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One aspect of handicapping that I have Never heard a single complaint about is set-weight age-group racing.  Once Bonecrusher becomes the highest rated 3yo, he gets very few additional handicap points for beating lower rated opponents at set weights.  So he can win an enormous amount of money at 3, and thus appear very well-off-at-the-weights at 4.  Male Derby winners nearly all get the same weight in the Melbourne Cup as 4yos.

One racing outlet called it a significant blow for Entain: "In a significant double blow for Entain, it was announced on Thursday that Fitt and Rodger would depart, winding up their commitments over the coming weeks. Fitt, who has an extensive background in finance and wagering, joined Entain in 2019 and was soon appointed chief financial officer before assuming the deputy CEO role as well in 2023. He has played a key role in Entain’s business development strategy over that time and has been a major player in the TAB NZ deal. Rodger joined Entain in 2023 after the takeover of TAB NZ, having previously been chief commercial officer and TAB NZ, and before that in legal and commercial roles at the New Zealand Racing Board. Together they have been the two most important players in Entain’s entrance into the New Zealand market and the implementation of the landmark 25-year agreement to operate TAB NZ. The departure comes at a time of upheaval for the Entain business in Australia and New Zealand. Executives Karl deKroo, Ryan Stanaway and Andy Hoad have taken jobs elsewhere in recent months, while Ladbrokes has shut down the bloodstock aspect of its racing club due to rising costs. Global CEO of Entain, Gavin Isaacs, departed suddenly last week. It is also facing an AUSTRAC enforcement action, with Entain having to defend charges of a lack of compliance with anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing. An adverse finding would likely result in fines in the hundreds of millions of dollars. Fitt said those clouds over Entain were not a factor in his decision to depart. The dual departure also creates a major challenge for NZTR, which is charged with implementing key aspects of the Entain/TAB NZ deal within the first five years." https://thestraight.com.au/dual-departures-lachlan-fitt-and-cameron-rodger-to-leave-entain/

An interesting point you make about the CD having four Gp 1 races and the north none! Auckland did have one previously, the Easter Hcp but it failed. It also had the potential in another in the Richfield Mile, but it couldn’t ever get there, even with the excellent money being put up.  Maybe it has something to do with the starting positions of the various tracks for 1600m races. There is no doubt that Otaki and Trentham offer superb starts with their long runs down the back straight.      

Saturday @ Ashburton Harness. ⚓️ 🔹️R3 Newbiemains Arden. I have tipped this out before but she hasn't had much luck especially with draws! Can come off the gate nicely and draws 2. Opened at $10 but has come right in with 2 significant scratchings and is a great chance in this lineup!  🔸️$4.20FW 🔹️R7 Audacity.  This horse loves a bit of distance and gets a shot at 3200m this time!  Won at Motukarara last prep over 2810m and has loves the standing starts so will make short work of his 10m handycap. 🔸️$4.20FW Might be worthwhile chucking both In a fixed win multi. 🔸️$10 for $176.40. Good luck. 🙂

1. Ellerslie R5    2,11,12. 2. Ellerslie R6    1, 2,  6. 3. Ellerslie R7    7, 8,  9. 4. Ellerslie R8    1, 2,  6. 5. Rosehill R2    7, 9, 11. 6. Rosehill R6    3, 4, 10. 7. Rosehill  R8   1, 3, 4.   BB. 8. Caulfield R7  1, 2, 10. 9. Caulfield R8  1, 5, 11. 10. Caulfield R9 1,2, 15. BB.                                Cheers and Thanks..

Might be 'Baltic Eagle' Charlie ? it went to the wild West and won over there. But came back to Addington and won the Interdominion for Kim Prentice in 2003.  Richard Brosnan still going strong in Victoria. Won the trot Interdominion Grand Final training in 2021 with Maori Law at Menangle. ( 2nd was Majestic Man for NZ and 3rd was Just Believe before he started winning everything)  LEAP TO FAME has won tonight in 1.49 at Newcastle. caught 3 wide while they ran a 'slow 55 second first half 🤣' then poured it on em' to burn clear home in 54 seconds for the Newcastle Mile. Broke the track record by nearly 2 seconds. 'Nothing' is the Only one that will get anywhere near him in the Miracle Mile soon 😎

Stipes may look into possible team driving  🤣

I’d buy the “push” suggestion - signed exit packages ensuring zero published comments ( unless pre-approved) by the departing two. Very standard stuff in the corporate world….two expensive enough heads at best replaced by one? Currently we’re in a five year gold rush with Entain is how one trainer summed it all up. And after this five year honeymoon Entain will have a further 20 years left to go. Within Entain’s brand (and asset) portfolio, NZ represents a little toe nail when compared to their overall asset base but hey, in their annual published accounts, NZ will always get a one line mention.  

How? I am betting from home just check my IP address 🥷

well Gingras did leave him parked out lol. even though Leader Peter was taking him on a couple of times.  'Smarter Than You' beaten a head on the line in the end , which I spose is justice?  , since Pete scratched the favourite as mentioned previously. 😅. Young Garrard with his 2nd winner of the night,  from Pete and Dawson 3rd. The three QLD lads running up the trifecta as have all driven there 1000's of times. were lengths clear of the rest and a Handy trifecta at $430 too. they might get more trifecta's too , before the end of Championship , as know the place/track play so well.  Dexter Dunn for NZ won the 3rd race on a horse from NZ named Daggy Lamb. what a terrible name for a horse lol😂

Hope so too.  But also interesting that Rory perhaps chose to ride the Waller horse?  Someone somewhere may be having the last laugh after that race as numerous jockey switches from previous start

Nothing stopping Ellerslie from trying to make the Rich Hill or the Easter a Gr. 1. If Otaki can do it so can they (though, judging by how the Easter has lost its lustre of late, maybe they can't). You're right that the pattern needs an overhaul with top-class racing spread across the whole country, carnivals which don't overlap and step on each others' toes, and a logical flow up in grade and up in trip.

Whats the bet Otakis remaining "feature race" (for want of a better word) gets bugger all pre race coverage tomorrow too.  Suffocated yet again by Ellerslie. The Avondale Cup jumps at 4:02pm.  Lets say 4:03pm as no doubt a delay to start.  2.5 minutes to race.  At least another 60-90 seconds wrap up and replay.  Going to leave around 2 minutes before Otaki R7 Handicap is set to jump, and horses will already be at the barriers. 

I hope Wiremu kicks a goal on the very good horse El Vencedor after parting ways with Dougs..AKA Canterbury Mans favorite stable in the race tomorrow .

Altered, sorry John. 2nd BB  Caul  R7   1   2, 3

You are full of it...stop trying to ram your point of view down my throat...you can be an ungrateful piece of work its your choice that does not mean others want to be as well...I am not so desperate to win a race...I have bought and owned plenty of good horses and never changed jockeys before a big race, how would you like it if the shoe was on the other foot...nah you would never see things that way...as you are not loyal in any way....now go back and look after poor old SLB...he needs comforting poor wee thing.