Country Cups for 2024

[Messenger]

Yes ALREADY!
Echuca tonight
The track is only 805m with a very short straight of 164m so on pace will be keenly sort
$20k for the trotters & $30k for the pacers
Malcolms Rhythm set the Tk Rec winning the Cup 3yrs ago but there are not any of his class in this edition

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=EC010124

[Messenger]

A nice enough field for the Bendigo Cup on Saturday night

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=BN060124#BNM06012401

Our Vincent Can Gogh is 'going' to attempt to win 2 cups in 6 days
He is only 1 week into his 4yo season but the Douglas stable do not believe in spelling their horses
OVCG has only been racing for 53 weeks and Saturday will be his 32nd start
When you consider he missed a month in NZ and a month when coming over he has had 27 starts in 40 weeks

[Messenger]

Fides returns in the last at Bendigo, it is his first start since 03Dec2022 and it will be only his third start since 07Apr2020 - it would be so good to see him return like he did last time

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=BN060124#BNM06012402

[Messenger]

I am not saying that you could bet against her but how could you have taken odds on about Queen Elida ($1.35!) tonight after Lilley had told everybody how flat she was after the Albion Park 'HEAT'. She needs a spell after racing for 4 months this campaign

[Messenger]

There were no dud drivers in the pacing cup but Nathan Jack really is a superb driver

[gutwagon]

Thanks for telling us about Fides in the last, was a nice price at the jump too. I was having a bad night until then.

[Messenger]

Invitation Only wins the Cobram Cup after a MASSIVE drift in betting out to $23
I didn't know him but remember being surprised to see him favourite in early markets
He is a full bro to Anothermasterpiece
Another surprise is that he started with Grimson, then Thorn before Isabel Walsh and even Grimson could not work his magic on him

Looking at his form (recent was 6mths old but looked ordinary) it just may be that he is a distance horse

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=CO070124#COC07012401

[Messenger]

Another 'nice enough' field for the Shep Cup on Saturday

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=SP130124#SPM13012401

[Messenger]

Fides looking to back up in the Hamilton Cup on Sunday

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=HM140124#HMC14012401

[Messenger]

Matthew Craven now has 2 runners as emergency Silent Major gets a start. It doesn't say much for the field when a horse that has not won for 33 months can get a start. Mind you he is still NR 84 (compared to the field low of NR68) - maybe because he has only had 25 starts in that time. He has only had 2 starts since an 11 month break but if MC can get him to win a race like this, it would be a greater feat than his Fides effort

[Messenger]

The Lee horse Highway To Heaven has form 888 this campaign but has been backed FO today from $8 to $4

[Messenger]

Check out Fides win - look at how this little horse puts his head down and savages the line
While he was backed into Evens, Highway To Heaven went back out to $9

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=HM140124#HMC14012401

[Messenger]

You would have to be braver than me to take the odds on about Catch A Wave first up in the 2710m Ballarat Cup on Saturday night

CAW has only ever had 2 starts over further than 2240m and finished 7th and 8th

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=BA200124#BAM20012401

[Messenger]

You have to wonder what NR69 Kendys Butterfly is doing in the Cup
She is eligible for just about every other pacing race on the card
What odds will she start - at present she is $251 FO

[Messenger]

Cya Art from that draw is probably going to be driven for luck and try and follow Beyond Delight but one thing for sure is that Grimson has chosen the best possible driver for this task

[Messenger]

Kanena Provlima opened up fantastic odds (might have even been double figures) and understandably backed right in

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=BA200124#BAM20012401

[Messenger]

There were some incredibly slow Q2's last night - none slower than the 32.8 in the Cup but there were two others in the 32's
A solid Northerly may have contributed but it did not seem to affect the Q4's at all
I wonder whether no sprint lane has anything to do with it in that there are less challenges for the lead - knowing that the leader is not going to surrender

[Messenger]

Leap To Fame has drawn 10 in Saturday's Cranbourne Cup but I cannot see that proving too much of a problem
(it would be ideal if Nathan Jack was driving him ;))

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=CR100224#CRM10022401

[Messenger]

Kyle Marshall talking about winning the Cranbourne Cup with Bach (NR83) first up in Oz against Leap To Fame - a bit like I dream of winning Powerball, I guess
His last start he came 4th to Don't Stop Dreaming but he was 8 lengths off him

https://www.thetrots.com.au/news/articles/marshall-and-bach-ready-to-orchestrate-the-perfect-symphony-at-cranbourne/

[Messenger]

Terang Cup tonight

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=TE170224#TEM17022401

District Attorney has an outstanding record but I don't fancy him over the long trip first up
It looks to be between Fides and Beyond Delight
I think Fides has the better draw and provided that he has not had any set backs since his last win (it has been 5 weeks) I think he can win again

From Jan 27 Stewards Report

HURRICANE HARLEY – Weakened over the final stages to finish in 8th position, beaten 52.1m for which a warning was issued. A post-race veterinarian examination found the horse to be uneven at a trot and displaying abnormal respiratory sounds. Acting under veterinarian advice, HURRICANE HARLEY was stood down from racing until a certificate of fitness is submitted. When questioned regarding the performance, Driver Mark Pitt explained that although making early use of his drive, HURRICANE HARLEY proved disappointing overall and failed to travel from the 800m. Stewards will follow up with connections in the coming days.

