Freda

It was a shocker. Sycophantic crap, and factually incorrect.

No, it can't have been, crossed my mind too.

They did indeed.! I recall a young woman, a friend of mine who worked for several trainers in Aus before making a change in her life, and becoming a nursing sister [ as they were called then ] coming home for a visit, and complaining about punting in NZ. Can't get it right, she said, back home the best lookers are usually worth a bet, but here..! some of these things look like they live in the back paddock [ some do, I reminded her ] they look frightful but they go well! As for clothing, yeah, that was embarrassing, I announced firmly that I was going NOWHERE near the photographer, being well aware that I looked like a hillbilly - in the earshot of one of the sponsors who pissed himself laughing and nearly physically dragged me there. In my defence, nice outfits cost way more than I can justify spending. Summertime's easier, shirts are cheap by comparison !

Masterclass indeed. Super ride.

Wasn't either. But it was so bloody cold early I couldn't go without a beanie. And as for lippy...ugh.

Agree. Many times I have seen riders cautioned or warned for an action that appeared to have little consequence, but when other riders/ horses are badly affected, then the penalty can be very different. But the ACTION is the same, and I struggle to see how one misdemeanor should be less serious than another exactly the same , just because the outcome is different. Makes no sense. And in the Moseley incident that Morty referred to, I have heard one of the riders brought down ridiculed, and even blamed, because he is a rider of modest achievement. Fair? Hardly.

I have, plenty of times. Get your facts straight before pointing the bone.

Not a good look at all. I would like to think that his father kicked his arse 'til his nose bled...but probably not. It would be helpful, too, if said father [ if still with us ] made some sort of statement to the effect that he was punished for his actions, and that his behaviour did not reflect the standards of his upbringing. However, if we were dealing with a brown boy made good, who had done a bit of thuggery and violence as a youth, instead of a privileged white boy, would the fallout be the same?

Sam will have to carry the consequences of his actions for the rest of his life. An awful burden.

Heartbreaking for his family, RIP Tiger.

Yeah. Fantastic view, great memories.

Didn't he just contradict himself? ' iconic week' ....' difficult to get the brand across ' ..?

I'm astounded.

I wasn't trying to be clever...you did say that you 'knew the good guys' so, it kinda made sense to me to patronise one of the 'good guys' and then you would know you will be treated fairly, and so will your dog.

A very good harness trainer was reputed to have told a potential client ' if you need to ask the charges, you can't afford them. Go somewhere else ' . Find a 'good guy ' - as you say you know which they are - and pay what they ask .

Why would 'northerners' want to come down specially for an AWT when they have one at Cambridge?

Interesting look-back. Remember, there used to be handicap two year old races at nearly every meeting, country or otherwise, as well as the stakes-rated Welcome, Challenge and Champagne stakes here in Canterbury. Now, there are so few dedicated two year old contests, it is quite difficult to give your youngster a race or two 'for next year' if it isn't able to take in one of the few available, for various reasons. That is a potent disincentive to purchase nicely-bred yearlings specifically for early racing.

We down south have already looked through that window. Have to accept jumping is finished. In all honesty, racing jumping doesn't appeal to Joe Public like it used to. With an increasingly urban-based population, the prospect of horses becoming exhausted, dropping out a good distance from the finish, falling, just doesn't appeal. And V'Landy's has made a huge success of NSW racing without jumping.

The news so far is not good. Very sad. Awful too for Weatherley. There is no way anyone goes out to deliberately maim or hurt another rider. He will be feeling terrible.

We'll see, I guess.

Do you think it might be divided three times to compensate for the lack of jumping races? 🤣 🤣

You know - a thought - Kevin Myers could guarantee numbers for next year [ not being anywhere akin to his nickname ] and the continuation of the Nationals here for a year or two more at least, and end up taking home the thick end of the not inconsiderable stakemoney. Not a bad week's business with no opposition.

Pretty much, yes. However, Cup Week, in ChCh, has so much going for it apart from gallops, it really works, and that is one potent reason for leaving those races in place.

Wait and see, L.

Yes, he' s had a plenty of crap fortune along with the good stuff...unfortunately life isn't fair and no-one is immune from the twists and turns of fate. All the best, Mickey; I can still see you eating an icecream sitting on a rail, swinging your legs, a long time ago now.