Freda

You are correct wrt Andre Klein. Jumps racing down here lost a passionate advocate when he departed.

Yes, and no. And despite my observation earlier, Jase is doing very well. There is definite improvement [ albeit in small amounts ] in some of the local kids. One, Yogesh Atchamah, has worked diligently with Jason on his times, and with the support of boss Andrew Carston, the improvement in his riding is noticeable. But that doesn't mean the 'system' gets a pass, more that the new local mentor is doing a very good job. I have a young lady doing a few hours in the morning for me, she is bright, alert, and a great worker. She is in the final stages of B.Ag Sci. degree at Lincoln. But when attempting to do her stablehand's licence, was staggered at the amount and content of her application. The first attempt was a carefully answered list of questions, appropriate attachments - driver's licence, etc for I.D - neatly compiled, and emailed away. Got a reply, eventually, thanking her for her 'excellent application, well done, but the form used is now obsolete.'.....so she followed the link they gave her, and repeated her application in a nearly identical format. Hasn't had any response as yet. Given that I am a tech dinosaur, I imagine a moderately bright ten year old would find their way around a computer better than I can. Still, the amount and content of the application requirements I found astonishing. Would quickly put off a school leaver who just wants to work with horses.

Sorry, you've lost me too..?

Ya think ?

Those same over-mentored apprentice jockeys aren't showing a great deal of improvement as a result. IMO.

As far as greyhounds go, the efforts made by GRNZ along with the retrainers is a well-kept secret. Surgery for injured dogs before being re-homed is paid for by GRNZ, and every effort is made give these dogs a decent chance at a 'forever' home. The publicity around greyhound racing is awful though, and one would think that some bright spark might just highlight what is actually done on behalf of retired dogs.

Despite my love of the jumping horse, watching the rag-tag mob scrambling over tatty fences at Hawera was depressing. It can't be long before the jumping is finished altogether, it's already gone in the south. So, in reply to your [ I suspect ] tongue-in-cheek comment, if we have to watch and/or compete in poly racing, it needs to be rewarded appropriately at least. Dumbing down industry-day stakes I find inexplicable As remarked upon elsewhere, Entain has come along and said, here, have some more money. But their front-men seem to be as oblivious as our own management to the need to foster and encourage involvement at the bottom.

Chautauqua comes to mind as well...thankfully no major injuries resulted in his situation

The Riccarton room is pretty good. Platters of grapes, crackers, cheese, mango slices, etc, on the table in the middle, as well as very good soup - vegetable last Thursday - which was delicious. Excellent, I thought.

Obviously, none. Just wondering, what was the rationale from the club's point of view for the move at that time? It wouldn't have been a forced move, surely? Rangiora hosted the club's days for years, presumably successfully from both sides. My memory of Amberley was of attending on one of its last, if not the last, day there. Working for Peter Jones at the time, we took a Sedgewick colt there which Peter confidently expected to win. Also have a recollection of passing Maurice Thornley on the road, head under the car bonnet. He just managed to miss the hurdle race, which was the source of much amusement later on.

Noeline Dobbs ( nee Pratt) was old Lionels daughter and young Lionels mother. She was an early competitor in the Ladies' races that helped get many of the girls accepted as riders and pioneered women being allowed to ride under rules. A very fine horsewoman in her own right. Pretty sure Flying Views colours were green, but a long time ago! Shane Laming is Bevan's son, looking at the big tall stretch now you'd wonder how he ever rode raceday! Local farrier Scotty Laming is Shanes son and partner of jockey Sam Wynne.

Actually, I can point to several who had exactly that view, but i wont identify any for obvious reasons. A few years ago, amid all the discussion about myriad things, there was definitely a consensus that yes, NZ had too many tracks. Maintenance of these were the reason NZ racing was on the back foot. But it was never clear just how much too many there were, or why. Compared to where.? Never did we see costings to bear out such ideas.

I think that about sums it up.

Doesn't alter the fact that your contributions are always very welcome- not to mention informative and entertaining. Don't let the fact that you may not have any horses in work or mares in foal stop you posting.

I reckon on-line gaming is their end game. Notwithstanding the current legality of that, it would realise huge profits if able to be implemented.

Great post, insightful as always, Jess. An example of the mindset prevailing - a shade off topic, but still - a local trainer was recently threatened with the loss of his trainers' licence. A salt-of-the-earth sort of guy, a good jockey formerly, has trained for years, campaigned a very good horse in Australia a few years ago with success; and still has a smart one racing at the moment which has been successful recently at Trentham. His crime? couldn't supply an email address. Some might think this is justified, after all, email communication has largely taken over the written, posted letter. But many large businesses still supply communication in hardcopy if required. No suggestion that your power will be cut off if you want your bills in the post. How hard is it, you lazy bastards, to send this bloke - and a few others like him, no doubt, a letter? Maybe ring him if urgent? it's not as if there will be very many to accommodate like this.

Same.

Very good question. One thing is certain, with a new NZTR board member a commercial breeder, there will be no appetite for either criticism or change.

That won't happen, because they don't think there is anything wrong with it. More stakemoney will drive improvement, so Sharrock told me. How can any change eventuate with that attitude at the top?

Oh, i will.

Wonder how much this b/s cost?

Jason Laking is mentoring our local lads and lasses here, and doing a great job. Rides work regularly and is Johnny-on-the-spot if any problems surface. One young man who has improved in leaps and bounds under his tutelage is Yogesh Atchamah, riding very well indeed currently.

Quite. As for Glen Boss - a terrific opportunity for these youngsters to avail themselves of the expertise of one of the all-time greats, and super of Glen to do this. However, he was one of the guest speakers at Riccarton on Friday, where an auction of Windsor Park yearlings, along with a luncheon and dialogue from not just Glen, but Israel Dagg and the mercurial Peter Moody was held to aid with fundraising for Rohan Mudhoo, recently diagnosed with cancer. The day was praised by all who attended, with all credit to the CJC for organizing/catering, etc as well as Windsor Park being involved in this very worthy cause. I'm not sure that NZTR had that much to do with the overall initiative although no doubt they would have been very supportive.

More of the same then?

Messara was advised by some to keep Waikouaiti as it 'attracted a different crowd and had a lovely view' . Hard to blame the man for the shambolic approach that ensued wrt tracks. Waikouaiti didn't stay open regardless.