Ludwig

Does the CD have one decent track? I think go south to Oamaru and Timaru makes more sense.😀

I am curious to know if former leading jumps riders, now trainers, such as Cowan and Crozier are happy with its demise?

Wow, Mr Chief Stipe, you've been promoted....from tosser to TOSSER!!

And how's it looking, three days out from the next meeting? The Oamaru track is looking in fine shape😀

I don't have Trackside, but I am guessing the Riverton track today is in much better nick?

Why should Chief Stipe pull his head in? He's perfectly entitled to his views.

And I see no benefit to anyone else in the South Island,apart from a few loud Canterbury trainers, of an AWT in Chch.

And I like the idea of an Oamaru lad, now based in Southland, coming up to Chch and showing them how it's done.

Excellent effort tonight at Addington. Fourth in the cup and two fine wins. A seriously good horseman.

I was hoping someone was going to translate it into English.

Call me a cynic, but it seems like another excuse to bury harness racing in any area apart from Auckland/Cambridge, Canterbury or Southland.

So, back to my original question, who benefits? So far, the suits because they haven't got enough trucks. Do any of these groups? ....Drivers, trainers, owners, food, accomodation and other retailers? And the general public in the region...how are they being encouraged to be involved in harness racing?

I am trying to understand, who actually benefits by having no Hawera Easter meetings?

And throwing the word "spastic" around, is beyond offensive.

I agree. Especially after the community of Waimate did all the hard work of demolition/rebuilding the grandstand/admin areas. Its a real slap in the face for them.

Robertson blocked me on twitter, if that's of any help.

This Sunday is the annual harness meeting for Waimate. Excellent nominations, as usual, but I feel sad for the good folk at Waimate that, thanks to the suits, they have to race at Oamaru. I don't really see the logic. Waimate have a good track and facilities, well maintained by locals. The day is well supported by locals, and helps to keep the grassroots base of racing alive. So what happens? They have to race at Oamaru...it all seems very unfair to the Waimate community.

I agree Mr Flash. If the industry doesn't want the bad publicity, then stop providing endless choice ammo.

I remember my missus saying something similar.

I was talking to a local hobby interest owner/trainer for whom meetings like Forbury have been invaluable over the years. As he said, from Oamaru south until you hit Southland, the list of venues is fast becoming zero. People who have been the heartbeat, life and blood of the industry, are thus effectively being driven out. And that just gives the suits justification for closing more down.

It's going to be a day for some real stars. Will Whangamata finally get there at start 56,? and Alexey having start 312. Sadly it look like the races will bring the rain again.

You've been reading my warped mind. I would put Tuapeka over to Roxburgh at holiday time such as Easter where there are huge visitor numbers. And tie it in with a meeting at Cromwell.

I agree. I live up in Nelson in the early 1990s when there was a two day meeting in October. Time to put more emphasis on placing meetings where's there's genuine local interest and support.

Thx for sticking to the topic. It just seems to me there must be some creativity with dates/ venues etc.

Very impressive nominations for this two day mini circuit . Obviously very popular and it makes me wonder why this concept isn't developed further, and in other areas. For example, I've always favoured a mini central Otago circuit around Easter. Any thoughts? Or does this type of thinking not fit with the suits agenda?