jess

I don't disagree with some of the observations here but I guess I don't find them bad enough to burst into print here and complain about the guy. I like the quality of his voice and most things about his calls. I am not a big fan though of the wee segment they seem to do now where he talks to the Trackside host as the horses parade pre-race and comments on each runner. It reminds me of the old txt msgs - maybe he only has 160 characters (or 15 seconds more like it) to comment. It's the format rather than Tony that is the issue but I find there's not usually anything very insightful beyond what you can observe for yourself. Maybe they should just let the guy use the time to prepare for the call & suck on a soothing lozenge (or should I say sneak another durrie if he hasn't given that up yet ?). All the best to you T Lee - I haven't got anything racing just now but would be happy for you to call mine. Just make sure you do cover the back half of the field though - I live in hope but mine have been known in the past to occupy those positions in a number of races ...and if you don't call their name, I'll be worried sick that they've broken down at the 600. J.

That's it in a nutshell I believe - and a bit of publicity drummed up to boot. They know precisely what they will have to pay out - so it's a calculated risk - and more calculated than risk. I wouldn't think they are talking a huge amount of money ...

I like to hear about every horse. Because I listen to a lot of races on the radio while I am outside (sometimes with my own horses). I also like to hear about the breeding of the place-getters. But I do understand there are time constraints and in the rush to catch them jumping at the Dapto Dogs, Woolloomooroo trots or the Tullamarine Toad Jumping - there might not be time.

I doubt the guy even liked or was interested in racing ... not a very good starting point really ....

Rockit - a kindly word of advice given the contents of some of your posts and the fact you seem to be a new addition here with a recent flurry of posts on this subject.. From what I read - Mr Cole may already be facing some allegations in regard to interference with witnesses. If you are in fact Mr Cole - or acting (posting) at his behest - this may present some further difficulties for you/Mr Cole. Now I don't think it's the Chief's style to deliberately expose his members (unlike some people elsewhere ...) - but should the feds come a-knocking on his door with a search warrant he may have little option. Rgds, Jess

Some insightful points made by Freda IMO. That is one of the big disappointments about the inept and self-serving "leadership" the industry has been subject to (victim of?). Many pockets have been well-lined courtesy of exorbitant salary packages -but they've done us no favors in projecting ourselves as anything worth supporting/saving/investing in.

Ae, Freda. And he says it in that calm, wise, laconic way of his. No drama or histrionics - just the plain facts from someone well -placed to know them. Quite grim, really .... (and just makes me realise I'm almost certainly a mug to still be breeding to race ...)

4 kg and the blinkers off ... and around he goes again tomorrow . .

Legend.

All the very best to Richard .... very distressing times for those close to him, I'm sure - hopefully he'll respond to the treatment and get through this ok. There but for the grace go all of us who handle these beautiful but flighty & powerful beasts. J.

Too right. Top horsewoman, is Jo. I know there are a number of people who have played a part in the horse's success but IMO this is where most of the accolades should land. Fabulous result for her. J.

Thanks Mister Mustelid. Interesting. Lots about racing & housing projects - not quite so much about their future as a stud farm standing stallions & providing services to the breeding fraternity...

Mustelidus mightiness - greetings to you on a Sunday morning. I emoji'd you a ha-ha for this post .... but I've got to say - that Rogie anecdote is funniest from a distance. If I was the client in receipt of that comment - I possibly would not be so quick to reach for the ha-ha response ? What's news Weasel? Trust you are well. I do think of you each time I set my Doc 200 pest trap - specially designed for rats & mustelids ......?

Bruce Herd. Was engaged by the Kamada operation out of Palmerston North breaking in, pre-training and the like - had heard he'd since moved on however. Anyone know what he's up to currently?

The reasons for garnering only 2 noms is one story. But Rogie's actions not uncommon at all. I believe the likes of Kevin Gray has often opted for races where he may otherwise have trialed a horse. If I was the owner I would definitely want to know though! - and the punter probably should too! I have noticed in the past Rogerson has had a pretty drab strike rate and maybe this accounts for it (in part, at least). As for the comments / criticism re Rogie - I don't know him personally or a great deal about him beyond what is in the media. But isn't it Team Rogerson these days? So maybe any demise is not his to be shouldered alone?

