On 9th May 2021, new regulations under the Animal Welfare Act 1999 came into effect. These regulations clarify who can carry out certain surgical procedures on animals and how they should be done.

Full credit to the Ashburton Trotting Club for responding to a request from the Trainers & Drivers Assn. to move their 1609m starting point back almost 100 metres to a 1700m start.

When the Trainers & Drivers National Council met recently, a number of the topics covered were duplicates of those recorded at the Greater Canterbury meeting which was reviewed here last week, so may not be covered here.

The Greater Canterbury branch recently hosted a meeting of invited license-holders to meet with HRNZ’s Gary Woodham and Catherine McDonald where a wide range of issues were discussed.

For old codgers like me, there is a satisfying sense of nostalgia when someone you either know, or that have a name you are familiar with from past years, win a race after a long time away from the victory dais.

Once again, we are faced with the dumb scenario where horse racing is not permitted on two days of a public holiday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday.

I know mile (1609m) racing is the glamorous thing, although not so much as it used to be, and I understand that fast times are important for mares going into their breeding careers, but should it be programmed for average horses?

Well of course, I’m not specifically talking about the loss of creatures of high intelligence out of the Country when discussing the exodus of higher grade horses, more like physical ability. But hey, it’s a catchy phrase.

Normally I don’t highlight the passing of people in harness racing because if I did, sadly there would be little room for anything else.

We have been advised of what would seem to be a great opportunity for a Junior Driver. Josh Dickie is looking for a Junior to join his stable, with a nice team of horses and accommodation available. Anyone interested can call him on 0210652714.