Chief Stipe

Who is this idiot? Vision NZ candidate Karl Mokaraka’s disruptions lasted around 10 minutes

Yep don't heckle old women! Not sure anyone at Newshub could be called a Journalist. One cameraman from Newshub was hit in the face by an older woman and another visual journalist was struck by ACT signs. A Newshub spokesperson confirmed the incident and said their cameraman was not injured. It followed the disruption of the launch by a persistent heckler, who was eventually escorted out.

What Stewards Report? Where from?

This time it's for using not just possession.

He was fined $1,500 for what he said he felt he could have strangled Williams not what may be inferred. I can't see how the alternative of sitting tight and getting a drag into the race on Imperatriz's back would have been riding to lose. Arguably the way he rode Giga Kick was the way to lose. Plus may have bottomed the horse.

A few but they're probably the elite.

Rubbish. The Trainer told Williams where the horse was fitness wise and Williams had been involved in the preparation. A thoroughbred doesn't have the same constitution has a standardbred where you can race them every week for 12 weeks or as in the old days run them twice in one day and back up two days later over a long weekend. If you told a driver of a horse you trained that your horse was a couple of runs short of peak and to get a soft run and the driver then went out and went straight to the front. Cleared out by 3 lengths and got swamped as it walked across the line. Would you be happy? You also know that running a 26 second quarter leading or one out with no cover is a damn sight more tiring than for the horse sitting on your back. Gammalite might have won a few more races if driven better.

The criticism isn't because he didn't win it is because he didn't follow instructions and gave the horse a gut buster. Williams himself admitted he stuffed up. He rode it like it was the Everest. He could have stayed on Imperatriz's back and got a drag into it. Instead he does a Gammalite and sets off far too early and gives Imperatriz a nice drag into the race. If Bowman had ridden Winx like that she wouldn't have been unbeaten for so long. Not always best to ride your horse like it is the best. Bollocks. That wasn't the basis of their criticism - that they lost. It was the welfare of the horse and future targets. Hell if it had been a NZ Harness race Williams would have been dragged into the stipe room and grilled.

Williams was fully aware of where Giga Kick was in her campaign. Arguably both him and Imperatriz were at the same stage in their campaigns. You can't say Imperatriz doesn't have some big targets in mind. Although your sarcasm is noted how many "quiet ones" did you give your horses in your career?

Right so you agree that, for example, James MacDonald may not be the right choice for every horse? I remember when Michael Walker was riding high in NZ and he was put on my horse. They didn't get on and when he flicked the whip at her face she threw him before the start.

Has anyone seen a tribute from NZTR?

Well who would have thought that a Jockey style would suit a horse. @holy ravioli

New Giga Kick jockey announced Andrew Eddy @fastisheddy 5:45pm Craig Williams has lost the ride on Giga Kick with Sydney’s leading jockey James McDonald named as his replacement for his next start. Williams was informed on Friday evening of the decision to go with McDonald in the final act of the fall-out from Williams’ ride on Giga Kick when the star sprinter was beaten first-up in last Saturday’s G2 McEwen Stakes at The Valley. The jockey was roundly criticized for his ride, where Giga Kick sizzled in the middle sections of the race after missing the start, before fading late behind the impressive Kiwi mare Imperatriz. Trainer Clayton Douglas said: "James is Sydney's leading rider and I think he will suit the horse very well as we continue the preparation towards defending the Everest crown. The team decided to run with James once it became clear he was available. “Craig is a good rider and I am sure he will bounce back and be riding winners for me and also in the red and white silks again in the future." Giga Kick is expected to run next in the G2 Premiere Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on September 30, two weeks before his Everest defence.

Isn't there? Or is the daylight clouded by the stats relating to the biggest determinant of race outcome - the ability of the horse?

Geez the PC world we live in! Mind you Bart Cummings would have done a serve but with more subtlety and humour!

