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I'm a bit surprised they have left all the noms open for Karaka day. I would have thought the noms were ok.  How many trainers are out there saying to themselves "I know its a $1.5m race and I wasn't going to bother, but what the hell, might as well throw the maiden in just in case."

It was the stipes who thought it should be relegated because it didn't lose ground. The judicial people disagreed. It did gallop across the line, but because the 3rd horse was a length away it held its placing. If the third horse was about 6 inches closer the placings may have changed

That was moved quite a long time ago. Timaru developed the race and it attracted some very good fields. I can remember the good northern 3yo filly Totanoy winning the race, probably in the 80s. It used to be WFA and held in Oct. I think Timaru gave up the race when they fell on hard times. In those days the clubs had to put up much of the funding themselves, unlike today when they get money dished out to them if they are among the favoured few. Timaru has never been among the favoured few and even today is the biggest club in the country with no feature meetings. Riccarton has inherited a lot of races over the years, most notably this one and both the 3yo fillies and filles and mares races from Geraldine. Geraldine were quite the innovators in their day, the Levin of the South. Marlborough Cup at Riccarton this weekend as well.

I had an inrace bet in that particular race had winner to run in 3 and sam to run in 4 , paying bit over 2 dollars it look like it was just over a length ahead but very hard angle to judge, I did take a hiding for the rest of the day though. Track looked more like a grit Track on the second  day with typical grass track horses running appropriately unfortunately. 

1 12:47 pm WHANGANUI VINTAGE WEEKEND MDN 2YO 1200   MDN 2YO 1200m - $18,500 01:11.28 Open /Close # Silk Horse Jockey Trainer Win Place Lgth 3   He Who Dares Craig Grylls Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson $1.60 $1.40   Owners: Te Akau 2024 Karaka Stallion Breeding Syndicate (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM) Breeder: Frantic Bloodstock Ltd & Haunui Bloodstock Ltd Sire: SNITZEL (AUS) 2002 Dam: RONDINELLA (NZ) 2014 5   Savachi Boy Jonathan Riddell John Bary   $5.40 2.0L Owners: G J Chittick, A G Chittick, W L Chittick & P J Evans Breeder: A G, G J & W L Chittick Sire: TIVACI (AUS) 2012 Dam: SAVAROSE (NZ) 2008 1   Our Sniper Lily Sutherland (A) Lisa Latta     2.1L Owners: In To Win Astutely Syndicate (Mgr: Tineke Balcombe) Breeder: M K Chubb Sire: SATONO ALADDIN (JPN) 2011 Dam: URALLA (AUS) 2014 Other: 6-Ensign Aria(2.5L), 4-Brave Rebel(4.5L), 2-Platinum Pantheon (AUS)(7.0L), 7-Ribella Rose(7.6L)

Barnes, the 6-1 favorite in the Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 3, worked four furlongs in :48 3/5. Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) winner Straight No Chaser worked a bullet five furlongs Jan. 20.View the full article

Rocket Can seeks to add another grade 3 victory to his resume in the Fred W. Hooper Stakes (G3) Jan. 25 at Gulfstream Park. He will have to face Harlan's Holiday Stakes (G3) runner-up and last year's winner of the Fred W. Hooper, Tumbarumba. View the full article

KTA/KTOB in a Jan. 20 statement said live racing and alternative forms of gaming can create a business climate that benefits all constituents if managed properly. "Decoupling is not it," said executive director Chauncey Morris.View the full article

From stewards""" failed to lose ground when in a break""" what the hell. In other words in future when galloping hold your ground you'll be fine. "Integrity, consistent decisions "  is all mug punters would like.

I see another listed race has been seconded to a "Premier" track , the Timaru Stakes at Riccarton , is there a particular reason this couldn't be run at Timaru . WD come in .

Yes agree Pure Steel. Unhinged am well aware of the "lapped on rule". Trouble is they don't always adhere to this rule when it suits it seems. In this case from the video very hard to tell ,many cases in the past that horse would have been out. Its a trotting race not a galloping race and read the stewards report. Havent seen that one before. Like i said last race ,long day punters wont notice.  I'll bet if the "Lobster" had done that.....out for sure lol 😃

They put 40mm of irrigation on over the weekend. I do note that there is wind forecast tomorrow and Thursday which would quickly dry the ground.   

Just a slight correction its $50 to get into Karaka Millions, I don't think the gate charge will stop the youngies turn up, and whilst they do treat the day as a piss up they still do punt. Despite the apparent recession they still seem to have disposable cash to punt with and good on them, I was young once.  The sad reality is even when they  throw the gates open at Ellerslie or any racemeeting outside of major carnivals the  regular punters still stay away.    I think you could buy a $70 membership for ATR for whole season, now thats a great deal. I personally will go to Karaka night, has great atmosphere and some top notch racing, each to their own I guess. 

Heavy track at Riccarton despite no rain for more than seven days. I don't think I have ever seen that before, even in the middle of winter. Nomination Morning Weather: Fine Track: Heavy 8 Moisture Meter: 49.1% Rail: True  Rain: No Rain Last 7 Days Irrigation: 40mm Applied Over Weekend Weather and Track updated at 9.00am Tuesday 21 January

Mansfield Racing's 3-year-old daughter of Too Much Bling won or placed six times in seven starts in 2024 and earned more than $178,000.View the full article

Ascot, Goodwood, and York have unveiled a lucrative bonus scheme aimed at encouraging the participation of high-class runners from outside Europe in three of Britain's biggest all-age races across July and August.View the full article

#Barnes, the 6-1 favorite in the Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 3, worked four furlongs in :48 3/5. Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) winner #StraightNoChaser worked a bullet five furlongs Jan. 20.View the full article

Despite being one of the most successful Louisiana-breds in history, a graded stakes victory has remained elusive for Free Like a Girl. She aims to check that box Jan. 25 in the $300,000 Houston Ladies Classic Stakes (G3) at Sam Houston Race Park.View the full article

Due to the extreme weather conditions that are expected the next couple of days, the nine-race Fair Grounds program scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 23, will be moved to Monday, Jan. 27. View the full article