Freda

more money to be sucked out of the pot...

I think I already knew all that..but it looks worse in print.

Yeah to all the above.....mostly....but I've had more response from Saundry ( very little ) than I ever got from Purcell ( nothing). You'd think even a moderate P.A. could flick a standard ' thank you for your email ' response, or answer the occasional phonecall. And the disgraceful waste of industry funds trying to justify b/s when pursuing Kevin .Morton was astounding behaviour. My big concern all along while the RB/Rita has been in the headlights, has been the likely lack of change at code level. Harness has it's own problems but I've always felt that they manage their share of the pie in a more equitable manner than we do.

Yeah. I mentioned that a while ago somewhere. Another layer of administration...wtf.?

Can you imagine what these [reduced] courses are going to look like after several racedays in the wet?

Thanks, KiK.....I'll take a raincheck on the chocolate tho and substitute a few rums. ?

It's a 'projection' which doesn't mean that it has happened....and it may not.

Yep. it's been out of kilter for years, and, as said, those pandering to that model will squeal if their 'superiority' is threatened. The forbears of one of my very good owners [ H.C Greenwood ] took the famous Gloaming from Christchurch to Sydney to have his first start in the AJC Chelmsford Stakes. That would have entailed a boat trip, no mean assignment for a novice galloper - but he duly obliged. No doubt granddad had a punt too...but does anyone seriously think that such a herculean task would have been undertaken if the money and prestige had been here? NZ-ers accepted, then, that the bigger population/economy enabled better money, and also the chance of a decent bet. You have to question the intelligence - or veracity - of those who hollered recently about 'rising stakes'....however, no doubt they were able to purchase nice new yearlings on the basis of that......

If that is the case - and I'm not saying it isn't - then the removal of form information and reducing the ease of betting for older enthusiasts isn't the best way of doing this. Fumbling around in the dark.

Which funding level was expressly directed by Winston as I understand. Doesn't show a lot of comprehension on his part.

Wow, that's clear.....not.

For the track staff. If training facilities aren't supplied, there wouldn't need to be so many groundsmen.

Hastings does have incumbent trainers, although not sure of the scale.

Yes, it has happened before, once a circuit is split up it eventually flounders to non existence. What I cant comprehend wrt Rita is why it hasn't addressed the pivotal point in all the restructuring which was the outsourcing. All the rest is pointless without that.

Special horse all right. Has there been any info. from the autopsy as to why he had the odd paralysis?

Absolutely.

Poor guy...wonder if his ears are burning......

Yes, I dont profess to be an expert, but in my experience an afflicted horse never improves, the only change is for the worse.

Oh dear.

I'm not trying to be smart here...but I thought it was a well-known fact?

Yet we in lil ol' NZ can warrant three....hmm.

Agree, great spot and always good atmosphere with happy crowds. However, I think both clubs are facing personnel problems, i.e. the difficulty in attracting keen, young committee people. An ageing management is making it near impossible to plan ahead or undertake necessary works.

You're damn right there. But they still have a collective intelligence I should think. Shame they, and their predecessors, haven't used it.

Will be very interesting, K. Look after your source! One thing strikes me, here and elsewhere...this almost manic attack-mode on the hapless John Allen. I'm in full agreement about his competency, but he shouldn't be the only one to be vilified. CEO's carry out the policies of their Boards - don't they? Those behind him, and his predecessor, should be hanging their heads in shame. Neither Bayliss or J.A could have carried out the destruction on their own without the processes being ticked off.

Looks prerry well informed. But is unlikely to get any traction where it matters.