Chief Stipe

There won't be a safe bottle of rum near Pam!

Geez at $44's I hope you got plenty!

Still doing alright.

Thanks team. Got Platinum Petals at 15's.

NZTR have now ramped up their marketing. A function that was shifted to them from the revamp of TAB NZ. Interesting this campaign focussed on Jumps culminating in the Riccarton Grand National. I'm not sure referring to Tweed, Tartan and Trilbys is targeting the right market. How many people know what a trilby is? https://loveracing.nz/Events/Featured-Events/LOVE-Jumps?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=Display&utm_campaign=LOVEJumps&utm_content=Win&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI8Km5rKHn9wIVlIJLBR0vWwaGEAEYASAAEgLcV_D_BwE

I said Winstons "new" Act - the Racing Industry Act 2020.

But it didn't become a Mega-department until Winston's new Racing Act came into force. The new RIB starting June 2021.

Harness racing legend in pursuit of more group 1 glory Champion pacer Westburn Grant Picture: Paul Courts/Club Menangle By Adam Hamilton 05:22pm • 17 May 2022 0 MORE than 30 years after legendary harness trainer Vic Frost won the Inter Dominion final with Westburn Grant he is chasing more Group 1 glory. And the connection with Westburn Grant runs deeper with Frost’s latest stable star, Scotch En Ice, being a grandson of the three-time Australian Horse of the Year. Scotch En Ice’s 23-year-old dam, Frostiness, is by Westburn Grant and has carried on the family tradition of success with 10 foals to race for an impressive eight winners. “Scotch En Ice could be the best of them yet,” Frost said. “He’s just a perfect racehorse, plenty of talent and very versatile.” Scotch En Ice is one of the major players in Friday night’s $100,000 Group 1 NSW Regional Championship Hunter final at Newcastle. The big prize money was enough to lure the 81-year-old Frost away from his home “paradise” at Sleepy Hollow, halfway between Byron Bay and Tweed Heads, to head to Newcastle. “Who would’ve thought, hey?” Frost laughed. “I’d got used to sending around a few ordinary ones in Brisbane, but this has rejuvenated me again. It’s great.” Frost’s wife, Gail Geeson, said it’s been a thrill watching Frost’s excitement at chasing Group 1 glory again deep in the twilight of his stellar career. Scotch En Ice heads to Newcastle this Friday night in pursuit of the Group 1 NSW Regional Championship Hunter final Picture: Racing Queensland “He’s just so excited. It’s fantastic. He’s got a real spring in his step,” she said. “He’s 81 now, but everybody remarks how young and energetic he seems. He’s a marvel.” Frost is also enjoying the Newcastle experience with friend and stable driver, Matt Elkins. “Matt’s never won a Group 1, so he’s excited about this week, too,” Frost said. “I’m pretty sure he’s never driven outside Queensland before this either. He went to Tamworth to drive one day, but they called the meeting off when they got there.” What makes it even more rewarding is the fact Scotch En Ice is a home bred, like every one of the 10 horses Frost and Geeson have in training. “That’s all we do now, breed, own and race our own,” Frost said. “They’re basically all connected back to Westburn Grant in some way – daughters, sisters, mothers, all the same family.” Westburn Grant, who at the age of 34 died in 2020, is one of the all-time harness racing greats. He was a megastar from day one and finished with 38 wins and 18 placings from his 67 starts. Remarkably, three decades ago, he banked over $2 million in prize money. Along with his Inter Dominion win, Westburn Grant also won two Miracle Miles (1989 and ’90), two WA Pacing Cups (1991 and ’92), two SA Pacing Cups (1990 and ’92) and the 1991 Australian Pacing Championship. · Adam Hamilton is a paid contributor writing on harness racing for News Corp.ness

LOVE Jumps As the temperature drops, our jumps racing stars are just warming up! With nerves of steel and a taste for adrenaline, watch our lionhearts go to battle this winter. Doused in courage, bravery and exhilaration, there’ll be slogging finishes, gallant performances and heroic triumphs. It’s time to celebrate our jumps racing, so dig out your tweed, your tartan and your trilby and get amongst the action track side.

Baaeed - super colt - 7 from 7! https://www.racingpost.com/profile/horse/3533559/baaeed/form

Manobo

But who was that "lobby group"? The only AWT that made sense was the one built at Cambridge - the irony with that one being the fact that Cambridge didn't need funding to do it if they wanted to. They have the horses in training to maintain it as well. Although I suspect a few trainers are not so keen on it as they were before. Riccarton and Awapuni AWT's are unnecessary but seem to have been funded to appease those two clubs. It certainly had nothing to do with abandoned race meetings - it never ever did have anything to do with them. The biggest red herring in the entire plan. So aside from the Cambridge "lobby group" (a reasonable case for an AWT there) who were they in the other regions? A few prominent trainers with a lack of foresight pushing their own self-interest perhaps?

Once can't say that the new RIU/RIB setup is any better. Just the same as before but higher cost and bigger salaries.

