The mares group 1 was won in 3:12. Probably the race tactics would not have suited,  Katherine went grand again down South that weekend.

The numbers don’t lie, those in charge at the ATC do but the numbers don’t. I’m not really surprised because there is plenty of brown noses out there but am amazed at the number of people that believe raising issues and those like CMN who produce the facts are somehow bringing harness racing into disrepute or being negative. As someone who attends Alexandra park every meeting and have done for years you don’t have to be a brain surgeon to see how far those in charge at both a local and national level have failed at everything they have done. 

as ah say, keep a wary eye on noms for the Grand National..and the Jericho would be a useful build-up. Stop it Max ...

I don't bet I just heard him confidently tipping it and it won easy Credit where credit is due

personally i'd be looking well awau from the bluebloods since very few of them ever turn out to be super-duper. I'd be looking for something by a no-note sire (say, Bullbars) out of a no-note mare (say Lilahjay) and look on the bright side.

CJC should be asking why they did a deal with Rogie LOLOL (given the stable's atrocious strike rate)  

George Simon tipping the last winner also deserves kudos Is that because he scored 1/10  on the day to improve his overall average or because you backed his tip at the right time?  

Sad news for fans of Super Sarah O'Reilly, the best junior driver since Dexter Dunn. She faces a few more months off the scene before she is fit enough to drive again.  Scan means further delays for Sarah O'Reilly 12 February 2025 , News By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk  One of the country's top drivers Sarah O'Reilly has been dealt some more bad news. Out of action since a trackwork accident at Ashburton Raceway last July, the Mid Canterbury-based driver has been told this week that she requires an operation on her arm and will be months away from resuming race day driving. "I got the result from the CT scan and it has not healed properly and they are going to put a plate into the arm," O'Reilly says. It had been hoped that the arm will ultimately mend itself and that she'd be back driving by the end of last year.  "There is still a gap in the fracture," says O'Reilly, "the movement in the arm is ok it's just when I will try and put weight on it."  Now she's awaiting a date for surgery at Christchurch Hospital. "They say that it will take three months after that before it's back to normal." It's just the latest "pretty annoying" blow for the 24-year-old. "I'm bored," she admits. In July 2024 O'Reilly broke the arm and suffered a broken cheekbone and jaw after a horse "jumped" into her cart. At the time she had recorded 32 wins in her first year as an open driver after being a star in the junior ranks. She won the junior drivers' premiership in 2022 and 2023 and was the Junior Drivers Championship winner four times in five years between 2019 and 2023. For someone used to chasing the drives, especially all around the South Island, it's clearly been a frustrating time. "I try to keep busy but really there's not a lot to do."    

Very true mjs, Tauranga is a course horse track originally & half pie still is.  The track bias is so for the front runners now in the firm/trailing the leader. I wish you well mjs!! 😊

Stewards were not happy with CJ winning with the whip tucked under the arm. They wore the tape out trying to find him hitting the horse but to no avail. 🤣

On the other side of the coin at the great metropolis of Te Aroha, the local racing club put on a free bbq for all the stable staff. Grassroots club looking after the kids who put on the show behind the scenes. Boys get paid may have been there in the executive suite,still to be determined,but the stable staff were well catered for which is a credit to the club. George Simon tipping the last winner also deserves kudos

Geez Colin, after slagging Trentham these last few weeks at every opportunity, Facebook in particular, I am amazed that you are even considering running your very good filly in the Wellington Guineas.  However welcome and I wish you every success being a South Island horse.  Chances are you will go away and totally change your stance once you tap into all of the information available, rather than the mistruths and slanted views of so many keyboard warriors hell-bent on attacking the club.     

Speaking of the North ,i did a nostalgia run there over the weekend as i had previously owned land in the Patumahoe district where quite a few trainers were located. Crouth,McGowan,Small and Reid to name a few. The pub used to be full of Harness trainers on a Friday night but come 7 the publican would shut the TAB down, and another trainer would play bookie I \Any ideas who that would be as his name escapes me?

