Better Loosen Up

John, if we think being unraced might be a black mark against a broodmare, we'd think that being unplaced would be the kiss of death, wouldn't we ? But Eight Carat was unplaced, and many other of our top broodmares were unraced or unplaced.

But dangerous.

I'm noticing a few contributors sharing my view of the Racing Integrity Unit. Under the management of Mike Godber and Cameron George, it's looking more and more shonky every day. Think Magic Briar, The Pearler, Atomic Force, Ockham's Razor et al. We got rid of Jewell the foowell from management of Trentham, but their track fiascos continue, and the foowell has quietly got himself another lucrative job with N.Z.T.R. Can we get rid of Godber and George, and make sure they stay gotten rid of, and make sure their replacements are men of integrity ? NZ racing has never looked more shady.

It might be legal, but A.I.D.S. is a high price to pay.

I believe that betting turnover today is very much higher than it was during the "heyday" of NZ racing (say, 1970s). And I mean after adjustment for Inflation. Perhaps some-one can provide comparitive figures for us. But, given that today's turnover is so much higher, and thus take-out is so much higher, where is all that surplus going - administration ?

Can anyone tell me how I locate our national record times on the N.Z.T.R. website ?

Hmmm. I'm not inclined to get carried away by Popsy as a broodmare. Although she has very good bloodlines, and was a top performer, she's produced a lot of slow horses. Rock'n' Pop is her first Group winner from eleven progeny. Mind you, Lilakyn should've been credited with a dead heat in the Brisbane Cup.

Neil's obituary link as under: http://www.legacy.com/guestbook/nzherald-nz/guestbook.aspx?n=neil-macaskill&pid=154455613

Sepoy was vulnerable, young Irish. He just clung on.

What's wrong with that, Centrefold, is why the hell should Black Caviar have to go overseas ? Why shouldn't any challengers come to Oz to compete against her ? The best sprinters in the world are in Oz, and so is the stakesmoney. Let them come and have a go.

Anyone know what's happened to this horse since she won the Oaks ?

Well, young Irish, if I may make so bold as to butt in, I too have fancied Wall Street for the McKinnon Stakes. But the rain has come, and so has a bout of colic. It seems to me a bit of a disappointment that Sepoy and More Joyous are not running in the Open sprint. Each of them is instead running in a restricted event, both which events have greater stakesmoney than the Salinger. Hmmm. It seems that some are coming to share a suspicion that Manawanui's pedigree might be found out in the Derby. Atlantic Jewel reminded me of Our Flight when winning the 1,000 Guineas recently. Our Flight (a filly) won the N.Z. Derby. A.J. would seem to be a certainty in Thursday's Oaks. I'll make no comment about Heaven.

Seems still to be doubt about the extent of Boss's injury. I have to admit to being hopeful that he IS out for the Spring 'cause I've given Black And Bent a nudge for the Melbourne Cup.

Suspect you're right, mandrake. Is there really a virus ? I suspect we've seen the last of Maluckyday.