Austrotforum

"In confusion there is profit".So wrote the American author,Joseph Heller,in his classic work entitled"CATCH 22".Thus,while we are caught up in the crisis of Equine Influenza,it is mildly amusing to read of "Magic Millions" principal,Gerry Harvey, supporting the concept (no pun intended) of artificial insemination in the thoroughbred industry.Surely,the decision makers of the galloping industry,would not fall for that one.Mr Harvey states that "it makes sense" to transport a container of semen across the country,or the world,rather than transport the horse himself.Actually,it makes three kinds of sense.Firstly,it makes "economic sense",on two grounds.It costs a great deal of money to fly a horse from one continent to another and return,in a "shuttle stallion" situation.Usually permission to use artificial insemination is followed by demands to allow unlimited numbers of services per season.Secondly,it makes "equine health sense" as it is easier to oversee sterile procedures (again no pun intended) in the AI situation and potential infection carriers are limited in the transport system.Thirdly,there are elements of "nonsense" in the prospect of a shrinking gene pool,and,the whole process is only one step from the ultimate crime against nature,"embryo transplant".In closing,remember the words of LOU GUIDA, a high profile American owner and syndicator of the 80's who had control of the stud career of the Champion "NIATROSS"In reference to the USTA's proposal to limit stallion services to 125 mares per horse,Guida said."It would be a good thing for the industry,but I will sue their socks off if they do it."NIATROSS" served 342 mares the previous season.Denis.

Posted by dlsmith at 07:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It looks very glum indeed,as the field sweeps into the front straight at Albion Park Tuesday.Just a few kilometres away,the same downpour is the source of great joy.Cindy was on hand to remind us of the harsh realities of rain and racing mixed....Harnesspix@aol.com or phone 3861 9019.

Posted by dlsmith at 07:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

A look at tote hold trends for Redcliffe over the last month shows that we still have much to do to maximise tote holds.Due to fortunate circumstance,the first two meetings were shifted to an early start,(prior to standard agency closure time of 6pm),when potential punters were still having that "after work beer" on their way home.This time slot,coupled with the Redcliffe Club's ability to place attractive betting races to co-incide with it,resulted in total holds which exceeded average figures by $100 thousand per meeting.
Back in a normal slot the next week,but still able to place races to advantage,the hold was up by $10 thousand on the norm.Last Friday was the Redcliffe Cup,and Redcliffe Oaks,which provided an enthusiastic crowd.The pre-meeting hype,coupled with the high quality of the Cup field put the hold up $50 thousand on the same meeting last year.
There you have it.Three factors that can positively influence tote hold.Why not have a think about this,and e-mail us at austrot at hotmail.com .We will put the ideas in their respective piles and publish the opinions,at the same time forwarding the conclusions to the QHRB.YOU CAN HELP

Posted by dlsmith at 07:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Two rulings on high TC02 levels this week indicate a realistic approach to prohibited substance offences.Trainer Steve Matson was disqualified for 8 years and fined the sum of $20,000 after a pre-race blood test on pacer JASCO BAY came up on the wrong side of the line at Shepparton on March 11.The hefty penalty took into account Matson's three previous infringements in this area.Trainer Andrew Vozlic was diqualified for 1 year and fined $10,000 following a 4th placing with POWERFUL REMINDER at Mildura on June 29.This was a post-race urine test.This will lead to a division of opinion among trainers,as some believe that the only level playing field does not include a swabbing box.
THERE IS,HOWEVER,A GROWING NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS WHO WILL SEE THESE PENALTIES AS A SIGNPOST TO BETTER THINGS..A sport where there is no place for drug enhanced performance,and racing conditions where intereference brings relegation as a consequence.On these two rocks alone we can do much to raise our profile.

Posted by dlsmith at 08:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)