Freda

Good topic. Can we look at the differences between the average male jockey, and the average female one ? bearing in mind that there are ALWAYS exceptions to any rule. For starters, the women tend to be finer-boned and with lesser tendon/ligament strength , and also a different shape. The body configuration has to have some bearing upon the way it hits the ground after a fall, and bone density must also have a bearing on overall fragility or otherwise. The ability to 'roll' after a fall was discussed at the track only recently, where the vests came in for some criticism. They have improved since first introduced, but have been held up by some people as a big cause of neck/head injuries because the wearer is unable to roll up as before, but is hurled directly onto the ground - like a spear dive. I do seem to recall, that before vests were introduced, one of the more common results of a fall [ among males ] was a broken collarbone, where the girls seemed to hit the ground head-first. Not sure if that was ever statistically indicated, but it certainly appeared to be the case.

Wow.

Hmmm...sadly so. The insult is that still we have the 700 - odd employed without any attempt at 'trimming' . I realise that there will be contracts to run , and also, 'business as usual ' has to take place - which would preclude a massive clearing out just yet, but some indication that cost trimming will take place would be nice.

Centenarian Barbara Blackie lost her battle with cancer yesterday, and passed away late yesterday afternoon. She was so proud to have received the messages from the Queen, and Jacinda Ardern. Rest well, Mrs. B.

Oh, that's awful...so easy to become casual around them, hoping he pulls through

? ? ?

Clearly he's not waiting for the doubling of stakes which is JUST around the corner.?

Still around locally I gather...I saw him at the Motukarara races last year.

Hell yeah...but my bank balance doesn't attest to me being a brilliant judge.

The one whom everyone loved to hate - a certain C. Wightman - had a long-running criticism of the bloodstock industry, with all the fraudulent goings-on, ripoffs and kickbacks....but he was largely ignored. I always thought he had very valid concerns .

Maybe..? However, it is very easy to make pronouncements about other people's horses - and other people's children - to end up with egg on one's face.

Ah well...money talks ..and given the state of the local industry ( as was pointed out) why not have a look over the ditch. A love for NZ doesn't pay the bills unfortunately.

A year or so back Emily had a bad fall, from one of the Browne horses if I remember correctly - I think her parents had even come out to watch - and she took a long time to recover. Head injuries are hard to recover fully from, many people suffer headaches, memory loss and some motor skills deficiencies in certain cases. A few of us have wondered if maybe her balance has been affected? I know she is annoyed with herself for falling off, so she is clearly aware she has a problem.

Hell no, would be well worth a try.

Unfortunately, the improvement hasn't been sustained. Roaring Lion euthanised after a recurrence of colic last night. Shocking luck for Cambridge Stud, as well as for his connnections - and not the least, for the poor horse himself.

Dont disagree with what you both say, but I dont feel that it is the 'club' system that is ti blame, rather the personnel in that system. Any model can work if the people are keen and give a damn - if the operators dont give a shite then no system will work.

Good management. And unless I am misinformed, that didn't include the arbitrary closing of tracks.

Haha, that lets me out then, with my bunch of moderates. I do recall Cameron George coming to the stables one race morning with RIU staff and vets to run a check on a starter I had. I remember thinking at the time, wtf was the point of that? All I needed to do was wait until they left then bring out the drugs.

Paula's already done the flowers thingy, went down super.

Nope.

Where's your faith, Chief? the allweather tracks will have it sorted. Absolutely.

Talking of brackets..[ and ellipses ] I recall Dad giving me an example. ' over the hill and along the road, comes a man with legs extraordinary bowed .' ascribed to H Longfellow, describing a bow-legged man. On the other hand, one W. Shakespeare might have said ' but lo! what manner of man is this, who comes with balls in parentheses'.

Good. And while the racing industry here shakes it's head and mutters, at least amateur races could be run without whips, and apprentice races too.

Spectacular.

I'm displaying my ignorance - but what situation would be classed as ' outside of ACC' ?