I'm a starter in the 'also rans' . . . after a less than stellar performance in the qualifying rounds. Best of luck to all the Grand Finalists, whose skills have been exemplary in the lead-up. 1. Flemington R2    5-6-9 2. Flemington R3    1-2-11 3. Flemington R4    2-5-7 4. Flemington R6    1-3-14 5. Flemington R7    1-2-11 6. Flemington R8    4-11-13 7. Flemington R9    3-9-11 8. Rosehill R7         1-3-4 9. Rosehill R8        12-16-19         Best Bet 10. Rosehill R9       1-8-13            Best Bet Thank you so much John and Scooby for a wonderful tournament. It's been a whole lot of fun.

One of Maxi's favourite races of the year. Always fun trying to find a young stayer in the making whose lead-up form may be average but on pedigree and racing style may out-stay the faves...have often found big juicy divvies from exotics and place bets with the wuffies.  Key criteria: staying blood/classic performers esp on the damside. (Going back 2-4 generations) trainer(s) who know how to prepare Derby/Oaks runners formline that suggests the horse settles well (ie doesnt pull its flockin' head off!) and runs on over 1600-2000m trip.

and little Sam Evander , the trotter. little bloke that tried hard we all used to cheer on for Reako. closest he got was 5th to Stormy Morn in the Rowe Cup in a Big race though. Charlie , Did you ever see Mountain Gold go for Jim Smith ?  you were just talking about Barry Purdon earlier . (and also Mountain Haze reminded me of him too)  1999 Jim had his Best horse ever. MOUNTAIN GOLD . and the biggest race of all was at Alex Park , the Interdominion that year. Jim Won a Heat too . Defeating the eventual Grand Final winner ''Special Force' of the Mcgowan's.  Jim tragically hemmed in 3 back the fence and locked in throughout nearly.  Mark Purdon had 1/2 the field in it, and ran placings with Africa and Pride of Petite The Crowning achievement of his (Jim's) career slipped by in a sad moment in a way. Jim had a Huge Chance to retire on a huge Win. But Jim had a NZ record money offer from Barry Purdon after . $150,000 . for Barry's clients of a group of galloping blokes including Sir Patrick Hogan. I hoped he wouldn't take it as the Interdominion at Moonee Valley in 2000 was going to be for an Incredible 1/2 mill prize ($300k to the winner) but Barry purchased him. Mountain Gold (Rocky I think they called him) made that final at Moonee Valley , but a young upstart from the South Island had turned up . LYELL CREEK 🤣 . so Ant's Butt took the win for trainer brother Tim and pocketed the $300k . Mountain Gold  (and Special Force) unplaced.  Come 2001 and the Interdominion was here in BrisVegas (the Ashvegas equal lol)  and Yulestar from the North Island won the Grand Final for Pacers. could MOUNTAIN GOLD win for the NI  in the trot Final ?. But not meant to be for Barry . (This trotting series was only a much cheaper $200k as well)   Mountain Gold off 30m handicap  finished 2nd for Barry, defeated by Ant's and Tim Butt again 😎 , with TAKE A MOMENT (20m) this time) with Special Force (30m) 3rd.   I remember it well as was squashed in the Massive crowd. Margins were about 1 length by 6 lengths as the locals were pretty shit compared to the strong kiwi trotters, got a few bob of the trifecta.  NZ had Won All the Interdominion Trots of the 90's . 10 straight . and were getting even better into the 2000's . with Lyell Creek and that. 🏆👍 Actually feels very Surreal now that JUST BELIEVE is winning everything (including in NZ ) past couple of years as an Oz trotter has never done that to NZ previously for a Very Long time in Big Trots. Scotch Notch in the 80's was the last really Top Oz trotter to win in NZ. Just Believe might pop over for the Dominion H'cap soon?. a real 'gift' for him with No handicap FFA conditions . should be 30m behind really.    

I guess Grey Way was one dimensional too.  Idiot.

