It was actually great to see journalist Richard Zachariah back penning an article on the At The Track page in today's Sunday Telegraph. Many would remember that Zachariah once wrote the entire page each week which in those days was called "Zac At The Track."

Zachariah once upset the racing powers that be so much with some articles that he had his raceday press privileges withdrawn and his return today was hardly a tame toe in the water exercise - he jumped right in from line one.

He immediately took to racing officialdom saying he believed "leadership on the turf has been non-existent." He added racing was dysfunctional "in its incessant tribal warfare with no national focus." He mentioned the court cases over the race fields legislation, the Bruce McHugh challenge to the banning of artificial insemination of thoroughbreds, the Cummings/Patinack imbroglio, the general; backhanders paid to breeders, trainers and agents that are ultimately paid by the owner, the financial lunacy of four pay channels covering racing etc.

We actually need journalists in racing who don't involve themselves in portraying everyone in the industry as having a heart of gold and being part of the best group of people in the world - spin that even the ALP would be proud of as it tries to bail Prime Minister Gillard's derriere out of the self-constructed quagmire.

I am not going to argue with "Zac" - it is one of the reasons I am very happy to spend most racedays by myself and just enjoy the industry without listening to all the crap from the so-called "insiders."

Much has been made of the trials and tribulations of apprentices lately, mainly focusing on the negative impacts of the behaviour of apprentices like Josh Adams and co. But, on the positive side, gee there are some nice kids coming along that are yet to make their mark in metropolitan racing here in NSW - but I think they will.

Young Sam Clipperton, who again rode a winning double at Scone today, is a very promising rider and he is in very good hands - those of former champion jockey Ron Quinton. Sam is a featherweight but he just keeps riding better each meeting and this boy will make the grade in town.

Shaun Guymer has jumped out of the woodwork in the past six months. Shaun was taught well when he started his career under top trainer and former champion amateur jockey Danny Williams at Goulburn, before he moved on to Canberra.

He rode his first metro winner at Randwick a fortnight back - and it will not be his last.

Leeton trainer Peter Clancy has also given his apprentice John Kissick a good grounding and this kid has impressed me with his thinking capacity in races. He rides very well. Having topline apprentices is nothing strange to Clancy, himself also a former top flight amateur jockey.