Murray Fish

Especially so with the better stakes up! there seemed to be some larger fields for some races?

Great to see Jess final get that W on the board! A noted horse person away from the Track! Not scared to Jump Over Fences!

cancelled at wingatui the other day.. bugger, and was going to go to timaru as well... i live in hope

Hi, I will work my way down you post. 1: We share commonalities re that! Though, as I mature, life has taught me to be wary of 'comparing and goats etc' , But to really appreciate Talent if we get the chance to get close to it! Life has privileged me in many way, one being the access that I have had to so many Pro Athletics! Across multiple Sports and Jobs. Gee, I could sit here now and type up a long list of strengths that I have seen Jockeys bring to Excellence while doing their Job! I know it quickly gets vulgar if one tries to compare and contrasted say a James Mac with say a CWJ. Totally different back stories to start with! 1000% different journeys taken via their Rides etc! We do know that CWJ #1 Wins on NZ Tracks. And that will be celebrated for ever in History! #2: I happened to work that Oaks day! Got some strong Action shots of that win! (I could add a amusing back story, to that race day, but will not...) by chance, I have chosen a photo from that win, for me my 'project/book', weaving it into a story of how many top fillies that Chris has ridden, Facing The Music gets in as well... more on that later. #3 Beer and Chris have played out so far in his career. If not a beer! I could attempt to arrange a photo! and a cuppa, one day! Do you get on course much theses days? Sigh, I've gone from a once! 100+ year to a few times a Nil. This season I've been going Big! 2 meetings and a Got on course, but abended flag went up! from the amusing so dept, the first run back took a lot out of me! 1000+ cool photos taken though! 10 races was a challenge. 7 races, I only walked 5.5ks v 8.10 at previous! 800+ photos, Ms helped out taking a few 100 more. I'm thankful for having the needed fitness to photo the way I do! I not be like the some, who don't actually understand how a days races should be captured, be if for that day, or for marketing or future history.... If you like stats, from the June 2nd meeting I posted up X (30?)shots, gaining multi 10000+ views! I'm sure I could have put x photos up and from that one meeting that would more that match months of postings from 'official sites', sigh, I feel the bitterness coming on!! time to walk away from the computer! So, I don't bite, am always up for a in person chat, on any track, should you be up for it/one! As shown to be true by my actions at Wingatui on Sunday.

Chris is the rather humble when it comes to anything along that line, not a naturel raconteur as such..

Noted... Still working of the Theme.. two parts, shots from film camera, early 90's, a few horses, a few races, a few jockeys, a few trainers, 3/4 of each of those, there is a bit of cross overs... then some from the digital area. 'Logic' suggests a book, and I would like to be able to add some 'oral history', and off course, part of the process is flushing out who is will to be helpful. Some other concepts I will be keeping undercover! for now. They be around the tragic digital historical reality of NZ Racing History! What I will do is to soon start a thread on it, I'm aware of knowing that it has to be cost sensible, meaning in the end, I actually want most of what is going to be printed and framed etc needs to be sold! Then, there is decisions around whose Name goes on the Exhibition, MF or DOK.. sigh, no rest for the wicked!

That use to happen back in the later 1950's for Govt Depts, Feb was the biggest spending month of the year, driven by G Depts having to spend all their income or it dropped the next year! No Govt debt back then!

I don't! but as always, I be fascinated by 'Unbidden', by 'Unforeseen circumstance'. I do know, I feel for any staff that are working their butts off but get blindsided by 'bad design', bugger...

sigh, I know that feelings around enthusiasm, great to have, except when it negates... a ever struggle I think is needed to be able to keep focus on what parts of the game that brings us fun and enjoyment! For me, betting wise, that would be the Black type here in NZ and the G1's in Au. Though for me, my bets and betting continues to track down mirroring the actual minutes of coverage those sorts of races get. Please don't mention The Tracks! For what is worth, I Note the effort that you and others put in, I wish that old saying comes into play "may your pen have more power"... but, this is a Industry wallowing in propaganda! and if you don't buy in, then you not be allow inside the Tent. What with the new wave of prop coming out of TAB then the mist seems to have got harder to see through. Due Diligence, phew.. very hard to be able to do that sort of thing currently re this Industry! Re NZTR, sigh, 'best practice' 'professional standards' I'm sure there are many reason, rationalisations of why the don't engage, even if there that are workers their that might have the skills to engage in forums like here. I use to get to know most of the CEO's over the last 40 years. Some like J Allan would reply with long replies to anything I through his way! Others were approachable... All, move on to greener pastures... enough prattle, have we ever meet, over the years I have meet lots of people and chatted with them. Now that I am very much outside the tent, that would be in the Public areas of the track, I recon I spoke to 35 of the 40 who were outside watching the races on sunday!

I'm back for more! by chance this popped up in my memories.. I see I was disapointed back then.. Where as yesterday on Course went v well. " Murray Fish is feeling disappointed Local gallops at Wingatui tomorrow! only 7 races.. 5 horses in race 1... 6 in r2... 7 in r3... 8 in r4 8 in r5... 8 in r6... 12 in r8... 54 horses in total.. that be 24 hours out! No jumps races or any Amateur race.. 16 jockeys... 3 have one ride.. 3 have two rides... 3 have 3 rides... 2 have 4 rides... 3 have 5 rides.. 1 has 6 rides.. and one has a full book of 7 rides.. 6 races worth $10,000 1 at 11,000 Back to yesterday, at least the stakes have improved.

from the slowlearnersclub!: so one can now buy shares in the TAB? or bet weather they will go up? I would be Thankful if the Tracks, especially on the Big Day, presented Safe and True as... he wails into the wind.

not to sure if this will work via here? https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=381722708843778

Talking odds and betting on that Wgtn that Rastes won. A good friend of mine, Ray Murphy, he was retired and use to wear a White Coat at races. We were members of the RSA in Palm North. Each week I would share a few tips. He had 1 ew the winner, a $1Q got it, a $1 trif, got that too, he got back $18000 fir his four bucks. here is a interesting read, from the pen of Mary Burgess Trentham’s reputation for longshots cemented in 1987 Cup Mary Burgess - LOVERACING.NZ 24 January 2022 Trentham’s reputation as a Punters Graveyard goes back nearly 100 years - Trentham once again proved a graveyard for the Punter – screamed the headline from Truth on Thursday, 27 October 1927. In the ensuing years various long-shot winners have added to Trentham’s notoriety, and this year marks significant anniversaries of two outsiders taking out the Wellington Cup. Fifty years ago, the 1972 Wellington Cup, Simon de Montfort wrote himself into trivia immortality as the longest priced Cup winner. He flew so far under the radar at the time that the following day’s headline read – Simon who? Hardly surprising given the Better Honey gelding, ridden by Brian Dodds, paid $180.10, leaving those who had supported race favourite, 1971 Melbourne Cup winner Silver Knight again cursing Trentham’s dire distinction as the track where favourites all too often found their flags lowered by those at longer odds. Fast forward to the 1987 Wellington Cup and the entire city was abuzz in anticipation of what was the event of the year. It was the first year brewing giant Carlton and United, under their Fosters banner, was to sponsor the Cup. A glossy 100-plus page souvenir publication was produced to mark the occasion and the hottest ticket in town was the one which saw the holder among the chosen 600 who would enjoy the day from the Fosters marquee. Come race day and helicopters hummed in and out of the course delivering the great and the good who were to enjoy Fosters’ largesse and maybe even watch a race or two. Pre-race talk had focused on the Matamata mare Eastern Joy and the Lance O’Sullivan piloted runner ended up favourite, but glory on the day went to the rank outsider of the 18-horse field, Rastes trained by rookie Danny Walker. Walker had only taken out a trainer’s licence the previous August but had grown up in racing helping his father Jack at Tauherenikau. Following his rapid introduction to Group One racing Walker’s career has included stints across the Tasman, and in Singapore with the late Laurie Laxon. He is currently training out of Byerley Park and found it difficult to believe 35 years had passed since Rastes took out the Cup. The Wellington Cup win was not only an early career highlight for Walker but stands as the last Group One win to come out of the Tauherenikau track. While Trentham punters might have had no time for Rastes but his trainer remembered being quietly confident. “We had planned all summer to run in the Wellington Cup and were really confident on the first day, but after he only beat four home that confidence took a hit,” Walker said. The build up to the Wellington Cup had begun with a solid run for second over 2200m at Trentham in early December, which was followed by a win at Otaki a week later and a third placing at Awapuni on 27 December. Next up Rastes finished midfield in the Woodville-Pahiatua Cup before his disappointing run at Trentham. “The jockey thought he’d broken down on the first day, but we couldn’t find anything wrong with him and I took him over the hill [to Trentham] on Thursday and Jim Collett rode him work. He worked brilliantly,” Walker recalled. At that stage Rastes still didn’t have a rider for the Cup. “We tried to get Jim to ride the horse, but we only had 49 and he said he wouldn’t get near the weight,” he said. “Paul Taylor was meant to ride a horse which was third emergency, so we just pinched him.” Walker was fulsome in his praise of Taylor’s ride in the Cup. “He was the best ridden horse in the race. Lofty rode him to instructions, he just kept him rolling, got him off the fence at the 1000 and kept going forward,” he said. Punters on the day who were rewarded with a $50.35 win dividend, and those who managed to nab the $17,211.10 trifecta would also have fond memories of the day. Faring even better would have been those who followed 20-year-old apprentice Paul Taylor. Taylor piloted Jonny Alone to win the day’s other feature, the Jarden Mile (now the Thorndon) to pick up a Group One double. Like Rastes, Jonny Alone was unloved by punters starting the outsider bar one in the 14-horse race and paid $35.55 for a win. But for most on Cup day 35 years ago it was another case of Trentham’s reputation as a graveyard coming to fruition with not a single win favourite greeting the judge. Footnote: While the $180.10 win price for Simon de Montfort is certainly up there, it is not the largest win price paid out in Thoroughbred racing. At an on-course-only meeting at Riccarton on Thursday, 17 February 1983 the last race was won by Legalize who paid $332.05; while at Ellerslie on Saturday, 10 October 1987, Jim Collett got rank outsider Lotus Lord up to win at $215.50.

