Freda

Will be interesting. For starters, I don't see the need for a Racing Minister at all...there isn't a M for rugby, netball, motor racing, etc. And, reportedly, a former Minister, Annette King, apparently said that there was nothing she could do, whatever she might have wished, as there was never a consensus, just a medley of factions all pushing their own barrows. What is likely to change? However able Grant may or may not be, he is loaded with enough work to have racing sitting right at the bottom of the pile - as it should be - and I don't see anyone who has industry clout, is respected by all, and is logical and far-seeing enough to engage with him and actually achieve anything.

Yes, indeed. My feet got wet this morning walking across, and the sole of grass is impressive.

Was listening to a very robust tirade recently from a dairy farming couple, they would reckon that MPI don't think much at all.

I haven't heard anything of that nature, although one course proper gallop wouldn't be unreasonable going into a meeting such as this. But, given the amount of watering that will be needed to produce the 'desired' going, I don't think having horses galloping all over the track three days in the week would be countenanced at all. Counter productive, wouldn't you think?

No.

Jumpouts are held monthly up the back straight, wide out, about 500m. Horses must be pulled up before the bend.

December last year.

They do run jumpouts, yes...and there is a trial meeting scheduled in December. Years ago - and I mean years - anyone was allowed to gallop on the course proper, by arrangement, and with the payment of one guinea [ I think, may have been a pound. ] More recently, we have been allowed to have normal gallops on the course when prevailing conditions make it necessary, and trainers with horses engaged in prestige races have been allowed as well. On occasion, the course wilI be open for the Saturday's runners only. I do recall Ellerslie engaged runners being sent round reverse way, may have been Peter Williams? and I'm fairly sure Pitty has more recently had runners engaged in the north allowed as well. He will be able to confirm.

Apparently the staff couldn't see the marker peg from their position, although it was obvious from the TV perspective. The rail was in a different position from the previous meeting, and the tractor driver positioned the barriers at the same spot. Different driver apparently, and then when attempting to re-position, the gates got jack-knifed. You couldn't script it. At least the starter was held accountable [ for a change ], what the attending stipe was achieving round at the start, god knows.

The marker post appeared to be trying to hide in the hedge. Still visible, though. Wonder who [ finally ] noticed that the gates were misplaced?

D5, overnight shower, now a D4.

Yeah...Reefton will recall when they were advised to put x amount of water on a firmish Reefton track by the said gentleman. The local specialist ( farmer) flatly refused, that is a waste of time he said and it will only make things worse. The day went ahead without incident.

For sure...but they absolutely poured the water on.

Happens to everyone. The bigger operations, generally can weather things a bit better, more ammunition..but - swings and roundabouts.

Its pretty warm.

Bloody hell, Chris pissed would be safer than most of the muppets out there. ( Which doesnt justify making exceptions, I do realise )

No.

!!!

It's a kinda cross-over from your 'fillies' thread...yet another example of overall lack of foresight and organisation.

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.