Freda

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?

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.