Freda

...sigh...and remember when we had a Wellington Derby as well, and a St Leger that really was a classic to strive for....until the 'commercial' reality of a staying colt made that unattractive..

..and on the Waikouaiti topic...I gather Kurow yesterday was a great day - as usual - with heaps of racegoers enjoying a day at a good track at a very picturesque spot which the M report wants to see gone...and at which, by the way, were several Canterbury racing people also enjoying a lovely day. The same lot who advised that Waikouaiti was the track to keep.

Yes, it did. I bought into the notion being bandied around that 'we' needed slick, professional, up-to-date management and forward-thinking business types....naive of me, again....because it has been largely downhill all the way since. I'm not implying those pre-ninety officials were perfect, but certainly their replacements are much less so.

There is little doubt that Messara didn't make his recommendations on his own research - on this and other tracks - which fact disappoints me greatly. I did have great hopes [ naively, obviously ] for his report. Advice on this particular travesty came from very close at hand.....the local administration - who felt that ' sitting on the hill overlooking the races ' was a valid reason for retaining a shithole of a track that attracts little patronage generally apart from one stable.

Funnily enough, some years ago, former CJC President John Austin [who was certainly NOT considered innovative in any shape or form] thought that obtaining cheaper land out Halkett way - light, dry, free draining soil - and setting up purpose-built training facilities was the way to go.

Ah....apparently there is a lovely view...

....to all, safe and happy holidays and good fortune whether racing, punting or just relaxing - and goodwill to all, even Thommo.!

Seems so...but our crooks are clearly of a better quality.. ! .I have to agree with Thommo here though, the integrity protocols are woeful.

What a shame...I've never had the chance to visit...but family members used to live there ( a number of years ago now ) and were ever nostalgic about the beauty and quiet elegance of Adelaide and the surrounding country. That would seem to have a parallel with the ending of oil/ gas exploration in Taranaki - ideology ahead of technology.

What's with the energy prices?

He's trained Grp 1 winners...I haven't.

Think she must have with 2 wins. Good to see S.I lad Corey Campbell doing so well too....the only app. on the list.

Glad you asked, 'cos I was scratching my head too..

Yes, Chief....but the reasons why/solutions are debated here and elsewhere....and by the look of things - and the speed of parliamentary process- there is SFA we at the coal face can do right at this minute.

Bloody hell....you get the drift...

And isn't it great to see everyone odd their areas thinking a out tomorrow....unfortunately it is probably too late. ( I hope not )

Haha, yep. Bloody brilliant!

None...because they ARE successful. This one isn't.

Wasn't aware of any 'bike' promo....so can't comment...but pretty sure there is no Injured Jockeys' fund now - was once - but not now in this day of ACC. There are still odd, special payments on an individual as-needs basis..but not a fund that I am aware of, or certainly not one of any significance.

If he attended apprentice school how could he NOT be aware of the whip rules?

Thanks, you just answered my earlier query.

I'm still confused.

Will a horse hold the same rating across country/provincial/city?

And speaking as a trainer....the large teams of beautifully bred horses necessarily produce a lot of wastage. Sent to a less pressured environment with, often, an outside or paddock environment, many of these horses improve out of sight. It is not that they have developed better form because the opposition is crap, but they have enjoyed and adapted to very differing regimes. That is off the ratings topic I realise....but you did ask for an opinion.