Jumps racing might be treading water in the South Island in particular, but how good was the Great Northern Steeplechase on Saturday?
As part of my ''sabbatical'', I was watching the race with my mate at a bar. Needless to say, he'd backed Rangatira and I had stayed true to the Southerners with an each-way crack at Kidunot. After they jumped the last fence, I was pretty confident with Ellis Winsloe's veteran, but Isaac Lupton's efforts to pull Rangatira up off the canvas were phenomenal, especially considering he was only a late replacement for Patrick Ormsby. Shades of the Sir Avion/Smart Hunter dead heat in the same race in 2001? Absolutely, although I would have happily taken half the win dividend if it had been a dead heat, and subsequently shared bragging rights with my friend.
Spring has sprung
What a pleasant morning out at Wingatui on Wednesday for the trials/jumpouts at the Mosgiel track. A bumper gathering of 53 horses had smiles on the faces of most people there, and it was just good to see Wingatui humming like the centre of Otago thoroughbred racing that it is. Seeing good gallopers like Chapel Star, Valiant and Anzac Star go around just added to the feel-good factor.
The Aussies . . .
The big talking point around the harness circles in the last week has been the decision to invite one Australian pacer or trotter in each category to this season's Harness Jewels. I'm getting splinters in my backside from sitting on the fence with this one. I can certainly see the merits of stimulating the Australian interest in the event with their best and brightest joining ours. It will hopefully spur on increased betting in Australia on the nine races, and might also help Kiwi punters get a bit more value on their local runners.
. . . are coming
But on the flip side, what has been wrong with the situation in recent years where we have had Blitzthemcalder, Allblack Stride, Mustang Mach and others - even heading back to Divisive in the 2007 Jewels - coming over here and qualifying on their own merits? Personally, I would have added a requirement that each Australian representative is selected by May 1, and has to start in at least one New Zealand race prior to the Jewels. A bit of an ugly compromise, sure, but it might have placated many of the trainers and drivers who are frustrated at the lack of consultation yet again after last season's 4yr-old and 5yr-old debacle.
Lazy Fiver
Delecta Dreims - yuck. Luckily, I've had two weeks to get over that poor tip, and we're heading to race 10 at Addington tonight. Lavros Is King has drawn handily in an average maiden field, and hopefully Blair Orange can give him a nice soft run for a place at worst and a win at best.
