Harness & Greyhounds - Perth Turf Talk

GP 05/07/19

Gilgamesh — Thu, 04 Jul 2019 10:20:10 +0000

R1: Not sure who leads out of Black Jack Zac or One Off Delight, suspect Jack may hand up to guarantee a good earn. No real pressure in running so one of the two should be the winner. Beltane can work forward and look for a sit on Batavia On Fire, they have solid top 3 claims. Illusination pegs up to top 5. Carrera Mach probably just gets shuffled too far back to finish in the money.
Tip: No2 One Off Delight. Bet: FF:1,2/1,2,8,12/1,2,8,10,12/1,2,8,10,11,12. 100% costs $54. EQ:1,2.
R2: Mister Rollins holds up, Jaxon drops straight to his back and Ideal liner Runs to the front after 200m. Should be obvious. They get best crack at running 2nd/3rd behind the fav. Mister Rollins was a nice run for this Monday but I do query him holding the favs back if he zips home sub 28. I give nearly all runners FF claims so it isn’t really a play for me given how short it is likely to pay.
Tip: No4 Ideal Liner. EQ:4.
R3: Vincenzo Perugia would have to appear at least slightly vulnerable to being crossed to a couple of these, I think an attack is likely early. I expect that to come from Livura and more so Chiaroscuro who I think crosses. I’m hopeful that the early speed sets it up for a run on horse, Better Scoot. Love the engagement of Micky G. Horse has been crying out for some luck, maybe it doesn’t go as well not smothered away on the pegs but just how this looks to be run it is worth a stab.
Tip: No6 Better Scoot. Bet: Better Scoot EW. EQ:1,5,6,7.
R4: The way Tommy Be Good is going he is entitled to have a crack at leading throughout. They do prefer to drive him with a sit and he probably races best that way but without seeing anything through the press I thought they might give leading a crack. That puts Waylade in a great spot. I thought his trial was fantastic and he ran some great races in probably slightly better grade than this last time in, I’m happy to back him. Even if they did hand up with TBG 3 back is still a good spot for Waylade to run home from. Love how Warfare is going but tracking Bob Wheel I just don’t know where he gets to in the run.
Tip: No10 Waylade. Bet: Waylade EW. FF:1,10,11/1,10,11/1,3,5,10,11/1,3,4,5,10,11. 100% costs $54. EQ:1,3,10,11. 100% costs $32, hard to see the div being anything special.
R5: Some Coper Beach looks the obvious leader, Fifty Five Reborn is going to want to hold the position outside it. To me that makes this very much a 1,2,10,11,12 race. I love a 2 yr old that can sustain a 3 wide run so Star From The Palace is a must for me. Comes from a weaker race than the others but she will enjoy leaders back, just needs a touch of luck. Advance Your Dreams has opened a silly price, sitting on the speed I am very confident it will be finishing off hard.
Tip:No10 Star From The Palace. Bet: Advance Your Dreams 1by2. FF:1,2,10,11/1,2,10,11,12/1,2,10,11,12/1,2,10,11,12. 100% costs $96. QD:1,2,10,11,12.
R6: I have Power And Grace crossing and just winning. Understandably the 1 will be doing all it can to hold up, I don’t think it can and it probably isn’t really going well enough. Fly in the ointment is the emergency coming in to 3 but I will back Reed to get across. Jaspervellabeach has the runs on the board and the tactical speed to put itself into the race but is a risk no trial.
Tip: No4 Power And Grace. Bet Power And Grace wins. QD:4,8,13.
R7: I thought Dontstopbelievin could cross the 2 inside her but I don’t think any of them can hold The War Nurse. She went better than I expected last week. Maczaffair probably follows her across and has to be a danger with the drop in grade but she just doesn’t seem to have come up.
Tip: No8 The War Nurse. Bet: The War Nurse win. QD:7,8.
R8: You have to pick Space Junk because of his ability but he hasn’t been a great race horse this time up. Gangbuster will lob a great spot and be dangerous and Cracka Star is flying for him and 2 off 10m is a good spot for him to get in front of most of these.
Tip: No2 Spacejunk. Bet: Cracka Star 1 by 2. QD:2,6,8. 100% costs $90.
R9: Therugo does his thing here coming out running. I don’t think Natural Disaster will just hand up, seemed like DEG would like to see this horse in front at some stage. So hopefully a bit of speed can set it up for Cut For An Ace who has been crying out for some luck but may be another one who doesn’t quite go as well not smothered away. Have to take the risk and find out at the price.
Tip: No4 Cut For An Ace. Bet: Cut For An Ace win.
R10: Parisian Party Girl returned to form the other day and will get the softest lead you will ever see here. She has to be a real threat to the fav Our Corelli who also returned to form Monday after the stable change. He looked good but I’m just not sure this is his race.
Tip: No1 Parisian Party Girl. Bet: No1 Parisian Party Girl win.

Richie Bell GP Tonight

freodockers — Tue, 02 Jul 2019 10:33:20 +0000

Has anyone noticed Richie Bell has an issue with a certain driver at GP tonight in 2nd and 3rd race.

