Chief Stipe

Really? Since when did you join the convent? Or is it something in that Racecourse Hotel rum?

We are assuming they didn't know. I find it hard to believe, even though the Law Society would be one of the better agencies to maintain privacy, that someone in the RIB didn't know. BTW the main issue that undid him with the Law Society wasn't the misconduct itself which was minor but the fact that he didn't have the policy, processes and procedures in place to handle workplace misconduct as required by the Law Society. This point seems to fly past most online commentators. In my opinion that is the reason he probably shouldn't be employed at the RIB. I can't work out why the Office Manager(s) didn't have this covered after 7 years. Everything was all good until the employer/employee relationship broke down then the complaint was made. I've seen that happen in employement cases many many times.

Which gets back to my "gun shy" suggestion. The problems you refer to have been building for decades - hard to fix things quickly when the crisis point is reached. Yes I see the visuals but the RIB probably wouldn't have known as the Law Society are pretty rock solid at keeping someones privacy. Even so I have doubts about the RIB employment vetting policies. We all know about the ex-Police staff that have been employed and their records! As for Botherway he is now entitled to practice as a Lawyer. Let's face it the price he is paying for a minor indiscretion (in the overall scheme of things it IS MINOR) and the vitriol he is getting is way over what he deserves. Calling him a piece of shit @Freda goes beyond the pale. I have some compassion for the situation he is in because I have had personal experience not because I actually did anything wrong but because of a false accusation that bought out all the same type of vitriol and hypocrisy. Thankfully social media wasn't a big thing then and I had some staunch close friends that stood by me and managed the media hawks. Later in life I met people who were destroyed because of minor indiscretions or sometimes just unfounded allegations. If not destroyed completely broken. Yes mostly men Yes there are certain things that in my mind you can't come fully back from nor should you be allowed to. I'm not defending the RIB - I doubt they knew. If I'm defending anyone it is Botherway or at least showing some compassion. Does the indiscretion match the crap he is getting? Hell who would want to hold any licensed position in the racing industry or rather who are the individuals that haven't done something that the sanctimonious moral vultures wouldn't tear you apart for if they knew? Why the hell does racing have to hold some moral high ground? It isn't like that in Australia. Some of their license holders have made major indiscretions and haven't faced the vitriol that they would in NZ. We hang people out to dry based on a rumour talked about in a bar!

Not at all. But then I don't know any adult who hasn't seen some. LOL actually it brings to mind some instances in my working career I had to deal with as IT Manager. One case was where the company I worked for was about to have their systems integrated into the Global Parent. I received via DHL several boxes of policy, procedure and systems manuals (an American Company). Being ever the inquisitive student I started working through them - the systems were fascinating as was the phone list of every executive in the company worldwide. I rang a couple of Vice Presidents at the Global Information Systems Headquarters in an effort to get some traction on our NZ integration. Worked a treat as they were genuinely interested in NZ as a country and were often amused when I told them that I looked out of my office in the Head Office at paddocks of sheep! Anyway while getting through these folders I came across the Global policy on internet use. In NZ we had very few policies in place and the internet was still quite novel and only the management had access to it. I was the only one who had access to the logs of who was viewing what. Anyway the Global policies were very strict and the consequences quite high so I thought I better do a check. LOL lo and behold two senior managers were exploring quite a few things they shouldn't have been. My boss was number 2 in the company and was looking at some stuff that was well let's say to the right of soft. I thought I better have a discreet chat with him. Basically I met with him and talked about the policies (no one had read much of these folders - yes all Senior Managers had got a shipment of folders - some were common to all but many were specialist to their roles. I was the only one who had the IT related ones. So I had a meeting, explained the policies and what they meant, then explained the detailed logs that were kept on internet access including all the links to all the websites visited. I sensed a subtle realisation dawning upon my boss. I then said would it be prudent before the integration that I filtered and flushed some of these logs for the purposes of simplying the integration. Yes he said that would be a good idea. I also suggested he might wish to raise the topic at the next executive meeting or would he rather I sent out a memo. He chose the former. LOL I received a formal written warning that year - I averaged about one a year normally for going ahead and doing things that wasn't approved - I worked on the principle of fix it now and ask for forgiveness later. The next annual salary and bonus review was an interesting one and needless to say I argued well my case for an increase.

Sorry why is this guy a "piece of shit"? The Law Society don't consider his crime to be as serious as you infer. He was watching porn on his computer in his office of the company he was the sole proprietor of. His staff caught sight of snippets for six years and then complained to the Law Society. Obviously when they had finally decided to leave. He copped the punishment and has served the penalty.

