Freda

Any thoughts on the affects of this impending development of this area, whether is be a ' sale ' in its entirety, or a sell/lease type of deal ? If the mooted actions do in fact take place, with modern, purpose-built training facilities at Pukekohe, there may be trainers now incumbent at Cambridge or Matamata who see the proximity to the 'new' Ellerslie, with its Strathayr , much reduced travelling times, regular racing and and large stake increases, as being the next logical step forward for their businesses. Where, then, does that leave other regions [ particularly the Sth Island and specifically Riccarton ] in terms of appeal? Would a 'satellite' stable then be required for, say, a Cambridge trainer?

I think we all get your drift.

So, I walked twice round the track and up the chute looking for a lost plate on Sunday. The chute was very good, junction harder and quite rough, the rest of the track not too bad; but on the fence esp down the straight, like a ploughed paddock. So the riders weren't too far wrong by getting off the rail. Didn't find the plate either, although a couple of observers reckoned they could see it fly about at the junction.

Great video all right, sure brings back memories. Very easy to forget just how good some of these horses were.

A bit away from the headpost - and please correct me if I am wrong - but I think both Hendra and Ebola viruses are ' haemorrhagic' viruses....I recently watched a very interesting doco about the Black Death in the middle ages. This awful infection has been long assumed to be Bubonic Plague, but the researchers showed clearly that there were significant points of difference between the ' black death' and the later outbreaks of plague [ bacterial ], not the least being the differing populations of the black and brown rat at specific times. It did seem as if the black death may have been caused by a virus similar in its effects to the Hendra and Ebola ones.

She trained Silky Red Boxer for Albert, and the whole operation went from there really. I wasn't aware she went to Sydney, thought Chris went on his own.

Jocks I spoke to reckoned track fair with a nice bit of give. Well done, however that happened. Rail 4m out so shouldn't have been tricky on the 'fence '.

I'll give you a ( subjective ) report when I get home.

I'm not getting into a pointless argument that neither can win. Rightly or not, the codes have always had the ability to take away one's livelihood if one transgresses against their rules. It doesn't happen in the civil courts, unless a person's conviction results in imprisonment, or dismissal from a profession where ethics are paramount - legal, accounting, medical - where being 'struck off' can certainly stop your career in it's tracks. Codes and their management are under the pump bigtime for their collective ineptitude. But - IMO - this isn't contributing to the drop off in interest, nor is it anything new. It is always the way it was. Anyone could, if they want, challenge the system to modify itself. If anyone can be bothered, that is.

I'm not disagreeing with you. I'm just stating the facts as they exist at the moment. It's a parallel situation to the Millane/Molloy business. He thought the law was wrong - as it pertained to the disclosure matter - and therefore felt justified in breaking it. The same fella has vilified others for doing just that, namely breaking the law. Lobby to change the law, he was wont to say, don't break it. You know the score when applying for a licence, if you feel that strongly, don't put yourself in that position. And don't we see more of the same, when someone's wee darling wants longer hair/shorter skirts/piercings/tats that are not acceptable under a school's constitution? the school rules are quite clear when enrolling. Don't bloody well go there if you are going to be an arse.

We agree to abide by the rules of a code when being granted a licence.

You're very kind . But you are right for all that.

Ah. That'll be why I missed it then. FFS.

They would have been busy at Ruakaka...what about W Pinn's brain explosion in R 3?

Talking to Robbie Hannam when he was down, the Awapuni AWT hasn't been started yet, he said, and didn't know when it was likely to get going. I think he was quietly pleased he was still out on an injury break and not having to deal with it all!

That I can't answer. I was told 'made 20 million ' but when I queried whether that was before distribution or debt reduction, or other opex, he didn't know. I suspect it is more smoke and mirrors, personally, but then what would I know.😕

Sorry, typo...Dean McK

Slightly off topic....but still pertaining to 'management ' ....I was told this morning by someone who had been speaking to Dean McC...that the TAB had 'made' 20 million last month. Sound likely?

From Curious' experience, OIA requests aren't very satisfactory either.

Yeah. Amateur hour. I'm not against amateur races in principle either, but there isn't a sufficient number of those races - IMO - to get a group of reasonably proficient riders the experience to look halfway decent. The good ones are certainly very competent..but there just aren't enough of them.

Classic! Just brilliant.

Was a lovely day down there yesterday, superb weather, families picnicking on blankets, sitting on a grassy slope, great atmosphere. How stopping days like this aids racing overall beggars belief. I've harped on this ad nauseum....but - Messara has gotten the blame for wanting tracks shut. His idea was NOT to shut tracks pointlessly, but to use the assets from unwanted facilities to upgrade a few selected venues. He was quite aware there was/is no spare money, and this was the only source he could readily identify. But Timaru, I understand, is not saleable, so.....?

Looking at the new season's calendar, we have 7 races on the AWT May-July, two on the turf, at Riccarton. One each in that period for Timaru and Ashburton. Hmmm.

Sea Change. Don't think she was lame, but her conformation was awful apparently.

I am not going to comment on the case(s) themselves, far better brains than mine have dealt with them. Agree or not, what is done is done. However, I have seen comment to the effect that one should not break the law with impunity. If you feel a law is unfair or inappropriate, lobby to change it. Don't break it. If you do, you may find yourself wearing the penalty for so doing.