Chief Stipe

6 years since the investigation began and wire taps, bugging and the dawn raids were executed. I've seen photos of the RIB staff dressed in police vests, with walkie-talkies and with grins in their faces like they were going on a corporate bonding exercise. So far no direct prosecution related to Harness Racing activity arising from the INCA investigation. Over $15 million spent by the authorities, police and RIB - yet zip, nada, nothing! If the RIB do have a strong case within their gambit of responsibility why haven't they proceeded with charges? Meanwhile those with egg on their faces keep feeding the journalists and continue with their ex failed cop routine of hounding their targets until they break. What's the agenda? To bring Harness Racing to its knees? Who benefits from that?

Then why haven't they done it already?

So your half truths are right?

Do you have anything to contribute other than your personal crusade against one poster?

So the few remaining remnants of this expensive debacle are going to possibly go to trial in September 2022. 6 years after the initial investigation began?

Bit you're not sure.

www.racenet.com.au Jimmy Cassidy says the 1992 Stradbroke Handicap is one of the great editions of the race. He would know, seeing he had the best view of all of it. The name Rough Habit has become synonymous with the Stradbroke thanks to his weaving, last-to-first booming finish, which saw Cassidy steal victory from the jaws of defeat to go back-to-back and etch his name into the history books. Three decades on, Cassidy says the now-famous ride is one of his best ever, and remembers the vivid details of the day, with his champion galloper dealt a seemingly impossible hand – 58.5 kgs and barrier 24. Faced with a wall of tiring horses at the top of the straight, Cassidy elected to weave a passage through the inside and it eventually paid off, knocking off Chris Munce on Barossa Boy in what is regarded as the best-ever Stradbroke ride. “It was quite funny, I spoke at the Carbine Club luncheon on the Friday with (trainer) John Wheeler, and I tipped him to win the Stradbroke – I just said he has 58.5 kgs, he has to go back-to-back and he has 24 alley, he has everything against him but he will still win,” Cassidy told News Corp. “Our plan was always to go back, he was a back marker and we had to from the alley. It was a waiting game, that’s all it was. I couldn’t go around them and win, he had to have luck so I rode him for that.” As it turns out, there was more than luck involved, with Cassidy’s homework on every single runner before the race paying dividends when he needed it most. “When the horses are tiring, they usually wander out a bit so the luck was on the inside. I thought I would take every inside run, it panned out perfectly,” he said. “The main thing you are looking for is an uninterrupted run, you can’t afford to get stopped because he had nine stone on his back and he’s coming from 20 lengths off them. “I knew the horse well and I knew he could run sectionals and his last 600m that day was phenomenal, let alone his last 200m. “I was looking for runs where I wasn’t going to get stopped and when I switched inside over the last 80m, it was the winning move. “He gave me everything, it was amazing to be part of something like that, it was one of my great rides to be honest, it would be in my top five of all time. “It was a full field of 20-0dd runners so I was going to have to be eight or 10 deep to go around them on the corner, it would have taken four or five lengths off him, I thought it’d be impossible to win doing that. “There were no slouches in the race, Barossa Boy and Schillachi, it was a good Stradbroke so the main thing was an uninterrupted run – it is like any race, let alone a Group 1.” Munce still cringes 30 years on about the race that got away. “I did, I thought I was home,” he said. “He (Barossa Boy) was flying that year, when we straightened up I thought we were going all the way. Jimmy Cassidy would come back to win the Doomben Cup on Rough Habit in 1993. Picture: News Corp Australia. “Because he (Cassidy) was back to the inside, I didn’t hear him, he came through so quick – that’s just how ‘Roughie’ used to race, the quick sprint at the end of the race. “Barossa Boy was my first Group 1 winner and I beat Rough Habit in the Doomben 10,000 before the Stradbroke. “It was across the road at Doomben and it was a handicap back then so when we went back across the road for the Stradbroke, Barossa Boy got re-handicapped and Roughie turned the tables on us.” In a world with strict whip rules and a changed style of riding, could Cassidy’s win be replicated in 2022? “If you have the right horse,” Cassidy laughed. “There’s not a lot of horses around of his quality around now. “I didn’t flog him, I probably only hit him in the last 100m because he was making ground that quick, under the current rules he would still beat them now. “In big races you can’t afford to get held up, you only get one crack at it – 1400m so you have 81 seconds to make all the right moves. “It is the difference between a good jockey and an average jockey. Good jockeys make their own luck and poor ones don’t seem to have luck, they find ways of getting held up.”

