Freda

Yes. Also, the idea that adverse comment ' brings racing into disrepute ' can be dealt with severely. Ralph Manning was castigated for being critical in an a raceday interview - although, knowing Ralph, he wouldn't have minced words. The latest two T.A national presidents are both trained accountants I believe. So, given a [presumed] numerical skillset that should make it possible to comprehend the fiscal reality that is our industry and the reasons for that, neither have seemed to be able to comprehend that reality and keep pushing the same line as everybody else. If leadership can't/won't, where does the drive to make change come from? A young trainer locally is about to lose an owner because of his perception that training facilities aren't to his liking, and another one potentially in the same boat with a different client. A third trainer was facing the loss of one because of the need to travel some considerable distance to get a suitable track/grade/trip for his horse. Given that he had several horses in the stable, that was a significant hit. I notice the colours are still going around, but trainer/partner are in the ownership along with him. So, an educated guess is that concessions have been made to keep that particular horse anyway. So criticism can be self-defeating. Clients are the lifeblood of an operation, any loss for whatever reason can make the difference between not just success/failure, but very survival.

What he said.

Oh dear. A more unlikely happening would be hard to find....

Thanks Chief.

I find the character assassination both unnecessary and extremely distasteful. Surely it should be possible to have an 'adult' discussion without ripping people to shreds? I knew Nigel way back when he was a lad working for D.G. A very good friend of mine actually gave Nigel his first driving success. He is likeable, personable, and great fun socially. But he has pushed the boundaries and has to bear the penalty for that. That doesn't make him an axe murderer or a child molester - but if you were competing against him at certain times, you may not think so kindly of him. Michael is a different kettle of fish altogether. He has dragged himself up by the bootstraps from nothing - no legendary trainer's footsteps for him to step into. As the owner [ now] of the Prebbleton Veterinary Clinic - formerly owned/developed by the well-respected John Shaw - he recently authorised some podiatry work on one of my horses who has significant foot problems. This is gonna cost, I said to him. Does the owner have the funds? he wanted to know. Who is the owner? me, I said. short answer, no. Off he went with his phone stuck to his ear and I heard him say, we'll do this pro bono. The gallopers he trains are also hand-me-downs, and he does a better than fair job with them too.

Naturally....a southerner.

Of course jockey and horse must have a safe track, no need to feel 'conflicted', you clearly did a good job. The problem is providing one. Something that other jurisdictions seem to mostly do.

A 65 1600 added to the May 31st polytrack meeting. Maybe someone reads these websites after all? Well done anyway.

Wouldn't it ! But the H&S stuff would get trotted out [ no pun intended ] as a reason to stop it.

Well, this seems to be going nowhere....but - If young Beau was, in fact, riding an ex-racehorse, it was small, unbranded, and effing slow. A racing T/B would have been a hundred yards in front of a bunch of ponies after four strides, not a few lengths ahead at the end.

Really? I always found him very personable and helpful. Obviously I wasn't privy to financial and other dealings wrt club or Gallop South business.

I looked pretty carefully at the pony's shoulder, and I couldn't see any brand.

What is being said, now, about the revelations surrounding the management - financial and otherwise - of Kianga Ora? I defy anyone, whatever their political persuasion to find something positive in that.

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.