Fred

I think the last gallops claiming races were in the 1980's

'Goose' has had a long apprenticeship -I recall him as a teenager doing the trials and hoping for a 'real;' job.

No need for handicaps for maidens. But what is ridiculous is the awarding of points for catchweight trials. If there is to be a points rating then it MUST be done on set weights. Catchweight trials should be purely for education .NZTR are plain stupid over this.

I would like to see licensed bookmakers on course -it's about 100 years since there were on course bookies competing against the Tote at Ellerslie and quite a few years since we saw young Waterhouse fielding at Te Rapa. His old man was a true bookie, At Rosehill one day [must have been early seventies] I fancied a Copenhagen horse that had won a few in NZ when fresh, as it was that day. Big Bill had it at 200/1and I put 100 on it and watched to see what effect that had on his pricing, He turned it out to 300/1 ,gave me a smile and said 'you wanna go again?" So I did, then went down the line of others who had followed his lead and were offering 300/1 No cigar -4th beaten noses., or short half heads for the fly blown mob who can't spell noses. I do find the NZ bookies very good and have never had a bet knocked back nor been offered reduced odds -they are better than the Aussies who these days run for cover when frightened with $500 mid-week. But competition would be nice.

Tommy, with your insider knowledge re drugs can you tell me if NZTR are testing for Ecdysterone ? The price of silver beet is rocketing...............

no punters -no racing ? There are countries, inc the largest by population, with no punters but plenty of racing. It is well documented fact that in NZ prizemoney equals around 20 % of owners expenditure, Check with NZTR if you wish. Most of that 20% comes from punters via the TAB.

That's your princess on the left?

Fact -the industry is funded by the owners -not the punter For every $100 spent by the owners they get around $20 back [from the punter] -whether they get the $20 or a ribbon matters little.

Elder abuse eh? Listen up young pup, there is still a Charleston or three left.

I much prefer the Camptown races-even though they were pulling carts.

I have the headlines ready Aussie bred fails badly or N Z TRIUMPH

Had an Able Seaman mare that introduced me to steel capped boots -took a mates toe off.

At last -a post from Tommy -they are as rare as a Harvey Norman sale. P S -Frankie gets his instructions from his NZ missus.

And twice on Friday/Saturday -I recall my old mate lining one up in the 2000m then two races later lined up in the 1200m -yes, both days, and yes, won them .l.

Lasix causes severe dehydration, horses supposedly run faster after losing 10-15kgs. Severe dehydration also causes thumps in horses -a few years ago a couple of stablemates won black type races and suffered thumps

Santa Anita have banned Lasix and whip use.

He is easy to understand, just hard to figure why he is loose.

Trudi [Archer] is riding as well as ever

No Freda -it's not a subsidy, it is an unwarranted tax that is being removed.Not as unfair as churches operating businesses and not paying any tax.

Actually it amazed me how many letters turned up just addressed to 'Floyds, Auckland'

Correction -the Purple Cow not Lazy Cow -famous worldwide in Auckland in the sixties

Thommo -it was July '72 and 33000 crammed the course. Back then there was a further tote building down towards the turn. I remember it particularly well as I went with Tex Molendorf [he ran the Lazy Cow in Symonds street. I had Floyds at Market road] Tex had a brand new Mitzubuti [sp?] and we were early so got a park right up by the office. Unfortunately the alternator was crook and we were marooned there till around midnight waiting for the AA.Thus we heard the whole bizo-what a bunch of moronic poor losers [were you in that bunch Thommo? ]

How do you know ? when so many countries do not record a suicide verdict because of their religious beliefs

People are entitled to there opinion and for hundreds of years religion has been promoted by yelling from a soapbox In my opinion the world would be a far better place if there was no religion of any sort.