Doomed

I probably should have phrased it as never having had a bet. I think it may have been John Allen.

I don't think the recently appointed head of NZTR had ever held a racing job previously. Didn't we have a TAB or racing board head a few years ago who said he had never set foot in a TAB? People may well argue that a CEO's job is to manage people with the requisite skills. That may well be true, but at the same time they can't claim they have an affinity for racing at the grass roots level.

Sadly, it is virtually impossible to get back to basics and grass roots when a knowledge of racing, or even an interest in racing, is no-longer considered essential or even desirable to get a job in Racing industry management.

Yes, I think something paid around $200. There used to be some massive on course doubles as well when only one or two tickets struck it.

I think that was Riccarton

I have been to Riccarton Turf Club meetings in the late 70s and while they didn't have off course betting, they did have on course betting. They weren't equalisator meetings. Used to do massive on course turnovers.

Lets hope she goes well. It has been a terrible year for NZ trained horses in Australia. From memory all I can recall is Savaglee second in a Group 1, Alabama Lass impressive in a listed race and I think one of Roger James' won a Melbourne Cup lead up. I'm sure I must have missed at least one. With our increased stakes perhaps there is less incentive for handy types to head overseas, and those that do haven't really proved up to it, other than the three mentioned above. It must eventually put pressure on our group system when the form isn't being franked in tougher precincts.

You will have to pardon my ignorance, I am an old traditionalist. What exactly is betcha? I have certainly seen it advertised but never taken any real notice of it.

3rd placegetter in the Cup been going ok as well. We all know they won't even consider upgrading it to its rightful status. Merit doesn't come into it these days.

Once again, seems to be "big picture" stuff. Not much point having "big picture" thinkers if you don't have any "little picture" people to implement everything.

Its in today's Herald

Great to see the Timaru Cup form well and truly stamped in the feature today. Her stablemate a nice run for 4th in her race also.

The good old days of post race-day appeals. Total tangent here, but the one I always remember was in the galloping code. The 3yo fillies race at Oamaru, in the days when Oamaru was a respected track. Sea Princess beat one of the Dennis brothers horses and the result changed numerous times with protests, appeals and counter appeals. Can't happen these days. They changed the rules as it has the potential to be a bit embarrassing.

That's an even better memory than mine Gamma. I think they were the favourities and it was a tight finish. Might have even been a protest. Big fields in those days as well.

I think Richard might have driven Fouroux as well.