MaltedMilkshake

Just reviewing CC results and noticed Jon Snow finished at the tail end of the field. What’s wrong with the Baker team....just a disaster the last couple of trips over the ditch.... Coincidently, Bjorn is also having a shocking run.... Also today, a lovely old ex Baker horse, Sakhee’s Soldier was running at Horsham....and his recent form has been abysmal....so sad to see these lovely animals just hawked around like meat.

I think VE is a great example of a Kiwi racehorse that would never have reached her potential if she continued to race in NZ. There are so many hurdles horses have to jump in order to be successful, I do understand why owners sell out, but I’m at a loss as to why owners just don’t make a decision to race in Australia themselves. Also, I can’t understand why trainers don’t take horses there more frequently to race...establishing a relationship with trainers in various states... I can pinpoint several horses immediately that would have picked up great wins which would have made the trip financially successful.... I also believe Aussies have “marked down” the Kiwi thoroughbred to a certain degree and don’t follow the form as closely as they should (with the exception of those dedicated followers of fashion - bloodstock agents) because the Kiwi horse represents great value. They are tough, they are durable and in the majority of cases improve when they transfer into the hands of Aussie trainers. There are a multitude of reasons why this happens....and having worked on both sides of the ditch, the differences are quite marked. But that’s a conversation for another day.

This is my fear I have for my horses. This poor horse...OMG, I would be hysterical if it happened to mine. OK - this is indicative of the systemic failure within NZ racing. Firstly, who gives this girl a license to ride in races. That’s where the system fails.....it all comes back to grass roots and that’s where it all falls down. Another query...does David Walsh regularly attend morning trackwork? If he is the apprentice mentor would he have not picked up on the fact she has trouble holding horses in trackwork? What’s wrong with her Master? Why did he put her in that position? may we hope she doesn’t ride again...she obviously doesn’t have any common sense. Another chapter in the NZ accountability stakes...where there are only NON starters.

I don’t think she has the class to win at that level in Me.bourne...BUT what they did miss was The Metropolitan that Patrick Erin won...that was her race...as I’ve said previously..but I can’t believe a trainer in this day and age, could not have those dates loaded on to his phone...but hey, what do I know? And by the way there are OTHER trainers apart from Waller & Weir... I do feel for the owners having been denied the opportunity of a Cup runner, possibly their only chance..it’s still top of the Wishlist for most genuine racing people (let’s exclude the 30somethings who are only interested in Stud value and Asian money). I had the opportunity to saddle a runner in the Cup back in 1991 ... just a fabulous day.

Well what happens when you can’t get a race away on time? You lose your TV punting audience. Due to the delay this NZ Grp1 was moved to the second channel on Sky Racing...which is an additional subscription channel....so you’ve lost the bulk of your audience...perhaps someone might like to tell NZTR to give the race clubs are bit of a rev up...to ensure they jump on time...

And you wonder why punters won’t invest....excuse me, but am I the only person who thinks this is criminal negligence....?

Urrr.....why? Money? Well, that certainly opens a can of worms...any noticeable form reversals?

Don’t tell me you’re serious....these clowns haven’t tested for SIX weeks....???

Sorry, my mistake...however as you pointed out, the stewards asked the trainer to monitor the horse ....a bit like self-medicating....I though a full vet clearance would have been ordered? And that goes to the heart of the problem.....stewards need to be actively and effectively doing their jobs and they don’t....that’s why there are the never-ending incidents in racing in NZ which by the good grace of God haven’t ended in serious, life threatening injury or worse.

Can someone please tell me why this horse a) was not required to have a vet clearance and b) was NOT made to trial or school in front of the stewards, before being permitted to start again? so who’s is responsible if the horse did the same thing yesterday with Emily Farr as he did with Maija? Do we know if the horse schooled prior to Emily riding him yesterday? All this information should be in the public domain... It’s only by the good grace of God that they got around safely yesterday...and the horse had a bleed. we talk about the Messara Report, the implementation of change and reforming the industry...policing and integrity should be the first issue tackled.

