Freda

Murray or Gai would never have treated a horse like that....and the discussion hasn't referred to her actual 'training' i.e. workload. Only those who were actively involved with her could know that. And to speculate whether different handling might have achieved more... who knows?

You're not the only one who witnessed such practices, two of our owners were visibly upset to see her standing shivering in the pissing cold rain with only a light sheet on, after getting off the ferry. Everything else was either double rugged or inside in the warm, didn't matter, she was still lengths better than anything we had, but most other trainers showed both respect and compassion to their animals. Gordy had an immense knowledge of pedigrees, and no doubt ( as pointed out above ) was generous to a fault to his human contacts...but pretty tough on his horses.

Yep.

How did it go yesterday? Haven't seen any reports on the news

I was going to say much the same...not with the first-hand knowledge that you have of course, but, especially, the impossibility of comparing 'sectionals' on English racecourses.

Great news indeed.

Ill thought out, IMO.

Couldn't agree there. But, opinions are like arseholes, we all have one.

From the above observations of Joe, it seems as if there could still be a bit more support for those very grassroots venues and folk associated. With so much dosh to spread around, it should be possible to cover all bases.

Not possible to rate great horses from different eras and regimes...IMO...suffice to say that Winx would NEVER have been treated like Show Gate was. La Mer was racing around the same time, on occasion they were compared as well, unfairly. La Mer also was treated like a princess, and would never have been subjected to the handling that Show Gate experienced. Dunedin Gold Cup [ mile and a half ] then, the next day, the Timaru Cup [ one mile ]. Her incredible feats at NZ Cup meeting on that short prep, as outlined above. We have all seen horses, unused to stable life, melt down when removed from their familiar paddocks. The only time Show Gate went to Aus, she just didn't cope at all. It wasn't lack of class that felled her, it was just an environment that she was completely unsuited to, and given no chance to adapt. We had a useful two year old, way back, called Zebak. Won the Champagne stakes, and then lined up and won the 1400m two year old race later in the meeting. His owners were sitting at the stables on the Sunday after, having a half-G and reminiscing, as was the habit, when a truck pulled in over in the visitors' area. It had come from Lyttelton and was carrying Show Gate, among others. One of the guys went over and stuck his head around the corner, came back and said, you wouldn't believe it, that mare is standing in the pissing rain and cold wind, with a cotton sheet on, shivering, and trying to pick at some chaff in a feedbin on the ground before the wind blew it away. It took a bit of persuasion to stop him taking a warmer rug over to put on her. Mouse [McCann] was at Trentham and witnessed Show Gate taken into the birdcage, covered in shit and dirt. Gordy was told to take her away and tidy her up. He put the saddle on the weigh-in stalls, took her away and hosed her all over, brought her back in and saddled her again. Gospel. Think she won the Trentham Stakes.

Me neither!

Michael Craig would tell you that she had nine days work. Lived in a paddock of ragwort, didn't get a rug until she won a race, which was at Oamaru. I was there, witnessed a small bay streak with red and white colours smoking down the outside. Little did I realise then that I had seen one of the best to look through a bridle in NZ.

No.

You're bang on there..and some others in the heirarchy do, as well. I ventured to comment to an administrator that the lower rated horses and their owners need to be rewarded and encouraged in their involvement, not have their stakes pillaged to support the top end - which was already over-subsided, I added. He was vehement in his disagreement, owners want aspirational stakes, he trumpeted, I want to think that if I have a nice horse I can aim at some money, he went on...so. I said, go to Australia for REAL money ; but if the majority keep getting ripped off your nice horse won't have anyone to race. He got angrier and angrier, went on and on about rewarding mediocrity, so I wandered off before I succumbed to a real urge to throw something at him.

I have a friend, who I would consider both rational and intelligent [ although that opinion is changing...! ] I just steer away from the topic when around her now. She is terrified, and irrational in her fear.

There is a Programming Committee, chaired by Tim Mills and involving a panel, not sure how that is made up, think they meet quarterly although stand to be corrected. Pitty would give you the right oil if he could bring himself to advise. Not an easy job at all, I wouldn't think. It's all very well to be critical ( like me ) but there is so much to consider that is really outside the scope of such a committee. Not sure how much input there is from Wellington.