Back to decisions search Otaki-Maori RC 6 May 2022 – R6 (heard at Cambridge 1 June 2022) – Wiremu Pinn ID: RIB9284 Respondent(s): Wiremu Pinn - Apprentice Jockey Applicant: Racing Integrity Board Adjudicators: Mr Murray McKechnie (Chairman) and Mr Noel McCutcheon Persons Present: Mr Daniel Miller - Licensed Trainer, Mr John Oatham - Chief Stipendiary Steward, Mr Brady Jones - Stipendiary Steward Information Number: A14537 Decision Type: Adjudicative Decision Charge: Improper use of the whip Rule(s): 638(3)(e) Plea: Not Admitted Stewards Report Results Animal Name: POSH POROTENE Code: Thoroughbred Race Date: 06/05/2022 Race Club: Otaki-Maori Racing Club Race Location: Otaki Racecourse - Te Roto Road, Otaki, 5512 Race Number: R6 Hearing Date: 01/06/2022 Hearing Location: Cambridge Outcome: Proved Penalty: Apprentice Jockey Wiremu Pinn is suspended for 5 months DECISION OF ADJUDICATIVE COMMITTEE Dated this 1st day of June 2022 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1. Mr Wiremu Pinn is a Class B Apprentice Jockey. He is charged that on the 6th of May this year at the Otaki-Maori Racing Club meeting at Otaki he breached Rule 638(3)(e) in that it is alleged he used the whip in an improper manner on two occasions just prior to the finish line. Mr Pinn was riding a horse Posh Porotene. Mr Pinn had ridden this horse on five previous occasions and on three of those occasions the horse had won its race. 1.2. Mr Pinn denies the charge and the Adjudicative Committee has today heard evidence from Mr Oatham, the Chief Stipendiary Steward and from Mr Pinn and his employer Mr Daniel Miller Licensed Trainer based in Matamata. 2. THE EVIDENCE 2.1. The Adjudicative Committee has seen films of the race: from front view, rear view and side view. It has also seen the whole of the race which was run over 2,200 metres. The films demonstrate that the horse was very slow away from the gates some 10 lengths behind the second to last horse. The horse hung out throughout the race although she did corner around the 400 metre mark without particular difficulty. Turning into the straight the horse began to move out again from the running rail. It was Mr Pinn’s evidence that the Jockey immediately to his outside Mr Lemmy Douglas was, to quote Mr Pinn ‘screaming at me’. The film shows that the horses were in fact some distance apart. Posh Porotene was continuing to move out towards the centre of the track. The essential allegation is that the horse had no prospect of winning the race and actually finished 9 of 11 starters some 12 lengths behind the winner and that just prior to the finishing line Mr Pinn hit the horse with force on two occasions and that the nature of this amounted to improper use of the whip. 2.2. Mr Pinn said that the position he found himself in was that he believed that the horse might not go around the corner following the winning post. He said that his left arm was very tired from trying to keep the horse straight throughout the race and that he used the whip in order to try and ensure that the horse did not run out further or run off the track. 2.3. The films demonstrate very graphically that the two blows that were struck by Mr Pinn were hard and were aimed to hit the horse on the neck particularly the first hit which was close to the horse’s head. The second hit was somewhat lower nearer the shoulder. 2.4. The Adjudicative Committee was told that there was subsequently a veterinary examination. Nothing was found to be amiss and Mr Pinn told the Adjudicative Committee that there were no welt marks found on the horse. 3. DISCUSSION 3.1. While it is clear that Posh Porotene was a difficult ride on the day the Adjudicative Committee is troubled by the strength of the blows struck by Mr Pinn. He had earlier tapped the horse behind the saddle but the two blows which give rise to the allegations at issue were entirely different. They were delivered with significant force. Mr Pinn took the reins into one hand and struck these blows with his right arm. 3.2. It is the Adjudicative Committee’s view that notwithstanding the difficulty in riding Posh Porotene the two blows struck were much more forceful than could be justified. They have the appearance of the Jockey somehow intending to punish the horse. The whip could have been used with much less force than was demonstrated in the films. 3.3. The Adjudicative Committee is persuaded on the evidence that it has seen and on the explanations given by Mr Oatham and Mr Pinn that what occurred was inexcusable and did amount to an improper use of the whip. 3.4. It follows from what has just been said that the Adjudicative Committee finds that the allegation made against Mr Pinn has been established and the charge is proven. 