Freda

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?

Thanks, but I have followed that link already....fine until I have to 'enter the email I registered' .... I never used an email to log in, but I obediently entered my email anyway....locked.

It took two days to reply to my request, and then the instructions made no sense. I followed them precisely - and locked out again . Dont care now anyway....apart from the small amount of money that I have effectively lost.

Funny man.

Fine on bet365.

Just don't try to ring the helpline, Chief.

We're in the Mainland, NM...have faith.

They can go and fark themselves. Just opened bet365 acct and had a couple of bets. I'm hardly Pablo Escobar so they won't miss me...but I would rather be supporting NZ racing in my small way.

I have tried on another device, yes. Both my username and password I have had for years...and to Brodie, thanks for the wellmeaning advice, but I can spell my own name.

Well, I am still waiting to HAVE an opinion...because I'm still locked out. Followed the link to re-set password, finally got an email two days later telling me to ' click on password tab and put in your username' .....I digested that for a few moments, thought, ok, I won't try and be clever [ which I am most clearly NOT ] so I obediently did exactly as I was told. Unsurprisingly, I was refused. I won't bore you with all the mish mash of attempts- but how does anyone get the helpline personnel to answer the fekkn phone? I went to the pub yesterday to try and withdraw funds..nope, account locked. yeah, I knew that but you still hope....useless pricks.

Well, bully for all you smart pricks....I'm still locked out.. no reply still from helpline and no response from helpdesk other than to refer me to helpline..

Will have to wait until the helpdesk does something helpful....other than referring me to a helpline that doesn't go anywhere.

No. Getting highly pissed off.