Freda

Sounds great. One of my friends used to do similar for Cup Day, whitebait, salads, hot smoked salmon, ham on the bone, BBQ ..some went to the races and came back for the food, others just stayed on the lawn under the gazebo, had bets on their phones and watched the races on the TV wheeled out on the lawn. Far superior.

I got an answer to my rather tongue-in-cheek enquiry...from a very close friend whose sister went with a group, same scenario. Told my friend that the food was awful and overpriced. SHE won't be going again, and doubts that any of the others will either.

The old story, C, is that to remediate a problem, you must be aware that there is one.

No. There isn't. But they all seem to sing from the same song sheet.

Hj, do you think your friends would be likely to go again?

Don't do pressure. What will be will be.

Ha...thanks for the vote of confidence, but Pitty got one yesterday as well. And as for leading Riccarton trainers, Anna Furlong and Shane Kennedy have that well sewn up.

Can't argue with that. And, to be fair, those who turn up at the Cup meeting for the piss-up couldn't care less what is running. Taking sentiment out of things, it's a logical and pragmatic option.

Agree 100%. But I doubt it will happen. The prospect of NZTR interfering even more in club affairs horrifies me. Given their abysmal record of inept decisions and profligate financial behaviour, plans going forward showing complete lack of vision....I could go on..but they should stick to their knitting and take a hard look at their own organisation.

He did exactly as I suggested....but politely said nothing to my ramblings because NZ's winningest jockey hardly needs my words of wisdom about how to ride. But to my query ' did you bring your magic wand ' grinned and said, yep.

If by 'for the week' you are referring to the period between and including the first and last racedays, I can't claim that one, Pitty got one on Wednesday.

More than I expected to be fair and still quite a happy vibe, believe it or not. For me , much more pleasant overall ( I know I'm odd ) as I detest throngs of pissed idiots and there is nowhere much to sit comfortably when it is packed.

I spoke to a couple of venerable horsemen early this morning, about all manner of things but mostly racetracks and racehorses ....the Dennis Brothers. They know a wee bit about farming too...and are not at all impressed with Riccarton.

Thanks...super ride.

Yeah.....have to agree with both parties here. Sure, It isn't the fault of NZTR if clubs choose to ignore their guidelines. However there never seem to be any consequences. If a small/provincial/country club 'ignored guidelines' they would most likely be asked to show why they should be allowed a licence to run races. And there has to be considered the suitability of such 'advice'. There was, until recently, a 'venue inspector' who was ostensibly responsible for all the tracks country-wide. It doesn't take much thought to realise that one size doesn't fit all. Advice pertaining to Ruakaka will not suit Invercargill, or Riverton. Even in a geographical area considered ' one district' i.e. the Coast, what works for Kumara will most certainly not work for Reefton. So you may have, in those situations, local club track men, whether volunteers or otherwise, taking not a blind bit of notice and with plenty of justification.

I thought it was brilliant!

Can't answer that. But I was told Kozzi Asano was one of the riders.

Horses were galloped Saturday morning. That doesn't seem to have been a great success.

I also feel the need to add, that for all the vitriol and disgust hurled at the management of the CJC, it should be pointed out that no-one, be it staff, management, stewards - would WANT to see the meeting called off, or participants hurt, or livelihoods threatened. The loss that will be incurred as a result of this debacle will be punishment enough for the club and its employees. What we want to see is a radical change of process that actually works, not more BS from Sharrock.

Hmmm. Clearly the stipendiary stewards saw no reason for racing not to take place after their Thursday morning inspection. That shouldn't give anyone much confidence in their judgment would it? I think ( jmo ) that after Sundays efforts, the track should be safe enough although, as Billy has referenced, hard.

He'll welcome you. Hard, you say? Rain forecast for tomorrow morning.

A senior jockey said earlier this morning that they were lucky to get away with the first two days.

A bit ?

Raining now.

To all of the above, damn right. However, another issue, which most don't consider; what about the staff? Some are away from home, and may have commitments elsewhere after 'today's races'. What about those lads/lasses who had factored in a party or social event, or had been promised a few days off to mark the end of what should have been a fantastic week? Sorry, guys, you'll have to come in at 5 tomorrow, to work these horses for Monday. [ which if it rains, as it is forecast to do, might be at risk again ]. Yes, I feel for owners, sure as hell I do, and also riders, and trainers.. many of these folk have families and commitments too which may not be able to be shifted around at a whim. And if Monday doesn't go ahead, what then? Do the test crash dummies get sent out again, for practice? As for staff incentives..some trainers may be able to afford remuneration for staff when horses win, I know some owners give appreciation to stable workers, and good on them all. But as a matter of course, there isn't a specific mandated percentage for staff. Without them, the whole shitfest falls apart. But, wait, there is plenty of spare money to boost these Grp races it seems.