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I don't think I'd have any more or less in work whether or not stakes were double or half what they are now. Better regularly consistent track surfaces, a proper handicapping system and much better programming might make a difference though.

Have faith, L....the AWT at Awapuni will sort out all the problems.

Will be interesting if NZ can programme ANY true Goup 1 races in 2023.

With Aussie buying up promising filles and mares from the trials and off the race track the numbers problem can only get worse having a filly foal from your mare not the end of the world like it once was...... All comes down to the prize money on offer over the ditch

Avantage and Melody Belle papered over the cracks for last few seasons dominating our G 1 racing ......take them away.... leaves a large void

I don't think NZTR has anyone capable of organising programming. All they want to do is close down tracks, get rid of small trainers and discourage anyone from showing any innovation. On the brighter side though (I sometimes try to be positive) this weekend sees Southland's only 2yo race of the season. They have already had their two 3yo races for the season. Exciting times, who says there isn't a logical pattern to everything.

I did notice that myself. If all group races were assessed based on this year's fields we would hardly have a group one race next year. It is obvious that the problem isn't solely stakes. The stake is perfectly ok for this race. I notice a rating 74 for $50,000 at HB with only 8 noms, some of them multiple nominators. Bit of a bugger for this industry's esteemed leaders. They thought, sell off half the tracks, build some AWTs and increase stakes and everything would come right. Turns out that wasn't really the problem at all. Not sure if they have a plan B.

Ruakaka Race Two No 3 Financier 2c by Tavistock(NZ) ex Princess Snitzel(AUS) by Snitzel(AUS) 220k Odds:$4.00 $1.55. No 9 7 Diagon Alley 2f by Charm Spirit(IRE) ex Alleyrun(NZ) by Volksraad(GB) 300k Odds:$6.50 $2.20. Race Three No 5 Lucky Simon 3c by No Nay Never(USA) ex Lucky Morna(AUS) by Ferocity(AUS) 100k Odds:$3.30 $1.40. Race Six No 6 9 Jack Hammer 3g by Turn Me Loose(NZ) ex Tania(NZ)

Are you 'Crusin' for a the Aussie 'bruisin' from the second row Rakman ? That'll ease the nerves lol....

Organising programming? They couldn't organise a root in a brothel. There was an R74 1600 programmed for Otaki on Thursday which was deleted yesterday due to poor nominations. I nearly fell over this morning when I was told they didn't get a single nominations for that race. That's right, zero, zippo, nil, none How could you get the programming that wrong?

This story just doesn't make sense ??

Well Idolmite, there's a cheery blurb for the day NOT! we all know it would be better havin them all here and racin but, they're not. So we get to still watch em racin in the US when the powers that be allow, and I for one am grateful for that.....Alex Park maybe a place of past glories, but oh what glories they were and by the by, at Yonkers today Nandolo ran a nice 2nd, RunRunjimmyDunn had a nice win, Funatthebeach and PatStanley 1st & 2nd respectively, JacksLegend a meritorious 2nd, Our Corelli 2nd, and PrinceMcardle 1st in race 11.....Howzat Cheers Iraklis

so....you filled out the bet slip incorrectly ?

While I'm chewing over Aintree, the Flat season kicks into gear with the three day Craven meeting starting tomorrow at Newmarket (along with the breeze up sale which starts each day at 5.30pm after racing). Tomorrow's racing features the Group 3 Earl of Sefton over 1800m for which MASTER OF THE SEAS is strong favourite at 11/10. He had a truncated campaign last year having won the Craven and finished runner up in the 2000 Guineas. The decent ground should suit but he faces a decent rival in Group 3 winner MEGALLAN representing the Gosden/Dettori combination. The first two in last autumn's Rockel meet in the Nell Gwyn over the same distance. HELLO YOU beat CACHET that day but the two were fifth and fourth respectively in the Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. There's very little between them to be honest and it's a race I'll be watching rather than playing. Wednesday's two Group 3 races feature the Abernant for the sprinters over 1200m. EBRO RIVER was a smart juvenile last year and it's fascinating to see him pitched in against the older horses at the start of his 3-y-o campaign. He contested many of the top juvenile races winning the Phoenix Stakes and clearly connections have decided he won't see out a classic distance. He gets all the weight from his elders and with GARRUS fairly moderate on his seasonal bow at Doncaster, the younger horse has a big chance. The Craven is an acknowledged 2000 Guineas trial and last year's juvenile champion NATIVE TRAIL is 2/5 to kick off his 3-y-o campaign. Wins in the National and the Dewhurst confirmed his position as the top colt and while Aidan O'Brien's STAR OF INDIA could be anything, I'll be looking for an impressive performance from the 2000 Guineas favourite.

