Freda

For what its worth, it sort of aligns with some if the barrier dramas we have had. The barrier staff/starter can't and shouldn't be blamed for uneducated horses [ that is a topic for another thread ]. But, irrespective of the cause, there aren't enough staff to consistently deal with some of the issues that present..if there are several horses down for a delay and a man up, how many are left to deal with anything else? not enough. In this 'number' case, Reefton makes a good point about the volunteers at their races not making an error. Good on them - but, I'm assuming that they weren't barrier staff as well. These guys aren't volunteers. They are paid staff, one of which [ who, a friend of mine] put his hand up and copped the blame. But, he was also the starter's 2 .I.C, with other matters to deal with on the day. Surely someone can be found to deal solely with this matter?

Freda's staying maiden was ready for a holiday after her last run....but due to issues I won't discuss here, we decided to have a shy at the stumps and hope that a) she could manage another run and b) would handle the track. So, while I'm not blaming the track specifically, I won't be keen to run her again on one.

It is.

Don't be silly. Not every horse - or dog - can be suitably rehomed; some end up worse off than before. But euthanasia, the only suitable choice for many, MUST be done humanely. Standing an injured horse on a truck to 'the doggers' is not acceptable, nor is the wait, sometimes for weeks, with little to eat and no shelter, for the outcome.

...or Orana Park.. good point. Mine hogs the couch all day. Racing comes on trackside, complete with barking/ yelping....the old chap doesn't even flick an ear. No acknowledgement that it ever had anything to do with him!

It does make one wonder why dogs in such poor shape would be 'dropped off at a re-homing kennel ' rather than being knocked on the head and tossed in the pit. Does the man not take any notice of the state of his charges? Regardless of the large numbers of animals, you'd have to be blind not to see. And what about the staff?

Yes. I'm still astounded by the comment from a club official, BEFORE the first lockdown was in place, that ' it won't be for more than a fortnight, the Govt won't want to miss out on the money they make from us'.....

Pleasant; tie-ups good, nice track, facilities for spectators fine, overall dated but perfectly adequate.

Yes, that surprised more than a few.

Kindling? I thought the whole lot [ mostly ] were dire...not just apprentices.

Neither do I And spending clients money to jump racehorses without any races for them is really asking for them to throw up their hands and give up the whole business.

A wee bit tongue-in-cheek, Billy. I was very young when Dad used to refer to him in tones of reverence....a long time ago.

Ron Carter used to go ok.

Boof got sick of all the knives in his back and resigned. The shambles last Saturday would have amused him immensely.

Not sure...but certainly, Riccarton and Riverton both raced at Easter. Riccarton on Saturday, Monday ( I think ) and the following Saturday. Riverton on Saturday, Monday and Tuesday. There were, in those days, sufficient horses/ riders for those days to clash without a problem. Often horses would come up for the last day at Riccarton and the Great Autumn Hcp. A worthwhile target for the Riverton Cup winner. Riccarton changed all that by choosing to go away from the traditional Easter dates, which are dictated by the Church calendar. They felt that, as the dates were not consistent year on year, that connections could have more surety in programming their horses' racing. I think that was the reason for the Ellerslie shift too. Some may think that was/is a sensible choice, others may not. Riverton retained it's traditional Easter focus. With the alarming drop in both horse and rider numbers, it's just as well...although at the time, I don't think that could have been envisaged .

She did lose a brilliant career because of the 'rocket fuel'.

I do know a few who have been very unwell following a booster.

Good news about the job. I don't know anyone who has been seriously affected by Covid, just about everyone in my circle of acquaintances has had it, but for all, a bad cold is how they describe it. Most are triple-jabbed, certainly no protection, and immigrants are still discriminated against it seems.

Awful drug.

Here's hoping they have great day today. Best of luck to them all.

Nah. Wouldn't know how, can't be bothered, and anyway that would only give him more exposure- which he delights in.

Nothing new for him. Unnecessary, although that has never stopped him. And here was I thinking that despite everything, he would make a damn fine mayor. The fact remains that the investigation - whatever the outcome - came too late for the mare in question. And that statement does NOT make any point that Harris is, or is not to blame.

Some may have targeted the second day, I know one at least that left today for Monday. They'll be delighted....not. Monday/Tuesday used to be the norm for Riverton anyway.

Great drive around the coast road back from Tuatapere too. Those early Waka sailors, arriving at the southernmost shores, wow, what a scary business that must have been.

Too late for the full to Aegon, River Falls.