Winter Tracks

JayJay — Sun, 30 Jun 2019 01:06:35 +0000

Sunday morning reflections (over a sticky bun or two Panda :D).....and recalling the commentary last year about the state of the Ascot/Belmont tracks when it rained.....and the subsequent well deserved accolades afforded Chris Nation and the job he has done.

But given the atrocious weather this month, the presentation of the harness tracks at Northam, Narrogin and last night at Bunbury, has been amazing. The ability of the mobile barrier to get traction and pull away from the field at release point is clearly critical and given the weather, the track staff deserve a huge shout out, as does the starter/driver. Driving to Bunbury yesterday afternoon as it was pelting down all the way through Bridgetown and Donnybrook, I thought this a forlorn mission. In years past, an errant dog peeing on a post caused a cancellation at Bunbury and the puddles in the car park on arrival didn't look great. But that track raced brilliantly. A downpour during race 4 during which you could hardly spot your horse and I thought that will be the end of proceedings but that track held up and the meeting was concluded. Ditto for Narrogin the night before after an inch of rain during the day and have mentioned Northam the previous week. Its a long way to go for nothing when a meeting gets called off and it is a win for everyone when racing goes ahead.

Narrogin however, gets the gong for coldest joint on the planet...yes, it was cold and wet at Bunbury...but it was a different kind of cold at Narrogin, a bone chilling cold, offset by those patio gas heaters situated every where and which, unlike the mongrel of a thing I have at home, were easy to ignite. Pretty good effort from the DeCampos last night nailing half the program. Can also report that crops and pastures are looking good, the country side has been transformed with creeks running and dams filling...and that has to be a good thing.

GP 28/06/19

Gilgamesh — Thu, 27 Jun 2019 13:27:24 +0000

R1: The War Nurse will use zero effort to lead. Similarly Ideal Liner should be able to move around outside her very comfortably. He is a pretty serious horse who should be dispatching of her. She may even crack provided her puts a bit of pressure on and doesn’t just sit off until the last 400m. Hy Leexciting and Cracka Star the back end of the first four.Tip: No12 Ideal Liner. Bet: Think the price is good but I will just be taking him 1 out the EQ.

R2: Bettor Be Lively odds on with Kristian Hawkins and The Trilogy drawn a couple outside of him! Leave me out of that! I could be wrong but the way I see BBL going I didn’t think he could win this even left alone in front. I actually thought The Trilogy could cross, a bit of 66/1 around is overs. I’m leaving Mad Robber tonight after a couple of luckless runs but he can still win as I think it’s a run on race. Better Scoot is the one that interest me. Was plain, held up with something to give and then flashing to the line in good time his last 3, last shot at them I want to be on.
Tip: No11 Better Scoot. Bet. Better Scoot EW. Tri:11,12/3,5,7,10,11,12/1,3,5,7,10,11,12. 100% costs $50 for a small %. EQ:3,5,10,11,12.
R3: There’s some speed drawn outside here but I think they will realise that this isn’t there race and leave it to Vincenzo to take it up with Saying Grace outside of him. SG was massive last week but if Vincenzo pinches even a 200m breather and runs home in a mid 55 half how does he get past him? Simba Bromac needs to find his old form but sitting just behind these two for the master he will get his chance.
Tip: No2 Vincenzo Peruggia. Bet: Head says you have to back Vincenzo but I want to see Simba Bromac win so I will probably leave it alone. EQ:2,3,4.
R4: I thought Golden State would hold the lead but Mark Reed version 6.0 isn’t as aggressive as he once was. I’m Loving the $3.75 @365 a place on I’m Soxy. Regardless of leaders back or 3 back, with the speed Chicago Bull will be running home in it will open up nicely for him to get off and he will be in the top 3.
Tip: No9 Chicago Bull. Bet: No10 I’m Soxy a place. EQ:9 100% costs $15 with a little % the 10.
R5: The cards have fallen Double Expresso’s way but as the season has progressed the other fillies have caught up, some of these are pretty handy. She does look the winner but I’m happy to take some in the quad to at least give her a fright.
Tip: No2 Double Expresso. No Bet. QD:2,6,7,11.
R6: I thought Aristocratic Star would sit on Major Martini but looking at the market and listening to Prentice on the radio that doesn’t seem the case. To me that plays in to Caveman’s hands. He is a work in progress but is every chance of getting past them off the soft trip.
Tip: No10 Caveman. No Bet. QD:1,2,10.
R7: You couldn’t talk anyone out of something they liked in this race. No idea who leads. Nowuseemesmile gets a tick for getting the run on the pegs she loves and another tick for the times the look like they will run the last sectional home in.
Tip: No1 Nowuseemesmile. Bet: I’ll back her if she gets to $8. QD:FD.
R8: Anime isn’t that slow out that it automatically has to tack a sit. There should be some early pressure from the 2,3,4, over 2500m this should be a run on race. I have loved Whozwhointhezoo’s 2 runs this time in. He is a ridiculous price @$40. Driven cold the last lap will be exciting.
Tip: No11 Whoswhointhezoo. Bet: No11 Whoswhointhezoo EW. Tri:6,11/2,6,11/1,2,6,7,8,10,11,12. 100% costs $24. QD:6,11. 100% costs $240 for a very small %.
R9: Plenty to learn about these predominantly Follow The Stars sired 2yr olds. I’m going away from them to the Courage Under Fire filly Shirmaya. Keeps improving and I give her a fair crack of finding the top which will help a lot in a field of developing horses.
Tip: No5 Shirmaya. Bet: No5 Shirmaya EW.
R10 and R11 are watch only for me.

