Ludwig

And if Timaru finally goes, I wonder who gets the Phar Lap statue?

I would like to know what is happening to the Waimate course. Have the powers that be got their greedy little eyes fixed on a quick grab and sale?

Thanks for that. Down here, the big issue is "why the cafe is out of custard squares".

Could someone please translate, and explain what this thread is about?

A top drive also for one M Williamson. Very pleased for him and his Dad.

Guerin has a track record of getting over excited, and completely losing balance and perspective on issues. He needs his very own mute button

I think, the bottom line is that Entain are here to help their own profits.

So you are saying, we are meant to trust McAnulty and co.?

Are you going to have the same "amiable" chief stipe with you, or will they send someone who is not so hostile to the club?

So this is what the Auckland Cup is reduced to? The last Friday in May? Reduced stakes and all. How long can this go on?

Does the Westland club still want meetings? Or are they winding up operations.?

Sadly, with his height ,it was always going to be an issue. Looking ahead, he's affable and well presented, maybe theres a future career as a trackside on course host, similar to Leith Innes.. All the best to him.

I noticed today at Timaru that the steeples jumps looked in pretty good condition, and even at Oamaru, they look ok. If the Grand National is to continue at Riccarton, then I have wondered why a wee mini jumps circuit in the fortnight prior couldn't be organised. A week at Oamaru, the following at Timaru....travel incentives, plus it gives northern trainers the chance to bring a wider team, and even the odd southern trainer might see an opening. Don't really know, but unless some new ideas are forthcoming, the Grand National has to be gone.

So there are mutterings elsewhere of a breakaway northern asministration to try and tackle the problems of the north. Falling number of meetings and field sizes, the collapse of the northern grass circuit, with the exception of Palmy, the collapse of harness racing in the lower north, the shambles that is Auckland and so on. And this , they claim is the responsibility of the Hrnz board. Sure, they must take some blame. But what about some of the northern folk step up and cop some on the chin.? After all, they've got the population, the financial clout, and the whining. But contrast that with Southland, who just get on and work hard.

Question. Who is forcing Spatchcock to read your posts? If he's that unhappy, why not block them?

And a lovely tribute from Matt Cross to Trevor Wilkes prior to the main race.. a good days racing.

Nope. Feature races should feature a group of evenly matched horses, not a two horse bore fest. I want real competitive racing.

What a contrast between today's two harness meetings. At Westport theres a crowd of people, enjoying food, drink, company, and the excitement of racing. And I'm trying to work out what the excitement package is from Auckland.

So, how does an apprentice jockey get licensed? Do they have to pass tests, if so who signs them off as being of sufficient standard?

I wonder how they're all feeling tonight. Pretty lousy , I suspect, in view of the judicial hearing today. Obviously, a much loved family member, but how does a six week suspension help to compensate??

Is this correct, that there are conflicts of interest between members of the Wellington committee and the developers?? Surely not.😀

At least when he goes out to train, he always knows there will be some Dewe on the ground.

Another winner today. He's put together a very impressive record since he started training. So what's his secret? Talent, luck? And will he get given any top quality horses to train?

I do agree. Cookson and Popplewell have the same effect on me as one of my old uni lecturers. At 1p.m. three days a week he would put half the class off to sleep, including several formidable snorers. Lovely chap, very knowledgeable but zero ability as a communicator. Just droned on and on and,,,,Zzzzzz.

Just listened to his first from the trots at Invercargill today. Good call, and none of the over the top histrionics that some indulge in.