Freda

Yes. That is beyond sad..but, nowhere - apart from on here and, occasionally, the other websites - can one find any informed opinion and progressive ideas. Hell, any ideas, even regressive ideas might be better, looking back to when things worked may not be so bad after all. I watched an interview with Daniel Nakhle recently, where he was being commended for his innovation wrt the Jockey's academy, and also his part in bringing out the two classy S.A riders. But - and I'm sure we all appreciate his innovation and financial support to the industry - he was giving Sharrock and George glowing credit for their leadership and forward thinking. Really ? or was it tongue-in-cheek ? I haven't quite decided.

Where does the Timaru Cup sit? it's bad enough that it has now been lobbed into an industry day.

I'm confused. Not hard but still....the first paragraph referring to the 30 mill seems to me to repeat itself. The second is clear enough. I think.

Hmm. Just watched the replay several times. In the absence of a head-on view, can only be a speculative opinion [ IMO ] but to me, it looks as if the Mudhoo brothers have created the situation, not, in this case, Mose. He and Heidi Hi are sharing the speed in front, Heidi Hi drifts off the fence presenting a run to Asathought, putting Kilowatt 3 wide without any sins committed, at that point. Then along comes Rohan on Dunhill, pushing Kilowatt off line at the same time as Krishna is trying to dive between it and Heidi Hi. If everyone who didn't keep to their line is put out we'll have to run races in divisions of six. There won't be anyone left.

Jeez..I know I am naive in the big wide world of finance....but bloody hell. Confidentiality indeed.

Actually, J.B, it's worse than that...the wording was actually ' TOO the Clark...' Ffs. Simple use of spell check would have picked that up.

Lol...I was trying to indicate it is not available all the time so therefore wouldn't be getting daily maintenance. The poly doesn't get groomed daily either, I was told, although it is supposed to be. When it rains the plough is unavailable and can take up to a week to be suitable to use. And over the spring period there was clearly a cost- cutting strategy wrt mowing on the CP. We all saw the results of that.

Amusing topic, and it pisses me off too. I chide myself for being petty and pedantic, but it isn't really. An immigrant for whom English is a second language can spell and construct a sentence better than many of us. Communication via the written word is the effective and specific way we humans can pass on information, that means is denied to other living creatures, and also how we can express emotion in some beautiful poetry and prose in the written language. Technology is advancing at an exponential rate but ( IMO ) the dramatic drop off in literacy is a very dangerous precedent.

The additional AWT costs? the training tracks have reduced in number from 15 to 3.5. I should have thought there would be a significant saving. The regular visits from the Martin Collins crew were factored in to the original contract, most of which was met by the taxpayer.

What does Rangiora having a racemeeting have to do with losing money on training operations? And Riccarton is obviously not charging enough, thanks for that snippet, we'll just double our training fees to cover increased costs and watch the horses disappear.

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.