Freda

The only people trainers have any direct influence over are their own apprentices. Most of the others are tradesmen over which we trainers have as much influence over as you do over the performance of the police, or the standard of plumbers. Perhaps you can share your expertise with NZTR, it's bound to help.

She was very smart. Penny Hargraves acquired the family - through Khurasan I think - and daughter Sophie has bred from it for years. The best recently has been smart gelding El Santo, and currently the useful mare Santisssima.

Got it. Hey Pronto.

Do you remember Pat working his pacer with him? Can't think of his name, but he was a fair horse in his own right.

Great memories of a wonderful horse, Chief....thanks. Mind you it is a lovely day here in the Mainland.

I'm not getting into a discussion about how average many of them are...but how will we manage going forward with the spate of suspensions dished out yesterday? Would it not make more sense to give decent fines, knowing that there will be a rider shortage? Already we are down two [ Sam and Tina ] for some time, others have ongoing weight issues making them unavailable for more than half the fields anyway [ Laking, Bothamley, Lowry ] not to mention the fall sustained by Rohan Mudhoo [ not sure how long he will be out ] and as well I believe both Rohan and Krishna Mudhoo will be going home for a few weeks for Rohan's wedding. Kwo, Fawcett, H Kamaruddin all sidelined, A. and J. Mudhoo too...it's gonna be interesting !

Go and offer yourself. Show them how.

I think Craig does a great job.

It's just so bloody depressing. Many clever and knowledgeable folk have, over the years and more specifically recently, when it has become obvious how badly racing is trending, have ventured comments and put forward ideas, some have given time and effort ( for nothing) about handicapping and programming issues, others have put forward logical strategies - one in particular has offered to re do the whole south island programme. But none have been heeded. I don't wish to be negative, but what makes you think that when able people such as these are ignored, any comment from the likes of me will be given any consideration? As for jumping, they have to be dreaming. No one does jumping like the Brits and the Irish. Why would a jump jock from the N H even bother? Novelty perhaps ? Sightseeing? I had a lad from England stay at mine some years ago, when Andre Klein was trying to keep the whole shebang going down here. He, and countryman Andrew Glassonbury did a season down here. Andrew had personal reasons for his trip, but, what a lovely rider. He was just magic over a fence. The other lad, Charlie Wallis, hadn't had Andrew's exposure but was very capable too. Andre Klein placed these lads ( and others ) in local stables, but - as Charlie said to me - why would I come half way round the world to ride someone's breakers for $400 a week and steer around on raceday something that can't jump? If we want overseas professionals they must be paid what they are used to, not expected to slum it. The bird has flown as far as jumping goes I'm afraid. The stayer will go the same way, and nothing I can say will alter that. But...I would love to be wrong.

Yeah. And as well as your observations ( quite right they are, too ) one particular thing has irked me for years- Riccarton, with its lovely sweeping turns and the overall expanse of the track, can run 2500, 2600, 2800 races any time they like. But do they? No. 1800m and 2000m are offered as the 'staying' option....and sometimes there is nothing past 1600. Ffs, that isn't even a middle distance. Weren't we in NZ supposed to be the go to for stayers? Does anyone actually give a shit? No wonder the UK is now where Aus trainers source their Cup hopes. And no wonder our staying races resemble hack highweights.

Oysters....no. Doomed is right, the programming is abysmal. But costs preclude going all that way via public transport for an industry day, these wankers have no idea. But I was fortunate a friend was taking a trailer float down with her one horse and was pleased to have a buddy for it, and some costs shared.

Hell yeah ! They say it's a long road that has no turning....but the horizon was starting to look a long way away.! And, clearly, she's no star, but she has been the recipient of some horrible rides.

Partnership reason? most likely, although I don't know for sure. Lovely bloke, Daniel, good horseman too. He was lucky that he had support and somewhere else to train from, when the draconian and over-the-top Covid rules came in. So many on public tracks had no option but to comply or get out. A sad state of affairs which showed NZTR up badly. When visiting a supermarket is acceptable as a 'managed risk' and riding horses in the open air is not, the brain power of the seat warmers has to be questionable.

I bet they aren't so keen now.

Probabeel among others sported the black and gold chequers, when Jamie was the trainer incumbent. More recently I think Lance Noble has handled the NZ based runners.

Mark is a gifted horseman, he will do a fine job. All the best to him - and Nat.

Of course they were.

That doesn't fill me with much confidence. Dave Lloyd did a 'warrant of fitness' tour of racetracks, some time ago. Took him about nine months, he told me. But his opinions weren't heeded then, and I don't see any reason to be overly positive about Dean's involvement. Hope I'm wrong. BTW, S.A..don't you sleep?

Yes, Reefton, the buck always stops at the top. If some wally comes into my stable yard and a gate is found unlatched, and a horse has repaired to the hayshed to feast overnight, it is still MY FAULT. The systems were clearly not robust or foolproof enough. So, to airily say, oh, nothing to do with me, just doesn't cut it. That happens a lot in this neck of the woods, but I won't go into that any further for now.

Ok, good point. Just omit ' apparent insidious' from the post if you like.

God only knows...but [ to bang a drum that is already well used ] the closedown of Hokitika is another travesty. If there WERE specific track issues that needed remediation, the Westland club had both the finances, and the will, to do the work itself. It didn't need to call on 'industry' funding, like some bigger clubs have over the years. The decision was made and that was that. I have had some communication recently with Bruce Sharrock - and to give him due credit, he has replied to each and every one. A different animal in that respect to his predecessors. I mentioned the apparent insidious plan to close down country clubs and scuttle country racing, and he was adamant that was not on his agenda. We shall see just how truthful he is - although mention was made of 'the model that is currently followed by NZTR ' which MAY indicate that his own thoughts and official ones are not the same. Or perhaps I'm just being charitable. Time will tell. One thing is certain; the actions taken by the Chief Stipendiary Steward recently need to be addressed. And, as the RIB is supposed to be serving the wider racing industry - all three codes of it - there has to be accountability within its own structure. That seems to be NOT happening. Incompetence has been mentioned. I take a stronger view. If incompetence is being disguised by 'creative reporting' i.e. lies, that is no longer incompetence but corruption. You judge.

Is Beaudesert the closest? or is it the only track that is prepared to allow outside gallops?

Thanks, D. He certainly left his 'A' game at home last time, but yesterday showed more of what we have come to expect of him, and the track was very good. But there were few attendees; Granny Clampett's double barrelled shotgun could have been discharged, quite safely. As for 'every two weeks' for the next few months, bloody hell, they needed three months to get the blasted thing right after November.

That's a bit of a cultural sidestep..🙄

It performed with credibility too.