Ludwig

Cracking good look from behind.

Thanks for saying that. Phil has been loyal and convincing owners to let him drive. But they want to see a winners cheque. I see he's got the drive on Our Pinnochio on Sunday. I know one of the owners and they'll be patient but for how long?

I would have more respect if it was for the Nutcracker. My debut as the Sugar Plum Fairy, was in a word, stunning.

The list of withdrawals grows by the day, and still plenty of time for more. This is becoming sad. I might have to enter my cat to boost the numbers.

The champion Mr McClellan. He won a race today. Well done😀

I wouldn't want to lock anything with some of the old dragons at my supermarket.

Re whip rules, I wonder if they should be used on people who block the shopping aisles by leaving their trolleys plonked diagonally across the aisle.!

I don't get how they can be watching the whip action of every driver throughout a race. Haven't they got anything else to do ?

He hasn't been training as long as them . I say, give him time and as the quality of his horses improve, so will the results

Exactly so, however, one of our much cherished former posting colleagues sees it quite differently...believes the starter and Brad should both be disciplined

I've got to express my confusion with the whip rules. At my old school if you got the cane from Flan, he gave the big swinging arm but the pain wasn't as sharp. Coke, on the other hand, specialised in the nasty little flick, and it reduced big lads to tears. Most stewards reports make mention of drivers using the wrong action. And I am confused as to its impact, which style is more effective etc. To this amateur it all seems very messy and confusing.

Take out the three main players, and is this going to be one of the weaker cup fields we've had in recent years? . Are there any years, in recent times, where the field is going to have so many lowly ranked horses making the cut?

Or Brendan McClellan down south

Possibly had to stop to go to happy hour.

One of my current complaints is the amount of time it takes after a meeting for the stewards report to be released.

I agree. At least Matty put his horse into the race. I would much rather that than those drivers who sit back and wait forever.

Please. The powers that be don't want to hear such intelligent and logical ideas 😀

I haven't seen the Methven races today. How's the track? Guerin was unhappy with the decision to move Orari, so was wondering if it's holding up ok.

When I was a kid growing up, Awapuni course was located next to the old style Council tip. That was a great view, fortunately now gone. The Waikouaiti thing was a shambles. It should all have been about the safest tracks which provide fair even racing. And as a bonus, I always enjoyed viewing at Timaru...easy viewing and plenty of room for the kids to play.

I suspect the word dopey may be a bit harsh. Most trainers I have met have been decent very hard working people, who are trying to look after horses, owners, staff, put a roof over their heads and food on the tables. They are just people caught up in the system and like most people, wish things were different. But where to start, who's going to take the lead etc it's discouraging, and I find the Otago /Southland situation particularly dismal. I certainly don't have the answers. I'm having enough trouble trying to work out why I keep singing the soprano role in Verdi's Rigoletto!

I'm known for being slow. She was always good to me, unlike one or two trainers at the time.lol. I hope she's well.

Now that Karrots has been officially accepted on to the third site, I hope she finds it happier for herself.

Excellent equine vet at Timaru.

The other side to the numbers seeking starts in Canterbury is the struggle for numbers in Otago/Southland. Several weeks ago with Gore and this time Winton. From an outsider's perspective it doesn't seem that Wingatui is producing the big numbers like it used to. Concerning times.

The club is racing again to- morrow. One thing that has always puzzled me is this is a club with a small population base ...yet come its main cup day in the New Year, the stakes are always very good in comparison with clubs of similar size. Any one got any suggestions as to why this is? Other sources of income, great sponsors etc. Just curious.