Freda

Go early, go hard....what an effing joke...cruise ships disgorging passengers still, tourists flouting isolation requests, racing is at least making an effort to show responsibility.

I've never been there..but I've been told that the track [ not facilities ] is very good. Is that not, now, the case?

Jeez, that's too sensible....

As a realist has already said....the C.V fallout will be used as an excuse to justify their incompetence.

You'd think there might be some communication and accord between codes, wouldn't you?

I gather that has been reviewed already. Lisa Allpress was refused permission to travel south for this weekend. One bright point - it will afford opportunities to some who do not get many chances.

Yeah..despite my constant criticism of NZTR, for once, I don't have a problem with their attempts. At least they are making an effort to keep us going, the alternative is complete closure which would be a death knell for so many hanging on by their teeth already. Same as the restriction on jockeys....they can still travel with notifaction and permission, so contacts can be identified more easily.

She's an awesome filly...just love her [ no pun intended ]. I hope they don't go to the well once too often though.

You're not improving

I hope you aren't inferring that the gallops 'retreated' voluntarily....

Good thought.....however, our industry has in recent times been reactive, not procative. Unless such measures are imposed from outside, I dont see it happening.

I note some are still positive that the measures contained in the Bill will right the ship....bugger me, I wish I had their optimism. If the land grab is legalised, what hold-ups - and associated costs - with fights in courts might we be looking at....? If the TAB isn't outsourced, or similar, there is no hope.

Or a relatively lightly-raced Azawary who finally cracked it as a twenty-plus start maiden.....and eventually won a Sydney Cup.

Haha, brilliant! A temporary measure only, C, don't worry. You'll be able to go and see your pride and joy eventually, and you won't get your feet trodden on in the crowd either . Win - win.

Restaurants, cafes....huge impact I reckon. We tend to be complacent as we have natural barriers and few endemic nasties....but it IS here, and it will be only a matter of time before more cases appear. A disaster indeed. ....but lay off the loo paper....

We are also dependent on pokie funds, they, along with proceeds from sporting events are likely to be affected as well with fewer - or none - congregating in pubs and clubs. Think you've made a good point, Chief.

I think many participants will be way too complacent to comprehend the impact of both containment measures, and economic impact. A big shock, I reckon.

I don't think anyone will be putting their hands up. Most - those toeing the party line anyway - will be waiting anxiously to see how the Racing Bill plays out, so they can find out which clubs' assets will be assimilated into the fund for the 'greater good'.

I should think that the public bars would be the last place you would want to be.

I have been giving this a lot of thought, and more I do, the more complex it becomes. I think, initially, one would look at the open handicaps/black type races, and see if they are a good fit where they are. Fiddling with tradition is not a clever thing to do, so, those tried-and-true races should be left alone. Then, sort out a decent progression of two year old and three year old races, bearing in mind the need to fit in wherever possible with the important races nationally. Programmes could be padded out with races for those in training and available..a database should be easy enough to supply numbers/grades. Alternatively, call for open entries for specific distances, and make up the fields around those. Take into consideration distance progressions to allow sensible graduation. WTF does Riccarton persist with the god-awful 1800m distance, it's neither your arse nor your elbow, they can run 2500 -2800 anytime they wish, but don't. Think about time of the year. Track conditions and holiday periods all have a bearing on good fields and public interest. We've just had five racedays at Riccarton, I'd be very surprised if they were profitable in any shape or form. Small fields, rock hard ground, zero public interest. Midsummer meeting the only one held there over that period for years. A series or two? an 'industry' or 'provincial' series, culminating in a final? sprint, mile, middle-distance? Points system, doesn't need much dosh to make it interesting. Despite being respected for years as breeding quality stayers and classic horses, we don't anymore...but maybe a staying series with a final too? I live in hope.

I've never understood why a poster such as Thommo has such an effect. Personally? I find much of his content well worth debating. When it isn't, and he becomes irritating, i just move on. Those whom he really offends can block him, can't they? Why they feel the need to engage - and keep on doing so - and then disappear in a huff I find astounding. If a column in a newspaper doesn't take your fancy, do you throw the paper in the fire? or just turn the page to something more interesting.....I must be odd, but I can't see a problem. However, personal attacks, racist comment, etc, I don't think are acceptable anywhere, in public areas or media, even when free speech is the mantra.

Maybe, L, they have nothing to say?

I don't know. I used to be too shy to comment - years ago - but I grew out of that...

The indecent haste to use sires of 'fast' horses has eroded our once proud tradition of the classic/staying horse. Races like the St Leger become irrelevant.

Yes, although winning is always the point of the game! The wee mare found 1200 ( fresh) a tad sharp, and the gelding was lucky to finish in one piece when a portion of the running rail came adrift and took a piece out of his hindleg . Bloody amateurs.