Freda

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.

I dont need to wait for the phone call then? 🤪

Well, just look at what we have to deal with....

That's a fair point.

I agree with that. Morality shouldn't be defined in dollars.

Sounds like it wasn't managed very well.

Yeah, was talking to Michael this morning. I didn't think that irrigation was allowed to be done the day before?

Go Kenny. The speech would be marvelous!

I understand the 'contract' if that is the correct term, to fund the KM day was negotiated under the Purcell regime. I was also told that Saundry was not happy with the setup. However, for an unhappy man, he hasn't done much about changing things.

Can't help, sorry...hope so, great entertainment.

Yep, it is now. Sam was a year or so back. Leith retained by the Lindsays.

I'm pretty sure Valachi had Sam Collett on a retainer...makes perfect sense to be able to call on the rider of choice when you wish.

Did she have some before?

You'd have to look at the conditions for a cl 4 licence, which governs gaming outside casinos.

Ah. Yes, someone told me that ages ago.

I think they funded a fair portion themselves. The irrigation comment earlier- these tracks are not supposed to need it.

Went amiss - unfortunately - was my understanding. Would be very happy to find out the 'word' was wrong, he looks an outstanding sort.