Freda

I fail to see what is so hard to understand. Obviously posters dont know that all stable personnel must be licensed. Ground workers, track riders( slow and fast work, separate categories) trainers ( obviously) and of course riders, either professional or amateur. All hold licenses issued by NZTR. Random members of the public cannot wander in and out of stable yards unless authorized by trainers ( feed delivery, farriers/ vets, etc).

No. I see the strike was arranged by the BHA. Can you imagine NZTR 'arranging a strike' ? And - given what I have learned from some smart people over a long period of time - the NZ Govt. subsidises racing here to a very generous extent. To then 'tax' something that it bankrolls would seem to be an oxymoron - if such a term could be applied here.

Track was in superb condition and a grand spring day as well. What a waste.

Absolutely. And despite the oft-voiced criticisms of Riccarton, the jumping circuit is superb, with well placed fences and going that is generally ( apart from the home straight) pretty good for winter.

I'm not wading into this discussion too much....but I took the announcement to mean that the 'seed funding' 10 mill was already sitting there. Extra funds from venue acquisition may - probably will - get added but that hasn't answered one of the earlier queries, where did the ten mill come from? And as was pointed out elsewhere, if it was just sitting there, idle and unused, why not fix a track or two?

I don't think I have ever condoned Wightman's manner. Yes, some of his concerns have foundations, but not his abusive or derogatory approach. Please don't imply I approve of that.

Eliot and Holdem did make an attempt to appear pleasant, however cursory. More than can be said for Ballesty.

I agree that UK jumping makes our efforts look amateurish and, although I've had a jumper or two, and love the jumpers, we can't do it like the Brits.

Wow. Interesting indeed.

Jess, I am a lot less learned than you give me credit for. I am left wondering about all sorts of things unfortunately.

Yes, good luck to him. Shankar is a young trainer going well down there also, and the resounding successes from the Timaru-based trainers are giving the middle finger to the management's notion of squeezing the south out of contention.

Fair point.

I think Head Office can diminish itself without too much help.

Well done RV.

I think there might be.