Chief Stipe

Perception ISN'T reality. We now have situations where Drivers are pleading guilty to get a lesser penalty rather than defend themselves. That isn't particularly just. In Williams case his horse was struggling to keep up. He made a decision that got it back on the bit. Perhaps the punters should be educated about the vagaries of horse driving by more drivers defending their actions. There was no error of judgement on Williams part as he tried to get the best he could from his horse using his years of experience at the top level. What did he gain from not doing what some punters perceive as the best option? Absolutely nothing.

Really? A different world? Where were you? In the Wairarapa saving the industry?

Depends on the Movie. Top Gun: Maverick and Avatar 2 have been sold out frequently. What does that tell you?

That's what was said in the opening post of this thread.

They do read this forum.

Wrong. Poppies was off the bit and wouldn't stay on the back of the horse it was trailing. Williams chose to go in and the horse comes back on the bit. The only way it wins is if a horse came on the outside of it and it decided to try. That's why I never back horses with Murphy Blinds or too much head gear. Williams pleaded guilty because he knows he would have been worse off. Not because he didn't have a good reason but because the RIB are clueless. The latter are killing the game. Tell me this you punting experts what did Williams gain from his drive other than a suspension?

Get over it. Obviously the Magic Millions currently works for everyone involved. We sold our mare there at overs 16 years ago. TA have done similar.

So did you buy a dud fridge off Harvey Norman then?

Let alone the fact that there isn't one metro track in NZ that can sustain more than two days racing.

Same at any Thoroughbred sale. Spread your risk. I take it the Magic Millions wouldn't let any of your progeny in the door?

Some pretty good bargains out of this lot! https://www.magicmillions.com.au/winners-category/group-1-australia/

Interesting observations @Joe Bloggs. You do know that the highest rated horse racing in NZ was bought by one David Ellis at the Magic Millions?

Well I agree $50 is overs but you should expect to pay something.

Well it does cost $20+ to go to the movies.

I agree @Gammalite most of the critics have never sat behind a horse let alone led one. Oh the irony perhaps Tim should have given Poppies a few good cracks with the whip to get its mind on the job.

I see the usual mob of @Happy Sunrise, @JJ Flash, @Karrotsisback and others have got it wrong again with Tim Williams Field of Poppies drive. Although Williams pleaded guilty (as many others are doing because the Stipes get it wrong and come down harder if you don't plead guilty) he did have a good excuse. If you look closely you will see the horse is struggling to stay on the back of the horse it is trailing I.e. making no progress. You will also see that there is a Murphy Blind on the horse which is blocking its view. The moment Williams switches back the horses sees competition and gets back on the bit. Then it runs out of racing room. I guess the punters option was to stay where it was and possibly not run a place. It is a shame that we now see many top drivers without much confidence in the judicial system.

Probably rate this analysis as a C- at undergraduate level.

What does that do to your statistical analysis @Basil? I see you are blaming an RIB member for the egg supply crisis. Interested to know how you arrived at that conclusion.

There is no way anyone could call CJ thick or a horse basher.

So how long have you been campaigning to get rid of whips? Or is it just the flavour of the month for you and your anti racing crusade? BTW you clearly don't understand the term "counter factual"!

BTW there were 139 reported Thoroughbred Deaths at race meetings in Australia last year. That doesn't include those that died in training. 11 of those 139 deaths were non-catastrophic limb injuries I.e. cardiovascular in origin.

They were ALL clean. The post mortems found nothing. Dying of natural causes isn't an accident either but then you aren't particularly aux fait with definitions.

Facts are relevant but you overlook the majority of them and focus and misuse a few to support your narrative. Clearly your agenda is not about animal welfare but is entirely anti-racing.

You haven't proven anything other than a statistical anomaly. Even then there are flaws in your analysis. You can only remember 1 standardbred dropping dead isn't the basis of a good statistical analysis. You also appear to have limited your analysis to not include the entire standardbred population in work. How many horses die of natural causes in a year? You don't know this figure But putting your poor statistical analysis to one side you ignore the results of the three post mortems. Obviously because they don't support your narrative.

Ban anything to appease the animal safety activists and you will have unintended consequences. Just look at the egg shortage. Are the chooks really that better off scratching a living outside in a paddock?