With the end of the racing season just two days away, Racing Matters thought it appropriate to look back at the predictions made by its author in early August. Sure things. -
• Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen certainly did win at least 12 group 1 races in New Zealand. In fact, 18 is more like it.
● However, the northern hemisphere did not win at least two group 1 races during the Melbourne spring carnival, just one.
● The prediction was that Brad Williamson would be the top junior driver in Otago. He exceeded that and became the best junior in New Zealand.
● The faith in Dream Collector paid off with his group 2 Kingston Cup win in September.
Each way.-
● Matthew Williamson did NOT beat brother Nathan in the drivers' premiership, but let's put that down to Matthew's magnaminous nature (as discussed last week).
● Graeme Anderson's strike rate was not quite over .4000 - but at .3869 it was pretty darn close.
● Otago-based thoroughbred trainers DID win at least five or group listed races (counting the Grand National Steeplechase in this).
● Jake Lowry did indeed better his 23 wins last season - 31 before Ashburton tomorrow.●No such luck with a Japan runner winning the Caulfield Cup or Melbourne Cup.
● Alley Way did place in the Dominion Trot (paying $3.90).
● Kawi did win one of the Hastings Triple Crown races.
● A North Island-trained horse, Wafer, won one of the southern guinea races.
● James McDonald won group races outside Australia - in Hong Kong and the UK, no less.
Rank outsiders. -No luck for Dalwhinnie in a staying race this season, but stick with her next season.
● Te Kawau DID win a group race - the group 2 Futurity at Cambridge in December.
Racing Matters is unsure whether it was received in the Central Districts harness scene as its biggest result for years.
• The theory of sticking with Western Australian-trained pacers to fill at least one placing in the Interdominion final once again rang true.
● Finally, did the Lazy Fiver have a strike rate of better than 50%? Sorry, is that the time? Must dash.
Vale Richard Ryan
On a sadder note, the training career of Rangiora trainer Richard Ryan, whose fight with cancer was mentioned in the ODT's pages last month, has been cruelly cut short with his death on Tuesday.
Ryan (41) was in his first full season of training, mixing the horses in with his career in the New Zealand police, and had trained two winners.
Hopefully, Paco Rabanne can provide Ryan's family and friends with a perfect outcome in race 8 at Ashburton tomorrow.
Lazy Fiver
A frustrating fourth for Allison Stokke last week.
Maia's Angel gets in nicely into race 4 at Ashburton tomorrow.
