Freda

No idea. He told me this morning.

Sorry, I should have been more specific. I dont think it figures in the National awards. And, in the interests of accuracy, Pitty has won the National Premiership three times.

Yes, Pitty certainly did...but that was in the days before a dedicated Sth island base for TA. For a good number of years, the Guineas hopefuls and a few others were based at Rangiora early in the season but not in any great numbers. As far as all this goes, there is no 'award' given for leading sth island stable, someone will correct me if that isn't the case, so any distinction is purely academic.

Again, I don't find her comments outrageous, crazy, or anti-racing.

As a result of the Becs podcast - and a few other matters brought to my attention recently- I made some enquiries with some re-homers of horses. Gallopers, not the harnessed variety. Seems that some owners and/or trainers had the delightful habit of sending broken-down or temperamentally unsuitable horses to these people and expecting them to deal with the problems. You'd be horrified if you knew some of the names but we won't go there. That has brought about a necessary shake-up of procedure. Every horse placed at a rehoming facility has a complete vet overhaul, paid for by NZTR. Those deemed unsuitable for pleasure riding for ANY reason gets returned to the owner or trainer. NZTR has no problem with horses being euthanised, contrary to what may be thought. However, they expect owners/ trainers to take that responsibility. My beef is that the Welfare arm of NZTR doesn't get off its backside and front foot the concerns of the public. The greyhound folk now spend thousands in operations and general rehab to ensure as many dogs as possible are able to be passed on as pets. But they allowed the few arseholes who gave the industry such a bad name to carry on with impunity. And the rehabbing work was never made public knowledge. What happened to them is an unfortunate result of sitting on their hands for too long. You may dismiss Bec's stance as that of a nutter, that's your choice. But if a nice publicity video/ podcast about the welfare requirements was made available on mainstream TV, it may go a long way to shutting up the vocal naysayers.

Take a chill pill, Chief. No one on here is anti-racing. Least of all Malted Milkshake, that I can guarantee. There are bad eggs in the sport-horse and pony club world as well, and the 1000's of dogs destroyed every year is sickening. Humans aren't a very nice lot. All we can do is insist that animals reared and slaughtered for food are treated ethically, and that sporting and pet animals are given the best care possible. Obviously not all horses - or dogs- are suitable for rehoming, and that's another bucket that needs the leaks stopped.

Not so many now, but many times years ago. And colts too.

Yes, they were at one time. Years ago now though. Dont ask me what the % was.

Bollocks.

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.

What an embarrassment