Freda

Do you think so? I'm no punter, just have the occasional (very) small wager, but Covid-19 has zero impact on me being able to deposit funds, and then having that little bet. Surely any serious punter would find it just as easy?

It will be required for grass track trials too, if needed. I'm sure those trainers with potentially classic young horses will want a hit out on something other than the AWT. So it will just have to be available, won't it.

Yeah. It's actually the CJC meeting shifted from today.

Brave indeed.

The course manager at Ashburton - just in case there is any confusion! the three year old race referred to is at Ashburton too.

Sigh...yes, I do know that. And it's pretty hot at the moment, too. You asked when racing was happening on the AWT. I told you, in the autumn. In the meantime, trials and trackwork. And Ashburton has already been pressed into service because Riccarton wasn't in a good enough condition after the National meeting. Two racedays in six days, and their three year old Stakes race next month....AND the course manager just resigned.

Autumn. Trials next month.

I don't think revenue is 'made' on any TB races at the present time. Less is lost on the smaller stakes, that's all.

I've seen accounts for both grazing and training that would make your eyes water. And I have to make clear I'm not 'having a go' about those charges. They run a top class operation with experienced and quality staff, the attention to detail is second to none, they are entitled to charge what they do. They are the best in that range in which they perform. I'm not getting into the kickbacks and the ticket-clipping, that is an entirely different matter to what we are discussing I think. But the rub is, how long can those charges stand up to the challenges from Australian trainers/syndicates with access to huge rewards, while T.A stay, mainly, at home? As said to me by one of their personnel, most of these horses are very ordinary, but they're needed to pay the bills.

Off the Twitter topic....but 2021 is definitely making 2020 look like a walk in the park.....

That'd cause a bit of squealing.

Yeah, saw,that in the News. Interesting indeed.

Dunno. Probably the whole silly drama made them decide they couldn't be arsed being involved any more.

Well, neither Boyle even holds a licence now so what likelihood of any fine being paid? What a waste of time.

I'm confused...not that that is hard to do..but I'm at a loss to comprehend wtf this has to do with anything?

You are not likely to either. The opinion from on high is that here is nothing wrong with it. I feel for the track staff who surely know otherwise, but don't have the means at their disposal to do anything other than basic maintenance and patching.

Absolutely. No problem at all with their charges, the operation is top class, every attention to detail given. The trouble is, trying to compete with inferior horses, inadequate staff ( because the top bracket wages are unaffordable for many) and the high profile riders often look down their noses at smaller trainers, won't ride their horses, or worse- ride them badly and couldn't give a toss.

Subjectively - I would be delighted to win a 40k maiden for my owners. But, a maiden is a maiden, can't see any justification whatsoever for the stakes differential. And, it has been said before, many times...if stakes were paid on the basis of revenue earned, we would be racing for 2k... or thereabouts. Or Willy Wightman's bag of kumaras.

Yeah. Pokies, sportsbetting, overseas racing, the PoC tax [ i.e. the punter ] the gaming duty forgiven [ the taxpayer] ; and the long-suffering owners of horses obliged to race for 10k.

Gorgeous

Yeah. I am/was no fan of Winston, but Foreign Affairs sat well enough with him.

She'll be right, Aqua. Nanaia Mahuta will have a wee chat and it will all be smoothed over. Get your teddies in a row.

Good points. Frightening, but makes sense.

Well, I've never understood the ire that he arouses in some. Sure, he posts crap - sometimes - but he wouldn't be the only one. And he can actually make some good points. And, if you don't like what he posts, don't effing read it! if that is too much too manage, block his posts then you won't have to be tempted to read, and then get angry.

Oh, they don't pay, their ills are medicated at the expense of the taxpayer....grrr. Two are former meth users, another just uses cannabis, but at forty - plus and using since teenage years, disfunctional in the workplace except in small ( six weeks ) doses. Then the need to get up in the morning beats her and she leaves or gets the sack. The other is a current user and boy, does he have issues.