Rodney Douglas has apologised to Craig Williams for his comments following the jockey's flawed ride on Giga Kick at The Valley last week. Douglas, who is the racing manager for Giga Kick's owner Jonathan Munz's Pinecliff Racing, said on Friday that he had reached out to Williams after earlier in the week saying he would have liked to 'strangle' the jockey following his poorly judged ride on the sprint star. "I understand my comments regarding Craig's ride on Giga Kick may have caused something of a stir," Douglas said. "It goes without saying that the one loose remark in the interview was very much tongue-in-cheek. "Clearly it wasn't Craig's best performance - he's acknowledged as much himself - but he still remains one of our best riders. "I've called him to apologise and he accepted it." Douglas said he feared the tough run, where Giga Kick put in some sizzling mid-race fractions, could affect the horse's spring, where he is well-fancied to take some of the country's biggest sprints. Racing Victoria stewards are looking into Douglas' comments, which were made on Radio TAB on Wednesday morning. Williams has not yet been confirmed as Giga Kick's rider for his next planned assignment in the G2 Premiere Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on September 30. WATCH: Giga Kick's performance in the McEwen Stakes

RV Stewards' Report - Darren Weir, Jarrod McLean & Tyson Kermond Racing Victoria Staff@RacingVictoria14 Sep, 2023O ,( Racing Victoria (RV) Stewards have today issued 10 charges against each of Darren Weir, Jarrod McLean and Tyson Kermond under the Australian Rules of Racing (AR). The charges relate to the Stewards’ Inquiry into the conduct of Mr Weir, Mr McLean and Mr Kermond which was reactivated after further evidence was presented in the Magistrates’ Court on 14 December 2022 in the course of criminal proceedings against the three individuals. Since December, the Stewards have conducted a comprehensive investigation involving interviews with multiple persons and analysis of a substantial volume of materials. The details of each charge and a summary of the particulars are outlined as follows. Darren Weir Charge 1, 2 & 3: AR 229 (1)(b) - Corruption, dishonesty and misleading behaviour (1) A person must not: … (b) engage in conduct that corrupts the outcome of a race or is intended to corrupt the outcome of a race, where: (i) conduct “corrupts the outcome of a race” if it: (A) affects or, if engaged in, would be likely to affect the outcome of any race; and (B) is contrary to the standards of integrity that a reasonable person would expect of persons in a position to affect the outcome of a race; (ii) “conduct” means an act or an omission to perform an act; (iii) “engage in conduct” means: (A) do an act; or (B) omit to perform an act, and (iv) “outcome” includes any result within the race and is not limited to winning or placing in the race; The summary of the particulars for Charges 1, 2 and 3 is as follows Mr Weir was at all relevant times the licensed trainer of Red Cardinal, Tosen Basil and Yogi (the Horses). On or about 30 October 2018, on each horse Mr Weir used an electric or electronic apparatus capable of affecting their performance in a race (the Apparatus). Mr Weir applied the Apparatus to Red Cardinal, Tosen Basil and Yogi with the intention of affecting their performance, and thereby affecting their results in future races. Charge 4, 5 & 6: AR 231(2)(a) – Care and welfare of horses (2) A person must not: (a) use, or attempt to use, any electric or electronic apparatus or other device capable of affecting the performance of a horse in a race, official trial, jump-out or training gallop. The summary of the particulars for Charges 4, 5 and 6 is as follows: On or about 30 October 2018, Mr Weir applied the Apparatus to Red Cardinal on approximately seven occasions, to Tosen Basil on approximately nine occasions and to Yogi on approximately nine occasions. Charge 7, 8 & 9: AR 231(1)(a) - Care and welfare of horses (1) A person must not: (a) commit or commission an act of cruelty to a horse, or be in possession of any article or thing which, in the opinion of the Stewards, is capable of inflicting cruelty to a horse. The summary of the particulars for Charges 7, 8 and 9 is as follows: On or about 30 October 2018, Mr Weir committed an act of cruelty to the Horses, in that he applied the Apparatus which was designed to deliver an electric shock to Red Cardinal on approximately seven occasions, to Tosen Basil on approximately nine occasions and to Yogi on approximately nine occasions. Charge 10: AR 229(1)(a) - Corruption, dishonesty and misleading behaviour (1) A person must not: (a) engage in any dishonest, corrupt, fraudulent, improper or dishonourable action or practice in connection with racing. The summary of the particulars for Charge 10 is as follows: On or about 30 October 2018, Mr Weir applied the Apparatus to each of the Horses on numerous occasions. In doing so, Mr Weir engaged in action that was improper or