After a couple of handy weeks my bets will be very small tonight looking to consolidate.

Good luck all.

Fred Godecke

JayJay — Tue, 18 Jun 2019 01:22:04 +0000

With the passing of 96 year old Fred Godecke this week, the last direct link to the first Interdominion Championship in 1936 has been broken. Fred trained and drove Willowcliffe who won a heat and qualified for the final. Of course, the extended Godecke family is synonymous with WA Harness Racing through the deeds of many top horses including the great Renaud, Golta, Fastease and company and they bred many top horses. Fred had very good horses such as Cornish Rogue, Caltrop, Banca and the stunning but injury prone Red Monaro who could have been anything.

Ana Malak

JayJay — Thu, 27 Jun 2019 13:23:02 +0000

Pretty nice win by Ana Malak in the Popular Alm Sprint at Kilmore tonight in 1.54.9 eased down. Well supported at short odds from 2.25 into 1.50 and walked in.

Caller at Warragul harness today

Toepuntit — Sun, 23 Jun 2019 04:32:29 +0000

I’d almost rather listen to the bloke that calls the Swedish trots. Makes me watch the races with the sound on mute.

Northam Track Staff

JayJay — Sun, 23 Jun 2019 01:41:07 +0000

A while back, the honorary Track Curation Critics Society was out in force offering their sage advice, albeit from the comfort of their lounge chairs, to those associated with preparing winter tracks. Of course, having not attended a live race meet since King Tut was entombed, their commentary was most valued by those that toil away against adverse weather and provide a decent dance floor for the fraternity. I couldn't believe that the Northam meeting went ahead last night, never mind making it right through the 9 race card. I didn't make the trek up to Burwood Park last night given a shortage of spare tyres from my Friday night journey, and given what I was seeing both out the window (belting rain and debris flowing down the road) and the ominous blue, yellow and green hues from the BOM website radar sweeping towards Northam, I thought "no chance" my horse will get to go around in race 8. Then I hear down the line that "they will be testing the traction for the mobile barrier before race 8" and I thought well, that's it, it's all over. But race they did, and on a pretty good looking surface as well given the heavy rain witnessed during the running of race 6. So, from one very grateful owner (and trainer and driver), a huge well done to the lads at Northam. My shout for a hot cup of soup at the next gathering.JJ

GP 21/06/19

Gilgamesh — Thu, 20 Jun 2019 11:49:46 +0000

R1: One off Delight has opened longer odds than I
thought it would with 365, I was expecting it to open closer to 6/4. I thought
after a bit of work it would find the front and be hard to beat. That said I
thought that slight bit of work and All Jokes Aside keeping it honest could
make it vulnerable and give a chance for Batavia On Fire, who I expect to
drift, to flash over the top of them.

Tip: No10 Batavia On Fire. Bet: Something small One Off Delight if
that price is available at the tab to cover an EW on Batavia On Fire.

R2: Happy to back up on Mad Robber. He was smashing
the line in a quick sprint home after being driven cold last week. I thought
Simba Bromac and more so Vincenzo Peruggia could do enough early to bring Speed
Man undone, I think Vincenzo has a decent chance of getting across him.

Tip: No11 Mad Robber. Bet: EW Mad Robber and something very small on
Vincenzo.

R3: Mighty Santana is priced as though he is just
going to walk to the front and waltz in. He may but I didn’t think him leading,
at least easily, was cut and dry. I will be having something very small on The
Trilogy. Can pull super hard over 2500m but is usually ok when following a
helmet. Last run was a bit of a hide away good run, will be bobbing up again
soon.

Tip: No4 Mighty Santana. Bet: The Trilogy EW.

R4: I give Pierre Whitby zero chance of holding Major
Artist and as a result being 3 back the pegs when it hands up to
Patrickthepirahna. However I actually think that is a better result as there is
more chance of Edgerton-Green kicking away with Major Artist on his back. This
should opening up the field for Pierre Whitby to finish all over the top of
him. With Theo Aviator in the breeze I thought it would be hard for both Gee
Jay Kay and Know When To Run to get into it likely having to just make that one
run at them over the final 1000m but they are flying.

Tip: No1 Pierre Whitby. Bet: FF:1,3/1,2,3,8/1,2,3,4,8/1,2,3,4,5,8,10. 100%
costs $72. Pierre EW.

R5: Tact Major does look the leader and winner. It
does worry me that it could hand up to Herrick Roosevelt or King Of Swing so I
wont be backing it. Will be cheering for the every improving I’m Soxy.

Tip: No1 Tact Major. No Bet.

