Freda

Can't comment personally, I'm out the back with horses, not dining..but a long-time member complained to me that the fare hadn't altered - or improved - since the 1970's. I'm told that the Addington offering is very good..but again, I can't comment from personal experience, with the exception of the Spectator's Bar. Basic - pizza, steak/chips, but ok.

Spoke to him, I went to the races briefly to watch the 'chase. Were you tearing your hair out? I asked him. Yes, he said glumly...he needs blinkers. Who, the horse? or the rider? I wanted to know. He's a friend of mine, a lovely, courteous young man...but, oh dear.

Nup. Not even a warning.

Had to look at the replay, had been outside....what a shocker. Will be interesting to see the stipes' report. What's the odds that there will be mutterings about 'horse running greenly ' and a warning ?

As I pointed out...if the perpetrator was a disadvantaged member of society who had ' made good ' the wokesters would be wringing their hands and congratulating him on turning his life around. But because this turkey comes from a background of ' privilege ', a very different perspective. His behaviour was reprehensible and I certainly don't condone it..but..move on. Then was then and now is now. And as for the student crap - how many get pissed, drugged up and behave like morons? heaps of them.

Ask the impotent Trainers' Assn.

That's unfair, Chief...and I think you have misinterpreted J.B's comments. How does 'sanitising' the situation - and telling b/s, as done by Ellis - 'show respect' ? Making an effort to improve training, smarten up stipendiary understanding, and apply consistent penalties - and acknowleging that this doesn't always happen - shows far more respect, IMO, for a young man's life lost.

Irrespective of what the judicial assessment of wrongdoing/penalty is, Sam will know that at some point his actions contributed to the melee. Your last sentence indicates that you feel Sam may not be deemed to be culpable, or totally culpable, if the stewards so decide. Does that mean that officialdom is automatically right? Given your scuffles with the heirarchy - justifiable - I don't think you really believe that.

Gets it wrong often. But, at least he has the passion to make his thoughts/ideas public, in a manner that most of us can't.

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 .