All The Aces

Evidently the six venues in July will be Counties, Te Rapa, Wanganui, Awapuni, Riccarton and Ascot Park from what I am told.

Draft calendar is out for May, June & July. Main points for thoroughbreds: Aim to resume racing on 3 July Amended draft calendar has 13 meetings at six venues Pre COVID-19 calendar had 20 meetings at 17 venues in the same period Racing restricted to four regions (Northern, Central, Canterbury, Southland) with travel of participants restricted to their regions

How does it compare with Taiwan?

The only knocking will be at the welfare department doors with unemployment predicted to reach double digits.

How so? It actually makes no difference to me personally where they are run. But I can certainly understand the rationale behind the shift to bring them North.

That may be so Chief but obviously both Guineas being run is of no importance to Mardi. He has advocated not running them.

It is relevant. Therefore you have no vested interest in either race being run and as a result no qualms about them not being run as you have mentioned a few times. Whether they run or not is of no importance to you , unlike those with rising 3yos who have been bred or purchased to race.

Well it's bloody obvious what the owners of the Karaka Millions horses want hence being purchased at Karaka. Out of interest how many horses do you currently race (ie before lockdown) and will you be racing any 3yos this season?

As previously pointed out overwhelmingly it is North Island based horses competing in both races. They will have their regular riders particularly the better horses and with travel restrictions placed on jockeys ie if they are not able to ride in both islands this will cause a real problem. Freda put it succinctly earlier in this thread. "And, if there is still restrictions on riders moving out of their district, they sure as hell aren't going to put Canterbury apprentices up." Freda is right, the standard of riding in the SI is average compared to the NI pool. If you had for example Opie or other top NI riders riding and winning on a 3yo you sure as hell are not wanting a SI apprentice up. Being practical, what do think that the actual owners of the horses would want or don't they count?

Think about it. Anyway your objection to the shift North this season is negated if horses can travel and it would certainly significantly reduce the number of horses having to travel who will be competing in those races on figures already presented. My reasoning on supporting the shift is not based on sentiment as opposed to a few others on here.

Correct. Still listed as black type on the pedigree page. RP

But if humans can't travel between islands then that becomes a different issue. If horses are able to travel thereby negating your reasoning for cancelling the Guineas races then you shouldn't have a problem with them being raced in the North Island this season.

Both Karaka Million races are Listed and classified as black type on the pedigree page.

Well they are already black type (Listed races) and agree they shouldn't be Group races. Unless horses can be transported then racing probably won't be able to go ahead anyway. As I stated horses can't get Covid - 19 therefore there shouldn't be a problem travelling them between islands. Restrictions will more probably be on humans travelling etc.

Normal is bugger all South Island horses lining up in the Guineas races and hence why there has already been a call by a number of people to shift those races North anyway but that is another topic. You seem opposed because of tradition and the fact that you like to attend Cup Week. Do you think Cup week will be open to the public to attended in November?

Horses don't transmit Covid - 19 hence they are move as in Australia. At least bringing the races North means far less a number to transport anyway. If horses can't cross the strait by November then we really are in virus trouble.

Planning has to be in place for at least the next six months. To me it is common sense to bring both Guineas to the North Island this season. As I have mentioned previously both races for many years have been dominated by North Island horses both in terms of numbers and winners. In the last 20 years 1 South Island runner has won the 1000 Guineas, The Jewel in 2002 and the 2000 Guineas, ditto, 1 South Island runner, Hustler also in 2002. Many of you advocate having racing close to where the horse population is based so in terms of both Guineas races that is without doubt clearly in the North Island. As Freda has succinctly pointed out the South haven't really supported the races as such anyway. Having had a busy working week I have just caught up on reading that other site and notice two, Mardy & Mardigras (hmm) both advocate cancelling both races this season altogether. Crazy!!! Bringing them North is completely workable providing the top 3yos G1 opportunities. Just as a matter of interest how many G1 races are run in the South Island?

Under the current circumstances it is a no brainer to transfer both Guineas to the North. Jockeys can't ride in both islands. Quickly looking at the last two years bugger all South Island horses line up in either race anyway. 2000 Guineas 2019 4 of 11 2018 1 of 13 1000 Guineas 2019 3 of 16 2018 3 of 13

As I do my punting in cash and with racing on-course in NZ shut down and TAB outlets closed I took a few tickets in the BGP just for interest and a bit of fun as something to listen to whilst making deliveries etc. The three selectors were Luke, the Goat and Neil Davis from Formpro? Would I go in again. I would probably say yes just for the entertainment factor of it all. Certainly seems to create plenty of interest which can't be a bad thing.

Not an isolated thing TFC. That's why you should bet in cash either at TABs or on-course rather than through an account.

$32 - $36 for a 20kg bag depending where you buy it.

Get your butt in here Thomas. People are in lock down. Some robust discussion and humour is required to create some interest. Can't be on here much at the moment as horse people all over the country are panic buying Lucerne chaff so working my arse off. At least I can get out and about. Some benefits of being involved in a primary industry.

Will they have to put signs up advising horses that they cannot gallop around their paddocks now.

As from tomorrow no NZ racing for the next four weeks. ?

At least we are still racing but going to miss the atmosphere. Last week at Trentham: