Chief Stipe

Are they irrigating enough? Withdrawal Morning Weather: Fine Track: Good 4 Moisture Meter: 20.9% Rail: Out 6m Rainfall: N/A Irrigation: Weather and Track updated at 8.28am Wednesday 14 February Nomination Morning Weather: Fine Track: Good 4 Moisture Meter: N/A Rail: Out 6m Rainfall: N/A Irrigation: 20mm Applied Last 24 Hours Weather and Track updated at 9.09am Tuesday 13 February

So much for the cancellation of the Riccarton Trials.

What was the measure of variance? Standard deviation?

A message from NZTR COO, Darin Balcombe and Head of Tracks and Infrastructure, Tim Lambert. No images? Click here New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing’s (NZTR) Chief Operating Officer, Darin Balcombe, and Head of Tracks and Infrastructure, Tim Lambert, would like to provide an update on the track issues experienced at RACE Trentham, Hastings Racecourse and Ellerslie Racecourse. RACE Trentham RACE has collaborated with irrigation specialists to address the challenge of not being able to water the outer portion of the home bend effectively. This issue led to the abandonment of the Wellington Racing Club's previous meeting on 27 January after Race 4. A solution has been successfully identified in partnership with Total Irrigation, involving the implementation of movable impact sprinklers, which allows the Club to irrigate a broader area. These additional sprinklers will ensure uniformity with the rest of the racing surface before the upcoming meeting on 9 March. To guarantee the consistency of the track, a monitoring process will be established. The Racing Integrity Board (RIB) and NZTR will inspect the track leading up to the meeting on 9 March. Hastings Racecourse On Saturday morning (10 February), seven horses were galloped around cones positioned 12 metres off the rail, covering the area that had caused issues during the meeting on Thursday 25 January. Experienced riders galloped the horses, with the gallops overseen by representatives from Hawke's Bay Racing Inc. and Darin Balcombe from NZTR. The consensus among all involved was that the previous inconsistency issues had been successfully addressed. The repairs made after the previous racedays had been given additional time to settle, contributing to the positive outcome. Riders expressed their satisfaction, describing the track as consistent with a good cushion underfoot. After consulting with the RIB, the track has received clearance to resume racing, with the next scheduled event set for Sunday 18 February. Ellerslie Racecourse Post the review that took place following TAB Karaka Millions on Saturday 27 January at Ellerslie, Track Manager Jason Fulford used various machinery to break down a thick layer of roots just below the surface which will enable horses to penetrate the surface more than previously. As referenced last week, jumpouts were held at Ellerslie on Monday 12 February, with 62 horses jumping out with positive comments from Jockeys following. Jason Fulford, as part of his preparation leading into this Saturday, will use machinery which will further enhance the surface. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to us below. Darin Balcombe Chief Operating Officer Darin.Balcombe@nztr.co.nz Tim Lambert Head of Tracks and Infrastructure Tim.Lambert@nztr.co.nz

Yep. Not only that but you could set it up so that those using the service can only access the TAB and their own bank account.

Especially when the TAB need an internet link for their services on course. Wasn't there a lot of drama around places like Foxton not having race dates because they didn't have a data link? Why couldn't the TAB subscribe to a Skylink service and tack it onto the back of the broadcasting van?

The 2yr and 3yr old races are the focus of the colts for stallion making. The fillies can take a slightly lower path however in my opininon you still need to be up and running as a 2yr old.

The point I was making is that it is somewhat a myth to "give horses time" and avoid a 2yr old season altogether.

Was 3 wide the trip without cover. I don't like the hood/blinkers on him either. Prepared to give him a couple more races.

Why would she be behind Think About It and I Wish I Win? Surely they don't rate the sweepstake race!

I think I saw that race - the dog broke down free of interference. Didn't hit the rail.

6 meetings. Two clubs. On the BOAY Harness forum the biggest and only problem is a lack of mobile phone coverage.

I don't get your point.

Oh and didn't Black Caviar win 2 at 2yrs old?

