Freda

My mother used to back runners ( on course) if they had a nice tail.

Just sad.

Yes, one would think so...but Chittick and the grading kinda hang together in my thoughts, for some reason.

Thommo, you are usually pretty much on the money. In this case, you aren't.

Bollocks. In Aus, yes - because it is managed properly. Not here.

I'm also fairly sure he presided over the instigation of 'grading' clubs - A,B,C,D - which certainly influenced the percentage of turnover they received and was to presage the absurd 'tiered' system which has crept up upon us.

True. And, although I count B.de L. as a personal friend, I told him from the start that backing Winston was dodgy. Think he realises that now. Also, as a former member of the Ra Ora staff and a close friend and associate of John Messara, there was, inevitably, a bias towards the Waikato elite, that didn't sit well with the overall industry future IMO.

Don't think you'll have a problem on a slow 7.

Just how accurate are the timing methods? Yesterday, we had trials at Riccarton. The 800m heats whistled by in 44/45 sec, which is astounding for a bunch of novices. The 1200m lots produced another couple of 1.07 and change efforts, again amazing for trials , while the 1000 m heats came in around 57 sec. Smart, but not outstanding like 1.07. Would I be the only one puzzled at the apparent disparity here? And just to further confuse the matter, I notice that the race times for the 1200m maidens on Friday have been 'modified' up a second on the NZTR website, although the open 1200 time remains the same. Tab website has no change.

I've been following Mardigras ( in all his aliases) for a few good years now, was never smart enough to get the picture early on, but thanks to continued information, and the patient explanation when I just don't understand, it is a fact that everything he has predicted has come to pass. What is so frustrating is that those charged - and well paid - to know, just have no effing idea.

And a few ribs.. saw him this morning, can still lift a jug he said!

If payment was related to ability......

Still about a month to go I believe.

Well, he was given a couple of taps yesterday, and again did nothing. Still can't see the point in running the old chap when he clearly wants nothing to do with it all.

I'm wondering how long it will be before our pattern races are seen in their true light and rated accordingly. Throwing money that is taken from the bottom end, at these poor excuses doesn't make the quality any better.

Yep. And all the racing on the AWT won't fix that.

Pitty and I have had many a discussion about tracks, hard, soft, whatever ...we actually don't disagree as much as it might seem. Inconsistent, patchy going that is a result of our irrigation practices are no good at all for horses, either wrt soundness or confidence to stretch out. What incensed him most - and I agree with him - is why was irrigation even contemplated on an advertised D 6 ? Then, when posted on the website post withdrawal, it didn't actually happen? Clearly, there is something amiss with calibration . And why the misinformation?

No. nd no upgrade from a D 4 although [ apparently ] all riders agreed that the going was very hard.

The little guy pulled up ok, he's got a nice action and is pretty correct, so no drama with him, apart from being absolutely gobsmacked at how fast everyone was going around him! I'm very pleased,however, that I had the chance to talk to Alan Reeves who took his dogs around the track Thursday evening - and went up the 1200m chute. He said, you may as well run them up Yaldhurst Road. So, with no more ado, I scratched my other runner. Tina Comignaghi said, that track is like concrete. This is after rain on Monday and irrigation same evening as well. The other interesting fact is that further irrigation on Wednesday night was advertised, after fields came out, on an advertised D 6 - and then didn't happen.

Not my area of expertise at all...ask Mardigras. What I want to know, is how can a bunch of maidens run 1.07 home 32 on a dead 4 track?

I've never heard that one.! We were always told that you were more likely to be hurt if you baled....I know I would have been, I have the gymnastic skills of a lump of wood.

Pardon, Rasmussen exactly my point. Class drivers with well bred and well trained horses. Can't compare to a little-used driver who hasn't the skills or experience to manage what appeared to be a handful.

I will just add, that Ron [ Mouse ] was never run-away with, on a galloper. Once, as an apprentice, up north with boss Ned Thistoll, he was given the job of working a notorious hard puller, a horse called Damar. He was paid per round, his trainer I believe would often take him home unworked, as no one could or wanted to manage the ignorant old sod!

May seem that way - I assume you have not ridden trackwork? or not to any extent perhaps? I have never driven a harness horse, but have ridden, both trackwork/trials/schooling - albeit a good while ago now. Also, evented. My then partner, jockey Ron McCann, had driven many harness horses in fast and slow work, and workouts as well, so a fairly balanced assessment I would think, when he was adamant that a harness horse is much, much harder to hold than a ridden horse. We had quite a lengthy discussion about this, and he explained that, as the driver was so far away from the horse [ as Curious alluded] the only thing that could be done in an out-of-control situation is lean against the horse and do your best! 500 kgs against 80 odd, no brainer who wins. Of course, a quality driver, with consummate skill and judgment, would not put himself in that situation, and good hands and calmness may alleviate the situation anyway. A rider, on top of his animal, has far more opportunity to coax and cuddle his horse, and encourage it to soften and listen.

Great memories. Yes, it was Boomer who sold cheap goods out of the back of his wagon, would call around all the stables with his 'bargains '. He had a good bit of luck with some recycled northern horses, too. Used to give them a couple of quiet runs, fill them up on hormones and put them out with a couple of fillies. They think they are kings, he said to me. They've never felt so important. Won a few races too. I recall him legging up the ill-fated Ray 'Hewey' Hewinson at Hokitika. Solemnly knotted the reins in the birdcage as Hewey was getting organized. What do I do, boss? says Hewey. See that knot ? Yep. Follow it.