You wont annoy many Bigrig ,what you say is spot on ..I have been going to that place for 40 yrs ,and its always been that way ..I will always be found in the public area ,and watch the races from on top of the tunnel entrance ..As you say ,you will never see the powers that be anywhere near the public stand ..You would think that they would take a stroll around the place to see how we are going , and what the public experience is like  ,so that improvements can be made..I have always thought they should operate a loyalty card system like most other business ,so that frequent attendees like me could get free entry into all racedays ,or maybe some betting vouchers now and then..Some of us are there for the love of the horses and the endeavour of the participants ,mind you our numbers are decreasing rapidly ,as like you say the party crowd are spoilt rotten ..Thats the party crew who dont bet and dont see a race all day..

appreciate your honesty mjs. Good call.

Should of travelled to NSW this weekend with the NZ Derby winner WE WALK BY FAITH for the Hondo Gratten Race 6 Sat night. . Olivia would of done fine?  . Instead they have one of the Fricken Fitzpatricks on it (and they can't drive for shit).   The QLD Derby winner MAJOR HOT is in the race too, and hasn't won for them (Fitzpatricks) in 10 starts lately. showing how poor they are. The horse should of been kept with  the White's (from Canterbury)  who did a great job with the horse.  and yet another Fitzpatrick driving BETTER KNUCKLE UP in it ???  Why is this ?   can't Nzers drive any more or something ?   Mark and Ants won plenty at NSW. Cam Hart is driving the Victorian visitor drawn the poll so should go close. . The good Queensland horse they have made the Emergency 🙄 , the bastards. THE JANITOR would of pushed them hard too.  (good name ? 😆)   

Thanks Colin for the reply...yes horse should always come first, but I was just surprised nobody had mentioned her as she is right up there with the good 3yo's this year.  

With her current run of form, Pivotal Ten’s name has been bandied around for a possible $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) slot, however, Wynne said their focus is firmly set on her upcoming targets at this stage.  “If the opportunity came you would definitely have to have a look at it, but it is not on our radar at the moment,” she said.   “We will just concentrate on Saturday and get her home, because she has stayed down here for the last two weeks, and then we will look at the Wellington Guineas (Gr.2 1400m).”  https://loveracing.nz/News/48339/PivotalTenvyingforsouthernstakesthreepeat.aspx

As a breeder/owner that was on course yesterday at the Ellerslie trials I was absolutely disgusted and disappointed at the lack of services available to us. At about Heat 10 (not quite half way through the trial card) the club ran out of food to serve to people!  I wouldn't normally worry, but as the country's 'richest' and 'most prestigious' club - this is absolutely appalling, especially with 29 Heats operating yesterday. Not only was there no catering services to owners/breeders like myself. But more importantly, there was nothing available to any of the stable staff/strappers - most of whom had been up since about 3am, before heading to the trials up there all day. Only one little table available to serve any sorts of food and drinks.. yet Entain were having a huge meeting in their new TAB bar room and I can bet they didn't miss out on any gourmet food they wished for. ATR should be ashamed of themselves and take a long hard look at what they are about.. They are quick to get on TV and promote booze, parties and flash expensive fashion- but quickly forget the grass roots and foundations of this Thoroughbred industry. I really felt for more the stable staff, truck drivers and onsite people such as the farriers, clerks of the course, truck drivers, who had put in long hours who rely on the racing club to have something decent on offer. Country clubs like Te Aroha, Ruakaka, Cambridge, run rings around this club for things like this. I did notice ATR's racing manager looking absolutely dis-interested, and only willing to speak to his own 'mates' who he wanted too - again, this is so poor for NZ's biggest Racecourse; instead of getting around and about the facility talking to anyone and everyone as well as checking if everything was operating okay down at the horse Stables area. It's a club that certainly isn't there to help the foundations of this industry with poor performances like this. Yes they have good stake money but what else do they do? Its Quite embarrassing when you take along new and excited owners into the Thoroughbred industry and this is what they experience. The club will make an excuse and defend this situation as the always do, however there is no excuse and boils down to shaping up and having some decent management.   Anyway, rant over - this will annoy some people - so what! Yesterday annoyed me, especially after all my investment in this industry. Thanks ATR for looking after yourselves as usual - you take the crown of being the most selfish club in existence

I note a couple of new names among riders too; Annie Lindahl and Hayley Hassman who rode a TA horse. Is she their apprentice? And though I know he's suspended at present but is Parmer still indentured to TA or has he moved elsewhere? No big deal, just asking.