SEASON HIGHLIGHTS

As the 2018-2019 Racing Season draws towards its' 31 July conclusion, I'm starting to reflect on highlights and what lies ahead.

Beauty Generation's rise-and-rise to become Hong Kong's all-time leading money earner is easily the highlight. I well remember planning his mating during my time as Manager of Nearco Stud.

The emergence of Jennifer Eccles for my syndication company, Challenge Racehorse Syndications was exciting. The second of her two starts saw her Stakes Placed third in the Auckland Futurity Stakes-LR (1400m). She is a raw talent, is now back in work with Shaune Ritchie and the NZB 3YO Filly of the Year Series will be her aim in the new term.

This time next year I hope I'll be talking about the Racing Industry Transition Agency ('RITA') as being the 2019-2020 Season highlight. The wheels turn slowly, and I just hope the brakes don't suddenly go on. This is our industry's last shot at recovery and the key, in my personal opinion, is racing clubs embracing the change, not going into their corner & letting parochialism and pig-headedness get in the way of the shake-up we so desperately need.

Pic: Two New Zealand greats - Kiwi & Jimmy Cassidy - post their dramatic 1983 Melbourne Cup victory.