Freda

Meth positives

Fantastic. Trackrider shortages are as endemic here as in Aus, and initiatives such as this should be explored - money and suitable, safe facilities being most in short supply. Public racetracks just won't do. Locally, I believe Ross Beckett is going to offer something along these lines, he has his own property, and several retired models which could be used for the novice riders. This is being offered in conjunction with NZTR, however an operation such as Te Akau could, with its infrastructure, do something similar. This might defray much of the criticism that organisation attracts also. The Myers operation has, over the years, produced a stack of riders, but not on a nationally-accredited basis as would be required now. Notwithstanding Sheikh Mo's problems with his errant females, and his draconian methods of 'educating' them to their folly, Godolphin do fund training , education and veterinary facilities in both the UK and Aus., to an extent not realised by many. So, put a great deal back into the industry .

All of the above - but they run it oh, so much better.

And, for the record, I must clarify that I am not against alternative surfaces wrt training, or racing when necessary. They are in use world-wide, in most jurisdictions, and in both public and private training facilities. But, it is significant, that across the ditch, Victoria felt that 3 AWT's [ for racing ] was one too many, Qld has had its issues with Toowoomba and has replaced with turf [ did I read Strathayr? ] and V'Landy's won't hear of using an AWT for racing in NSW. Plenty around for training of course. The excellent UK poster, Stodge, who posts regularly on another site, has expressed the opinion that six AWT's is probably too many - and that is in the UK with its huge [ by our standards ] population , human and equine. So where did the fantasy come from that li'l ol' NZ needed 3? And, while no doubt an excellent training aid, how does the beleaguered taxpayer get to fund three of the effing things? Cambridge, at least, should have been able to fund its own - which will be certainly useful when their late winter/spring climate gives them their customary rain. As for producing an increase in revenue ..dunno about that. I'd have no problem with being wrong, but I can't see how that will happen. Closing provincial tracks, and scuttling holiday ' circuits' with the aim of centralising, isn't going to increase turnover as far as I can see...especially when the remaining turf tracks are as inconsistent and biased as we have seen recently, and with no plan going forward to renovate these on a rotational basis. Racing on the AWT at Riccarton at the expense of Timaru, Waimate, Motukarara, Marlborough, and eventually the West Coast, won't result in the turf track suddenly becoming the great surface that we would all love it to be, without extensive work and at significant cost....and a helluva lot of local interest and support will be lost at those venues. Add to all the above, other issues, mainly NZTR ones, of the unbalanced funding model, handicapping, weights, allowances, calendar structure, industry training, integrity..C.G...really?

Pretty much. The M report is a convenient scapegoat, however, if the decline ( evident and accelerated since the Racing Act 2003 ) hadn't been happening we wouldn't have needed the Messara involvement. That eventuated as a desperate, last-ditch effort to get Winston ( seen as a saviour by many) to do SOMETHING...and encouraged by Brian de Lore as a result of his close association with both those men. I think de Lore now realizes that Winston wasn't the solution he thought, although, like it or not, he fleeced the taxpayer to keep the TAB functioning. But, Messara made the point that his report was of little use if the TAB wasn't outsourced. The other recommendations were only window-dressing and not to be ' cherry picked ' in isolation. That hasn't happened, typically. The b/s about lost racedays costing money was just that, pushed upon a gullible Winston by his wealthy Waikato supporters, similar to the track closure mantra perpetrated by Alan Jackson and others long before the M report saw the light of day. Track closures, which have happened over the years for various reasons, should and will happen as a result of market forces, not some arbitrary decisions made by people who have shown no vision or ability to lead this industry so far.

She's a wonderful mare, will watch replay when I get in from work, but - does T.A need any more cheerleaders? They do a pretty good job without extra help.

Oh dear....yes, I certainly do know the downs...far more of them than ups.! To quote her Majesty [ with all due respect and apologies to that august lady for putting myself in the same sentence ] this has been my 'annus horribilis' - the worst I can recall in 50 years involvement with racehorses. Hopefully, the enforced rest will be to her benefit..you can tell yourself that, anyway!

Exactly.

Called a bob each way.

Don't worry, we've got the AWT'S to look forward to.

No.

Yep, brilliant. Notice also how he used to apply the persuader right over the top of the rump...not chopping them in the flanks like so many do today.

Just re-read the posts here. Yes, he is certainly stepping up, that's for sure. How did your nice filly fare in her career so far? There are quite a few by Complacent at the track, but the only Contributer I have seen so far is Follow Your Dreams, down here at the beginning of the season with southern passport-holder Kenny Rae...[ ..!! we think of Kenny as a local ] He is just such a gorgeous little guy, fantastic temperament, attitude plus. We were all hoping that he could perform well in the K.M, but, not to be. And to be fair, watching him in the parade [ albeit only on TV ] he did look overshadowed by the sheer physique of some of the other runners.

1977...? Isn't that just proof that racing attitudes have evolved?. I give up.

Dunno what my phone is doing. I'm having a bad morning anyway..

I'm sorry I ever mentioned Lester. The point, Chief that has obviously escaped you, is that riders have to abide by rules of their jurisdiction....whether or not they particularly want to or even agree with. And, like it or not, front footing a issue has to be better than ignoring it. Quite agree. In addition, I wasn't aware that Breeders' Cups were run in the UK which is to where I was referring. When Lester came to NZ to ride in an International series, at Ellerslie I think, he adapted to our whip rules immediately. No restrictions then and he took advantage of that. The point is that the UK has rules that jockeys must abide by, and do so without any loss of competitiveness.

Quite agree. In addition, I wasn't aware that Breeders' Cups were run in the UK which is to where I was referring. When Lester came to NZ to ride in an International series, at Ellerslie I think, he adapted to our whip rules immediately. No restrictions then and he took advantage of that. The point is that the UK has rules that jockeys must abide by, and do so without any loss of competitiveness.

I know I have harped on this before...to the point of pissing people off, no doubt....but - do the best UK riders appear weak in a finish? Do their mounts not try when asked? Watch Frankie, Ryan Moore, go back and watch Lester, the rules may have been a bit different in his day, but I defy anyone to claim his mounts were given a soft option when it came to the business end. Horses just didn't change their mind under a ride from McCoy. Good jockeys can get the best out their mounts without bashing them.

Oh.. ffs, that would never happen. Derby or poppies.

So, you think the Riu is going to undertake to incur more costs? Who, aside from Te Akau and a very few others, could afford to do this?

That's just the point, isn't it?

Mind boggles.....Jess performing a flying tackle around the ankles, before shoving him face down into the turf, with hands screwed behind his back.

Sounds expensive to implement. Hence the likelihood that nothing will change.

Shouldn't affect the steering.

And sometimes they don't look too flash either..no wonder Lisa Allpress usually cleans up when she comes down. Have to say though, even if he is having a bad day, CWJ never flounders around on his horse.