Harness & Greyhounds - Perth Turf Talk

Bunbury Saturday Night

Markovina — Sat, 18 Feb 2017 10:27:37 +0000

Interesting meeting - that 25k race is a cracker of a race - too hard to back the winner though

Got a few dollars in the phone tab courtesy of THe All About The Cash trifecta at Albany last night - so ive decided to have a bit of a lash

Race 5 - no 7 Te Rauparaka - this the weakest field its met in about 3 years - as evidenced by Reigning Premiers $2.20 favourite ( by winning at joints like Williams going about 2.2) you have to be kidding . Thus had $100 e/w on Tab.com at $34 and $5.65 on TeRauparaka

Race 6 no 6 Major Spoilt - again very well grade $16 - much smaller bet on it . Again the favourite in my opinion is way unders - Once Bitten $2.90 - i backed it heavily one night at Narrogin - led on its ear gave up at the bell and got beaten 60 metres - never again

Any how - good luck - to anyone having a go tonight

Where are they?

Browny123 — Tue, 14 Feb 2017 11:50:16 +0000

G.Hall Snr..70 or 80 in work..1 runner Friday by my poor vision..where are they all?

Headquarters Tonight.

Ridersonthestorm33 — Tue, 14 Feb 2017 07:16:06 +0000

Whilst Shardons Rocket looks a handicapping certainty going to give Little Astro Boy one more chance. Should have gone close to winning last Friday night when losing all chance after galloping. Did well to get back into the race and be searching for a run swinging for home. If he does everything right look out Shardons!

HARNESS HUMOUR;;

savethegame — Thu, 16 Feb 2017 05:37:34 +0000

IF YOU DROPPED HIM FROM A PARACHUTE,HE'D STOP BEFORE HE HIT THE GROUND...... HE WAS BORN,BRED,AND RAISEDTO BE NOTHING,AND HE HASN'T DISSAPPOINTED ANYONE YET........BAD FILLES.....WHO NAILED HER EARS TO HER NECK...........SHE COME OUT WITH HER EARS ON BACKWARDS..... SHE'S LIKE AN EX-WIFE...COSTS ALOT, WITH A BAD ATTITUDE .....TODAY SHE GOT TO THE TURN AND GAVE IN LIKE A NYMPOMANIC......................SHIFTY TRAINER..........THEY'RE ALL FOR SALE,EXCEPT THE WIFE-I'D GIVE HER AWAY.......YOU WON'T NEED KNEE BOOTS BUT THE GUY NEXT TO YOU WILL....................................................Releasing new amercian cart in oct..will be called bluebird after don campells record breaking cars& boats ,order now .... three second quicker than u.f.o brand, .Non in stock that come with quinney attached....

Collie Trots 12/2

JayJay — Sun, 12 Feb 2017 12:58:33 +0000

Another great day at Collie....considering the deluge, the track raced well, the weather was very comfortable and there was a bumper crowd on course. Trophies for all races eg a complete set of Harness for Cavalry Call and Brian Clemens, a lucky punter won a trip with accom to Kalbarri, a couple of $8k races and full fields and the Chocolate Wheel. Was tempted to enter the kids draw for a new bike but (a) it didn't have trainer wheels and (b) the little kid that won it from the Pony Trots brigade might have been annoyed.....but it would have come in handy getting back and forth from the stables.
They run a punters club and by days end, it was many, many hundreds of dollars, possible 1000's in front....they were up for a $680 collect in the last if either 6,7 or 8 won and Hoiho did the business. Great club, no stone unturned to cater for everyone and the scones jam and cream were straight from the CWA Golden Wattle cook book and were damn good. Yes, its a tiny little track but very competitive and great for old grass roots diehards like me. The crowd numbers dwarf any midweek at GP and maybe even some Friday night fixtures.
Main Event went to Telham Lane, beautifully rate over 2700m by C.Voak....it never looked like losing, traveled beautifully ...gee, he loves Collie...a little horse of moderate ability but with $130k in the bank and very well placed by Matt Scott. Sadly, Matt's other runner in that race Go Sailing On appeared to suffer a very serious injury....very much a sweet and sour occurrence. Bridgetown form held up well...Full Package backed up for another win and Honey and Lime last night at Bunbury. Great that K.Harper, SJS, Morgan, J Young, S.Young etc in attendance piloting the local trainers horses.

