Freda

What difference would it make to the majority of racegoers? The party would still go on, the fashions, the drunks, would still be a big part of the day. I don't really think ( stand to be corrected of course ) that the international runners come because it's a Grp 1, but because it's a shitload of money.

The Rip van Winkle progeny seem to have really started to show some quality, after a slowish start. Have followed Germanicus for a while.

I had an issue a couple of years ago with Saint Kitt at Dunedin, he'd been last in/man up for his entire career up north ( before I got him ) and such info was passed on by me to the Riccarton lot. I sent him to Dunedin, the horse was ridden by CWJ ( regular rider) and one local barrier staff member was down to help the southern crew. Horse went in in his turn, misbehaved badly and stripped a hindleg. Scratched. Training, transport and time costs all for nothing. Poor old Russell ( starter ) had nothing on his sheet .

As long as the black hole of Waikato keeps sucking the energy in, there will be swfa chance of anything changing. JMO.

?

Mine's an Android, but slow to load, and ads keep completely covering the page - and I can't delete them. Have to go out of the website and try again. Still getting Knobby underwear.... Laptop ok though.

Yup.

I mentioned this exact work to Mr Saundry at a meeting, he claimed to have no knowledge of it, so, with Curious' help, I forwarded the same to him. Haven't had an acknowledgement of receipt as yet.....two years later....probably not gonna happen...?

Looked a grand day...I so miss not being over there. Well done to everyone !

Not necessarily - although some of the more recalcitrant ones are given too much leeway [ IMO ] on a raceday, they should be sent back to the trials until they get the idea - or find a new job. But compared with overseas, the number of attendants is well below what is needed I think. The U.S model has horses 'ponied' to the start and handed to attendants, you hardly ever see a problem [ well I haven't ], it seems to be very workable and keeps horses calm and not charging down to the gates out of control as well. Elsewhere, most every horse has an attendant, and in many areas, are kept close up behind the gates with a tape, not buggering around 200 yards or more away. Wouldn't keep in a determined escapee, but, again, I've never noticed a problem - unlike here.

And that is another facet of this issue; when clubs are penny-pinching on payrates and numbers of staff, it's not that easy to recruit more experienced horsemen [ who have better things to do with their time ] especially when they are considered ' unskilled workers'...ffs..

There would have to be a perception of inadequate performance for that to happen. It's clear that there is no comprension of that fact.

Winston would have been thrilled. They are silly enough to think they DO know - but don't - and arrogant in that they give no credence to those who do.

Agree with Reefton's summation...but, notwithstanding the goodwill inherent with both Reefton JC and Greymouth in offering to hold the day, the handling by NZTR is - again - inept. IMO. How could the track have been ok a week ago and not now? Clearly, it was never ok, so porkies [ no pun intended] rule again. As for the 'retention' of Kumara as a 'preferred' venue, despite being unable to race on it's track for four of the last five years....really?

With rain forecast...oh dear.

That's terrible management. Trainers/owners need surety over racedays/dates, it isn't cheap travelling horses, staff and connections to various places, a decision should have been made one way or another and stakeholders notified in timely fashion. No matter if the problem was pigs, tractors, or weather, it seems that no-one is prepared to be accountable for ANYTHING because they might have to cop the flak. My old man used to tell me that the person who never made a mistake, never made anything.

Exactly.

Agree with you on this, Kenny, the day at Kurow was also super and well attended by families . Just consider how the absence of racing at Westport and Nelson has negatively impacted betting in that region, and you have to be concerned how continued closures will affect still more areas. The Coast will be the next to go if the plans are implemented. Michael is of the opinion that the all weather track at Riccarton will save S.I racing, with the redundant race permits transferred there ....on that we differ.

Be interesting to see how a stressy Guillotine copes with Hong Kong.

That seems to be the plan, Kenny. No one at head office can be convinced otherwise.

What about 'P' - Plastic Princess.........?

Yes, I deleted my day's racing, read the b/S about the red hood, but couldn't go back to check. Didn't want to post without having correct facts...but clearly, told lies. Can forgive a human error but not porkies.

Hard to crucify someone on a genuine mistake...but the 'system' provides a valid set of protocols for avoiding such mistakes. Just more kangaroo court stuff from our completely inept management. Recently, a trainer was warned that a particular rider in his employ would be charged with 'incompetence' should he/she ride in a similar fashion again. That is opening a huge can of worms, the hapless rider would have plenty of mates, I'm thinking....but who would be a good enough race reader to fairly and honestly make that call? I'm struggling to think of one...recall Cameron George taking issue with CWJ for not being where he, Cameron, thought he should be....really ? the horse in question in that instance never went as well again... ...and, going back to another cracker, the highly-regarded Noel McCutcheon informing one David Walsh that ' the pace of the race is irrelevant ' ....seriously, where do these clowns come from?

Cheers

OK, thanks for that.