As an aside there's also wider Economic and day to day Historical links to the Duke of Edinburgh and we all know people who have undertaken or are undertaking Duke of Edinburgh programs for their betterment.   Has anyone written to the current Duke of Edinburgh? Perhaps you all should as we are still part of the Commonwealth 

Good morning   We should all be up in arms about people breeding and creating humans beings then as we have and cause the most injuries in general terms!   If the reason is focused on reduction of injuries then what year was this pushed/ dated from - is it like Zero Road Toll? As in Insurance company funds?   There is much interesting history in PPNZ using related keywords like "Greyhounds banned", "Ban Greyhounds" etc. One serious concern we have is the backward step towards equality in society and the failure of these activists and decision makers with their failure to respect Women's roles in the Greyhound sector as Women came into their own nurturing them when their male family members served, and were killed, in War eras.   The history of which courses including Wimbledon are in PPNZ. It's not that long ago CALCIVIRUS was introduced to kill Rabbits that were eaten by humans as a source of food    We have grave concerns also for potential Re homed Greyhounds been viewed as a scary animal and subject of Reports to Dog Control by people who may see them and cause them to be alarmed with their not knowing how to behave around Dogs ( animals) in general as we have a far larger population of migrants from countries where they still have Rabies prevalent so automatically are re-active people and that would result in Greyhounds been impounded and euthanized. Note that Auckland Council Animal Control Officers appear in photos in there latest report so it's not too hard to see where failures in training of them to be neutral in addressing matters. There staff training is seriously lacking.   It is of importance for all Council's to disclose which nationalities are making complaints so those who have a Fear of Dogs get necessary assistance instead of blaming Dogs and their owners for incidents.   One also may like to look up the recent incident involving a male driving in rural Northland where he hit a cow because he failed to adhere to the section of the LTA legislation surrounding behaviour towards animals.    

I think it's time to start a positive topic on Super Don his strike rate on being correct is outstanding , did you see the clip of him lecturing Newsome on fire prevention 6 years ago ??

Gold up again Hedley $4766 and look out for BC8 today should be very positive .

Auckland Council must be mindful, and if necessary reined in, that all Parks, Domains etc are for the inclusion of ALL members of Society not just selected groups. That is part of Bylaws Act requirements dating back to the early 1900's and carried forward. It would be repugnant to Society not to include the Greyhound Racing community based on the views of people like Aaron Cross who has created much of these problems because of his own issues. We understand he may have a brother/ relation Rob Cross who also hated Horse / Greyhound racing back in the late 1980's and was very clear in his views that the money spent on Racing should go on Sailing as that was his chosen sport. There's too much creep function and divisive attitudes entering this once beautiful exclusive rural country as a result of poor Governance in the last 30 or so years - note coincides with amalgamation of Boroughs in Auckland to the bloated and unacceptable mess we now have 

There's much discussion on the Ellerslie Racecourse Museum, proposed etc, in here. Wendy Pye was very proactive in pushing Ellerslie to have one again because there used to be a Room dedicated to this in the Old Stand where they now have the new one.. It's a shame Board member have failed the wider Society not ensuring we have this fabulous history on display at our Racecourses as it's for the Betterment of all to learn from and respect those before us and their contributions to what we now have.   Susan Archer & Mike Martin may have some idea who these colours belong to.   Have you reached out on Country Race clubs Social Media or News paper/ community pages?   Or Retirement complexes as some of our Racing folk now live in them and may know? Or to UK and Australia Race clubs? Sometimes people living in those places have invaluable knowledge of Historical related matters as we all share a common bond .   Out of interest, do you know what year they were donated to the Auckland Museum and by who?   There's great boxes of Archives tucked away there apparently.   Is the Museum planning to do an exhibition on Racing Related memorabilia?   @stodge  @Charlie E @gubellini and others    

Funny - well at least there will only be four tips in the Herald instead of the usual five !   Not so long ago five horses were tipped in a six horse race and no prizes for guessing which one won the race.  Stupid. 

Spikezone, who overcame a second round of knee surgery to go 11-for-14 as a 5-year-old, has been named the National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association's National Claiming Horse of the Year for 2024. View the full article

After a brief pause caused by winter weather, live racing is scheduled to return Jan. 10 at Turfway Park with a nine-race program beginning at 5:55 p.m. ET.View the full article

Well "black type" used to be break 2min for mile your black type. Stand to be corrected!   That's why Lamour makes a very good point re catalouge. 