Are you thick? You were the one saying on your site that it was probably a Heavy 8 before Race 1. You can't have it both ways champ.

Vets are not necessarily doing the bidding of VRC officials just to keep young NH horses out ...they're under a truckload of pressure to avoid Cup runners breaking down during the race, fuelling the anti-racing loonie brigade.

The New York Racing Association today announced a partnership with Caymanas Park, Jamaica's premier horse racing venue, establishing FOX Sports as the television home of the Mouttet Mile Invitational in 2024.View the full article

The Iroquois Steeplechase announced Oct. 30 a partnership with the Jockey Club UK that brings together two of the most prestigious racing organizations in the world.View the full article

I guess Sought After is a bit one dimensional then. Although didn't he win his maiden on a Soft 7?  Stormed home on a Soft 6?

Didn't even recognize Graeme Reaks what a nice guy he was . He actually worked down the road from us in Pukekohe . What a lot of people don't know is and this is from memory . He has finger or two missing so it was amazing how he could drive at all . But what a good trainer / driver he was . His name brings back some good memories with horses such as Ben and Crescent Moon 

Fatuous statement.

I don't often worry about horses blowing out in the market but it was at $8 when I backed it and blew out to $20 which should tell something. Clearly didn't handle the track. I hope Mr Knowitall will come back and admit he was wrong when the horse does the job in the future. Fat chance eh Dougie?

Nice win from Sea King at Bendigo. Similar form to Onesmoothoperator so might be a rough hope in the Cup. https://www.racing.com/news/2024-10-30/news-review-sea-kings-bendigo-cup-demolition

lol. Yes  😁. That's Kerry from the famous O'Reilly Clan . and better put the correct spelling in case we think he 'stinks 😋  , there was Graham Reaks at the front there.  Graham Reaks had just been doing well with Katy's Command around the time of that photo of the NZ Driver's Championship. winning all sorts of things, Not sure if Graham Reaks had a crack at a NZ Cup or not,  but did take 'Katy' to Harold Park to take on Pure Steel at the Interdominion . no easy feat 😉.  'Katy' didn't make the Grand Final, but Lord Module and Locarno did for the kiwi's . Locarno a brave 2nd to Koala King after nearly stealing it with a fabulous Robin Butt drive. Locarno had won the Miracle Mile in the lead up to the Interdominion for Nz though , in a brilliant Win defeating the great Paleface Adios. Pure Steel was 3rd in both those races  after racing without cover and wide both times. Kerry O'Reilly's dad (Patrick) won the Nz CUP with SPRY, not sure how Patrick O'Reilly's son's have fared in the great race ?. Kerry, Gerard, Pat and Leo .  The NZ Cup is probably the Everest of Harness Racing. or the Interdominion.  

Interesting but im sure that Henrys record at major meetings north of Southland was far better but each to their own. That said he was the driver of the great pacer Holy Hal which won many races on both sides of Tasman. Also drove Blue and Local chance to some wonderful victories

Best driver to come out of Southland.   Ken Balloch by a country mile🙂

Mr know it all again...the horse hates wet tracks...but you stick to your views Douggie boy.

Trainer was more than happy to be out there rather than on the rails. Just needs to jump well and get a possy midfield somewhere. Lake Forest is the unknown. Stable people said he’s a fast horse who doesn’t over do it so think they are hoping he relaxes enough to get the trip. Haggas doesn’t make too many mistakes, so they must have seen something to warrant making the trip. Apart from $10m….

The $2 million Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1T) at Del Mar Nov. 2 is again an international affair as nine of the remaining 12 entrants were bred outside the United States, but Kentucky-bred War Like Goddess is the 5-2 morning-line favorite.View the full article

Racing Victoria has stressed that "it is a level playing field for everyone" in the wake of Melbourne Cup (G1) ante-post favorite Jan Brueghel being withdrawn from the race by stewards.View the full article