curious

It is NZTR policy.

Yes, at a private training facility or a club facility that meets the above criteria and has decided to allow that.

The Alert Level protocols will be enforced by the Government through its various agencies including the Police, WorkSafe New Zealand (WorkSafe) and the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI). Contact tracing is essential and NZTR requires that you download the NZ COVID Tracer App to and use every time you are at a racecourse or training venue. Participants and attendees are also now required to download or print off their record of double vaccination “My Vaccine Pass” which must be used to ensure entry to a meeting. As these are not classified as ‘events’ NZTR is not mandating a double vaccination requirement for activities other than race or trial meetings. Rather employers or training venues are entitled to undertake a risk assessment to determine whether or not they must mandate a double vaccination requirement upon their staff, contractors or visitors to their site.

That's true. Quite agree. That's not entirely true. If there are generally <15 people and no jockeys on course it is up to the club to decide that, subject to a Workplace Risk Assessment and relevant consultation.

I got another horse after an 8 year spell with the hope I could have the thrill of winning one more race before they carry me out of here in a box and so I could maybe get away for a few days with him to Marlborough or Wairoa and now if we move back south this year, maybe the coast. Most of that incentive has now been taken away and if the coast goes too, that will be it for me.

Next year! And hopefully win one this time

Very sad to hear that Jason. Even more sadly the whole game goes from bad to worse with the decisions being made.

That would be magic but most of us don't have those resources. Why do you think we use beach work? Because they have 10 minutes in the water to cool down joints and ligaments after the work? Why does Freda give my horse a couple of laps in the pool after a gallop? Why do you see super rugby athletes on the sideline with icepacks on when they come off the field? It's a centuries old recovery tool. What level you do it at obviously depends on resources but yes, you still need it in a Riccarton winter though the lower temps help. Why does Waller do it? He didn't come down in the last shower. But my point was this is nothing novel.

Chilli bin and a tube of bute.

A box of these and a fridge freezer in the tack room is a reasonable alternative for us poor people.

Been doing it since the eventing days 50 years ago. Catch up. You can buy ice at the local service station and I'd do it on the way home anyway. Sea is a good alternative when you get there.

Why is that interesting? That or something similar would be usual wouldn't it?

Yes. So, they should be able to sell back their lease and race elsewhere. Pretty hopeless staying there given the state of the track for decades now with no investment in reconditioning it like most tracks in the country.

Well if they don't have any assets then maybe they should close down and let the clubs with assets carry on.

They wouldn't unless there was some arrangement made to that effect

Don't you think it would be better for the city though to sell up and for Taranaki racing to relocate to Stratford and/or Hawera?

Yeahh, that's why I would want to own a whole horse, maybe a couple, not just a share in one. Greedy I know.

All good. True. All good!

Haven't seen any sign of that yet but maybe you know something I don't. Last I inquired the contract was to be in place last September with work beginning in January. So, what is happening?

If you want to replicate the old jackpot style bet then that's the way to do it but it would be hopeless these days to do it oncourse.

Jockeys deemed the track unsafe and refused to ride. Big costs to them too just rocking up for this shyte.

I wouldn't want to own a share in one.

Antique idea well past its use by date. Just go buy a lotto ticket.

Once from memory but I don't see the point of your question?

Yes. Have a look and report back.