Special Agent

Rumours are abound regarding Trentham. The halt to the major developing there possibly gave the track a reprieve. I haven't seen a "save our track" campaign yet but, it wouldn't be a surprise. How can the state of the place (track and facilities) be attributed to anything other than bad management? The first mistake was joining RACE. Awapuni have a beautiful new race surface and a new bar. Trentham has little land left to sell, earthquake prone buildings, not enough tie up stalls, box doors that don't safely shut and a patched up course proper. Ask yourself.

Racing lost an enthusiastic racing benefactor with the passing of Kevin Pratt. The starting gates were one of many ventures sporting the Kamada Park logo. I'm sure there will be a North Canterbury equivalent who will save the day.

Can they apply to the Safety fund for starting gates?

Are there a number of thoroughbreds trained there too? Isn't this duplicating an Aussie template?

It looks like supply and demand. Jumpouts are a rule unto themselves in the north. Why can't Rangiora run jumpouts with the distances trainers want? How is Rangiora any different from Waipukurau? Both tracks closed for safety reasons but, one back racing.

Ellerslie and Trentham used to.

Does anyone know who the black arm bands were for early in the programme either Thursday or Friday?

5 of the 6 are central districts tracks. Foxton should have been considered to be back racing before Waipukurau.

Do they go to clubs?

One thing that could really stuff Awapuni's return to racing is rain. I think April is supposed to be fairly settled though.

There were 3 heats I think at Awapuni on Monday, 120 horses at Levin jumpouts on Tuesday, about 80 horses at Waipukurau on Wednesday. There are races at Waverley on Friday and races at Wanganui on Saturday. It seems plenty of horses looking to run on grass, and for now, getting that opportunity. I don't think anyone should have to suck it up and run on synthetic. Trainers are said to be weak. Maybe not so weak in CD. Looks like they've voted with their feet to me.

All a bit pathetic. With all the problems of the world we have children name calling.

Does Denis not train there now?

When you look at how the major clubs have had handout after bailout it is disgraceful how the smaller, much needed facilities are left to their own devices.

That's a lovely story. There is a lot more to people than what you see. Life is harder for some than others, yet you'd never know. Joanne has done a great job with her horse, good on her. Wins are great, wins at Trentham are special. Let's hope we can race on the track for a bit longer yet.

Have we seen this somewhere else? Feelings and actions against the sale of Rosehill Gardens are pretty amped actually. There are some heavy hitters in that group. Voting for the 11,500 members to decide on the racecourse sale has been delayed and there are anomalies galore. The sale price is being questioned, along with the eventual buyer's identity, what portion of the $100million loan will have to be paid back to the state racing body and whether it will be a housing estate or merely rail infrastructure. All is not as it seems. Back in Waller territory a reporter at the Horowhenua Chronicle must be reading these posts regarding Foxton as he/she has the racecourse nearing a return to racing. I haven't seen anything on loveracing yet.

Without seeing it this makes no sense but, I'll take your word for it.

Interesting to see Chris Waller has some reservations about how the money from the sale of Rosehill will be used. Proceed with caution.

If the racing "industry" was your business and sole income for you and your family, how would you view it, and what would you do to make it generate money for your survival, ruling out any potential handouts?

That Riccarton woman must feel flattered as you give her so much attention. Your mention of her sleeping arrangements suggest you must be lacking something warm and non verbal to snuggle up to. I think you are on the wrong channel to find what you are looking for.

Some of the tracks the suits want to close are of little value. It doesn't take much intelligence to work out selling the small tracks to fund the bigger tracks is a recipe for disaster. The funds would go into a big hole and take out the current saviours of racing (i.e. actual courses to race on, and note how grateful all are to have somewhere to race even if substandard). The puppets on Sesame Street make more sense.

Next week's CD fixtures:- Monday- Awapuni jumpouts Tuesday - Levin jumpouts Wednesday - Waipukurau jumpouts Friday - Hawera races Saturday - Wanganui races Either the horse numbers are such that there is a real need, or this is overkill. The horse ambulance driver is going to be on overtime.

NZTR indicated at a Road Show that they were willing to invest in upgrading the irrigation system that is in place at Woodville.

If any track is going to be resurrected for racing Foxton is the obvious.

Stratford track surface looks amazing. All the facilities look as though a race meeting could be run at short notice.