Alleged drug positives. Sorry I'm not privy to the full rum medicated discussions at the Racecourse Hotel. As for employing those with a record of sexual abuse? It can't be this person who is the subject of this Topic as they haven't committed any sexual abuse let alone been convicted of it. I note that the RIB employee referred to in this Topic is now free to practice law with his suspension having been completed. The penalty was very low in severity which is commensurate with the indiscretion. But no let the sanctimonious preach holier than thou... I see the journalist has scored yet another headline with the person in quesion being suspended from rugby referring. I guess there was a real risk that he would look at his laptop during an injury break. No wonder the All Blacks are stuffed!

The head post isn't my post. In answer to your question - no. I'm surprised you haven't picked up the nuance - well not surprised as you seem to get a bee in your bonnet and gnaw at the bone of trashing racing.

You obvuously have no understamding of employment law.

Wrong on all counts. You are as bad as @curious reading what you want to read as opposed to distilling the facts. You make the assumption he tried to hide it. What if he wasn't asked? In any case what was he hiding? That he watched porn on his office computer? If you are talking about your post then not "clever" more salacious innuendo unbecoming of someone of intellect. Given both you and @curious haven't yet identified the core issue with the case I can say that neither of you would meet your expectations of an RIB Stipe. Now what does that highlight?

Racing Victoria backs new Black Type Advisory Group www.racing.com Racing Victoria has welcomed Racing Australia’s decision to establish a new Black Type Advisory Group (BTAG), describing the move as an important step in ensuring industry stakeholders have a meaningful voice in decisions surrounding Australia’s Group and Listed race program. Racing Australia confirmed the formation of the advisory group this week after its board unanimously approved the creation of an independent panel to help inform key decisions on the nation’s black-type structure. “RV supports Racing Australia’s appointment of the Black Type Advisory Group and the members chosen,” a Racing Victoria spokesperson said. “We have been advocates for industry representatives who invest in and sustain our sport playing a meaningful role in decision making regarding Australia’s black-type. “This Advisory Group is representative of the right stakeholders and comes following important engagement with stakeholder groups and PRAs on its composition. “We look forward to the Black Type Advisory Group playing a critical role in helping to inform future decisions on Australia’s black-type.” The inaugural advisory group features several prominent figures from across the bloodstock and breeding sectors: Barry Bowditch Sebastian Hutch Antony Thompson Andy Makiv Adrian Hancock Jon Freyer Duncan Grimley Under the BTAG charter, members are drawn from various industry groups including auction houses, studs, breeders, bloodstock advisers and other experts within the thoroughbred sector. https://bitofayarn.com Members cannot hold positions with Racing Australia, the state Principal Racing Authorities (PRAs) or racing clubs, ensuring the group provides independent advice. The BTAG’s role will be to provide feedback to the Racing Australia Board on matters relating to the overall program of Group and Listed races. https://bitofayarn.com Initially, the advisory body will focus on assessing potential upgrades, downgrades and additions to races on the Australian Black Type List, providing an independent view through Racing Australia to both the relevant PRAs and the Asian Pattern Committee. https://bitofayarn.com Racing Australia chairman Rob Rorrison said the organisation was pleased to have secured such a highly credentialed panel. “We are delighted to have this highly credentialed group agree to provide their expertise at this critical time,” Rorrison said. https://bitofayarn.com “Their independent view will undoubtedly be of great value to both the PRAs and the Asian Pattern Committee as they consider the composition of the Australian Black Type List.”

BUZZ. Wrong. Where does the "reportedly his family" come from?

BUZZ. Wrong.

According to someone called "Ned Kelly" I support the subject of this Topic. I'm ambivalent about the person. However I'm not in the witch hunt camp. Those that are don't want to debate the real issues.

You are passing judgement on the more salacious aspects of this case and drawing long bows. I'll ask again what was his biggest indiscretion?

No you profess to be the expert on these things you tell us all.

What was the indiscretion? Who did he cover up to?

Think positively @curious the industry is on the up. I hope your horses are in the North Island.

Cherry picking again. What was the "charge"? The whole charge.

