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New Zealand/Questions Answered by Expert Don Boddie
| Subject | Date Asked |
| my horse racing doubts | 10/17/2011 |
| Q: how are you? i was busy since long time. here are my doubts: 1) what does "today races 5, 6, 7 are ... A: 1: A race can be declared VOID if the stewards beleive that the rules of racing have been broken to ... | |
| Haka | 8/29/2011 |
| Q: We'll be in NZ for the first three weeks in November, and I'm wondering if you have a suggestion for ... A: Kiora Traci, With the rugby world cup licking off here in a week or so there will be ... | |
| mock races at AUS | 8/26/2011 |
| Q: does AUSTRALIAN thoroughbred racing conduct mock races after all the races get finished on the ... A: I have answered this question before. No the Australians dont usually have mock or trial races after ... | |
| bookie, bookmaker job | 8/25/2011 |
| Q: may i know what is the job of a 1) bookie 2) bookmaker at horse racing. sir, is it the ... A: Bookmakers are illegal in New Zealand but very much part of the racing scene in Australia. A Bookie ... | |
| special equipments in AUS horse racing | 7/7/2011 |
| Q: are bitless bridles, pelhams, hackamores of all levels allowed in AUS horse racing? A: I don't know the answer to this but I will find out. I expect they are alright however I think a ... | |
| book on track workrider | 7/7/2011 |
| Q: can you please suggest me a good book for track workriders especially for beginners? A: I do not think there is a text book about track riding however there may be a better way than ... | |
| regarding studying in New Zealand | 6/13/2011 |
| Q: sir, myself vijay from India .. I have been thinking of doing MBA in New Zealand.. I have done my BE ... A: New Zealand welcomes foreign students and has some very good incentives for students to study in our ... | |
| unclaimed fees | 6/4/2011 |
| Q: I was an apprentice jockey in the early 60's. I never claimed any fees held before I left the ... A: Sorry about the delay, I have been in Queensland at Eagle Farm for the Oaks and the Stradbroke. I ... | |
| flat thoroughbred racehorse test | 5/19/2011 |
| Q: what all does flat thoroughbred racehorse test consists of? please tell me sir or send me any link ... A: I am not aware of any Racehorse Trainers Tests. That does not mean they don't exist, in fact I can ... | |
| moon blindness | 4/15/2011 |
| Q: what is moon blindness in horses? does it come naturally from birth? is this common in horses? let ... A: Moon blindness is a serious problem in horses. Also known as Equine Recurrent Uveitis or Periodic ... | |
| nz trip | 3/28/2011 |
| Q: please advise the availability of your homestay for possible visit May-June by your best man, and ... A: Fancy you turning up via this forum? No doubt you have had a look at www.killarahomestay.co.nz which ... | |
| newborn thoroughrbed foals weight | 3/14/2011 |
| Q: a healthy thoroughbred foal is expected to have how much weight as a newborn baby? A: Not a very easy question to answer, its a bit like asking, how long is a peice of string! However, ... | |
| farmstay | 3/2/2011 |
| Q: We are planning to have a trip to NZ in early May this year, after sight seeing in Christchurch, we ... A: The NZ Tourism website www.tourismnz.co.nz has a variety of accommodation options for you to choose ... | |
| farmstay | 3/1/2011 |
| Q: We are planning to have a trip to NZ in early May this year, after sight seeing in Christchurch, we ... A: Hopefully by May the earthquakes will have finished and life will return to some sort of normal ... | |
| cargoshiptravel Melb - NZ | 8/14/2010 |
| Q: I want to travel by freighter Melb - Napier early December and return Napier - Melb late Jan 2011 If ... A: Your enquiry would be best directed to the Melbourne Port Authority. They will have schedules of all ... | |
| Kids activitys | 7/31/2010 |
| Q: We are coming to NZ in 2011 we have 4kids 18,16,14,12and another family 2adults 1 child 15 WE ... A: I reckon the best idea is to contact the Information Centres in Queenstown and Wanaka and put this ... | |
| time to travel | 7/25/2010 |
| Q: We are coming to NZ in 2011 we have 4kids 18,16,14,12and another family 2adults 1 child 15 WE ... A: Any time from July to November would be great as far as access to snow is concerned. I guess you ... | |
| horse racing questions | 7/16/2010 |
| Q: 1)why august 1st , the birthday of every racehorse in australia, especially soutehrn hemisphere ... A: I have answered questions 1-5 already. 6 It means the tote favorite was beaten. 7 If you mean ... | |
| please answer these | 7/11/2010 |
| Q: please answer these 1)why august 1st , the birthday of every racehorse in australia, especially ... A: I am not sure of the history behind this or the exact reason. All northern hemisphere horses have a ... | |
