Doomed

Not many of them have travelled all the way from Southland to Canty in the middle of winter. And northern trainers know there will be another race-meeting along in a few days and generally NZTR will put on extra races for them. No such luck in the South.

We desperately need Savaglee to come up as a 4yo. Our top 3yos have had a terrible record at sustaining that form over recent years. Savaglee looks pretty special and reasonably tough to me so it would be great to see him have a successful 4yo campaign.

I've actually forgotten her name. She won the slot and a sales series race and not much else, but lots of money. When I get a moment I will look up her name.

We have a not totally dissimilar situation in NZ this year. The biggest stake earning 3yo this season had a group 3 third as her best effort in a real race from memory. Based on traditional ratings she would probably be the 7th or 8th best 3yo for the season, but she did win the most stakes money through wins in restricted races. It will be fascinating to see if she gets a nomination as top 3yo and whether anyone has the nerve to vote for her.

The irony of Ellerslie having the winter off while Wingatui keeps going. I bet some old-timers wouldn't believe you if they were told that is the way we do it these days. Climate change must be about to take effect.

The theory seems to be that in our brave new world SI racing can basically survive through the winter months with the AWT and Ashburton, with the Riccarton turf popping up every now and again if really necessary. Obviously the trainers weren't consulted about this theory. If they were consulted it would be interesting to hear what they think of the idea now.

I'm really struggling with your logic here. The Pitmans have 12 starters at Riccarton on Saturday, Furlong has one. Without the Pitman runners several of those races would have only two dividends. The Pitmans have won at least $300,000 more than any other SI trainer. Are you suggesting that doesn't matter because they had a few more starts to do it?

So you are arguing that the Pitmans are the most important trainers in the context of SI racing? Without them some races may not have got off the ground. Andrew Carston also crucial, albeit with a poorer strike rate.

Pitmans also by far the biggest stake earners. In fact the only SI trainers to pass the $1m mark. Many would consider that much more important than strike rate.

I thought I saw you there.

I was going to mention the same thing myself. Very interesting finish to the season. And the poor buggers don't get many opportunities. Only 8 races in 11 days just at the moment. Incredible they have kept their strike-rates so low given the lack of opportunities and how hard it is to place a horse properly.

They are all pretty similar really. Mostly between 5 and 8, one at 11.

She was a very good flat rider as well if I recall correctly. I seem to associate her with Clipper Run for Pat Corboy.

What a great idea by the Oamaru JC. I hope they got some support from NZTR to help put it all together.

Looked like a good days racing. They didn't charge to the outside fence.

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.