R6: Can Colin Brown get Typhoon Tiff back up for
this? She does look the leader and would win at her best but at odds on I’m
looking elsewhere. I thought visually Fake News was a good run to step in to
this last week but they didn’t break any records home. Ended up with Delightful
Reaction at the double figures. Followed up her good run in the oaks with a tradesman
win in low grade without really being asked for anything. Just thought going
well she was worth a gamble.

Tip: No12 Delightful Reaction. Bet: EW No12 Delightful Reaction.

R7: Some big variations in the couple of early
markets I can see. 365 haven’t missed Gold Horse Shoe. Was a big run at Pinj
the other day but I thought this would be a hotly contested lead and could set
it up for a run on type. Bettor Be Oscar has the runs on the board and is an EW
price with Sportsbet. You can’t go wrong backing him EW in this and I have been
following Alta Rhett for a bit, absolutely love the engagement of DEG in the
cart. It can sprint as well as anything in this race. Even El Shuey will be
sitting right up behind them and be dangerous.

Tip: No12 Better Be Oscar. Bet: Hopefully get some of that $34/$7 with the
local markets Alta Rhett.

R8: Low grade race for a Friday but looks very
competitive. I thought Adda Tarantella could muscle its way to the top and hold
them off, prices available look great early doors.

Tip: No3 Adda Tarentalla: Bet, I’ll be having a bit of a go at this one.

R9: Does The War Nurse cross Maczaffair? I think it
might and it will at least try and with Veiled Secret kicking up under them it should
guarantee a good tempo for Lady De Larenta to sit and go bang.

Tip: No2 Lady De Larenta. Bet: She seems a bet at around that 5/2 to 3/1
range.

R10: I’ll tip Space Junk but his manors scare
me off backing him.

R11: I think Fifty Five Reborn might be pretty
smart, wouldn’t be surprised if this is a resounding victory.

R12: Aristoratic Star brought itself undone a bit
last week, wouldn’t want it as the last leg of my multi for the night but it
has to be hard to beat.

Yearling Sale Roulette

JayJay — Thu, 30 May 2019 09:34:11 +0000

Following on commentary on breeding re the 2 year old fillies races this Friday.....looked at the 2017 APG sale (they are rising 4 year olds) and the 200 yearlings offered in Melbourne, often considered to be the superior draft for the sales. Of the 200 offered, 28 went for $50k or more. In catalogue order, the following are the outcomes with any notable relatives in brackets, race name, best time and stakes earned as at 30/5/2019:

Lot 3 $50k Colt Bettors Delight x Redhot Rita (Im Smoldering) Firefront unraced

Lot 13 $57.5k Colt Mach Three x Serenity Franco (Mojo Major) Ace Montana 2.1.8 $7.6k

Lot 17 $70k Colt Art Major x Shes Got It All (Reba Lord) Unnamed

Lot 27 $60k Colt Somebeachsomewhere x Spirited Storm (The Storm Inside) Firestorm Red 1.54.0 $63k

Lot 36 $65k Colt American Ideal x Three Eagles (Fly Like An Eagle) The Ethletic 1.59.6 $15.2k

Lot 39 $50k Colt Art Major x The Good Times (Larrakeyah Lady) Wild Man 1.57.5 $6.8k

Lot 44 $50k Filly Art Major x Tigress Franco ( Jaccka Taurus) Tiger Storm 1.56.6 $14.2k

Lot 47 $55k Colt Art Major x Vista Bella (Out Of Sight) Unnamed

Lot 56 $50k Colt Mach Three x Aleppo Heiress (Trotting family) Four Bigmen 1.54.3 $68k

Lot 58 $50k Filly Bettors Delight x Alashell (Saabette) Single Tree Road 1.565.6 $51k

Lot 67 $95k Colt American Ideal x Allthatglittersisgold (Bling It On) Bletchley Park 1.53.6 $117k

Lot 70 $130k Colt Mach Three x Aston Villa (Yankee Rockstar) Zoliver 1.56.2 $17.8k

Lot 72 $55k Filly Art Major x Arctic Fire (Classy Filly) Rinjani 1 start unplaced

Lot 82 $115k Colt American Ideal x Beninjurd (Philadelphia Man) Centenario 1.53.4 $331k

Lot 100 $200k Colt Art Major x Cyclone Betty ( Our waikiki Beach) Paramount Stride 2.00.3 $5.9k

Lot 113 $97.5k Colt Somebeachsomewhere x Gee R We There Yet(Another Party) Somehowsomeway 0 wins $1.25k

Lot 117 $85k Filly Bettors Delight x Glenferrie Shuffle (Our Hotshoe Shuffle) Zanadu 1.55.0 $20.3k

Lot 124 $70k Filly Bettors delight x Hexham Heartbeat (Royal Verdict) Our Ultimate Lucy 0 wins, $475

Lot 126 $75k Filly Bettors Delight x Hotinthecitytonite (Hot Shoe Shuffle) Delightful Jazz 1.58.6 $62.3k

Lot 132 $52.5k Colt American Ideal x Indigenous (Satans Dispute) Nostra Ideal 1.52.2 $43.3k

