Freda

Don't depress me any further, please.

And, from a racing/training perspective, Caulfield-based trainers have access to an alternative facility at least as good, if not better - as well as incentives to facilitate the move. They haven't been told to eff off, bad luck, this is the future.

Pardon the cynicism...but can NZ compete with anything on that scale? Apart from population/ funding, which obviously is out of our collective control, there is a vibrancy and vision that we just don't seem to have any more. Yes, we have some wonderful , individual talents in artistic and sporting fields, but look at the mouldering, decrepit facilities in so many areas, a health system chronically underfunded ; a lack of vision and energy seems to pervade us.

I've noticed that horses will sometimes miss away first time in blinkers. Not always, but it can happen. I reckon that they miss that first movement of the gates with the shades covering the eye; after all, they are supposed to reduce visibility all around so the concentration is forward? So, not hard to see how it might happen.

Paeroa would have been a reasonable option at one time..but the moment has gone now.

Ah well . The slope to the end of jumping in NZ just got steeper.

I'm not aware [ although clearly, not being a committee member, I don't know any details going forward ] of any plans to renovate the turf track.

At this point none of us will have any idea which horses will be suited and which won't. As a general rule - and trial and error comes into play somewhat - trainers will run their horses in races which they feel will give them the best chance of success.

Super runs from both these very good horses. But, Addeybb went forward smoothly mid-race and she expended energy and went backwards. His professionalism ( and the ride maybe) made the difference.

Damn right it won't. Correct me if I am wrong, but I'm sure I read that Caulfield-based trainers were given, or will be given, a significant incentive to help relocate once Caulfield is closed for training.

I think it is envisaged - hoped - that trainers may set up satellite stables? The Marsh operation currently has one, which is doing a good job of turning around some former northerners..mind you, Pitty has been doing just that for years. But, using an existing barn and local staff. As for Canterbury trainers relocating...hmm. Not sure on that. From Rangiora, which will close - when? no one seems to know, but the CJC are determined to see the back of it. Woodsford maybe? but, as mentioned by NM, there are other things to factor in, such as the cost of commuting from Rangiora daily, or maybe selling a house and moving into ChCh..? with the current insanity surrounding house prices/availability, good luck with that. The other three mentioned have properties off the Rangiora track, so...I'm sure they must be having plenty to think about. Will make little difference to Parsons/Coulbeck, the Frye's, Centaine Spittles...inconvenient if not available for jumpouts, but the beach isn't going anywhere. Timaru trainers? That track is down for closure eventually, shame, it is a really suitable venue, nice and central to all, good track and facilities. I don't see Steph Clark [ child at school, partner employed ] Bruce Tapper [ farmer ] Warwick Coles, Philip Inglis, Len/Lacey Stewart, or any of the others based there wanting to move. I just can't. And, as well as the above, those trainers thinking of relocating also have to factor in the business reality of increased cost - not just housing, travel, etc - but the increased basic costs of rental/track fees, which will be considerably more than what they are facing now.

Well, if those meetings are pulled from other provincial clubs, they might.

How many horses at Rangiora? Not sure, but the biggest teams would be Woodsford, Kenny Moore, Paul.Harris, John Blackadder, and a few with smaller numbers. Only Stephen Woodsford is actually stabled there of those I have mentioned.

I'm estimating 200 based at Riccarton currently in work, that doesn't take into account those stabled on private property and brought in to work daily, or several times a week. 300 is the number expected, possibly more.

The thoughts are that costs will be no more and possibly less, given that the number of training tracks to be maintained will be reduced. No more staff are required either, as I understand.

The amount will be for trackfees. 300 horses @ $120 per month x 12 months = $432,000. Then you have to factor in stable rent, currently $65 per box/yard per month times as many horses incumbent, so work on the already mentioned 300 and we have a further 234,000 per annum . Rent and trackfees /300 horses = $666,000 per annum. However, on current numbers - 200? the place is bleeding money , so I'm told. Go figure.

I think you have it in one. I have little knowledge or experience of recruiting management personnel....but there does seem to be an inability to get it right. Repeatedly. There has been talent that has gone offshore, possibly for better money ? but, surely, if due recognition had been given to those people, we might have had better results. Go right back to Ian McKewen, look what Moonee Valley achieved under his stewardship. There are others, one very able administrator [ Andrew someone ] now in the Northern part of Aus, he would have been brilliant from what I understand..but wasn't wanted.

I believe that is correct.

Me ? no...but everyone is entitled to make their own assessments and decisions. There are some tracks that I may avoid - given certain track conditions - with particular horses however.

Pitty won't run at Ascot, so that takes a few out of the mix. But, without actually looking at races both leading up and following on, I can't comment other than to agree that programming generally is interesting.

Yes, agree, but you miss my point. It's not that TAB function is unimportant, but that we have had two decades of incompetence and b/s. It's just too tiring to get hot and bothered about.

Youngest colt foal of Slammer ( senior ) but from a different dam.

Blinkers, shadow roll - and THAT operation. Some women I know reckon a huge difference would be seen in application.

Can't answer for Snooky, but Danny Crozier is most definitely not ok with the way jumping looks to be heading. I realise there is no one, simple solution, and the jumping situation really only mirrors the downward slide of the rest...but, for sure, watching Cheltenham, and then Aintree, is something special.

Yes, you're right : but, I was really answering the jumping comment made by Huey . Fields for jumps and highweight races seem to hold up well in that area....unfortunately, Chimbu, despite my love for the jumpers, there won't be any coming from my stable again.