| apprentice jockey paid half the mount fee | 7/7/2010 |
| Q: after a long time. sir, may i know why apprentice jockeys are paid half the mount fee even though ... A: The actual riding (mount) fee that gets paid to the rider seems to be different in every country. ... | |
| June NZ Trip | 4/30/2010 |
| Q: I am a Peace Corps volunteer in Tonga visiting NZ for the first time in June for 3 weeks. My ... A: NZ will be a great place to spend your holidays but bring your winter woolies as it will be about 30 ... | |
| bets refunded | 4/9/2010 |
| Q: may i know for what all reasons, bets get refunded in horse racing?? A: Bets get refunded if your horse is a late scratching. If it gets injured and is withdrawn on ... | |
| horse racing questions | 4/2/2010 |
| Q: can you answer these questions please!!! 1)what does “close finish”,”close 2nd”,”close 3rd” mean in ... A: You would need to find books which relate to handicapping in your own country. Ring your local ... | |
| horse racing questions | 3/24/2010 |
| Q: can you answer these questions please!!! 1)what does “close finish”,”close 2nd”,”close 3rd” mean in ... A: Close finish means the second horse was maybe less than a head distance behind the winner, ie very ... | |
| trainers not encouraging jockeys to give tips to outsiders | 3/15/2010 |
| Q: may I know, why do trainers doesn’t encourage their stable jockeys to give betting tips to ... A: I think you will find that the practice of giving tips to punters is illegal in most countries. It ... | |
| track work | 3/15/2010 |
| Q: What is “track work” in horse racing?? A: Track work relates to the training work carried out at a race track. General fitness training may be ... | |
| good going | 3/12/2010 |
| Q: in turf track conditions, what is “good going”????? A: Track conditions are assessed according to the moisture content in the soil and is measure by the ... | |
| morning glory & track movements | 3/6/2010 |
| Q: please define "morning glory" and "track movements" in horse racing(flat)???? A: I usually only answer questions from people with 'real' names. I am not familiar with the terms used ... | |
| horse has come down a class | 3/6/2010 |
| Q: what does “a horse has come down a class” mean in horse racing terminology??? A: A horse that is racing below its best may be rehandicapped so it become eligable to race against ... | |
| designing racing colors | 3/5/2010 |
| Q: can you please get me some tips on designing racing colors?? I mean, how best should be the colors ... A: Use the KIS principle, Keep It Simple! Use only 1 or 2 colours and make them bright. They should ... | |
| groom and farrier calling the horse | 3/5/2010 |
| Q: A owner calls his fully owned horse as “my horse”, a trainer calls the horse in his training and ... A: Usually horses have a stable name. My first horse's racing name was Battle Wish but everyone around ... | |
| stable ward | 3/5/2010 |
| Q: please define "stable ward" A: A person who is being looked after in a state institution and is therefore the responsibility of the ... | |
| Destinations along the road + East Cape | 3/3/2010 |
| Q: Don, We communicated earlier and you helped me great deal in planning trip. Thanks in particular ... A: Sorry I am a bit slow to get to this but things are crazy around here at present. Now, I am not very ... | |
| OOSD projects | 2/16/2010 |
| Q: hope u can answer thissir do you have an idea about object orineted system and development(OOSD)? if ... A: I have no idea what OOSD is. Maybe it is some goverment sponsored industry specific educational ... | |
| please answer these questions | 2/14/2010 |
| Q: please answer these questions: theses all are morning workouts report: 1)"800 meters:Don Valentino ... A: What a lot of questions. You really do not need the services of All Experts to answer stuff like ... | |
| hay fed to racehorses | 1/31/2010 |
| Q: may i know which hay would most of the trainers feed racehorses in australia??? A: I am not familiar with the range of hay supplement available in Australia, however I expect they ... | |
| NZ 14 days: planning matters | 1/28/2010 |
| Q: Don, I will be grateful if you can assist in my first trip planning to NZ. I plan to be there for ... A: Sounds like you have done a fair bit of research already. With only a couple of weeks you can't see ... | |
| please answers my questions | 1/26/2010 |
| Q: i'm attaching questions in single entry: 1)sometimes presence of a trainer is required near the ... A: 1: Not allowed in NZ or Aust. Must be an Indian practice. Our gate attendants can handle any ... | |
| penalties | 12/23/2009 |
