially if the pace is hot early, as she’s likely to be finishing strongly from off the pace.   OTHER RATING SELECTIONS: (AUCKLAND) Race 1 LOOSE CHANGE (2) is a consistent performer, though still seeking his first win. Trained by Moira & Kieran Murdoch and ridden by Warren Kennedy, this 6-year-old bay gelding has placed in 8 of his 20 career starts, amassing $32,765 in prize money. His form this season has been solid, with two placings from his last five runs. In his most recent start on September 21 at Ellerslie, Loose Change finished a strong second over 1600m in soft conditions, just 1.5 lengths behind the winner, Cyber Patch. Prior to that, he placed fifth at Ruakaka in a similar race, also over 1600m on a soft track. Loose Change appears comfortable over this distance and has been racing consistently without breaking through for a win. His solid recent form and favourable draw position him as a potential leader and a strong contender in this race.   Race 2 ENTITLEMENT (1) is a lightly raced 4-year-old bay mare trained by Maxim & Samantha Van Lierde and ridden by Warren Kennedy. With four career starts under her belt, she has placed twice but is still searching for her maiden win. In her most recent start on October 2 at Matamata, she finished a credible 4th of 12 over 1300m, just 2.25 lengths behind the winner, To Catch A Thief. She has been consistent, showing promise with a strong 3rd place finish over 1400m at Pukekohe earlier in the season. Entitlement has been improving with each start and, drawn in barrier 1, she’s well-positioned to be competitive in this race. A trifecta or first four chance looks likely, given her recent form and favourable gate. RACE 4 BEAST OF BURDEN (10) is a 4-year-old bay gelding trained by Chad Ormsby and ridden by Tayla Mitchell. With seven career starts under his belt, he’s still looking for his first win but has placed in three of those runs, showing consistency with a 57% place rate. His sire is Turn Me Loose, and he's out of the mare Lady Kipling by Savabeel, so there’s solid breeding behind him. He’s previously placed first up, and his recent trial win over 900m at Te Rapa on September 24, where he won by 3.5 lengths, suggests he’s ready for a good performance. Last campaign, he finished 5th in a maiden over 1200m at Ellerslie, and his best result was a strong 3rd over 1300m at Te Rapa in January. With blinkers off and visor blinkers on, Beast Of Burden looks set for a competitive return. A trifecta or first four chance, regardless of track conditions. RACE 6 THE ODYSSEA (3) is a 5-year-old chestnut gelding trained by Ben and Ryan Foote. He has a respectable career record with 4 wins from 12 starts, including a 33%-win rate and a 50% place rate. This son of Zacinto out of Macavelli Miss has proven himself versatile, with victories on both good and wet tracks. He has a particularly strong record over today's distance, remaining unbeaten in two starts over 1600m. His most recent run saw him finish 4th of 12 at Matamata over 2000m, just 2.5 lengths behind Mister Wolfgang. Prior to that, he placed 3rd at Hastings over 1600m in another competitive race. He also showed fitness with a trial win in August, suggesting he's in good form this campaign. With his proven ability across various track conditions and distance, The Odyssey looks primed for a strong performance. Expect him to settle midfield, and he’s a solid trifecta and first-four contender. RACE 9 MODERNISE (2) is a 6-year-old grey mare trained by Ross McCarroll. With a career record of 1 win, 4 seconds, and 1 third from 14 starts, she has shown solid consistency, particularly when fresh, having placed in all three of her first-up runs. Her win rate stands at 7.14%, with a place rate of 42%, and she has earned $40,540 in prize money. Sired by Reliable Man out of the mare Innovation, she has displayed a preference for softer ground, with a win and a place on soft tracks, although she has also placed on good and heavy surfaces. At her best over middle distances, she has six starts at 1400m to 1600m, with a second and a third. Modernise last raced in June, finishing 7th over 1600m at Ruakaka on a soft track, 2.5 lengths behind the winner. Her most recent trial at Matamata on October 8 was over 1200m on heavy ground, where she finished 6th of 7, 3 lengths behind Campionessa. She has the benefit of a 3kg claim from apprentice jockey Ngakau Hailey, who has been on board in her last two trials and will look to take advantage of her light weight. With a strong record when fresh and placed at the course, modernise is a solid place chance, especially given her performance in fresh-up runs. Expect her to settle off the pace and run on late.   OTAKI BEST BET: R6 MAROTIRI MOLLY Marotiri Molly (7) is emerging as a strong contender in the racing circuit, boasting a solid record and impressive recent form. With a career tally of 8 starts, she has secured 3 wins and 2 placings, showcasing her ability to perform consistently across different conditions. Recent Performance: Marotiri Molly’s last outing was a convincing victory at Hawera on October 5, where she won by 1.3 lengths over 1400m as the favourite. This performance, under a weight of 54.5 kg, highlighted her capability to compete successfully in this grade. Despite a less favourable showing at Hastings prior to that, her overall form, including a close second at Taupo, reflects her resilience and adaptability. EACHWAY: R8 SUMI Sumi (6) is a promising 7-year-old brown mare who has shown considerable potential throughout her career. With a solid record of 33 starts, Sumi has secured 6 wins, 7 seconds, and 10 thirds, making her a consistent performer on the track. Her impressive overall prize money of $185,071 highlights her competitiveness in various races. Trained by Allan Sharrock from New Plymouth, Sumi is partnered with jockey Lily Sutherland, who has performed well recently, with a last 50 record of 5 wins, 7 places, and 3 shows. This combination has a solid win percentage of 18% and a placing percentage of 69%, indicating strong prospects for an each-way bet. WATCH: R1 KEEPING TIME Keeping Time (12) is a promising 4-year-old bay mare trained by Lisa Latta in Awapuni. While she has yet to secure a win in her 4 career starts, her performance has been encouraging, evidenced by her placing ability. With prize money of $6,050 and a place percentage of 50%, she presents a good each-way betting option for the upcoming race. Keeping Time’s recent outings have shown her potential. In her last race on June 8, she finished 3rd at Otaki over 1600m, just 3 lengths behind the winner. Her performances have consistently shown improvement, including a respectable 4th place on debut at Woodville over 1400m, where she finished only 3.5 lengths behind the leader. Carrying 56.5 kg, she is competitive in her weight class, particularly as she has been consistent in the same weight range. Her handicap rating of 53 indicates she is in a favourable position to contend.   OTHER RATING SELECTIONS: (OTAKI) R2: ELECTRON Electron is a strong each-way bet, given her steady improvement and consistent performances. While she is still seeking her first win, her ability to place in competitive fields makes her a valuable contender. Keep an eye on Electron as she aims to turn her promising form into a victory! R3 LUNINANCE Luminance (4) is a promising 2-year-old bay filly trained by Kurtis Pertab in Matamata. While she is still seeking her first victory, she has shown competitive spirit and potential with a place percentage of 50%. With a total prize money of $6,625, Luminance is one to watch as she continues her racing Luminance is a strong each-way bet given her improving performances and the potential for a breakthrough win. While still seeking her first victory, her recent 2nd place finish suggests she is on the right track. Keep an eye on Luminance as she looks to convert her promise into success! Career. R4: SAND POINT Sand Point (8) is a 3-year-old bay gelding trained by Mike Breslin in Awapuni. While he has not yet secured a win, he holds a strong place percentage of 100%, demonstrating his competitive nature in the maiden ranks. With a total prize money of $3,915, Sand Point shows promise as he continues to develop. Trainer Mike Breslin is known for preparing competitive horses, and although Sand Point’s jockey stats show no recent rides, it’s crucial to monitor who rides in upcoming races, as a skilled jockey could enhance his chances, Anticipated to lead in upcoming races, his early speed may give him a significant advantage in setting the pace. Sand Point is a promising candidate for a breakthrough performance. With a strong placing record and encouraging recent form, he should be considered a solid each-way prospect in his next outing. If he continues to improve and finds the right jockey, his first win could be just around the corner! R5 CHEVAL DE FOUDRE Mark Oulaghan is a respected trainer, known for preparing competitive horses. Jockey Liam Kauri has had a decent run recently (5 wins in the last 50 rides), which suggests a good rapport with his mounts. Kauri’s experience, combined with Oulaghan training, could enhance Cheval De Foudre’s chances in upcoming races. Cheval De Foudre is an intriguing contender, especially with the rise to 2100m being more suited to his strengths. Although his recent form has been mixed, he has the potential to improve significantly with the right race conditions and jockey guidance. Given his past success at longer distances, he should be considered a strong place and win prospect in future races. Keep an eye on his upcoming performances as he settles back into the competitive racing scene! R7 PERSUADE Persuader is a strong contender, particularly given his recent success and the backing of an experienced trainer and jockey. With a solid win under his belt and good placement stats, he shows promise for further improvement as he returns to competitive racing after a layoff. Keep an eye on him in future races, as he appears ready to build on his previous successes! R9 PACIFICO Pacifico is a promising contender with a solid recent performance and a supportive team behind him. His ability to navigate heavy track conditions and his positioning as a potential leader in races make him an exciting horse to watch. With his continued improvement, he could soon find himself in the winner's circle, particularly after a solid finish in his recent outing. Keep an eye on Pacifico in upcoming races, as he looks poised to capitalize on his recent form and make a significant impact.  

