The Centaur

The greatest reward a jockey can have is getting the ride on a potential champion at the start of its career. I don't know what Sam Weatherley's role was in the fatal fall but I note that George Simon has got Weatherley on Denby Road which could well do to George Simon what McGinty did to his tutor Keith Haub. Given George's role in racing perhaps not the most appropriate booking.

There are scores of different languages spoken within closed circles throughout New Zealand. Therefore there needs to be a default language so that the country can function. That happens to be English. Its also accepted that Maori is an/the official language which needs to be incorporated in the scheme of things in some instances more so than English. However that doesn't alter the fact that there has to be one default language. Years ago there was a movement around the world to make Esperanto just such a language. Creating a hybrid language as is happening now is rather a debatable strategy.

I get the impression you call people racist because of something that happened 100 years ago. That's common with people who study history, subconsciously they believe they are living in that period. No one currently living had anything to do with that period so its crazy blaming them. I would question anyone trying to rewrite history. I have never seen anyone punished for speaking Maori but no doubt there could have been instances but to make sweeping assertions it was common is not backed up by fact or evidence. Rather than blame all and sundry I suggest that the justice system and dodgy lawyers led to the creation of todays grievance industry. Non Maori would have been victims as well.

Thanks yes I agree and you are 100% right. Calling someone a racist is a pretty serious slur. Its handed out far too often in todays climate. Comparable to calling someone antisemetic because they disagree with Israel's policies against the Palestinians. I fully understood the presenters comments. I was drawing attention to the irony of thinking they had the pronunciation right but in fact worse than before. However my main point was the greyhounds which have wrapped themselves around the galloping audience on TV. I wonder if its something Glenda Hughes arranged with her TAB contacts.

So what you appear to be saying it only matters now. Where were those intentions in years gone by when there wasn't any attempt to get it right. I remember listening to the golf commentator from the UK. He is being told the correct pronunciation of a European competitor but then says "no that's not what I'm going to use. He(the competitor) is in the the UK now."

Does it matter what race agrees with you? I suggest practicing not being hypocritical.

And what stinks even more is calling someone a racist when that person has been a staunch campaigner against racism and without any knowledge of the person.

The snippet you have taken is out of context. If you bothered to read the full context the point that was being made that Otaaarki is not the correct pronounciation so in those circumstances rather than change to something that is incorrect better to stick to whats natural.

I suppose saying "Maori thing" was a bit obtuse. Should have elaborated. I meant all the carry on that is going on by do gooders ramming down peoples throats messages that are doing more harm than good. Clearly the lady in question had altered her pronunciation of Otaki but what was coming out was worse than before. You seem to have misunderstood my posting which basically agrees with your wish of better pronunciation. The rules of most forums is you don't personally denigrate other posters. Bit arrogant if you think the rules don't apply to yourself.

Its definitely not Otaaarki. It would be closer to say ortucki but that may not be 100%. What do you know about my true colours? Its you who is being racist. If I recall correctly in the previous posting I agreed with Willie Jackson. Go and call him a racist. I object to your slurs.

Trackside TV put on sock in it!!! Bad enough leaving the TV on midweek between gallops to get a full barrage of greyhound statistics from the lady. Now it seems she's been "instructed" to do the Maori thing. So we are getting Otaki pronounced Otaaaarki, Opaki pronounced Opaaarki etc etc. My advice stick to whats natural. Better still remove the greyhounds to the other channel.

Yes maybe in the hundreds. People just don't realise the effects when there is an abuser like that. When one is running a business and using one's own name it can be quite harrowing. Also it can lead to uncomfortable situations. Take the case of Chris Wood. I have always found him affable and pleasant to talk to at the races. However he is a staunch supporter of Molloy and I wonder if he is such a great mate why not just offer a bit of advice.

