Freda

Wow, I can't see NZTR coming up with much help if [say ] strangles ripped through a galloping region. I shudder to think what might happen if we were ever affected by E.I. as was NSW a few years ago.

On the vino again, Clarkie ? !! From my [very limited] experience of the rehoming efforts made by GRNZ and the various agencies, they do a grand job of fostering, educating and placing. My boy has settled in so well, he has a companion dog which may have helped, I know some prefer to have no other pets but he has been a very uncomplicated bloke. In fact he gave himself a Christmas dinner of whitebait patties left on the table...a masterful effort as they were extricated from behind a half open bottle of rum-and-coke, a date loaf and various plates and cutlery without moving a thing. Just the patties.

Nope. Never were. Had to check, but still the same. Rule 525 [ 2 ] d

My observation was - as I said above - mouthwatering. And I was looking at pedigrees, as I assume was the Chief, and wishing that I had access to some quality bloodstock like those. Not implying anything about their relative ability, whether the crop is strong or otherwise, just the pleasure to be had by handling SOMETHING that might have a future, and not a well-tried-and-found-wanting model from somewhere else.

From where I sit - mouthwatering. Wonder how many will remain here in NZ at the end of their campaigns?

It certainly is. You are too kind, Jess, I thank you, but will do my best to ensure that I can still get my head through the door.! I share all your sentiments; sometimes I get some odd looks when leaving engagements because I have to change rugs/top up waters/ make sure fireworks aren't causing problems...but in truth it's no chore, the welcoming chorus is just balm to the soul, and I would rather sit and watch them all than listen to the rubbish I just left. All the best to you for the festive season, and some much-deserved good fortune with your four-legged family.

Stipes at Riccarton, Timaru and Ashburton, haven't been anywhere else for a long time I'm afraid but will take note for you...! The starter checks brands and maybe other people have had a turn doing that, which may have caused some confusion.

Fair comment...I am a bit of an admirer of Sam, and it has been noted by some followers that she seems to be a bit under the radar at the moment. Was just wondering if her training in a new direction might portend a change? Hope not, we don't need any more reduction in available skills.

And its getting worse. I recall Dave Kerr telling me that ' you could throw your colours in the jockeys' room and it didn't matter who picked them up ' ....

No and not very often. However, there may be an exemption in place for a satellite stable. The girls (Sam Wynne and Lisa Young) are doing a grand job anyway.

The hopes and dreams are what we all do it for....that next foal, the next elegant step through the gate...where have you been, Jess? Your sane and reasoned contributions have been missed!

The rule is still 28 days as far as I know, but if the former trainer visits his horse and/ or watches it work, etc, before the 28 days is up all is kosher. As you say, misleading for the public, and my personal feeling is that either a 'caretaker' trainer should be notified, or else there should be a stable change.

Don't think we ever were 'good to go'.

I note comments have been made about the number and quality of Matt's rides in the last couple of years I have no idea why that should be the case; however, another rider who was kicking goals everywhere in the last few years has also has ben very quiet- by her standards - namely Sam Collett. I see she has been doing an interior design course with a view to 'life after riding' - very sensible of her - and wonder whether her drop off in form/opportunity might precipitate a similar action? Can't blame these riders at all. The work,travel, and diet control which is part of life for most must be very hard to keep doing. The choice to up stakes and move over the ditch, while attractive, isn't possible for some, and it is a very big pond to swim around in.

Yes, one of my favourites, a real quality horse and very well and carefully handled too. A shame. I'm sure he will have a good retirement, all the same.

Hell no, not at the local dairy. Much too upmarket for us!

Yep, I remember the third ride- out, boss didn't go, we took the novices and raced each other for milkshakes, cigarettes, and yeah, we'd try and run each other off the track, I cringe at the thought now but those horses were educated all right. So were we...!

Speaking as an accomplished fence-sitter....I'm told that the Cambridge lot don't get the use of their gallops whenever they wish, as the huge numbers in training there preclude that. Okay, I can understand that, but now that the AWT is in action, that shouldn't be an issue. Clearly, the need/desire to sell drives most trialists I should think regardless of the above comment. Locally? the tracks and the rules inherent mean that no more than two are supposed to be worked upsides. That doesn't provide suitable education for a novice in my book. You can't work your baby tucked in behind a couple of older sorts to get a line on him and teach him. In our day, JB, the the boss may give a youngster a couple of quiets before deciding that it is ready to 'have a go' ..again, that is frowned upon now... and with no form you have no ratings points so can't get a start. A trials win does give you that. Also, the tracks available may be awful so you go somewhere else to get a nice gallop into your horse. The cost is draconian all the same. I've trialled some more than I would like, because barrier manners, for example, need polishing - yes we do have jumpouts but only up the back straight as a rule, and from the old wooden gates. Apply raceday conditions and overhead gates and things can be very different as we found out with a recent barrier drama. As for the track rider comment - it may well be that it is a chance to get jock on as opposed to your fledgling apprentice, for an opinion and education. There is no doubt that a quality rider is worth at least fortnight's work to your novice.

Trouble is, he has been saying the same for several years now, and not on his own either. I'm glad we aren't all holding our breath.

Peobably both...can't blame him It seems he is struggling to maintain interest and total commitment, which he feels owners are entitled to ' when you look at the money they are running for ' . In other words the amateurish show that is now NZ racing is hard to get enthusiastic about.

I see Matty Cameron has pulled pin.

Means squat....IMO.

It looked as if the mare had belted her hock, or hurt herself in some similar way, shortened up, lost her action with her head on one side, and dropped away. Considering her previous very good form, the change is startling.

Possibly. That's not the way it looked to me, though. And I didn't back her either!

Changing tack slightly...I have been watching with some consternation the recent efforts of Quintuple Twins. Particularly, because at Ashburton she was one of Chris Johnson's mounts and would have attracted much interest on that account alone. This is a mare which won five in a row last prep and looked to be going places. What a shadow of that she is now. At the barriers, last Thursday, she was the center of some attention from barrier staff, they looked to be adjusting or removing something in the region of her hock, but not really clear to see. In the race, she's keen enough early although has her head on one side, then changes leg, lugs in, seems to scramble and get very unbalanced and then drops away. If she had a faulty bandage or boot removed, shouldn't that be in the report? She looked ( to me ) as if she had belted her hock which caused her to dramatically change her action. As a runner of interest, shouldn't that have been investigated? Nothing said on either account.