Industry Update | RACE Awapuni Track NZTR and RACE Inc. would like to thank participants, memfor their patience and support during what has been a difficult period for racing at RACE Awapuni. New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing | March 11, 2026 Background The RACE Awapuni track had been experiencing performance issues, which ultimately led to a full reconstruction of the surface. After several years of work, the track returned to racing on 25 April 2025. Unfortunately, a slip in the first race resulted in the meeting being abandoned, and there has been no racing at RACE Awapuni since. New to the role, NZTR’s Chief Executive Officer Matt Ballesty, with the approval of the Board of Directors, engaged independent specialist and internationally respected track adviser Liam O’Keeffe. Given the investment was significant, the decision was made to determine whether the new surface could be remediated to provide a safe and consistent racing surface. A range of initiatives were trialled, including verti-draining and surface treatments designed to soften the track profile. While some progress was made, a further slip some months later during morning gallops confirmed that the surface could not be signed off as safe for racing. The track was proving inconsistent - capable of performing adequately one day and presenting unacceptable risk the next. What Has Been Learned A review of the original project has highlighted a number of challenges in both governance and delivery. Issues relating to design accountability, engineering oversight and overall project coordination contributed to the outcome. In hindsight, additional racecourse construction expertise could have been better integrated into the project. NZTR acknowledges that elements of the original RACE Awapuni track design were not aligned with the performance expectations of a premier racing venue hosting 20+ meetings annually. However, the work completed has not been entirely lost. Key components of the drainage system, irrigation infrastructure and parts of the base profile meet the required standards, meaning elements of the existing investment can likely be incorporated into the long-term solution. Independent Technical Review Following NZTR’s decision in November 2025 that there would be no further racing at RACE Awapuni this season, NZTR engaged Evergreen Turf, the specialists responsible for the successful Hastings track remediation, to undertake a comprehensive independent technical review. Working alongside local track managers, the RACE Inc. Board and NZTR consultant Liam O’Keeffe, Evergreen Turf conducted detailed soil testing, forensic analysis and investigations into suitable sand sources. Evergreen Turf’s technical assessment confirmed that while parts of the existing infrastructure remain sound, the underlying soil profile presents a fundamental constraint to achieving the long-term performance required of a premier racing venue. The Path Forward NZTR and RACE Inc. are now working closely together to determine the most appropriate long-term solution for RACE Awapuni. Planning work is well underway, with both organisations aligned on the need to deliver a track that meets the performance, safety and reliability standards expected of a metropolitan racing venue. Our vision is for RACE Awapuni to become a metro-standard track, capable of hosting racing to the standard expected of a premier venue. The collective objective is to implement a solution that will enable a return to racing at RACE Awapuni by late 2027. Importantly, the independent work undertaken over recent months has significantly improved the industry’s understanding of the site and the technical requirements needed to deliver a high-performing track surface. Looking Ahead While the past year has been frustrating for participants and stakeholders, the work completed has provided the clarity required to move forward with confidence. NZTR remains committed to the long-term future of racing at RACE Awapuni and to ensuring the venue can fulfil its important role within the Central Districts racing landscape. The recent success of the Hastings track remediation demonstrates what can be achieved when specialist racecourse expertise is integrated early into a project. Those learnings will play an important role in shaping the next phase of work at RACE Awapuni. NZTR and RACE Inc. thank the industry for its patience and support as this work progresses. A further update will be provided to the industry once the preferred delivery pathway has been finalised. Issued by the Office of New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing 18 Dick Street, Cambridge 3434 Tel: 0800 WINNER (946 637) International: +64 4 576 6240 office@nztr.co.nz

Poor assumption as it doesn't stop horses veering into other horses! Might have worked more in the old days when the rail was solid and I'm sure you have seen them come back with white battle paint on the rump or saddle cloth. But then it didn't always work then either did it? Hence the move towards safety rails.

No doubt the industry hypocrites will eviscerate and immolate him for something that was done nearly 4 years ago and hold him to account to a level higher than the Law Society. BTW @curious what "charges" did he plead guilty to? My understanding it was a Law Society complaint not a criminal or civil charge.

Only after she touched it which would bring an instinctive reaction to jump it especially when it moved. Slightly. She didn't budge an inch in the Moir. But it does beg the question if your horse is hard up against the rail why would the Jockey hit it on the outside?

The white rail would be quite distinct to a horse on any background except white of course. Black not so much if the background is Green i.e. black rail with a grass background.

I note you didn't watch the race or follow the process closely. Where does it state in the rules that separate incidents consitute separate inquiries? Regardless in this case both the second and third horse were protesting against the first horse for the same incident. Before you get even more pedantic a single incident doesn't have to be a single point in time. From the Stipes Report which is readily available online: Following the running of this race connections of the second placed horse AUTUMN GLORY and the third placed horse GENEVA lodged protests alleging interference over the concluding stages against the first placed horse ROAD TO PARIS. After viewing films and considering submissions the Adjudicative Committee dismissed both protests with placings standing 1st ROAD TO PARIS, 2nd AUTUMN GLORY, 3rd GENEVA, 4th WIGMORE.

Yes, even nuns....