4. PENALTY 4.1. The Adjudicative Committee has heard submissions on penalty from both Mr Oatham and Mr Pinn. 4.2. Mr Oatham points to Mr Pinn’s record. This is most unattractive. Mr Pinn has previous convictions which relate to animal welfare. One of these involved a charge of improper riding in 2021 when he was suspended for three weeks. In October 2021 he was convicted of improper use of the whip. That involved turning the whip and hitting the horse with the handle. The initial period of suspension was for three months. That was reduced on Appeal to two months. Mr Pinn has been employed by various stables and Trainers throughout his career since 2018. He worked at Te Akau Stables, then for the leading Taranaki Trainer Alan Sharrock, thereafter for the Ken Kelso Stable in Matamata and more recently with Mr Miller in Matamata since October 2020. It is Mr Oatham’s submission that the offending on this occasion was more serious than that involving the improper use of the whip in October 2021 for which there was a two month suspension. 4.3. Mr Pinn says in mitigation that this was a difficult ride. The Adjudicative Committee recognises that. Mr Pinn says further that he endeavoured to straighten the horse with a tap behind the saddle earlier in the straight but that that was not effective and it was his position that the only way that he could keep the horse from running further towards the centre of the track or off the track or perhaps not around the corner was to strike it in front of the saddle. As observed earlier the Adjudicative Committee is particularly troubled by the strength of the blows which were struck and where they hit the horse. 4.4. Mr Oatham contends that a significant period of suspension is appropriate and that it should be for a period longer than that which was imposed for the improper use of the whip earlier referred to. He points to this being the third Rule breached by Mr Pinn which involves animal welfare. These breaches have occurred over a relatively short period of time. Mr Pinn is 23 years old. His conduct towards horses is of real concern to the Adjudicative Committee. 4.5. In mitigation the Adjudicative Committee does acknowledge that Posh Porotene was a difficult ride on this day. Against that however the Adjudicative Committee must recognise Mr Pinn’s very unattractive record with particular reference to animal welfare issues. The film demonstrates as earlier remarked the strength of the blows that were struck. The Adjudicative Committee has reached the view that even making appropriate allowance for the difficulty of the ride a significant period of suspension must be imposed and that will be for five months. We now need to hear from the parties as to when that suspension should commence. 4.6. Mr Pinn advises that he has obligations today at Cambridge and at Waverley on the 9th of June. The suspension will commence thereafter from the conclusion of racing of the 9th of June 2022. That will take the period of suspension to the conclusion of racing on the 9th of November 2022. 5. COSTS 5.1. It is the usual practice where a breach of the Rules is proven is for an Adjudicative Committee to award some costs in favour of the RIB and for the Licence Holder to make some contribution towards the costs incurred with assembling the Adjudicative Committee. 5.2. This hearing has been held on a raceday at Cambridge. Mr Oatham has had to travel from the South Island but that is not something for which Mr Pinn should be penalised. The Adjudicative Committee is of the view that given the extensive period of suspension that has been imposed which will obviously impact upon Mr Pinn’s income no costs should be awarded in those circumstances either in favour of the RIB or in respect of the costs incurred by assembling the Adjudicative Committee. 6. ADDENDUM 6.1. Following the hearing and before the decision had been typed up an email was received from Mr Mason Stevens. Mr Stevens trains in partnership with Mr Miller. The email from Mr Stevens advises that he had been unable to attend the hearing as he had to travel to Awapuni for racing at that venue on 2nd June. Further that Mr Pinn had commitments at the Ruakaka race meeting on Saturday the 11th of June for the Marsh stable. He advised that Mr Pinn was not aware of those rides. Mr Stevens sought to have the period of suspension commence following racing on the 11th of June. The Adjudicative Committee has considered the request made by Mr Stevens. A period of deferment has already been granted until the conclusion of racing on the 9th of June. Further the events which led to the serious charge against Mr Pinn occurred as long ago as the 6th of May. Moreover there is ample time for the Marsh stable to obtain a replacement Jockey of Jockeys for Mr Pinn on the 11th of this month. It follows from what has just been said that the deferment request is not granted and the Adjudicative Committee reaffirms that the suspension will commence following the conclusion of racing on the 9th of June. DATED this 1st day of June 2022 Murray McKechnie Chairman Signed pursuant to Rule 1007(5) Decision Date: 01/06/2022 Publish Date: 04/06/2022