Lot 142 $90k Colt Bettors Delight x Left In Paris ((Left A Dream) Staley 1.59.3 $4.3k

Lot 150 $100k Colt Art Major x Limerick Star (Armalight) Abouttime 1.57.8 $35k

Lot 167 $62.5k Colt Art Major x Mendelico (Heaven Rocks) Major Delico 0 wins $7.1k

Lot 179 $105k Colt Well Said x Musical Delight(Top Tempo) Young Rooster 1.58.3 $39k

Lot 184 $100k Colt Bettors delight x My Double Dream (Double Your Bet) His A Dreamer 0 wins, $4.5k

Lot 187 $50k Colt Art Major x Nightshade Franco (Nearea Franco) Stefsastar Unraced

Lot 191 $52.5 Colt Mach Three x O Narutac Bella (Perfect Sense) Famous Three 0 wins, $2.6k

Lot 200 $75k Colt Art Major x Quick Comment (Quick Draft) Catch A Moment 1.55.4, $47.9k

Just the four yearlings from the top 28 Sale price wise (over $50k) that have returned their purchase price, with not a lot of high stakes juvenile races left in the season.

WA Trot Quaddie Jackpots - Where Do They Go ?

Ridersonthestorm33 — Fri, 14 Jun 2019 22:40:28 +0000

Once again from the previous Friday evening a 3.5k Jackpot from Gloucester Park has dissapeared into the abyss. Whether it be $5 or 20k, money mostly invested by WA punter's goes "missing".

On asking at the WA tab ( again ) told by them " Tabcorp over east control these Jackpots". Enquire with them...okey doke..onto Tabcorp...their reply.."um we allocate the jackpot's as we see fit".

They never see fit to add to another WA trot meeting within the week ? What a rort it is.

Money lost mostly by WA punters on Quaddies should be given the opportunity to recoup there investments asap and the money shouldn't be allocated down the track to who knows where.

Transparency please Tabcorp.

Pearl Classic Final GP Friday

Ridersonthestorm33 — Wed, 12 Jun 2019 09:48:11 +0000

Not quite as much depth in the division for the 2yr old colts and geldings Group One Pearl Classic Final with four runners dominating the betting and the other six approaching 100/1 and better.

Approximate Odds Wednesday.
Aristocratic Star 11/8
Valentine's Brook 5/2
Jaxon Jones 7/2
Manning 7/2
66/1 and better the rest.

Winner, quinella, trifecta and probably quartet to come from those four - but to cut it down by 50% - Valentines Brook and Manning my main two. The longer priced Justin Prentice runner or astute trainer Mike Reed, one of them to win!
Jaxon Jones and Aristocratic Star super hard to beat.

Good luck all.

Nice Captain Treacherous 3YO Colt

JayJay — Sun, 16 Jun 2019 09:56:50 +0000

Now this is a nice horse, Captain Crunch, goes 1.47.2 in the million dollar race in Canada.

GP- 7/6 4yo & 5yo Westbred Mares Pace Night

VillageKid — Fri, 07 Jun 2019 01:56:16 +0000

Race 1- Lady De La Renta

Race 2- Waimac Attack

Race 3- Mighty Flying Deal

Race 4- The War Nurse

Race 5- Maczaffair

Race 6- Bechers Brook

Race 7- Ideal Liner

Race 8- All Jokes Aside

Race 9- Robb Stark

Race 10- Know When To Run

Pinjarra Monday 3rd June

Chariotsonfire — Mon, 03 Jun 2019 04:46:27 +0000

Race 1 was not a great look for juvenile trotters and the industry in general.

Billy Elliot Night - Northam.

Ridersonthestorm33 — Sat, 01 Jun 2019 09:06:03 +0000

Some blasts from the past have the race's been named after tonight - some beauties there too - all great competitors for the Elliott family. Just can't beat that name - StumpyGullyRoad.

Looks a tough old meeting at Burwood Park but that's nothing new.
Time to re-launch into a quaddie and see how far we get.

Race 5.
1. Seven Demerits 2. Illusionation 8. Murphy's Bettor 10. All Williams

Race 6.
1. Heez About To Rock 2. Another Ajay 3. Parisian Partygirl 10. Dreamy Nights

Race 7.
1. Regal Ambition 4. All Over Tan 5. Renacentrez 7. Lil China Doll 9. Oh What A Night

Race 8. We"ll put all the pressure on JJ and S. Suvaljko to bring home the bacon - 7. Cut Above.

That's 4 x 4 x 5 x 1 = $80 for 100% - so will invest $20 for 25%. A moral to be knocked out early or all favourites - or both!

Tim Walker-GPTV

Gilgamesh — Thu, 30 May 2019 05:25:57 +0000

I've been sooking it up of late but have decided to soak up some racing and the content surrounding it.

Just wanted to give a massive wrap to Tim Walker with his GPTV interviews this week. A great product and really well presented, hats off.

Haven't been following the Twitter feed on friday nights bit I might check that out this week too.

The Clipsal Diamond Classic Final For The Two Year Old's.

Ridersonthestorm33 — Wed, 29 May 2019 23:12:57 +0000

Looks a ripper of a race and great to see a full sized field of 12 youngsters and two emergencies to contest over the 2100, several runners including those over 10/1 look to be a chance and the early $1.60 fave from gate seven will need a big effort to win.

An exciting and competive race coming up and looking forward to it, driving tactics once again crucial and wouldn't have it any other way!
Lewis, Hall, Woodley, Voak, K Prentice etc their shouldn't be a dull moment.

GP 3/5 Race For The Roses Standing Start Race 9

JayJay — Thu, 02 May 2019 12:53:55 +0000

A fair bit of intrigue in this standing start $30k race for the girls....intrigued as to why it is race 9 for what is a featured annual event in honour of Laurie Kennedy.

Further intrigue when I am informed that STANDING START form is not a criteria for field selection which I would have thought, incorrectly as it turns out, would have been a fair thing to consider. As such, it could be a nightmare race from a punting point of view and the performance of horses in stands would be one thing I would be placing a premium on before investing a cent on the race. Hopefully they all step like birds but some could still be galloping Saturday morning, disorganising the field in the process. Lets hope not. Breakdown on form and standing start history:

1. Purest Silk -Fr- 3 runs back from a 10 month spell, has won a country front GP midweek and in good form. 23 lifetime starts but has never raced in a stand. Had a standing start jump out at Bunbury Trials on April 24th to qualify for standing start races.

2. Halle Rage -Fr- 1 win GP metro from last 17 starts, qualified for stands when winning a Byford trial on June 3, 2018. 45 career starts but has never raced in a stand.

3. She Could Be Good -Fr- last win in June 2018, 23 starts ago but has been regularly placed. Has never raced in a stand in 64 career starts, qualified for stands with a jump out at in a 4 horse trial at Byford on April 7th.

4. Our Major Mama -Fr- Oaks winner 12 months ago at $139.80 but just one win in last 10 starts at Narrogin. Never started in a standing start race in 31 career starts, qualified for stands with a jump out at Bunbury trials on April 24th.

5. Beaudiene Beach Babe-Fr - won at Narrogin 7 starts ago but metro placed in decent company. Never started in a stand in 28 race starts, qualified for stands with a jump out at Bunbury Trials April 24th.

6. Rock N Roll Delight -Fr- ODS - one career start in a stand at Addington when it presumably got its ODS designation. Never started in a stand in 34 Australian starts. won a mid week GP 4 starts back.

7. Rosies Ideal -10m- class mare, great form and one of my favourite mares .She has never started in a stand in 25 career starts. Harness Web reports that she qualified for a stand on April 7th 2019. Trials were held at Pinjarra, Byford and Central Wheatbelt on that date. There is no record in the trial results of Rosies Ideal starting in a stand trial, or any other trial for that matter. There is nothing on her racing record on HRA of her trialing on that date. One can only guess as to how she achieved her standing start eligibility status unless there is a mistake in the results of the trials. A mystery.

8. Veiled Secret - 10m - last start Metro GP winner and a stand winner at Pinjarra 11 starts ago at it's only stand start in 37 career starts (apparently qualified in a jump out at Pinjarra the week before but no record on the trial results).

9. Miss Sangrial -20m - quality mare, genuine chance, won a stand from 30m at Pinjarra at it's last start and had its first standing start in 47 starts the week before.

10. Our Angel Of Harlem - 30m- quality mare, first standing start attempt in 32 starts but qualified for the stand at Byford when jumping to the front and leading all the way on April 7th.

11. Forever Remembered - 30m - took until start 127 before she had her first attempt at a stand but ran 3rd and 4th at her next two starts from the stand. But as far as stand form goes in this field, it is at the top end.

12. Eden Franco - 50m - ODS Quality, Won this race last year, which was her last attempt at the stand, and her only standing start in Australia.. Is ODS but it must be a carryover from NZ where she had a couple of goes at a stand.

As the "barefoot investor advises, tread carefully, tread very carefully indeed.

Gloucester Park Friday.

Ridersonthestorm33 — Thu, 23 May 2019 13:27:53 +0000

He's 66/1 to win - that's crazy, should be 660/1 and you still wouldn't touch him, but he's 7/1 a place and that might be worth a throw at the stumps.

A few weeks ago ( think it was ) the Bull drew the two and headed off Tact Major and then smart thinking by Chris Lewis on I'm Full Of Excuses from barrier three went three back the pegs...after 50 metres...that trifecta was never going to change - 2,1,3.

This time Chicago Bull is in the three gate - stablemate Whozideawasthis will surrender the lead immediately to the Bull and trail from the coveted one draw. Now it's the horse in gate 2 that interests at the 7/1 a place and for third/fourth money in first four betting - he's a battler ( in this class ) but can stick - the old mate Campora - can he hold his ground to run 3rd or 4th ?

The fly in the ointment though this time is the impressive and yet another stablemate - King Of Swing, the tactics on him will be interesting.

However when all is said and done and at 66/1 to run 3rd or 4th - Campora!!

