Freda

We had $7000 days back last century....Counties ran $30,000 days too. Sorta puts things into perspective, dunnit? You'll forgive me if I fail to prostrate myself with gratitude over this latest announcement. And, isn't it a projection? Correct me if I'm wrong but the dosh isn't in the handbag yet, is it?

Yes, good point. . But as well, not all trainers have a confidence or are at ease with respect to fronting a camera. But, bloody hell, what an absolute shocker.

Hi Lena You've picked a fascinating topic to include in your thesis. How much depth do you want, or need, to go in to? because, once you've scratched the surface, you will find such a range of topics and/or opinions that you will wish you never started! All the points made above are absolutely right. But, from the point of a doctorate, you probably need to have valid comparisons with jurisdictions where racing works well. To that end, Australia - and particularly NSW/Victoria - and the UK/Ireland, are systems you can realistically compare. Both those regions mentioned are culturally and ethnically similar to NZ.....and before anyone leaps to take offence, I didn't say 'the same'. There are differences of course.

Yeah, with increased track fees....😥

..and a lack of knowledge as to how the whole thing works apart from the immediate effect upon themselves. You have a more generous impression of our president, however, than I do. As far as I can see [ and he may have done plenty behind the scenes to be fair ] the only squeak he made when his own patch was impacted upon..and he has far more resources at his disposal than most.

Sadly, yes. The Messara report, looked upon by many as the blueprint for real change, never involved itself with the codes. I said to Brian de Lore, in one of our many discussions, that that was the biggest flaw in the whole thing. Getting code management tidied up is/was vital, and hasn't happened.

NZTR.

I've seen some private correspondence which I won't go into further. But the tone was not amicable, and I understand the next letter is worse.

They're trying very hard to cash up Dargaville.

Thanks, yes, that was helpful. A vet friend [ years ago, to be fair ] offered the opinion that N.S were ' useless' as the point of most resistance was in the throat structures, not the nostril area. No doubt he didn't have access to the research you just showed. I found material from W. Robert Cooke very informative too, although that work was also carried out years ago.

Do you have any stats re. nasal strips, C ?

Would have to be better than what we have now, surely?

Thanks, we'll be trying hard!

I note that amateur riders in the gallops code are no longer allowed to use the whip. Would that work ok for the harness folk?

Yes, nature will do what she will, everything underwater again here, farmers spared this time thank goodness. No gallop track again yesterday, the temporary plough unusable, the once-a-week outside strip down the chute not available ( resembles a cow paddock anyway) so I took my potential runners for next week to Rangiora to gallop. One or two comments from a few, did the day at Oamaru affect you badly ? I was asked...we'll see if I'm still deemed crazy if the rain keeps up ( bucketing down at the moment) and there is nothing to work on this week.

No pies, nothing on course for sale to eat, jocks had a platter of fruit in the rooms. Looked like a very long chilly wait for the truck to leave - hours later - but, upon inspection, the bar above the grandstand was free ( president's shout, I was told ) and plates of sandwiches and cold meats were available, also free. A great gesture, and upon reflection, with such a small turnout of patrons, the best option all round. The club was on a hiding to nothing anyway I should think, without paying for anything more substantial. The normally reliable ' firm' winter going was very testing indeed, one jockey describing it as the heaviest he had ridden on. He obviously hasn't plugged around at Trentham in the winter.

He tried hard, all credit to him, but I was a little disappointed that he lost second....but very hard preparing middle distance horses from headquarters at present, tracks underwater and closed this morning, no grass gallops apart from a 1000m strip outside down the 1200m chute, and only once a week. Makes things very trying.

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.