Nate White wrote that 4.5 years ago while trying to defend Clinton , it failed but since you asked here's a few updates from the ruling left in Britain .  Wednesday 08 January 2025 10:01 am ,  After a very short time Keir Starmer is less popular among UK voters than Donald Trump, according to new polling. The first of a new monthly City AM/Freshwater Strategy poll found the Prime Minister had the lowest approval of all figures tested, with a majority of voters having an unfavorable view. Starmer has the lowest net approval rating of -36 while the incoming US president Donald Trump scored -34 .  British Labour government inflicting harm , Ten million pensioners will be paying income tax by 2032, new figures reveal. Three quarters of retirees are set to be “dragged into the tax net” under current government policy, a rise of 15 percentage points in a decade, analysis by Sir Steve Webb, the former pensions minister, shows. AND This A couple from Scotland is suing the UK government over its decision to abolish an allowance for at least 10 million elderly people to spend on additional heating fuel in the winter. Following the Labour Party’s landslide election victory in the UK’s general election on July 4, one of the first decisions Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves took was to axe the universal Winter Fuel Payment which is not means-tested and is worth 200 to 300 pounds ($260 to $390) a year, depending on age of the recipient. I don't see Trump inflicting financial pain on the USA elderly or any other USA citizen         

Wagering down 10% YOY in Oz. Wagering up 8% YOY in NZ. Some of the Ladbrokes horses being sent to NZ. TAB Racing Club buying seven horses at Karaka last week. And Dean Shannon saying that the TAB Racing Club won't be affected. I'm not going to worry about the TAB Racing Club. 

At Riccarton on paper the tangerine looked in for a great day, bit of a fizzle results wise. Rogerson team running a lot of Ferrando stock, without much joy, same as Duelled progeny, not a lot of success. Meanwhile elsewhere O'sullivan, Patterson, James, stables are flying, not knocking the tangerine at all, but appear to have a few average types around the stables, being placed to advantage in fields suitable, but not getting the results. Just the way the cookie crumbles I guess, they will be back I'm sure.

She won it both times it was held - the one I remember more clearly was when she beat Regal City (because I backed it) I was there, back in the day when it was worth making an effort to go and enjoy a day out - great atmosphere on course, not the 'manufactured hype' of today.....

WAIRARAPA Top 6 R7 SUGHA SWEET, Nice draw and will get a good run from here. will only need a little of luck to be a contender here. Any improvement on conditions is a big plus. R2 ON SNIPER, Carries Raceday form into this one, will make present felt. Strong support for Shameless Star who open at 5.5 and now down to 3.2 looks the hardest to beat of the rest. R3 DON PREDO, Super run on the 20th from the 7 gate, has not faired any better with a draw of 14, however, gate stat says this should not be a problem, big watch. R8 TIZZNOT, huge run to get 2nd last start, last 600 in 34.3 and 200 in smart 22.5 for this grade. Can win R5 SWAZI caught late over 1200m at Well, weight off and good draw, same performance will see him taking some catching, Finest hour, likely to sit behind, will make this interesting. R1 FELUCA, dropping out of better company and racing well enough to the strong chance here. Small field helps Roughies R3 FIRST EDITION. Dam and grand dam were ok on good tracks, nice draw, and fitter for the recent runs, Favorite has wide draw so the 8.5 on fixed looks a good lay. R4 KANAS STORM, royally bred to run a little more distance, but can't leave out, Shavasana, looks next best in even line up.

By Adam Dobbin 08:59am • 06 February 2025  0 Comments Wagering behemoth Entain Australia has made the difficult decision to disband its cutting-edge Ladbrokes Racing Club (LRC) program. Ladbrokes Racing Club, which launched amid much fanfare in 2023, has been responsible for racing thoroughbreds, standardbreds and greyhounds across all three codes, bringing Club members along for the ride. But despite its success and growing popularity, Entain Australia boss Dean Shannon said varying reasons had led to the organisation making the call to discontinue LRC as it is known today.  "We are proud of Ladbrokes Racing Club and the opportunity it has presented to thousands of customers to experience a race day as an owner," Shannon said. "Unfortunately, the Club is not immune to the rising cost of operating pressures currently affecting the wagering sector. Entain Australia boss Dean Shannon • TopSport acquired by BlueBet in $15m deal "The increasing product fees and taxes in Australia along with the rising cost of racing has forced tough decisions to be made regarding these extra initiatives.  "While the Club will no longer have a presence on the racetrack, our commitment to being a proud racing-first brand remains, with several new initiatives to be rolled out in 2025 for members.  "The Ladbrokes Racing Club was established to bring passionate like-minded fans closer to the action by creating a community for them to interact – something we are excited to continue this The decision to disband Ladbrokes Racing Club in the coming months comes at a pivotal time as the wagering sector patiently awaits the Federal Government's response to the online gambling inquiry. Raising further pressure, wagering companies are also locked in discussions with the AFL over a new product fee agreement, with the governing body looking to extract significantly more money from betting on their product for the 2025 season and beyond. Entain Australia is also bracing for the finalisation of an investigation by AUSTRAC into potential anti-money laundering laws. Over the coming months, representatives of LRC will work towards parting ways with racing stock under its ownership control, with welfare central to any transaction. Some instances are more complex to navigate than others, with Entain Australia enjoying strong ties with leading studs including Newgate Farm. Valenzuela, owned by Ladbrokes Racing Club, wins at The Meadows. It's understood some horses will be transferred to race in New Zealand while some will be up for sale on Inglis Digital in the near future. Despite the cessation of Ladbrokes Racing Club, Entain Australia remains unwavering in its support of the Australian racing industry, pledging tens of millions of dollars in sponsorships across all three codes.  While on the Australian front Ladbrokes Racing Club will come to a close, Shannon said Entain's commitment in New Zealand will continue.  "The TAB Racing Club in New Zealand will remain unaffected and continue to be active on the track."        

