Freda

At last, someone prepared to critique the NZTR management ethic other than we 'keyboard warriors'. And, excellent summation, Wingman. I am as surprised as the above poster that they think the current foal crop is 'optimal'. We have the drop off in foal numbers from, say, 20 years ago, when things were going well [ or at least way better than now ] and exacerbated with the loss of competitors through overseas sales. But seemingly not factored in is the ever-increasing numbers which are sent to Australia to compete under local ownership. At a 'roadshow' years ago, under the Purcell / Goodson administration, much was made of [ potentially] those very facts from the floor and the numbers bandied about were rubbished. But they weren't wrong. That same administration was handed some very good work outlining handicapping/programming matters that could have been tweaked even back then. But ignored. And the blasted paperwork referred to....have to agree wholeheartedly with the NZB guy. The big stable/syndicate/owner operations have professional office staff. But most smaller outfits don't. A young trainer remarked to me only last week, it's just too hard. I'd be happier training my own and not worrying about all the hoops we have to jump through. Recently an overseas [senior] rider returned home overseas, with some apprentice funds still in his account. He had applied online - with much difficulty -to have those funds transferred to his bank account. Now I wasn't much help, he, like most young people can find his way around websites with ease, but even he battled with it. Finally, we both checked everything as done OK and pressed ' submit'. Nothing happened. Phone calls went unanswered, finally I was told 'tell him to do it again, it must have timed out' . But he couldn't. Eventually I contacted an employee from NZTR whom I knew well, and she managed to do it herself, although it wasn't her area of work at all. Just hopeless. Without her assistance, this lad's money would have just remained sitting there. The admin stuff - and staff - gets bigger and bigger, and the bits that matter are still unaddressed.

Don't worry, these sites are read all right. Which makes it all the more disappointing that not one will condescend to come on and answer questions or at least put up a reasonable discourse.

Still do, to get a ratings point and a better chance of gaining a run.

Be absolutely horrid without the jumpers going around.

The Cossack/West Coast, Berry the Cash/Nedwin will be mouthwatering contests IF the protagonists remain unscathed and choose to make the trip south; not to ignore other good performers that may just be lucky enough to have their day in the sun.

Tea?

One wonders why Avondale didn't give them the middle finger.

Yes. As I said in another conversation, I've gotten over being angry and frustrated, and aim to continue doing what I love doing, for now. But I have to wonder how long before the penny drops in Dick St in Cambridge that they've fucked an industry?

I've met Portia, heard of Sam Mynott, Nathan Williamson and Sarah OReilly are trotting drivers, Hunter Durrant manages Te Akau's Riccarton barn and who t f are the others?

No, he isn't doing that

What on earth is going to happen with the jumps fields ? Will they be split? That's an uppercut for the notion that jumps should be phased out....a very definite positive vote.

What an effort! Impressive young athletes indeed.

Interesting. The Ashburton administration has evolved somewhat since those days but I believe trials are still seen as a valuable source of income - given that as far as I am aware, they receive little or no remuneration from any outside sources. But there has be a balancing act between that and the preservation of their course proper for racedays. I've learnt to exist with the status quo, looking back only makes me - and others - frustrated and angry. Not good as a lifestyle choice, and clearly no one at head office is going to take a blind bit of notice. I recall when there was a meeting at Riccarton involving representatives of Canterbury clubs [ before Winston rode in on his white horse waving buckets of public money ] to discuss the merits of installing a polytrack at Riccarton. As can be imagined, there was a robust and lengthy discussion. Eventually Kevin Hughes, then a committee member, turned around to the rows behind him in the middle of a passionate promotion by the CEO. For God's sake, he said, in a stage whisper, there isn't the money, it'll never happen, just put your hands up and agree then he'll shut up and we can all go home. But one point was strongly made by Tim Mills, that to justify the cost of putting one in, race dates would have to be transferred from other clubs to promote the poly. It shouldn't, then, be any surprise that that is exactly what has happened. Also, Interestingly, some of the most passionate proponents of that same facility are now the most vocal about the lack of grass opportunities. We have all heard that saying 'be careful what you wish for, you might get it'.

The Doncaster Turf Club. They ran trials at Ashburton as well. Then Ashburton decided to run theirs themselves- badly needing the extra income- and with the decommission of Orari and Waimate there wasn't much point carrying on.

We MAY have grass jumpouts at Rangiora, that was the plan and to the best of my knowledge repairs to the set of gates the locals were able to source is still in progress. At least jumpouts on the course proper is better than nothing, even if trials out there are not forthcoming.

...not AR?

Hell, yeah. And the characters involved, of whom we won't see the like again. Some might say for the better! but it gave the game colour which despite some great achievements from today's participants, is so badly lacking.

Atmosphere, crowd, at Wingatui in June? Optimistic to say the least! The poor guy will no doubt struggle to see any point in the exercise!

Can't comment about all the northern jocks, but Ashvin G does get his travel covered when T.A has runners south. And he does his share of stable work too, when here, so fair play to him IMO. The Parsons' would contribute to costs, as does Terri Rae and probably Marsh too.

Yes. Easter [ Riverton ] used to be the last meeting in Southland, and Queen's [ King's ] birthday the last Dunedin meeting. Oamaru kicked in for Otago after that with a couple more esp with their excellent steeplechase course. Even allowing for changing weather patterns there wasn't much wrong with those arrangements. Even the locals were muttering about the very heavy ground at the last two meetings down south.

The local branch President thinks it's a good idea.

I'll see what sort of response that gets from the T.A.

Which makes me wonder, if, with a bit more flexibility in programming [ i.e. having some idea what grades/distances are wanted at any given time] most of those horses trialling might have chosen to go around at the races. Cheaper, for starters. The 2yo's on the other hand need encouragement, as their opportunities are very limited. But their trial gets deleted.

But we don't really have tiered racing, only tiered stakes

Hell yeah, those questions are cringeworthy.