Chief Stipe

Some people didn't like him. I spoke to him a couple of times and found him OK. I also think he had a better approach to dealing with issues than the ex-Police mob that have changed the culture of the RIB. I think he realised humans are not infallible. Spent an entertaining and informative couple of hours with him and a few others in the bar at the Novetel after the races at Ellerslie about 18 years ago. It was the day that the young apprentice was killed in the deep south. He fielded calls and dealt with the aftermath that night with tact. The first thing he did was get the video embargoed. I reckon he could read a race better than most of today's mob.

Yep and what they use is legitimate. As @the galah stopped to to think what other things Levamisole may do that improves a horses wellbeing? I'm sure he is in the Ivermectin camp. The research I have done on Levamisole shows that it has antiparasite, antibacterial and possibly antiviral activity. Has anyone thought to join the dots in a positive fashion and come to the hypothesis that maybe Levamisole improves substantially the gut health of horses under high performance training stress? Especially when we know that horses in training on high energy diets suffer many gut/digestion problems including ulcers. We also know that over 90% of ulcers and stomach disease in humans is caused by a specific bacteria.

Who said I've gone "off the rails"? It isn't me that has come up with this conspiracy theory about performance enhancing metabolites from Levamisole. One of the issues I have with your supposition and inference is that you have cherry picked the science. Yes aminorex is a metabolite of Levamisole. Yes aminorex has amphetamine type properties which could be performance ehancing. However you totally ignore the research that says Levamisole metabolises into very small amounts of aminorex which is cleared quickly from the horse. Probably the reason there are no positives to aminorex. That's where once again your rudimentary knowledge of science is wrong. Levamisole and its metabolites can be measured at very very low levels. You can't avoid detection. We are talking about a very well defined and classifed chemical molecule. With your vast scientific knowledge how do the users of the substance avoid detection? A substance that has been easily detected since the late 60's!! If you are going to use aminorex why not administer it directly rather than rely on the hit and miss of Levamisole metabolism. Harden up. I call your BS out for what it is BS! Yes I do find you an irritation or anyone for that matter who misuses science to undermine racing integrity.

A 2022-presented levamisole study in equines that was partially co-authored by current KHRC (Kentucky Horse Racing Commission) equine medical directors Mary Scollay and Dr. Bruce Howard noted that levamisole can stay in horses' systems for an extensive period of time while the presence of the metabolite aminorex tails off quickly.

To put this in context - modern testing technology can detect levels at nanograms per liter and lower. If desired you can go as low as picograms per liter. A nanogram is 1 billionth of a gram. 0.000,000,001 grams. A picogram is 1 trillionth of a gram. 0.000,000,000,001 grams For those that think this isn't correct many of you will have had a PSA test - you get your test results back in a few days. A good result is less than 2.5 nanograms per liter. The same technology is used to test horse blood!!! A grain of white refined sugar weighs 625,000 nanograms. A poppy seed weighs 300,000 nanograms.

What's your point @the galah? I've never said that aminorex is not a metabolite of Levamisole. I have said that the volume produced is very small and unlikley to have a pharmacological effect. However it is easily detected and the piece you cut and pasted essentially says that!!!! Where did I say it wasn't? I'll repeat so perhaps you can comprehend - it is easily detectable, is metabolised in small amounts from Levamisole. If it isn't detected it CAN'T have a pharmacological effect. Where did I contradict them? You are the one joining all these dots and joining the uneducated rabble that are looking for any reason for a stables high performance. BUT you lack of understanding or chosen ignorance is deliberate on some science because it doesn't support your conspiracy!!!! Yep run for cover rather than addressing the science.

@the galah you are wasting your time because you are cherry picking and then linking dots to support your alleged consipiracy. Levamisole and its metabolites are easily detectable - if there are no positives i.e. the substances are not detected in pre-race and post race testing then how does zero presence affect horse performance? Yes there have been positives but THEY WERE DETECTED!!!! You argue that the Trainers in those cases got the withholding periods wrong or their timing wrong - that happens often with any number of banned or restricted substances many of which are legal to use. But if in this new world of super sensitive testing no metabolites were detected HOW CAN THEY HAVE HAD ANY PHARMACOLOGICAL EFFECT? Explain that. BTW chemicals just don't suddenly disappear in a blood or urine sample when put in a bottle. You need a liver and kidneys to do that!

FFS do some more research. The amount of aminorex produced by the metabolism of Levamisole is very small and won't have a pharmacological effect. You might research stuff but you sure as hell don't understand. All you do is add to the BS that goes around.

I think that video was taken 5 years ago!

Yes but what the critics forget is that nearly every track in the country has a hard strip down the outside. It's generally where all the heavy machine tracks down including shifting the gates. Bit ironic that the Jockeys head for that strip when it suits and don't complain about slipping or crowding.

@the galah you are at least consistent at discussing stuff you obviously know nothing about. Aminorex has been around since 1968. It can be detected at levels well below the level that can have any pharmacological effect on a racehorse. It can be detected many days after administration. Why don't you apply to be sub-editor for @Archie Butterfly aka Peter Profit?

The fact is that the amount of aminorex metabolised from levamisole is very very small and not at a level to have any pharmacological effect.

Proof? Evidence or just hearsay?

Present in Barbarea vulgaris (Wintercress) which is common in NZ paddocks.

An interesting question. You would think that if NZTR funds the Association that the Association would have access to the new owners data at the very least. I'm not sure any first time owners get any information about the Association. Woops I think you were talking about the Trainers Association...

Hush money. Plus free tickets to the big days out.

Well I guess @Pete Lane you don't have a "fair idea" and buy into Pukekohe was fantastic and Te Aroha and Wanganui were shyte.

Good to see Te Aroha had a good day. Fair track and some jumps races as well.

Really? You are the one that stated you have a theory or in your words a "fair idea" about my motivation but are not willing to state it. How can anyone engage with innuendo, inference or unplublished supposition? You say I have an agenda but are not willing to state what that is. Rather than prevaricating I've been quite clear in my views.

Still waiting for your "fair idea". Do you have one? On what basis do you determine Te Aroha was worse? Looked to race very fair to me. Have you had feedback from trainers or Jockeys to the contrary?

A quick look at the results indicates as many favourites (if not more) won at Wanganui versus Pukekohe on Saturday.

Really? What's your "fair idea"? Have a look at the number of well performed horses that have come unstuck at Pukekohe recently. Pukekohe has been hammered by ATR.

Most of your posts are confusing particularly your data analysis.

In what way? It is winter racing in NZ afterall.