Freda

Looked again...this time managed to get to the right section. Not good reading at all. All the same, I'm surprised the writer hasn't been threatened - or has he?

You won't get one.

I did have a look early this morning but got bogged down on matters trotting for some reason.

I was standing with Kelvin Tyler during the running of the middle distance race, he was frowning at his runner parked 4 wide no cover under the 4-claimer Yong Chew....he needn't have worried, it just kicked arse! Some good performances on the day. The Redwood filly of the Wilsons' looks talented....and Kenny had a good day too, lucky he got his S I passport updated.

I felt she might be suspect - at that level - on better going. She's run 1.10 and change, but at no stage was she ever going to threaten those proven good sprinters. She won her maiden on firm ground...but that lot weren't maidens. She's a genuine little performer on suitable going, we will just have to be careful where she runs, that's all.

Pity I hadn't checked in earlier, I could have given you my thoughts about the firm track and how she might cope. She didn't. After a good enough effort first up on heavy going, she couldn't muster the pace today. She's dropped a heap of weight too, is still furnishing and can go to the paddock.

I'd agree....but they will have their systems sorted for next time.

I did hear that her big patron ( McAlister? ) is very unwell, and was retiring those older horses referred to, and relocating others to Aus. I also heard ( not sure how accurate the info ) that there had been some upheaval in personal situation. A bloody tough game at the best of times, without other stresses getting in the way of focus. I'm sure she'll be back on top of things eventually.

Riccarton level 2 No patrons.

You wouldn't think so. However, on one occasion, when the weather precluded a day's racing on the West Coast, the offer from another local club to host that day was scuttled by the TAB's refusal to oblige. Reckoned they couldn't shift operations at such a short notice. [This was not the same situation as more recently, when Reefton's kind offer was refused by Kumara.]

Yeah. And, even if best case scenario has Auckland out of level 3 ( which I very much doubt) level 2 will be here for a while. So just make a bloody decision, ffs, do what is the socially responsible thing, reduce personal contact, eliminate potential points of infection as much as possible, and stop sitting on hands wondering what to do next.

Either way....there have to be cases all over. Testing rates have been allowed to dwindle and society has become complacent. Not to mention 'escapees ' from quarantine, and planeloads of people from all over the place pouring in...it is to be hoped that management protocols in hospitals and aged care facilities have improved, for the sake of those vulnerable souls.

Most will be a lot more than ten...and there are no bigger rooms.

I feel there has to be more positives, too...not that doom and gloom has to rule, just common sense.

Yes, I agree. I'm trying to get some direction from CJC management about the hospitality suites for Saturday. Commonsense says that social distancing can't be practiced in rooms the size of a couple of loose boxes...so make a decision out of consideration for those folk who have to travel. That needn't affect the day's racing, unless a closed - door stance is required...and even then, we were racing carefully and - IMO responsibly - under level 3 prior to lockdown.

Morally, that has to be a good thing. After all the negative publicity the feeling among many is that the remaining two would not go ahead anyway.

I don't know what is worse - those participants ' hanging in' while fully aware of the downhill slide we are on...or those in blind denial of what is actually happening. There are few at Riccarton [ that I have heard ] that seem to have any idea how bad things are, or how the 'bailout' was not the game-changer that they think it was. Even our administrators think that we [ racing ] pay so much tax to the govt that we are entitled to yet more assistance.

They will need an additional 6 mill plus for the Riccarton one.

And, yeah, a Strathayr would be brilliant and much less disruptive to normal work.

A couple of years ago, there was a meeting to discuss the allweather ....in principle. The idea was that closures of provincial tracks - except Ashburton - would take place to make the new track financially viable. Most agreed not to dismiss out if hand, the consensus was that it would never happen and therefore a bit of research would do no harm. The only one that I am aware who has been positive all along is Pitty...most don't care. Now, however, the reality of the disaster for trackwork that will ensue, is hitting home. One trainer thought he would relocate to Greymouth, another to Waikouaiti for the duration. Most dont have that option.

Well, it won't be benefitting trainers while it is in the process of construction.

There are three commercial studs close to Christchurch, and another two in the greater Canterbury region. I don't see much in the way of 'economic benefits' to those five operations. Those trainers not at Riccarton are based at Rangiora, Ashburton and Timaru. Many will be disadvantaged severely, not aided, when their local tracks are closed because of the allweather. Farmers in Canterbury mostly breed cows and sheep.

Absolutely - who is responsible for that b/s?

The evergreen CWJ. Wonder how long he'll keep going? Word is that once he reaches the all-time record, he'll hang up his boots...but who knows?