Ludwig

Thx for that. Good to know that there are such support mechanisms in place.

Just curious to know, in this age of no faith or a multitude of different faiths, does the racecourse chaplain still have an active role? It's something I hadn't really thought about, so curious to know where they fit in.

I first met Jan Logie when she was a first year uni student in Dunedin. She is certainly capable. It seems that there will be a fair number of new cabinet ministers. I fear that racing will be one of the portfolios thrust on to a newbie. Either that, or give it to Twyford.

Good question. That would mean trusting the leadership of the racing industry to make correct and wise decisions.

With a Labour win, minus Winston, being the probable result of the election, who do you think will be the next Racing Minister, and why?

There is no need for that sort of talk. Try talking respectfully about others and discuss issues sensibly.

It's very hard to get excited about it. I know the numbers for the night are good, but....there's nothing to wet the appetite to say this is a new beginning.

Reviews and consultants and enquiries....sounds like Cindy is in charge.

Just curious to know what has changed/ improved at Forbury.? Buried on a Thursday night, poor fields, woeful stakes. The highlight looks to be Aveross Spitfire going around in race 3. So what's the plan, if any, for the place?

So it's not Mr Humphries from"Are you being served"?

Serious question....what exactly does Fenton-Ellis contribute?

It would be a tight race between the pair of them.

And at least in the gallops, you know the weight of the rider your horse has to carry, unlike some some of the "physically enlarged" harness drivers.

I have this strange knack of backing the horse where the rider falls off.

I think if you talk to many of the galloping trainers, such as Pam Robson, on the gallops site, they are quite fulsome in their praise of the Oamaru track.it is generally regarded as one of the best winter gallops tracks the problem is, Oamaru has no trainers based here, there is minimal local interest, and it's largely all organised by Gallops South based in Dunedin. This contrasts with the harness where there is local interest, it has a local committee, and in the Williamson's, one of the finest training families. So it's not the track itself that's the issue for gallops

This was from a member of the harness committee, so yes I think they feel they are safe. The gallops at Oamaru is s very different story.

I understand that there are some plans to upgrade grandstands and stabling areas at Oamaru, so it would be good to have some quality feature races to match. Just a pity upgrading the weather isn't so easy.

At least they're not sitting on the fence. But with a formline like this horses, I wonder why the owner/trainer/driver doesn't hire a capable driver for the race. It certainly couldn't do worse.

Yes, new ideas are urgently needed. I see in the comments for race 3, it is described as a very tame field....but best of all, the comments for Majestic Rose, number 13 in race 6....simply, "No, no, no".

At the risk of upsetting the locals, I've always found Hannon day to be an anti climax. The main race is fine, but the supporting races leave me with questions. Kaikoura manages several fine supporting races, particularly for the trotters. With the Williamsons in particular, some good trotters come out of Oamaru, but seldom seen here on race day.. Maybe it's time to look at a feature trotters race, or another feature, to complement the Hannon.???

If Labour gets back in, minus Winnie, who will be racing minister? My money's on someone dynamic like Twyford.

Mr Brodie's views are very much welcomed. It's called democracy, we don't all have to think the same way

I went with the time honoured plan B. Bribe the judiciary with apple crumble.

I probably need to hand my cooking driver's licence in. Tonight's dinner is not looking good, and I will have to face my own judicial inquiry,.and they are ruthless.

Unfortunately we see this problem occurring at the Oamaru trials, where trainers like Denis get in the cart. Some of them are quick to hop off come race day, but others like Denis like to drive ,.but trials are very different to race day.