Phar Lap Fan

"needs more racing". It's a very expensive paddock, probably the most expensive in New Zealand, and there will be additional costs to fix it. Could they sell grazing rights? One day, we will laugh about this - about 800 years from now.

What Idolmite said - other jockeys knew that she was a good horse. At the 1,000 m., still 30 lengths ahead, was the time to panic but I could not see her losing from there. Kotare Chief went to the lead about 1,700 m. from winning post in 1987 Auckland Cup. Was an outsider so other jockeys might have thought that he would come back. Should have done their homeowrk - still regret picking but not backing him as the only horse that had form over 2 miles. As she was a few spaces out from the rail, the track may have been slightly off so the time was very smart. Smarter than the other horses and jockeys. In the same class as Secretariat's Belmont Stakes win but he set a World Record and apparently acclerated every quarter mile. Still it was absolutely f. brilliant and a joy to see.

"5 hours to move the rail" - would there be anybody on course who would not offer to help, rather than abandon the meeting? Even get some dirt on their suits? Could a tempoary barrier be made from hurdle or steeplechase fences (assuming that there are some still there)? The steward who was on Trackside said that the matter would be left to the Track Manager to fix. He may be an innocent party but surely the issue is bigger than his alone to resolve.

While looking for something else in Papers Past, saw this article, (related to the Powder Puff Derby topic), regarding a race at Agua Caliente in 1935. Appears that women were not licenced until 1969 in U.S.A., 1978 in N.Z., 1972 in England and 1979 in Australia. https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers?phrase=2&sort_by=byDA&items_per_page=10&snippet=true&query=leading+women+jockeys&start_date=01-01-1930&end_date=31-12-1989 In 1930, there was a kerfuffle after the trainer's daughter caught and mounted a fallen horse and finished 2nd in a National Hunt Club race. Also, the Newmarket Town Plate was "the only horse race in the World in which women ride". Both events in England, the last bastion of mindless traditions disguised as conservatism, or is that racing in general? More surprising that there were no Black jockeys in U.S.A. form 1921 to 2000.

The horse that I picked ran 4th - would have placed higher but had to keep up with the jockey.

Convert to dirt tracks?

7 talking heads needed? What do I know? I watched only the races, as the captions rarely matched the horse in view.

"an individual access code" (not an unique one?). How exciting!

Ridiculous! (Nearly added a rude word). Probably a case for court re restraint of trade, anti-trust (U.S.A.) laws. Why not open to all trainers but add 2 kg. to horses from the more sucessful ones? Or, pay horses for running last.

In 30 minutes, there were 25 minutes of talking heads. Show the horses which are attractive animals. Most people can listen and watch contemporanously.

Hi, S.S., B.D.M. on-line show 3 deaths 1870-1910 - Robert RAY, d. 1891, aged 50; Robert Henry RAY, d. 1872, aged 30; Robert RAY, d. 1907, aged 78. The last-named was a school teacher at Karamea, so the first of those might be your man, and it could be that there is a father/son combinatiuon. Papers Past has hundreds of records for Bob Ray, showing him riding at Dunedin and Auckland in 1860s. In the 1870s, he established training stables at Riccarton. There was also an Australian horse of that name who seems to have been a good winner.

Agree. A jockey has the correct weight at weighing-out and correct weight at weighing-in. Where is the proof that the correct weight was carried throughout the race? Needs a chain of evidence and there should be an official (how many are paid to be there?) in the birdcage to stop possible 'contamination'. Howver, it's another rule that is ignored for the sake of celebarations and interviews after the win. Could a jockey ask for the return of the goggles that were thrown to the crowd if the weight was a bit shy?

3rd dam of Anamoe is Electric Belle (N.Z.), from the Belle Time (18) family. Great performance by Legarto. Thought of another New Zealander - Winx, but still a way to go.

Does it matter? No 'NZ' anywhere in the pedigree. Has he been granted citizenship or (im)permanent resident status?

One-eyed, and it's closed!