| Q: may i know why penalties which is encircled in the below image in a race? A: The term Penalties usually applies to a weight penalty applied to a horse that has better form than ... | |
| run out in the race | 12/23/2009 |
| Q: i'm posting a raceday report which is mentioned below: "METICULOUS (S. Sreekant) was trying to run ... A: Some horse have difficulty turning the corners on a race track. They tend to drift out towards the ... | |
| taking the ground of an other horse | 12/22/2009 |
| Q: may i know what is "taking the ground of an other horse" in racing terminology? A: This is the same as the previous answer. If a horse is improving (going faster than the other ... | |
| giving a check | 12/22/2009 |
| Q: how r you??? i would like to know what is "giving a check to an other horse". A: If a horse in front moves sideways into the line of a following horse and it causes the following ... | |
| left fore plate | 12/19/2009 |
| Q: i attached a racing report below: "STAR ADVENTURE was observed to have lost her left fore plate. ... A: A plate is another name for a shoe. Most race horses have racing plates or shoes nailed to their ... | |
| dividends and divisions | 12/19/2009 |
| Q: may i know what are dividends and divisions in horse racing? A: A dividend or 'divvie' as it is usually called is the return on a bet. Therefore if you placed a bet ... | |
| basic gambling tips | 12/17/2009 |
| Q: can you please give me basic gambling tips in horse racing? ANSWER: Hi Rohit, I don't ... A: You sound like you have a clear plan ahead and if you can get to Australia you will find a big ... | |
| profit for bookies | 12/17/2009 |
| Q: may i know how do bookies in horse racing earn profits? A: Bookies make profits by offering different odds for all runners in each race. They assess the feild ... | |
| basic gambling tips | 12/16/2009 |
| Q: can you please give me basic gambling tips in horse racing? ANSWER: Hi Rohit, I don't ... A: Yes you will need to understand the importance of the gambling side of the racing industry. Most ... | |
| basic gambling tips | 12/15/2009 |
| Q: can you please give me basic gambling tips in horse racing? A: I don't give gambling tips other than to say, "A fool and his money are soon parted" It can be fun ... | |
| pacifiers for racehorses | 12/11/2009 |
| Q: may I know when to use pacifiers in horse racing? ... A: It sounds like your uncle is suggesting a pacifying drug to settle the horse. That type of drug ... | |
| pacifiers for racehorses | 12/10/2009 |
| Q: may I know when to use pacifiers in horse racing? ... A: The wire mesh over the eyes is probably a protection from flying clumps of earth. With a large ... | |
| pacifiers for racehorses | 12/9/2009 |
| Q: may I know when to use pacifiers in horse racing? A: Pacifiers come in many shapes and forms and are used to keep the horse focussed on what it is meant ... | |
| warming upto gates | 11/27/2009 |
| Q: shall i warm up all my stable horses upto gates or only few feeds it? which horses need a warm up? A: I'm not sure I understand your question but I will try to answer it. By warming up a horse to the ... | |
| feeding chichpeas | 11/27/2009 |
| Q: May I know why to feed chickpeas to racehorses? A: Sounds like a local feed supplement. We use mainly oats and barley with wheat chaff and then any ... | |
| ponying a racehorse | 11/27/2009 |
| Q: may i know why to pony a racehorse? A: Where abouts in India do you live? The practice of ponying is common in USA racing. A racehorse ... | |
| The best month to travel in Southern Newzealand and highs and lows temperatures during Novemeber | 9/23/2009 |
| Q: We are planning to travel to Newzealand during November of 2009.Is it better to select December thru ... A: It is late spring / early summer in November and the temperature in the South Island ranges between ... | |
| staying in newzealand | 6/18/2009 |
| Q: i would like to stay in newzealand when i go over on my working visa i have aunties and an uncle ... A: Perhaps the best avenue of research would be to visit www.searchnz.co.nz and find some immigration ... | |
| Travel around sth island in August | 4/9/2009 |
| Q: My husband and I will be on the South Island for about 10 days, 3 days of skiing. We would like to ... A: Your question arrived while we were away for Easter, hence the delay in answering. August is ... | |
| New Zealand visit | 1/4/2009 |
| Q: My husband Don and I are planning a trip to Australia, Tasmania and New Zealand possibly in the fall ... A: Your question requires some research and some time to check the best web references so I will answer ... | |
| renting a car | 10/6/2008 |
| Q: How much is it to rent a car in new zealand (auckland), and stay at a hotel/motel near the ... A: I am not sure about the minimum age to rent a car in NZ however I suspect if you have a valid ... | |