dishonorable in connection with racing. Jarrod McLean & Tyson Kermond Charge 1, 2 & 3: AR 227(b) – Breaches of the Rules Without limiting any other powers, a PRA or the Stewards may penalize any person who: … (b) attempts to commit, aids, abets, counsels, procures, connives at, approaches or requests another person to commit, conspires with another person to commit, or is a party to another person who commits, a breach of the Rules. The summary of the particulars for Charges 1, 2 and 3 is as follows: Mr McLean was at all relevant times a licensed trainer, and a registered stable employee, employed as foreperson by Mr Weir who was the registered trainer of the Horses. Mr Kermond was also at all relevant times a registered stable employee, employed by Mr Weir. On or about 30 October 2018, Mr McLean and Mr Kermond each were a party to Mr Weir’s use of the Apparatus on each of the Horses. Mr Weir applied the Apparatus to the Horses with the intention of enhancing their performance, and thereby affecting their results in future races. Mr Weir’s actions were in breach of AR 229(1)(b). Mr McLean and Mr Kermond were a party to Mr Weir’s breach of the rule. Charges 4, 5 & 6: AR 227(b) – Breaches of the Rules Without limiting any other powers, a PRA or the Stewards may penalize any person who: … (b) attempts to commit, aids, abets, counsels, procures, connives at, approaches or requests another person to commit, conspires with another person to commit, or is a party to another person who commits, a breach of the Rules. The summary of the particulars for Charges 4, 5 and 6 is as follows: On or about 30 October 2018, Mr McLean and Mr Kermond were a party to Mr Weir’s use of the Apparatus, in that he applied the Apparatus to each of the Horses. The Apparatus was designed to deliver an electric shock, and accordingly, was capable of affecting the performance of Red Cardinal, Tosen Basil and Yogi in a race, official trial, jump-out or training gallop for the purposes of AR231(2)(a). Mr Weir’s use of the Apparatus was in breach of AR 231(2)(a). Mr McLean and Mr Kermond were a party to Mr Weir’s breach of the rule. Charges 7, 8 & 9: AR 227(b) – Breaches of the Rules Without limiting any other powers, a PRA or the Stewards may penalize any person who: … (b) attempts to commit, aids, abets, counsels, procures, connives at, approaches or requests another person to commit, conspires with another person to commit, or is a party to another person who commits, a breach of the Rules. The summary of the particulars for Charges 7, 8 and 9 is as follows: On or about 30 October 2018, Mr McLean and Mr Kermond were a party to Mr Weir committing an act of cruelty to a horse, in that he applied the Apparatus, which was designed to deliver an electric shock to each of the Horses. Mr Weir’s actions were in breach of AR 231(1)(a). Mr McLean and Mr Kermond were a party to Mr Weir’s breach of the rule. Charge 10: AR 229(1)(a) - Corruption, dishonesty and misleading behaviour (1) A person must not: (a) engage in any dishonest, corrupt, fraudulent, improper or dishonourable action or practice in connection with racing. The summary of the particulars for Charge 10 is as follows: On or about 30 October 2018, Mr McLean was a party to, and knowingly involved in, Mr Weir’s use of the Apparatus, in that Mr Weir applied the Apparatus to each of the Horses in Mr McLean’s presence during a period in which Mr McLean struck each of the Horses with a poly pipe numerous times and otherwise assisted in the handling of the Horses. On or about 30 October 2018, Mr Kermond was a party to, and knowingly involved in, Mr Weir’s use of the Apparatus, in that Mr Weir applied the Apparatus to each of the Horses in Mr Kermond’s presence, during a period in which Mr Kermond assisted in the handling of the Horses by, among other things, holding the lead rope for each horse, attaching blinkers to Tosen Basil and Yogi, removing blinkers from each horse, and leading the Horses on to and off a treadmill on which each horse was situated when Mr Weir applied the Apparatus to the horse. In doing so, Mr McLean and Mr Kermond engaged in action that was improper or dishonorable in connection with racing. The charges issued against Mr Weir, Mr McLean and Mr Kermond will be heard before the Victorian Racing Tribunal on a date to be fixed.

Nice graph.

Do you want them to run in lanes and have a lure each? Doesn't seem a very bright dog.

When I ran for Parliament. Each candidate received briefing papers in the mail from Party Headquarters nearly every day. Much quicker and easier nowadays to email them.

Where did I quantify the churn? I just said based on my observations and a number of factors The Everest won't be around forever.

I assume they are exactly like I used to receive from HQ when I was a candidate. Policy briefs, talking point, spin.

Are you suggesting that a Jockey doesn't make much difference to a horses chances?

So you agree there has been churn? I wouldn't call 20+ different owners in 6 years minimal.