Special Agent

We can't match Australia on that front as New Zealand doesn't have a Gai Waterhouse equivalent who is so respected and known nationwide by non-racing people.

Absolutely we do. She is talking the common sense most of us know. I heard the CD trainers voiced their opinions at the two Roadshows on Monday regarding the closure of Woodville. Where would we be without Woodville? They took on the jumps racing, they stepped up and provided a venue when RACE couldn't provide a safe surface, and threw in some jumpouts as well.

Those clubs can get the local community onboard with sponsorship and patronage too.

Good on the club for not sitting on their hands though. Their work has to be commended. I'd like to see more clubs with energy, and backing themselves. As curious said, they need to side step contacting NZTR and put a case to the Pattern Committee. I'd also contact clubs like Matamata to see if they could share any tips on turning ideas into something, and partnering with studs, trainers, owners and businesses in their region. I'd like to say well done to Southland, and good luck.

Guess who he is employed by now, Open Bet. You couldn't make it up. Far out!! Although it really is unbelievable we all actually expect this stuff.

Entain took the NZ TAB on fully aware of the pitfalls. At the Roadshows didn't they tell us about their expertise? I thought that included computer software related aspects. They also made it clear they were customer focussed. Rightly so customers of Entain are not accepting of a substandard service when they were promised better.

Land banking?

Maybe it was the dieting she objected to. No girl wants to be told she is fat.

Something that locals are aware of in any region, just a bit hard convincing the masses. Well done Shad for checking some tracks out.

Plan B then. What is the situation with Motukarara? Te Teko not being used is a crying shame too. Letting assets go is not clever in anyone's books.

Could you ask Nick to drop Darin a line?

Rangiora and Motukarara already have the "infrastructure" and would only take a minimal amount of money to get track surfaces up to an acceptable level, compared to what has already been spent on the all weather surface. In the northern region trainers are scrambling to get grass track trial runs. They are balloted and eliminated. Look at how many northern trainers are trekking to Foxton trials.

Of note ice, clay and magnets are no longer allowed to be used on race day.

I saw that too Gammalite. At the end of the day they don't do anything different to most stables. Imperatriz is just a cut above. Most small stables use ice, magnets, swimming, walking, picking etc, too and probably are more pedantic about it and equally show such attention to detail. Chief said "Bute isn't prohibited except at levels that are detectable on raceday". That could be said for all manner of compounds and trace elements that are not proven to be performance enhancing like Vitamin B and Cobalt.

If something is a prohibited substance but you use it, you are cheating surely.

It is the question I asked. And no I wouldn't. As I've been saying, I don't understand this supposed widespread accepted use of bute on an every day basis for horses racing.

Who knows? Selfish, one-upmanship, inconsiderate, narrow minded ... take your pick.

I think everyone is having their say. I don't think there is enough collaboration between those running the industry and those providing the product for owners and betting public. The underlying grievance seems to be that not everyone wants to run on synthetic. Trials are utilised much more than in the olden days in an effort to provide a more polished affair. As Freda suggested the public expect better. More talking and consideration is required. Even Waipukurau late scheduling jumpouts Monday when Levin are running Tuesday is another example of not thinking clearly. There is room for every club to be involved and have a shot at making money but, working together would be a good start.

Roger says one of the reasons he banned bute from his stable was the contamination factor. Who are we to question his integrity? Interesting that there are regular users in NZ according to owners on here though who state bute is on their invoices as a matter of course as opposed to one off injury use. Sounds a bit like a movie plot but, another reason may be tampering. One would imagine however security would be stringent leading up to a big meeting. Possibly should not be overruled.

I know we have gone off topic but, look how the energy has lifted. Ian Rogers to Robert Thomas to Ivan Thomas. All interesting in their own right and very important to the racing industry as a whole. This is what NZTR is trying to stamp out. It will be to the detriment of racing. We are recalling all sorts of interesting stuff from a long time ago. In contrast I can't even remember what won at the most recent Riccarton meetings. Te Rapa went past last weekend and I couldn't be bothered watching. NZTR are putting me off with the hyping up of the Grand Tour, the new licencing garb and stable audits, and the inept handling of the state of tracks and racecourse facilities nationwide. I can see why we want to look back and not forward. There were more laughs I think too. I mean we are unlikely to see another Ivan Thomas towing his horse to the races with such a little car.

Did Ian Rogers train there at one stage?

See, this is something I don't understand. This is an area money must be invested into, especially if manned totes are to be replaced with mobile phone betting. Why is there such stupidity on where money is spent?

I think there is nothing wrong with bandaging for work. Sometimes they get a fright walking in and strike themselves.

What does that tell us?

We've all seen the knee jerk reactions to everything from our racing office buffs. We used to be leaders; not now. Some bandaging tips from a Davy Jones or Freda White would be gold! Such horsemanship long gone. There is much more to training than knowing the withholding periods of the aids of today. We can only reflect on times when the horse truly came first.