Shardons Rocket

JayJay — Tue, 14 Feb 2017 01:36:38 +0000

Gets into a C4 only race today on the "claiming clause"....so here we have a horse with over $550k in the bank, a fast class winner, a venerable war horse and is he thrown in today or what? PBD means he starts out wide, not the widest since LAB out of draw. What price will he go around at? Regardless, the winner is the horses connections for placing him in suitable race....yet again.

Thoughts on the Jr penalty

2lifetimewinners — Tue, 14 Feb 2017 01:33:37 +0000

Hi group.

Just wandering what peoples thoughts are on the decision by stewards in handing Jr a fine and no suspension.

Knowing what Carlos Martins is like I am very surprised with this outcome.

I would have thought threatening behavour would draw some type of suspension, even if it was suspended sentence.

GP- 10/2

VillageKid — Fri, 10 Feb 2017 04:30:07 +0000

Race 1- The Storm Chief
Race 2- Our Gamma Lady
Race 3- Little Astro Boy
Race 4- Assassinator
Race 5- Chevrons Champion
Race 6- Major Reality
Race 7- Hit It Rich
Race 8- Franco Rayner
Race 9- Military Master
Race 10- Nothing In Between

Hopefully the meeting still goes ahead despite all the rain, unlike Albany unfortunately.

WA Drivers Premiership

Chariotsonfire — Thu, 09 Feb 2017 11:23:27 +0000

Just for Offthebit.

http://www.gloucesterpark.com.au/racing/latest-news/warwick-nearing-his-century/

Lazarus

JayJay — Sat, 11 Feb 2017 13:44:09 +0000

Lazarus joins the sub 1.50 club with a 1.49.0 flat win in the Chariots after breezing the first 800m and then staves off Our Waikiki....."best on the planet" blurts the commentator, not prone to over statement at all. Fast track...Don Boston (BR Abbott) has found form to go 1.50 tonight!!! And the mare Cyclone Kate also lit up the clock. Has anyone ever measured that joint LOL. The place still doesn't excite me for some reason, might be different in person but TV replays maybe don't do it justice????

Who Am I - The unassuming champ edition.

Ridersonthestorm33 — Sun, 29 Jan 2017 12:33:35 +0000

My career began in Tasmania. By the time it had ended I had been victorious in every state in Australia and New Zealand and had earned over two million dollars during my time in racing. I won both the Auckland Cup and two New Zealand Trotting Cups. I wasn't blessed with natural speed or a turn of foot I often had to work or sit parked outside the leader.

My father Echelon was a prolific winner and I can be traced back to the famous Meadow Skipper. My mum was unraced. I won my first race in Tasmania at two and I won the Hobart Free For All twice plus a Devonport Cup by the end of my five year old campaign. Then I was purchased for new owners in Queensland and I won a Queensland Winter Cup at Albion Park and also was successful in a big sprint race at Harold Park. The following year I won the Ballarat Cup and second in the South Australia Cup. I also won two heats of the Interdominion Championship in Tasmania. Then back to win the NZ Cup a second time in record time over the 3200 metres. I also took out the Auckland Cup and was second in the Tooheys Mile to Hexus.

Despite being trained in Australia most of my career my greatest achievements came in staying races in NZ where I won those NZ Cup races as a 9 and 10 year old. I won NZ Horse of The Year and Australasian Grand Circuit Titles. Some say I didn't get the media recognition in Australia that I deserved but I'm pretty happy I went to stud in NZ and was inducted into the Queensland Harness Racing Hall Of Fame then six years later inducted into the Tasmanian Harness Racing Hall Of Fame.

Northam Trots Abandoned

JayJay — Thu, 09 Feb 2017 08:55:42 +0000

Damn, was planning on doing some artwork tonight.

