Freda

Prophetic name.

Haha....just imagine the shambles here if that was implemented country wide!

I remember one of the greats ( Gai or Bart) rueing the stance taken on anabolic steroids, the use of which was rife years ago. He or she pointed out that steroids weren't used as a 'go fast' despite all the popular chat. But the benefits were that horses would become better 'do-ers' and keep their heads in the feedbin.

It was legal then too, I used to use it, there was just a specific withholding on it. Far too long ago to recall what it was. But omeprazole has no withholding and is the main drug of choice now. Some jurisdictions don't allow ranitidine at all but still ok here, but not sure how often its used instead of omeprazole.

...and he a chemist too....

Good process. The winter Riccarton poly meetings are programmed fortnightly for much of the winter. Didn't sit at all well with me although had to compromise to get the specific race required at times.

Shouldn't any funds accrued from sales go back to the ownership syndicates?

And I have to add, the T.A model isn't a charity. It makes money, not from stakes - which are incidental and go largely to the ownership groups - but from the structure of the operation. Heaps of it.

Neither of you are going to give an inch so I'll try and be devil's advocate; after an extra 3 hours sleep I need something to focus on on a Sunday morning... T.A can afford to, and do, bring some beautiful horses back into the racing mix. Horses that otherwise would be lost offshore, and possibly at a lesser cost without the competition. So, tick for the industry and also for the breeders. They, through their syndication model, bring in many owners that otherwise could not be part of racing at the elite level. Tick. They strive for excellence all the way, with the best riders that can be obtained, and with a training model that in most cases works extremely well. The last two trainers exceptional. Tick again. Owners are kept informed, both at the start with clear information and along the way with regular videos and updates. Tick. The opportunity to race in the superior Australian environment now a reality with the setting up of the Cranbourne operation. Tick again. Where are the disadvantages? perhaps the lack of real input from an owner to trainer might bother some. It would annoy me. But I wouldn't ever be part of things. If I had disposable funds, the chance to have a horse in Europe with Joseph O'Brien and Go Racing I would find exciting. But that's my choice. The perception that T.A 'squeeze' out potential purchasers and attract clients that otherwise may be with other trainers? possibly. But the sales ring model we now have is not the fault of T.A., rather the result of decades of mismanagement by NZTR, fuelled by breeders, to tilt the playing field to the north and for more money to be directed at the 'elite' - again, read the north. Again, that isn't T.A's fault but they've read the room better than most. Now the small and hobby breeder cannot compete at Karaka, their family business or passion for a few mares with their cherished foals now consigned, sadly, to Gavelhouse or facebook offerings. The chance of returns with such modest, or lesser favoured yearlings, also much reduced so the whole scenario has changed from decades ago where anyone could go to a sale ring and pick up a potentially nice horse for bugger all, with a bit of judgment - and luck. Entain's involvement has certainly given us hope, but despite comments from some, they don't [ yet ] run programming, handicapping, dates.

I think most of us love watching good horses, wherever they come from. I fail to see how local racing would be enriched by having those horses in other hands, or not having them at all.

Seemingly in Australia.

Yes. And unnecessary. If policing was more consistent and action taken riding standards might improve. Doesn't alter the opinions on Oatham though.

I think others will concur too.

Lost me too.

Great watch indeed. All kudos to him....[ maybe play it to Pride of Jenni's owner...]

A good mate too. Very sad. Condolences to family and friends.

Yeah, sadly nothing approaching the above podcast. What insightful comment, thanks from me too for putting that up.

I remember when the 3 year olds had a crack at the Canterbury Gold Cup too.

Fair comment. Class and decorum however, are becoming less visible in society generally, never mind racing.

Well, I'm not one of the two, but for mine, I'm effing pleased I don't live there. Unimaginable horror for the poor buggers in the middle.

A better fate than when Clover Meats was in operation....

A well -reasoned post, Matt. I think the Chief has answered most of your concerns however, better than I could; I for one thought the track raced fairly and I didn't hear any adverse comments from riders while I was there. The times certainly indicated that as well I don't agree that the track crew nearly always get it right. We had a rough and hard track last month - and Cup Day two years ago, as a couple of reminders...now I'm not pointing the bone here, there is no way that trackmen want to make a cock up, they will be doing their best. But with a compromised soil structure and possibly pressure from elsewhere they are between a rock and a hard place. If the track had NOT been watered Thursday, it would have been very hard. Again the Chief has answered your thoughts on that. But I think we all agree that perfection is the ideal, it's just bloody hard to get.

Beats me. Maybe no one asked the riders?

He's a lovely quality sort too. Not overly big, but beautifully balanced.

And that with 'too much water' ? what utter bollocks. For once, the CJC track staff deserve praise for getting the surface as spot on as could be managed - esp given the capricious weather.