Freda

It has been going on for a while, and will only happen more and more. It's not just stakes - although, god knows, that is bad enough - but the programming and dates, and the pervading lack of professionalism, accountability, and the jobs-for-the- boys culture.

Slow 9 ? wow, that's hard to fathom with 33% moisture reading by Monday. Nevertheless, the track looks in great nick at the moment, a far cry from the previous offering, good effort from the team. Long may it be sustained.

Well, yes, exactly. What is the reason for the further penalty?

Any further information on this? My understanding is that he was given the option of counselling, or not, with a longer stand down if not undertaken. The longer option is nearly up....so, what has changed?

Never good to see horses come to grief...and a breakdown as well. I have to wonder whether 'chasing on such fast ground was instrumental in the accidents.

I agree, there seems to be a tendency ( in NZ anyway) to 'dumb down' the differential in the aptitudes of horses.

This one does, he's a super guy although he never pushes his - or any - faith. He is a Salvation Army officer. He is available to offer support or arrange counselling at any time. I think, as a result of Andrew's popularity, a north island version has been installed as well.

Bottom line, both tracks have been reconstructed in the last twenty or so years. Riccarton will overlook the flaws in its turf track and concentrate on the AWT. That's all well and good, but the turf track issues remain. Rangiora has been for the chop since its own rebuild was less than ideal. A loyal group of locals have done an enormous amount of fundraising and voluntary work ( as is the case with many country or community venues) but support from the wider industry has not been forthcoming. The Cjc has given token assistance but , after assuming ownership of a portion of the land assets, the main aim has been to capitalise that asset, so financial support has been minimal.

Soil structure is very different at both venues, Rangiora is light, free draining soil, and the minimal staffing there makes maintenance matters very testing.

The verti-draining was already scheduled. Apparently water was applied Friday/Saturday, a strong norwester nullified that on Sunday, and of course, watering is not allowed the day before.

I'm guessing overnight rain on a firm track... but will know more later.

I would have thought so too. He has undergone counselling/rehab before, with the help of racecourse chaplain Andrew McKerrow. I have no doubt Andrew would be the first to stand up and offer help again - but, in the end, the effort has to come from the individual. I also know he is very keen to get the record, he's only nine away, be a real shame if he lets it slip away.

Shame, but yes. However, although these guys and gals are professional athletes and ( should be) accustomed to being in the public arena, most of we ordinary mortals have little idea what it is like, and the pressures involved, with such a public lifestyle.

Superb track at Timaru yesterday.

That'd be a perfect fit..😡

It shouldn't, always used to be under the umbrella of the DIA I think. But, if we must have one, putting partisan politics aside, Jan Logie did some excellent work on getting the new Bill fit for purpose.

Some horses were loaded in the wrong gates last Sat at Riccarton. I have my own thoughts about the whole set-up...but, wouldn't you like to think the jocks knew what they had drawn? Ye gods....

Maybe they were able to spot the slip marks?

I was grumbled at by a very aggrieved course manager yesterday who appears to have been reading BOAY. He, like many others, can't separate a critical assessment /opinion from a personal insult. For the record, if I wanted to insult anyone [ which I don't ] I wouldn't put it in the public arena. The Chief, I think, is on the mark when he comments that track managers are between a rock and hard place. With stuffed soil structures and limited funds, there is little they can do to ameliorate a situation that has been slowly creeping up over many years of under-investment.

Showers predicted and a gd 2....?

yes, but I can't give you any help wrt processes. Pitty is a member, he would tell you.

I don't see this as needing to be a 'you're wrong and I'm right' sort of discussion, unfortunately that happens a lot nowadays, in politics as well as racing, and, indeed, life. Riccarton is the premier track in the South Island, hosting prestige races and basking in the Cup Week success that showcases the best week's racing in the country. So what is wrong with pointing out where [ in our opinions ] things could be improved? Wouldn't it be great if we could all be proud of the place, instead of thinking ' if only...' That is the very mindset that nullifies progress and typifies why we are where we are in the racing scheme of things. It is documented fact that turf tracks are generally looking for remodelling after twenty years use. That some provincial tracks are in quite good condition turf-wise only reflects the reality that they don't get the use that the city ones do [as well as being looked after by farmers, but we won't go there ]. Stating that fact is neither being negative nor mischievous. Rubbishing the opinions of those who subscribe to that same fact is childish and achieves nothing. Installing an allweather will be great for training, but as to whether the [ necessary ] increased revenue happens as a result is moot. Certainly, no figures have yet come to light to show us all where these improvements are coming from. And the Riccarton turf, which will be used on those above-mentioned premier days will still have a questionable structure.

Thats the one point that you, Pitty and I DO agree on. When irrigated ( I dont recall seeing any evidence of that last week but assume that some was applied ) or rained upon the consistency is variable and the top chips out badly...not conducive to either soundness, or confidence to gallop freely. I asked a few jockeys what they thought, hard, they all said, and Racha Cuneen also added that the top inch or so was shifty. There were 12 winners and of course those connections will be non-critical. But there will be plenty in behind much less happy. Many trainers / owners cop criticism for flocking to provincial meetings on industry days and passing up the better stakes at S.I headquarters. Isn't the reason obvious?

All kudos to Pitty for his excellent record. However, the track has been the source of much concern since it was re-laid in 1998; and I understand that twenty years is the general time frame for turf tracks to be renewed. That hasn't happened, and isn't likely to with the AWT in sight. [ I don't think some extra lateral drains that don't seem to work, or some occasional sand-slitting constitutes 'renewal' ]

I know the trainers in the other side of the stable block i lease came home and administered bute to their runners to ease their discomfort.