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Basically if you draw 1 on a rated heavy 10 track you have zero options if the inside is a heavy 12.

Did you consider the horse might not have been good enough? What did you have it priced at? I had it at $12 and unbackable by a long shot.

That's irrelevant.... if jockeys don't give their mount every chance to win, they're subject to questioning.

I take it you backed it?  

A very good point @jess .  My understanding is that it is so important that the sand for the AWT's was imported.  I might be wrong on that but can you imagine rocks in a Poly track fill?

Never questioned her personality. Her ride in the following race was much better, and punters who took the shorts for Bello Mio are probably wondering why she didn't give her every chance to win. That's the sole purpose of a jockey right? We don't ask for much else.

Hmmm.  Yes I suspect the rocks were "imported" - & if so, certainly an issue of quality control there. But what did the contract stipulate?  Did the sand (or whatever) have to come from a particular source & meet stipulated specs - or were things a little more "loose" (leaving little or no "come-back" on any contractors/suppliers). Is the devil in the detail - maybe the contractors are not the only ones to be found wanting when it comes to rocks in the track (& rocks in some heads too)  Chief - I'm no expert but I've seen lots of different types of sand (crushed shell sand, golden beach sand, iron sand, fine river sand etc) - I'm assuming all sand is not created equal & it's a particular kind that's needed for a racetrack?  If so - even regardless of the rocks - was this the correct one - from a designated source?  I never expected the track to be perfect for the first meeting - and I think we all agree someone yielded to pressure & went too soon on it.  But I find it utterly frustrating after all this money - all this time - all this hope! - to be in this parlous situation.  And it's even worse to be fed this b.s from Corporate Comms - treated like fools - and to see not an ounce of responsibility (let alone accountability or contrition) from anyone.  If no-one's prepared to acknowledge what/how/why it went wrong - we can't expect it now to go right (for the remediation). And while we're on CD tracks - still the promised report on the synthetic is missing in action (I know your views there Chief) - and we continue to be treated like mushrooms over the goings on at Otaki. I try to remain fairly moderate in the way I express my views here but my frustration, despair and yes, anger is starting to rise to the top.     I'd like to head to the bar about now but I've got to get back to work - cos it's bloody expensive having horses in work - even when there's nowhere much to race them ... let alone the extra $ it costs to go further afield ... let alone less opportunities to race handy & get some stakes ...   I'll settle for putting some tonic in the fridge & check in later on  ... J.   

Geez give her a break. Te Akau are mentoring her. She's had 44 raceday rides and a <10% strike rate this season. Tidy and promising rider for mine and a lovely and respectful young woman to boot.

And then she goes and wins