Special Agent

And you know what, it is an owner's choice where they place their hard earned dollars. If you want to join a syndicate and enjoy a small share of the action, or you want to invest in a service fee to watch your choice of mating grow into something only a mother could love, or fork out for a horse of your own at the yearling sales, or try a cheap cast off on Gavelhouse .... it is all available to you and thus in taking on any of these options you are a very important part of the racing industry. My point is that nobody in the industry should be shunned, there is more than enough room for everybody. It is extremely hard for all of us to turn up day after day when the results may not be coming and the funds are running low. That doesn't mean we should be jealous of those who are succeeding. Likewise those who are put on a pedastal aren't always what they seem. Sometimes there are some not so "kosha" practices to get them to where they need to go, and they also need to pay the bills by whatever means at their disposal. Some of us on here have been in racing all our lives and there is very little we have not seen. People come and go. Really the stayers deserve a medal but, a bit like NZ racing in general they are a dying breed. So, I've sort of lost my point now. Phone calls have interrupted my train of thought. But, I guess what I am trying to say is even though we are doing essentially the same job, we are all different with different ideas. That doesn't make any of us wrong. Sharing ideas is great and debating mostly healthy. It is just interesting how people's attitudes can get in the way. A little bit of possitivity goes a long way. Weren't we taught if you have nothing nice to say, don't say anything at all.

Will there be stones on the seat?

It would be like questioning the Patterns Committee I'd imagine.

Interesting stats. I take it there aren't too many breeders who target the Golden Slipper with a two year old they have bred themselves from a mating of their own design?

To me it seems that David Ellis, Paul Moroney and Phill Cataldo all look for similar attributes when buying yearlings. You'd have to say all three are pretty good judges. Then I guess the size of the wallet becomes an important factor. For a long time Paul was well respected for buying good race horses for budget prices. Of course there are others but, these came to mind while you guys were going tit for tat.

Woodville is on top of the hit list. The venue update earlier said Hawkes Bay racing was still under review. This does not bode well for Waipukurau.

I know we should look forward, not back but, the amount of money wasted is eye watering. I always admired the harness cadet scheme compared to what was happening in galloping, back when Jack Mulcay was running it. I don't even know if it is still going. With Entain assisting with the apprentice academy there are at least three years of funding to produce our next round of riders. Everyone on here is right (well a little bit of everyone). The immediate focus should be on:- - tracks - riders - foal crops - youth involvement Everything else should follow. We can talk about the old days till the cows come home. We have to acknowledge the way the world is now and work with it. All of the old methods and old attitudes are not going to cut it.

Chief, Maybe you have a grasp of what a trainer is going through but, you have absolutely no idea of what happens at meetings and behind closed doors. Trainers of the past, plus some current ones, have just run out of steam. I don't understand the tall poppy/jealousy thing. It's hard work for everyone, not just a few. Like Freda says, the NZTR model is complicated. Even for licences outside of the apprentices. Qualifications are great for the ones who want them. NZTR have the notion that no one wants to stay a stablehand forever. I feel this information is fabricated because some people do not want the responsibility of becoming a trainer, finding clients and paying wages. Some people like a regular pay each week, they just like horses, and with all the red tape good people will be turned away and lost to the industry.

Chief, I don't think you understand exactly what trainers are dealing with in the thoroughbred code in New Zealand. Where it looks like they are doing nothing from the outside, many are grey and pulling out what hair they have left. What is that saying about walking in someone elses shoes? I have seen many try to get through, to no avail. Some will not open their mouths for fear of losing the high powered owners they have. Again, conflict of interest or not, what do you expect those trainers who are making a good living to do? Stand up and do the right thing, or worry about themselves, their businesses and their families? The strong ones are not the industry high flyers, and some can walk away and do other things. I don't see a Gai Waterhouse on the horizon for New Zealand. Not many give back either.

Possibly still hiding from previous brother-in-laws too.

Yes, it has always been hard. Now it is a different hard, and dare I say it the young of today are soft.

I think what we have to remember is that we are in a different time. Taking on an apprentice is a huge commitment. These days they are not home as much with races, trials, jumpouts, apprentice school and whatever development course is on, and they get tired and stale. NZTR seems to have much more of a say than the trainer. Also now there are a lot more requirements, ACC levies, public holiday/day off requirements, the gear is expensive and needs replacing at more regular intervals .... it is very expensive. Even getting a trackwork rider license can be a tiring and a costly exercise.

That is a good enough reason to not inspect whip site/s for welts immediately. Welts can often still be seen the next day but, apparently may not be visible straight away.

I don't know about photoshopping, trolling and the like but, I agree with a lot of what Thomass is stating about incorrect whip use and rules for same. Funny, I was having a conversation this week about how Lisa Allpress regularly flanks her mounts. Even riders with short arms can adapt their own style to not do that though. If what you say is correct, what a strange occurrence for the RIU to say the vets were too busy to check for welts. Too busy doing what, apart from vet duties?

Yes, why does every action have to be at a profit? I thought providing a service to the industry is what trials are all about.

I don't think the action of the mechanical horses is helping young riders practice with the whip. The mechanical horse goes up and down compared to the real thing. The shot above looks like a mechanical horse induced whip action.

I wouldn't have a clue. Like you I just saw Trackside there.

They sure are, and quite vicious. It seems you are a know-all too if you don't share the same opinion.

Trackside attended for a while recording all heats, some of which were shown on Trackside.

Do you think Tony Lee should be asked to replace Cameron George?

175 at Levin jumpouts tomorrow, a service that helps the punters. Funnily enough Levin is one of those tracks NZTR are hell bent on getting closed so the few million it's valued at can be put into a fund to help out the whole industry. Giving 175 a run on grass isn't classed as helping the whole industry?

Maybe not before a Group race but I think we have all been so tired we have nodded off and missed something important to someone.

Curious, we've all known the Jimmy Tomkinson's, Noel Eales's and Ray Verner's of this world. Successful trainers do not talk with such venom. That is the work of a failure or a wannabe. Freda is right. There are much more important parts to life on earth, which is a very short time to boot. We can all have a far more pleasant experience conversing with those on a similar wave length, rather than with a stunted and inferior version of a former top class comedian, because the billy connolly on here isn't even funny.

Bully for you. You know someone with money. That will not enrich your personality nor take that massive chip off your shoulder.

Who is claiming to know everyone and everything? I must say though I am disppointed, given how well you know her, at your dissing of Freda.