| Weather | 10/1/2008 |
| Q: I'm thinking of going to NZ in May. I realise that the South Island will be Colder than North. ... A: May is late autumn in NZ so the cold weather is not really a problem. If you are planning to go to ... | |
| equestrian farm stay | 4/5/2008 |
| Q: I'm currently studying in Auckland but want to get out of the city for a break and I'd really like ... A: I suggest the easiest way to pick up a short stay farm job where you can ride as well would be to ... | |
| Camper Van | 2/13/2008 |
| Q: We will be in a camper van, finding spots to park up. She is worried about the weather and would ... A: NZ in May is a good choice. The tourist season is over, the weather is warm during the day with cool ... | |
| backpacking | 10/11/2007 |
| Q: I'm planning a 3 trip to NZ in Feb but really have little idea of how to budget. I'll be ... A: You did not say where you are from but I assume USA. The best place to get the advice you want is ... | |
| rail travel | 8/27/2007 |
| Q: my wife, daughter aged 12 and I will be arriving in Auckland around 09/10/07 and are considering ... A: Kiora Harry, (Thats Hello in Maori) For all information on our national rail network ... | |
| Quesion Ergent thnx: | 8/7/2007 |
| Q: They also have a pre entry test and i really want to now what is involved in the pre test Its really ... A: Air New Zealand is a very well respected international airline. It is the preferred carrier and ... | |
| New Z. Aust. travel | 8/3/2007 |
| Q: I usually say canadians with Bush in power, are planning a 16 day trip to mainly New Zealand, but ... A: Yes, you are right, 16 days is barely enough to check out NZ let alone trying to fit Australia in as ... | |
| Visit to New Zealand | 7/23/2007 |
| Q: I am visiting New Zealand after my retirement from service from 25th September 2007 for ... A: NZ on $100 pw will be a bit of a challenge however I am sure we can help. Backpacker accommodation ... | |
| Christmas 2007 in New Zealand | 4/25/2007 |
| Q: Failte (hello) all the way from Ireland! Myself and my boyf begin a round the world trip from Oct 07 ... A: Top O' The Mornin, Sounds like a great trip you have in mind. Auckland is like ... | |
| 5 day trip to south island | 8/12/2006 |
| Q: My wife, 15-yr old son and I are picking up my daughter in Dunedin and would lile to travel around ... A: It would help if I knew more about you and your family. Are you from NZ or elsewhere? Have you ... | |
| Recommendations for Touring | 7/26/2006 |
| Q: I’m in my 40s and I like nature, hiking, and reading. I live in Virginia. I recently returned ... A: sorry about the delay, I was away for a few days. I think the Australian part of your travels would ... | |
| Recommendations for Touring | 7/24/2006 |
| Q: I would like to travel to Australia, New Zealand, and Tasmania. This is a LARGE area! I've seen ... A: You have picked a really interesting part of the world to visit however I need to know a bit more ... | |
| South Island Trip Planning - April 2006 | 10/12/2005 |
| Q: I am travelling with my wife and 2 sons, aged 9 and 11, to Christchurch at the start of April 2006. ... A: Sorry about the delay in replying, I have been away on holiday and forgot to click 'Im away" on the ... | |
| Angling in New Zealand | 10/8/2005 |
| Q: I will be visiting New Zealand for the second time next February, touring around Hokianga Harbour, ... A: I am not sure what sort of fishing you are used to but the areas you mention are all suitable for ... | |
| Travel in nz | 9/20/2005 |
| Q: What would b your top ten destinations? Any local advice that other people dont get to see would be ... A: Sounds like you are about to embark on a trip of a life time. I could advise all sorts of things ... | |
| more info | 5/31/2005 |
| Q: Many Thanks for you. You have asked me about my level and from where I'm? I'm from Saudi Arabia ... A: I am sorry this reply has taken a long time. In NZ we have a holiday in the first week of June. I ... | |
| trekking in April and going between islands on a budget | 2/16/2005 |
| Q: Don. Great answer. Just a quick clarification . . . can we still do the Milford trek at about ... A: I think April is just outside the high season which ends at March 31st altho April 25th, ANZAC Day, ... | |
| trekking in April and going between islands on a budget | 2/15/2005 |
| Q: Dave! We're finalizing our plans on an April 22nd-May 25th trip to NZ and plan to fly in to ... A: It is a clever idea to start in Chch and work your way north, everyone else starts in Auckland. As ... | |
| cost effective travelling in order to do some hiking in new zealand | 8/27/2004 |
