Special Agent

So am I right in saying the Stipe in charge at Omoto okayed the meeting to continue after a fall, then the Stipe in charge at Reefton put a stop to racing after a minor loss of footing with no interference by the eventual winner with a plate off?

I thought the same about the whipping. It is actually a disgrace to see what has evolved from then up until recently. I wouldn't dare offer an opinion on what the causes of this are but, not that hard for anyone to deduce.

His listed weight on NZTR website is 57.5kg. At Kumara the only horse he was able to ride was in the Nuggets with a carded weight of 61kg which means it carried 62kg with the 1kg allotted for the vest.

So brilliant. Great balanced riders. Proven stayers. Track as it comes.

Samasaan won the Wellington Cup for Garth on a wet track. I'd say the 150th running might see identical conditions. Apparently there was talk at the races yesterday of a Wellington Cup relocation. Nothing would surprise any of us!!

Garth is in Woodville and would possibly welcome the chance to chat. Ouch to the spurs in the kods!! But, today's spurs are toy ones and not permitted on the flat here now, another dumb decision in my eyes. One thing I'm getting out of these comments, and I'm ready to be screamed down, is the realisation that in addition to those in racing today being somewhat soft, they are also somewhat boring. It's the character and story telling that is missing. I'm sick to death of hearing how the race was won by all those at home. Yes I know it is a team effort and everyone has their part to play but, sometimes I would like a Mark Walker (for example) to accept the accolades for a job well done and not turn it into a rehearsed advert for the next lot of sales purchases.

I can see both Joe's and Nod's points of view here. You actually sort of agree. It's amazing how a fast horse can find any missing will power.

When in a constant state of wasting some weeks (and days) the kilo's are harder to shed than others, no matter what lengths you go to. Having said that, today's humans in general are somewhat softer than those of a generation or two ago. Particular jockeys of a bygone era would stop at nothing to make the weight for their race day charges, which I hasten to add were many kilograms lighter than any current impost.

The bagging of clubs certainly gets tiring. I don't feel old but maybe I am as attending galloping race meetings at Westport, Hokitika, Omakau, Gisborne, Wairoa and Thames seems like yesterday. All gone for what appear bullshit reasons, and all venues with a similar theme, all holiday hot spot destinations which served as memorable first race day experiences for many New Zealanders and overseas visitors alike. There's nothing like winning a race at Trentham yet if the Marton meeting there yesterday was anything to go by the RACE committee may have their work cut out getting attendances anywhere near those of the halcyon days for the 150th Wellington Cup meeting. Fees to attend over the next three weeks reflect the elitist thinking of current racing administrators both locally and nationally. Maybe their mainstreaming and App facilities were on the blink when the packed out country facilities were on show over the Christmas/New Year period. But wait, there's more ... the new licensing system is just around the corner. Forget about the real issues racing has like not being able to get through an entire card without incident. I take my hat off to those involved in racing at grass roots level. You keep up the momentum whatever the pressure. You create the stories and history and make racing what it is. Please do not let those "at the top" with their heads firmly up their arse treat you otherwise.

Initial thoughts are nonsense, rubbish and crap. Operating costs up due to restructuring and investment in customers. How's the latter working for them? I thought restructuring usually meant a cut to costs. There are so many marketing people involved, what the hell are their pieces of educational paper doing for the racing industry?

Sealing the fate.

The Jockeys' Association was set up by Bill Broughton and I cringe at what it has become, disrespectful to the great man. As far as the Trainers' Association is concerned, I think there are members with balls, vision and oomph but, not enough who aren't under the influence of any of their owners. Strength comes in many forms and sometimes from quite unexpected quarters. The times of Covid taught us much. Times when I was ashamed to admit I was a New Zealander. Although NZTR appeared to get racing through Covid by at least having events on, the fact they couldn't interpret the Covid Response Act correctly, mandated the vaccine passes unnecessarily and, brought in Rapid Antigen Testing far too late, in my book shows them for what they are. I share the sentiments of many on here regarding the ignorance of those at NZTR not listening to those who know. I have a truckload of correspondence as proof. However, having been in racing all my life I'm drawn to stayers and I'd never shirk the immense work they require either.

I would have thought ideas and people from within the industry must be better all round. Trying to stay positive, I have to point out that even reps from each sector group do tend to have their own agendas and it takes special leadership to keep them on common ground and working together towards a better outcome for all. It's like getting a below average horse with behavioural problems to train. You have to work with what you have to bring out the best it can produce. As many a battling trainer will tell you these horses take some outside the box thinking, mostly keeping them healthy and happy, and staying within the rules. The corporate bods spoken about above have replaced good people at club and provincial level who really love racing for what it was and should still be. These corporates are selfish like most who work for a wage and will be paid no matter what, until their contract ends. All trainers and jockeys to pick just two of the sector groups, successful or with limited results (we all know how fickle form can be), run a business and are absolutely reliant on every decision made on their behalf. So, I think my answer to your question is mostly yes. Of course it depends upon the quality of elected representation so, choose wisely. Cutting edge ideas will not come from crusty overpaid cronies, or Flash Harry's either. Too much over thinking and not enough common sense, as has been said on here over and over. Most horses that perform when moved into a new environment either do so from kindness, or a smack around the arse.

There were a couple of industry meetings about that time span back. One was the Summit Meeting, I can't remember the name of the other one.

I know exactly what those in charge are like. That does not mean you should give up on what you believe. You owe it to the industry you are a part of to persist. Children would not have chuckled along to the words of Dr Seuss and imagine the world without Harry Potter had their respective authors given up after almost 30 rejections. NASA failed about 20 times to launch craft into space, Henry Ford went bankrupt 5 times before founding the Ford Motor Company, Michael Jordan wasn't considered good enough for his school basketball team ..... etc. To talk to like minded (and not so like minded) people is great but, without action nothing will change much. If you have tried and you are now tired gee up someone with energy and possibly youth to take up the baton. I'd have to be dead to stop pulling a shirt tail or two.

Although I love Kurow why is it that this once a year venue is okay to stay over the likes of Timaru?

Nothing will change if everyone stays silent. Phone, fax, text, write or email. And don't stop!!

There is nothing stopping them from saying "In light of the feedback and obvious errors in judgement we have had a rethink and welcome any further ideas from anyone interested. No ideas too small for consideration."

If this were true WorkSafe would have a field day. Obligations to provide PPE would be basic first point of reference. It seems racing is being let down by the people who shlould know better.

Does anyone believe? I'd say "no". There is less said and done that anyone should believe. Truth and transparency do not exist.

These are stupid decisions that make no sense. Neither does the placement of meetings in the south over the Christmas and New Year period. With the distances to be travelled between race meetings (i.e. Riverton's sole meeting on 1st Jan) and the spacing of the 3 meetings at the coast it looks like a deliberate set up to fail. Surely no one could be so dumb to think these dates are good for the industry and those who work in it.

If Craig's mounts were a long last what advice would you give him to improve their chances?

The car must have been travelling at break neck speed to tip a truck with 7 horses over. Occupants on the whole must have been pretty lucky.

I doubt the club would have any say about protecting the track. What difference would a few extra races make at this time of the year?

And totally unfair to move the race out of the CD.