Jack Turnbull Pitt and Bartley Licences suspended

Markovina — Wed, 25 Jan 2017 05:51:16 +0000

I see on the HRA site - after those 4 got charged by the coppers - their legal representatives ( to no avail ) made submissions to HRV- licences suspended indefinitely - so the police evidence must be very strong

Just my take on this - Steve Turnbull ( Amandas father ) a genuine great - and never involved in any skullduggery - he made some comments at the time that i read that Amanda ( who he said was very shaken at the time ) was just roped into this by association - im not suggesting their all guilty by the way - thats the courts job

I just wonder - if you take away something like harness racing ( lets face it - where all addicted and love it ) away from someone - then Amanda might start singing like a parrot- as the old saying goes - when poverty comes in the door - love goes out the window !

Harness Racing Manager

JayJay — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 08:01:53 +0000

Harness Racing Manager Barry Hamilton has some interesting comments ....has highlighted a marked decline in foal numbers, marked decline in Industry participants, a marked decline in wagering turnover, a marked decline in on course attendance and on course wagering, difficulty in filling fields and race programs.
Then goes on to say "without being alarmist, the situation is both dire and not sustainable" and he will be developing a "new business model" (one of my hated pieces of jargon but that's irrelevant) looking at programming, scheduling and handicapping. Questions posed are Racing and Volume (when, where, what) and are there too many races? Handicapping - how useful is the M C R class system and can races be made more competitive and with fuller fields? Stakemoney - are the current percentages right and is the WESTBRED money being used effectively?

I reckon we could provide the answers for him in less than a page.....too many races at too many venues competing against too many irrelevant meetings at too many obscure places at whatever joint happens to be racing at that time anywhere in the world, a completely rooted handicapping system that allows (amongst other things) nonsensical allowances for 2 and 3 year old classic wins to be penalty free, combining with RBD races that allow for an extraordinary number of $1.04 favourites to completely stifle betting...you know, last seasons Derby winner starting from pole in a CO Maiden at Northam etc..., stake money distribution at outer country clubs that make it attractive for the large import laden stable to load up a truck load and go and beat up on the locals and the lesser stables....taking an intercontinental ballistic missile to a cap gun fight....thus destroying the local industry in one foul swoop (no fault of the big boys, they are just exploiting a ridiculous system......and phoney "group 1 racing that sees a sales or state based "group 1 winner" pocket an extraordinary amount of cash for being ordinary and never winning another race.

There you go Barry, that's a start. Now let's not have a 2 year talk fest while Rome burns, lets do something ...now. And finally, how about some theme based programming along the lines that was suggested on here just after the Inters......a 4 year old theme, A fillies mares theme, restoring the Standing start Fremantle Cup carnival, reviving the Easter Handicap heats and final and the Pacing Cup Heats and Finals along side the Xmas Gift and the Xmas Handicap.

Albany Trots Frdiay 3rd February

Chariotsonfire — Mon, 06 Feb 2017 03:30:58 +0000

Just watching the Albany replays and a very embarrassing call by Craig Morrison in Race 1.

Got the stablemates Budd Sidewinder and Milliondollahanova completely mixed up and did not admit to his mistake even when he realised it as they crossed the line.

Remember the greyhounds?

CPL — Mon, 30 Jan 2017 13:46:08 +0000

Would of thought there would of been at least one post about the heats of the Perth cup or Galaxy, the cancellation of cannington on numerous occasions from the track condition to boxes not opening properly or even the ballot for dogs getting into the galaxy and the two dogs that get in were 40/1 shots the other night.
Sad actually.

Melton 28/1

JayJay — Sat, 28 Jan 2017 09:48:45 +0000

Some quality blood stock going around Melton tonight...heats of the Vic Derby, Pure Steel Marathon, Vicroria Cup, Dullard Trotters....Barry Purdon's Rocker Band goes 1.52.3 to win the first over the sprint, out of the champion race mare Mainland Banner, same trainer butters up in the 2nd (Heat 1 Vic Derby) with Be Jacks Legend, obviously a reference to his breeder Jack Smolenski, loafing around running 1.55 flat over the longer journey, Race 3 and Magic Oats tops up David Aitken's coffers, Race 4 heat 2 of the Derby and the highly credentialed Art Major colt Vincent bolts in for Mark Purdon going 1.54.6...out of the brilliant race mare Kept For Pleasure who won over $500k, looks like he could be anything, Race 5 and Mark Purdon again with Motu Crusaders brother, Motu Meteor in a pedestrian 1.57.4 but home in 26.4, Race 6 The Dullard for Trotters and M. Purdon again, this time for the Smolenski's with Sunny Ruby.

