Freda

I'm sorry, Mikeynz - but, really, how many really give a shit? I don't. Trackside radio was great, we lost it, most have now now become used to not having it, and so the decline trundles on.

Do punters get money back if scratched?

I can't say I've seen any difference at all.

The purist in me doesn't agree that Grp 1's should be handicaps anyway. But the writing has been on the wall for so long, and breeders have to take a fair bit of the blame, chasing the faster type of stallion and eschewing the type that made NZ [ not effing Aotearoa ] the go-to for quality middle-distance and staying horses. I can recall watching Adrian Clark on the Ford Report, interviewing a very well known studmaster. I would hate to be a young studmaster now, said the icon. Those stallions we used to have, wouldn't get a look in now. This is the sort of horse we need, now, he said - as a certain stallion was paraded for the camera, one which was confidently expected to throw a faster and earlier-maturing progeny. I said to myself [ while berating myself for having the temerity to question such a well known identity ] you silly old fool, those are the horses that made our fortune and helped keep NZ at the forefront. This bloody animal won't. And it didn't. But he wasn't the only stud that left our traditional base, and and tried to beat the Aussies at their own game.

Yeah, spot on. But - what happens in other industries? While what has been said above is right, what agencies are available to folk in the world outside racing? I guess, what I am trying to say in rather clumsy way, is that help/counselling is supposed to be available in the wider community - although Mike King would no doubt dispute how much, and how well targeted, that help might be. I've mentioned this before, wrt apprentice training and welfare. Years ago, the racecourse D's would go around trainers and talk to all the youngsters. Wages and living conditions were the main crux of this, but any issues troubling the kids were also dealt with. I realise that an older white male would not, necessarily, be the right vehicle to pour out one's woes to, but they were there regardless, if needed. Now we have apprentice 'mentors' [ useless ] and the Racecourse D's don't deal with this sort of stuff, although, depending on the personality of individuals, some would no doubt help if they were asked. Locally, we are very fortunate to have Salvation Army chaplain Andrew McKerrow, he is now 'officially' sanctioned by NZTR, but - that is mostly because of his own desire to help people. He saw a need and put himself there, and has gone put of his way to be part of the scene, putting on barbeques at the track, dishing out soup, always a cheerful presence raceday with his trolley of chocolate treats! He is just the go-to person if anyone has a issue, and will facilitate professional help if asked - or just call in for a coffee and a chat, no strings attached. We are so fortunate to have him around. Other areas are the poorer, it seems.

Yeah. I noticed the email earlier this morning. I answered the questionnaire, noting that [ at this point ] the language refers to 'encouraging' folk to be vaccinated. It'll be interesting indeed if they alter their stance and require mandatory vaccination.

Yep. School Road, Yaldhurst.

Teina Pora comes to mind...I have to say, though, that in a personal sense, neither have I. There were two Maori families who had kids at my small local primary school. One family had a bunch of tough, hard case kids, and I wasn't allowed to play with them. The other family had quiet, well behaved children, and Mother was fine with me playing with them after school. The Maori side of things never came into it. Years ago I know, nothing has changed in my own experience....but, I must be terribly misled. Taika Waititi says we are a very racist country. So I guess we must be.

I remember Lou Cole, one year ( brought a horse or two down for one of the carnivals) being so impressed with the overhead vista. It's an artist's sky, she said, I've never seen anything like it.

Bloody-minded stupidity...! actually, I like Christchurch, winds - and the odd earthquake - notwithstanding. Big enough to be interesting, in terms of cultural activities, dining experiences, etc..close to the beach, handy to the delightful Akaroa and other Banks Peninsula gems, easy drive to the Coast, the magnificent high country, also ski-ing, hunting, fishing, all available and close enough. Something for everyone, really.

The sense of the ridiculous assails me here. While I have no problems with aspects of primary care being targeted to those vulnerable communities which may otherwise get left behind, what happens in the case of serious illness or accident? Does the Maori patient with failing kidneys get dialysis in a Maori hospital or a Pakeha one? What about the victims of serious accidents...do they stay, mangled, on a trolley while decisions are made where to put them? Where does surgery get carried out? Will there be a need for, say, Maori orthopaedic surgeons ? and what if there aren't any? What about Pasifika people? Chinese? Indian? where do they fit? I'm just gobsmacked.

Which brings the quote to mind ' lies, damned lies, and statistics..'

Interesting dinner guest.

Would it need irrigating? don't shoot me down, I'm not at all familiar with the Auckland climate but I do know it rains a helluva lot more than here.

Yeah. Much as I love jumpers, the stakes can't be justified.

Hmm. Not super easy, but I guess we are rating who is there, not who we might like to be there. North : Bosson , Allpress,Riddell ,Asano. South: Williams, Comignaghi, Wynne, and Johnson . Despite only a shadow of his former brilliant best, on a good day he is still better than most.

Sorry, no, I don't.

Yeah....squeezed out of the bottom rung.

Okay, Curious has just answered that.

Is there a specific percentage of races allowed to be black type? Or is it a subjective assessment? Italy has lost its group 1's, but has the overall number diminished?

Saudi Arabia is waiting.....

Statistically, I've lived in ChCh for 69 years. I can assure you that the easterly is the bane of ChCh in the spring, the nor'west kicks in a bit later. In the December/January/Feb school holidays we used to get thoroughly dessicated....and it used to make hay carting a shade awkward as you had to struggle to stand up against it as well as hanging on to the bales.

Ashburton trials today, gd 3 and 140-odd horses. Riders even more scarce than usual...swimming pool, N.M , a valuable asset indeed.

No. A stinking cold easterly. Mind you, howling nor'westers have been responsible for some very fast times down the old 5f chute!

.in closing, imagine, Riccarton with an inside track, a strathayr, oh, and maybe lights, summer nights, markets, band, food trucks. and great racing, coinciding with M Valley/Canterbury.Gold Coast....under lights coming soon.....vision, passion. Only problem, J.B....how would we deal with the bloody easterly, so beloved of Reefton? 😊