KickintheKods Posted February 9, 2023 Share Posted February 9, 2023 Well done Pam. I'll bet you were feeling good after that one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freda Posted February 9, 2023 Share Posted February 9, 2023 Hell yeah ! They say it's a long road that has no turning....but the horizon was starting to look a long way away.! And, clearly, she's no star, but she has been the recipient of some horrible rides. 2 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doomed Posted February 9, 2023 Share Posted February 9, 2023 I did notice Pam had made the long trek south. I presumed it was because there was no race for staying maidens anywhere in Canty for two months. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KickintheKods Posted February 9, 2023 Author Share Posted February 9, 2023 I hadn't thought of that reason. I thought it was for her yearly supply of those aphrodisiacs' oysters. Can you send me some please..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freda Posted February 9, 2023 Share Posted February 9, 2023 Oysters....no. Doomed is right, the programming is abysmal. But costs preclude going all that way via public transport for an industry day, these wankers have no idea. But I was fortunate a friend was taking a trailer float down with her one horse and was pleased to have a buddy for it, and some costs shared. 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doomed Posted February 9, 2023 Share Posted February 9, 2023 3 hours ago, Freda said: Oysters....no. Doomed is right, the programming is abysmal. But costs preclude going all that way via public transport for an industry day, these wankers have no idea. But I was fortunate a friend was taking a trailer float down with her one horse and was pleased to have a buddy for it, and some costs shared. You do wonder how they could go two months without a single race for a certain type of horse in all of Canty. And then all the experts at head office will be saying "no horses coming through to rating 65 stayers races, no idea what's causing that." Then they will probably decide to scrap stayers races altogether. Riccarton would love that. I don't think the stayers ranks have ever been poorer in Canty. I do notice that virtually every week in the NI they suddenly discover they have stuffed up their programming and happily throw in extra races, usually $30,000 races. Never happens in the SI. This weekend at Riccarton 32 noms for the 65 mile, so 14 will miss a start. All good though there is another opportunity for that class and distance in a month's time, albeit for $14,000 next time. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freda Posted February 9, 2023 Share Posted February 9, 2023 Yeah. And as well as your observations ( quite right they are, too ) one particular thing has irked me for years- Riccarton, with its lovely sweeping turns and the overall expanse of the track, can run 2500, 2600, 2800 races any time they like. But do they? No. 1800m and 2000m are offered as the 'staying' option....and sometimes there is nothing past 1600. Ffs, that isn't even a middle distance. Weren't we in NZ supposed to be the go to for stayers? Does anyone actually give a shit? No wonder the UK is now where Aus trainers source their Cup hopes. And no wonder our staying races resemble hack highweights. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doomed Posted February 9, 2023 Share Posted February 9, 2023 2 hours ago, Freda said: Yeah. And as well as your observations ( quite right they are, too ) one particular thing has irked me for years- Riccarton, with its lovely sweeping turns and the overall expanse of the track, can run 2500, 2600, 2800 races any time they like. But do they? No. 1800m and 2000m are offered as the 'staying' option....and sometimes there is nothing past 1600. Ffs, that isn't even a middle distance. Weren't we in NZ supposed to be the go to for stayers? Does anyone actually give a shit? No wonder the UK is now where Aus trainers source their Cup hopes. And no wonder our staying races resemble hack highweights. Yes, they have got it badly wrong in Canty. Quite a few Riccarton meetings there is no race further than 1,800m. Canty stayers have never been weaker and there is nothing coming through. They are lucky there are half a doz stayers in Southland who go around most weeks and occasionally top up Canty fields. People complain about stakes, but when you look at the quality of fields going around in races like the Marlborough Cup for $60,000 those owners have probably never had it better. It starts with 3yo racing. No race in the SI for 3yo males further than 1,600m, so never any SI noms for the Derby. Back in the days when the Derby used to be on Boxing Day there used to be SI contestants, but now it is in March they are never sighted. Southerners used to win the Oaks regularly, but that never happens anymore. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Special Agent Posted February 9, 2023 Share Posted February 9, 2023 Doomed and Freda, you are both so right in everything you say. Even though you might think it a complete waste of time, please go along to the south island editions of the NZTR Road Shows. It may be your only opportunity to bring up these programming and handicapping issues and ideas. I was quite surprised to see jumping still a "valued" part of the calendar. No doubt that may be short lived but at least NZTR and the likes of Shaun Phelan are actively seeking jumping riders from Brittain for the season, and are mindful of keeping jumping folk in the industry. If you have ideas about maintaining a healthy staying culture now is the time to share them. Even if you merely plant the seed and start the thinking off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huey Posted February 10, 2023 Share Posted February 10, 2023 9 hours ago, Doomed said: Yes, they have got it badly wrong in Canty. Quite a few Riccarton meetings there is no race further than 1,800m. Canty stayers have never been weaker and there is nothing coming through. They are lucky there are half a doz stayers in Southland who go around most weeks and occasionally top up Canty fields. People complain about stakes, but when you look at the quality of fields going around in races like the Marlborough Cup for $60,000 those owners have probably never had it better. It starts with 3yo racing. No race in the SI for 3yo males further than 1,600m, so never any SI noms for the Derby. Back in the days when the Derby used to be on Boxing Day there used to be SI contestants, but now it is in March they are never sighted. Southerners used to win the Oaks regularly, but that never happens anymore. Unfortunately the breeding and racing of stayers doesn't fit in with the new type of owner, thus the sales, thus the stallions being sought. I can't see it ever returning (the interest in stayers) based largely on the above and those who run racing. The next generation will barely know our cup races and more specifically probably even the MC , they'll be focussed on winning a KM or an Everest of a Slipper , its unfortunate for our industry but it appears ineviatable. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freda Posted February 10, 2023 Share Posted February 10, 2023 8 hours ago, Special Agent said: Doomed and Freda, you are both so right in everything you say. Even though you might think it a complete waste of time, please go along to the south island editions of the NZTR Road Shows. It may be your only opportunity to bring up these programming and handicapping issues and ideas. I was quite surprised to see jumping still a "valued" part of the calendar. No doubt that may be short lived but at least NZTR and the likes of Shaun Phelan are actively seeking jumping riders from Brittain for the season, and are mindful of keeping jumping folk in the industry. If you have ideas about maintaining a healthy staying culture now is the time to share them. Even if you merely plant the seed and start the thinking off. It's just so bloody depressing. Many clever and knowledgeable folk have, over the years and more specifically recently, when it has become obvious how badly racing is trending, have ventured comments and put forward ideas, some have given time and effort ( for nothing) about handicapping and programming issues, others have put forward logical strategies - one in particular has offered to re do the whole south island programme. But none have been heeded. I don't wish to be negative, but what makes you think that when able people such as these are ignored, any comment from the likes of me will be given any consideration? As for jumping, they have to be dreaming. No one does jumping like the Brits and the Irish. Why would a jump jock from the N H even bother? Novelty perhaps ? Sightseeing? I had a lad from England stay at mine some years ago, when Andre Klein was trying to keep the whole shebang going down here. He, and countryman Andrew Glassonbury did a season down here. Andrew had personal reasons for his trip, but, what a lovely rider. He was just magic over a fence. The other lad, Charlie Wallis, hadn't had Andrew's exposure but was very capable too. Andre Klein placed these lads ( and others ) in local stables, but - as Charlie said to me - why would I come half way round the world to ride someone's breakers for $400 a week and steer around on raceday something that can't jump? If we want overseas professionals they must be paid what they are used to, not expected to slum it. The bird has flown as far as jumping goes I'm afraid. The stayer will go the same way, and nothing I can say will alter that. But...I would love to be wrong. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Special Agent Posted February 10, 2023 Share Posted February 10, 2023 I hope you are wrong about the stayers too but, probably not. I feel with the jumping they are bolting the door after the horse has bolted. The selling off of the Ellerslie Hill and the shambolic situation with South Island jumping says it all. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huey Posted February 10, 2023 Share Posted February 10, 2023 8 hours ago, Special Agent said: I hope you are wrong about the stayers too but, probably not. I feel with the jumping they are bolting the door after the horse has bolted. The selling off of the Ellerslie Hill and the shambolic situation with South Island jumping says it all. I've followed jumping closely for years and can safely say last season was the worst in memory, I expect this year to be even worse as a spectacle and its decline will accelerate. The fools running the industry did a document on all the new iniatives they were going to do years ago , they sent it out for response as far as I'm aware nothing happened, that is par for the course in the NZ racing industry ... its beyond saving now especially stayers and jumps racing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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