"THE FEDERATION OF EUROPEAN GENTLEMAN AMATEUR TROT DRIVERS" SENDS,AS THEY ALWAYS DO THEIR BEST WISHES TO THE TROTTING FOLK OF THE WORLD..
Fredy Moder with the Fegat Christmas Card.Great as always.
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December 26, 2011
"THE WEEK THAT WAS"...24/12/2011..
"TROT TACTICS"...24/12/2011..
It's that time of year again,the season to be jolly.And,as 2011 winds down,we are still plagued by TAB meetings going on with six or seven races,rather than the specified eight.As usual,the non-TAB fixtures run full cards with massive ballots with owners and trainers prepared to lose the bigger money in the belief that non-TAB equals better earning opportunity.I am not sure that this is a correct perception,as my current "stable star" the honest Miss Abbey,having won a non-Tab race at Redcliffe,has managed get more than $3,500 out of three seconds and a win in successive starts in TAB company on Wednesday nights.You cannot get anything at home.For the harness owner/trainer and driver,Santa Claus is at the racetrack.However,rather than write to the North Pole,try bombarding Botra committee persons to push for a $40 rebate to owners for every TAB starter.It's not much,and no doubt it would have to come out of the prizemoney,but it might just be the difference between an owner staying in the game or getting out and never coming back.Anyway,no matter how good or bad the last year has been,the New Year always brings hope."Trot Tactics" wishes Punters and Participants alike the Merriest of Christmases and prosperity with a change of luck in 2012..If Santa was really on his game,he would program a divided restricted race on every TAB program to be used to make up the shortfall in event numbers,giving the Raceclubs a better chance to present a full program to the punters.
Top performing stables this week again included the flourishing combo of "Team Benham" and Lynn Paton.Not content with All Time Legend taking out the Marburg Christmas Feature in near track record time last Saturday,Paton was seen to advantage behind Art Ruler which scored in claiming class at Redcliffe on Wednesday night.It will be "trout and truffles" at Walloon tomorrow!!
The Lord Mayor of Fernvale,Darrel Graham" was front and centre at Albion Park last Saturday night with Lanercost grabbing the Christmas Cup and Corageous Annie flogging the opposition in the last race on the program.Mind you,DWG is probably used to "trout and truffles" and might fancy a slice or two of a "turducken".This particular poultry treat is said to be popular at Christmas in the French Canadian provinces.Whatever,both stables are on a roll and long may it continue!!
Two southern licencees will not be singing Merry Christmas as they are sucked into the NSW corruption inquiry this week.Set to answer charges of paying stewards to ensure that particular runners were not drug tested after a winning performance was high profile driver, Cameron Fitzpatrick,facing allegations relating to Lombo Baccarat on July 1st 2011 at Bankstown and again on July 7th at Penrith. Trainer,Dean Atkinson,was on the carpet for the same indiscretion with charges relating to Reluctant Dancer,(Penrith May 12th 2011 and Menangle May 17th 2011.A pacer called The Open also received a green light at the Penrith meeting of May 12th..Long ago a learned man wrote,"the mills of justice grind slow,but they grind most exceedingly fine".It's all about control or the lack of it,and it was the lack of it that led to this disaster..
Resultsville...Gold Coast 16/12..nil...Albion Park 17/12..Dougs Place (Pete McMullen for John Davis)..Maywyn Jasper (Gary Whitaker for Shane Sanderson)..Lanercost (Darrel Graham)..Courageous Annie (Darrel Graham)...Marburg 17/12..Cullenflashingholme (Ken Belford).. All Time Legend (Lynn Paton for Steve Benham)..Livet Lady Chantal Turpin for Gavin Crone)..We Need A Hero (Ken Belford)...Albion Park 20/12..Melton Little Don (Pete for John McMullen)...Redcliffe 21/12..Art Ruler (Lynn Paton for Steve Benham).. Miss Abbey (Barty Cockburn for Denis Smith)..Party In Paris (Narissa McMullen for Ray Sallis)..Laughing Fury (Glenn Dawson)...Gold Coast 22/12..Our Poppa Jack (Mick Dux for Francis Weston)..Centurion Star (Lola Weidemann for Craig Fritz)..Emperor Montana (Darrel Graham)...
December 23, 2011
CHRISTMAS GREETINGS TO THE REST OF THE WORLD..FROM THE BERLIN TROTTING CLUB..23/12/2011..