Follow up Report – Thursday 1 February 2024

HURRICANE HARLEY – Trainer Emma Stewart has today reported to Stewards that HURRICANE HARLEY has pulled up well and given the tough run, the horse will now be provided a small break.

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/stewards-reports/stewards-reports-detail/?mc=MX270124

That was a short break - could you really entertain backing HH tonight

[Messenger]

I just noticed that the family seem to like Jilliby Willow
It has come in from $11 to $6

[Messenger]

While Beyond Delight has also come in from $3.70 to $2.60
Fides has blown from $2.90 to $4.20

[Messenger]

I see in this article that Beyond Delight has been backed in from $6

https://www.harness.org.au/media-room/news-article/?news_id=64099

It should be a beautiful evening at Terang tonight

[Messenger]

Paddy Lee trained the Trifecta in the Trotters Cup

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=TE170224#TEM17022408

[Messenger]

I don't think it is Fides's ideal distance, especially doing it tough, but he is one hell of a trier and he kept giving after he looked like he could drop out at the top of the straight
A very good run my Jilliby Willow to win after holding out 2 challenges in the first 1,000m
Sew What is certainly racing in great form to finish off like that

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=TE170224#TEM17022401

[Messenger]

Paddy Lee trained the Trifecta in the Trotters Cup

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=TE170224#TEM17022408

You will see that the stablemates all looked after each other :D

[Messenger]

It should be great weather for the Ararat Cup tonight
Only 30mins between races
If you crave old Showgrounds days - this is about as close as you will get

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=AR010324#ARC01032401

[Messenger]

Sunday Birchip day and Wangaratta night Cups
Monday Horsham
Birchip and Horsham early starts for the heat

Horsham Cup back to $40k this year (from $60k) and with No Stewart stable runners (are they keeping a low profile or what!) unlike 4/9 last year = the field quality has really fallen away

[Messenger]

Sew What proved her class edge/NR rating was correct in today's Horsham Cup
Jackie Barker became the 3rd generation of Barker to win the Cup

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=HS110324#HSC11032401

[Messenger]

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=CH170324#CHC17032401

Charlton Cup on Sunday
But we have the same old scheduling problem
If it was 30 minutes between races (very reasonable) the 8 race program would be finishing 64 minutes earlier

Other than for locals, it is a fair trip to Charlton for most so the elongated program is just a bridge too far when you can watch it all from home

[Messenger]

It looks like Charlton got a decent crowd But the Cup was super boring

[Messenger]

The Ouyen Cup was won by Kowalski Analysis with a dashing drive by Jackie Barker

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=OU240324#OUC24032401

[Messenger]

Mildura Cup heats tomorrow night

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=ML020424#MLC02042401

[Messenger]

The Mildura Cup field is out
Little Louie has 1 thanks to his low NR
But I expect there could be plenty of action

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=ML060424#MLC06042401

[Messenger]

The Mildura Cup was for $35k in 2023
This year it is for $50k - an increase is extraordinary in Vic nowadays
Admittedly it had been $60k prior to that (maybe next year)

[Messenger]

The Sandersons are great for harness racing - lets hope the industry is capable of providing them with a good future

[Messenger]

When ordering you can opt for a mug instead of a cup, maybe we could call tomorrow's race
The Warragul Mug
(sorry Kyle)

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=WR210424#WRC21042401

If Warragul are still around next year, one option would be to forget the pacers and add the money to the Trotters Cup and see how good a field you attract

[Messenger]

Warragul cannot take a trick
Anyone know why the 'cup' was abandoned today?

[Yabbie]

Warragul cannot take a trick
Anyone know why the 'cup' was abandoned today?

Leader choked down and fell interfering with most of field. Stewards decided not to re-run due to distance travelled in race

[Messenger]

Thanks Carol

[Messenger]

Not the exact same race but the Cup will be run on June 10

https://www.thetrots.com.au/news/articles/abandoned-warragul-pacing-cup-to-be-re-run-in-june/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1yRwQu5UY52MPZ-5U6wBnNadPdQAcsn_FzXvOAkHb2taFaibZKQgs8twM_aem_AU6 TGFKH0GKBizMsoZ7cLlN7VjkfL7yL8pJ0MgDX97qAm1sh9tlHf cyTa6IPywrdPQ9GU0WQ2kDl0t7Lhc6znXfo