Freda

..and, not surprised, either, I shouldn't think.

Yes. They inherited a lemon, but they have been a disaster themselves. Whether or not you think that the Messara report was a lifesaver, or just another waste of space; the Board were charged with implementing that, not re - writing it.

Er...I thought it was tomorrow....Wednesday?

You know, that is the defining culture at both our racing guiding bodies; the seeming lack of ability, or desire, to look at ANY other model other than the one employed.

Nice thought, Chief...but not bloody likely.

Ha...yeah....and 3 days at Ricc in July going forward to August....at least mine won't mind but that's not really the point..

Lisa Allpress was on TV a week or so ago....complaining about not riding. She had a mortgage to pay, she said. I am an admirer of Lisa, but she would be far better off than most.

Yeah, can't quite see the train of thought there. But, again, the impact of a sales-promotion race series is being allowed to override the pattern race system. Wrong, selfish, and extremely shortsighted. I can fully understand why these northern trainers have jumped on that particular bandwagon. But, from a wider industry viewpoint, no thought as to potential impact. I have mentioned earlier that I didn't see the loss of the Guineas as a big turn-off for the wider party-going Cup week attendees. They wouldn't know or care about the significance of such a race. But the knock on effect could be enormous. No Guineas means less representation from north for supporting races, with a gradual degradation of field size, interest, and ultimately participation all round. Riccarton, for all its faults, is still the leading Sth Island club. With the inevitable contraction caused by Covid-19, it is more important than ever that Riccarton can stand up for the South. If it staggers, then Sth Island racing is gone. Do these self-entitled, short-sighted N.I trainers give a thought for the state of the industry once it is centred around the Waikato? The International pattern race people will not be allocating black type races for a NZ industry in one province.

Sure does.

Bloody hell. But, what upsets me [ as much as the possible demise of our beloved industry ] is the continued ability to spin bullshit. The lack of 'income' from NZ racing is held up to be the reason for the current malaise. Clearly, that is not the case. So, are the Rita people liars, or just plain incompetent? or both...

Ah, gotcha. The query earlier was referring to Pike/Nzta canvassing trainers, not NZTR.

So, 54 trainers were consulted , by Nztr/Rita, but not by NZTA. Have I I understood that correctly? And, therefore, 52 trainers were asked about the Guineas, and two weren't?

Yes, Andrew Carston and Pitty seem to have close connections. Pitty is always approachable and open, but as far as I am aware, the stance that it was, after all, just what northern trainers wanted disguised as a Covid-19 response seems to have eluded him. Certainly there was no open canvassing of stakeholders about this significant move.

That segment should have been sent separately. Human nature/comprehension skills mean that the ' all clear to resume training...etc ' sentence would have been seized upon with relief and the rest, largely not noticed. There has been no further advice from racing clubs that I have seen advising trainers not to rush their horses back too soon.

An email to all licensed trainers would have been the least he, or the executive, should have done. Didn't happen.

The northern ones I presume.

Well, there we were on 3 news, not much to do with travel restrictions, Pike wants the Guineas moved, is about all. He needs to realize he is representing all trainers, not just Waikato ones.

No idea, sorry. Not a good look, but a fair illustration of just how much pain there is out there. If minimum stakes drop further ( thats if there is any money at all ) and owners still have to pay starting fees, there must be a mutiny.

Once is bad enough..but to post this drivel twice...?

Virkon an excellent product, not cheap though - I understand anything with an alcohol component [ no idea of recommended dilution though ] , certainly meths, and also Janola, 20% solution. Check, but if acceptable, far cheaper than the recommended options.

It is good that Pike is highlighting matters - but he's five years too late. Okay, much longer, but he's hasn't been Mr T.A for that . It hasn't bothered him overmuch until now, apart from a few squeaks about shutting small tracks.

I think your ' non -tariff trade barrier ' sounded about right.

BTW that was in the Reefton river.

That's about as fashionable as I ever get.

You beat me to it....that, at least, is something.