Austrotforum

Ace race caller,TV trot show producer/presenter,and Albion Park Committeeman,DAVID FOWLER,has championed the concept of switching half of the Thursday day meetings run at Gold Coast to Redcliffe.

This should give rise to some very constructive discussion,and,possibly,be a suitable subject for a plebescite.After all,in a number of matters,the QHRB practices "USER PAYS".Perhaps in this matter,it should be "USER SAYS"..
Please email this site via austrot@hotmail.com.If your views are impersonal and constructive they will appear on the site.Please think hard about this one,it is not as simple as it looks.Denis..

Posted by dlsmith at 09:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

A newcomer to the BRIZVEGAS trot ranks,"DARTH INVADER" scores in the lucky last,with Andrew McCarthy at the helm.TEAM McCARTHY,like TEAM THURLOW, seem to have the happy knack of producing trotters that can do the job.Cindy was there to close out 2006 with this lasting impression of the "new boy" in full flight.....Harnesspix@aol.com or phone 3861 9109...

Posted by dlsmith at 09:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Roving reporter,Shaun Gillespie,is over the moon with the performance of his charge,"BLOWN BUDGET" finishing not too far from superstars,"TOUCH OF FLAIR"and "WHATS UNDER MY KILT".
"TEAM BB" is headed for Globe Derby overnight on Tuesday with a very positive outlook indeed.Shaun was defensive of KATE AU PENNY'S opening night gallop saying that it is nothing that she has not done before and that it would be well to remember that the same mare can be brilliant when she is in the mood..We're running with that one and look forward to a great showing in Adelaide..

Posted by dlsmith at 08:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

While the Queensland pacing team did not fare all that well in the opening round of Inter-Dominion heats at Moonee Valley,no one should be panicking yet.There are two rounds of heats to be decided at Globe Derby Park,before we know just who will be contesting the big Grand Final.Anything can happen..

Posted by dlsmith at 08:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

All roads lead to Moonee Valley on Friday December 29.Four pacers,BLACKS A FAKE (Natalie Rasmussen),BE GOOD JOHNNY (John McCarthy),FLASHING RED (Stuart Hunter / Geoff Webster) and SIR GALVINATOR (Stuart Hunter / Geoff Webster) are all STRONG HOPES.The TROTTING team of BLOWN BUDGET (Shaun Gillespie / Shane Graham) and KATE AU PENNY (Ray Cross) are both possessed of high speed and given just average luck,will surprise a lot of diehard southern TROT FANS.
OUR JOB IS TO CHEER THEM ON---LOUDLY...

Posted by dlsmith at 12:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Any person with an interest in how Harness Racing is run in New South Wales should go to the front page of the Australian Harness Racing website.Under the banner of "STEWARDS CONSULTATIVE MEETING" is a report of a meeting between GHHRA,the STEWARDS PANEL,and SPORT / INDUSTRY REPRESENTATIVES.The outcomes were,CLEARLY LISTED ISSUES to be addressed,and a "NO NONSENSE" TIME FRAME IN WHICH TO HAVE AN IDENTIFIABLE RESULT.A very pleasing item.Denis..Click on "links" for QLD or AUSTRALIAN site..

Posted by dlsmith at 07:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR to all "AVID austrotforum VIEWERS".To all those SITES which were kind enough to allow us LINK privileges,many thanks.To CINDY and NOEL at Harnesspix@aol.com,you made all the difference,believe us.To GABRIELLE,"NO YOU ----- NO SITE".BEV MCKIERNAN and LORRAINE VEIVERS(minis).And our "WINNER PICKING SUPERSTARS",CHRIS BARSBY and CRAIG RAIL.. Best Wishes to you all..Denis and Elizabeth..

Posted by dlsmith at 11:54 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

OCTOBERSON (Michael Dux) scores narrowly from FELONIOUS (Chris Petroff) in Race 4 at Albion Park.Cindy went along with her high-tech image gear to capture the moment....Harnesspix@aol.com or phone 3861 9019..

Posted by dlsmith at 11:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Latest news from our roving reporter,SHAUN GILLESPIE,indicates that BLOWN BUDGET has travelled well to MELBOURNE,while KATE AU PENNY will head south after the trot race at Albion Park tonight.

The barrier draw for the first round of Inter-Dominion Heats is out with the banana benders set to clash in Heat 2,from the mobile.BLOWN BUDGET drew best with barrier 1 while Ray Cross and KATE AU PENNY will come from gate 10.There is a bit of a worry here with A TOUCH OF FLAIR set to contest the same heat,but,you can't avoid him,and maybe its best to get first look.Stranger things than beaten favourites have happened in trotting before today,and SHAUN will keep us up-to-date on the progress of our local STARS.You can get $201 for the GRAND FINAL,each of two,today.We will have a reassessment after next Friday's round.FINGERS CROSSED..Denis..

