The Hunter Cup is a Tactical Conundrum – Our First Thoughts are that Kate Gath Has the Whole World in Her Hands
On paper after the draw the A.G. Hunter Cup looks to be a two horse race between Catch a Wave and Leap to Fame, and maybe a one horse race at that. The prevailing logic is that Catch a Wave leads off the gate, and then gives up the front to Leap to Fame and […]
Entain Has Saved New Zealand Racing – Soon it Will Explode
Always back the horse named self-interest son, it’s the only one trying – D.T. Crimmins, NSW bookmaker We told anyone who would listen that the partnership between Entain and the TAB would be the savior of New Zealand racing, if only the industry would embrace and support it. Entain don’t play in the racing pond […]
Teflon Jeff and Junior Duck a Big Bullet, But Cop a Graze
A most interesting Stewards report from QLD has been published today. It involves jockey Jaden Lloyd’s use of a mobile phone from the riders room in breach of the rules to communicate with his father and jockey manager Jeff, the former premiership winning hoop who back in his day was one of the hottest workers […]
The World’s Most Naked Trot Writer – He’s Got a Great Sidestep, and is Pretty Handy Over the Hurdles Too
Brad Reid who writes for Harness Link is one of Australasia’s best trot writers, even though as a proud Kiwi he might resent the title. He’s also one one of the most famous male streakers at the cricket in New Zealand. And could have played Super Rugby with a step like his, or competed in […]
Now the Gold Coast Grass Trials Are Off, After Less Than Half an Inch of Rain
What the hell is going on with this inside training track at the Gold Coast? It’s semi-underwater, after less than half an inch of rain in the past 24 hours. https://www.eldersweather.com.au/history/qld/bundall Is the course proper drainage such that all the water pours over to the inside, or has the training track just been done on […]
When Slaps on the Wrist Don’t Send the Message, the Stewards Need to Use Sticks
Leading New Zealand trot driver John ‘Lurch’ Dunn has been hit with 16 substantial rule breach charges in the past 28 months, and has been found guilty of 15 of them. Most were repeat offences, either careless driving of some sort or improper whip use. In the criminal justice system offenders who are given an […]
The Super Talented Kid Who Doesn’t Seem to Care
We have been writing about Group 1 winning Kiwi jockey Ryan Elliott’s weight issues for some time now, not to be nasty or a body shamer, but because we’ve been reliably told by several sources that the problem is caused by a lack of focus and discipline more than anything else. Brisbane’s champion jockey James […]
Big George Rose is a Genius, a Weaver of Silk Purses Out of Sow’s Ears
Tim might do to Keith Thurman what his old man did to Zab Judah You would never have picked it when he was a well over the scale prop barging straight ahead for the Manly Sea Eagles, but big George Rose is a genius. He has to be, for how else could he secure Tim […]
Gee Won’t These Be Crackers of Trials at the Goldie?
The trials on the B Grass track at the Gold Coast this morning have been decimated by scratchings, with 18 of the scheduled 35 runners pulled out. This has left two of the trials on the B Grass with only a single runner in them. I hope their trainers weren’t aiming for a good hit […]