Freda

Yes, absolutely. In the very early days of Channel X [ Dave and Ange ] there was a Q & A session, once a week/month, not sure as I wasn't around. But someone from NZTR would answer genuine queries and I think it was a really good option. Probably keeping it courteous might have been a problem, otherwise there would have been no reason for the section to be removed.

Usually before the first, I believe.

I'll add a bit more; after asking a few questions of several [ just to be absolutely fair ] including ANOTHER barrier staff member...yes, there was provisional approval from the office, but as the barrier staff weren't consulted approval was not given from them. As was said to me, if the request had been for help before the first, even though it meant extra time which isn't re-imbursed, the barrier boys might have been ok to help. But to rock up at the races and expect it to happen halfway through the day, no.

Oh. No, I don't think there are comments as long as the animal loads, even if reluctantly or is difficult to handle. But there is now a 90 sec time limit after which horses must not be persevered with. Reportedly this directive was Entain-driven, as they are not pleased with the unprofessional look/ loss of turnover when races are running consistently late with poorly educated horses holding up the starts.

Er...what offending races?

I'll put my 2 cents in here. When I first read the comments from Colin I tended to be sympathetic. Mentioned to my staff member who also is a permanent barrier attendant. He said ' its a c##t of an animal, an absolute mutt and that's why its called Ears Back. It has always been a pig at the gates but the new 90 sec rule has caught it out, there isn't time to spend on her anymore. It went to the jumpouts and couldn't even get a barrier certificate there. There was no approval from the gate staff, if he thinks we were going to fuck around BETWEEN races and risk being over time for the next, he's even sillier than people think. And as for after the last of ten races, is he for real? The horse doesn't want to do it, its never been happy about doing it.' So that is pretty much word for word in response.

All good points and quite correct. Now, as CEO's are charged with carrying out Board policies by and large, as well as being proactive, the new bloke will have to have an in-depth understanding of these issues raised above, and the strength of personality to get things done despite the apparent lack of understanding of this Board. Should we be running a book on the likelihood of this?

I couldn't see a heel clip either, although it can be very hard to pick. It looked to me as if the horse lost its back end first. Your observation about the unusual tail carriage might be relevant?

Excellent analysis. I will add that one major difference between 'then' and 'now' is the H&S laws which affect us all, not just in racing.

Sadly, yes.

That's the burning question. Does he even know about these matters?

How many mill, Fish?

Exactly.

I've always felt that if you don't support the local product, there soon won't be one. But, locally, with three of the top 4 riders approaching retirement it's not looking great...and I'm hard pressed to think of a kiwi-born apprentice.

There'll be even fewer young kiwis coming through with the latest 'initiatives ' wrt apprentice training.

However, to add balance, if Sam feels the pressure of training/ riding in a very different arena and decides to devolve some of that pressure by standing down, then that will be her decision. Rest assured though, she won't be pushed.

Was there a 'surge in turnover ' though, during Covid? We were all treated to the boo-hoo crap about how Covid was at fault for the appalling balance sheets when revenue should have been pretty positive; zero costs and tbe excellent Australian product to still watch and bet on.

Sam can give as good as she gets, and then some. It can be very entertaining.

Damn right!

State of shock? No. The five years of excess funding is finite, it always has been, and any increase in revenue and participation has to be driven by other improvements apart from stake money and novelty races. As there has been no evidence of the latter, there is little reason for a state of shock.

Don't know what to think. Timing seems odd however.

Best of luck to them. Whether over-subsidised ( as Doomed comments ) or not, the South needs to be able to put on a decent show. A good track, has always suited good horses.

C'mon, have I EVER done that? !!

I'm wading into a topic I don't get too bothered about really..but if a horse has beaten others of moderate ability, irrespective of how easily, it can still only be given points relative to the others it has defeated. Australis has much more depth of performance so ratings will be more reflective of real ability. I hear people complaining that horse A has won X dollars, how can it rated less...etc, etc, stakemoney is largely irrelevant, they can only be rated relative to the rating of the opposition.

I'm surprised Hitabell hasn't had some attention- presuming all is well with her of course.