G. Hall running 1,2,3,4 not out of the question, by along way. ( Just hoping Campora can slot in for a third or fourth! )

A Race Versus A Procession

Ridersonthestorm33 — Thu, 23 May 2019 12:32:32 +0000

Not sure how many watched the Group One Queen Of Pacific for the mare's at Melton last Saturday night. Was very interesting to see live and to hear ace caller Dan Mieleki in exciting tones at the finish say the words "now that's a race".

The Group One was an exciting spectacle with terrific trainer Jane Davies having the two clear cut favourites in the race at 4/7 and 7/2, can recall in the run thinking, wow that's amazing the two stablemates at it hammer and tongs.

However all was not lost for the camp with her also training the eventual winner at 50/1.
Her five runners in the race: 4/7 unplaced, 7/2 unplaced, 9/1 unplaced, 100/1 unplaced and 50/1 first.

What the race did show was when enormous pressure is on up front - anything can happen.

The other was...yes it's an old one but a good one...and we know what that is.

On Dan Mielecki and "now that's a race".... yes despite all the "silly" drives that took place - overall give me a race to a procession any day.

For those that didn't see it - perhaps somebody could put it up on here. Or check the replay out - it's well worth seeing.

Who Am I? - Fly Under The Radar Series #22

JayJay — Mon, 20 May 2019 14:13:32 +0000

Inspired by Play The Boys today to rustle up number 22 after a long spell.

When top horses are talked about, this one very rarely rates a mention but he had an incredible career. He raced at 16 different tracks across 4 different Australian States (as well as both North and South Island in NZ) for 8 different trainers and 16 different drivers.

New Zealand bred, he had his first starts as a 2yo in Australia for his then NZ All Star connections, 4 starts for 4 wins including a major Sires stakes race with a $90k purse. He the returned to NZ for the NZ Sales races (worth an astounding $180k back then) but ran 2nd to a handy type called Christian Cullen, who along with Holmes DG, would prove to be very pesky opposition to him in his juvenile career.

As a 3yo, his record reads quite average with just a few minor wins but he was consistently rolled by CC and DG in the GN Derby, NZ Derby and the big sales races. After a change of ownership and stable, he racked up 4 successive wins at GP on his way through the classes before running 2nd in an August Cup. As a 5 yo at the Christmas Carnival, he won the first of what would be three Be Active $50k races over the years but failed in the Pacing Cup, as he did at the Interdominion Series over east 3 months later. Back from a spell as a 6yo, he rattled off wins in the Winter Cup, the Marathon Handicap over 3300m from 30m behind and the August Cup. Later that year, he won a strong $20k Kalgoorlie Cup, a FTC Sprint over 1609m, a Celebrity Mile and the Freo Cup before venturing east once again to annex the Hunter Cup, finally knocking over Holmes DG. He continued racing (everywhere) even running 2nd in a Tasmanian Easter Cup in Hobart and rounded out his career with victories in the Parliamentarians Cup and the Brennan Cup racing on as a 10 year old. He was a ripper and not given appropriate recognition amongst the great horses he raced against all over the Dominion.

Narrogin Tonight

Markovina — Fri, 17 May 2019 03:53:07 +0000

Quite like one tonight Race 4 no 10 Nowuseemesmile - i think it is the best horse in the race and in very good form

Tab.Com $13 Win $2.80 - i think that is a terrific price on an E/W basis ( TABTouch true to form havent got their fixed odds up yet )

My only concern the favourite gate 6 might lead on its ear and it becomes a procession

One other comment re that race - it is a feature series Westbred race - with an attractive 10k stake - bearing that in mind i have got no idea why the 1 and 2 are in that field - they have got a combined 3 wins between them - and their last wins - both of them were 4 years ago

Play The Boys

JayJay — Mon, 20 May 2019 09:50:09 +0000

If you haven't watched the last at Pinjarra, cop the run of the winner Play The Boys. There was a huge call on defibrillators around TAB land for those that took the very short odds, he must have lost in excess of 100m when the tapes went back, just stood there rearing and carrying on and then proceeded to make a mess of them. Big, big win. Don't know what the story is with him as he has had very few starts but 5 out of 6 including a Sales Group 1 a few years back.....yep, he can run, looks very much like his sire Shadow Play (out of good mare Hello Boys...Kiss Chasey, Gangbuster, Carte Blanche) from prolific broodmare Boom Or Bust, which is one of the few lines still breeding on and carrying the blood of the incomparable Pure Steel. Outstanding performance.

Saturday Afternoon Turnover

Chariotsonfire — Mon, 20 May 2019 01:45:08 +0000

ASCOT 18-May 5 6 7 8 AVERAGE $K Hold 221.6 286.9 264.4 258.8 257.9 GP 18-May 2 3 4 5 $K Hold 30.1 38.1 30.6 26.2 31.3 Ngn 17-May 1 2 3 4 $K Hold 22.8 39.8 30.3 24.4 29.3 GP 10-May 1 2 3 4 $K Hold 72.9 43.7 56 26.2 49.7

Over the years there has been much discussion about comparative turnovers with the gallops if we raced in prime time on a Saturday afternoon. The above figures indicate that it would be a disaster although it was a one off meeting and was allocated to Sky 2.

