hesi

I know that, my comment was only a lighthearted one. So often the tone of the written word is misinterpreted, whereas the verbal tone is not

I thought you were being a smartarse but yes, exactly $1 million in stakes, $5K up on last year

His whole basis of form appraisal is based on who franked who. Embarrassing to listen to. That's where CS was heading lol

All those that raced against Black Caviar might think differently

You are starting to sound like Brendan Popplewell

No chance

Great ride, but yes, never went around a single horse

Drawing a long bow there CS. This debate is about the merits of a horse based on what we have seen, not on what she just might improve enough to do, which is very nebulous. Yes the fields do fall away, but there are so many good genuine G1 quality horses in Aus, that she would still be up against several horses rated well above her. It does show that these restricted races in NZ are at about G3 level, and at best our racing is at G3 level, notwithstanding that we are still capable of producing some extraordinary horses that are well up to G1 level in Aus. Let's hope that both Well Written and Ohope Wins carry on that trend. Neither has beaten much, just the way they have ability to make up so much ground. We saw that in recent years with horses like Legarto and Verry Elleegant

Same thing for all intents and purposes. Have a look at the nominations for the Queen of the Turf Stakes, the cream of Aus female racing. She is just not even close to that class

Just trying to objectively appraise her based on performances to date and she is clearly not up to G1 class based on her runs over there to date. Negativity or positivity do not come into it Leica Lucy made ground very well late to finish close up to Pericles. I can't figure out why, a horse that was classed the best 3 year old staying filly of her year, other than her first run over there, has never been otherwise tried past 1600m in Aus. Willydoit the Derby winner in the same season, also never tried past 1600m in Aus

She is doing better this campaign because she is racing against lower class horses (G3). In her last campaign she had 3 runs at G1 level and ran poorly. To aim this season for a G1, against the best fillies and mares in Aus is quite frankly dreaming. She has done well to win the Kiwi and KM, and most of her prizemoney is from those 2 races, but she is clearly 2nd or 3rd tier down when tried in Aus.

Belle Cheval already in

5 slots to fill and the cupboard is bare Here's an interesting scenario, if they do decide to run Ohope Wins in the Derby, will the connections of That's Gold consider switching to the Kiwi. Not an ideal prep, but he seems to have enough turn of foot to come back to 1500m

They also do not cater for what you could call your 'average' racing enthusiast, or those just looking for a 'country style' day at the races. Long gone are the wonderful days of picnics, boot parties and limited BYO, when the infield had thousands of such people. I would class myself as racing enthusiast but will never go back to Ellerslie. Word gets around, when a venue has some momentum going and it attracts people as the place to be. Ellerslie has unfortunately lost that, and with it many other associated flow on affects. An enjoyable picnic style day at the races will arouse the interest of a certain percentage in going again and potentially becoming involved.

Unforeseen circumstances It would appear that Well Written's overwhelming dominance is likely to see no Oaks or Derby horses tempted into switching. Hard case to make running for second. Unlikely any Aussie horses will make the trip, so other than Well Written, likely to be a poor field. But will still be spun as THE 3-year-old race

Not if you want to make money long term

I lived in Waharoa (just north of Matamata) for a while, working in the now defunct dairy factory. A group of us would never miss a mid-week race meeting in the region. Got to know a few racing people and there was always a usually very accurate tip out for a Matamata horse. That is racing for the mad keen enthusiast punter, so many of us were like that in those days, perhaps because there was not a lot else to do, other than live in the now also defunct Waharoa Tavern. I always felt that Ellerslie missed the boat when they went corporate/elitist, missing out on many of these enthusiasts and also general race-goers who just wanted a relaxing day out at the races, so now they stay at home. There is no reason why Ellerslie cannot offer both options. Many sports and entertainment venues offer the full range to meet all customer expectations, from upmarket to budget

I think the racing industry in NZ along with the various clubs have no idea what attracts people to racing, simply because they never actually find out by asking. For me, it is seeing top horses race. The images of seeing the various greats over the last 50 years will remain with me forever. But that is just me. In recent times, because elsewhere I have learnt about the concept of finding value, it has been fuller and more competitive fields. But that would not apply to many of the people who go on course nowadays

You do hear of a lot of raconteurial stuff where people swear by it for pain relief and allowing them to get to sleep

Excellent question, a day at the races has always rated highly when people have been asked what they like about racing

Where do you draw the line. Are they allowed to do this simply because it is their opinion. I really hope NZTR takes a tough line with these characters that give the impression that this is the norm for the industry, simply because a small number are so incessant with their remarks.

NZTR may very well decide to take a case against the most obvious poster in Wightman, to test the law. They have certainly signaled their uneasiness or whatever you want to call it with social media.

A very imprecise area. There are certain things in the HDCA that are pretty clear cut, but 3. would have to have a precedent such as a case taken before the courts 3.Be grossly offensive to a reasonable person in the position of the affected individual.

So, there are a number of posters, many anonymous on social media who are renowned for their personal attacks on people. How would they be encompassed by the application of the rules

Thanks, that pretty much clarifies it