Freda

And it's warmer than back in Chch.

At least the bar is free....

I'm also a huge jumping fan, but I have to agree. While Andre Klein was here with Gallop South, there was at least an enthusiastic supporter in management. I realise there were issues in and around his tenure, but he definitely had ideas to mitigate the demise of the sport, rightly or wrongly. But things have gone from bad to worse. Jo Gordon and Alan Browne have given up their time to run jumping schools, with Paul Claridge's input - but the main S.I club has sat on it's hands for a decade or more doing zip to promote jumping, but reaping any benefits coming with the National meeting. It would not be a surprise [ to me ] if the National went elsewhere, sad to say...and as for funding? definitely not a good use of resources and betting on these events is also poor . Myers, Nelson. Wheeler, Anderton...all getting on, with no sign [ that I can see ] of any enthusiastic young supporters coming through in the numbers needed to make the option viable.

Was wondering if those mutton pies were still available, I suppose too high in cholesterol/fat for the modern consumer. Not that there will be many, modern or otherwise, today, I wouldn't think. I thought Oamaru had already had a long spell...or have I missed something?

Full agreement there.

I thought you might be beyond being 'astounded', by now.

A fundamentally honest man hung out to dry. Shitty treatment.

For sure....but I don't think there is any notion or desire to do that. And the prestige races won't be held on the AWT.

That was what I was trying to point out earlier, with the reference to Hunt Club / Grand National meetings ( four days in all ) on the same track over a fortnight, years ago. The course coped ok mostly- but then it wasn't used until Cup time. Lead up races to that carnival took place at Oamaru, Ashburton, Geraldine, Rangiora, Motukarara, even Blenheim if my memory serves me correctly. Those fixtures worked well, stood the test of time, and the date structure, while not perfect, did seem to work ok. At least we did know what happened when, and could plan a preparation around that. Not only are the turf tracks stuffed ( as discussed ad infinitum ) but dates have been altered over the years without thought to the knock on effect. I remember locally, dates uptaken by Riccarton when smaller clubs lost them, so they weren't lost to the region. Admirable in sentiment, but adding to the pressure on a grass track without realising the effects going forward. Now we have the AWT to potentially ease the pressure- but again, the structure and dates are all over the place without any seeming purpose, and no plan that anyone is aware of, to renovate the said turf surface.

A bit off topic I guess, but personally, I like the idea of straight tracks for dog racing. The potential for interference and injuries when dogs are scrambling round corners would, one would think, be much reduced, and could be a way of front-footing the push to end greyhound racing.

Just think, there used to be Hunt Club and then following, three days of the National meeting!

I think Oamaru was on the 'close' list, however there must have been a re-think as it does have a permit or two still. The 'chase course was good, why jumping stopped there, I don't know - especially as Dunedin doesn't seem to want [ or be allowed ] to hold jumping any more. Timaru has been reduced to three permits only for next season - a forerunner for things to come?

You're preaching to the converted, Chief, don't waste your time harangueing me.

Waterhouse was also keen to share some other of his observances on New Zealand racing, including his lack of support for the installation of synthetic tracks. “I certainly think that racing more on your better tracks like Ellerslie will have a positive effect on your racing and the attractiveness to wagering,” he said. “The quality of horses won’t change, but certainly if you are selling then being able to say you have won at Ellerslie instead of a minor course is a bonus. “By the same token I’m not impressed by the new Cambridge track and for the life of me, I can’t see why you need it. “If you are looking at selling horses, where are you going to sell artificial track horses to, as I doubt whether it will to be anyone in Australia.”

Thanks, hope you're right, it's been a dry argument for too bloody long!

Am I disagreeing with that observation? Not at all. But, given that the first renovation was flawed, I have faint hope that the next one - or two - would have been any better.

Sadly, no, you're quite right. I loved the old track, and the remodelling was unfortunately poorly directed. I have pointed out before that Laing's, who copped a lot of flak for ballsing things up from some quarters, could only follow the scope of works that they were given. It wasn't their job to question the contract. The 'experts' who gave the instructions should be accountable. That will never happen though, as there is no acceptance at administrative level that there is anything wrong. We have been restricted severely on our work allocations while all the recent construction has been happening, with grass gallops allowed once weekly, down the outside of the course proper from the 1200m chute. Wednesday was the day we were allowed, this week, and the portion of track used now resembles a ploughed paddock. One senior trainer, formerly a jockey as well, said to me 'in forty years of riding/training, I have never galloped on a surface so bad.' The track staff must be ripping their hair out, no wonder we got transferred to Ashburton for today's races. God knows how they will put that section back to order....and god knows where we will be able to gallop now, if rain puts the plough out. And there doesn't need to be much to do that. On a brighter note, the visible base of the AWT appears to be clear of any build up of water, so at least that is doing what it is supposed to.

They probably are. Another concern of mine, mentioned by CS, is the establishment of Racing NZ. Meant to be part of the streamlining process outlined in the M report...but, I feel that is not one of his better ideas. Now we'll have yet another 'tier' of management, salaried, and sucking more away from stakeholders. Like NM said in another post, I hope I am wrong here; but as the saying goes, watch this space.

It's a moot point..but I think if a horse is foaled here, it is deemed to have been bred here. Doesn't seem to matter if mum and dad are foreigners.

I can't understand where the supposed gains are coming from. I wouldn't have thought that the axeing of radio/printed information services, and the running-down of on-course tote options, would save as much money as touted. Equally, I can't understand why the b/s about covid causing such hardship to the TAB keeps getting trotted out. Surely, with racing in Australia available during that period, and no stakes or ancillary services to provide, the results should have been positive, not negative?

Academic anyway...whether Ashburton or Riccarton is the choice for Friday, those south of Ashburton will find it difficult/impossible to get there, the bridge is out over the Ashburton river.

Cows? I presume you mean ' costs' ....?

I believe the option of deferring to next week was mentioned...surely, that would be preferable wrt retaining the jumps races, and considering the disruption to training for many horses? I'm don't think jumping has any future down here going forward, but the prospect of losing the Nationals must have occurred to management, surely?