Chief Stipe

Seems the top trainers still have a lot of time for her obvious skills.

Correct me if I'm wrong but a Kiwi bred horse who hasn't been through the Karaka sales isn't eligible either. I assume Crocetti fits into that category?

DO I HAVE TO SPELL IT OUT FOR YOU - I said ARGUABLY the best 2yr olds in NZ won't be at Karaka. For a start all those bought outside of Karaka aren't eligible. 2 of the top 5 this season aren't eligible. Here is a list of the 2yr old winners to date - http://www.racebase.co.nz/t2yo.htm

I said arguably the best 2yr olds in NZ won't be at Karaka. A it like the best sprinter in Australia wasn't at The Everest.

Can you rewrite that post in some form of coherency?

So 'Big Dave' builds off his success in the richest 2yr old race in NZ? Mmmmm that's a novel concept. Who would sell off failure?

Not vehemently opposed. However these sweepstake and novelty races don't support the breeding of good horses. Black type still matters throughout the world. V'landys, Harvey and Vela are actually cutting their feet off. Anything that prevents the best from winning the most is detrimental to the breed. Arguably the best 2yr olds in NZ won't be at Karaka.

But there are a number of variables in play with that metric making bias prevalent and comparison difficult. At the end of the day I'd rather have my horse running on a nice StrathAyr than a Synthetic any day. Particularly one built on top of an Asphalt road.

I don't know what happened. But he was sold to the States and who knows what happened over there in those days. When I said the family was upset it was the fact they had lost a member of the family. I was a young fella at the time but in hindsight I believe he would have made a lovely stallion. Size and temperament, speed and stamina.

Kickback isn't the only issue connected to watering. It is also inherent in making sure the surface is not to hard as there is a relationship between the water, the wax, the artificial fibre and the sand that creates a cushion.

Yes and groomed. The watering is to do with the wax and fibre and is dependent on local conditions. The maintenance work varies with regard to prevailing conditions. My biggest concern about the synthetic track is the day to day maintenance being done and done properly. Plus the cost!

But what type of synthetic surface? What is the track grooming protocol?

I can guess who and I've been consistently critical of the committee members. But then the defenders pipe in and get all parochial and defensive. I'm over that BS. Why can't there be open debate?

Thinking about your statemen @Huey a bit more - how is it a problem? Remove Te Akau and then probably the second stable if you are in tall poppy slaying mode from NZ and what does the industry have? Would you prefer that they operated only in OZ in order to let the mediocre rise another level? @holy ravioli would probably agree with you on that.

Yes I do blame the administrators particularly those planning the pattern and doing the programming. How can it be Te Akau's fault because they have a very successful model of operation. @Wingman offered a simple change to attract more to the Wellesley - why not hold it a week earlier so the winner could aim for the Karaka?

But those horses are not eligible for the Karaka Millions. The AUD$1.3m colt just purchased will race out of Cranbourne. All said and done there is nothing stopping any other stable spending similar amounts.

First trial. Early days.

https://racing.hkjc.com/racing/video/play.asp?type=brts&date=20240109&rc=st&no=01&lang=eng&isMobile=true&newPlayer=true

Why would it be a problem?

Te Akau, Coolmore splash $1.3m www.racing.com Two racing powerhouses combined at Tuesday’s opening session of the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale when Te Akau Racing and Coolmore Stud paid $1.3 million for an I Am Invincible colt. Te Akau’s David Ellis, who bought sprint queen Imperatriz at the iconic sale in 2020, did the bidding for the partnership and went to $1.3 million to secure Lot 19, out of Street Cry mare Palace Talk. The colt is a half-brother to Group 2 winner Shuffle Dancer, as well as Stakes performers Never Talk and Forbidden City. Ellis said Te Akau’s recent expansion into Australia had prompted the support from Coolmore. “We thought he was a beautiful colt and we bought him for Coolmore Stud and we’re just delighted that we can train these sort of horses at our Cranbourne stable for them,” Ellis said. “Tom and MV and their father have been supportive for a long time and they want to take that to the next level now that we’re in Australia full time. “We thought that he’d make a Christmas, autumn two-year-old and train on and be a very good three-year-old.” Minutes earlier, local trainer Tony Gollan parted with $1.2 million to buy Lot 16, a daughter of I Am Invincible and the first foal out of his speedy Stakes winner Outback Barbie.

Don't forget @Forbury was a huge critic of Ben Hope. Now he's a fan!

Why are they overpriced? Isn't the price decided by the market by auction?

We did have. But that said Cambridge has run only two trial days in the last 4 months. But it's summer. They seemed to do alright in the past...until they stopped investing in their turf track.