Chief Stipe

It means they all appealed. Seven different trainers in Delaware. 3 different trainers in Maryland including Wagner. Don't you think it is odd that an easily detectable substance has been found?

Sunshine Coast to host Hollindale Stakes 26 April 2024 SHARE Racing Queensland and the Gold Coast Turf Club have advised that the up-coming TAB Hollindale Stakes Raceday on May 11 will be transferred to the Sunshine Coast. Staged as part of the Queensland Racing Carnival, the Hollindale Stakes was successfully run at the Sunshine Coast last year, establishing a new wagering record for the meeting while the Gold Coast course proper was being rebuilt. Having conducted planned drainage works and sand grooving immediately following The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions in January, significant rain and humidity has impacted the return to racing at Aquis Park, with stakeholders committed to undertaking a cautious maintenance programme. “The decision to transfer the Hollindale Stakes from the Gold Coast to the Sunshine Coast is in the best interests of the course proper for the long term,” Racing Queensland CEO Jason Scott said. “Whilst we had every intention of returning the Hollindale to the Gold Coast this year, the climatic conditions have conspired against us. “At the same time, it’s important that we provide certainty to our participants who can now target their horses towards the Sunshine Coast.” As part of the Queensland Racing Carnival, the GCTC is also scheduled to host a night meeting for the first time on Friday, May 24. A decision on whether the night meeting will proceed will be determined in the coming weeks. “We’re obviously disappointed in losing our second biggest raceday on the calendar,” GCTC CEO Steve Lines said. “However, having successfully worked hand-in-glove with the Sunshine Coast Turf Club last year, we’re confident that another highly successful Hollindale Stakes can be run at Corbould Park. “We will reassess the course proper in a fortnight’s time mindful of the first ever Night Racing meeting on May 24 but given the significant investment that has been made on the course proper redevelopment, we will continue to do what is best for it in the long term.” Further information in relation to ticketing and hospitality for the TAB Hollindale Stakes Raceday will be made in the coming days.

Hollindale Stakes meeting moved again www.justhorseracing.com.au The featured Hollindale Stakes meeting … and integral part of the Queensland Winter Carnival will not take place at the Gold Coast … its traditional home … and will now instead be run at the Sunshine Coast for the second year in a row. Last year the switch was due to the fact that the Gold Coast Turf Club was in the middle of the construction of a new grass track. This year the reason is that, in its current state, the condition of the new track surface has been deemed to be not good enough to host the meeting. A switch to the Gold Coast Poly Track, which has been the go-to back-up for Gold Coast racing since the flaws in the grass surface were so blatantly, and sadly, exposed in a sandstorm of excessive sand kickback at The Jewel race meeting back on March 9 was never an option for a feature race-day. The Sunshine Coast, who have recently had troubles of their own with their track, have stepped in the rescue the Hollindale meeting, which will be run on its scheduled date of May 11. This development did not surprise anybody but, at the same time, it has reinforced a feeling of all around concern with the general state of racetracks in South-East Queensland. *The Gold Coast track curator Nevesh Ramdhani resigned on Wednesday. He will return to Sydney to take up a position with the Australian Turf Club.

Arguably the $14m could have been better spent on racing integrity systems, processes and testing.

Actually it did get a cushy run. Gliding along at the rear doing nothing. Gets a drag into the race to the top of the straight. The front horses walked home in 29. Merlin stuck on the slushy rail waiting for the passing lane. Mach Shard driven like it was a $150-1 longshot i.e. patiently at the back saved for the very last run. Obviously not many backed it!

But very few if any had anything to do with the $14m+ spend on INCA!!!! Some of the offences weren't even anything to do with Harness Racing other than the fact that those involved were licencees! Arguably the $14m could have been better spent on racing integrity systems, processes and testing.

Where you drain silt?...or sand....