I was referring to NZ trained horses. However Makybe Diva would be on the cusp of 15 years. However Makybe Diva did trial at 2 and won 17 days later as a 3yr old. Winx had two starts as a 2 yr old and won both. 2 trials before that that starting in May. That's bigger than most 2yr olds.

Yep. But here's an interesting fact. The best performed horses in NZ and OZ over the last 20 years have been mares who had big 2 yr old years.

Getting rid of Motukarara is a travesty.

Because you have people administrating that don't know race horses.

Actually I bet every gallop she does is I bandages.

We always used to bandage and boot our horses in fast work or racing buy that was harness. I bet Imperatriz galloped in bandages today.

It's a competitive sport - winning has always been first. Over time science and techniques have changed. You either keep up or go home.

BELOW THE TURF maybe. But solely sand in the top layer is a recipe for disaster. I note Imperatriz ran around on the Moonee Valley StrathAyr today and love it.

I can't work out why there was so much sand in the top 5cms as evident in the cores I picked up. That may explain why the roots matted in the top layer and why there may have been water tension of the next layer down was significantly different in soil structure. I would have thought that soil would have been consistent through all layers except the very lower layers which would of a type to facilitate rapid excess water removal. If they are coring already then it may need to continue on a regular basis. Next they'll be poring more sand onto it to fill the cores!!! Te Rapa springs to mind.

Internal Affairs to prosecute SkyCity, firm faces fine of up to $8m www.nzherald.co.nz Gaming regulator the Department of Internal Affairs plans to prosecute NZX-listed SkyCity Entertainment Group and SkyCity Casino Management, which holds the licences for the Auckland, Hamilton and Queenstown operations. The court action, revealed in ASX and NZ market filings by SkyCity, is for allegations the company breached the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act. An investor conference call is planned for 11am today, when management would speak about the announcement. The company said today it was “disappointed” it had not met the standard to which it needed to hold itself. AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME. The gaming giant would engage with the department on proposed proceedings, to resolve these matters expeditiously. Given that the matter will be before the court, it would be inappropriate for SkyCity to comment further at this stage, it said. The move follows a review of SkyCity Management’s compliance with the act. “Draft pleadings have been provided to SkyCity setting out five separate causes of action. Those causes of action allege significant compliance issues in relation to the act. These are largely, although not exclusively, historical matters. Some matters relate to incidents of non-compliance which have previously been self-reported to the department,” the announcement said. AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME. Since late 2021, SkyCity had changed to address compliance systems and correct historical shortcomings. “This has involved, and continues to involve, significant investment in people and technology, and various reviews of SkyCity’s processes and systems to identify areas which require improvement,” it said. “In the event the department’s claim was to be accepted in whole or in part by the High Court, SkyCity Casino Management would be subject to a civil penalty to be imposed by the court as set out in subpart 3 of the act. Under the act and relevant case law, SkyCity and the department assess SkyCity’s maximum liability in relation to these claims as being $8 million in aggregate. “SkyCity is committed to continuing to uplift its processes and systems, particularly with respect to AML/CFT and host responsibility matters,” it said. On September 9, the company said the department had applied to temporarily suspend SkyCity’s license in New Zealand. That followed a complaint in February 2022. A former customer gambled at the SkyCity Auckland casino from August 2017 to February 2021. The department secretary said SkyCity Casino Management did not comply with requirements in its Auckland host responsibility programme relating to detection of incidences of continuous play by the customer. The Herald reported how those threats last September had spooked investors, with a bombshell announcement wiping a quarter of a billion dollars off the company’s market value. A SkyCity spokesman then said the company disclosed to the market information about this and without delay as per NZX rules. “We didn’t know about the DIA’s application at the time of the annual results,” the spokesman said of Internal Affairs’ actions. Anne Gibson has been the Herald’s property editor for 24 years, has won many awards, written books and covered property extensively here and overseas.

In answer to the Topic title - YES. Any variance measures?