Racing Clubs' histories - Wanganui Jockey Club, Wellington Racing Club, Manawatu Racing Club and Rangitikei Racing Club. Also, a collection of race books from lower North Island, dating from 1952 to 1957. There is one from Ashhurst-Pohangina Racing Club in 1935. Cuddle was the top-weighted horse in the Ashhurst Cup but was scratched. Admission - 'Gentlemen 5/-. Ladies 2/-. Motor Cars and Motor Cycles 2/6'.

Confirm numbers as 12, 1, 5, 9, ?, 11 and?. Any clues from the jockeys' colours (although b. & w.)? As the winning jockey looks quite smaller, could it be one of the Eastwood brothers? The birdcage fence suggests Trentham and it may be a mounted policeman at the gate. I agree that later 1940s is probable but it might be any minor race.

Thanks, meomy. Looked in Papers Past and Digital NZ and it appears not to be be the 1955 Cup - Golden Galleon, a chestnut, was no. 13 whereas numbers are (probably) 12, 1. 5, 9, ?, 11 and 4?. Mary may confirm. Might be from 1940s as the winning post in 1950 has an upright pole that looks wider and darker. Also, there was another fencing panel above the rail then and in 1955. The 'lollipop' on the inner course and the structure seen above that don't appear in the other images. Might have been taken by an amateur so could be any race.

Hi, Reggie, I'm in Hamilton at (07) 846-3281. Cheers, Maurice

Racing books; The Bob Skelton Story, The Bill Skelton Story, Grenville (Hughes), The Wellington Racing Club, Great Racing Disasters, Horse-racing's Strangest Races, Horse Racing in Britain, Horse Racing 1979 and 1982, Racehorses of 1985, Track Talk (U.S.), Off The Track, Classic Lines, The Wanganui Jockey Club, The Manawatu Racing Club, N.Z's. Racing Facts 1999-2000, Great Moments In Racing, Horse-Racing (1949, England), Miller's Guide - 1996, 1980 Turf Facts, The Encyclopaedia of Flat Racing (Howard Wright), Stakes Winners from N.Z. 1972-73, King Of Sports (Japan), The Brigadier (Gerard), Chasing A Dream (Les Carlyon), Portrait Of A Sport (Steeplechasing), Stud & Stable - Pattern Races 1978-79, and more. Breeding and other; Thoroughbreds Are My Life (Glyn Tucker), Stanley House Stud - 1960 (handbook of broodmares and stallions), Blood Will Tell, Bloodstock Breeding (Charles Leicester), Thoroughbred Breeders' Handbook - 1975, See How They Ran, The Thoroughbred Stallions and Studs of N.Z. (Bill Cox), Thoroughbred Studs of Australia and New Zealand (Peter Taylor), Horsewatching - Desmond Morris (The Naked Ape), The 1972 Stud Review, N.Z. Racing Calendar - March & April 1980, several booklets on punting, and more. N.Z. Equine Research Foundation booklets; Strangles, Parasites & Horses, Care of the Travelling Horse, Understanding Reproduction in the Mare, Tendon Strain in Horses, Feeding Horses in N.Z. Melbourne Cup; A Century of Winners, The Melbourne Cup - Maurice Cavanough, November Gold. Have some D.V.Ds. and videotapes also.

Would agree with 1950s, as the wining post was changed before Eiffel Tower won. Probably not the 1950 Cup day as the background items are different.

Postcard for sale. A bit worn but nearly 100 years old?

Any thoughts to identify this? Bought at a sale of postcards and vendor knew nothing.

Am disposing of most of my collections and have listed some on T/M. Will list some titles here but too many to give full details. Have 2 copies of Clive Harper's book; 'The Thoroughbred Breeders' Handbook', both in excelent condition.

Grammar ain't what it used to be; Gameplan should be game plan.Strategy is a synonym of plan but 'strategic plans' grew like cliches a few years back (strategic plan = planned plan?). Leverage is inappropriate in this context - I think but not sure what the context is. Does it sound impressive because many people don't understand what it means? Is the intention that 'We will try to increase business by asking for help'? 'Achieving that target' - does it have a number too? Sounds radical!