Turnover averages were in excess of 8 to 1 in favor of the gallops against a base stake money comparison of 3.5 to 1.

The Narrogin meeting on the Friday was not all that far behind the GP meeting and the previous Friday at GP showed why that is the best night for harness racing turnover.

No silver bullet from me but you can see why the alarm bells are ringing within RWWA and distribution will continue to come under scrutiny.

Central Wheatbelt Pays Homage

JayJay — Sun, 19 May 2019 12:20:47 +0000

Great work from CWHRC with their race names today, honoring the past. Some absolute stalwarts of days gone by.....glad to have known many of them and terrific to see them acknowledged.

R1 - S M ELLIOTT MEMORIAL 3YO MS PACE (SKY2)(3YO OPEN)

R2 - WALTER DOWDING & KEN COUPER MEMORIAL WESTBRED MS PACE (SKY2)(Maiden (HWOE = $0))

R3 - MOLLY MARCHANT & PAT HASELMORE MEMORIAL MS PACE (SKY2)(NOT ELIGIBLE HWOE $6,000+)

R4 - GEOFF SCOTT & BILL WHITFIELD MEMORIAL MS PACE (SKY2)(L5$ LT $4,000)

R5 - GEORGE TILLER MEMORIAL MS PACE (SKY2)(HWOE LT $12,000)

R6 - NORM BELL MEMORIAL MS PACE (SKY2)(HWOE LT $25,000)

R7 - HARRY WARE MEMORIAL SS PACE (SKY2)(HWOE $1+)

R8 - BRYCE STEVENS MEMORIAL MS PACE (SKY2)(NOT ELIGIBLE HWOE $6,000+)

R9 - ALEX POSTANS & PETER IBBOTSON MEMORIAL MS PACE (SKY2)(HWOE LT $40,000)

GP- 18/5 3yo Pearl Classic

VillageKid — Sat, 18 May 2019 01:00:31 +0000

Race 1- Power And Grace

Race 2- Mathew James

Race 3- The War Nurse

Race 4- Cott Beach

Race 5- Highroller Joe

Race 6- Caviar Star

Race 7- Golden State

Race 8- King Of Swing

Race 9- Its RocknRoll

Race 10- As Happy As Larry

Kellerberrin Kudos

curmudgeon — Fri, 17 May 2019 01:13:52 +0000

Richie Bell was effusive in his praise of Kellerberrin on radio this morning. He attended last Sundays meeting as a patron and from his comments found it particularly enjoyable. Great venue and track ...super bar and dining area....competitive racing ...salt of the earth harness fraternity....lovely weather. Richie even suggested buses should run there from Perth.

The only thing that surprised me was that Richie seemed so pleasantly surprised.

Kellerberrin has been underrated for years as a great harness racing day out.

The club and shire do a magnificent job.

Deserved publicity and praise from Richie ...well said.

GP- 10/5 WASBA Breeders Stakes Night

VillageKid — Fri, 10 May 2019 01:18:47 +0000

Race 1- King Of Swing

Race 2- Speed Man

Race 3- Space Junk

Race 4- Im Soxy

Race 5- Rosies Ideal

Race 6- The Bucket List

Race 7- As Happy As Larry

Race 8- Dominate The Dojo

Race 9- The Midas Touch

Bunbury 11/5

JayJay — Sat, 11 May 2019 23:11:39 +0000

Went to Bunbury last night, positively tropical after a frigid Wagin the night before, too cold for even the Roo's to be out an about, thank goodness. Excellent racing both nights ......nice little crowd at both venues but the horses at Bunbury had a testing night with a cacophony of noise from a rock festival at nearby Hay Park...."Grooving The Moo" thumping out loud all night, the swab box at this set up probably busier than the one at Donaldson Park!!!

Is it worth asking the question as to why the 2 year old race was programmed as the last race on the card? I know the answer will be turnover, turnover, turnover....but to have the inexperienced horses hanging around all night with that background racket was a test for them and their trainers. the babies handled it very well, nice win by Frank Bonnett's horse.

Conscious of "Marko's Mantra" that Bunbury is a screaming leaders track, it was worth noting the number of winners that came from the back. I think Our Major Mama showed that she appreciates being driven cold, terrific run to win, same for Sleekyn Styx and Pierre Whitby who bolted in again....looks a very nice 3 year old. I missed Friday night at GP and the commentary surrounding Speed Man but the pilot shut them up quick and lively with 4 winners in a row, no sleeping going on there. Yes, they were probably the better horses but gee, the drives were spot on, as were the Michael Grantham steers. And for lovers of the sprint lane, it was utilised very well by a couple of drivers.

Finally, the members dining room scores a 12 out of 10 with the homemade apple pie, custard and cream.....but the Wagin pumpkin soup with sour cream and bacon bits on a very cold night gets the gold medal. (Sounds like a My Kitchen Rules review). And Emily is going to be leading driver at Wagin for the season....by the length of the straight....after another terrific treble. All the press coverage afforded the racing apprentices is fine, a good thing but Emily, the Young Family, Corey, Bailey etc kicking heaps of goals over the weekend.