Freda

Yes. Fits with the notion that they cost money, but those costs not listed anywhere that I can see. I've mentioned elsewhere, that modern H & S requirements must be paramount. If industry money is needed to adhere to those, fair enough, that club should realistically face the firing squad. But, if, through prudent mangement there is funding for necessary infrastructure upgrades, then, why? And, don't forget, those smaller, oft-criticised clubs/tracks have for years been deprived of the level of turnover funds that the 'strategic' club receive. But as well, as Barry mentions above, if the 'low interest dumps' aren't getting good patronage, what is the benefit of keeping them at all? Common sense, again...a commodity in short supply.

Both of you have valid points; I like all of Barry's ideas, can't see why implementing some or all of them can't be done. Practically, the 20-25 minutes might take a bit of a re-think, but negative attitudes need to be kicked to touch. Huey does have a point too, about the traditional following...but implementing change isn't synonymous with cutting them out. Again, a bit of thought needed. But proactive thinking isn't widely done I'm afraid, and therein lies the crux of it all.

Health and safety must be considered however. But, if a club has the means to bring itself into the modern arena, then it shouldn't be arbitrarily closed.

A little bird told me that a large number of positions are to be lost at Rita/NZRB. If that is correct, that's great news, and an indication that things might be trending in the right direction. But, not confirmed, and even if so, just a drop in the bucket to what is needed overall. But - it shouldn't have taken a pandemic, a horrid balance sheet, and agitation [ at last ] from sector groups. I understand Reefton's comment elsewhere about not 'biting the hand that feeds you' in a reference to the continued silence/stonewalling from both Rita and Saundry....but that shouldn't have precluded succinct information. Their collective performance to date IMO has been disgraceful.

I tried to read that discourse between you and Bill about fibre, satellite, etc..but lost comprehension fairly quickly. Can you explain briefly and simply just why the 'fibre' option is a red herring?

Seems the slide from favour isn't confined to here then. No idea how well or otherwise this company is managed, however. Was reminded very recently that racing, in its infancy, was a rich man's hobby. The Sport of Kings - and the seriously wealthy. Still is ; the Arabs have stepped up and racing would be the poorer without them. Bottom line, you should never play with money you can't afford to lose.

Absolutely. Obvious. Big fish, small pond perhaps?

Quite. You have answered your own query, another ruse to get the Guineas - and keep them - that has been fomenting for years. I'm afraid I don't share Pitty's faith here, but of course, would be happy to be wrong. Was conversing with a very experienced, former member of the industry recently, he said that breeders have stuffed the industry and have done so wherever they have been allowed to get their own way. That's a view I've held for a good while also.

All this endless debate is going nowhere...apart from getting two posters' teeth on edge. The 2000m+ fresh up issue has to be variable and contingent upon the horse's state of fitness/lack of at the time of entering a training programme proper. As Bid has stated, possibly 4 months for an educated horse, but presumably, said horse has been spelling out at grass. If, as is wont to be done in the UK, the horse is kept up and walked or trotted daily while resting, then of course, the situation is very different. If the horse has been injured, with a very long rest, then a slow rehab, then, the time frame varies again. But the marker as to when that horse enters a regime of cantering/fast work could be considered to be the 'start' of the prep. I have seven returned to training late last week. Three were race/trial fit when summarily forced out, another one as fit but not seen out. Two of the three had race placings in that last week, one over a sprint distance, the other over 2200m. The third horse was a 1600m trial winner. I have every confidence that those four will be ready to do themselves justice - given suitable track conditions for one in particular - but if there is no option for 2000 plus, then two of those four will be disadvantaged. Of the other three, one had been out spelling already, the other two had had a month's work and then out again. They will, of course, take longer to catch up with their stablemates.

The lab ?

If you think that response said anything bar meaningless waffle that has been heard before, you need to go to specsavers - or brush up your comprehension.

Looking at Winston's latest utterance, there are more than we two pissed off !

It is just possible - and I am not a Saundry apologist - that McKenzie has kept NZTR as much in the dark as the rest of us. Which begs the question, why hasn't he or Mary, or someone, bothered to tell us? \

Amazing that such a wordy document can say so little.

Yep. And, Kim Lange, now married to Damien Browne.

Andre was my apprentice as well. He went to Australia when he came out of his time, rode a few third-stringers for Gai, ended up with a cafe/bar on Chevron Island.

Ah. Yes, he did. He'd ridden 9 winners in 3 years when he arrived down... and he and Andre Gillett tied for leading S.I apprentice the next year. Dave McCarthy wrote an article headed ' the win twins '.

Gawd....enlighten me?

..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.