Freda

Not sure if Don is still with us, the other great Coast supporter and all-round good guy, Frankie Stammers, sadly, isn't. From acting crossing-keeper, farrier, trackwork rider, there was nothing Frankie wouldn't do to help someone. One year, a group of us was at Woodstock [ a little settlement a wee way out of Hokitika ] to listen to the regular Sunday night jam session. Any musician who wanted to have a go could get up and entertain the listeners. Om this occasion, a local dashed into the pub to announce that a car had run off the road and was stuck in a ditch. Off went Frankie in his elderly Escort and duly towed the hapless driver out of the ditch and back on the road. The guy turned out to be an American concert pianist. He had been tikki-touring around back-country NZ, on his own, having some time out. Once suitably refreshed, he sat down at the piano in the bar and enthralled us all. He was awesome.

There was a deputation of officials inspecting the track yesterday morning.

Sounds better.

I agree, on one day recently the TV panned to Aus just after a Riccarton start, my god, the contrast was spectacular, all in, stood, gates opened and all jumped cleanly, hardly any noise at all. One of those watching with me said, wow, that was quiet.

I noticed him at the track this morning, I'll ask him tomorrow if he's there.

Wasn't in stipes report so obviously they don't.

They are the same [ or similar ] to the gates currently in use in Australia. These ones are Australian made. Bad loaders should be put in first [ JMO ] so they don't have the others standing around for ages. Unfortunately the numbers of barrier staff tend to preclude that happening, with 2 or maybe 3 requiring a handler up there aren't enough to manage the rest. The 'blundering' at the start I find interesting. A jockey resident at mine commented on horses slipping, although no mention in stipes report. I have to wonder if the 38ml of irrigation applied after Saturday's very firm track had anything to do with that?

Well - IMO - the 'trend' reflects the dumbing down of NZ racing as a whole, so overall, it would take a complete overhaul of the programmes, handicapping, all things that have been discussed/suggested ad infinitum but which have had no heed taken of them. Locally ? there are a couple of very smart posters who could re-vamp things in the southern arena, one in particular who has some very good ideas but they won't get any traction. Chopping out provincial tracks is one thing that has to stop, market forces [ as has been said before ] will decide which venues stay and which don't, but to have them lost to racing just reduces local interest and accelerates the decline. We know well that there is not the seemingly unlimited supply of money that flows in the wider Australian market, and while we can't 'copy' their operating systems without changing our whole mindset, there are things that could be done while working within a much more stringent budget. I don't have the skillset to kick-start things, however, others do.

Thanks team, yes, good result, could have been better but tried hard and still learning. ( and he's a boy )

Yes, it was a complete re lay, back in 1998.

I presume your comment ' those two classics are history ' means, in their current placement.

Deluded twits.

The top-rated horse in this time-honoured race is southerner Asathought, on 85. The bottom-rated is on 58. And to add insult to injury there is also a R 82 2500 hcp. The race has to lose what status it has, surely? Stick a highweight in the programme, ffs.

A good ride, no doubt...but taking the short way home is pretty sensible if you can get one, especially with the saloon passage he got! There is a battling jockey around here - usually on the slow buggers - who regularly takes the short way if possible. Not going well enough to go around, but sometimes, comes off. The apprentice schools should be shown the rides of Jamie Kah yesterday, and Tim Clark...when interviewed, Tim made mention of getting the ' sectionals right ' do any of these young riders know what a 'sectional ' is ? Or, for that matter, most of the seniors as well, or the stewards...time was, riders were hauled into the room for 'showing poor judgement' .... I am embarrassed to mention one of my sluggers in the same paragraph while referencing those superior performers yesterday...but I have a little mare, shortly to be retired as a twenty-something start maiden. She regularly posts the best last 800 in her races. But is ALWAYS in the wrong place, too far back, checked back while keen to improve, diving to the inside when she prefers room...she may only have the scope to win one, maybe two...but heartbreaking to see her trying with no results for her owners.

Have to agree with you there, they certainly didn't help their cause.

I didn't think the NZ public would be silly enough to put them in the second time. How wrong I was. I could be wrong again...perish the thought.

Just heard, absolutely appalling.

I don't think they are. My understanding is that the 'old' practice of rolling is not now deemed appropriate as it causes compaction.

Well done indeed. Enjoy! ( I've got a Van Brugh in the paddock )....🙂

Sadly indeed...the results of the change in processes we see daily. The old system was seen to be outdated and unprofessional. It goes without saying, of course, that not every former jockey-turned-trainer has the skills to teach. But by and large, it worked ok. The Racecourse Detectives had the welfare of the apprentices as part of their job description, and again, although not perfect, at least someone was looking out for the kids' wrt wages, conditions, and accommodation. Now, I don't think anyone takes much notice unless a particular apprentice is strong-willed enough to make him/herself heard, or has a good support network.

Yes, although I'm sure Michael didn't envisage the carnage that went on behind him. The filly was injured, was no good afterwards, and neither was another filly who went over the top of her. And, gutting though it certainly was for me, it was nothing compared to the hopes and dreams of her terminally ill owner, she was the last horse he bred and his last chance to have a star.

My 'namesake' Freda White achieved her lifelong ambition, to win a National. But she won by the original winner, ridden by the unfortunate Ronnie Weaver, weighing in light. I recall her shaking her head, and wiping away a tear. I always wanted a National, she said, but not like that. I endorse her regret, and - referring to Bosson - if I had to 'win' a race by knocking over the opposition, I wouldn't be very happy.

I'm told that Sydney paid his way.

Quite. Then it must have been brain fade then. Whatever, for a rider of his experience the display was awful. I agree - mostly - with folk who mutter about the standard of Sth Island jockeys...but bloody hell, he is 'supposed' to be the best we have. If so, our problems are worse than thought.

I would have to say he was pleasant and easy to chat to when down at the National meeting...very friendly and approachable.