Dave's Story May 20, 2019 Dave O’Sullivan is solid gold, a true champion who’s had a long and illustrious career training legions of world-class record breaking racehorses. Success at this level is fascinating, it propels people into another realm, making them appear almost god-like. How do they do it? What are their secrets? We spoke with Dave O’Sullivan at his farm in Matamata to hear his story and see if we could find out his secrets - and we did. At 15, determined to become a jockey, he begged his father to let him leave his job at a menswear store and went to work at the local stables. After six months probation, he signed on for his apprenticeship, serving a further four and a half years. In 1956, he says he attained his greatest achievement - marrying his sweetheart, Marie Davis. After a decade in the saddle, despite 125 wins and making it to 2nd leading apprentice (North Island), Dave’s description of his performance as a jockey is typically understated. “A bit better than average” he chuckles. Around 1960, Marie’s father who was also a trainer, became ill, and Dave started to take over the reins. His jockey career had been hindered by ongoing struggles with weight, so training was a good way to stay in the industry he loved. Dave remembers “I got my license in February ‘61, and in March I got my first win… matter of fact I trained three horses who raced that day, the first dropped dead and the other two won.” A textbook example of the extreme highs and lows of horse racing. “It was a tough slog from there, never easy, but I didn’t expect it to be”. It paid off. He won one premiership title independently and a further eleven in partnership with his son, Paul. Winning the 1989 Japan Cup was a crowning glory - the biggest race in the world at the time, and the only New Zealand trainers to have ever earned the distinction. He continued to excel, remaining in the top three of all NZ trainers for the last 19 years of his career. An extraordinary record, because it’s one thing to make it, yet another to stay there. You can tell straight away that Dave has a cheeky side to him, his smile gives it away. That, and the fact that he doesn’t miss a beat. Walking across to the stables, he pops his hat on, perfectly completing the classic look of gentleman and horseman. The familiar way his roughened, worn hands maneuvers the elegant gelding out of its stall reveal his many years of experience. There’s no doubt that Dave is a trainer with a gift. His other son, champion jockey Lance O’Sullivan, described it as the “gift of the old fashioned stockman, to be able to instinctively read a horse”, adding that “Dad was fiercely competitive, but I think his biggest strength was that he was a master planner who never took his eye off the horse, it came before everything else.” Much has been said about the trainer’s pioneering approach to feeding horses like athletes, and Dave maintains that this was largely a case of feeding them more regularly. “They were stronger and I could work them harder.” Renowned for the physical condition of his horses, Dave also placed a lot of emphasis on their appearance. When first starting out, he had four horses to work with, and he recalls the owner visiting but leaving in disgust, “I want racehorses, not show ponies” he said, promptly removing two of them from his stable. Nevertheless, Dave’s conviction that good looking horses attract good people proved to be true, and always concentrated on building relationships with excellent clientele. “My owners were extremely important to me. You’re only going to get wins if you get good stock, and you’ll only get good stock if your owner believes in you, and is prepared to spend the money.” It won’t surprise anyone that it was winning that Dave loved the most. “That’s what you’re there for. Imagine getting up at 4 a.m. to watch your horse run slowly” he laughs. It would be misleading to suggest that Dave O’Sullivan’s success was a solitary feat, and no one including the man himself, said so. Instead, his family, a great team of staff, and a bit of luck received all the credit. Lance agreed saying that his mum, was a rock and a guiding light. “She was incredibly wise, had a great business head and her clever decision making was hugely important to their success”. On top of that, Paul, who currently holds the prestigious place of 3rd leading trainer in Hong Kong, was his right hand man, with him every waking minute from the age of 22. “A tight knit family team that was second to none”. So, now you know Dave’s secret too. His story, like most who rise to the very top of their game, is one of natural affinity, perseverance, hard work, and unrelenting family support. It seems that’s always the secret.

Dave O'Sullivan has passed away.

What's the point of stakes increases if you can't get a start for your gelding?

I said "none" about what?

