I’ve attended the meeting over the past four years — and have attended two or three times prior in a social capacity— and have never seen an out-of-control patron on course.
Put simply, it’s a family and friends day when old acquaintances catch up under the trees or umbrellas and eat some very nice bacon and egg pie (thanks, Wendy Robb).
Getting "written off" just isn’t on most people’s agendas.
COTC president Graham Sinnamon’s efforts around this — and everything to do with the meeting — should be applauded.
There are plenty of passionate people in the Otago racing industry, but he would at least be on the podium if you were figuring out the medallists — and we’re not even taking his cheering of his own horses into account for this list.
Passing of a patriarch
The North Island harness racing "family" lost one of its older members this week when John Butcher died aged 80.
Butcher spent 60 years in harness racing, and older readers will remember horses such as Tobias, Abdias and Samarias, who were associated with Butcher.
He and wife Colleen, who survives John, have left their mark with their offspring, David and Phil, and the third generation which includes top-class driver Zac.
Go west
With plenty happening locally over the next couple of days (Wingatui today and Oamaru on Sunday) there’s not much space to highlight the Kiwi chances in Australia. So here’s a run-down for you.—
● Saracino will look to kick on from his Foxbridge Plate win for trainers Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman when he takes on the Aussie 3yr-olds in the group 2 Danehill Stakes at Flemington at 4.50pm (NZ time) tomorrow.
● Forty minutes later, Xtravagant makes his season debut over the "straight six" at Flemington in the group 2 Bobby Lewis Quality at 5.30pm (NZ time)
● Sofia Rosa lines up in group 1 company another 40 minutes later, taking on Black Heart Bart, Palentino, Rising Romance and Victoria Derby winner Tarzino in the group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes over 1600m.
Trial and error
Racing Matters will be honest here — we’re not completely sure how the trial form of Kempsey (New South Wales) stacks up on race day.
So keep that in mind when you search for "direct response kempsey trial" and click on the g1x.com.au link.
Direct Response somehow wins a trial after missing the start by 100m, but I would hate to be paying the bills on the other three.
Lazy Fiver
Flyingretna was paying double figures on the win machine, but put in a smart effort to finish second at Addington last Friday, paying $3.10 for a place.
McCullum beat Art Deco, who won at New Plymouth yesterday, so let’s back McCullum to remain unbeaten after race 4 at Awapuni tomorrow.
