Rusty

Not often seen these days on TV land, but always great to see a decent stick when important information (guess work?) is being presented. I feel a decent stick in the right hands, just commands respect.

That 2 year old filly "Ladies In Red" (Mach Three) could be anything. Very, very impressive win tonight, making it 7 starts, 7 wins.

Andrew McKerrow does a terrific job, and a top guy. He is a real asset to the racing industry. I think we are very lucky to have him.

I sincerely hope Mr Lamb is supported as well as he possibly can be in what may be a difficult time for him. We are all human afterall. I think now is a good time to perhaps put the past behind us, learn from it, and look forward to the future.

If true, will that mean Copy That gets a start in the FFA?! Just joking, but kind of not.

I am hearing Ricky Donnelly will be the starter at Addington for the Show Day races?! To be confirmed.

100%

Nah mate, in one way I would love to, but in another way, I don't want to. Fair to say I'm a dollar each way on it! Like I've said, I feel for the guy. Not saying I agree with or like his performance and what he does, but I need to show him a wee bit of respect etc. I really hope the new CEO can maybe address the whole issue of starting races etc and the process involved when so many people are unhappy with this situation.

No mate, wasn't me. I didn't sign it either. The situation is sad. I feel for the starter. I really do. Not trying to stick up for him, but he must be trying to do his best. Surely? There are plenty giving him stick, and I feel for him, and his family too. I've made my thoughts known on the starting issues over the years, but in a way I kind of feel sorry for the starter. He is getting some heat from plenty of people, and at the end of the day, I think the whole system needs a real good going over, not just one specific individual. Because these issues are being raised time and time again, but nothing is really changing.

Good point, just one was standing and the other one pacing. There was an online petition doing the rounds last night to replace the starter for Addington. Names were being added at a great rate. Sad in a way, but something seriously needs to be done. People are angry and have had enough.

On a more positive note, it was great to get the Judge's call post race on Trackside with placings and times etc.

Like the commentator said right at this moment; "Tapes are back!" And the starter yelled out Happy, Riiight. One can only assume he was happy, not only with the movement of some runners on the outside, but also the proximity to the tape of the inside runners? How many lengths back from the tape is Copy That and co?

I love all the different scenarios that people think may or may not eventuate. It's quite interesting to hear different points of view and analysis. I think we are all in agreement that the starter will not get things Riiiiight, and we probably won't be HAPPY with the start. Hope I'm wrong. Last two things I will say: 1. Whatever scenario M Guerin thinks will eventuate, the opposite will happen (love you Mick). 2. "Marker pegs are gold, gold, gold and you can't come from behind the pace, you need to be up there handy turning for home." Better punting everyone. Enjoy your Cup day.

I have it on good authority that the CJC have not been treated differently to Addington, in terms of restricting the age of patrons to an event. It is indeed the club's decision to make it a R18 event. The Christchurch District Licensing committee includes reps from the Council (liquor licensing), the medical officer of health, the District Health Board, and the NZ Police. In a nutshell, a few years back the club was very close to losing their onsite license. This was because the 2015 cup day was very, very messy. Some quarters have stated that they were not fully capable of controlling their patrons on their cup day. Prior to the 2016 event, the club proposed some changes to the Christchurch District Licensing Committe. This included restricting under 18's to the event, unless minors were within corporate/members areas, with a parent or caregiver at all times. The agencies agreed to the club's proposal. So for the CJC to blame the Police for the R18 event, is not fair. Liquor inspectors will again be oncourse this Saturday, likewise at Addington on Tuesday. Their purpose is to record and monitor the ongoings and report back their findings. It is their findings that potentially can cause issues with their liquor license down the track. Like I said, the CJC was a bee's dick away from losing their liquor licence a few years back. So they are now kicking the ball into touch and playing it as safe as they possibly can, by restricting under 18's to their cup day. It is not a police directive. However probably one that they welcome.