What's your point? Horses are bought and sold all the time. I keep asking you what's YOUR strategy to get a Group winner?

RACE Awapuni - 2024 Season Opening Synthetic Track Meeting We look forward to kicking off the winter racing season next Sunday 5th May with the first of our Synthetic Track Meetings at RACE Awapuni. After a reconstruction-imposed eight month break it’s exciting to have racing finally back in the Manawatu, with the first of nine racedays between now and the start of October. First Race: 12.57pm Last Race: 4.55pm ADDITIONAL RACEDAY INFORMATION FREE GENERAL ADMISSION! Carparking available RACE's Calendar Confirmed The 24/25 season national racing calendar has now been released, with 30 days scheduled across our tracks from August through to July. These dates are allocated as follows:- • 12 days at RACE Trentham • 9 days on the synthetic at RACE Awapuni • 9 days on the new turf at RACE Awapuni Key dates include four Christmas at the Races meetings at Trentham prior to Xmas, and the Wellington Cup Carnival over three weekends on January 4, 11 and 18. The turf at Awapuni is scheduled to reopen on Saturday January 25, with Oaks Day at Trentham on March 22 and Sires Produce returning to Awapuni on March 29. Feilding’s ANZAC Day returns in 2025, and synthetic racing supplements both turf tracks from May. Some of our traditional features are at other venues next season too, with the Marton Metric Mile (Wanganui Sept 21), Feilding Gold Cup (Hastings Nov 2) and Manawatu’s Boxing Day (Otaki Dec 26) some of the last rescheduled dates as a result of the Awapuni reconstruction. There is a new emphasis on Sunday racing across the country next season, with two Trentham days, one Awapuni turf day and five synthetic meetings transferred to Sunday. This includes Group 3 racedays at Trentham on Labour Weekend and pre-Xmas. NZTR has acknowledged that this is a significant change for clubs and participants but has agreed to trial additional Sunday meetings while the minimum funding guarantee from Entain is in place, to see whether there is a better wagering outcome and therefore greater distributions for our code. We encourage everyone to get behind this new initiative, and support the Sunday racedays that we are hosting. Tickets and hospitality packages are now on sale for the TAB Classic Christmas at the Races Day on Saturday 7 December, along with the next three Trentham days in May, June and July. Synthetic raceday packages are also available, and all can be purchased at https://membership.raceinc.co.nz/Tickets Detailed Calendar: Now to July 2025 May 5 Sun Manawatu RC Synthetic Synthetic Grand Opening May 18 Sat Rangitikei RC Trentham James Bull Rangitikei Cup Day May 25 Sat Wellington RC Trentham Majestic Horse Floats Jumps Day May 30 Thurs Feilding JC Synthetic Contractor & Sub-Contractors Day June 15 Sat Wellington RC Trentham Baxters Catering Winterfest June 21 Fri Marton JC Synthetic Winter Raceday July 5 Fri Manawatu RC Synthetic Ashhurst – Pohangina Cup Day July 13 Sat Wellington RC Trentham Grant Plumbing Steeplechase Day August 9 Fri Rangitikei RC Synthetic Feature Day, details to follow August 23 Fri Feilding JC Synthetic Student Day at the Races September 15 Sun Rangitikei RC Synthetic Synthetic Spring October 6 Sun Marton JC Synthetic Synthetic Grand Final October 27 Sun Wellington RC Trentham