Why not??? Those owners deserve a chance to race for good money too...or dont you think so???

A rating 65 should not be a cup race

Trump derangement system at its very best. He forgot to mention Global Warming, Climate Change, and the world ending.

chiknsmack yes Stan Goosman won 2 Avondale Cups- 1943 Representative ridden by Larry Wiggins trained by Fred Smith and 1954 Gendarme ridden by Wally Hooton and trained by Fred Smith and his son George Smith.

Veteran east coast rider Kendrick Carmouche led all jockeys for the week in wins with nine riding between Parx Racing and Aqueduct, including a win in a stakes race. The panel of racing experts voted Carmouche Jockey of the Week for Dec. 30- Jan. 5.View the full article

They've outdone themselves in R1 at Ellerslie on Sunday. They reckon 2 of the 4 runners - yes, four (4) - are a "solid place bet" or "strong place bet" in a race with a win pool only. Freaking amazing!!!!  ORCHESTRAL (1) Only fair when 12th last run at Flemington. Overlooking the last run and facing a weaker grade. Should be swooping on the field late. Will relish the track conditions. Solid place bet prospects. POUR THE WINE (4) Outpaced some runners late when 5th last run at this venue but competing at a higher level of competition. Warren Kennedy has been successful in the saddle previously. Honest and strong place bet in this race.

He's certainly stepped up a level this time in. Has always been extremely honest, but he's doing that at a much faster pace now. I saw Oscar's race - the marvellous Entain site just mentioned his distant 3rd last start without mentioning he lost 50-70 metres at the start - but didn't see the pacer's race. Was obviously a good one. 

Great races tonight from Oscar B and DSD and both perfectly driven by Mark . He will always be one of the best drivers ever . Oscar was brilliant and DSD just beaten by a better horse . Wow RP has really gone forward 

Just a few notes on the midweek action this week: Ruakaka - Tuesday: Looked a lovely afternoon and some proper summer turf. CARISBROOKE CASTLE did everything wrong in the opener but still nicked the win. He was pulling down the back straight and I thought he’d run his race but he found for pressure and should have learnt plenty. Performance of the afternoon from PERFECT DIVIDENDS in the third who was very impressive. I’m not sure what he beat but he relished the decent ground and could be worth following if he can get the right conditions. KISZKAH couldn’t go the gallop on the quick ground but ran on well to be a never nearer third. Slower ground might help but he looks to need further. The mate LET IT BEGIN also seemed to relish the faster ground in the last and won in the style of an improving type. Reefton - Wednesday: I’ve never seen racing at Reefton. It looks a charming track and despite the Soft 6 going, it looks a track for front runners and those who enjoy the tight turns. I think it’s sharper than Omoto and probably sharper than any British track even Chester. Very good holiday crowd and presumably a great atmosphere. SPINAYARN made every inch in the first and looked to relish the extra trip after a decent second at Omoto. Not sure if he will go to Kumara on Saturday but has to be respected if turning up. SPEED DIAL was arguably unlucky in a messy fourth race getting hampered at the start. He had run well at Omoto and the move up to 1400m wasn’t the issue. Can he really break his maiden in some weak race somewhere - I think so. TOKO ONO has proven soft turf form and following a slightly unlucky run at Omoto followed up in style to win his second race. She’s no world beater but isn’t short of ability and hopefully they can find another race for her. An all the way winner in the feature Reefton Cup with LA BELLA NERA doing it very well. Only a small field but those on ISLAND HOP knew their fate on the home turn. There’s an old adage - you can give weight but you can’t give start. I’m not sure Lily Sutherland will want to remember the ride - ISLAND HOP was checked on the home turn and lost all momentum. He finished well for third but it was an archetypal example of a horse not liking or being suited to the track. I can see why the Omoto form often backs up to Reefton and I suspect it may back up to Kumara though at a circumference of 1500m rather than the 1150m of Reefton it’ll seem a real galloping track.

The boys be looking for a few revenge victories no doubt, or will they be outclassed again, all will be revealed, maybe I can find that elusive winner at odds I've been looking for the whole circuit, did take a horse called West Virginia at 90s that went a nice race at reefton. I'm due.