So the "rumour mill" was wrong?

At last common sense has prevailed but at what cost to the industry? Millions of dollars down the drain. Surely some heads must roll at the RIB now. With a change in culture to follow. We watch the new CEO of the RIB with interest.

Sheryl Wigg free to train and drive 1 June 2022 , News Trainer-driver Sheryl Wigg has had her licences re-instated, after being disqualified earlier this year. In February Wigg was disqualified for one year and seven months after admitting charges of administering a substance to three horses before they were due to race at Alexandra Park. The disqualification came into effect on February 17 2022 and was to conclude on September 17 2023. She has since lodged an appeal with the High Court. The High Court has indicated it will hear the matter in August. Until that hearing she has been granted a stay of penalty and her Licence to Train and Advanced Amateur Driver’s Licence have been reinstated.

So basically you are only guessing. At the end of the day I'm sure Te Akau's model of operation is not without some risk. To date their yearling syndicates have been over subscribed. So they have a proven and attractive product to sell. The reality is if Te Akau pack up and leave or one day struggle to syndicate their horses then the industry will be well and truly stuffed.

Anyway back to the Topic. Spreadsheet attached showing the cost per employee were derived. NZ Thoroughbred Training Fees.xlsx

@Joe Bloggs 40 years ago everyone was at not just the horse industry. Hell @Reefton can attest to that having first hand knowledge of some of the rorts that were going on on the West Coast. Is there still a three story building in Hokitika built on the back of an Accounting Firms sharemarket rort? Suggest you get up to date.

Call me naive if you wish however the point I made is that NZB are not carrying anyone for very long. You can't afford to with a race horse which can lose its value much much quicker than one of Giltrap's Merc's. Of course you are embellishing and exaggerating to make a point - really "a million pin hookers"? NZB's term's and conditions are tighter than a ducks arse and they are ruthless in enforcing them. https://www.nzb.co.nz/finance-services Just like their Premier yearling selection they are very very selective on what type of horse they finance. No doubt you need guarantee's up to your ying yang as well. So you will need some very good guarantee's to secure finance and as a business model borrowing money to fund horse purchases is a slippery slope to a lot of tears. Not so much in OZ. Yes costs are rising in OZ but not as fast as in NZ. The market in OZ is still bullish fuelled by the extraordinary increases in stake money. You only have to look at the current seasons sales to see that.

@Reefton the inference from @billy connolly was that NZ Bloodstock "carry" Te Akau. That isn't true. Yes NZB can offer finance AND come to short term arrangements - no different to any other business. But they don't do that for free. Your reference to the "very prominent buyer/syndicator" requiring a guarantor proves my point. NZB aren't in the business of "carrying anyone" for very long. My understanding is each year Te Akau put their own capital at risk NOT NZ Bloodstock's. I might add it is nowhere near the capital being risked by some of the big Ozzie trainers and Syndicators. As yet Te Akau haven't been caught short. However even they would agree there are head winds on the horizon in NZ. Exactly. I agree 100% it is THEIR business. However I've been reliably informed that Te Akau don't go past the standard 30 days. When you think about it - it is the only way to run a business in the racing industry. Very quickly you can come unstuck if you are relying on sweet deals and terms to give you time to syndicate your horses. Been many an example of that in the industry - Bart Cummings and Gai Waterhouse spring to mind. You can't just leave a growing yearling in the paddock.

Isn't that like most racing identities and active participants? Seems to me everyone is too scared to say anything "to rock the boat" until they are about to board a plane for OZ or have hung the bridle on the wall in retirement!

Te Akau's owner churn can't be too bad. I know someone who has tried to buy a share or two in the last two seasons and has missed out because the syndicates were full. So that would indicate that there is not much churn because attracting new players in the current economic environment and the public perception of racing would make it extremely difficult to sign up newbies. As for "fluking" a winner - it seems that Te Akau have at least 2 or 3 of those a year! Is it any better or worse elsewhere? If you were "well heeled" wouldn't you be better to take 5% in 10 Te Akau horses than buy 50% of one with someone else given Te Akau's record? You know the odds of getting a horse that can even win a race is very long. I would say that the biggest determinate of customer churn in the coming two years will be the economy. Te Akau have been surprisingly loyal to the NZ Racing industry but I can't see how that can continue forever given the huge difference in stakes between here and Australia. I was very surprised that Jamie Richards chose to go to Hong Kong and not carry the Tangerine flag to a satellite stable in Australia. I give Jamie no more than two seasons in Hong Kong.

NZ Bloodstock don't offer Te Akau any better payment terms than any of their other major customers. Payment in full within 30 days. As for playing with other peoples money isn't that what every Syndicator does? The Syndicator takes a risk and then has to sell the shares. For that matter isn't that what a lot of Trainers do? Play with other people's money? Isn't that covered by purchasing Ready-To-Run horses? Te Akau uses the same model as Waller, Maher, Waterhouse and others in OZ. Surely you are not suggesting that more poaching should occur?

Yet at least one stable is very successful using that model of operation and have a solid loyal and large customer base.

Basically he is going to give us more of the same. FFS can't they see it hasn't worked and isn't going to work. I wish they'd wake up and do the complete opposite of what they are doing. More stakes on Premier days isn’t going to do anything if you are not providing funding to get horses through the grades. As for investing the capital to generate a revenue stream. Did they ever think of making changes to the core product so it generated revenue to fund itself?

Exactly. Probably on their bullshit budget. Less revenue this year from racing than last year BUT the TAB is up on budget. Where is @JJ Flash and his McKenzie drum?

Clipped it for you.