I know it's not what you meant Stodge but perhaps because we are off to see James Taylor in Welly next week, this song which he wrote for Joni sprung to mind in relation to the situation.  

https://www.aucklandracing.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/ATR-Annual-Report-2023-compressed.pdf As the 'verbal side stepping and arse covering continues', it's interesting to look back at the 'expert waffle' that was delivered in the 2023 Annual Report. ACCOUNTABILITY was nominated for 'the Values Powerpoint Stakes' but was obviously withdrawn, probably due to Track conditions.  Here's a few snippets:  'However, the track project was close to completion by the end of July and we are delighted by the outcome which has more than lived up to our expectations. We set out to achieve a world-class racing surface and on what we have seen to date we are confident this is what we will deliver. Our hope is that we will be able to hold the TAB Karaka Millions raceday at Ellerslie but we first have to be confident that the track is ready for racing. That will be our priority.'  - Chairman 'As widely communicated, we will go through a rigorous process to ensure that the surface is ready for racing. This is critical to not only ensure the safety of horse and jockey, but to preserve the longevity of the track well beyond the immediate season.' - CEO The 'refreshed family brands' particulalry amused me. 😄  There's nothing more thrilling than being all together at Ellerslie 🙄  

Kentucky Derby (G1) favorites Fierceness and Sierra Leone will open as the second and third choices behind Muth in the Preakness Future Wager when the final pool opens April 26.View the full article

Jevian Toledo, four-time leading rider at Laurel Park, had minor surgery to repair a dislocated collarbone suffered during a spill April 21.View the full article

Ribble Farms, Michael Eiserman, Earl Silver, Kenneth Fishbein, and Dave Fishbein's Honor Marie drilled an eye-catching five-furlong bullet in :59 1/5 at Churchill Downs April 25, his final work before the May 4 Kentucky Derby (G1).View the full article

It will be a bittersweet day at Golden Gate Fields April 27 as the $175,000 San Francisco Mile Stakes (G3T) is slated to be the last stakes race ever held at the track that opened in 1941.View the full article

Juliet Kagno will serve as The Jockey Club steward for the remainder of Aqueduct spring meet and for the Belmont at the Big A spring/summer meet while Dr. Ted Hill will assume the steward position during the Saratoga summer meet. View the full article

Couple today at Matamata could be worth a look , Mars ($4) and Charmer ($4.5) who was made to look only fair by the Waverley bias. Best of luck

There is another. Julie Anne Genter. Lovely lady I'm sure but has no idea

The Warriors looked good last season and looked Grand Final contenders at one point . What's happened?  The 1.50 they were Giving away at St George yesterday  was only a reflection of the hype around the warriors. Titans +11.5 $1.92 looked inviting

Final declarations are through for the big Saturday meeting at Sandown.   It would have been a strong candidate for Race of the Season had all those entered for the Celebration Chase gone to post but the proximity of the Punchestown Festival (starts next Tuesday) always meant that was unlikely. It's still a decent race with seven runners but it looks between just three with EL FABIOLO, JONBON and EDWARDSTONE looking to dominate. EDWARDSTONE was closer to JONBON in the Tingle Creek here than he had been in the Schloer at Cheltenham but I'm not sure JONBON is now as well suited by 3200m as he was - indeed, his performance at Aintree strongly suggested 4000m and points onward might be where his optimum trip now lives. EDWARDSTONE was very good in the Game Spirit at Newbury but was going to be second best in the Champion Chase at Cheltenham when falling two out. In truth, EL FABIOLO should beat them both (indeed has done) but the mistake at Cheltenham last time weighs on the mind and 4/6 probably isn't a price to take on what is arguably the second biggest jumping test in UK racing after Cheltenham but he's the one they all have to beat.  The Grade 2 Oaksey Chase also has seven runners over the specialist 4400m trip. In truth, this isn't a strong renewal. The favourite is HITMAN and he'll love the better ground. THE REAL WHACKER beat GERRI COLOMBE in the 2023 Brown Advisory but has had a moderate campaign and pulled up in the Gold Cup. Again the hope will be the better ground will spark some improvement. There's some good ground in 2022 which puts EASY GAME in with a chance but he was pulled up in the Melling at Aintree. G A LAW was pulled up in the Ryanair and AL DANCER isn't without hope albeit he's mainly a Grade 3 horse. HITMAN is the percentage call but it's a race I'll be avoiding from a punting perspective. Eight go in the Select Hurdle over 4250m. IMPAIRE ET PASSE edged out BOB OLINGER at Aintree and there's a little evidence he'll thrive on this better ground so 5/6 might not be a bad price. LANGER DAN won a warm handicap at the Cheltenham Festival and was a short neck back in third behind IMPAIRE ET PASSE at Aintree so has real claims though I'd fancy him more if this race were over the full 4800m. BALLYADAM has a 10 lb turnround for three and a half lengths from the aforementioned Cheltenham handicap and that's significant. He's very consistent and is going to be there or thereabouts. At a bigger price I've had an each way interest on BREWINUPASTORM who did what few British trained horses have done last season and went to Ireland and won one of their Grade 2 races. I remember him winning the National Spirit at Fontwell on decent ground and at 25s I'm hoping he can run to his best. Looking ahead, the Punchestown Festival kicks off on Tuesday and the ground is currently Good to Yielding. It's a five day meeting and a mixture of championship races and four cross country races including the famous La Touche over 6600m. The opening day has three championship races. The Champion Novices Hurdle over 3250m has attracted both novice hurdle winners from Cheltenham with BALLYBURN, the Gallagher winner, 5/4 against Supreme winner SLADE STEEL at 3s. Both JONBON and EL FABIOLO have been left in the Champion Chase but they will more likely turn up at Sandown. Champion Chase first and second CAPTAIN GUINNESS and GENTLEMEN DU MEE re-oppose buy both my struggle against the improving mare DINOBLUE. The Champion Novices Chase over 4850m features Brown Advisory runner up MONTY'S PASS and a number of more unexposed Irish novices. We'll know more after final declarations on Sunday.

Even from here, I hope you're wrong but all I hear are echoes of Joni Mitchell.

Star router Next and the speedy No Nay Mets are among the top contenders in two of Churchill Downs' featured stakes races May 1 leading up to Kentucky Derby (G1) weekend.View the full article

Sorry historian I think you are fighting a losing battle...I think its a lost cause...this year maybe 1 more if we are lucky.

And I am telling it as it is I would stop pissing me off...just telling it like it is...

It'll pick up... it always does. It's only April. Plenty of old and new jumpers popping up at the trials and highweights in the North.  Losing Ellerslie was a bitter blow but with Te Aroha and Te Rapa there is still plenty for northern trainers to plan around. Jockeys are the issue, as always. Last season, about a dozen was the ma available once Phelan went down injured.

I don't like the man as he's not my type ....(he is ugly and full of shit) Scooby .....but he did a better job than Biden is doing  and will again this next term when he gets back in. Give me Melania any day .....don't ya love those 'cats eyes' of hers......ahhhhhhh they make my knee's tremble. FF ....Just telling it as it is.

I also can not stand the lying POS...I hope for Americas sake he does not get back in...you should go to Main Street cafe you would find alot of friends there.

So you like him then Ohoka.😀.....I know one thing the USA went forward when he was in the White House unlike 'Sleepy Joe'. And make no mistake .....he will win again this year as well.....even if they throw him in jail he will rule the country from there......it will be a hoot. FF ...Just telling the truth.

A little more involved than “paying off a hooker” mate. Already $80m in the hole for defamation, Add Financial corruption, Fraud, Election interference, Insurrection incitement….he is scum.