The first day of the Aintree Grand National meeting took place on a wet and blustery afternoon. Not a lot of rain fell - only 3 mm - but it was unpleasant for the spectators and enough to turn the ground Good to Soft on the hurdle, Mildmay and National courses alike. Four championship races kicked off the meeting. I can't find a replay of the Manifesto Novices Chase but MILLERS BANK, who had blundered his jockey away twice this season, seemed again to improve for the decent ground and was too good for WAR LORD who seemed to stay the 4000m well enough. PIC D'ORHY never looked happy making mistakes and it transpired he had a breathing problem and he was pulled up five out. The Irish fancy GIN ON LIME had been backed into 5/2 but was headed and faded from two out. The Jewson 4-y-o Hurdle over 3200m saw Triumph Hurdle third PIED PIPER up against the Fred Winter winner BRAZIL. Jewson 4-y-o Juvenile Hurdle: An extraordinary race and aftermath. KNIGHT SALUTE battled back to join PIED PIPER on the line and after several minutes the Judge called a dead heat immediately followed by a Stewards' Enquiry. We saw the two jockeys giving evidence and Paddy Brennan (on KNIGHT SALUTE) claimed he had lost nothing when PIED PIPER (ridden by Davy Russell) edged left jumping the last. Despite that, the Stewards ruled enough interference had occurred to change the result and given it was a dead heat and having seen all the angles you can see their point. If it had been a neck or a head they might well have kept the places but a dead heat is literally as close as it gets and the slightest impact is going to affect that. It's certainly possible having seen the evidence to argue KNIGHT SALUTE might have won with a clear passage. Thus was the Triumph Hurdle form reversed (KNIGHT SALUTE was ninth and PIED PIPER third) and you can argue KNIGHT SALUTE had always looked better on flatter tracks but both ran fine races and were nicely clear of BRAZIL who, I suspect, will be more of a player next season. On then to the Betway Bowl, a chase over 4800m which is essentially Aintree's version of the Gold Cup. The Cheltenham third, PROTEKTORAT and fifth placed ROYALE PAGAILLE faced the Irish Gold Cup winner CONFLATED and previous winner of this race, CLAN DES OBEAUX. Betway Bowl: CLAN DES OBEAUX regained his title despite a late challenge from CONFLATED. Given he won this race by 26 lengths last year, you could argue the form isn't as strong but this was a deeper field and this was an excellent performance by a top notch chaser who, let's not forget, has won the King George in his time. CONFLATED ran a fine race and is a serious contender for next year's top chases. KEMBOY would be a champion if all the top races were at Leopardstown and as Aintree isn't a million miles from Leopardstown it wasn't a great surprise to see KEMBOY put up a decent effort - he's a bit like the winner, a specialist on the flatter tracks. Those who ran in the Gold Cup disappointed - it's a notoriously hard race - but PROTEKTORAT will, I think, be a key player next season with more experience. The final Championship race was the 4000m Aintree Hurdle which saw Champion Hurdle second and third EPATANTE and ZANAHIYR clash alongside the specialist 4000m types. Betway Aintree Hurdle: An emphatic win by EPATANTE who had ZANAHIYR cooked when the latter came down at the last. I must confess I think she'd make a decent staying hurdler and it might just be she doesn't have the pace to be a 3200m hurdler - to be fair, her bad luck has been to be around at the same time as the brilliant HONEYSUCKLE. MONMIRAL inherited second but I wouldn't count out ZANAHIYR who is only a 5-y-o and could well be a big player in the hurdle championship races next year. The good juveniles often struggle in their first season in open company and come through in their second. The specialist 4000m types were no match for the speedier sorts on this flatter track.

RIP, ol' mate. I will always fondly remember our times in the judge's box at the Foxton trials - you as judge, me as timekeeper. We had a lot of fun. He also did some jewellery shopping for me in Asia during his time there. He was always willing to help people. Stu was a larger-than-life character who will be missed by many in the racing fraternity. Condolences to Stu's family

an absolute legend here in the Manawatu.........whether it be the newspaper world, racing or bowls - back in the 90's it seemed everyone knew him, everyone loved him.....a finer gentleman you would never meet....RIP Stu..

Easy? We haven't had easy as a descriptor since 2005. And the purpose of the recent change is to bring it back in alignment with Aus.