Taranaki RI 14 May 2022 -R3 – Lisa Allpress ID: RIB9092 Respondent(s): Lisa Allpress - Jockey Applicant: Mr N Goodwin Stipendiary Steward Adjudicators: N Moffatt Persons Present: Mr N Goodwin, Mrs L Allpress, Mr K Coppins Stipendiary Steward Information Number: A14540 Decision Type: Adjudicative Decision Charge: careless riding Rule(s): 638(1)(d) - careless riding Plea: Not Admitted Stewards Report Results Animal Name: RAFFLE Code: Thoroughbred Race Date: 14/05/2022 Race Club: Taranaki Racing Inc Race Location: Hawera Racecourse - Waihi Road, Hawera, 4610 Race Number: R3 Hearing Date: 14/05/2022 Hearing Location: Hawera racecourse Outcome: Not Proved Penalty: no penalty - charge dismissed Evidence: Following the running of Race 3, an Information was lodged by Mr N Goodwin alleging a breach of Rule 638(1)(d) in that L Allpress (RAFFLE) improved into a narrow run that had not fully developed resulting in CHIKIRA LASS (D Turner) being dictated into CASAQUINMAN (K Hercock) which was checked near the 150 metres. Mrs Allpress acknowledged she understood the Rule and confirmed that she did not admit the breach. In response to a question from the Chair both Mr Goodwin and Mrs Allpress stated they would not be calling witnesses. Rule 638(1) (d) provides: A Rider shall not ride a horse in a manner which the Judicial Committee considers to be careless. Using the available race films Mr Goodwin said the Stewards’ case was quite simple. Rounding the home turn Mrs Allpress was in behind the leaders seeking a run. Instead of being patient she commenced to improve into a narrow gap between BOLD MAC (J Parkes) and CHIKIRA LASS (D Turner). Mr Parkes (BOLD MAC) came outwards as Mrs Allpress continued to improve up into the gap. This caused an outward shift of Mrs Allpress onto Mr Turner who in turn moved into the line of CASAQUINMAN who was checked. Mr Goodwin said he was all for competitive riding but it had to be done safely, and the Stewards did not believe there was a sufficient gap available for Mrs Allpress. If she had not gone for the gap the incident would not have happened. In response to a question from the Committee Mr Goodwin said that Mr Turner, when questioned by the Stewards after the race, and who was directly outside Mrs Allpress, did not have much to say about the incident In response, Mrs Allpress said she had been waiting patiently for a run, and while the gap was narrow there was enough room for her to go there. She was already committed to the gap when BOLD MAC (J Parkes) moved outwards. Mrs Allpress called out to Mr Parkes “go straight, go straight” but his horse proceeded to step out half a horse width. Mrs Allpress argued it was competitive riding, not careless, and if Mr Parkes had not moved out the incident would not have happened. Decision: Head and side-on films were viewed multiple times at both normal and slow speed. In order to find the charge of careless riding proved the Committee had to be sure that Mrs Allpress forced a gap where there wasn’t one, and that this action precipitated the concertina effect culminating in CASAQUINMAN being checked. The head-on film shows a narrow gap between J Parkes on the inside and D Turner on the outside which Mrs Allpress rides her mount into. In her evidence Mrs Allpress said that she was almost alongside Mr Turner when Mr Parkes’ mount stepped outwards, and although Mr Turner was not called as a witness the films support that assertion. The movement from Mr Parkes was slight (approximately half a horse width) but with already tight racing room this was sufficient to compound the movement outwards of both Mrs Allpress and Mr Turner into the line of Ms Hercock (CASAQUINMAN) who was checked. The Stewards said the incident would not have happened had Mrs Allpress not taken the gap. Mrs Allpress said the incident would not have happened had Mr Parkes not moved outwards. The Committee found support for both these statements. Mrs Allpress went for a very narrow gap but as she did so Mr Parkes moved slightly off his line narrowing it further. Both these events unfolded quickly with the resultant interference being relatively minor. Mrs Allpress is a highly experienced, competitive and skillful rider. The Committee found that although there was crowding and some interference it was difficult to attribute it completely to Mrs Allpress. Conclusion – Penalty: There was not sufficient evidence produced to prove the charge of careless riding against Mrs Allpress, therefore the charge is dismissed.

Because you will get some of the public (disgruntled punters) asking why the question wasn't asked. It has become a tick the box thing however still not consistent.

She does have a nice action. Long strider. I wonder if they ever try fast working unhoppled? I hate all the head gear they put on horses nowadays. Went the distance today and not far off them on a slushy track.

Increasing stakes isn't the answer when you have no opportunities to race on good safe surfaces.

So SAFE would like races that involved Greyhounds being injured to be available unedited. Nice!

