Freda

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.

Years ago there was an 'OTB' - owners, trainers & breeders....then the breeders split off, then the trainers, leaving the owners sort of languishing. Looking back ( and a long way...! ) I think there was more cohesion then, more worked towards a common goal, whereas now its self interest all the way.

You've lost me there

There is no such thing now as an ' owners' and trainers assn' .....I am guessing you mean the separate associations? And pigs might fly.

I'm afraid we are, and have been, a supporting act for a good while. I fear that the only incentive for an owner to maintain a promising horse in work here, is the prospect of an Australian campaign if it proves worthy. Make that harder and even more will head over, sooner rather than later.

Riccarton got 10 mill.....

Ascot Park closed? It was the designated track to remain in use for galloping....never mind that good old Gore had to step in when Invers was unable to be used....I seem to recall Saundry intoning about a 'greenfields' type development incorporating galloping, harness, dogs, and probably equestrian activities as well. So, if it is correct that closure for harness is in the wind, that notion goes out the window. Plan Z ?

Looked like clipped heels, no update on her, but hope she is ok.

Doesn't look too bad on TV...but it will be very firm underneath I imagine.

Possibly, yes. But, the racing industry as it stands now wouldn't change without Te Akau...my point was that they keep their good ones here, mostly - yes, campaign them away, but they aren't as a general rule, sold. So, without their model, far more horses would, through necessity, find their way overseas. And they have plenty of slow ones too.

Yes, imagine things without Te Akau ? What a depressing thought....and I'm just a battler who can not and will never be able to aspire to any sort of expensive, high-class purchase. I don't imagine I'm much different from a number of other small operators. I have had good single owners, in the past - most have now passed on, sadly. I have enthusiastic support from a number of great people who have shares in several, but - most of those are unable to go off and purchase a yearling. Most of the few that could, practically, don't see the point with the way the outfit is being run. But, one or two can. Good friends and supporters; but, they will leave me to source a horse, and then offer to take 5 per cent, or 2.5 per cent...but are quite happy to outlay thousands on a horse to send straight over to Aus. That is what the perception does. Now, if I had the capital, any smart horse that I owned would be over the ditch smartly. Similarly, a client would be advised to do the same, if they had a nice animal. But, statistically, the percentage of superstars vs slow ones doesn't alter much from one place to another. I have pointed out that it would make sense to develop the horse here, then send it over if it looked reasonable. Save on plane fares at least if it was not very talented. But, the buzz is all about racing in Aus, and it doesn't look like changing any time soon. As I said, without Te Akau [ and a few others ] we would be watching a bunch of R 65's go around most of the time.

What you/we deem impracticable cost vs risk mitigation may be viewed in a very different manner by H & S especially if a death is involved. We have a situation here where lighting is very inadequate, even for those walking horses to the track. The fact that most just deal with it and put up with working horses in the dark, doesn't make the situation acceptable. If someone is hurt as a result of this ongoing situation the fallout could be significant.

Yes. Your point?

Not exactly a deer fence - but very well enclosed nevertheless. You wouldn't find a horse on the road unless someone left an external gate open.

Pretty sure the loophole to which you refer was tightened up. There was a 'window of opportunity ' for NSB mares to be allowed into the studbook, but once that window closed, no more.

What's the point then? Beach racing?

Have they been 'grabbed' yet?

Which reminds me of one R.P ( Parkie) Register, who was thoroughly pissed off with one of his charges shying when going for a pre-work trot around the chute. Fixed him ! He crowed. He did put them on backwards.