Freda

Sand? not as far as I am aware. The rail out forced horses onto the area used for galloping, over the winter. With another meeting in a fortnight, another a fortnight after that, then Cup meeting, they would have had no choice but to try and protect that inner portion - what else can they do in that time-frame? Hammer Ashburton again ? they have their own feature meeting next month ,and no track manager! I'm sure they are doing their best, and local farmers, if co-operative, would undoubtedly be very competent. But, not ideal for them, going forward. Meantime, Rangiora sits twenty minutes up the road, unused and unwanted.

They can send some ground staff too when they post down a rider. My young lady helped them because they were short, got smacked in the head in the swab box, week off with concussion and I've got no staff now.

Very smart horse indeed.

The track was rated D4, and grass cover looked good. Should have suited all horses. However my first runner stripped all four of his fetlocks - which he has never done before. Riders reported to me track was hard, rough and full of holes. I know there has been a lot of work done, but this just shows the hammering the track took over the winter and how it is next to impossible to repair given Canterbury's climate and the soil composition.

I can't even find The Alphonso!

Really?

Shame. But very good racehorse and should find an excellent new home.

A fair bit of work has been done, the rain was welcome though; Canterbury at this time of the year firms up very quickly. Good sole of grass from what I can see.

That's Ok, J.B......our defence forces are a tad occupied at present, guarding MIQ centres.

I seem to recall reading something posted - by Curious? - that indicated it was not possible to enforce existing staff [ in any situation ] to be vaccinated, but that it was acceptable to require some tasks to be undertaken by vaccinated persons. The requirement to be vaccinated may be part of a new job description, though, and I don't see how that is a problem. Surely, any employer is entitled to have conditions upon who is, or isn't suitable?

Be interesting, J.B. I have yet to see anyone -or any organization - here who has the kahunas to front this issue. I don't see that such enforcement can be mandatory all the same.

I can see a few staff shortages if this happens. 😠

God, no!

Ah. That's a shame. Home again I guess.

Done. No more galloping and hasn't been for a year at least.

No 'might' about it. No brainer IMO.

Actually, no, I wasn't.

Years ago, when racing was run, well, better than now, the Racecourse D's used to go around trainers with apprentices, interview them, check out accommodation if on-site, and make sure the youngsters were paid correctly and had no complaints. No doubt, there were plenty who were too scared to complain..but at least the intention was there. Trainers also had to make sure that the lads had a MINIMUM of 18 rides a year. Bugger all, but again, at least the intention was there. As far as I am aware, there has always been a minimum wage in NZ employment, but obviously, employers got around that somehow because, as NM has said, racing has a terrible rap with the wider public with employment matters. Trainers, as a whole, back then, weren't as screwed financially as many are now, but staff still weren't well treated in many cases. Now, no one seems to ensure conditions are met properly, so unless the youngster has a strong personality, or someone to stand up for them, nothing happens. Economics now make it very hard indeed for many trainers to compete, wages-wise, with the wider labour market, there is just no meat on the bones left. No wonder that the big, successful operations can snaffle good staff more easily....those that haven't already left our shores. In the absence of keen young kiwis, no wonder we are left with a bunch of imports from other jurisdictions to try and make up the jockey numbers. Many from Asia or Sth Africa, UK and Ireland. And it is fair to say [ with no intention to denigrate these riders, many of whom are my friends ] if they were any bloody good at all, they wouldn't be here in the first place.

We have a mask compulsion on racetrack property. I realise that a mask doesn't present the same potential for future ill-health as a result of wearing one, but from a human rights perspective, similar. There are those who say their rights are important too, in that they don't wish to run a greater risk of becoming infected by a non-mask wearer, but there have already been a couple of incidents. A trainer at Ashburton was remonstrated with by officials because of his non-compliance. But I have a medical exemption, he protested, and showed them the documents. Doesn't matter, he was told, these are the rules here, if you won't wear a mask, don't come to the races.

Was going to comment about this, yes, damn right - it is a great concept, but, as you say, sad [ and typical ] that is has to be undertaken by a private enterprise. Donovan Mansour is the guy you are thinking of. Something similar is proposed at Ross Beckett's property, he has his own track and good facilities, and he is pointing Terry Moseley towards doing something with the concept as he nears retirement. But the reams of irrelevant paperwork required by a potential track rider is off-putting in the extreme and no-one seems to have a handle on just what is required and when it might happen. To quote Pitty 'they have taken the power away from the bosses [ trainers] and replaced it with nothing.' Years ago, the boss was just that, a former jockey usually, who knew racing inside out. Those guys weren't all great communicators or tutors though, and it can be seen how some improvement was needed. Often the kids were just cheap labour and had no show of ever making a career of race-riding. The jockey schools of Ireland, UK, and Sth Africa are a great concept and again, we just keep dropping the ball.

She's a lovely filly all right, and very unlucky in the Gns last year.

Has ridden well since she resumed from injury. The only one who can consistently judge pace, well at least better than the rest. Most have absolutely no idea, even the incomparable CWJ is, in the twilight of his career, not consistent. But, when he is on song, still very good.

Kylie Williams stands out for mine.

I think so, yes. And all the b/s about the 'hit' taken by the TAB never mentioned no stakes paid out while Aus racing was followed with enthusiasm.

Joe, I know V'Landys won't countenance AWT racing in NSW, but there are quite a few installed for training purposes. Have you any feedback on those?