Austrotforum

In a classic example of "horses for courses",consistent SAPPER JOHN proved too good for a handy field in the "ROCKLEA DERBY".Sent to race on the tight circuit as a last resort,the previously, highly regarded son of PANORAMA was struggling to find form after a nasty virus.The gelding found the short straights to his liking,and,as so often happens,a couple of easy wins were enough to restore confidence.With a re-cycled attitude,Saturday's DERBY became a winnable event.The rest is history.Ray Pullen Trained,Lola Weidemann drove,and Jock Balfour did enough enjoying for ten men.

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So goes the old Kentucky saying used to describe youthful talent retained by a person of mature years.When JOHN NIEMANN drove NANNA PEARL and POLAR EXPRESS to victory in two divisions of the "OLD BOYS" feature at Rocklea last Saturday,he was just underlining the fact that all of the skills he possessed when regarded as one of the best "money" drivers in Brisbane,are still there.Just plug John into a horse with above average ability,and he'll "hunt" alright.

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John Cremin holds aloft the trophy won by TUMMULLA BOY after the "COUNTRY PENALTY FINAL on Saturday night.More in "shot of the week"..

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The REDCLIFFE HARNESS RACING CLUB Committee are pretty happy with a time slot shift on their last two Wednesday meetings.My source tells me that first time out, the off-course tote hold was more than $100,000 above the average and last Wednesday,when he had to leave the course with several events yet to come the ongoing hold was 60% above the norm.The first race at each meeting held $51k and $50k respectively.A combination of better race positioning,and "the early bird catching the worm" due to a 5.10pm start, has turned the tide.Denis.

Posted by dlsmith at 06:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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JEROEN NIEUWENBURG is an owner/punter,with 20 horses currently in work from Brisbane to Perth.His in-depth proposal is timely,given that the Queensland Harness Racing Board is moving (by Racing and Betting Act 2002 direction) from a statutory body,to a "corporate entity" with considerable commercial autonomy.Comments can be e-mailed to ...austrot@hotmail.com,or posted on this site.For a hard copy plus the best trotting magazine in the world,subscribe to HARNESS RACING INTERNATIONAL...Phone 03 9417 9393..

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This is the precursor to the joyful shot below."DONT FALL FOR ME" out on her own at the finish of the Triad Final.

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One of the best sights in light harness..The cheer squad for "DONT FALL FOR ME",all aglow at the presentation for "THE 2 YEAR OLD TRIAD FOR FILLIES"
Cindy caught the magic moment....Harnesspix@aol.com or phone 3861 9019.

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Natalie,ecstatic with "BLACKIE'S" performance in "GARRARDS SUNSHINE SPRINT" on Saturday night.

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It was "all hands on deck" when the Bill Dixon trained filly "TENACIOUS VIXEN" had an attack of pre-race nerves and threw herself down prior to the start of the Q-Bred Triad for fillies.The upshot was a scratching on veterinary grounds.A disappointment for all concerned.....Cindy snaps the unhappy as well as the joyful.It's all in the game....Harnesspix@aol.com or phone 3861 9019.

Posted by dlsmith at 06:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Up for serious discussion at the Annual meeting of the Australian Trotters Association,will be the subject of Amateur Drivers.A century old part of the European scene,and a rapidly growing factor in North America and New Zealand,Amateur Drivers,as an identifiable sector of the light harness sport,do not exist in Australia.Hopefully this position will soon change,and "AUSTRALIAN AMATEURS" will be a force on the world stage.At the same time new income streams will evolve.Amateur driving in Europe attracts as many wealthy folk as it does those of lesser means,and it all means fresh faces,fresh ideas,new support bases,and an injection of positives all round.E-mail us at and support a great idea.Regards,Denis.