Hi, for me, I've just started a project, goal to have a Photo Exhibition and stuff of my collection, sigh, hopefully I have the skills and energy to do so...

yip, he is taking a very slow and steady as she goes approach, the damage was to a very complexed part of the foot and has taken a long time to correct. the key is, that He makes the decision, and that it is properly healed first, pointless coming back when it's not right. Tiz good to know that there is still a buzz to be had when he is having that odd ride! ps. I set up the CWJ page quite a few years back, to recognise his career, but also to show the likes of HO that racing is not really using social media that well, a slight improvement since, but NZ Racing History is still way behind when digital is involved! Prof Google doesn't have much to work on!

yes.. and the after celebrations lasted for a while and then there was a fall out from that... talking those races/horses, I worked that day! Lots of Photographers lining the rail (the boss) Ken Lush had the #1 spot, then lots of Press, I took a gamble, and headed for the inside and took a couple of cool shots! back then you go One Click, not auto drive! both photos were used in FF and in the Racing Annual for that year! Made even better by being good mates with Paul

a busy day had by me! phew! by chance it was my first day back with camera from a sort of retirement! happy to report from that point of view it went well. spoke to over 50% of people on course! I recon, it was nice to catch up with various members of 'the jockeys colony', a mixed bag of shapes and sizes and nationality's are they. will be putting photos up on my fb account, and find a suitable one for posting here. Did anyone have a interest horse wise? if I happen to have taken a photo! happy to gift it to ya!

lol, for me! I be like that 7 year old awaiting the opening of me chrissy presents! Knowing I should be getting something! Even after being 'on course' for many 1000's of previous meetings! each new one still gets me excited!!! I'm sure I would get on well with the likes of Forrest Gump! For the other fella, I am keen to see his take on being there! whatever that may be! I do know that our self-catering means at least the food is going to be great!

@TAB For Ever <-- I'm trying to be positive, can you ride shot gun for me? @Doomed three more points. 1: Speaking as a Photographer, meetings like this can sometimes be a challenge, You do know that they(P's) turn up on the day, often having travelled from distance, never knowing, if they will make a Sale,.. some meetings like this, All the horse might be owned by people that would Never buy when/if their horse wins, Talking the likes of say the Big 4 stables (in SI) etc... of course, a horse might finally win that Maiden race at its 50th try and the 20 owners all buy one!! Personally, that doesn't effect me, as I don't need to make any sales, but with on 7 races and less that 60 horses then I don't get to 'take' that many shots to add to the 100,000's of racing shots in our photo library. At the last meeting there, 10 races 'we' (Ms if in the mood takes some as well) took 1000 plus shots... For the record, I posted up 50 plus (gave away) photos via my Facebook acc, and a few in CWJ page and a couple of other Groups, those photos generated 10000+ Views etc... 2: Speaking as a punter, lol, a meeting like this is about 387,900 miles from ones I like to bet into... having said that! there will be a nice bundle of 'fifty$' in the back kick should I take a Fancy... 3: I am actually take a friend out, a interesting fella is he! early 30's, Never been on a race track in his life. lol, the fact that he was born and raised (in Privilege) in Istanbul might have something to do with that!, I don't know much about racing in Turkey! English is his 4th language, one he has a PhD in! I was hoping that there might be a bit of crowd and a bit of atmosphere, guess I might have to try and generate some of that sort of stuff myself!!! 3.1: could you point me in the direction of a winner, or two?

I heard the other day that Paul Lofty Taylor is working for the Stable, one of the 'good guys' of the Jockey colony, as the Americans would say!

a long winded reply.. Being brought up in chch 50,60,70, I understand how big the trots were here back then, btw, a time the Working Class spent a lot on gambling and beer, gambling! Addington was Way bigger than Riccarton. But, the honest truth is, the Clubs and the TAB back when it started, early 50's, both so clicked the ticket! I first saw it in person, 76, Boxing day at Awapuni, after the last, in the Main Tote, A large pile of banana box sized, full of that days Takeout!! I think takeout was just under 20%, in hindsight, that time was the end of the golden weather. The WC in NZ have been getting less, When It started, it didn't matter who owned the TAB, as long as the technology worked! cash cow... to now, I personally still love a day at the races! going tomorrow, take a fella who will be having his time ever to a Track! should be fun.

Not talking about WK. if the truth be known,.. there are not to many occupations where the Worker will put themselves through some brutal approaches to Make Weight! And still be excepted to give a professional ride! And drive there and back and eat Very little, Tough life for Some. lol, often, sigh, there might actually a few sick, but No way that they wouldn't ride with a snotty nose!

lol, historically, the question use to be "who owns the TAB", Books written on it!

my stats re the last two meetings suggest Not down this way... as show by the Big Cant Stables not being on course re the jockeys, 8 with two rides! hope they car pooled! and didn't give up other wages to attend!

yip, I've been parroting this for decades... a bit like pissing into the wind...