fermoy

Race 1 at Riccarton was at 11.50am but dosn't the racing broadcast only start at 1pm ?

And those European bred horses haven't got a bad record in Australia's major staying races in the last 20 years or so either have they?

Anyone not using their stallion nominations this years? I'm interested in picking them up.

Anyone not using their stallion nominations this year ? I'm interested in picking them up.

Yes it would be one of the worst decisions ever wouldn't it but unfortunately it's the word on the street, or should I say the racecourse. Apparently Tony , our most all round experienced, colourful, knowledgeable ,humorous and informative race callers is not having his contract renewed in favour of a younger person. He's there calling in the Central Districts every week whether it be Group Ones at Hastings, Trentham and Awapuni on a Saturday or 29 Heats at Foxton ,Otaki , Waverley or Awapuni Synthetic Trials on a Tuesday . Try doing that at the trials week in week out with mostly horses you've never seen before at his normal high quality and with a smile on your face and his trademark sense of humour and the odd joke thrown in. It is a classical high quality performance that anyone who cares to watch can see from T. Lee week in week out on any racecourse in the Central Districts. Anyone else who thinks Tony and NZ racing is about to be done a grave disservice is encouraged to email alan.barnes@tab.co.nz as soon as possible. Maybe Mr Barnes can tell us all on what his decision is based and the reasons behind it. Has he canvassed the Central Districts racing community regarding our Commentator before he's decided to retire him ? Some commentators in the past were quite elderly before they were able to retire on their own terms and arguably past their best but we loved them and embraced them anyway because of their history,longevity and knowledge. Maybe time for the Bring Back Tony Lee machine to crank into gear?

Surely it can't be true that Tony is being replaced ? Is this a bad joke ?

Who is in charge of employing the Commentators anyway? Maybe we need to start emailing them with our feedback?

Top Hurdler Happy Star won his first two races easily when trained by Peter. Had a great family there with a host of top horses including Josephine,Miles and Lord Monty who never had his first start until he was 7 and eventually was a winner of the Winter Cup. Raced and stood at Stud the great horses His Royal Highness and Sculptor. RIP Peter McKenzie.

Sectional times.

If that's the case how come Michael House seems to have a lot of the ex Latta " Lincoln " horses?

Well that is great news and a great effort by Andrew Carston especially considering that he started out on his own without inheriting or taking over anyone else's stable. Pretty sure that a lot of his stable are other people's castoffs and not too many blue bloods or expensive sale purchases either from what I have observed. Congratulations Team Carston.

I've been busy on the farm. Can anyone tell me what happened in regards to the close race that was being waged between the two leaders in the South Island Trainers Premiership after the Riccarton Synthetic meeting last Friday??? Can't seem to find any reports on the result which seems a little strange.

Interesting to see the top weight was allowed to late scratch after the rider was injured in a previous race in the Waikato Steeple a few weeks ago so only 8 went round after an earlier hurdle race had 12 starters.

Yes. Just depends whether the horse is running under its own name or not doesn't it ?

Meloxicam is given for pain relief as well as reduction of inflammation . If you don't think pain can reduce performance then you are in cloud cuckoo land sorry.

Don't worry about that. The placings will definitely change. You can't win a race with performance enhancing drugs in your system and keep it. End of story.

K.T.Myers ??

The stipes are the prosecutors aren't they so if they say " directed " I'm sure they mean it , but it's up to the JCA to decide what they think of the arguments of the prosecution and defence.

So that being the case why did Bowman on Sharp and Smart sit wide rather than improving on a slow pace to a handier position do you think?

Haha. Nope no problem Scooby. Get into him . He's the top dog and the buck stops with him . It all sounds like bullshit to me. ie No idea both him and his deputy. Missing in action , once again and these are the guys who get paid the big bucks funded by us at the coal face. Go for your life at these guys who think they're the top dogs and also think they know more than the rest of us who are out there breeding , owning , training and delivering the product.

Wolfie is still the greatest driver I have seen , but more importantly he was one of the greatest guys you could ever meet who never forgot where he had come from. RIP Wolfie.

Yep ,,, ever thought about taking your own advice ?

haha rich coming from you after you commented on their continual harping on anything RACE.

Haha. So you really think by continually being negative nancy you will positively influence the industry ?? It's like the boy who cried wolf . You keep grinding the axe and eventually you end up with nothing . You'd have more credibility if you criticised all race courses with issues rather than just Awapuni.

Different opinions are fine. I've got mine on a range of issues and people as you've read but you guys need to realise that you keep grinding that axe and what are you left with ?