Showers are forecast for Tuesday. It could be the first time in a very long time, that the cup is run in the wet. My memory escapes me, I'm getting too old; when was the last time the actual cup race itself was run in the rain? Rain and a sou' wester will bring with it three major concerns. 1. The body art competition with the near naked ladies (do they have fellas in this these days too, with the gender equality thing and all that?) could turn out to be a disaster/success. It's one thing being nippy, for want of a better term, but being both cold and wet, I feel these days with OSH guidelines the bodyart competition may have to be hit on the head. Of course the more traditional best dressed competitions will still be held; a much more Classie Brigade of ladies and gentlemen. 2. Someone should contact E-Can. With rain forecast, there is every chance the fake tan will be running off legs quicker than an Aveross Spitfire last quarter, sorry wrong horse, I meant Self Assured or Spankem. With the rain, the fake tan runoff will be contaminanting the waterways pretty quickly. 3. Has starter Lamb been sacked yet, or is he still the RIIIIIIIGGGGHT man for the job? I only ask as the combination of the sou'-wester and the standing start position on course (down the back straight) is the worst possible thing. His booming voice will be amplified somewhat, so it is advised that all horses and drivers wear ear plugs. Barrier one may not be so bad afterall, if it means the starter can't be heard as well from here, thus Blair Nathan Orange won't be able to say Copy That to Lamb. So all things considered, the first four should be between Copy That, Classie Brigade, Self Assured and Spankem. In a year to forget, the only real surprise for Cup day this year, could be the rain.

What is this monstrosity? Looks quite large. Would probably be a good spot for a public grandstand.

To be fair to the club, they did say to me it was a direction from the Police, for the "event" (Cup day), to be R18. If that is true, if that is true, that it was a Police direction, maybe I have been too harsh on the club. If so, I apologize. Interestingly enough, Cup day at Addington permits under 18's to attend, provided that they are accompanied by an adult. The CJC official told me this morning to get a babysitter and not to bring kids oncourse for their cup day. Anyway we all know which Cup day is the messiest, not to mention the best. Always has been and always will be the best; Addington. When locals talk about "the cup", they're not talking about an event in Riccarton that's R18. They are talking about the second Tuesday in November at Addington. I'll just leave that there (in the Gallops section of all places). Enjoy Cup week everyone. Unless you are under 18, then just enjoy the trots and the real Cup day in Christchurch (which is already sold out due to its popularity).

100% incorrect. It is a R18 event. I just phoned the club and they said no kids oncourse, unless they are related to owners, trainers etc.

Because in my opinion, under 18's should be included, and allowed to attend the day. Just like Cox Plate day, just like Melbourne Cup day, and just like the family day at Flemington. At the very least, the club could have a small "family-friendly" zone. With the club's attutude (to completely exclude under 18's), why are they even in the industry, is the question you should be asking. In their eyes, racing is not a family event, sport, hobby to participate in. Addington club officials are doing a marvellous job in trying to attract family members of all ages to their Show day races. It is a credit to them.

Trainer Lee Freedman busted out the quote about finding the smallest kid on course after the great mare's third Melbourne Cup victory. Unfortunately the same could never be said post race for the NZ Cup at Riccarton. Instead, one is more likely to hear: "Go find the most p!$sed up, drunken d!ckhe@d on course, then clean up their spew, wipe clean their suede shoes, and tell them they have missed seeing a dead set champion."

Incorrect. I've bagged that club for many years. Not a sudden occurence.

Dead right mate. I'm worried about any race where Lamb is the starter. NZ Cup start especially so.

They weren't allowed in this year. But last year, and every other year in my living memory, yes (provided they were with an adult)...

It's sad but true, that the club's (public) facilities and opinions have not moved on from 60 years ago. My grandad had a handy enough horse racing on a big race day back then. Club would put on some food and drinks for the owners, but would not allow access to the function room if the owners had pesky kids with them. Upon being told he couldn't enter the function room with his primary school aged child, my grandad left a bit disappointed and went to go and see his horse, have a chat to the trainer pre-race etc. Trainer (leading the premiership at the time) asked him, why aren't you in there getting a feed? When grandad told him, no kids were allowed, the trainer marched in to the admin office and said you let him and his daughter in there, or I'll scratch all my runners today. 5 minutes later grandad and his daughter got the nod to enter the room, and 10 minutes later the horse wins.

Hope it farkn pisses down from a great height on their Cup day. What miserable bastards, more or less saying no kids. What is the club's reasoning behind this? Are they trying to protect the 15 year old boys from the near naked painted ladies? Or is it to protect the painted ladies from the 15 year old boys? Do they even still have the painted ladies?? (Asking for a friend) "Go and find the smallest child on this course because that will be the only person who lives long enough to see something like this again." "Wait... What? Oh really? Eighteen?? Are you sure? Oh ok, hey, no, don't worry about finding that wee kid." And this is just another example of the difference between racing in Australia and New Zealand. Aussie just do it better. The administrators just "get it".