Freda

Quite so.

The categories in those awards have seemed to me, to be rather irrelevant - not that I wish to denigrate the winners, that's not my intention - but, sprinter-miler, for example? there's a world of difference between a 1000m specialist and a 1600m one. And how does Melody Belle, grand performer that she is, get that award when she didn't win a Stewards, or a Railway, or a Telegraph ? WFA, for sure, but I don't think there was even a category for that this year. As for the Darci Brahma - Wahid b/s....that had to turn a lot of people off the whole process. Anyway, good on the winners regardless - special mention to Brittany Moore, a very deserving winner of the Strapper award - and also Bill Thurlow, a helluva decent bloke, and good to see credit outside the 'big shots' .

Not sure - you and Mardi have had discussions about that, and many other betting matters, but I can't remember. I can't imagine the amount involved would be worth getting excited about.

Any traction with that?

Ah - yes, of course I've heard of Moira. Didn't know the stable/complex name however.

I've never heard of them.

I agree...but there appear to be howls of protest elsewhere. I have always struggled with the concept of a Grp 1 being a handicap - despite the prevalence of such in both Australia and the US.

Good idea.

As per the heading of this thread - I saw an interview with Rogie recently, and was struck with how he had aged. I know we are all getting older, and I certainly do not wish him ill, but I kinda wonder if he is 100 per cent.

I think it's eminently sensible, for the reasons outlined above - and even for commercial reasons ; surely an oversupply of one particular stallion will downgrade the value of his stock. Seems a no-brainer to me. The Aga Khan, one of the most breeders in the world, has severely limited his stallions' books for years.

Just re-read...do you mean RITA enforcing a total ban on Betfair in NZ, or enforcing a fee-paying regime? Either way, don't see how they can enforce anything.

Didn't Betfair offer voluntary fee paying at one point? or did I get that wrong. I know J.A was banging on about getting fees from Tabcorp, et al...but Tabcorp already contributes.

Not an area I have any experience/expertise in...but I can't really see how HK can enforce Betfair's compliance?

Yes, he did...and he wasn't the only prominent name who pronounced that either. The cynic in me thinks that had far more to do with sucking in clients to invest than actually being honest...it is/was a no-brainer that a stakes rise could not transpire.

You're forgiven

Hey now, Murray's not the only horseman to have indicated his concern/frustration/ call it what you will, in the public arena. Discussion has been to-ing and fro-ing for ages in the printed medium as well as the more recent social media forums, road shows from both NZTR and the RB have rolled around the country either trying to ease our concerns, or adding to them, depending upon one's stance...to what end?9 You're right about the COL....however there are differing opinions as to whether our industry deserves or warrants govt. support - however much it might ' expect' it. Previous govts have said, racing, get your house in order - and I think I would have to agree with some very enlightened thinkers, that throwing more money after a failed business model is really, really stupid. The funding that Winston HAS managed to procure is too little, too late....but he will dine out on it regardless.

Murray isn't saying anything we haven't known for a good while.

I remember a horse called Alwick ordered retired, many years ago. I can't tell you how many 'uncompetitive' runs it had had, but eventually, enough WAS enough. Do the stipes think that this level of performance is attracting bettors...? or racing fans..?

A great funeral for Mrs B..marking the respect in which she was held, her style and graciousness. She was fondly termed ' Mrs Google ' and I remember Terry asking her one morning if she knew anything about ' the Hood' - the battleship that was, with the Prince of Wales, ordered to intercept the Bismarck. Oh, she said, I went to a cocktail party on the Hood the night before she sailed.

Chris Munce's cellmate

Slightly off topic, but I recently read a book by a well known Australian horseman, where he stated that it has taken him forty years to learn lessons that a horse can pick up in five minutes.

True that.

Hmmph. Gosh, it must be easy. 9 lessons, eh? Think the poor girl from McKees had about half a dozen lessons, obviously 3 short.

Perhaps he is just a poor judge ..?..we're not all omniscient.

I've been mulling this over all morning actually - safety for riding personnel is a very topical matter at the moment. Remembering the work I used to do with my own apprentices, one thing that struck me was how hard the girls found it to adopt a suitable position, and also how they struggled early on to develop a suitable whip style - much more so than the guys. The best female rider I was fortunate to work with had been a NZ champion gymnast before starting, and had much more strength in her legs / quads...but it still took her ages to be able to keep her hips low when riding out a finish. Other girls, lacking this strength, found it near impossible to maintain a possie with shoulders higher than the hips. It was just so hard keeping the knees bent for so long. They would tend to ride with their backsides in the air - watch any race now and you will see some of the newer apprentices doing just that, any interruption such as a check, or clipped heels, and there is only one place those girls will head; nose first onto the deck.