Freda

yeah, didn't see many races but did watch Hazel Schofer win one by about a dozen lengths. Any moderately competent rider would have scored on that horse. But, good on the girls, we'd be in a parlous state without them...and the imports.

And, to add....i don't have faith in the maintenance being able to maintain consistency. Would love to be proven wrong.

Sounds idyllic. That's tiered racing done properly. Was talking to Gunner Nyhan not so long ago, he left years ago with Jan Cameron ( jockey) to ply their trades in and around Alice Springs, I was gobsmacked when he told me the stakes in the regions. I have never been able to understand why successive administrations have not been able to look at the best system in the world and learn. The UK has fantastic history and prestige, but stakes for the lesser lights are poor by comparison, and the various Asian regimes have little in common with our geography and history. Australia most closely mirrors NZ in terms of development as a nation as well as the mix of ethnicities...but boy, have we made a mess of our racing structures.

Can't disagree with any of that. What is so gutting is the fact that, over the years, there have been so many good ideas floated - yes, and a fair bit of crap too - but nothing has been taken from those ideas that has made a difference.

Should....but the outfit it so close to broke that it's not possible. I get what you and Joe are saying...it's just that you have have to tailor your suit to the cloth...or however that goes. Better half a chance than none. ' Tiered ' stakes are a nonsense anyway in NZ...there isn't the population or system to do it properly, hence stupid anomalies such as highlighted.

Yeah, well, despite the glowing reports from Rita/Tab about stakes allocations being at least at pre-covid levels, I think it would be fairly obvious that there isn't a surfeit of money. Add the extra cost of the very welcome free starts and starting incentives, and think the option is a modest stake or none....but at least you have the chance to earn a few more points and miss the cut next time. Scratching without penalty is probably a bridge too far! I'm normally very critical but , as an owner, it is just such a relief to get a payment ( albeit small ) instead of a bloody bill.

I always wondered why Bart relocated to Sydney. Guess you just enlightened me as to that.

consistent footing is the big issue...if it is the same all round, it matters not if it is hard, soft, or anywhere in between. It is the fluctuations that do the most damage.

True.

Have a heart, team....he still has a family. They must be mortified with all the publicity and chit-chat. Surely we don't need to dine out on this for much longer?

From a completely subjective viewpoint, training while this ' game changer ' is built is going to be a nightmare. We have just had a patch of very settled weather. Grass gallop tracks have dried up drastically, to the point where any horse slightly vulnerable will take the skin off their fetlocks during work, even bandaging is not totally successful. The plough ( our saviour) has been brought back into use. This, our godsend in dry weather, is going to be lost to us. Fine, you may say, but you'll have the allweather to work on. Not for the six or more months it's going to take to install. How 200 - odd horses can be adequately fast worked on rock hard and rough inside grasses horrifies me, even if we are allowed the course proper, it will still be pretty hard for the period involved.

I am told ( not sure how accurate is the information) that Riccarton will be attempting to borrow against the capital realised from the housing development. Of course, borrowings have to be paid back.....

I imagine, that the RHC would be quite OK with the venture, esp as it should help the financial viability of the venue.

I've posted content that, at times, I wish I had thought through better, or perhaps re-phrased. Surely, the poster can apologise, or re-post in a less provocative manner? that should be sufficient to negate any threat of litigation to that poster. As for the website owner - he is fully prepared for any fallout.

As for Covid-19 being responsible for downturn, Curious and others have pointed out that Rita has been able to keep operating on Australian racing without being required to pay out any stakes or fund significant broadcasting costs. If anything, things should be looking marginally better, not worse.

Yes, I agree, spanks of 'keeping out the peasants' . Anyway, with today's modern systems of communication, etc, one doesn't need to be on course to do, or organise, something nefarious.

OK, I get it now.

I've had both abusive phonecalls and emails from Leo [ quite a few years ago ] one of the threats being that ' he will rub me out, I have friends in high places'. So, with that threat in mind, I showed some evidence to the Racecourse D at the time. A friend of mine, also on the end of some colourful vernacular, had the presence of mind to record the abuse on his phone and also played it to the same Racecourse D....who laughed. So, for that reason, I am pleased he has been 'muzzled' for now. But, from the other side of the fence, I can't see how the RIU have any jurisdiction at all over an unlicensed person. I don't get it.

Another hypothetical question - given that the subject of the discussion is an 'unlicensed person ' what right does the RIU have to take any action at all? And how can he be obliged to pay a fine and costs ? surely, he can just give them the middle finger and walk away?

Stop wriggling. You've apologized and asked for the post to be removed ( beats me why but there it is) so I should think that would protect you against whatever action you think might happen. What a storm in a thimble.

Effing hope so.

I'll try and find out...how, I don't know, because there won't be an honest answer if it is not a good look. As far as pre-race goes, they only test Grp and listed race runners as far as I know, and I can't think of one here this year in the pre-lockdown period. None after, obviously. Hard for the officials at Riccarton, though, as there is no allocation of stalls. They wander around aimlessly asking ' have you seen xxx ' Definitely swabbing post -race, though I can't answer as to what happens to those swabs. I would like to think all is above board. I remember, a few years ago, having the constabulary at the stables one race morning to test a runner in a listed sprint. We wandered out to the yards, caught the subject, took bloods, and off they went. I could have done anything to him once they'd left the premises! I told the vet at the races later that we brought out the drugs once they'd gone...but he knew me well and just rolled his eyes.

Possibly...not sure, I'm often 'touting' for interested parties.

She won her maiden on a good track, but with a quarter-crack that has dogged her from day one, very firm ground would not be a great idea.

Yes, she is good to follow...and developing all the time. She was an underwhelming youngster.