Image by the Berlin Trotting Club.
BOTRA'S DUAL SEATER SULKY GIVES "DONNA" THE TRIP OF HER LIFE..CHRISTMAS CUP NIGHT AT ALBION PARK 17/12/2011..
![botra drive_1[1].jpg](http://www.austrotforum.com/weblog/archives/botra%20drive_1%5B1%5D.jpg)
A brilliant shot by Corey Pearce.
December 18, 2011
PRYDES CHRISTMAS CUP..."ALL TIME LEGEND"..LYNN PATON IN THE SULKY FOR "TEAM BENHAM"..17/12/2011..
A great Trevor Perrin pic.
"THE WEEK THAT WAS"..17/12/2011...
"TROT TACTICS"..17/12/2011...
There remain a mere eight "sleeps" to the big day,but you can have an early taste of Merry Christmas at Marburg's non-Tab meeting this afternoon.Santa will be there with a sackful of lollies for the kids.The race program looks attractive and the bookies will be there,fielding on major gallops meetings as well as the local trots.If you are into the leisurely afternoon of fantastic steakburgers,beverage at very economic prices and a chance to back winners,kick back at Marburg.Trials begin at 11.20am and the first local trot goes at 12.40pm..The meeting is jointly sponsored by Pryde's Feed and Horses and People Magazine and it really is the place to be..
Another bubble popped in the NSW "swab box green light" scandal on Thursday,when high profile drver,Ben Sarina,was stood down from racing on a charge of supplying false evidence relating to a telephone communiction with disgraced Steward,Mr O'Toole.The alleged offence occurred in a formal interview on November 16th.The charge will be heard by Special Stewards Panel of HRNSW and will comprise Mr Justice Haylen,Mr Ray Murrihy and Mr Des Gleeson..A number of Racing websites in Brisbane,notably
RULES RESTRICTING THE STEWARDS ARE A ‘MINEFIELD OF INTERPRETATION’
‘I note that the Wednesday Whinge is well focussed on integrity issues and the inability of stewards’ panels in both horse codes to provide a satisfactory product for the people who are expected to provide the prizemoney, Joe and Jo-Anne Average-Punter.
Punters are, of course, only one link in the racing chain, but like the owners, they are the "putters in" in our sports, while the rest of us are fully engaged in taking out.
Supposedly we are controlled by "The Rules Of Racing" pertinent to any particular jurisdiction. I would have thought that a correct definition of "a rule" would be "an instruction or direction, clear in meaning and NOT SUBJECT TO INTERPRETATION".
It would seem that "laws" have worked their way into the picture, bringing with them the minefield of "interpretation" and the historical nonsense of "precedent".
This has happened to combat the stewards’ most potent weapon, "the patrol film".
Given clearly defined rules and a visually observed infringement of those rules, the end result of an enquiry should result in a penalty which is immune to the appeal process.
Where interference is proven, the rule of RELEGATION should be applied. There will be a storm of protest from the supporters of the relegated horse, which will be nullified by the future support from those punters whose choice was inconvenienced.
Drivers, Jockeys and Trainers will soon catch on and make the necessary adjustments to ensure tractable horses and careful steering.
If they do not do this, it will only be a short time before the owners exercise their right of choice as to who trains, ride and or drives their horses.’ -..Denis Smith..
Best run of the week was the win of Holy Camp Harry at Albion Park on Tuesday.The son of Jennas Beach Boy has been a bit of a headache for trainer/driver,Glenn Walsh for the past couple of seasons,showing brilliant gate speed,then over racing and not finding much at the finish.Things have changed for the better and Walsh is now being repaid for his patience in keeping the gelding.Good things come to those who wait..
Resultsville,Gold Coast 09/12..nil...Albion Park 10/12..Swift Stride (Pete McMullen for Ron Sallis)...Redcliffe 10/12..Zennie Rose (Brett for Max Towns)...Albion Park 13/12..Im Tina Turner (Pete for John McMullen)..Holy Camp Harry (Glenn Walsh)..El Charro (Brad Cowen for Shane Sanderson)..Highstead (Pete McMullen for Lynn Beaton)...Redcliffe 14/12..Black Cruiser (Narissa McMullen for Ron Sallis)...Gold Coast 15/12..Could Shoulder (Pete for John McMullen)...
December 14, 2011
."TOP OFFER ON "ENRIQUE NZ" PAY SERVICE FEE WHEN YOUR LIVE FOAL IS ON THE GROUND..
