Freda

Frustrating in the extreme, happens down here too but not so much, I don't think. Trouble is, stakes are bulk-funded -so, while a club may be more than happy to split races to accomodate horses, that will cost more money than has been allocated and a smaller club won't be able to afford it. [ please excuse the italics, don't know what the hell I did to achieve those ] Ok, sorted...ffs ...gremlins..

I'm not a bloke...but no, you're not....but I will have to be sick first.

Just taking notice of all this only now....so, given that allegations have been made two years ago [ apparently ] what, exactly, have the RIU done about it all?

No fecking way is it.

What a surprise.

Just out of interest - have you attempted to contact Greg Kerr? I have to wonder what obstacles you might face there....well done for your queries to date, keep it up.

Gross. Whatever the allegedly live animal may be, the perpetrators are beyond contempt.....as is the administration that condones such behavior by NOT stamping it out.

I'm not a dog racing fan - although I love dogs, and have my own pets...but can someone elaborate what is meant by ' the white poodle ' ? The inference is sickening..but I don't want to jump to conclusions.

...one of those being me, obviously...but if what you say is correct [ and I'm sure it is ] I'll have to remove a tick from that box.

FFs....Thomass brings critique to the 'feds' and highlights many failings of the heirarchy we are all obliged to work under. Good on him for that. The Princess - well, no, she does nothing for me or most others. So I don't read about her. Yes, he goes off at a tangent - so ignore those posts. His punting ideas [ b/s] drive some to distraction - so ignore , or block him. Now, let's discuss what we all think about Saint Cindy wearing the hijab....or something else of moderate interest.

I think you have missed the point that there is little - if any - money to be gleaned from track closures as it seems that forcing sales and grabbing the money is not likely to happen. Yes they can force clubs to race elsewhere [ or not at all if committees dig their toes in ] but there won't BE any funds released as a result.

So do I...! But it doesn't sit right with me either. We are [ probably pointlessly ] waiting for a ray of hope from the MAC recommendations - which, given the antipathy towards Winston from so many in the House may never see the light of day - and at the same time, Saundry sails along pushing the Alan Jackson mantra for NZTR of track closures..it just doesn't make sense. Messara pushed track closures with the idea of garnering funds for redevelopment. He was poorly advised and legal ramifications make that look highly unlikely to happen, so therefore no point in following that line...but they are still pushing it..for what purpose? They have been given figures - by Reefton and no doubt others - which conclusively show that country clubs are NOT the drain on the industry that so many rave on about.....but clearly they can't follow logical arguments. I recall a few years ago some very good work was done by a couple of smart guys on handicapping, mares' allowances, etc - pro bono - and submitted to the then heirarchy of Purcell / Goodson. I don't think either of them understood a bit of the study. I forwarded a copy of the same to Saundry at his request, but as is the operating practice of the outfit, haven't had so much as an acknowledgement of receipt. Great office staff they have there.

It was depressing to watch....we've been given plenty of blarney about Deano's acumen and ability....but oh dear, incisive and positive he certainly wasn't.

I suspect the same...but do hope that at least the excesses of the TAB can be reigned in.

..with Dean McKenzie?

..all of which makes me feel sooo much better about the tiny filly that just came ino work.

My thoughts are perhaps less charitable...but best they not be aired in public. Suffice to say the RIU is one of his 'babies' and I don't think too many feel that is an unqualified success.

If the MAC report gets any traction with Cabinet, NZTR may cease to exist in it's current form. It won't matter who is on the Board then.

Yours truly has been pointing out at great length the folly of those notions....either he has changed his opinion ( or is agreeing with me to shut me up ) but hopefully.....however the scope of the MAC is nothing to do with track closures....apparently. If the RB can get kicked into touch that will be a huge plus on it's own.

For the record - B.d L. is NOT a proponent of tracks closing - although it may seem so, given his support for Winston/Messara. The bottom line is , if something doesn't happen, we're all down the gurgler. NZRB reform/removal is the most important part of that strategy, and has a fair bit to do with the Informant's demise, given earlier attempts to muzzle the content.

Industry comment/critique as written by contributor B.d L. has not endeared the publication to the NZRB.

I would have to agree that the standard of riding is a poor as it has ever been down south. The recent Coast racing was, overall, horrid - and not just all apps either. I asked a rider if he had ever ridden around Hokitika - no, was the answer. Had a walk around? I asked...shrug, nah, can't be that different can it..? Asked my friend Walshy if he had had a chat with said rider...he's ridden around Ellerslie was the reply. Therein lies much of your problem....that, language difficulties, and indifferent policing. A senior local was reprimanded for 'steadying the pace' - this around the corner out of the straight at Reefton...ffs...the winner of that race ran a track record.

Horrible, just horrible. I do have to wonder if modern training techniques have a part to play..? although why Santa Anita should bear the brunt of that, I can't imagine...but the tendency recently for a much lighter workload must have a bearing on the bone density of the horses in question.

Agree. Good concepts. We are so far behind..and it shows.

Oh dear...the site will definately be the poorer for your departure, Mardi. Over the years I have learned much from your posts - and those of Curious, too - as well as others who I can't bring to mind at this time of the morning..! Yes, I can deal with the b/s Thommo posts, as I feel he does a good job of highlighting failures in our integrity systems. What the real shame is, that by driving away others, there is left a site without so much content and therefore, little of interest. It is entirely the Chief's call, he deals with the aggro generated very well I feel, and - while it is not my business - maybe, if Thommo could have his own portion on the site, people could view his comments if they wish without feeling so frustrated with his hi-jacking of so many threads? That would be in keeping with the site policy of 'free speech' while removing a source of constant irritation to many.