Pretty sure I recall no Tab connection. Have we still got cruises Auckland—Auckland?

Prince Karim, Aga Khan IV, was the spiritual leader to 20 million Nizari Ismaili Muslims and a major investor in European racing and owned a number of prestigious equine and bloodstock properties in France and Ireland.View the full article

The death of the Aga Khan has been announced at the age of 88. The influential owner/breeder raced several champions and group 1 winners through the decades.View the full article

After finishing a surprise third in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) at Del Mar Nov. 1, Hill Road has remained in the United States and joined the barn of five-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer Chad Brown.View the full article

Yes, and slightly better fields than usual.

That's all out of my league. And of very little interest to me to be honest.

I'm guessing it will be upgraded to Good after a couple of races and they'll have a perfect track for a great day of racing at the North Island's nicest little course.

It's the new way of doing things.

Riccarton: R1 FRENCH FIILE - Super win a trial, looks ready for a bold outing. Sat behind leader, will improve with run, don't drop yet. R2 MANALI - Solid run after being 3 wide the trip, super bred to run over a little more ground, keep watching.  3rd $7.80, sat behind leaders, out 300m led, caught late. follow.     🏇 (Black Booker)- Corps; D Elite, held up in run home, may not have won, but will take a lot from the run and first look at 1400m. Dam won 8 at distance.  R3 PURPLE PROSE, surprised me when running well third up, distance should help  WOW, 3-4 wide the trip, very close up in a 4 way go. - She is only to get better with any luck at all. Follow. R7 ROCMONT - Nice trials win, looks to have held fitness for today. EW. Nice run with no luck, held up the length of the straight. Will be interesting to see if he drops back to 1600 -1800m next but stay with next start. Improver R8 POLLY PLUM - ready now to strike form and back to favorite 1400m.  Sat outside the leader, from 800m, took over top of the straight, run down last 150m. nice and will be fitter for next up over 1400m. R9 THE DIVINER- Wide draw and no 1600m form but ran on like was next up. watch here. will win one soon. Wide into straight, press on well, follow next over 1400m to see his best. Roughies:  BY HER RULES -Blinkers on, solid with threating, will be running on. Drying tracks no help. Looking for S6-7 at best. Wait for these conditions and go again. MILLEFORI - Can run a good 1100m on this track,  No chance with leader's bias on the day. Fitter for and will strike on soon. 🏇 (Black Booker) - insatiable, blocked to last 100m, unlucky HIVARI - Has had two runs in 75 grades now, ready to step up at this level.  2nd-$2.30, winner and Hivari, both coming from off speed, against pattern from the day, good run. THE ARCTIC BLAST - going better than the 30 to one odd, has drawn to be a show. In behind, field was a little rich, watch in country meeting or when back on the Polly.

Irrigated and kept at a Soft 6 until Wednesday morning. Warm day today so they're probably trying to ensure it doesn't get too firm.  

I don't get how the track is soft ? .. I can't remember the last time it rained here. I live 20 minutes away from the track, and the sun is blazing today also. If I had a firm track horse in the first couple of races I would be slightly annoyed.

One of our recent outstanding horses was Imperatriz, no inbreeding at all , only duplication was Northern Dancer 5 X 5.  One good example of his theory. I have a small share in a filly racing at Te Rapa. this weekend, Sir Tristram 3 X 4., is she one of the lucky ones? When selecting a yearling should we put a line through all inbred animals? You might miss the next Galileo though Excellent food for thought, thanks for posting

R3 Stick with Vickezzmargaux - not much luck lately. Thrilling a chance. R6 Manzor Blue R8 Sonata

Geez mate I thought the point of a cruise was to get away from doing all the same shit you normally do ?? Have a great time . If you're desperate to have a bet , get everybody to bet who sees the first shark or whale , or falls overboard first .