curious

Yep Grant rode her for that win but Chris also won at least 3 on her. Wonder how his heel is healing and whether he'll be back.

Yep and he and Jane were both still riding work here 18 months ago. Didn't look too fat to me. Might have worked a few for Freda at Riccarton too for a couple of weeks.

Good that you found the committee members hot and hospitable. Any in particular?

Was the revenue down?

Footing looks super

I heard there was supposed to be an update by 7am. Who is the course manager there?

Has he? Any report from whomever rode the gallops this morning?

Pray you are right. Has the secretary walked the track then?

Hope you are right. First hand reports say very slippery and probably un-raceable unless they get much more than the forecast shower or two overnight. . Have you walked the track?

Maybe relocate the meeting to Reefton?

Too much coal dust again? Still be a good party.

Wasn't expecting Jimmy but wondered if Walshie was there. He knows a thing or two about those coast circuits.

Stipes report now says "MADISON ROSE (T Moseley) - Lost the right hind plate in the saddling area which was unable to be reattached due to the mare being fractious. Lost its footing rounding the final turn near the 225 metres with the left hind leg having slipped.

Nothing makes sense. I'm looking forward to seeing Reefton's chronology of events.

I presume it stepped on and lost the plate between being saddled and the plate inspection. Would be pretty obvious to trainer and staff when you walked it out otherwise. Pretty sure the farrier is always at the start here so could have removed the other plate there.

I think you and I both have a track record of not supporting races being run where tracks are suspect or dangerous and certainly not by sending horses and riders out to test their safety. From my observations though and info to hand, this was not one of those cases. How the hell did a horse get to run with only one hind plate and how could a track inspection before the first deem the track as safe and one after deem it not with no evidence of any horse slipping?

Was probably out there the day before coaching apprentices how to ride it.

Are you saying that Mouse and Max were pro the abandonment?

Two separate issues in a way and nothing to do with an assessment that the track was unsafe but I fail to see how a horse with a missing plate was noted at the plate inspection and allowed to race without being sent back to either be re-plated or have the other plate removed and get stewards' permission to race without them. Never seen that allowed anywhere in the world and a very dangerous precedent set in my view.

It's essentially the jockeys' call. Are you saying that was over-ridden? It's not taken lightly. Many have traveled and they lose a day's income though safety is of course paramount.

Even then, why would you bother trying to hold it?

Ludwig probably should check with his Mrs. on that.

So, you wouldn't be concerned if they had say a steel plate on one side and aluminium on the other? Or a worn plate on one side and new on the other?

Be like driving up the mountain with chains on one side and a regular tyre on the other wouldn't it?