Haven't heard anything either. I'll ask Chappie, he might know.

Does anyone know of the exact protocols regarding horses returned to NZ from Hk ? We see quite a few now, some successful, which have been returned because they haven't adapted well, or perhaps don't show enough for the local scene. But what are the 'rules' wrt those which have been returned as a result of unsoundness, and a vet report indicating unsuitable for further racing? There is a young local trainer who has purchased just such a horse, on the strength of further scans which [ apparently ] show no indication of possible further issues. This is not intended to be a 'he said, she said', sort of critique, we all know that the soundest horses can have accidents, and vets are only human, not infallible. But, now the young trainer wants to trial said horse and he has been told no by chief stipe. [ not 'our' chief stipe ! ]. He has had communications from NZTR, from some twat telling him that he must re-hab the horse, it must be rested, ice-packed , etc,etc.. and said stipe has ordered an x-ray. Fine, says trainer, just tell me what part I'm supposed to x-ray and I'll get it done, after all he had a soft tissue problem in HK [ for which, of course, an x-ray will be of little use ]. With all the box-ticking lip service b/s about horse welfare, should there not have been some sort of 'flag' on horses returned for soundness reasons ? and, if, subsequently, such horses are passed fit for another try, shouldn't NZTR involved in such approval? I don't mean to imply that horse welfare is b/s, rather that the sanctimonous and clearly ineffective attitude and practice of head office is.

Pathetic is the word. Little pattern or cohesion. Remember the McLean Stakes for two year olds in October at Dunedin...competed in by some notable horses including the great Princess Mellay. Built to the Welcome Stks at Riccarton, the Challenge Stks I think at the Midsummer meeting in late January/Feb, and culminating in the Chsmpagne Stks at Easter. Supported by a plethora of handicap 2 year old races throughout the year and at many tracks/clubs, not just a select few. Add the highweight races that were held also at many meetings, all year round; plenty of opportunity for the majority of horses. I know you should be looking forward not back, but bloody hell that's about all there is to look at.

Of course we are. Don't have the cattle. Simple.

I think you'll find it was her first-up in Vic that was a 'flat' run, after which she was found to have a minor issue or two, subsequently dealt with. In the Cox she was allowed to settle too far back to be a live show - IMO - although [ obviously ] she wouldn't want a gut-buster going forward.

Was talking to Jumbo Didham recently ( our stables are adjacent) about our awful jockeys, and we both agreed that V.E was given an impossible task in the Cox. Not always confined to NZ, we agreed. But, reunited with J.M and watching her stand, serene and unflappable, in the parade , with her strapper scratching her nose, I just had to have a few dollars on. Not being a Thomass( !!!) but hadn't intended to back anything up till then. But she looked awesome, and so in control of the situation. And, the ride was superb. Half way round it was just a matter of how far.

Yeah. Switched over to watch some meaningful coverage and saw the same, Toni Street, an ad for Pak 'n' Save and switched back.

It shows also the folly of relying solely on Winston to 'save the industry', and on politicians to have the rule of law and natural justice in the back of their minds when drafting legislation. The saying 'be careful what you wish for' comes to mind. All the restructuring in the world is worth nowt without great people to manage the result. The much-touted Messara report has not been adhered to - maybe a few piecemeal bits of tinkering, but only bits. The income from BIUC and gaming duty forgiven helps the balance sheet - a bit - but doesn't address the overall disinterest in NZ gallops. And - although this blog refers specifically to the TAB, just look at the crap spouted in the latest 'mission statement' from NZTR. Renewal of track surfaces in five or so years' time...just have a think about the complexes mentioned..? Hastings, Te Rapa, Awapuni, Wellington, Riccarton....ffs have these turkeys ever been to these places? the buildings, layout, facilities, are thirty, forty, sixty years old - and most are in a poor state of repair, quite apart from being 'old'. So the tracks at these awful places are to be renewed? where does the money come from? Who, by then, will be punting on the few plodders we will have left?

If the worst case scenario develops, and those who have indicated that they won't get the jab actually hold to their statements, yes, huge ramifications. I have been told by one jockey already that they will hand in their licence. Remains to be seen of course, but still...