Enrique NZ - The son of Presidential Ball (USA) that stands at Braycrest Park - Thagoona, has left 3 winners from his first 3 NZ qualifiers - Ronocco, Enrique Of Malacca and last weeks Gore winner Jinky Johnson.
### Two of those winners were on their debut ###
Read attached from this weeks HRNZ Weekly !!
Phone Colin Knox (Braycrest Park) on 07 5464 1345 or email cknox@bigpond.net.au and ask if you send a mare to Enrique NZ now, can you pay the $800 (incl Gst) service fee on a live foal - Im sure he will be more than pleased to get more mares to the stallion plus the industry needs the foals on the ground.
Phone or email Colin now !!!
December 13, 2011
"FARMCRAFT...PRYDE..AND MARBURG FOR 17/12/2011..
December 11, 2011
ANOTHER SHOT FROM THE "PRIX DE CORNULLIER" 2009..
Yet another great Fredy Moder pic.
AN EXTRA FROM "THE WEEK THAT WAS"..10/12/2011..
One for the "truth is stranger than fiction" department from Thursday's Gold Coast meeting concerns Marburg trainer,Francis Weston.Weston was fined the sum of $500 for communicating with one of his drivers prior to the standing start of the trot race.Apparently FW advised his driver to dismount and place a small quantity of the track surface in the horses mouth.The object of this exercise is to concentrate the animal's thinking on something other than the starting tape which often contains an element of "here be dragons" for apprehensive horses.The world turns,and what was once a well tried and totally acceptable practice has become a penalty bearing offence.We are,in 2011,a long way from the "age of the horse".
"THE WEEK THAT WAS"..10/12/2011...
"TROT TACTICS"..10/12/2011..
"Tis the season to be jolly" and the trots will be on at Marburg next Saturday,December 17, with northern NSW feed manufacturer,"Pryde's" as the major sponsor.A five race card and numerous trials to precede the meeting,combined with lucky draws,raffles and of course,Santa Claus with the lollies for the kids help make the day.The food is a feature plus two strong bookies betting local trots and metro/interstate gallops,and,if you like a drink with your racing,we serve beer wine and spirits well below pub prices.
Last Sunday's inaugural "Ready to Run" sale at Menangle Park south of Sydney was not helped by cold and damp weather which is not conducive to fast times.No matter,Cold Mountain Stud provided a draft of 10 handpicked 2yos,which were prepared by CM's latest "hands on" acqisitions,Canadian couple,Robin and Nicki Furlong.The Furlongs turned CM's offering in spectacular condition,ready to run for their lives.There were no disappointments with nine of the ten sold for prices ranging from $42,500 for Chevals Charlie down to $4,000 with the absolute cheapie ($2,000) finishing back in the home barn to be trained by Murray Sullivan.The average was asolid $12,000.Cold Mountain Stud Manager,Derek Payne,was initiated into the niceties of the colt business,when Chevals Count,who was either unhappy with the cold blustery conditions or insulted by his $14,000 result in the auction,clamped onto Derek's arm in no uncertain fashion.CM's temporary Sydney trainer,Murray Sullivan,has had considerable success on his southern campaign,and the Cold Mountain team is considering establishing a permanent base in the Menangle/Camden area to chase the ever increasing prizemoney..
A general round up of the sale showed that Steve Clements of Harrisville,(Brisbane Pastoral Company Pty Ltd) provided the $60,000 sale topper,Marco Maguire,which was prepared by Victorian trainer,Tony Peacock.Bought by Emilio Rosati,the Art Major colt ran his last two quarters in 29.5 and 27.9..Chevals Charlie ran a blistering 800m in 55.8 split as 27.8 and 28.0."Charlie" is by the Cold Mountain import,Camelot Hall.Shepparton based Ross Pike took home $40,000 for Inception,a colt by Christian Cullen which ran its last sectional in 28.1.
About 300 people watched the trials,and then the 100 or so folk who came to compete in the ownership stakes,stayed on for the sale.With a far from shabby first effort,this sale will only get better.
The achievements of small stables generally slip under the radar and one we missed from the Marburg meeting on November 5th was Jenny and Al Halliday's quinella.On this occasion,the Halliday's flagship Scenic Rim driven by Pete McMullen was able to prevail over Looks Like Leroy with Chantal Turpin in the sulky.What is a common enough occurrence in "camps Dixon and McCarthy" is a rare treat indeed for the battler.Marburg fish are sweet!!