Exactly...I am very suspicious of the big studs and their pricing policy. That’s why I’m curious to know who is using him....surely he can’t be full at the listed price? Its a make or break year for a few studs...some fees are questionable Best value in Australasia is Smart Missile at $12000...where can I get that value in NZ?

Just asking if any Yarners used Ocean Park this season? He is listed at $30k....

I was gobsmacked to read the Stewards report concerning that incident...no mention of any follow up Vet check or trialling/jumping school before racing again....sorry, but a young woman has ended up in a precarious position. Surely the Stewards must understand in addition to general governance there is also a basic duty of care...and its in the industry’s best interest to ensure all participants are presented at their best - horses, jockeys AND trainers...

Yes, I do agree with you about D Johnson...she will cause a major accident one day...

I feel so sorry for this young girl...her life as she know it, is thoroughly diminished plus having to endure a lifetime of care....to be placed in that situation cannot be forgiven. Someone is clearly negligent...so I hope Workplace goes through the place like a dose of salts. In doing so, it may bring some real reform to workplace health and safety. But knowing the system, I imagine there will be no accountability..... I hope this incident serves as a lesson to all those in the industry. The public are already struggling to find a place for racing...and this just hammers another nail in the coffin. To most perception is reality...

He is “my” Spring horse....he has an enormous amount of talent...but as was clearly shown yesterday, he is a Flemington horse. Although saying that, big horses can get around Moonee Valley...

We saw that horse today....Sweet Melody.....

Love the Bon Hoffas....his son bon aurum will stand this year...and Kris Lees has a good SM filly ready for the Guineas.. I saw a lovely stallion last weekend, Under The Louvre...wow, what a lovely horse...he should be on every breed to race breeders list. His first foals are great...and his fee is very reasonable (by Aussie standards)... he’s in the Spirit of Boom mould...his pedigree is better...and he raced until he was 6...love to support him but the conditions at the moment with the drought I don’t think it’s fair on the mares to ask them to produce under such tough conditions...

Well the best deal either side of the ditch is Smart Missile at $12k...he gets winners everywhere, everyday of the week...and simply offers an incredible record. Per Incanto at $15+ or Smart Missile at $12k.....

Absolutely... how many seasons have they kept spruiking Reliable Man...given they will need time...but I don’t see too many around...I see his fee is $17.5k...needs a top liner...quickly... but don’t worry, I’m sure Gerry will have a buy now pay in 60months special if the numbers don’t appear... Ocean Park...who is spending their 30k on a service to OP this year...I’d love to know...how can that fee be justified...when you can go to Iffraaj for $5k less...

It’s all part of the grand master plan.....

OK...further to Kopia’s post...have a good look at R2 Matamata today.... The fav, a BF horse, eases from $1.9 to $2.4 and TeA’s firms...big plonk. Did the stewards actually (over at the start) advise Cameron that his horse has eased? ...so this horse gets worked over by Coleman...then coming to the turn, MC keeps looking down at his near fore..almost eases off...lets Sam Collett through on Vela’s horse. MC almost stops riding the fav...the heavily backed TeA gets through to win. MC gets busy now and the horse picks up the bit and runs home. Not saying anything was untoward as MCs horse could have been sore....but perception to many is reality...so the stewards report will be an 8nteresting read..

No, I think she’s a tad too busy tweeting about Gingernuts....#jerrylove....

The only trainer you can follow with confidence on the synthetics is HH & Dabernig...I think they must have the same kind of synthetic track at Lindsay Park....smart people

I have to agree...it was always my source of despair that this government would not put a cracker in when Taxinda has taken on, personally, the portfolio of fixing child poverty....so that’s why I thought a few smart people (oxymoron, I know) could have traded of CGT from racing to fund necessary improvements....at least for a set period until industry could be self funding... Yes, there are some real issues facing people in Victoria...lack of meetings, especially on Saturday, no one wants to race on the synthetics, the discrepancy in prize money between NSW & VIC ...is all about to hit the fan. Racing Vic operating costs are 45% higher than RAcing NSW... big industry players are now starting to speak up about the state of things...so here’s hoping there will be a change of Government down there by the end of the year and VIC can be competitive again...because as it currently stands, there is not a lot of incentive to race horses there.