Freda

Riccarton does not make a profit on its training operation..Rangiora, just up the road 20 minutes and a much more modest facility, doesn't either. Both would be more sustainable financially if they didn't have to provide training grounds. Can't answer for other tracks however.

Did they notice?

Very sensible. However, that practice falls well outside the obligation of a jockey to 'give all possible chance' to their mount. Refusing to ride would have been more honest. My first partner [ jockey ] was occasionally maligned for 'calling the races off' ...actually, he didn't, and didn't have the power anyway. But he, and fellow senior Paul Richards were often at the forefront of discussions re. safety, both in the room, as well as talking with other riders about their thoughts. Frequently, after such chat, there would be an announcement to the effect that any rider with concerns could stand down without repercussions. I know N.G.H would do so on occasion. H & S practices were nowhere near as developed as now, where, if there is a query about safety, races must be called off. Sending riders round 'to find out' is appalling and I'm surprised there haven't been further repercussions from Workplace H&S. Perhaps too soon.

Yes, he/she certainly was. Peer pressure perhaps? didn't want to be thought 'scared' ? it is very easy to throw around remarks like 'he's got the shits' but, they stick, and can dog a rider's career for ages. Options? Don't ride, and face recriminations from connections of horses. Do ride, do your best, and risk injury. Canter round carefully and take everyone's money.

Yeah. Sure.

Would indeed. But, where is the [quality] control? Who assesses tracks before racing starts? If we go back to the infamous 'cone' incident at Riccarton, clearly, no-one. I went into the judicial room at Timaru, to intercede on behalf of a rider under a warning for an incompetent ride in a hurdle race. Now, he wouldn't be alone in that. If incompetence is to be considered, then most would be in the room at some time, and some, a lot - especially down here at the moment. This young fella was being grilled as to why he allowed his horse to drift so far off the last horse so as to give it no show. He tried to explain that the horse was hanging so badly, that it was taking all his strength just to keep it from going over the outside fence. It wasn't until the last bend was negotiated that the animal straightened enough to allow his rider to urge him forward. Head stipe - who to the best of my knowledge has never ridden - said, you should have let the reins go. !!! WRT Wellington, I understand that a senior rider -maybe the same one to whom you refer, Huey? told officials that there would be serious safety issues BEFORE the races started. But, hey, they're expendable, send 'em round and lets see, eh?

I kinda think you are right. Although, I note that overseas ( and was it Eagle Farm or Doomben that was buggered when it was 'reconstructed? ) places like Ascot can renovate their royal turf without fucking it up. I know Peter O'Malley fixed the fix at Greymouth....and I was at Reefton when he was told by the venue inspector to put 4 ml - or some such inconsequential amount of water - on the track there. He refused. Waste of time, he said. Not enough time to soak in, not enough, will be slippery and I'm not doing it. Track raced fine.

I missed the first, so didn't see anything...but yeah, not good at a premier track this time of the year. Just what Chief has been saying, ad infinitum, how the soil structure in so many tracks is stuffed.

There are plenty of cowboys who couldn't give a sh#t about the welfare of their charges post-racing....or, for that matter, the safety of the [ mostly] young people who take these horses on. And - I have personally had dealings with some of these - well meaning but out-of-their-depth women [ usually ] who decide to 'rescue' a racehorse and the poor bastard ends in a terrible state. I read a post from Berri Schroder a few years ago, about humane destruction of horses which are just not suitable for rehoming. A decent facility for processing these horses is sorely needed, as the horror stories from the Aus scandal channel showed a while ago. They can't all be kept, it just isn't practical for horse or human.

We need SOMETHING... but only a handful of breeders, owners, trainers, could afford to lose even small portion of their meagre earnings at present.

Yep.

Yes, time will tell how things pan out, there will no doubt be some soul searching as folk try to juggle responsibilities to clients with their personal principles, but in all, totally unnecessary to have to come to this. Surely saliva tests/ temperature checks could have fulfilled the need for safety without the fallout being seen in so many industries and businesses now.

The first race- or trials meet to be conducted under the 'traffic light' system. Already some fallout with the starter [ K. Leigh-Ogden ] walking away from his long term position as both starter, and crossing keeper. Several others also unavailable, including a farrier, and a swabbing-steward, not to mention other barrier staff. Some trainers won't be at the races. Sam Wynne, at this stage, is considering a life without race riding. Interesting times indeed.

Good girl!

No one doubts his ability, Chief. It's the rest of the package that's not too flash.

Go out of the Galloping section and find the Covid section. The Cranmer Square thread started by Aquaman.

Certain high profile trainers and breeders in the Waikato, is ' the northern cartel ' by inference. As far as southern trainers, one or two were extremely positive and enthusiastic, some were take-it-or-leave-it , a few were strongly opposed. Beats me how closing down popular and cost-effective meetings in favour of AWT racing is going to be 'the saviour ' of Sth Island racing, but hey, what would I know?

Very good watch, Aqua.

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.