Freda

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.

Yeah. I had a runner in an open 1000 last year at Riccarton, he won in 58.6, home 33.5....Heavy 8. Really? It's not really possible to take their readings at face value.

And Riccarton trials scheduled for tomorrow, off.

It's unfair for horses - and their connections - to be penalised for their trainer. Usually a transfer to another trainer is carried out. Whether that person is a family member or otherwise, I guess depends on who is available at short notice.

I read 'slit' drains.

Exactly

Yes, there is a programming committee, and I must correct my statement that of the T.A. wasn't involved...apparently they were, at least as far as the extra Sundays were concerned. They were prepared to go along with that provided that there was a stakemoney increase to reflect the extra costs.

Some decisions that are certainly hard to fathom. The extra meetings for trots in the north are astonishing...someone like the enterprising Michael House will no doubt target many of them, but otherwise, where will the horses come from? All the tinkering seems to have little real connect with what is needed in any specific district. As far as Canterbury is concerned, I must re-iterate what I was told by Tim Mills, that the South Island is considered 'one area' by NZTR. Any desire to increase permits in Canterbury over [especially] that summer period will be waved away. And the T.A, certainly in our area, was not consulted in any way. There have been so many changes to programming and funding over the years, and we are told we mustn't look back, but forward; or worse, that we are 'negative' and against progress. But, really? I can't for the life of me see much 'progress ' here. As far as Timaru is concerned, it beggars belief that this club would be treated this way. Sure, it has had its problems, financially esp, over the years...I recall, a VERY long time ago, when the club gave up some weekend dates and opted for Friday, as the remuneration from off course betting was much better at that time. Naturally, on-course participation fell away and the club battled for a fair while. Recently it has managed very well and now produces an excellent raceday. Surely success should be encouraged? rewarded? but seemingly not. Another factor with much more Sunday racing - staff. The small teams with friend or family involvement will probably battle on, as they do now; but extra labour costs will be a big factor for many. The Chief will point out that Sunday trading has to be dealt with by many businesses and he is right in that respect..but capable and reliable staff to travel horses, or conversely to be left behind to manage the home team aren't that easy to find. We're not talking checkout operators here, whatever some may think about stable staff.

Hmm.

Dust off the camper-van and head south looks like the plan.. 😒

Exactly. As Reefton pointed out - probably several times - when punters don't want to bet, owners don't want to race and trainers/riders won't come to our track, we'll put the white flag up. But until then, why should we? At the risk of 'harping on' the Coast club that was refused a licence on its own track - Westland - had the capital in kitty to make any improvements deemed necessary without calling on industry money, as well as abundant local help and goodwill. So Greymouth ran a successful ' Westland' day on that circuit but no, not allowed now. And some think that the committee were out of line donating the asset back to the community. FFS. Good on them, I reckon. Far better that, than giving it away to be mismanaged.

Interesting result. From a legal perspective, I guess the right decision has been made, vis. the obtaining of 'better' results in races as a result of the actions. The recent RIB inspections of training facilities wrt the welfare of the horses, spanks of the same unrealistic and airy-fairy ideas about horse management. For the record, I'm not against such inspections at all, but some of the comments attributed to the personnel involved are hilarious. But the cruelty aspect of the actions is a different matter altogether.

Ploughed paddock? just what were you watching? because it sure as hell couldn't have been Timaru. There were some cows standing knee deep in mud shown on the news, you must have been confused.