Freda

Lip service is the term.

Probably right. Certainly, they go hand-in-hand with jumping so not relevant in the South unless some effort is made to include a few more into programmes. No highweights in the south either.

Don't disagree with any of that, but no, I didn't mean the race series, just sales generally.

So would I. Isn't it sad that a country whose racing and breeding successes rested on the quality of its middle-distance -and further - performers now has its sales series' chock full of speedy Australian breds. As Chief says, that's where the money is. But it's a real shame to see the staying horse become less and less relevant, and with it, the ability of NZ trainers to condition such horses. I recall, quite a few years ago, watching The Ford Report, hosted by Adrian Clark and featuring Patrick Hogan ( wasn't a Sir then ). Discussing breeding, trends, and so on...Patrick said, I wouldn't want to be a young stud master now. Those staying horses, not what we need, this is the sort of horse NZ should be getting into - waving his hand at a stallion being paraded as he spoke. That horse was One Cool Cat. The selection of second-rate sprinter milers that followed did SFA for our racing and breeding, and set in motion the influx into Australia of the less-than-top end European horses that were, in the main, way better than anything local.

No. That's right, Snap is one who comes to mind. Oaks winner but by sprinter Schweppeshire Lad and never got further than 1400 [ I think ] as an older horse. Class is what makes a classic 3 y o.

IMO it isn't so much the Kiwi, but rather the effects of poor programming, dates, handicapping,etc,etc, that have for a more than a few years now facilitated - forced, even - the drain of nice horses across the ditch and elsewhere. The lack of depth is just highlighted more than is usual. That's all. Again, JMO.

Recent enough to have utilised the 'schooling fences' as they are now.

I think one horse ( Mamma Sans) has been issued a ticket but Oggie used to be able to do that

Love the analogy!

And a gripe of mine is the amateur race running on the AWT. Races are run at speed on that surface and for riders who don't have the opportunity to race ride regularly, things can happen much too fast. I have heard a couple of comments like ' bugger that, that was scary ' and ' not again, too quick, didn't feel safe '...and not from novices either, some that had been professional jocks earlier on.

Ditto. No. It does have some schooling fences but they aren't ( IMO ) suitable to get a ticket, more just to pop a horse over for a change in routine. Nothing special and no more than should be available at any training facility.

He will. A horse I trained for him some years ago was sold on to HK, no trouble at all to receive the percentage. Which, unless it is written into whatever contractual obligation there is, remains a gentleman's agreement.

And so good to see success go to the smaller trainers

Oh dear. Hope it's all good to go now

Having a canter around this morning

I must add they weren't sedated...but they were certainly swabbed.

You must think horses are delicate flowers if you think a morning gallop will make one iota of difference. Roman Consul galloped a mile before winning a big handicap at Ellerslie. And I'm pretty sure Eric Ropiha schooled Fans before the Melbourne Cup.

Yes. How do you think Brett McDonald got caught when Chris Dell was seriously hurt when the trial runner he was on broke front legs and fell?

Yes.

No one ever has.

Actually no, I was pleasant and polite as I try to be always in those sort of situations. The other response i save for special occasions.

But that same betting agency has yet to implement any real changes that might improve turnover to the extent that revenue improves. I had occasion to chat with the now-departed B Sharrock at Ashburton one day, and brought up the matter of throwing money at stakes but doing little to improve other facets that have been discussed to death here. He said, in all seriousness, that research had shown that increasing stakes was the best way to achieve that. Dunno what research but at that point I felt the conversation was going nowhere so bid him good day.

Well, they were right if that is the case.

Wrt barrier certificates I think so. You used to be able to get barrier certificates from the old wooden gates but not now, the overhead ones must be used and licensed riders. That was the problem with a horse I inherited as he wouldn't accept the overhead gates and there was no opportunity to work with him in those gates other than at trials or official jumpouts. So I had to send him to Wingatui where those gates were available any time wanted.

No, apparently they all worked on her and she refused flatly. Once everyone had given up and decision made she went in on her own! I think Donovan was on at some stage. I don't think trackwork riders can ride at jumpouts? have to be licensed. For example my lad could ride if needed, as he is a ticketed amateur jockey.