Freda

Word is that the back straight at Kumara has suffered considerable depredation from wild pigs [ 27 apparently ] deciding to do a bit of gardening on the track. Apparently NZTR will send a representative to check out the damage. Hilarious, on the face of it - but, given the weather conditions on the Coast of late, it seems unlikely that the damage [ if as bad as I'm told ] can be remediated in a matter of weeks. With Hokitika now not a racetrack, this could mean two extra meetings at Greymouth ? what chance of that working if the weather pattern continues? Reefton, as it has before, may offer its facilities, but the likelihood of Kumara playing with that song sheet seems unlikely. The end sooner rather than later for the Coast, perhaps?

Ministers have little or no control over the codes and their [mis]management. We stakeholders have to be accountable for sitting on our chuffs, refusing to work together and get to a consensus, and allowing incompetence to govern us.

Perhaps the industry should give them 'clarity' then....show that horse welfare is being actively espoused instead of putting out 'mission statements' that sound lovely - but doing nothing.

That's what alarms - and saddens - me. Take assets from communities, completely disenfranchise local people from racing and the grassroots support base is lost. Then, when those funds go, what happens ? As Mardi has stated, there is nothing in place to change the overall structure and try to make it sustainable.

I have to wonder how the harness clubs that share facilities with the affected TB ones will manage ?

Look at the recent situation with Gore, Winton and Ascot Park....Winton not allowed to race on its own track, directed to run at Ascot Park which just happened to be unusable. So Gore, also down for closure, had to host the meeting. Ascot Park had to hold its own meeting at Gore as well, then poor old Gore had its own meeting to run after all that. Titanic is a good analogy, Chimbu.

Certainly not, in this scenario anyway. I'm glad the coffee was appreciated, I provided it, usually Kevin Hughes drops in a tin.

Yep.

The mare's demeanour, etc, is all relevant for sure, but that isn't the point of the headpost. Why no questions asked of the beaten hot favourite ?

But - why no questions asked .? I've had some very average horses vetted at stipe's request when supposedly performing below expectations., certainly not Grp horses, so....?

Have to agree there, Mark. Many trainers have ended up the 'syndicate manager ' by taking in a few partners to keep a horse going. It only takes a slow or defaulting partner to have costs spiralling that are hard to settle. Obviously, I'm not referring to the professionally - run syndicates like Fortuna, Go Racing, etc., which will have all costs built into their operations.

Whatever. At the time, it was becoming quite a big deal wrt the level of debt on behalf of owners some trainers were carrying, and it was thought to be one way to reduce that.

No, they don't get charged to owners, unless things have changed elsewhere...haven't here. Some years ago, the local branch of the T.A [ when I was still involved, unlike now ] requested that that be done, and were met with a flat ' No' . I recall the reason given went something like ' too much paperwork, too hard to find owners' details [ really? ] - and the doozy of all - what if owners don't pay? We can't be in the position of holding that much debt ' ........

That would be a plus, if it could be arranged. I'd be happy to pay a little more for no ads!

What seems to have been overlooked in the general discussion is that a horse is entitled to it's line of running. Whether or not there is direct contact, if it's line has been impeded or direction ' dictated ' by the wayward movement of another there are grounds for a change of placing.

Was told there was a meeting today/tomorrow in the south, between Saundry and ( presumably) trainers and/or club officials to discuss reduced permits in the region. I understand it is proposed to take 3 dates from Otago and 2 from Southland. Anyone heard anything about this?

At the moment, we are all just trying to keep our heads above the water. With the ongoing situation with track closures and the imminence [ really ? ] of all weather tracks, it seems a bit of a pointless exercise to stress about something we can do nothing about.

The lad was asked to take a sit and wait, i cannot comprehend how what transpired correlated to that....I watched with horror!

I agree....but I think I would even qualify that and call it 'inappropriate' irrigation. I was told by an earlier track manager that he 'didn't water to change track conditions, only to achieve growth' .. But, as has been discussed here and elsewhere, the soil structures are stuffed. That's why [ IMO ] there are often superior track surfaces on country tracks.

Yeah...I know..!

As a matter of interest, the track had been irrigated all week....did you notice the green sward of the circuit and compare it with the burnt brown of the surrounding areas?

Really ?

Certainly, in my small circles, no indication that Lasix is being used, but that is very local. Couldn't possibly comment about other areas.

No...but I wouldn't be likely to, I don't have any interest in who is using what, 'cos I don't bother. Some might say I should, looking at a patch of less-than-stellar form....!

....be careful with wives...? dangerous creatures...?