Freda

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...

Hope they have the staff shortages well covered.

But if you think a stack of money wagered would make me think differently, don't think so.

I have the odd small wager...so, in a general sense, no.

Purcell, George, Saundry.....

Saw that, wondering who the clown was who thought it necessary to punish his horse for doing what was asked...

So....Covid has arrived in Tonga. Brought to the island nation by a traveller from Christchurch who was - wait for it - fully vaccinated and had returned a negative test before embarking.

He was, for a while. And yes.

They will say that following the plan fulfils that obligation.

Hmm. All this has made my morning cuppa a bit more interesting. I fed the horses an hour ago, and am now about to go and start mucking out. Which is completely irrelevant to this diatribe, of course. I have little to add of substance, other than some observations from folk in the know, so to speak. Mycoplasma ? the approach of MPI, the frustration felt by good farmers as they watched the 'source' of the infection seemingly able to carry on, unchecked; the real pain felt by people who had to watch, helpless, as their lovely cows and calves, and pregnant heifers get taken away for slaughter, some herds built up for generations; good practice? I don't think so. A bloody shambles, overseen by penpushers who had never seen a cow, was the way it was described by one farmer friend to me. The health system? yes, neglected, but not just by John Key et al, but by ministries earlier than his as well. We trundled along in our relatively isolated utopia, seemingly oblivious to the fact that increasing travel/population would, eventually, lead to real problems. Chickens have certainly come home to roost, about the only thing that can't be directly attributed to this current incompetent lot at the helm. We had the prior overseas experience of Sars- covid to learn from, by example - but chose to ignore it. Friends in real estate are also adamant that there is not really a housing shortage, but rather a money shortage - coupled with distribution. There are many houses available in areas where people don't choose to live. Four acquaintances of mine have, together, bought a house. Each of them, now, in a relatively short time, will be able to use their equity to leverage into a home of their own. It is do-able, with a bit of will, and thinking outside the square. As for financial chicanery ; a strongly-religious farmer friend told me, back in the 80's, that nothing good would come from the 'modern' practice of shuffling derivates, futures, etc, of which he, good man that he was, had little understanding. Neither did I, but he was adamant that if money could not be made by selling goods or services provided by 'turning a sweat' as he put it, it would all come tumbling down. And it did.

No.

Hell no, I can't deal with that sort of heat, you can have it. A bit of snow ( from a distance) fresh breeze, that'll do me thanks

They can all misjudge pace. They are, after all, only human. Remember Lonhro and Grand Armee ? A champion beaten who shouldn't have been. And that's my last word on the matter.

Exactly. He didn't read the speed accurately.

It's all about sectionals. I'm not getting into a brick-throwing contest, but even the good ones get it wrong sometimes....and there is only an incremental difference, often, between horses of high class. When lengths are sold and when they are bought is what tells the tale, because if they are sold too cheap and bought too dear the horse will get beaten.

I guess it is subjective.....but I think it's horrible.

Don't forget Kozzi was developed here....

To think all this developed from trading in goats, camels, and slaves.....

Overall - and I am strongly critical, generally, of this mob - there are some promising initiatives. From the perspective of a southerner, it is pleasing to see Riverton down to be retained, it's a great track and would have been a huge loss. The concept of series racing, such as AWT championships, country cups, Champions' day etc, while hardly new [ being old hat to many other jurisdictions ] would have to be a positive. But, for Country series racing, there has to be a sufficient number of country tracks/clubs left.! The fact that Timaru is retained [ for now ] is a plus, as is the plan to reconstruct the Riccarton turf track. halleluja ! But, once [ if ] that happens, Timaru will be gone, leaving just Ashburton [ and the AWT ] to provide racing for Canterbury. How Oamaru slides into Canterbury, I'm not sure. Jumping gone in the south, no surprise, the National remains? well and good for now, but it remains to be seen how things roll in a few years time. The funding of these initiatives, not so sure. High -stakes paid to certain series', or specific one-off days, begs the question that so many participants are chewing the paint off the walls, and increased betting revenue to fund all this still has to be in the speculative bucket. Looking at the comments on the jockeys down here in the south, I am hard pressed to see how there will be any increase on betting unless there is a huge improvement. Won't happen IMO. I's have been much happier to see the grass-roots participants recognised, and respected, for their contributions with a lift to bottom-end stakes. There will still be fewer and fewer horses left to attack these new initiatives unless there is some incentive along the way to keep them in training.

At the risk of playing devil's advocate - what, exactly, should any govt 'do' for racing? Our govt ( not just this one, previous ones too ) subsidise our industry to the tune of some 150 mill p.a. I respectfully submit that it is racing itself which has led to the situation it finds itself in now. Those who wail ' look what the govt does for racing in Aus ' would do well to remember the adage ' be careful what you wish for '. Yes, racing does receive millions from state and federal coffers...but not as much as is collected in taxation, duties, and betting licenses. They can afford to give some back. A bloated, lazy and incompetent monopoly has never had to be slick, efficient and accountable.