As one who was probably the first in NZ to participate on racing forums going back to 1994 when a forum ausrace started up from WA (Western Australia) I have a good knowledge of the goings on from then on. Leo Molloy from probably 10 years or more ago began viciously denigrating Pam. Seemed to go a few years without the insults but you never knew when out of the blue he would come up with something again. The moderator there be it himself or McKenzie just turned a blind eye so this tasman man I presume thought he was on safe ground having a go himself. Tasman man's insults quite mild compared to Molloy. So I ask. Isn't the stand taken by McKenzie a bit hypocritical? And isn't that just another reason why not just one but other breakaway forums were started up.

Might have him confused but I believe it could be Robert Dunn another who genuflects at the altar at the viaduct which is really a crime ridden dump anyway.

The latest info seems this.... Some Canterbury-based defendants charged during the Operation Inca probe led by the National Organised Crime Group are seeking to prevent the transfer of evidence from investigators to the RIB, the industry watchdog. It is possible the High Court will eventually rule on the matter, but for now the argument is confined to the district court jurisdiction. Judge Raoul Neave, who is presiding over charges stemming from Operation Inca, said counsel now had until July 29 to make submissions while the RIB had until August 26 to respond. Neave is expected to consider the issue again in September. ___________________________- So it seems something should happen in September. At the same time why are the defendants so defensive?????

Its not me thats doing the "beat up". All I pointed out was that the presentation of information e.g. form writeups and trackwork reports was misguided and offered ideas on improvements. Offcourse there are those who always go with the status quo and personally beat up the messenger. I hardly think Te Akau are the slightest bit worried or require "apologists".

There is plenty info on the internet on weighing mostly pro. From a punting perspective its important to know when the information is helpful. Certainly when a trainer has multiple runners in a race its something that could be useful. Highly unlikely in low stakemoney race the trainer would have all runners 100% wound up.

A couple seasons ago the Ellerslie track was relaid, resown, regrassed ..whatever and the 6 foot drains the horses galloped into removed. At quite some cost. Amazing how the corporate spin now works. The measures were only "temporary" and the underneath drainage work "needed done" for the new development. If Ellerslie can afford extra stakes (still paltry) why can't they just say where the money is coming from and not pat themselves on the back with the "new Business model"

Touched on this previously. But as far as information goes why is it such a taboo subject asking the trainer how the weight of a horse is trending. In Hong Kong and Singapore and I daresay several other jurisdictions this information is official. Don't think I have ever seen on the Te Akau website which is supposed to have "so much" information any mention of horses weight changes. I have heard several times in interviews that Te Akau trainers regularly weigh their horses.

Anyone involved with a number of horses learns to make a quick assessment and in a matter of a few words relay the most relevant information. After the race Mark Walkers first reaction to interviewers was the Tuesday trackwork. The trackwork would not make any difference to odds but it could have an influence on backing another runner to beat her.

Mark Walker might not have Richards communication skills but he is still better than many other trainers. Now after Imperatriz's win we hear Imperatriz worked brilliantly on Tuesday. Going back to the trackwork report from Matamata the description was Imperatriz worked steadily. No mention about the Tuesday trackwork on the Te Akau TV. How come these items only surface after the race.

Well listening to the Pops/Walker interview I did hear he mentioned his best chance was Bell Of The Ball which kind of didn't help the multi's. Was unlucky though as hung badly inwards when mounting winning run.

Chief, You proved my point. The write ups look suspiciously done by someone in Australia. Not even one quote from the trainer.

In the UK which is miles below NZ when it comes to publishing info hell they don't even have published barrier trials they at least have a very useful tool called stable tours. Usually annually the trainer assesses his individual team members quite often pinpointing the target races along with individual quirks. Could be much better buts its a formula should be followed in NZ. Don't know why Dennis Ryan hasn't cottoned on to that. Each assessment should be accompanied with a photo. There was a very popular publication years ago A5 in size with a photo usually highlighting horses expected to come into form certain times of the year.

With multiple horses running in races the Te Akau horses are becoming like numbers in lotto. There is little background association e.g. like Ocean Billy with its owner. Thankfully the days when every horse was prefixed with Te Akau are gone but there still isn't the uniqueness to each horse. There is plenty information a trainer can give out surely one can figure that out.