Might be a few cold chips on the ground for the locals to scavenge.......and we reckon we've got problems over here with the Hall/Bond domination. Impossible to compete with so many royally bred horses ....they just jump on a plane, head to Oz and collect, like going to a very generous autobank, no PIN number required. And this is only the half of it....Have Faith In Me in the next, Lazarus in the Cup, Smolds next week, My Piccadilly Princess...
..the days of the backyard breeder, like we all were, picking out our best mare, hopefully at least a metro winner, putting it to a sire that was affordable (no such thing anymore) and hopefully breeding a reasonable winner, are over....even if you head to Albany, you get beat up.

I mean it's all good,the good horses are a great spectacle, the breed is advancing in leaps and bounds but I can't help but feel such domination is self strangulation.....they have to have someone to race against and beat up on....but no wonder participation is falling.

Bridgetown 5/2

JayJay — Sun, 05 Feb 2017 00:36:14 +0000

Will be putting the "best driver, ignore the form" theory to the test today....it's great that Shannon Suvaljko, Morgan Woodley, Kyle Harper, Dylan E-Green and some of the good young claimers are going around today....No "invasion forces" from the big end of town, stalwarts like those that supported Busso, and those that will support Collie's coming meetings....as for winners, well it will be parade ring driven today.......if they look well and have a decent steerer on board and they are drawn horrible, then a little each way to soak up a true grass roots country trot meet. Bridgetown has a downhill run to the post, so if you turn in front, hang on for the ride....and the local bakery pies are worth the visit alone. Liaurie an interesting first up runner in race 3 out of very good mare Red Hot Date and Edmun Dee, up against short priced fav Hoiho in race 6 may be good place value. Race 7 Touch of Success should win but Major Spoilt and Raffaello and Mr Ardee for the first 4???

GP- 3/2

VillageKid — Fri, 03 Feb 2017 07:57:19 +0000

Race 1- Beach Goddess

Race 2- James Galleon

Race 3- Mister Versace

Race 4- Boy O Boy

Race 5- Three Kings

Race 6- Ohoka Kentucky

Race 7- Kiwi Legend

Race 8- Chelsea Royale

Race 9- Kimba Bay

Race 10- Questionable Gesture

Hunter Cup Night

Gilgamesh — Mon, 30 Jan 2017 04:59:10 +0000

Interesting to hear its free entry at Melton on saturday night, this is in stark contrast to the $85 million (give or take a dollar) our local club were pilfering off a family that was looking to get along to the inters and see what harness racing was all about.

COLLIE TROTS 2017 SEASON

jum — Thu, 02 Feb 2017 01:59:55 +0000

What an absolutely marvellous little country club this is. What great initiative from the committee, to get the community involved and make it a great day for Families.

This year they are giving away at every meeting.

# A kids Bike to one lucky kid.

# A dinner for 4 people to the best dressed lady, picked randomly instead of all the fashions of the field Bullshitte.

# Free entry into the chocolate wheel where four prizes are given away every week (funnily enough, every year the major prize seems to go off)

# Free entry into The Pick 4 on races 2 to 5 with a TAB voucher of $200 that jackpots every week until it goes off.

# Free entry into picking a selected race in order to win a $2000 tab voucher That jackpots $250 a meeting.

# Then on there Family day 26th Feb they give LOADS of prizes to the kids drawn who enter (One of my kids has won something the last 3 years)

Beer is a ridiculous price $3.50 a stubby $6 a UDL and cheap food from the Canteen. They do this because with a bigger crowd, you sell more. And to bring a bigger crowd. You have to make it Affordable. There is plenty of shade also.

I am not a member of this club or have any involvement.

I just genuinely love the 4 meetings a year this club run. I take the whole family (5 of us). My wife can not stand the punt, but loves these days also as the kids have a ball and we can have a few frothies together with friends. So if anyone on PTT want an enjoyable Summers Sunday afternoon in February or March. You know where to go.

GP 27/1 Lord Mayors Cup

JayJay — Thu, 26 Jan 2017 10:31:51 +0000

Geez, patience required trying to post anything, the site has got heat stroke....really struggling at the moment.

