Freda

No doubt about that. I've learned a lot from Baz, Mardi and Curious, not just about punting [ it is a stretch to call what I do 'punting' anyway, although I have to skite that I trebled my investment with the help of bet365 - and Pitty -yesterday ] ] and the site will be the poorer for anyone's defection, not just the above mentioned, as well as your good self. I come on here for discussion, enlightenment, light relief, and the occasional bit of decent debate. Thomas, for all his capacity to irritate, does occasionally, make some very good points. I live and work around fkwits every day...maybe I just have a thicker skin than some, I don't know, but I have to accept that the result of 4 million years of evolution is, mostly, bloody disappointing. Watching Dr Brian Cox on TV is a big help in that respect...there is some hope..! The old racechat used to be frequented by a former client of mine, one C Wightman..and he used to drive everyone to distraction. Was a good client though, until he decided I wasn't what he wanted in a trainer, fair enough, his call, but always paid promptly and never interfered other than exercising his right to express opinion. He was eventually 'released' from the site, to the relief of most, but strangely enough, over the time that he had been away, there kept arising issues with NZTR that he had highlighted for discussion, were very valid and still are today. NZRB function and method, he completely failed to comprehend, to the annoyance of a few more 'educated' posters..and eventually they dropped away. I'm hoping that this excellent site can somehow manage to incorporate all points of view..expressed in a suitable manner, of course.

You know this, how?

Back to back, topweight, three of the first four home southern horses.....wow. Take a bow, Pitty.

Must have been drawn for Ellerslie....perhaps Rick and his crew had some input...

She was probably lucky...less interference.

Brett has a bit of bother with this rule...he does actually ride pretty well although he is probably flattered by the opposition.

....but funny.

Shit yeah...remember that very clearly....! Just as well Lee Callaway was in front.

Oh...bloody hell, harden up, you bunch of flowers. Life isn't always how you want it. I caught up with a young friend on the Coast, she's in her early thirties and was diagnosed six months ago with Motor Neurone disease. She's already walking with calipers and crutches and has to use a wheelchair to go any distance....she knows full well what lies ahead. But there she was, at the races, having a beer and enjoying the day......and some of you are worried about your bruised egos..? Ffs....

Agree....there used to be another irritation on the old Racechat....why people feel the need to respond, or get their knickers in a twist..just don't look at the tripe if it is too much to deal with...ffs... I detest the Kardashians...so I don't watch the crap. Simple.

...and I'm still locked out....have re-requested a password re-set, which has so far been ignored for a week or so... and just attempted to request it again..but request denied, it said.

....and nine riders, multiple barrier staff as WELL as the starter, two clerks of the course, the vet, and one stipe.....and no-one noticed.

One or two who clearly wanted some advice - noticeably Kate Cowan and Rohan Mudhoo at Kumara - got walked around....but no, not as a consistent practice which I think is pretty poor. It should have been mandatory. I got Mouse McCann to take one first-timer round at Greymouth. I think that the standard of riding overall was woeful, and something needs to be done about the 'system' before northern riders are too scared to come down...and some of them are by no means perfect either. CWJ commented to me that the kids need to drop their irons a few holes and shove their feet right home for starters. ...and my opinion, for what it's worth, is that the long-rein, soft hand style which is lovely to watch and is perfectly fine on a roomier track and where the pace is consistent , is totally inappropriate for these tight circuits. The old-fashioned style of the riders of a few years ago, with the horses held firmly on a shorter rein and feet 'home' in the irons, was safer and suitable for the conditions....considering that most of the apps around are from Mauritius or Asia, not surprising that things are a bit messy. A few years ago, Lisa Cropp - in the peak of her career - was brought down to ride at Hoki for promotional purposes. She had perfected the riding-on-the-buckle technique to such a degree that it became her trademark style - but again, not suitable for the tight corners. She had one ride, packed herself up and left.

Good post. Would make very interesting reading if those metrics were applied to every racetrack.

Love the Coast....but it's a pity the steering was so sub standard for the circuit.

Obviously. In the Gore race mentioned, one rider ( Gee Saejorhor ) told the starter that he was in the wrong gate, and was told to shut up. Brings incompetence to a new level....Or, as has been speculated, maybe it suited someone to leave it be..?

Actually it does have a pub...a very nice one too....but the rest if your comments are spot on It's only silly Winston who wants to keep it and ' centralise' there...no one else is that stupid.

Yes, David Walsh is the apprentice mentor. But wrt the flapping and flailing of many of the young riders, unsightly and awkward it certainly is, but the real danger to themselves and others is the inability to adequately manage/steer/ control their mounts, and the rapid changes of direction and speed which causes chain reactions through a field. I suggested that some might benefit from a decent spell on the sideline, not the few racedays now given. Three months to reflect upon what the reins are for might be a good start...and also the [apparently] haphazard practice of granting riding licences needs refining IMO. The employers of these kids have to stand responsible too, a few spend a lot of time going through race replays and discussing ways to improve - but some, equally, don't. I used to insist my apprentices watched all their replays, and any advice that I felt it beyond me to give [ as a non-racerider] I would get a experienced senior to go through with them, as well as insisting that they rode to time when executing gallops. Pretty normal way back but I don't think so much now. A lad from the UK was telling me recently about the Jockey school he attended, it sounds very intense and would put our system to shame [ with respect to those who work hard to help and do their best ]. Even a potential work rider must be ticked off as competent by the school, you can't just rock up to Nicky Henderson's yard and announce you can ride. That would obviate the awful events recently experienced by a couple of NZ trainers with young and grossly inadequate riders being seriously hurt.

Shucks....thanks, Baz.

Was indeed. But I had to have a word with one of the feds about the poor riding overall lately...it's bloody scary at times and - IMO - it is the poor policing that contributes.

Wish I could have heard it..!

Turnover pleasing?

Will try that...thanks

Yep.

Can't anyone write emails either?