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Love these old stories but if it wasn't on the tele how did you know how accurate the calls were. Funny how racing was so big then and no vision and now you can watch everything and nobody is interested 

no surprise...  sigh, all that hot air wasted from so many..  how can Autumn Glory be the favorite???  

He told a story when commentating.  I don't know how he managed to say so much so often and at the right time in a race.  In those days we listened on radio as only the big races were televised.  You could listen to Jack and feel like you were there.  "Grand sight in sunshine..."  "Jack Smolenski gives the dust sheet a tap or two and his charge is out by a length at the moment..."  Every race was somehow different as in he didn't often repeat himself like some commentators do - Tony Lee and his last little bit, they're chasing a memory etc. Reon Murtha was good too but not as colourful as Jack.

Jack O'Donnell was right up there as one of the very best

Ohope Wins, no Derby, off to Aus to run in the Vinery and Aus oaks

There are two clear stand-outs in Sunday’s Classic Cup (1,800m), but history suggests the second leg of the four-year-old series can produce a surprise result. While favourites have a good recent record with five saluting in the past nine years, there have been some major upsets including It Has To Be You ($126), Mission Tycoon ($92), Thunder Fantasy ($23) and Healthy Happy ($22) since 2013. The SCMP has ranked the top 10 contenders for Sunday’s HK$13 million feature. 1. Little...View the full article

One alarming aspect was a communication the RIB had with a helmet manufacturer Ffs, just ban them from supplying the industry...simply outrageous behaviour "All agencies were bound to exercise a degree of caution in relation to ARRO Helmets on the  basis of that entity not being truly independent and being a NZ-based market competitor.  One particular engagement from ARRO to RIB was termed unhelpful and bordering on  offensive."

So the report is now out and it appears the RIB have taken some remedial measures ( aka satisfying the Coroner's office it looks as if they're doing something but not really) For example why didn't the RIB charge Jasmine Fawcett with RECKLESS riding last week for trying to force a gap for almost 100 metres? Where they said " we allow competitive riding but not for that long" Or Pinn for FOUL riding when clearly elbowing Fawcett...instead of "you're lucky we didn't charge you" Did the RIB inform the Coroner that "NZ national days" also means 6 days for a Sth Island jockey could in fact be just 2 in reality? Bet they didn't Here's the RIB 10 point plan "Rider penalties – Concern that penalties issued to riders are an insufficient deterrent for  reoffending (especially when considering Weatherley’s previous charges up to and including  the day of the incident). It was recommended that a review of penalties and their  effectiveness takes place, with consideration as to whether stricter stand down periods and  fines would be appropriate. Other considerations included could the incident have been avoided if Weatherley’s  suspension in Race 4 was effective immediately, therefore not enabling him to ride in Race Cor10 CSU-2022-HAM-000352 4 CS0010 Mandatory post-incident drug and alcohol testing – Supported by other jockeys for safety  reasons, but noting the logistics of mandatory drug testing is not straight-forward with  accredited personnel not immediately available to attend every race-day meeting. Further  consideration to identify how a mandatory post-incident drug and alcohol testing regime  could be structured. Racing Integrity Unit steward’s induction manual – This requires a full revision to include  improvements that meet “best practice”, including the provisions about serious injury  response planning being a priority, an incident checklist to aid an efficient and timely  response, and improving and maintaining radio communications until after the completion  of the last race. Development to include testing to ensure best practice and deliver a training  package for existing stewards and new employees. Next of kin register – To be readily available, with key contact information in order to  maintain communications with a jockey’s immediate family members post-incident. Club Health and Safety Procedures – Currently no oversight of club procedures and NZTR to explore options for affiliated clubs’ health and safety policy and practice documents. Preservation of evidence – RIB to develop guidelines for track personnel in relation to  maintaining the security and chain of evidence for equipment / exhibits following a serious incident that will likely be the subject of an investigation. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) checks – Introduction of clear standards of what PPE  is required, ensure jockeys have clear guidelines and minimum standards, supported by an  audit register of all PPE checks. Clearance from rider falls – Work being undertaken by NZTR regarding concussion reviews,  whether to extend to track work riding, and the need for medical clearance to return to riding. Significant Event Response – A Racing Incident Significant Event Response checklist has  been drafted and under review for use by RIB. The intention of this document is to assist  the Chair of Stewards with a framework for assessing, coordinating, leading and managing  a serious incident response in conjunction with the racing club and race track personnel.  However, this is not designed to mitigate or assume responsibility over other entities’  relevant HSWA obligations and/or responses to an incident. Collaboration of Industry Stakeholders – Noting the importance of industry collaboration to  understand any lessons and learnings following serious incidents, make meaningful safety  improvements to protect those working in the racing industry, and review of the existing  Health Safety and Wellbeing Committee to be fit for purpose with regular meetings to review  serious incidents and implementation of proposed safety actions."

This year's Pennsylvania-Bred Stakes Schedule will offer $1.7 million in purses across 20 stakes races. All three of Pennsylvania's racetracks will host stakes.View the full article