Freda

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.

I was positive there was a Westport tacked on at one time, no one remembers and I was beginning to think I had memory issues.....thanks, Reefton! Did Westport ever come next to the Reefton meeting? I ask, as I have memories of staying at Reefton with the Taggart crew - Bert Due [ Bev Leigh ] was with us too, as I recall, as well as apprentice Stewart Ching - and then moving on to Westport. Had my Labrador dog with us, he gave the Westport caretaker's cat a bit of a swish, I wasn't popular. Barry [ Taggart ] took the horses to Rabbit Island to paddle in the sea, brother Richard was in charge of Idomeneo colt Eidi, they went out a wee bit too far, and Richard's rather baggy Y-fronts got sodden and he lost them. No smartphones and Snapchat then though! Thornley and Smith jacking up the scales with chewing gum...they would have got away with it, too, except someone complained about being far too light, and the stipes had a closer look..the lads weren't happy.

My information was that resource consent had been given but Ecan [ Environment Canterbury ] had still not given the tick of approval. That may have since been achieved, I fail to see how the whole process can be started without such approval.

Maybe no one has informed them of this ?

Neither do I...but the engineers were positive that the most recent tinkering with colour [ to reflect heat instead of absorbing it ] and texture means it won't need it. How a loose surface will remain unmoved in a nor-wester seems wishful thinking too, but that's the word. I remain to be convinced, but I'm no engineer.

No. If I wanted to run on the AW, that's where I would have nominated. If I wanted the turf, that's where I would expect to run.

Seemingly not.

Irrigation is apparently not needed.

Yes, a concern for some. The lighting has always been very average, although some manage to work nevertheless. I've never been happy to work horses when their riders can't see properly, and I can't watch their action, etc. But I don't have big numbers, I don't need to. Some do. But fast work is not allowed until daylight. Not a problem now, but I can envisage one when winter comes and daylight hours are much reduced. Pushed into the middle and away from such lighting as already exists, things will be difficult I feel, unless some temporary measure is put in place. At the moment, no such intention has been indicated.

Not until is it built, it doesn't.

I wouldn't mind a racehorse with your attitude, T....you keep hanging tough even though you can't win.

Be interesting to see what Grant Robertson makes of it all.

Yes. Forgot about the Stokes'.

Carole McCarthy?

A number in and around the Grey valley area. Breeder Bill Kennedy won numerous races from his Ikamatua base, likewise Roger Hampton - who trained a National winner from the same area. The O'Malley family, many winners also over the years, stood a couple of stallions too.

They didn't shift to Riccarton, that's for sure.