Freda

You were right.

He does indeed. He does go off half-cocked at times, but this industry does need a decent cage-rattler. He should definitely be more careful from a slander point of view, but it can be very frustrating indeed trying to get sense and accountability out of management. Curious would recall the dialogue with Justine Slater about a welfare matter. That was productive, wasn't it? Not.

OK, but a step in the wanted direction?

Yep. Was waiting for something like this.

I think Col is persona non gratis ATM....

No. The 'other codes' can barely communicate with the wider public as it is...yes, initiatives are publicized on racing channels and other media but not to Joe Citizen who largely remains oblivious to the likes of welfare matters, traceability, rehoming, etc. Likewise the money spent by GRNZ on treating and repairing injured dogs before going to rehoming kennels is just not known either, talk about industries bent on self destruction. If these matter were made public, very public, it would have been a lot harder for Winston to get suckered into a backroom deal for whatever.

Just an observation...I do feel that the races aren't policed adequately, and officials- in the main - have little idea about what good or bad tactics might be or what practices are potentially dangerous until an accident happens. If you watch overseas jurisdictions, in ( for example) Japan, and the Americas particularly, there isn't this habit of 'stacking' fields which leads to all sorts of schemozzle behind the leaders. Add some who think it's ok to dive under the necks of other horses or close a gap suddenly and it's not hard to see how riders can clip heels, especially the younger ones. If races were run at a solid clip and deviations from a line strictly dealt with, the whole thing would be much safer. In the UK/ Ireland it is common to put in a pacemaker to ensure this, which i think is a good practice.

Isn't Net betting revenue the most important of all?

Look at the character it built..🤣🤣

I have a new phone which i am learning to drive...was locked out of a few places but mostly all sorted now, thanks Chief. BNZ also very helpful, had to go into a branch because the phone help couldn't, but the girls in the local branch were amazing, took them ages but well done to them! But I must have offended at Channel X. Can't login in, failed security check....? Didn't think I had said anything out of place at all, I do try not to offend.!

As pointed out elsewhere most horses bleed, many go undetected however so the real incidence isn't known. Figures of 90+ % have been bandied about though. So, while it is distressing to see a horse with blood streaming from both nostrils, it does need to be kept in perspective.

No, we reckon they came out of someone's garden along the road.

Apprentice mentor Jason Laking was injured this morning riding trackwork, as he does regularly. His mount flipped over backwards, pinning him underneath. A long wait for the ambulance and even longer waiting to clear the track. Suspected broken pelvis, ribs, and internal injuries as yet undisclosed. With all the recent discussion about poor jockeys, just bear in mind that even the 'poorest' put themselves in danger every day. Their job is not to be taken lightly.

Actually, no, it was Andre Gillett! A wee story about Batesy...he was staying up the road with one D.Browne, and was late this particular morning. Not that that was unusual. I read him the whole nine yards...unreliable, letting people down, unfair to the others who CAN get here on time, life lessons..etc..etc.. He listened patiently to my tirade, and when I stopped for breath, pulled his hand from behind his back and presented me with a bunch of flowers. Sorry, mate, he said. What can one say to that?

Yes, very strict, as you say, nowhere to hide. An excellent system, well managed and gets results. Was talking to Kylie recently, each step along the way has to be satisfactory or you go no further.

You weren't surprised?

Preformance gets right up my nose.

No.

Yeah. Spot the Kiwi. And I don't see it improving any time soon. Of interest, isn't it great to see Jaylah Kennedy and Logan Bates going so well in Victoria?

It's pretty obvious knowledge is lacking, the sanitised reports trotted out after each abandonment are embarrassingly similar, rinse and repeat has been a comment from elsewhere . But international knowledge and skills must surely be available?

I wonder if Hitabell might get a look-in?

I've always thought he was over-rated. Yes, certainly has ability, but adulated, and spoilt, while still just a kid - probably the lack of quality seniors has a bit to do with that - and it hasn't done his attitude any good. He would still be in Aus if the goods were there. The imports are giving us a bit more choice thank goodness.

We know the answer to that.

Are you BOAY'S Miss Jools?

Haven't looked and won't comment on this - but lack of ability to read a race is sadly very prevalent in judicial rooms. Jockeys used to get pulled up for poor decisions, i recall Bruce Craik ( stipe) taking all the riders in the room bar the winner and and giving them a ticking off for stupidity. Doesn't happen now - although a couple of years ago, our head stipe did tell a jumps rider he should have let the reins go.