Add to that Drinking and Driving law charges. 

Good for you. The rules are dont be a smart arse, dont argue with every single poster in here and stop taking pot shots at me for a start. Sorry but you came on here for one reason only ...to stir...and it aint happening.

1987 Lotto and pokies came along and then in 1994 casinos. 

So what are the rules?  I've downloaded my post BTW.

Starting them at the wrong starting point at Alexandra Park.  Harness code doing their best to keep up with the thoroughbred ineptitude 😂

Wow all the negativity about Whales tipping and he proves us all wrong giving out Duchess Mexit as best bet. How did he find that tip - unbelievable - what a legend 

Nope its not worth posting so it wont be going up...once you learn the forum rules you will get along much better here

Much appreciate your feedback Idolmite and I agree with what you said here and especially "closing down country tracks all over the country is NOT the answer to getting people back involved with attending meetings". I strongly agree with you about live broadcasting of race meetings having an effect on crowd sizes at meetings themselves. I do agree on this, but it's interesting that Australian country and regional meetings, especially the heavily promoted country cups still get big crowds despite every race being broadcast on Racing.com or Sky. Note the very large crowd for the Seymour Cup last weekend for example and note the crowd numbers at country meetings in the next 6 weeks or so. 

Absolutely because of someone called CM, but the word in the street is that he's not from there-Canterbury. The latest information is Russel in the Bay of Islands.

This seems to have morphed somehow…..

Pardon My Dust (AUS) Caulfield R6 #5   300W Caulfield R9 #13 200W Randwick R4 #1 300W Randwick R6 #9 100W Randwick R9 #7 100W Thanks Jihn & Scooby