| Q: i am 19 years old and am travelling to new zealand from brunswick maine with my best friend on ... A: There is a great network of hiking trails from North Cape (top of NI( to the (Bluff bottom of the ... | |
| Visit | 8/20/2004 |
| Q: my wife and I are looking at visiting NZ in Jan.'06. I was in Auckland years ago (loved it), but did ... A: As you are probably aware, you would be lucky to see Auckland in a week let alone the rest of NZ. If ... | |
| NZ in the 1980's | 8/18/2004 |
| Q: What sort of lifestyles did ordinary NZers lead in the 1980's? What were they into(music, fashion)? ... A: This looks like research work for an essay! I think the best source of information to answer the ... | |
| ferry travel | 7/25/2004 |
| Q: i am currently attempting to write a travel guide about new zealand, and have run into trouble ... A: Sorry I was a bit slow with the relpy, I have been away on busines for a few days and forgot to tell ... | |
| Automobile Touring in NZ in November | 7/5/2004 |
| Q: We are planning a trip to New Zealand in November, with two friends. We will fly into Sydney on ... A: Boy there sure is a lot of driving involved in that itnerary! It would help if I knew a bit more ... | |
| Itinerary | 6/7/2004 |
| Q: -Hi Don, Thank you for the reply. We are arriving from Los Angeles, however, there is a chance we ... A: I am sorry if this reply is delayed. I did not notice your answer till a few minutes ago when I was ... | |
| Itinerary | 6/6/2004 |
| Q: We are in the early stages of planning a trip to New Zealand in September. We plan to travel for ... A: It would help if I knew where you are coming from and what your interests are. You will have time ... | |
| hostels in auckland | 4/29/2004 |
| Q: i'm Dita, 24, female from Jakarta Indonesia. I intend to take a short course at the New Zealand Film ... A: I can't say I have any knowledge of the Auckland Hostel situation however I am sure there will be ... | |
| accommodation & car | 4/12/2004 |
| Q: we are going to NZ mid-may. We are going to hire a car and drive from Greymouth (after the Tranz ... A: The best place for you to start is at the official website for Queenstown, ... | |
| Questions on Farmstays | 2/24/2004 |
| Q: My name is Harry, and I'm a native New Yorker. Having been in the travel industry for over 14 years, ... A: You ask more questions than a ten year old! However, they are all relevant to your proposed trip ... | |
| Electric Power | 2/13/2004 |
| Q: Will our hair dryers etc require a converter? They are all 110 volt ac. Thanks Mike Still A: NZ runs on 240v AC. Hair dryers are cheap here $15 to $150 would cover the lot. I would buy a new ... | |
| airline prices | 12/21/2003 |
| Q: The lowest price i have found for a round trip ticket from LAX to Aukland is 879$ Us before taxes. I ... A: I am not familiar with US to NZ flight prices but I would try ... | |
| Free Farmstay | 2/17/2003 |
| Q: I am an Austrian student and want to spend a couple of months in New Zealand, but I don't have so ... A: I'm not sure where that story came from but it is probaly not true. However, generally there is ... | |
| follow-up | 2/4/2003 |
| Q: Don - you were kind to answer my earlier questions so quickly. Unfortunately, the AllExperts ... A: I wonder why AE only let you look once? Maybe you could ask them about that, I can't see any logic ... | |
| Blenhem / Nelson / Picton. | 1/8/2003 |
| Q: We were in New Zealand last year in November and loved it so much we are going again. We are heading ... A: The short answer to your question is yes. I personally don't care what the temperature is when there ... | |
| Rail & Car Rental | 1/4/2003 |
| Q: Greetings, Don: I am planning a thirty day first NZ trip (arriving AUK from California February ... A: Both the Transalpine and Tranzcoastal are well worth the effort. The coastal will not be booked out ... | |
| Travel & Accommodation | 11/30/2002 |
| Q: I have two questions :- 1 How would you compare hostel and motel in term of suitability for solo ... A: Hostel V Motel. This depends on a number of things. You did not mention your age group however as ... | |
New Zealand
Answers by Expert:
Don Boddie
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
Can assist with enquiries relating to internal travel, air, car, train , bus, ferry etc. Accommadation in Homestay, Farmstay, motels, camping etc. Recreational fishing freshwater, sea and gamefishing. Rugby, cricket, horse racing etc. Where and what to eat and drink, wine trails, food festivals etc. Cost effective travelling.
Experience
Have travelled extensivley through NZ and currently operate a Homestay just north of Wellington
Organizations
New Zealand Association of Farm and Home Hosts.
Levin Racing Club
Camp Hohepa inc
Kapiti Boating Club
Nz Recreational Fishing Association
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