emiliana

Unfortunately not that long at all, his health declined quickly just after Christmas 2021, but he wasn’t diagnosed with MND until closer to his retirement.
An absolute gem of a man who will be sorely missed not only by the greyhound community, but across all three codes and his many racing friends.

Unfortunately not that long at all, his health declined quickly just after Christmas 2021, but he wasn’t diagnosed with MND until closer to his retirement.
An absolute gem of a man who will be sorely missed not only by the greyhound community, but across all three codes and his many racing friends.

Unfortunately not that long at all, his health declined quickly just after Christmas 2021, but he wasn’t diagnosed with MND until closer to his retirement.
An absolute gem of a man who will be sorely missed not only by the greyhound community, but across all three codes and his many racing friends.

I would say it would have had little damage, track had a decent grass cover and was hard underneath

I would say it would have had little damage, track had a decent grass cover and was hard underneath

I remember having a conversation with Mick at Alex Park one night, after driving Top Lot to win the first. What I thought was just a friendly chat over a pottle of chips ended up a full page spread in the Weekly!!! He had a couple of facts slightly exaggerated but I was thoroughly impressed for someone who I have never seen write down so much as a bullet point. If I ever get round to doing a journalism degree (which I would love to do), I want Mick as my mentor :-)

I remember having a conversation with Mick at Alex Park one night, after driving Top Lot to win the first. What I thought was just a friendly chat over a pottle of chips ended up a full page spread in the Weekly!!! He had a couple of facts slightly exaggerated but I was thoroughly impressed for someone who I have never seen write down so much as a bullet point. If I ever get round to doing a journalism degree (which I would love to do), I want Mick as my mentor :-)

I remember having a conversation with Mick at Alex Park one night, after driving Top Lot to win the first. What I thought was just a friendly chat over a pottle of chips ended up a full page spread in the Weekly!!! He had a couple of facts slightly exaggerated but I was thoroughly impressed for someone who I have never seen write down so much as a bullet point. If I ever get round to doing a journalism degree (which I would love to do), I want Mick as my mentor :-)

I remember having a conversation with Mick at Alex Park one night, after driving Top Lot to win the first. What I thought was just a friendly chat over a pottle of chips ended up a full page spread in the Weekly!!! He had a couple of facts slightly exaggerated but I was thoroughly impressed for someone who I have never seen write down so much as a bullet point. If I ever get round to doing a journalism degree (which I would love to do), I want Mick as my mentor :-)

Congrats to the ATC for increasing stakes across the board. This should put out a challenge to Addington to get their house in order.  There are 3 $5,000 races tonight, it's  PATHETIC.  I have a horse down in Dunedin and it can often race for more money than is on offer in Christchurch.  Even at Invercargill the minimum seems to be $6,000.
Addington should have at least a minimum $8,000 before they put money into their random super series.

CAMPBELL~Live: FriNOV~29th_13
 
It's well known there are different horses for different courses.
Thoroughbreds are bred to gallop, and standardbreds are to trot or pace.
Pixie was a pacer - but not a very good one. Two years ago she wouldn’t even step over a pole on the ground.
And while the future can be bleak for dud pacers, Pixie's career has taken off, thanks to a girl called Georgia Calder.
It is Georgia's dream to take Pixie the pacer to the country's top equine event - the Horse of the Year in Hastings.
She's launched a Facebook page and is seeking sponsorship. 
http://www.3news.co.nz/Girl-trains-underdog-horse-for-top-equine-event/tabid/817/articleID/323418/Default.aspx
 
..can we Help to get them There https://www.facebook.com/georgia.calder.1?fref=ts
 
CAMPBELL~Live e-mail contact http://www.3news.co.nz/TVShows/3News/Contact.aspx
 
 
 
 

I saw something yesterday at Ellerslie that could be a problem developing.
The drunken louts after the last race emerging from the Whips and Spurs function.
They weren't just drunk as I was when refused entry to Cowboys in Queenstown a few months ago. They were terribly aggressive. The big big Pacific Islander bouncers seemed to handle the problems with aplomb. But the one problem is that the Pacific Islander bouncers cost so much that an entry fee must be escalated to cover the expense of security.
But if it costs so much to enter then I must get horribly shit faced drunk to get my money's worth. That seems to be the twisted logic (wrong word?) applied.
Interestingly, the women were not pissed. Well, not like what I have seen at Flemington on Oaks Day.
I get the impression that the aggressive drunken louts were serious businessmen during the week, but white trash at weekends.
It is a pity that racing clubs will need to spend so much on security in the future to supervise those drunken, aggressive louts. And those few security guards that have the intelligence to handle piss addled dickwits in a polite and caring but very very firm manner, demand high wages. And they earn their very high wages!
Please don't take this comment as that of a wowser. I enjoy a drink or ten. A few years ago I turned up at the Christchurch Casino at 2.30 a.m.
"Have you been drinking, sir?" the doorman asked.
Although drunk I still had enough wit to reply;
"Of course sir. If I came to an outfit that employed people like you, sober at 2.30 a.m. I would know that I have a problem"

I've seen a couple that the Triabit pinched cheeks on, young ones that were upgrading from tom thumbs to "big kid bits", once they had worn them a few times they seemed ok though. Just as an observation, I think they are the kind of bit that is better off half a hole looser than your standard bit, they seem to sit better and riders have said horses are more relaxed with them that way. 

