Freda

Well, they don't now so nothing is different there. And my sources tell me that the training operations at both Rangiora and Riccarton bleed money. They would be financially far better off without ' maintaining ' training facilities.

Megan's funeral was held on Thursday. Huge turnout, and very difficult for all. The proceedings were sympathetically overseen by Salvation Army chaplain to NZTR, Andrew McKerrow. It brings home, again, what a close-knit group the wider racing community is, especially here in the South. And also, how damned lucky we are to have a man like Andrew McKerrow to turn to in any situation, with his kindness, compassion - and faith.

I met Colin when I was a stable girl for Gary Lee, he had brought an Oncidium 3 year old ( Gipsyon ) down for the Derby, and he stayed at Chokebore Lodge. He was lovely, I didn't have much to do with him understandably, but several years later he was down at Riccarton and spotted me at the races. Hullo, love, he said, nice to see you are still with the horses. What a nice man, I thought, fancy remembering a lowly shit -kicker. A few more years on, and I had a trainer's licence, and again he noticed me at the races. I see you're training, he said, well done and good luck. Just such a decent bloke.

Fraid so, it comes to us all unfortunately, J.B. I guess all we can do is our best on the way through, and try and make a difference no matter in how small a way.

Yes, that is a worry. A wee bit of foresight and both Rangiora and Motukarara could have been retained to offload to. Ashburton is trying hard, they have a new and very competent track man and he seems to be doing a good job. But, with no actual gallop grass other than the course proper, there isn't much scope for too much hammering.

I think the posted H 9 might have had a bit to do with scratchings, however I have no idea where that came from, the track was very nice considering the rain we've had. Would have suited most.

I'll live happily with that if the Sydney Cup is at the end of it!

Yes, absolutely, all the best to our comrades and families, and spare a thought not just for those who have lost loved ones, but for those who don't have any at all. Can be the loneliest time of all for many.

Good points. Different weight distribution and build, too, must affect a landing.

I like it !

What wagering partner would want us?

Diego battered and bruised, and concussion. Tina soft tissue injuries, ankle in particular. Sam, broken collarbone, ribs, and pelvis. And the rest line up next Wednesday, same place, and do it all over again.

Thanks, J B, no, it wasn't very good at all this morning. When I left the ladies' jockeys room yesterday, poor little Denby was sobbing her heart out in Tina's arms. That's what they're like.

I'd guess ED is referring to Mark Todd. The FUNDAMENTAL difference here, is that the horse[s] had the option to remove themselves from the situation. That's called 'training' - create the desired response by making the preferred option more pleasant than the undesired one. A stockwhip not a good look, but the horse can stop the action quickly by going forward. It has then learnt that a flick may preclude something more, and next time moves on without a problem when asked. The video showing Mark whopping a horse over the rump with a branch was not good viewing..but I'm bloody sure he would rather have been applying it to the useless rider he was endeavouring to teach. Any time a rider or a groom applies hand or leg pressure, which ceases as soon as the horse responds in a particular manner, the pressure then stops. That's how handlers have achieved desired responses for generations. ' Please do as I ask or I'll cut your feed tonight' I'm afraid doesn't work. These poor sods had no choice. They were forcibly subjected to abuse with no means of addressing the situation. Appalling.

I didn't actually see it, I was out the back and, for once, I was in too much of a rush to set to record before I left. But the consensus is fairly clear. What was very tough to bear was the outpouring of emotion and distress from jockeys, stable staff, float drivers,and trainers alike. The South has it critics but you would never get a tighter or more loyal bunch.

Very, very sad. A gorgeous young woman, a hard worker with a bubbly personality and the loveliest smile that lit up the track every morning. It's unbelievable that light has gone out. Condolences to family, friends, and in fact to all who knew her. No problem with the track, however, it was in perfect condition [ a rarity at the moment, but there it is ] - rider error, pure and simple... not hers, I hasten to add. However, along with Sam Weatherley, the young rider concerned will have to deal with this for the rest of her life. And she was not in a good place today.

Oh....it just gets worse.

Maybe so, but I wasn't referring to Te Rapa other than to point out the whereabouts of the former manager. He managed Riccarton fairly well despite the many problems inherent in that job. The current manager hasn't been so fortunate and it may be that financial and other constraints have impacted on the overall performance of the track.

Understandable although another kick in the teeth for the CD

Yes. Absolutely. And I do agree, to some extent, with the Chief, wrt the track manager. I have said to him, on several occasions, that I was well aware that he didn't create this track. He inherited it. So he certainly can't be blamed for all the issues. But the former manager, now incumbent at Te Rapa, managed to deal with those same issues with far fewer problems surfacing. And there does seem to be a personality clash between the manager and the CEO. That can't make day to day matters easy either.

That is a concern of mine...I realise I have already commented, but it worries me. Given that the CJC - in particular - is crying poverty over the lost Cup Day, what chance is there that they can meet such a penalty [ whatever that may be ] from their own coffers? Losing a few racedays would be another way of imposing a penalty - again owners are hit, but as commented elsewhere, there are enough grass tracks around to utilise. Whatever happens, it is the owner who cops the penalty. And we desperately need to cherish these rare - and becoming rarer - creatures.

Yes. I think I was aware that TAB issue betting licences - or did, at least, before the 2020 Act. I'm not sure where I got the notion that most of that control had been devolved. So, under what authority, then, did NZTR disallow Hokitika from racing again?

' We have requested and been assured RACE have put in place further protocols to ensure this does not occur going forward.' Well, that worked. So, are these reports worth the paper - or whatever the online version is - they are written on ? And, as for the 'withheld funding' who ultimately pays? Does that mean that races cannot be held, going forward, for the money advertised? So then owners pay..and following on, trainers get hit, so then do jockeys - although most don't think that far ahead.. Or do track fees/rents go up? If the clubs have money problems now, how does this help the situation? not that I am implying there should be no consequences...but I don't see CEO's and their minions taking a salary cut to help balance the books.

Good points both. A three year old race - while no one chucks the sophomores a bone down here until the 3 southern Guineas events - would have been nice, again, you need continuity. Not just a race thrown in willy-nilly.

Oh. Good. What an innovative idea. When might this happen? The young Mr Trumper spotted very quickly that all may not be well, to my knowledge he is neither a track manager nor a jockey.