Thompson Handicap November 15 Fri Manawatu RC Trentham Christmas at the Races Launch December 7 Sat Wellington RC Trentham TAB Classic Day December 15 Sun Manawatu RC Trentham Eulogy Stakes Day December 21 Sat Manawatu RC Trentham Manawatu Cup Day January 4 Sat Marton JC Trentham Marton Cup Day January 11 Sat Wellington RC Trentham Three Group One’s Super Saturday January 18 Sat Wellington RC Trentham Wellington Cup Day January 25 Sat Wellington RC Awapuni Grand Reopening Day March 2 Sun Marton JC Awapuni Summer Raceday March 8 Sat Wellington RC Trentham Racing & NZB Kiwi Watch Party March 19 Wed Manawatu RC Awapuni New Summer Raceday March 22 Sat Wellington RC Trentham Al Basti Equiworld NZ Oaks Day March 29 Sat Manawatu RC Awapuni Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires April 5 Sat Manawatu RC Awapuni Ashhurst-Pohangina Cup Day April 25 Fri Feilding JC Awapuni ANZAC Raceday May 10 Sat Wellington RC Trentham Winter Finals Day May 17 Sat Rangitikei RC Awapuni Rangitikei Cup Day May 25 Sun Feilding JC Synthetic Synthetic Grand Opening June 7 Sat Manawatu RC Awapuni Winter Raceday June 8 Sun Manawatu RC Synthetic Synthetic Raceday #2 June 22 Sun Rangitikei RC Synthetic Synthetic Raceday #3 June 28 Sat Wellington RC Trentham End of Season @ Trentham July 4 Fri Manawatu RC Synthetic Synthetic Raceday #4 July 5 Sat Marton JC Awapuni Business House Day July 17 Thurs Rangitikei RC Synthetic Synthetic Raceday #5 Trentham Renovation Update The six week window between the April 6 and May 18 racedays was long enough for our Track Manager Jamie Phillips to undertake a planned renovation at RACE Trentham. Following the regular post-race tap back the grass was cut down to 30mm, before the track was cored and verti-drained. Undersowing of new grass seed also occurred, with all of this taking place during a good spell of weather. Consequently the track has responded well, and is now ready for the three winter days ahead. Awapuni Reconstruction Update The vast majority of the reconstruction works at RACE Awapuni are now complete, with a welcome tinge of green grass noticeable on the new surface. Next steps are a birdcage refurbishment and the installation of inside and outside running rail, before the installation of slit drains in July. After that it will be a matter of seeing how the Spring growth period assists the surface, with a long period of gallops, jumpouts and trials before the track can return to racing. Melbourne Cup Tour 2024 Tickets are now available for the always popular Melbourne Cup Tour. Hosted by Sporting Tours and our very own Des Coppins this trip always packs a punch and is bound to be a great time. If the Melbourne Cup is on your bucket list then you don't want to miss this. Click here to find out more! Share Forward RACE Awapuni Ashhurst-Pohangina Racing Club Feilding Jockey Club Manawatu Racing Club Marton Jockey Club Rangitikei Racing Club 67 Racecourse Road, Awapuni, 4412 06 356 4940 RACE Trentham Wellington Racing Club 10 Racecourse Road, Trentham, 5018 04 528 9611 Join the Action at RACE Awapuni & Trentham for an entire season of thoroughbred racing thrills. Creative Catering & RACE Trentham Event Centres open for all your corporate and social functions. You are receiving this email as you are a RACE Member or have subscribed to our Newsletter Preferences | Unsubscribe