Resultsville..Gold Coast 02/12..Miss Adelade (Lola Weidemann for Graham Harriott)...Albion Park 03/12..nil... Marburg 03/12..Bee Jays Abundance (Steve Burke)..Holy Camp Harry (Glenn Walsh)..Old Mac (Ricky Gordon)...Albion Park 06/12..Star Of Jordaine (Lola Weidemann for Graham Harriott)..The Conmans Luck (Chantal for Tony Turpin)..So You Think (Chris Petroff for Lynn Beaton)...Redcliffe 07/12..Alert Baron (Chantal for Tony Turpin)..Art Ruler (Lynn Paton for Steve Benham)...Gold Coast 08/12..Rocky Melton (Pete for John McMullen)..Dawntildusk (Pete for John McMullen)..Im No Question (Pete for John McMullen)..A good day at the office for Pete McMullen..
December 06, 2011
"REACH OUT"..KILLER CARSON IN FULL FLIGHT AT GOLD COAST..SIMON BURROWS IN THE CART..
A Karen Burrows pic,and a beauty at that.
December 04, 2011
PARADING PRIOR TO THE "PRIX DE CORNULIER" 2009..700,000 EUROS UP FOR GRABS..SERIOUS "MONTE"!!
Fredy Moder pic.
THE WEEK THAT WAS...03/12/2011..
"TROT TACTICS"...03/12/2011...
The black cloud which is hanging over the light harness sport in NSW shows no sign of going away,and,may in fact be growing.After the initial scandal surfaced,and names were named thanks to the efforts of HRNSW's CEO,Sam Nati,many participants took the view that that the lid would soon be put on the matter.This appears to have been the practice for many years in a number of harness jurisdictions.If something serious came out of the rumour and innuendo mill,it would be ignored,and participants in general would be told no problem existed.Those who should have been anxious to exercise their control over integrity issues in a positve fashion have seemed anxious to demonstrate that "decency",is truly "indecency's conspiracy of silence".Sydney Morning Herald journo,Chris Roots,who has been to the fore in reporting the current bag of horrors,wrote on November 27.."For a sport that has long had to live with tags such as "crims on rims" and "the red hots',this scandal has only reinforced those unwanted terms to another generation.The alleged corruption had been built over decades,and got to such a level that it was expected by those in the sport."
Sad isn't it,but no sadder than the efforts of the administrative fantasists,who decided over 30 years ago to re-christen "trotting" as "harness racing" and refer to what was a wonderful and well accepted sport as an "industry".Today's problems are in part related to that particular half-baked action.That and what appears to be the belief of harness racing administrators that our under-valued customers,owners,punters and on-course patrons,are imbeciles who would not recognise a rort if it bit them.They are not imbeciles,they voted with their feet a long time ago.Currently.they are waiting for the new high profile integrity panel of HRNSW and the NSW Police to give them the justice and the clean sport they have been long denied.
Nice morning.Destination Marburg should be the order of the day.Trials start at 11.20am with the first of five races to jump at 12.40pm.The usual formula applies.Bookies betting on the local trot and and major gallops meetings.Better than pub prices on the beer and other drinks and the best country steak burgers plus other treats.A relaxing afternoon in a green and tranquil setting..What more could you want..
Toowoomba returned from the dead last Sunday with the first meeting run on the Clifford Park track since 2003.An estimated crowd of 900 enjoyed the racing and all the Clifford Park amenities.The workers who organised this meeting and saw that it all ran like clockwork were more than a bit pleased.Nothing succeeds like success.Bring on the next meeting at CP..
Resultsville..Gold Coast 25/11..Judd (Chris Petroff for Lynn Beaton)..Star Of Jordaine (Lola Weidemann for Graham Harriott)...Albion Park 26/11..nil...Toowoomba 27/11..Erique Of Malacca (Glenn Dawson)..Melton Little Don (Pete for John McMullen)..Stella Christian (Glenn Dawson for Noel Doyle)..Eyes A Bull (Justin Pascoe)...Albion Park 29/11..Mirfak Prince (Brad Cowen for Shane Sanderson)...Redcliffe 30/11..Livinthehighlife (Clint Petroff)..Secret Ruby (Ron Sallis)...Gold Coast 01/12..The Boy Wonder (Ray Cross)..I Love To Win (Pete for John McMullen)...
Regards to all..Denis Smith.