Mike Reed draws the jackpot with 3 Barrier 1 draws that bring into contention all 3 runners.....not saying they can win but draw wide and they are not even to be considered.

Notice that S.McDonald listed to drive Tuxedo Tour having its first run for Ross Olivieri from gate 2 in, with all respect to the runners and connections, one of the weakest Lord Mayors Cup fields ever assembled, minus the scratching of David Hercules. No Zarumas, Windy Jean, Village Kid ( 4 times), Manageable, Rite, Gap Road, Palimar, Shattering Class, Rich And Spoilt, Tricky Vic, Ohoka Ace, Mr Magical Mach (3 times) or even Cyamach and Northview Punter amongst this field.

That said, interesting mares races with an exemption for the Empress Stakes for the winner and Major Reality drawn wide after a hard couple of runs in the Group 1's.....hot weather is always a problem especially with mares and keeping them drinking and cool.....quite a few variables with some very ordinary ones drawn well.....may be a bit of value lurking. There you go, that ensures every odds on pop bolts in.

GP- 31/1

VillageKid — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 09:39:19 +0000

I seem to remember someone posted recently about the horses who have to sit in the breeze at GP of late really struggling, well looking at the way fancied runners Soho Lexington & Lipizzaner went from that spot in the early races so far they may be on to something.

Who Am I - An Underdog Story.

Ridersonthestorm33 — Sun, 15 Jan 2017 15:07:54 +0000

In July 2005 I was written off as a hopeless proposition. But first of all lets go back in time a little. I was bred in NZ and began racing in Australia in 2001 and ran third in a two year old race at Maryborough and continued to show some promise winning races at two and three. Then my crippling leg problems began, my career became clouded and the future for me was a day to day scenario.
Soon afterwards I found my way to Perth and during the long months ahead I had further horsemen try to get me sound. In fact in that period I even had twenty different reinsmen!
In the 2005-06 season I hit rock bottom. From 23 starts that year I managed no wins and one placing. I won't say his name but my owners sent me to another horseman to train me at the beach. I got on well with this fellow, the beach was helping my legs and he put me in some claiming races , I won a race or two but nobody claimed me. Not long after I got on a roll winning several races. My trainer looked me square in the eye and said Pacing Cup here we come. I went into the race as an underdog - after all Pacing Cups and Claiming races were considered by most as chalk and cheese. In an action packed race my driver showed all his skill to have me in the right place at the right time and he steered me to victory - my 'rags to riches' story was written into the record books.
Who Am I and who was the trainer/driver who had the patience and foresight to persist with me and give me the freedom of the beach to realise my true ability ?

Harness Notes from Last weekend

JayJay — Mon, 16 Jan 2017 07:03:02 +0000

In the absence of anything in the West Australian, lets try and do their jobfor them with a thread on what caught your eye over the weekend. I'll start with a few:

Noticed that the stewards report is up a bit earlier than usual (Tuesday), noticed that D.Borovica now list as a member of the panel and it seems there are a few more questions being asked, a more proactive approach, a few issued with last chance to race competitively, a suspension and some tidying up enquiries to be followed up this Friday, delayed by the fireworks. May be nothing but don't mind the apparent but subtle change in attitude?...or maybe just a busy night.
Country Cups King...I'm Full Of Excuses is building an imposing record since arriving in WA for Ross Olivieri. 10 starts have produced 8 wins and three $30k Country Cup successes....Kalgoorlie,York and Northam...easy pickings at $19,800 a throw and all from the stand, the last at Northam of 30 metres to defeat This Time Dylan ...again. He failed in the Xmas Gift behind Rub of the Green but drew gate 8 and worked very hard. Goes alright and think he has a bit more to give.
Small Fruit are sweet...M.G.Scott's stable, with astute placement of horses in their right class, are having a run of success.... over the weekend,Abetta Tiny Dancer 2nd at Busso for $1190, My Names Bob a winner for $3,900 and Telham Lane 2nd for $1190. Then to Northam on Saturday Night and Heartland Cavalla pays the fuel bill with a $350 4th place, Q Town Rip Roaring runs 2nd in the village kid sprint for a $2550 return, Another Ay Jay 3rd in the Northam Cup for $2,700 and My Girl Gigi grabs $1950 for winning an R0.....all up, $13,820 ....not a fortune, not time to retire but providing some bucks, some hope and some thrills for all concerned. I am tempted to raid JJ's tea caddy to buy a reasonably priced going horse and giving it to him to train. You could do a lot worse and your horse would be put in a position to salute. Hats off to him...hard work with pretty moderate horses but getting results,can't ask for much more.

