Freda

Eh? I missed the point somewhere.

Was it him that tried to go around the loose horse that ran off at Ellerslie MM night? Didn't show much nouse there either.

And a thought - not that I wish to harp on a much thrashed topic - one of the reasons given for refusing Hokitika a race day was that the track went the wrong way and was too tight and riders weren't coping. Thats a sad admission. Ffs, it had existed in its current forn for a hundred years!

I've been out of the loop wrt apprentice training for a good while now, I know they are supposed to go to fortnightly apprentice school but what exactly that involves I don't know. But the daughter of one Otago trainer had been working in Aus ( before Covid) and had indicated that she might try for an apprenticeship over there, but would probably come home as it was so hard to even get accepted to start the process. And, as you say, what incentive to even want to be part of the industry? That said, that doesn't excuse the moronic lot we have now that are well past apprentice stage.

I agree....although its not an easy job by any means, and it's also very easy to be critical from the safety of one's sofa in front of the TV. Clearly, despite all the warm fuzzies about our apprentice mentors, something is very lacking in the tuition system. Kevin Gray has had a long history of turning out top riders, Allan Sharrock now although many of today's youngsters probably would struggle with the discipline. I can't think of too many others that reflect a good ' system ' at the expense of the old fashioned regime - the boss. Opie ( Autridge) had a good grounding from a good tutor, and the Collett/Grylls/ Johnson youngsters had great family connections. Overseas jurisdictions are leaving us in the dust...again.

Frankie probably not...but Ryan Moore used to ride all sorts , anywhere, jumpers too.

I agree, the 5 strike rule is in operation in the Uk still [ I think ] - do you really think Frankie, or Ryan Moore look 'weak' and ineffective? The hell they do.

Yes, I know. It saddens me greatly. Track closures have been on the agenda for a while, but now, locally anyway, some of those meetings must shift to the AWT to justify it. I have been castigated for being negative , living in the past ' like all you Kiwis who won't move forward ' ; but - sentiment aside - shifting from a low-cost model to a high-cost model doesn't seem to be the way to increase revenue. Will punter losses increase as a result? I don't know. But, sure as hell, those that sit in offices don't either. Inconsistent track surfaces and a wide variety of geographical differences have been cited as one reason for falling turnover. But, to many punters that is part of the challenge of sorting out a value bet. The off course bettors will still have their regular flutter while downing a jug after work...but will they bet more because it is an AW meeting and not at Oamaru or Timaru? And the loss of local interest and a day out at the races is not going to increase either involvement or interest. As a training aid, yes, a big help certainly to the likes of Cambridge with its very wet winters and springs, and large numbers of horses. There are a number of innovations that , in other jurisdictions, have been incorporated into training facilities since the days of working around a paddock, or common ground. Hyperbaric chambers, swimming pools, water walkers/treadmills, uphill gallops, straight gallops....all modern, have their place - and cost. Our industry, at this stage, can't afford any of this, unless a private benefactor was to roll up with the dosh. But, the industry is now so depressed that I don't think any business case could be made for such an investment. Of course, the AWT's are using taxpayer money, and it is always easier to spend someone else's money than your own. Cost savings with the closures? the float trip, and vehicle costs for jockey/trainers, yes, fair enough. But those costs aren't industry-subsidised, it is a matter of personal choice whether to go or not. The provision of TAB and broadcasting, ok. But the Chief has clearly demonstrated how much of that is far too expensive for what is necessary. Over the years, market forces have reduced quite a number of tracks, with mostly positive results for the clubs that made that choice. But, I don't see huge benefits to the wider industry as a result.

Something to do with a loss of a date, methinks. Academic, anyway....both will end up in ChCh eventually when Timaru gets wiped out.

🤣🤣🤣

I've managed to connect pc to tv with HDMI cable....thought I would probably blow something up but it is actually working.

Davo is fortunate he got the whole Richards family...don't underestimate good southern stock.

Hope we get a telecast again...my Sky planner is telling me that channel is unavailable.

That's possibly a fair point, yes.

But, that was my point on the headpost. Te Akau has had other trainers, very competent horsemen - Mark Walker, Jason Bridgeman, Steven Autridge - and all have had the same or similar structures to work with, but Jamie's results are outstanding.

It's not that anything illicit went on. ..but procedures must be not just beyond doubt, they must be seen to be as well.

No, its not really. Look at the shambles at Reefton ( sorry to bring that in to this conversation) where a trainer had several runners and was assisted by two experienced and licensed personnel. However they weren't employees and we discussed the cock up at great length here.

Yes, I spotted that and did a double take. For sure, Emily may still have her stablehand's ticket, even if she hasn't she certainly knows what she is doing....but many have been turned away from stabling areas that also know what they are doing. Did look very amateurish. And TA is one outfit that can afford extra hangers-on!

I know he has been a topic of discussion plenty of times, but I have to congratulate Jamie Richards, again. Yes, he has a terrific operation behind him, he has Big D buying lovely horses, Karen doing a fantastic job managing and arranging syndicates, he doesn't have to lie awake worrying about how he will pay the wages, or where to source the best hay....all of that will be outside his responsibility. But for consistency, presentation of the runners, the detail in the preparation of these horses on the sheer scale that he has to deal with, sending horses all over the place to have them both educated, fit, and suitably placed; he is a very, very talented trainer. The horses are uniformly superb in the parade rings, professional in their racing and trained for the occasion. Attention to detail, also. Our local club was put on notice that the stabling for their runners would have to be properly cleaned and fresh bedding laid. As it should be for all visitors, but this team was the only one that insisted. Te Akau has had other trainers over the years ( and no slur is intended on their efforts) but this young man has taken things to another level.

Zoos.

yes, I recall Jim Lalor saying to a fellow trainer, many years ago, who was having a very lean patch...don't start doubting yourself or changing what you do, because you do it well. Just keep your head and the results will come again. And they did. I realise most on here will not have heard of Jim Lalor, but he trained a multitude of winners from his Ashburton base, around the south, long before strike rates and winners' statistics became so important. David Walsh started out with Jim.

I agree, sort of.....but, in a healthy industry there should be room for all. We need the heights to aspire to, the glamour to watch and get excited by...but not when the grass roots part of things is disintegrating by the day. It has become so unbalanced now. I look around at the trainers I work amidst ; one or two still have patrons who breed to race, or buy to race - Kevin Hickman very good about sharing some of his stock among different trainers - but most are scrabbling around, leasing tried horses or [ now ] buying from Gavelhouse, which has all but scuppered the leasing option. So, most are dealing, in the main, with stock that is largely unwanted. How can the balance ever be righted under those conditions?

Arcadia Queen for mine

Digressing somewhat....I got so pissed off with trying to rejuvenate old reluctant has beens, that don't want to be runners any more ....and not having a wealthy client to buy a nice yearling or two, I went to Karaka 2013 armed with a very light wallet. I got one yearling and two weanlings for 500 each. All ended up winners. So I had a brief period of feeling self-satisfied but ended up just as broke as before.

Love it. It just reinforces how far I am from those exalted heights....but great theatre regardless.