I think the "tone" of David Ellis' article was the problem. Words such as "treason" almost reveal his close personal and business relationship with the NZB organisation, whereas if he had tempered his remarks his message would have been delivered probably more effectively. To use threatening tones blunted his message really.

WHY DOES HE WRITE EVERYTIHNGIN CAPITALS?  IS IT BECAUSE HE'S BIG, EXTREEEEEMLY IMPORTANT AND PAYS MORE FOR HIS HORSES THAN EVERYONE ELSE? 
 
Naturally, everone's entitled to an opinion on this.  However  I think it was a little OTT in some of the language used .... talk of treason etc
 
There's a message in there somewhere but I'm afraid I got a little turned off by the hyperbole ...  

This one comes up again and again and again. I'm wondering if it needs to be laid to rest for a while.

Everything I'm going to outline below can be put into one of three categories:
a) Speculation

b ) General Fact
c) 'Good Oil'

I shall indicate what is what....

Speculation: At the time of the betting 'credit' issue and subsequent dismissal, I should imagine Mick would have been feeling quite distressed because of a) losing a job he had had for a long time in a sport he loves b ) the silliness of his actions c) the attention it drew d) what would he do for a living now.

General Fact: After losing his Trackside gig, Mick quickly diversified, using his skill and knowledge in other areas such as....
- Appearing as occasional commentator on general sporting matters on TV (Murray Deaker)
- A similar role as above - but regular - on radio
- Integrating social media to harness racing
- On-course host at both harness and galloping premier meetings
- Continuing to write for the herald
- Continuing his traditional role on Aus TV
- Appearing as a host / commentator at other types of live harness functions (awards, dinners etc)
So, since his dismissal, Mick now has a more varied work life.

Good Oil: Mick gets asked a lot about the saga and a possible return. He doesn't mind too much because it shows people care - both about his personal situation and TV presentation of the sport we enjoy. He feels he had quite a long stint in the live racing presenter type role - which he enjoyed - but, as with any career, one needs to seek out new challenges. That role requires a lot of homework and the hours are greater than many would appreciate. The renumeration, relative to the hours, knowledge and presenting skills ideally needed are somewhat lower than what, in an ideal world, they ought to be - especially compared to some other jobs requiring less skill. He has 'thoughts' both on Trackside and the Box Seat in their current form. Would he be interested in a return to Trackside, should they extend an olive branch? Yes, potentially, but the exact format and nature of the role would obviously need to be agreed upon by both parties. Probably wouldn't be same as before.

General Fact: Mick has other interests beside racing media work

General Fact: The racing journalist/presenter world is a small one. Mick and Johnny do talk shop.

Speculation / Opinion: A previous poster also mentioned Sheldon Murther. While Sheldon is also knowledgeable and opinionated, I'm wondering if he comes from a different philosophical perspective than Mick. Mick is all about providing analytical race info from a punting perspective to encourage punting by the viewer and drive turn-over. I think Sheldon might enjoy painting the broader picture - telling the stories behind the horses and the people - generating interest in a different way. 35 v 36

THE BOTTOM LINE:
Would it be good if Mick returned to our screens? Yes, many would think so.
Will it happen? Depends upon Trackside's outlook.
Is he desperately keen to return? No. But if the right role & format was negotiated...
Do people need to be more supportive of the current presenters? Absolutely! Johnny and Jess are good presenters who will continue to develop over time.
And stop harpooning Craig. He's there to preview and analyse races. No more, no less. Can't understand why people get so annoyed with his style. Is that all there is in life to worry about?

Don't want to mention oil source. Hope nothing above is 'too out of school'. If so, Sherrif can censure. But its all from a positive, constructive perspective.

The difference is that Lord Module could lose 30 metres at the start and still win.

So..... will the Harness section be getting the same extra threads as the Thoroughbreds? Yearling Sales, News from the World etc? I'd like to think it's in the pipeline to happen at some stage, and that this initial period of the new site is using the thoroughbred forum as a trial and before anyone has a "typical gypsy bagging the gallopers" moment, it might be worth noting I hold licences in both codes and at this point in time have no preference to one over the other

Testing...1,2,3.....


I like the Warning Points ....Hopefully I don`t get a Red or Yellow Card....