The longest month in harness racing starts today.
Not that there is anything special about today. In fact, there is no harness racing in New Zealand today.
But in the next month everything is going to change.
At the moment this season has proved nothing apart from Lyell Creek can trot a mile in 1:55.6.
Just about everything else is up in the air. We don't know who is the best pacer in New Zealand, or Australasia for that matter.
We have no idea who our best 3-year-old pacer is and are no wiser as to who will be Grand Circuit champion.
But the next month will answer of a lot of questions.
Today is October 25 and all we have is questions. By November 25 we will have some answers.
By then the New Zealand Cup, Free-For-All, Miracle Mile and two other Grand Circuit races will all have been run. So too will the Dominion Handicap and the Sires' Stakes Final.
Maybe in a month we will know the answer to some of these questions, while some others will probably remain a mystery. -
1) Will Sundon's Way ever beat Lyell Creek?
2) Come to think about it, will any Australasian trotter ever beat Lyell Creek again?
3) Was John Justice thinking about stablemate Shakamaker when he attacked Courage Under Fire with Safe And Sound in the QPC last Friday night?
4) Can Holmes D G actually win a 3200m race?
5) If he does, will sections of the Canterbury crowd realise how pathetic their behaviour toward co-owner John Hart was last year?
6) Is The Tough Nut as good as many southerners think he is?
7) If Yulestar wins the New Zealand Cup will trainer Lorraine Nolan still have her doubters?
8) After watching Seafield Raider on Monday does anybody actually think they can improve a horse Neil Brady has trained?
9) What has happened to Cigar?
10) How many owners and trainers have actually thanked ATC president Brian Meale and his team for turning around northern harness racing?
11) Was it a smart idea to pay $250,000 for Franco Heir when few trainers can improve a John Hay horse?
12) How hard does punters' favourite Ouch try under pressure?
13) In fact, is Tupelo Rose the only top pacer by In The Pocket who finds anything extra when hit with the whip?
14) Will you feel sick listening to Greg Brodie's speech should Courage Under Fire win the Miracle Mile?
15) Does anybody you know make any real money punting on fixed odds?
16) Does Agua Caliente actually get homesick?
17) What percentage of Lyell Creek's winnings has Graham Bruton lost punting?
18) How come Robert Dunn is using other drivers on his horses now, yet insisted on driving Master Musician himself?
19) Are there still any morons left who think milkshaking wasn't bad for the harness racing industry?
20) How big are the shoes somebody is going to have to fill when Reon Murtha eventually retires from commentating at Addington?
Racing: Tricky questions about to be answered?
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