Freda

You're quite right there, more expertise = less common sense in many cases. However, you must factor in modern H&S requirements which did not exist yesteryear.

I believe Hokitika raced there once, it was a disaster.

You probably have better access to those facts than most of us...however, my understanding is that the loan often referred to was advanced much more recently than Diane's one, and has been paid back. Regardless, we can argue forever about what Hokitika could have, and should have, done ; but, at no stage can anyone, hand on heart, have confidence that NZTR will do as they promise. So, now, under the new racing act, it is legal to usurp club/community assets should they wish to, how can anyone blame Westland R.C for doing what they did? As Reefton said, if NZTR had shown a bit of patience and a lot less big stick they would have got the lot may be correct from a legal point of view - but is it morally right? I don't think so. Using their capital to enrich West Coast racing is a sop when West Coast racing may not exist under the centralisation agenda...and all NZTR has to do is deny permits, and the whole show falls over.

Yes, good result, the mare was badly injured but, for once, a happy ending and Meg's first winner. Her Dad was on course as well, making the day even more special for them. Overall, another great day and a huge crowd. I noticed a petition doing the rounds at Greymouth, presumably carried through to Reefton and yesterday, for Hokitika getting a day on the circuit again. Not at the Westland track, of course - which is a real shame IMO - but four days does make the trip a bit more viable for some trainers from out of the district. What must be frustrating for the Westland folk, is that any 'improvements ' that NZTR may have deemed necessary for the club to continue, could have been done without industry financing. They had the money.

I just had that clarified. Cameron George insisted upon all horses carrying their weight to the start . Leading by the clerk of the course permitted but the horse must be ridden. My recollection was that that was stipulated some time earlier than that... McCutcheon I thought. Regardless, that is how it is now. Once in the starter's hands, what happens from then on is his call, but generally would be allowed only for matters of safety or loading expediency.

I suspect that will be because of that horse' s rating and position in the field - not that I have looked - and I'm certain a computer does it, not a real human that might think.

What a shambles, I feel for the club specifically and Coast racing generally for the spectacle that focused so much attention on it. Those two horses were presented [ so I believe ] about one minute before the advertised start time, they should have been sent back smartly and late scratched. What were the stipes doing? Asleep at the wheel doesn't even start to describe the b/s. And - as well - there is [ was? ] a rule which stated horses must carry their weight to the start. No more getting led to the start unmounted. An unfair advantage to those horses [ they said ] compared to the rest which have been ridden down, and ridden around at the barriers. I sacked a horse once that rule appeared, the blasted thing would run over its strapper, and upend itself in the garden if mounted in the birdcage, and I decided that rider and handler safety were more important. Many a time you see reluctant loaders being persevered with, only to walk in much more willingly once the rider dismounts, that does appear to be allowed [ and at the discretion of the starter, as it should be ] but I'm not aware that the rule has changed apart from that. Yesterday, we see Moseley leading the third horse of that trainer around, while most of the rest were waiting - and waiting - in the gates. Later on on the day, several horses were being led by barrier staff while riders leaned on the fence...when did the rule change? I'm not aware that it has, and if it hasn't - wtf are the stipes doing? Keystone cops indeed.

The JCA should put their own big boy pants on and uphold the rules.

Things seem to be moving at last. Some holes have appeared, with accompanying piles of dirt.

Found him both approachable and very amenable to discussion.

Had a chat with Darryl.

Clearly, either no-one gives a sh#t - or else anyone that does, doesn't want a bar of the job and what it involves.

Yep.

Aside from the above, does it not appear that a] they really have no idea or b] they are lying Not sure what is worse.

Sure is! Your enthusiasm is admirable - but I get the feeling that as time has gone on and you have had the chance to read some of the material from other posters, that you are starting to realise how parlous is the state of NZ racing. All the effort and logical thought in the world can do nought when NZTR hold the whip hand all the way.

I did see the ad, thought the claims were well away from reality but gave them half a tick for trying. The misleading advertising bit never occurred to me.

The trouble with the 'rightness' or 'wrongness ' of these hypotheses or ideas, call them what you will, is that the end results are not some tick on an exam paper, or even the income that may be received from such theses being widely read, but that the lives/wellbeing/ wealth of millions of people are impacted.

Sheeesh! That took a bit of getting through. Notwithstanding the veracity of much that was written, methinks that many just - perhaps - think too much?

Get him down here, can you?

Good points, but you're both right. Our industry is living so far beyond its means no raceday pays its way. The smaller clubs lose less, that's all. I dont think anyone realistically feels that the bigger days shouldn't exist, but the funding model we now have is unsustainable, relying as it does on income from outside sources.

Agree...but not at the expense of other clubs/industry participants.

Timaru yesterday held a great day with good racing, pleasant surroundings and a good crowd. Track was excellent. Not another meeting for six months, a committee person said.

Maybe - just maybe - it is all part of a Cunning Plan to prove that provincial meetings aren't needed to justify their push to close venues.

I presume you are referring to the absence of the nasal strip on Glory Chance.

No idea....someone on the harness site will know, surely.