Freda

Dairy farmer from Reefton would have been MUCH cheaper.

I'm probably not much help either, inasmuch as some horses will always get down on their bumpers irrespective of surface, and some never will. Depends on conformation and often a shoeing tweak is all that is required. But for a horse that is susceptible, the more coarse and abrasive, the worse it is.

So, for an old fashioned soul like me, 3-500mms is more than one foot, in old terminology. That is significant and could not develop in such a short time, I wouldn't think.

Good farmers can farm anywhere.

I'm sure Reefton could, with a bit of tact and the promise of a modest emolument, get Peter O'Malley up there to have a look. Sorted.

I'm wondering what happens to the mesh inlaid with all this mechanical shoving around?

Very nice horse indeed. Horses aren't machines, and the young ones have all sorts of extra vulnerabilities to boot.

...certainly not sought, and, if given regardless, would be completely ignored.

Just spoke to a club secretary. He said that in his experience it was an NZTR decision, they would indicate a 'main' race at the advertised stake and a 'consolation ' with a reduced stake. Said he had never been party to any discussion about making up the difference from any club he had been involved with, or being required to choose which option.

Eleven races at Ashburton, wonder where they'll put all the horses ?

Well, that was my initial thought, but then the name changed floored me a bit.

I didn't know there was a CD Club Hub.

Given my innate courtesy, that'll do. You don't have a 'Miss Jools' over here, however, so thought I'd dip my toe into the grammar/spelling correcting stuff.

FFS...can we not just accept that T.A have developed into an impressive conglomerate that is very, very good at what they do.? But they are not the only way to go....there are many other successful operations that fly a bit lower under the radar...that doesn't make them inferior, just different. No outfit however has a mortgage on top horses and T.A has its share of horses that are moderate, average, or just plain awful. As we all do. Chatting to a stable representative, locally, a few years ago about the stock he was handling at that time, he said, these are the shitters, we have more of them than the highflyers- but they are part and parcel of keeping the whole thing going. Go Racing has a different modus operandi, but many people have a great experience with them.

' Viscous - a thick and sticky substance '

Years ago we had a two week school here at Riccarton, residential, and Max Skelton as riding master, when he had his riding school, used some of his retired racehorses for the riding tuition. It was great, but I presume either cost or dropping participation led to its cessation.

I think Daniel's one has shifted to Cambridge. But NZTR has its own rather complicated system, with apprentice 'mentors' and regular apprentice school linked to NZQA standards. I don't think they would be responsive to an academy type of operation- and the costs would be significant.

Damian is now mentoring apprentices on the Sunshine Coast, so both he and wife Kim very much still involved.

Yes. Jamie Bullard is training locally. Jamie Bates rode in Australia, and his son - Logan Bates - has started riding in Victoria. Kim Lange went to Aus with her partner Damian Browne who had a stellar career, rode briefly and the couple have two children. Andre Gillett, not now although rode for Gai Waterhouse briefly.

Can we use your bank account? Mine won't manage it.

Daniel Nakhle is to be congratulated for his riding academy, the shame is that it is his private initiative and not an industry one.

Afraid you are right. Discipline in homes seems non-existent, so it is very hard to get the level of commitment needed to succeed . Hard night out? Don't turn up to work. Stiff and sore because new muscles are being used for, in some cases, the first time.? Have to have a week off. Cold wet day? Can't possibly go out and get soaked. Different ball game now. So we get back to the imports, who for the most part are respectful and hard working, and grateful for the opportunity. And often get treated badly as a result, makes me very ashamed of our culture sometimes.

Yes, that's quite true. Flatting and modern city life is also a very different environment to the older private stables with, as you say, accommodation. Rented/ leased stables at tracks are now the norm and the early mornings and long hours along with the temptations that naturally arise do make it difficult to attract young people to the lifestyle. Rule changes also made things harder for employers. Things weren't perfect years ago and things did have to change, but for a long time, not for the better. IMO. One well-known trainer commented ' they've taken control away from the employers, but replaced it with nothing ' and I feel he was right. A lad down here on loan, 4 claimer Donovan Cooper, seems to ride well, sits nicely, balanced and whip use tidy. Trained where? South Africa.

My apprentices were a bit earlier than that. The size of my team dropped and I didn't feel I could justify and support a young rider.

She'll have plenty of help in that respect going forward.