Chief Stipe

LOL geez you are hilarious. You call out on PREFU content and it's blatantly obvious that you haven't read it! Probably relying on the cheat sheets from Red HQ.

Well seems obvious to me and I assume others as well. 12 slots have been held by more than 20 individuals or organisations over 6 years. The churn is self evident however there is also the factor that you can buy for 3 years at a time.

I think there has been roughly 20+ slot holders in 6 years.

So what are YOUR ideas?

If you're inferring that there aren't that many then you're probably right. Of course I'm not referring to those that have already migrated to OZ.

But it's their job and what they're paid to do. It's also a sport and I don't see why some put Jockey's on pedestals. The fact is Williams has said it was a shit ride on Giga Kick.

Wiremu Pinn has a better strike rate this season and has ridden the same number of winners as Williams. At this stage in his career there'd be easily a dozen riders I'd choose before him.

But Williams didn't make a split second decision did he? He had all the time in the world and rode contrary to instructions.

I'm not standing for office either. But I take it you have no ideas but are quick to run down everyone else's.

Interesting to see @nomates having a view given what he posted elsewhere. I fail to see how I've insulted anyone. Bit rich coming from you as you are quick off the mark to have a dig. Geez in this thread you were quick to put the boot into Bosson. In Australia there'd be 30 top Jockey's each with their own style suitable to different horses. Plenty to choose from and I wouldn't put Williams in the top dozen. Different in NZ of course. 3 or 4 top Jockies that could hold their own internationally and daylight to the rest.

It's my opinion based on observation of slot churn, who the current slot holders are and the fact that it isn't that lucrative to the horse owners unless they own the Slot. Also the race is dominated by three or four horses generally. Easier options and more value to owners to race in the Group races.

More important is aligning the right Jockey style with the horses style. Some top Jockeys just don't work with some top horses. You obviously are just a spectator in this game with limited experience.

Really? Giga Kick was trained to the minute last year. Williams has probably undone all that this year. When a horse is fit and the best horse in the field they can make mugs look good.

Instead of quoting tired political hacks why not tell us all what you would do?

FFS you are now quoting an old hack!!!!

Bollocks! Only if you have been a Government Bureaucrat or consultant sitting on ya arse for the last six years. Cut back 1,500 MBIE staff and there's a saving of at least $150m for a start!

He sure had an interesting view on the use of Cobalt and the positives returned in NZ. Seems he was more right than wrong on the issue when you see the outcome of the court cases in OZ.

I agree. I can't see The Everest lasting forever. Sooner or later slot holders will get the stitch and there isn't an endless pool of new slotholders.

I would suggest the horse won them the Everest last year. I empathise with the trainer and owners. I can think of two very bad rides of two of my horses. In both cases the Trainers nearly tore them new arseholes. One was in a trial and instructions were given to ride the horse quietly has it was coming back from injury. The Jock rode the horse out to win - the excuse "the other jockeys goaded me". The second occasion I estimate the Jockeys poor ride in a Group 2 race cost the syndicate at least $200,000 in stakes and residual value. The horse was getting a nice run with cover and cruising. The Jockey sets sail for home at the 600m and clears out from the field only to be swamped in the final 100m. When asked why did he do that - "she was travelling so well I thought I get the jump on the rest of the field". No excuses for Williams. Dump him for not following instructions. Why reward mediocrity?

Then why the bloody hell do you keep defending the current incumbent incompetents?!

But you would have us all believe that Labour and Beg, Borrow, Hope Robertson are not guilty of the exact same thing!!!!

Geez you really do have selective reading skills! Which was a result of..........ramped up immigration of unskilled workers!! Plus property price improvements!

https://racingintegrity.vic.gov.au/review/review-details Initial observations Although this interim report marks the midpoint of the Review, the need for change is already evident. Acknowledging that society and the VRI have come a long way since the 1970s and 1980s when abuse, assault and harassment often occurred in plain sight, there remains work to be done to ensure racing workplaces safe and respectful for all. Emerging themes Key themes raised by the Review will be explored in the final report. At this interim stage, victim survivors have consistently told us that a key motivation for coming forward now is to ensure that others in the VRI are not subject to the behaviours levelled at them. Overwhelmingly, they have articulated a desire to ensure that better safeguards are in place to protect all who work in the VRI. Numerous victim survivors have also talked about the historical inaction of racing authorities in response to their complaints of sexual and physical abuse and expressed their dismay at what they perceive as ‘cover-ups’ and complaints being ‘swept under the carpet’. For some, the threat of retribution is palpable. Many have spoken about not being offered guidance on what to do or where to complain, and simply tolerated ongoing mistreatment as a result. We have also heard of the lasting impact of the harm caused. This has resulted in some victim survivors leaving the industry. Others have expressed a desire to walk away but remain working in the VRI due to a lack of options and viable employment elsewhere and need for financial security. The lingering effects on work and personal relationships, their self-worth and wellbeing is profound. The VRI workplace environment and participant demographics are unique and fragmented in nature, which coalesce to create risk and vulnerabilities in work culture and unacceptable behaviour that has gone unchecked. The need to regularly assess the adequacy of existing safeguards in the form of clear policies and processes to hold inappropriate conduct to account, consistent pathways for reporting and accessing support, and robust education to raise awareness about the standards and measures in place, is paramount. Reform directions Emerging themes foreshadow the need for an independent VRI complaint handling mechanism. Interim-Report-Review-December-2022-Digital-and-Print-Final.pdf

