Freda

12 heats at Ashburton tomorrow.

What's up with Faye?

Shame indeed. He and fellow Saffie Warren Kennedy have shown just how good are the graduates from the Sth African Jockey School.

You're absolutely right. I spoke at length with a farrier who has been, at various times, the plating inspector and also the behind-the-barrier bloke. The rules were quite specific; if a horse is presented at the plate inadequately shod, it MUST be scratched. Quite clear. If a plate is lost on the way to the barrier, however, the matter is at the discretion of the farrier behind the barriers. In most cases of that nature, either the lost plate is replaced, or the other plate removed. So Oatham abrogated his own organisation's rules. And as well, the approval given to the Reefton track prior to the meeting, only to have him abandon the day on the flimsiest of pretexts, indicates a personal issue of his own which is quite unacceptable for someone in his position. If Clement has any credibility at all he will shift the bloke sideways somewhere - making the tea perhaps.

There is now a 'new' rule that a horse is NOT allowed to start without all four plates on.

Yeah, agree, I don't like the tentacles of overseas ownership either but this outfit is a dying duck. Best get rid of it before no-one at all wants it. Goodwill and Intellectual property mean naught in the face of mounting debt. Went to the Roadshow yesterday, didn't really want to but as I make a habit of tossing bricks, I thought I'd better show up. I have to concede that I'm not quite as despondent as I have been for a while - maybe that's just me and wishful thinking - but I am actually pleased I went. Sharrock is better in person than he appears on screen, and he had to deal with one particularly irritating contributor from the floor - which he did adroitly and with courtesy. It seems that TAB is in some discussion with a couple of offshore entities - which were not disclosed - and we may have some information about those discussions by the end of March. He also indicated there is still ongoing communication with Clement about the Coast debacle, he is not impressed at all by events but as the RIB is an autonomous body he has no jurisdiction there.

Apathy and stupidity mostly. We all have to own that, and those who COULD see the wood for the trees, are now ( mostly ) too disillusioned and tired to be bothered fighting an unwinnable battle.

Cheeky....

Just a thought about the 'ownership' of the TAB.....at the time of the first Racing Act [ 2003 ] and, more recently at the latest Act [ 2020] the industry had the opportunities to make their case against the about-to-happen legislative changes. In the first instance, they did nothing. Rolled over without a whimper. Preceding the recent Act, there were many submissions put in but there was nothing from a united front. Many who might have been expected to have protested vehemently about incipient changes were actually - staggeringly - in favour. So I humbly submit that we [ read 'the industry' ] deserve what we've got. Secondly, if we look at the current state of said TAB, would we bloody well want it? would anyone?

I think the enlightened posters on here, and some elsewhere, have been aware of these trends for a fair while. Not just weeks or months, but years.

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.