Chief Stipe

Everybody knows that there isn't a microchip GPS in the dogs nose. So although the times are automatically recorded the dog that led needs to be updated manually. Or who knows maybe the times you see are actually for the dog that won the race. Suggest you get your stopwatch out and tell us what the differential is. Milliseconds matter to you it seems.

Ruakaka could sustain more racing. I doubt Pukekohe could.

What was the Track penetrometer and moisture reading on Tuesday? I assume they took readings? Auckland had an inch of rain on Sunday.

I heard the same comments 7 months ago. "Renovation work" on a track that has barely been used. At least it is clear now to the deniers that the track wasn't right KM night. Here's hoping they've fixed it otherwise it's eggs and one basket.

MEETING NEWS Ellerslie Track Update Jumpouts Successfully Staged at Ellerslie as Track Preparation Progresses 3 September 2024 Yesterday, Ellerslie hosted a successful set of jumpouts for Auckland-trained horses, with 70 horses running against the rail and 28 outside cones on the course proper. This event marks another significant milestone in Auckland Thoroughbred Racing’s (ATR) preparation for their upcoming racing season. Feedback from stakeholders, including the Racing Integrity Board (RIB), was positive regarding the track’s performance. ATR management remains confident that the track is on the right path for an exciting and successful season. In a further commitment to ensuring top track conditions, ATR and New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) flew in Flemington track manager Liam O’Keefe for a detailed review. After his inspection yesterday afternoon and this morning, O’Keefe commented, “It’s very pleasing to see the progress the track has made since my last visit in May. While I was here, we developed a maintenance plan aimed at improving traction for horses. It is clear, after observing the track following the jumpouts, that the maintenance plan is working effectively, allowing horses to penetrate the profile and thus providing safe racing conditions.” ATR CEO Paul Wilcox echoed these sentiments, stating, “We are naturally pleased with the renovation work that’s been done, and the feedback we’ve received indicates we are right on track. The expertise and guidance provided by Liam, alongside Chris Hay of Tasmania, have been invaluable in achieving these results.” Looking ahead, trials are scheduled for Tuesday, 10 September, with jumpouts for Open horses (outside cones) set to commence immediately after the trials.

WTF are you on about?

But arguably the drivers ability and capability is OK - otherwise they wouldn't have a license. However their experience is correlated to the number of drives they have had and their frequency. Kristina Denifostova has had 34 drives in 8 months for 5 wins in NZ. A UDR of 0.2092 in NZ. Her only prior experience was as an amateur driving trotters in Russia. Hardly a Harness Racing nation! Your average punter would factor in her lack of experience in determining the value of the price of the horse she was driving. So if one of the options was to haul her before the stipes and then put her out for 4 weeks because of the perception that the drive was not up to a subjective standard... Well that approach would eliminate a lot of drivers!

What level of punter? Joe Casual wouldn't have a clue. Joe Bigpunter wouldn't have touched the race nor that particular horse. Now you argue that not enough importance has been placed on the perception of the "punter". How would you place more importance? Would questioning of the driver and trainer from the Stipes be enough? The average punter doesn't read Stipes reports. The majority of those that do wouldn't have bet on the race.

Please explain the pathways these fillies have after the Gold Trail? Some will want to head down the sprint path and the others towards the Guineas races. But look at the calendar there aren't many black type or even plain old 3yr old fillies races between now and Cup week. Same with the 3yr old boys. In my opinion all the focus on the Karaka Millions and the Sweepstake and Novelty races has neglected the pathways to get to them!!! Opens us right up to Aussie raiders.

I see they have updated the irrigation to 10mm. May have irrigated last night. No rain overnight.

Thanks for your informative post. Interesting how no one commented on the pace judgement of those two drivers who went hard early. Although I see your point regarding the public criticism in reality it is part of the job. Racing is a sport played in the public arena not in the secluded comfort of an office. What I often find is that driver criticism online initiates a debate that meanders towards the truth and dare I say it fairness. Quite often the debate online is much fairer than the decisions handed down by the Stipes! Thank you for posting your comments as they too help to educate and inform those that are quick to be judgemental. At least the horse wasn't flattened in condition by ploughing through the slush being driven hard around the outside.

Yes but it hasn't started in a race yet either. Yeah yeah it shouldn't have been nominated but no harm done. No dog denied a start. No betting on the TAB.

Na I'd rather hear your full conspiracy first. It's entertaining and ultimately makes you look stupid.

They may hedge their bets by irrigating again.

Please tell us.

At least Weir's daughter's are primed to take over. I guess they can't ban fireside chats or fatherly advice.

Yep. Lots of talent in that race. But you might see a very good colt win the El Roca.

Good noms for Saturday's Meeting at Ruakaka. Tradies Day Punters Comp. Free buses from Whangarei. A toss up for tradie @TAB For Ever - does he go to Ruakaka or Hastings? The Hoi Polloi or the Aristocracy?

Anyway back to the Hastings Track. Looks like being a Good 4 or better. Hopefully no showers on the day.

I still haven't seen the 1995 NZ Trotting Cup. I was there but was drinking champagne with a very attractive young woman after a BIG collect the race before! I still remember fondly my first Wellington Cup Day 2001. Started with breakfast at the Dockside Club and then bussed to their tent just down from the winning post on the infield. I think we needed up finished where we started that day. I don't think it is an either or question. It can very successfully be both. Where they went wrong was investing in flash grandstand infrastructure and forgetting about the tracks and stables I.e. the horse. The one thing that differentiated them from every other entertainment in town. That Wellington Cup day I mentioned there were 20,000+ on course and the majority were housed in tents. To draw a parallel was Rugby at Lancaster Park ever the same when they got rid of the bank? I started my interest in racing at the Westland Racing Club and they didn't invest in flash stand. The facilities didn't change in the 40 years I went there. All that said I think something must be working because I have met a lot of young people in the last couple of years that are really interested in the game.

Which was when exactly?

Exactly. At least they are trying something. Might not be hitting all the targets but hopefully they are doing a comprehensive Marketing ROI. Although I haven't met many Marketers that are good in the analysis. Stronger on the fluff.

I should have said that the other way round. Obviously not enough R60's so well bang them up a grade.

FFS were you a school teacher in a past life? Why are you being so pedantic about updates that are made within hours? Does your un-real time really matter?

Dear me it has been a while since you have been to the races! If you go as a group then you always have someone to mind your handbag (in your case) while you go for a 2 minute walk to the parade ring!