Posted by dlsmith at 02:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The above shot by courtesy of Australian Harness Racing site..
One of the true Champions of the 80's,the mighty GAMMALITE,has died at the ripe old age (for a horse) of 30 years.Owned and trained by LEO O'CONNOR of Terang in Victoria,and driven in most of his triumphs by BRUCE CLARKE,the chestnut son of THOR HANOVER could go either direction,(witness his back to back Inter-Dominion Grand Finals at Auckland and Adelaide) and was the best of his era at the trade of grinding the opposition to dust.
If GAMMALITE had a weakness,it was never seen on any race track in Australasia.He will be fondly remembered as a provider of thrills by any trot fans or participants who don't believe that the history of trotting/harness racing began the day that they became involved in the sport.Denis..

Posted by dlsmith at 07:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Posted by dlsmith at 10:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Dates have been issued for the inaugural NEW ZEALAND AUSTRALIA AMATEUR DRIVING CHALLENGE.Its a tight schedule series with three events at three venues in less than 30 hours.The series will kick off at ADDINGTON ,a night meeting on February 22.A short trip to MOTUKARARA next day(February 23) to go round on the grass,followed by a smart transfer back to Christchurch Airport and off to ALEXANDRA PARK (Auckland) that night.
So there you have it.It can all be fitted into a long weekend and promises to be a heap of fun for all concerned.If you are keen,contact Denis Smith at austrot@hotmail.com or phone 0408 352 478 or o7 54 646 823..BE QUICK..

Posted by dlsmith at 10:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Not the VICTORIA CUP shot,but a good likeness of a CHAMPION..Harnesspix@aol.com or phone 3861 9019..

Posted by dlsmith at 08:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Prolific breeder,owner and trainer of trotters,RALPH FORD,died in hospital last week from a heart attack.He was awaiting surgery for a diagnosed cardiac problem.FORD,who was 76 years of age,had great success in the GROUP One "AUSTRALASIAN TROTTERS CHAMPIONSHIP",training no less than four winners of this feature..CHRISTINE MAREE (1972),COURTING APPEAL (1982),FAIR TALLY (1988),and PENNY BROWN (1992).RALPH was still very active in promoting the cause of the square gaiter,and as recently as November 28 was representing the VICTORIAN SQUARE TROTTERS ASSOCIATION in formal talks with HRV,dicussing changes to standing start procedure.
RALPH FORD could well be described as a benefactor to trotting.He leased a great many horses with some ability to the "battling brigade" and did not overprice those that he sold.He will be sorely missed..Denis..

Posted by dlsmith at 10:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

The happiest people in Queensland today are the connections of KATE AU PENNY and BLOWN BUDGET.Both trotters have made the final cut for the 2007 Inter-Dominion at 21 and 24 respectively.So,it's full speed ahead for MELBOURNE..THE "CINDY PIC" above is just a sample of the Qld product..

Posted by dlsmith at 12:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Click on Marburg Results for the latest trial form.Search for near future WINNERS..

Posted by dlsmith at 07:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

TIP YOUR HAT (Gary Bond) closing out an impressive return to racing at Albion Park Saturday.Cindy was on hand to record the harness equivalent of a Roman Triumph.....Harnesspix@aol.com or Phone 3861 9019..

Posted by dlsmith at 03:32 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

There was an air of healthy defiance about the return to racing,at VICTOR HARBOUR,south east of Adelaide this afternoon.The six race TAB program in the twilight slot was held on what must now be recognised as the best track in SA.Aside from the crushed dolomite surface,it had the stamp of PARKLANDS(Gold Coast),beatifully engineered,with comfortable rather than "velodrome' banking on the turns.A TRIUMPH for the local trotting folk,the local Council,and the townsfolk of VICTOR HARBOUR.When the original track closed a decade ago,I believe that Harness Racing SA. thought that that was another track dead and buried,in line with their centralist policy.One day,trotting folk in Australia,will realise that you have to take a stand somewhere.Otherwise the SA track closure syndrome,which,incidentally,did not one thing for their financial situation,except,perhaps to make it worse,might spread to other states.Think on it.Regards,Denis.

Posted by dlsmith at 10:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

What happens when a rising star draws barrier 1 in FFA ,hands up,and is carried to the sprint lane.Cindy was on hand to record this phenomenom....Harnesspix@aol.com or Phone 3861 9019..

Posted by dlsmith at 10:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)