There you go Ernie, that wasn't that hard....send a photographer out to Olivieri's or matt's and you have a couple of good news stories.

Doubtless, there are other things to write about and am sure other contributors would have topics to add.

Bunbury 24/1

VillageKid — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 08:39:51 +0000

What has happened to the first race at Bunbury tonight as it was supposed to start at 4.20?

Sky 1 have not given a reason for the delay.

Pointless Breeding Trivia Pinjarra Trots 23/1

JayJay — Mon, 23 Jan 2017 07:21:12 +0000

Just lurking at the key board looking at results and a couple of things from the first 3 races at Pinjarra today......might add that I take a couple of days of R&R and Shardons Rocket wins again haha...what a marvel.
Anyway, I digress. Back to back wins for Fight Song who is by Advance Attack out of Nightmare Trunkey....little wonder he can run because Nightmare Trunkey was a decent performer and a daughter of the great performer and produce Ferrari Trunkey, she a daughter of the champion broodmare Celevale Trunkey. Some absolute breeding royalty there and a link for John Graham to the Humphries' family incredible breeding legacy.

Race 2 and a $70 plus outsider salutes....Turquia was a 9 year old maiden with just one previous placing from only 15 starts....by Elsu from Safely Kept Secret who is out of the great mare and one of my all time favourites VIA Vista....talk about patience, Turquia first appeared at Pinjarra trials and ran placings to qualify in August 2010. 5 years later, it starts racing in March 2015 with 6 starts earning a 2nd placing. Then it has another 18 months away from the track before finally winning today...it (a) must have some injury issues (b) have some ability and (c) extraordinarily patient connections.

Race 3 and nice filly Betshes Precious also has some interesting breeding. Her grand dam Reverup is by Satinover.

Just a further aside, if you haven't watched the Ballarat Cup over the weekend featuring Smolda, Lenny and Lazarus, do yourself a favour... (where have I heard that before?)....Smolda was awesome, full stop. The other 2 were mighty impressive as well but Smolda, wow. Have Faith In Mee also ran a race after a shocker of a getaway and the Victoria Cup and Hunter Cup look to be the races of the season....great programming in Victoria, the Country Cups linking in to the big majors, some real foresight and planning in evidence there.

Bunbury & Albany Trots Sat Night- 21/1

VillageKid — Sat, 21 Jan 2017 10:45:35 +0000

Some nice one's running around at both Bunbury & Albany tonight.

It looks like the Bond float has taken the southern trek down Albany Hwy which wont please a few of the locals and a few others, although they probably didnt expect to be going up against a nice type like Rich Yankee to make them earn the cash.

Jay Jay

cisco — Sat, 21 Jan 2017 14:11:00 +0000

Hey Boys,

I was just wondering if anybody has heard from Jay Jay. He hasnt posted for a few days and I just want to make sure He is ok. He has had some health issues and if anybody can contact him and let us know that would be great.

Cheers cisco

GP 20TH JAN

Markovina — Fri, 20 Jan 2017 04:12:03 +0000

Going far and wide geographically to hopefully get a quid tonight

GP Race 9 no 6 Walkabout Creek - its trial form/times says it has to win in an ordinary field tonight - 15-1 pre post - yes please

Busselton Race 7 no 8 Jax or Better - badly interfered with last week - lost 60-70 metres - 3 wide into the death - did a power of work - got beaten 40 metres- not a bad effort . In a quiet field tonight - if it steps and isnt knocked over it will win

Newcastle Race 7 no 10 Ali Mendes- Peter Rixon trained pacer - who has got skittled at its last 2 starts through no fault of its own . Got the visitors draw - outside of the front - and over a mile -not ideal - but i still think it will win . The main danger is the no 1 horse - an interesting named pacer called - Lerrad Maharg - for all you word smiths out there - the clue is its name has got a connection to top Queensland trainer/driver Darrel Graham