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March 29, 2007

ANDREW LEWIS----"ALBERT UWIN"...RECIPE FOR HAPPINESS..

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Cindy,who misses very little indeed,snapped a happy Andrew Lewis at scale with ALBERT UWIN.She believes it is his first Albion Park victory.We'll go along with that,it's all good.This and the race finish from Harnesspix@aol.com or phone 3861 9019.

March 26, 2007

"THE RUN TO THE POST"...THE RACE SHOT IS TRANSFORMED...

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They turn for home and Tim Gillespie sends KARLOO TITAN hard to the wire.Above,the crescent moon throws an eerie light over proceedings,depth and coldness,freezing a moment in time for Cindy's magic camera. Harnesspix@aol.com or phone 3861 9019.

A HEART STOPPING FINISH....AND MAYBE A SIGNPOST TO BRAD COWEN'S FUTURE..

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Brad Cowen lands BILL ON THE HILL by the skinniest of margins for trainer Mark Lichtwark in race 7 at Albion Park.Second was HOLME CALL (Shane Graham) and VISIONS OF CLANCY (Grant Dixon) was third.COWEN is in exalted company here,defeating the two leading metropolitan reinsmen. It is also a graphic image of a tight finish.....Harnesspix@aol.com or phone 3861 9019.

March 21, 2007

"JUDGE" JAMES...COLOURED AND CROPPED...A SPLIT DECISION..

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That well known and highly respected light harness personality,JUDGE JAMES does his bit in the fight against disease.Cindy was there to try her hand at portraiture.This gem can be obtained at Harnesspix@aol.com or phone 3861 9019.

March 20, 2007

IT'S CALLED ARTISTIC TEMPERAMENT....ALLS WELL THAT ENDS WELL..

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BE DILIGENT playing up prior to the start at Albion Park.If he had a migraine,it didn't show in his crowd pleasing performance.Harnesspix@aol.com or phone 3861 9019.

POST RACE REPORT...IT'S ALL GOOD NEWS..

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Part-owner and trainer Catriona Martin,hears Scott Kunde's verbal summary of events after BE DILIGENT had shown way above average ability to down ARKAMIGO in Race 5 at Albion Park last Saturday.A half brother to TIP YOUR HAT,BE DILIGENT appears to have the brightest of futures.Cindy snapped this moment...It is available at Harnesspix@aol.com or phone 3861 9019.

March 12, 2007

GODSUN NZ ...TROTTER BREAKS TWO MINUTES AT THE COAST...

The 1609 metre mobile trot at Gold Coast last Friday,March 9,saw GODSUN,trained and reined by Shane Graham,become the first locally trained trotter to break two minutes in Queensland.The 10 yo gelded son of SUNDON and LADY OF SUBSTANCE was able prevail by a mere head from ESCAPE CLAUS (Neville Ryan),whose blistering speed after reaching the lead with 1000 metres to go was the catalyst for fast time.I LIKE TO DANCE (John Cremin),third,beaten 8.5metres was just under the magic mark as well.
While mobile starts are not so common for the trotters,it's nice to demonstrate speed and will give the"trottophobic" group something to think about..Denis

March 10, 2007

TO FLOG...OR NOT TO FLOG...THAT REALLY IS THE QUESTION..

We as trotting / harness racing fans,punters and / or participants,should be aware that on Tuesday and Wednesday last week a number of animal welfare groups,and related industrial ,pastoral and pleasure participants gathered to discuss what could be described as "broad spectrum animal welfare".
It was in 1991 that the AUSTRALIAN HARNESS RACING COUNCIL conducted a travelling inquiry titled "A WORKING PARTY ON WHIPS".This "working party" was chaired by Mr Justice ALF GORAN. QC.(ret),ably assisted by Mr KEN DYER of AHRC.To assist this inquiry,licencees,Australia wide,were encouraged to submit their views on the use of whips in trotting / harness racing.The working party indicated that as many licencees as was practicable,would actually attend sessions of the "working party" as it moved from state to state,and their submissions be discussed individually.
THIS ACTUALLY HAPPENED...The problem lay in the fact that,in 1991,there were aproximately 8000 licencees in Australia,and only TWO (2) had an opinion strong enough to pen a submission.FRED KERSLEY,a leading West Australian reinsman,basically supported the status quo,on the grounds that not only did owners want their horses driven out strongly, so did the punters.

The other submission,from the bottom of the pile in Queensland,suggested that the whip and rein be held in one hand,and used in a gentle fashion..
We missed the boat in 1991.There is another one leaving soon,very soon.THE WHIP IS A VALUABLE TOOL OF "COMMUNICATION" BETWEEN DRIVER AND HORSE.If we do not act now,to severely curtail the negative aspects of whip use,WE WONT HAVE WHIPS AT ALL.
The rules,as they stand,have failed in all aspects.New RULES,(not "para-laws",open to a thousand interpretations) must be drafted.They must be clear and concise,and they must be "ZERO TOLERANCE".That's what we have patrol films for..IDENTIFIABLE,INCORRECT USE OF THE WHIP,should bring the appropriate and automatic penalty.Denis..

March 05, 2007

WAS THE MESSAGE GETTING THROUGH...GRANT DIXON'S BEST TELEPATHIC EFFORTS WERE TO NO AVAIL..

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Having documented the "NEILSON" technique of blowing on the opposition,we now bring a further insight into the art of "driving one out" to the finish.LUKE McCARTHY appears to be SINGING encouragement to STAGECOACH KID (the eventual winner),while GRANT DIXON seems to be sending a "telepathic" message to FALCONS FIRE.
CINDY was there to record the event,and this and many other shots are available from...Harnesspix@aol.com or phone 3861 9019.