Chief Stipe

What should we look for?

Every sport needs a historian.

Right so now you are saying the horse DIDN'T take a piece out of its cheek!!

Absolutely nothing to do with the first time it has run on a Good track? A Good 3 at that.

Really? Is that why Jamie Richards isn't doing too well in Hong Kong?

She would have won by 10 lengths without them. But either way @Thomass didn't back her. The question is - how many starts before they take them off?

But they don't have ONE person giving the attention. Waller for example has a number of foreman and assistants below him. Just to wind @Huey up although Te Akau don't have 400 horses probably closer to 150 in work at any one time they have a very talented crew assisting Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson. Hunter Durant in CHCH. Ben Gleeson in Melbourne. Sam, Hunter and Ben would make excellent trainers in their own right. Nicole Shailer at Matamata knows her stuff too. So like any successful large organisation big trainers have devolved some day to day decision making down the chain. Of course don't forget that these stables employ a lot of people. Some stables have higher attrition rates than others however at the end of the day all stables have an attrition rate. I don't think you can argue that smaller stables necessarily give more attention to their horses on the flip side the smaller stable is more likely to persevere with a plodder longer than they should. Come in @Huey.

Well it won't be entirely a one stop shop will it. You can't exactly put the new $15m AWT on a trailer!!

MEDIA RELEASE | Single racing and training site on the cards for WTR waikatoracing.co.nz MEDIA RELEASE The Waikato Thoroughbred Racing (WTR)* Board is pleased to announce that members have today agreed to undertake further work towards securing a single fit-for-purpose site for racing and training in the Waikato. This announcement follows endorsement by WTR members at its AGM on Monday 18 November and is the result of extensive feasibility studies and independent assessments to identify a sustainable option that will meet the long-term needs of the racing industry. WTR Board Chair Bruce Harvey said a Greenfield site option was decided upon as this is the most financially viable option for a sustainable future. “A Greenfield site will not only centralise our operations but also future-proof the entire racing ecosystem in the Waikato region," he said. Mr Harvey said the options considered under the feasibility study included various combinations of racing and training locations, with the Greenfield site emerging as the most realistic and beneficial option. “The decision to pursue a Greenfield site was influenced by several factors, including the financial operation of the current sites, the challenges of training at Cambridge into the future due to new housing developments, and the need for a self-sustaining operation.” The Board identified several other factors that contributed to the decision to go for an entirely new site. These include: • bringing together the expertise and strength of the local racing fraternity into one centralised location • creates a fit-for-purpose venue designed for training and racing • provides a ‘super-hub’ for other horse-related activities and users • creating a modern functions and events centre as part of the development that can be used to generate additional income. The new Greenfield site is likely to be located within a triangle between Hamilton, Te Awamutu, and Cambridge and work will begin immediately to narrow down options that could potentially meet WTR needs. “The criteria for the Greenfield site includes having excellent access to major transport routes, flat land with good soil and a reliable water supply,” Mr Harvey said. WTR is running an open process to find the best opportunity for a Greenfield site and has engaged Bayleys to lead this process. A shortlist of possible options is expected to be considered in the first quarter of 2025. A due diligence process will be undertaken on the preferred site. As part of this process a formal business case will be prepared around de-risking the project and there is still significant work to be undertaken to be able to address the total project funding. This business case will be presented to members for consideration in October 2025. A new site would eventually replace the racing and training venues in Te Rapa, Cambridge and Waipa. ---- ENDS ---- Economic Impact: The racing industry in the Waikato region generates more than $505.3 million in value-added contribution to Gross Domestic Product, sustaining a total of 3,812 full-time equivalent jobs in the region. The new Greenfield development is expected to further enhance the economic benefits of racing to the Waikato. * The Waikato Thoroughbred Racing (WTR) is an amalgamation of the Waikato Racing Club, the Cambridge Jockey Club, and the Waipa Racing Club and happened in August 2023. Bruce Harvey, Chair & Andrew Castles, CEO after the unanimous vote from WTR members at the AGM. Other quotes Mayor Paula Southgate, Hamilton City “This venture could be wonderful for both our city and our region. Racing is a strong contributor to our local and national economy. Hamilton is also ready to welcome more visitors, with two new high-end hotels on the horizon and Jetstar’s recent announcement of flights from Australia to Hamilton. We look forward to working with Waikato Thoroughbred Racing as they explore development of an equestrian ‘super-hub.’ Centralising the expertise and strength of our regional racing fraternity can only mean good things for the competitiveness and sustainability of our local racing industry and we welcome the boost a new fit-for-purpose venue would give to our regional profile and economy.” Mayor Susan O’Regan, Waipa District “We are delighted to work with and support Waikato Thoroughbred Racing in this exciting strategic initiative which will not only help future-proof the local racing industry but will further strengthen connections across our Waikato region. We are immensely proud of our rich equestrian heritage in Waipā, and with more than $505 million generated by racing in the Waikato each year, the sport is a significant and valued cornerstone of our economy, employing thousands of people and bringing fun and entertainment to many thousands more. We welcome the new opportunities this venture will unlock both across our district and the wider region.” For further information: Publicly available information regarding the project is available on WTR’s website.

Empire Rose did it in a Melbourne Cup if I recall correctly.

But didn't "take a bite out of its cheek" as you alleged.

So it didn't ?

Another post saying nothing from the naysayer of NZ Harness, Rangiora Branch.

Well this Topic is closed AGAIN! Until the next time @Thomass finds a horse that won first time in Blinkers POST race.

How did they discover they "worked"? Given "work" isn't under race conditions. However the point the @Pete Lane makes is that Blinkers "first time" doesn’t work more than 50% of the first time. So how does a punter choose which horse to punt on? Therefore a punter who makes money does so by looking for value and other factors NOT whether or not a horse is wearing blinkers for the first time.

@Thomass why didn't they try the blinkers in the Cox Plate?

Spot on.

Probably get away with two tractors as Addington is quite a bit wider than the AWT. I suspect there is some tractor company sponsor's involved at Addington as well. But then again, although it might be sacrilege why couldn't the Gallops talk to the Trots and share? Very rarely if ever do they race the same day.

Now that's interesting. A "last-resort"! "Undisciplined".

Who would've thought!

Probably cost is a factor. Other constraints would be skill, not enough machinery, applying turf custom and practice to synthetic. I always thought that they would groom between races which seems the logical thing to do otherwise those who race early get the safest track. Then again I also assumed they would groom the track every day BEFORE track work.

So answer this question: Why didn't Daddy Hayes suggest the Blinkers before the Cox Plate?

You could apply this broad definition to the Democrat Elite as well. Nice Googling by the way. Obviously you don't have a clue either and could write anything in your own words. Well that closes this Topic.

Really? I do recall you rubbishing him at one time online. I guess things change when it suits. Anyway you have done this topic to death for years to the point it is becoming boring regardless of any veracity to your supposition. BTW O'Sullivan uses a rating system that I doubt takes into consideration whether blinkers are used or not. He rates a horse on its relative performance pure and simple regardless of if it is wearing blinkers.