Freda

Was chatting to a Waikato-based trainer just this week..he tells me that Bernard is still trotting out the 'close the tracks' line. There is a real absence of quantitative evidence as to how much - in real terms - is going to be realised by this process. If we could all see, we may - just possibly - grudgingly accept that there is no choice. But there aren't any such figures for us all to digest, or none that I have seen, so .....

Different horse, you plonker.

He wasn't the only one...you can bet that many orders were taken to buy on the basis that stakes ' would double' next season.

I might be thick..but I don't recall Mardigras suggesting not to punt horses.

I ALWAYS ask nicely...but I repeat, it is not my job to to be a policeman. My concern, if not bloody obvious by now, is that given our awful integrity reputation already, questions should have been asked. I haven't claimed any wrongdoing - other than a possible oversight - but, if I leave off blinkers or add a piece of gear without notification, I get fined. The stipe at the inspection plate has to check off all gear notified.. Handing over something in the birdcage to be applied at the barriers just isn't allowed - end of. As for the baby you spotted ; as far as I am aware they are not yet an extinct species. Lots of women have them..it could have been anyone's.

Thank goodness we don't need to go down that patronising path.

Ya think? you aren't getting any argument from me, I agree wholeheartedly with your comments, but I have a sinking feeling that stupidity may still be the operating code....as for the K.M support, the breeders still have huge influence, can't see them allowing that to reduce.

Don't think it's any done deal....but I sure hope common sense prevails.

Hmmm. Wise advice indeed.

That is the single most significant point that just is not comprehended.

Nope, don't agree, any sort of restricted race shouldn't count.

In the meantime we are a laughing stock wrt integrity matters.

That's your self-appointed task.

I was going to say arrogance, but that'll do.

No, she didn't. She pulled the tongue tie one.

In Aus the jockey weighs in, in public, surrounded by officials and cameras. I should think it difficult to impossible to slip something past that lot. As for your Auckland reference ...that is sorta my point, no?

Two very clued-up posters have repeatedly pointed out that funding is completely out of proportion to what is actually earned, raceday by raceday. I think most would agree for a bit extra to be retained for black-type stakes top up, but not at the cost of devastating the industry overall whic has happened for years now. Some time ago it was shown that smaller clubs were being selectively starved of their rightful turnover dues to prop up the bigger ones. It has been said, over and over, and neatly shown by Reefton above, that the small clubs are NOT the problem. Messara rightly woke up to the insolvency of NZ racing, and put forward a plan to generate funds to upgrade the product to attract more international betting. But, he was given flawed advice, there won't be anywhere near the funds required unless Avondale can be cashed up, and what chance of a slick new racing product when Te Rapa [ for one ] is scrapping about Greenfields - which isn't even a racetrack, I believe, just a potential modern training complex. The allweather at Cambridge is a different issue altogether, and has also struck a slowdown, I am told. So, what show is there at all? without funds from SOMEwhere to provide an upgraded track model, there won't be any extra betting generated, it's in free fall now, and the composition of MAC - Dean excepted - looks anything but ' impartial '. The RB is continuing to screw the product, Aus punters can't use our TAB [ why would they want to..? ] and plain common sense is ignored by those at the helm. I've been around racing longer than many and I can't ever recall so much waste and so much utter stupidity.

I think we are too late now....I am staggered to hear the opinions of so many non-racing people who think we just bash the hell out the horses.

I actually thought that Bernard seemed a decent bloke, he must be sick of peddling the same tired old b/s all the time. But, wouldn't you think that at some point, he must stop and think, hang on, there has to be a more logical forward plan than this? Your brother has repeatedly pointed out that when Winston's largesse was dished out to us, we wasted it - and very quickly things returned to woeful. The increase in stakes - held up now to be the saviour of all things- actually achieved diddly squat for the industry overall. And, as you have pointed out, any funds realised from trashing community racing [ and it will be stuff all ] will quickly be swallowed up - pissed against the wall, to quote - and there we will be again. How's the Cambridge allweather going? The Waikato clubs are scrapping amongst themselves...and when [ if ] the Greenfields project is completed, there has to be a real chance it will be smack bang in Cambridge suburbia before long. The allweather touted for Riccarton, has a mountain of hurdles to climb, resource consent and Ecan approval for starters before it can get underway...and as for Shane Jones' lolly scramble, I have to have doubts as to whether it will fall our way. Look elsewhere, Bernard, because what's under your nose ain't too impressive.

Spot on, Reefton.

It most certainly WASN'T a mint...and the object was clearly handed back. ..and for those who say it was a tongue-tie..the horse doesn't wear one. Handing something to a jockey is most definitely not permitted..unless a towel for wiping off sweat around at the barrier, or - on occasion - a water bottle. To think that this, in clear view of anyone who was watching trackside as well as those present, isn't concerning you? Our industry is in free fall, and this b/s is okay? There have been feelings that Weir and Currie across the ditch have been 'victimised' , partly as a result of their success...but, ffs, at least someone noticed. I haven't said the exchange was ' dodgy ' ....but for the incident to pass unquestioned is unbelievable. If I forget blinkers or side winkers, I'll get fined. FFS, it is considered unacceptable to even touch a jockey pre-weigh in - even shaking the hand of the winning rider, not done. Not here, anyway....we don't have any Frankies leaping into Sheikh Mo's arms.... I've had queries from across the ditch ' what sort of effing circus are you lot running? ' I have found it difficult to give a coherent answer. Thomas, you are usually all over the feds for missing stuff, being incompetent, call it what you like, but your attitude is very odd over this biso. Have you been told to STFU ? by any chance? Remember, in matters involving the public's perception, justice must not only be done, it must be SEEN to be done.

Maybe so, they can come off ...saddles get re-adjusted sometimes also, as do bridles but horses don't go round to the start without them !

But, the jock then gave whatever-it-was, back.

Actually, that is not the allowed procedure any more, as it was years ago. The tongue tie must be fitted at saddling.