Industry reacts to Commissioner's report Ryan Reynolds Ryan Reynolds @Reynolds_R 13 September, 2023 A A A Racing Victoria Racing Victoria's Andrew Jones. Picture: Racing Photos Racing Victoria CEO Andrew Jones has described the final report of the Independent Review into the Victorian Racing Industry's Victim Support and Complaint Processes as 'extensive' and 'confronting'. The review followed a joint referral from RV, as well as Harness Racing Victoria and Greyhound Racing Victoria to The Office of the Racing Integrity Commissioner (ORIC) as they looked to ensure the Victorian Racing Industry delivers safe, respectful and inclusive work environments. The report was released on Wednesday afternoon, with Racing Integrity Commissioner Sean Carroll making nine recommendations following his review. RV, the Victorian Jockeys' Association and the Australian Trainers' Association released a joint statement on Wednesday following the release of the report. Jones said 'the final report is extensive and confronting'. "It contains accounts of experiences across the past 50 years that no one should be subjected to," Jones said. "While the Review covered all three codes, it is clear there were unacceptable practices in the thoroughbred racing industry." Jones said while progress has been made, racing still had issues it needs to deal with. "We thank sincerely those who had the courage to come forward and share their experiences," Jones said. "We acknowledge the harm suffered and, on behalf of the industry, apologise for it. "No one should experience physical or sexual abuse, assault or harassment, including in their workplace, and everyone, from employers to colleagues, has a role in ensuring that. "Racing's workplaces have changed substantially for the better. The Final Report recognises that we have taken comprehensive steps to better prevent and respond to harm. "However, it makes clear that we have more work to do. This includes ensuring those experiencing harm have greater confidence to come forward. "Should a serious workplace issue arise, we want all participants to know that they have free and confidential pathways open to support them. "Our independent counselling service Stableline, our Participant Protection and Wellbeing Managers, and Jockey Assistance Program are all available to support participants and their families. "RV will now work through each of the detailed recommendations in the Final Report and look at how best to add to our existing programs and processes. VJA boss Matt Hyland described those who participated in the review as 'courageous'. "The Final Report details that, in the past, there were clearly people who experienced appalling assault and abuse while working in thoroughbred racing," he said. "While our industry has clearly progressed in recent times with more supports and safer environments, that doesn't mean we can't and shouldn't do more for all our members, past and present." ATA chief Andrew Nicholl said the report made 'stark reading'. "We echo the sentiments expressed by RV - no one would disagree, one victim of physical or sexual abuse, assault or harassment is one too many," he said. "It is also clear the ATA, an industry body representing licensed trainers, has a vital role to play helping educate our members on their responsibilities as employers. Employees, as a basic right, must feel safe, secure and supported in their workplace - anything less is simply unacceptable." Racing Minister Anthony Carbines said: “These allegations are unacceptable and deeply distressing. I would like to extend my respect and thanks to the victim survivors who courageously shared their experiences to inform the review. “Their voices have been heard and will drive meaningful and enduring change. “We expect that those affected by this unacceptable behaviour will get access to the support and services they need. “The Commissioner has made nine recommendations to racing control bodies to ensure the industry prioritises the safety and wellbeing of its people and that they are protected by a robust code of conduct. “I look forward to the Victorian Racing Industry responding accordingly to intensify its efforts to improve its culture and implement the measures that will deliver the change required. “It is important to remember at the core of the racing industry are thousands of hard-working, dedicated people, and they deserve a workplace that is safe and free from harm. “The Victorian Government will continue to work with the racing industry to ensure they have the tools and support they need to implement lasting change.”

Two different opinions on Imperatriz tackling Everest! MW: Benny, a lot are questioning why Imperatriz's owners aren't running her in the $20m Everest but it's a slot race. The owners have to split the winnings with the slotholders and invariably the slotholders do better out of the deal. As an example my old man's horse, Gytrash, ran third in The Everest in 2020 which was $1.3 million prizemoney. Without saying exactly what the owners received, it was a lot less than half of the $1.3 million by the time the slotholder, jockey and trainer took their slice. A deal might be 50/50 if they win but further down the placings they go, the slotholder usually takes more of a cut. In contrast, Gytrash won his next start in the Yes Yes Yes Stakes and the owners pocketed $1.13 million because there was no slotholder involved. BD: I'm one of those questioning why she's not running in The Everest. I'd donate one of my kidneys if she couldn't run top four. In my opinion, The Everest and the Cox Plate are Australia's two biggest and most popular races these days. If you're a top level sprinter, it's a bit gun-shy not to race for the huge cash against the other elite sprinters in the big race in Sydney. If I owned a horse with half the ability of Imperatriz and was offered an Everest slot, I'd take it before the slotholder could say ‘Evere .. ".