Who leads that? Don't you have a local programming committee anymore? If you do - who leads that?

Bollocks - name one they won't let go? The one @Special Agent referred to was sold as a racing proposition with the caveat that it would take time to mature. The one @Newmarket metioned was probably no longer a racing proposition and I'm guessing @Newmarket knows that.

Should be paid by the RIB!

I'm not saying that at all. The tighter the radius of the bend the more camber you need. BUT the radius of the bend at Ellerslie is very large and so little or no camber is required. But the camber ISN'T the issue it is the surface. It is slippery even if you were galloping straight. The horses hooves are sliding on the grass and top layer. Which should be the RIB's prime responsibilty. Why Karaka Millions night wasn't called off for safety reasons should be questioned. Why didn't they inspect after each race at the last meeting when they knew there had been problems? Consensus from that group of disparate interests and skills would be impossible. The simple factor to get right is to provide a safe and fair track. It shouldn't be up to one Jockey to say "my horse slipped, sir", and then they all rush out and stand around looking for skid marks.

That's a very long winded way of saying that the prosecution had insufficient evidence to even get to trial. $14m+ of industry funds down the gurgler not to mention the money spent by the defendents. Yep brilliant work @the galah.

But their new track won't have the same camber because they are increasing the radius of the bends. Still much smaller than the Ellerslier bend. When did you last walk Ellerslie? I agree with the contour of the last bit of the turn having a tighter radius than the rest of the bend. A camber on a straight is probably only good for drainage and bias. As I keep saying the lack of or insufficient camber is not the cause of the problem at Ellerslie. That's one thing I do agree with the Ellerslie management on - it is the grass matting and root structure.

March 2023 - MVRC Redevelopment Update MVRC Staff 14 March, 2023 Moonee Valley Racing Club has revealed ambitions to become Australia’s most sustainable sports and entertainment precinct, with plans to achieve carbon neutrality by 2027 taking a significant leap forward with the recent approval of critical development permits. Moonee Valley Racing Club will undertake a whole-site approach to environmentally sustainable design throughout the master plan delivery. The Club is targeting significant reductions in energy consumption across all facilities, including the new Grandstand and Clubhouse, which will consume at least 20per cent less energy than is required under building regulations. Lighting upgrades will see LED lighting installed on the racetrack, further contributing to reduced energy consumption. The upgrade and operational management will improve the efficiency of track lighting by 52 per cent, saving the Club $400,000 per year. Over 3.5kWH of grid energy is expected to be saved by generating and storing electricity on-site, saving almost 3,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually. The announcement follows the unveiling of a master planned sports, community and lifestyle precinct designed within the existing racecourse land in one of the most significant urban regeneration projects in Australian history. Modernisation of the racing precinct, construction of a multi-function Grandstand and the creation of recreational, public facilities within the racetrack in-field are key elements of the master plan, which seeks to bring vibrancy to Moonee Ponds and be a major source of jobs and economic growth for generations to come. “This is the most significant transformation in Moonee Valley Racing Club’s 140-year history. The landmark precinct will ensure Moonee Valley Racing Club’s relevancy amongst future generations of customers and the broader community alike,” Moonee Valley Racing Club’s Chief Executive Officer, Michael Browell, said. Permit approval for the racetrack upgrades and a revitalised maintenance precinct have now been received, signifying an important marker for the 10-year project as it moves into the delivery stage. Racetrack upgrades include innovative techniques to improve water conservation on the site, such as harvesting water from stormwater pipes and capturing all excess irrigation water from the track. Moonee Valley Racing Club estimates the in-field areas will provide a major water catchment source for future stormwater harvesting. The sustainability initiatives planned will also allow Moonee Valley Racing Club to target Green Star and EnviroDevelopment certification. A significant milestone for the Club, this will be the first time an Australian sports and entertainment precinct has been awarded certification in history. Track expansion will increase the home straight to a new length of 317m, allowing for a longer duration of racing. The Cox Plate will commence from the top of the home straight, improving the visual experience for future racing spectators. The new Grandstand design will enhance the current track's unique “colosseum” effect. When planning the racetrack upgrades, Moonee Valley Racing Club took equine welfare into high consideration, in line with society’s attitudinal shifts towards horse racing. Wider turns for horses on the new track will be within a range of 120m – 133m in radius, with a 3-4 per cent camber at the bends to provide greater safety for the horses running at high speeds. "The realignment of the racetrack creates significant opportunities to modernise the horse racing operations, rebuild and upgrade facilities and implement more sustainable practices at Moonee Valley Racecourse," Moonee Valley Racing Club Chairman, Adam Lennen, said.

We'll leave you to ride your high horse. Note all the trainers have appealed. Don't you think it odd that there are so many positives?

Took another 2 years though.

Well that's not @Brodie as he can't get a bet on.