Greetings to you Hedley! - yours is always a welcome presence here. I hope you are wintering well, Sir. J.

It's just becoming ridiculous. No better in a junior drivers' race in the other code I saw on TV last night. And yes - the horse who was thrashed won by a head. The commentators seem to studiously ignore these thrashings (on instructions not to draw attention to it??). I don't want to repeat myself as I have commented on this crap before & the need to forgo races for these transgressions. But hear this: all you highly paid administrators (and yes - I call you administrators because you do not display the qualities of leaders) - you are doing all of us in the industry a disservice by your inaction - your weakness, ineptitude & your lack of foresight & simple decency. And despite this you will all still whine & gnash your teeth when the "greenies" (the sort of term your lot would use) try to shut it all down. Wake up and maybe go spend some time with a horse today - up close & personal (not in the corporate box or via the big screen). Look in that eye -feel her breath on your cheek. Then visualise that animal being thrashed 30+ times as hard as you can, when she's already trying her heart out. And hear this too: the people who object are not just your despised "greenies" - they are right-thinking, practical, intelligent, invested horse-people like Freda. Start listening. And bloody well do something.

Weasel, thank you. I'm sure I'm no more so than most of you here. You only have to have had horses for a while to understand how you can pour everything into them - heart & soul (not to mention bank balance) - & quite often they will defy all of this & find another way to break your heart. Whether it be a promising 3y/o sustaining a mysterious but career ending injury before winning a race, your best racehorse going unsound, a long awaited foal destroyed at birth & then there's those times when you are let down by people to whom you have entrusted your pride & joy. And this is just me! Friends have had as much, if not more heartbreak. But then there are the friends with the multiple group 1 winning home-bred .... loved sharing that joy with them ...and I continue to have my secret dreams that one day that might be me. Best wishes to you all, folks.

Just wishing Cambridge Stud, the owners and most of all this lovely horse all the best. Bad stuff can (and does) happen to horses who have the best of care. As far as the comms from Cambridge to date - a master class in PR in my opinion. Good chance I'd say if he recovers that they won't risk him again down under. Lovely horse - out of my league fee-wise but didn't stop me admiring from afar. A hard start for the Lindsays but they will cope with this. Best wishes to all concerned. J.

Greetings Freda Nah - not digging any dirt or casting any nasturtiums ? - just thought they've been pretty quiet for the time of year - and reflecting on previous news about them selling off stock & land and not planning to stand further stallions. Just wondering where they are at this 2019 breeding season... J.

- on an illustrious training career? The Gray property on the outskirts of Palmerston North featuring in Real Estate listings. If retirement is nigh - I hope it is long, healthy & fun-filled. All the best to you Mr Gray. Jess.

Has anyone heard any news in regard to The Oaks?

No I don't think it is that simple Kopia ... and I def don't think bigger is better in the thoroughbred. But if I had a tiny mare it would feel like tempting fate to put her to a small horse ....

Looking forward to the stallion register arriving - thought it was due out this week ..... Interesting when using the software to consider various matings how different the results can be ... plugged in one stallion to my mare's pedigree and G1 told me excitedly it was a 20-20 mating and I could see some merit in it too. Same horses into True Nicks software yielded an underwhelming "C" rating ... Hmmmm ... back to the drawing board. Quite a few new stallions - many stallions now are sons of High Chap. Nothing wrong with that .. unless you have a High Chap mare of course ... Any thoughts on the new horses? Thought the Valachi Downs horse US Navy Flag looked pretty exciting .... am I correct in saying he is quite a physically small horse? J.

What pedigree consultants here are worth their fee these days? I'd be interested in getting an opinion from one but I'd want to have some confidence I was investing in some reasonable expertise. I know stud masters just want to sell services to whatever stallions they stand at the time - but I would love to see more of a long term commitment to breeders. Would like to see studs who stood certain stallions publishing stats/making recommendations about broodmares from those stallions and what they would be well matched to. I do appreciate the studs whose sites offer Siremate/G1 software - but I feel they have their limitations. It would be great to see Haunui suggesting matings for Iffraaj mares, Cambridge for Keeper mares - Windsor Park for High Chap mares & so on. Rgds, J PS: interesting post All the Aces - & good on those over there who bred to that horse at the early $11K fee ...