NZ Metropolitan TC 21 April 2022 – R6 – (heard at Rangiora on 8 May 2022) – Ian Cameron ID: RIB8975 Respondent(s): Ian Cameron - Driver Applicant: Paul Williams, Stipendiary Steward Adjudicators: Russell McKenzie (Chair) and Liana Yong Persons Present: Mr Williams, Mr Cameron, Mr N McIntyre Chief Stipendiary Steward Information Number: A16141 Decision Type: Adjudicative Decision Charge: Misconduct Rule(s): 303(2) Plea: Admitted Stewards Report Results Code: Harness Race Date: 21/04/2022 Race Club: NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club Inc Race Location: Addington Raceway - 75 Jack Hinton Drive, Addington, Christchurch, 8024 Race Number: R6 Hearing Date: 08/05/2022 Hearing Location: Rangiora Racecourse, Rangiora Outcome: Proved Penalty: Driver Ian Cameron, fined $500 BACKGROUND: Information No. A16141 filed by Stipendiary Steward, Paul Williams, alleges that the Respondent, Driver, Ian Cameron, misconducted himself when failing to remain in the Stewards Room and directing offensive language towards Stewards, following Race 6, Airpark Canterbury Handicap Trot. The Information was filed with the Adjudicative Committee on race night and heard at the meeting of Rangiora HRC at Rangiora on 8 May 2022. The Respondent had signed the information ”I do admit a breach of the Rule”. Rule 303 provides: (2) No person or body who holds a permit or licence under these Rules and no owner, trainer, breeder, stablehand, unlicensed apprentice or racing manager shall misconduct himself or fail to comply with any request, direction, or instruction of any Stipendiary Steward, Racing Investigator or Starter. EVIDENCE: Chief Stipendiary Steward, Nigel McIntyre, said that the Respondent was requested by Stewards to attend an inquiry into his whip use when driving PRINCE TEKA in Race 6 at the meeting. It was indicated to the Respondent that he was to be charged. Mr McIntyre produced a copy of the interview with Mr Cameron, which Mr Cameron accepted was an accurate record. PW The Rules say you cannot engage the elbow or the shoulder. IC Yeah PW We are going to put a charge to the Committee because you were warned five starts ago. IC Just forget it. I’m finished that will do me. I can’t be bothered with this. That’s the bloody end of it. PW Mr Cameron IC I can’ t be bothered with this. I’ve listened to bullshit. PW Mr Cameron IC No. Shove it up your arse. Mr McIntyre said that it is unacceptable to talk to Stewards in that manner. Mr Cameron has been driving for a long time and he has always been good to deal with in the past. Mr Cameron accepts that this behaviour was unacceptable and has admitted the breach. Mr Cameron’s refusal to accept the charge on the day has resulted in a delay in the whip charge being heard. Mr Cameron said that when Stewards told him he was to be charged for his whip action, he had referred to the whip action of the driver of the winner of the race. Stewards told him that they were not looking at that driver, but only at him. He said that it was only the second time he had driven with a whip in the last 2-3 months. He had been justifiably warned recently for his whip use but he felt that, in this race, his actions had been no different from the actions of the driver of the winning horse. This had upset him, he said. DECISION: The Respondent having admitted the breach it is found proved. SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY: Mr McIntyre referred the Committee to the penalties handed down in three recent misconduct cases. Those penalties were $850, $800 and $400. The level of offending in the first two cases was higher than in this case. The lowest of the fines was in a case where the Respondent had been told a charge would be laid and had showed a lack of respect for the Stewards. The present case is closer to that case, Mr McIntyre said, and he submitted that a fine of $400-$500 would be appropriate. Mr Cameron declined the opportunity to make any submission. REASONS FOR PENALTY: The Penalty Guide does not provide a starting point for penalty for misconduct. Obviously, the circumstances of a misconduct charge can vary greatly in terms of nature and seriousness. In fixing a starting point for penalty in this case, we have been principally guided by the case of RIU v Doody (January 2021) in which the Respondent was requested to appear before the Stewards to discuss his whip use in a race. He did so, but after a brief discussion, he told the Stewards to do whatever was required, before exiting the hearing. The Respondent was fined the sum of $400 and we have taken that as the starting point in this case. The starting point takes into account that the breach was admitted and that the Respondent had an impeccable record over many years in the industry, as in this case. In the Doody case, two other misconduct charges were referred to the Committee involving the Respondent, in each case, failing to attend a hearing. A fine of $400 was imposed in each of those two cases. From that starting point, the Committee has applied an uplift in this case because of the language that the Respondent directed at Stewards prior to walking out of the hearing. While that language was not the worst, it was still quite unacceptable for Stewards to be spoken to in that manner by the Respondent. The Committee has fixed the uplift at $100. CONCLUSION – PENALTY: The Respondent, Ian Cameron, is fined $500.

From what I've seen it isn't. In some OZ states they have indeoendent appeal tribunal's don't they? If not very rare that the same people are involved with the initial charge hearing AND the appeal.

Then aim at Riccarton. Fight your battles close to home first.

Why blame the so called "Waikato Mafia"? Where are the South Island Trainers screaming from the rooftops? Target close to home first. Aiming at the mythical Mafia only diminishes and weakens your argument. Act locally!!!! Otherwise you are just buying into the divide and rule and every other conspiracy. Presumably the Waikato Mafia includes Te Akau - do they really have that much input into Sth Island racing programing? Get on the phone (Zoom) and get all the Sth Island stakeholders working together.

Trainers are too soft and scared to speak out. Where is the South Islands leading trainer @Pitman and contributor to the programming committee?