Posted by dlsmith at 01:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

All roads should lead to Brisbanes Albion Park on Saturday night July 21.The clash of "heavyweights",BLACKS A FAKE,FLASHING RED and BE GOOD JOHNNY,(considered by many to be the best "mile" horse in Australia) will provide a great spectacle.The trio have banked $4,667,269 between them in their stellar careers.With 1660 metres from release point to winning post,tactics will take second place to raw horsepower.Supporting the "SPRINT" will be the 2 year old TRIAD Finals for both sexes.Save some enthusiasm for Sunday afternoon.Turn on the Home Sky and watch the meeting at Maryborough in Victoria.Devoted entirely to the "trotter",the two features are "THE REDWOOD CLASSIC" for 2 year olds and,"THE VICTORIAN TROTTERS DERBY".Two decades of commitment by breeders to the natural diagonal gait sees the trotter poised to take centre stage.Don't miss it.

Posted by dlsmith at 10:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Grant Dixon pictured coming to terms with all the hype and kudos which surrounds a DERBY win.Cindy has the knack of capturing the human side of her subjects..For these and other "quirky' images...Harnesspix@aol.com or phone 3861 9019.

Posted by dlsmith at 11:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

"ARKAMIGO" with pilot,Grant Dixon,after a stirring win in the QUEENSLAND DERBY.This and other shots from ...Harnesspix@aol.com or phone 3861 9019.

Posted by dlsmith at 11:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Shannon Price and Lola Weidemann looking suitably chuffed after "ALL PROMISES" charged home to win THE 4 AND 5YO CHAMPIONSHIP at Headquarters Saturday....Cindy was on hand to snap the happy moment...Harnesspix@aol.com or phone 3861 9019.

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Ryan Veivers,feeling ten feet tall as he warms up FRANCO NESTER for visiting trainer Martin Herbert.

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Two unknown gentlemen ,one of whom may just be Chris Garrard,possibly searching for mushrooms,or truffles even,are snapped taking evasive action.The marauder looks like a cat skin caught in a gale,but,on closer examination,turns out to be a spur winged plover,caught at a diificult angle by Cindy's sharp reflexes and hi-tech eqipment....for this and other unique images...Harnesspix@aol.com or phone 3861 9019.

Posted by dlsmith at 08:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

One of Queensland's outstanding stories of persistence had another chapter added when 8 yo gelding ADAMS FIRST saluted in the trotters Handicap at Albion Park last Saturday night.Clayton,whose immaculate horses,harness and float belies the sacrifice of hard labour and denied pleasure required to get them,had just taken the prudent procedure of pruning from his small team,several pacers which had reached their marks.Obviously,this was to replace them with the aptly named ADAMS FIRST (BRITEWELL from EVES TEMPTATION by PERNOD EDEN).See,they are not all named "WHO LET THE DOGS OUT",or,"STOP YOUR WHINGEING",some people actually think horses have natural dignity.Actually,it was three firsts...ADAMS FIRST was having his first start for M.Clayton,and he finished first.The mile rate of 2:06.4 for 2647 metres,makes you think that there will be more firsts to come..

Posted by dlsmith at 11:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Time and ill health,or a combination of both are the great levellers.Monday July 2 saw the passing of Ray Osborn,elder brother of Dick Osborn,the giant of trotting in NSW's Hunter Valley region for many,many years.So,who was this elder brother?
RAY was perhaps the embodiment of all the good things which can be found in the trotting game.He was the ultimate hobbyist.In his young life he trained and drove,and,was the only man to have driven a winning treble on Maitland Showground before the advent of night trotting.(that era which we used to call "the daytime").In later life,with the responsibilities of a family,Ray bred a few and educated them.He had all the skills in the educating department,a good method,endless patience and an even temper.Sometime after the unfortunate death of his first wife Joan,Ray was blessed with Jenny,and life in the twilight years was pretty cruisey.Better horses were bred including the "GINDI" line which have raced very nicely in Brisbane.
All those who knew RAY will miss his wry humour,his love of trotting and its history,and his eyes,which laughed when he did.Above all he was a GENTLEMAN in its truest meaning...I,and many others, will miss him somthing dreadful....Denis.

Posted by dlsmith at 11:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)