Chief Stipe

How many decades ago was that Joe? The fact is even with vastly improved testing technology, random pre-race/stable testing and post race testing we aren't seeing anything!! We aren't even seeing any circumstantial evidence of people gaining from cheating using PED's. Yes someone somewhere in NZ will be doing something on the margins but there just ain't any evidence of it. Surely it would be easy to post a list of amazing form turnarounds and the bookies getting slaughtered.

Increasing red blood cells isn't illegal. Using EPO in horses and athletes to improve performance in competition is. EPO even in horses can be used for therapeutic purposes. EPO can't make a horse faster but can enable it to maintain its highest speed for longer I.e. improve stamina. So not much use on a horse that can't break 11 seconds for a furlong. I don't need to Google it. Nano-particle technology has been the breakthrough that enables mRNA technology. It enables therapeutic substances to traverse cell walls and organ membranes. That is enable the therapeutic to be delivered to where it can have maximum effect. But Quade Cooper now has a personal nutritionist, a sports psychologist, a defence coach, an attack coach amongst others. Occasionally he might have the use of a kicking coach.

BUT WHERE IS THE EVIDENCE IN NZ? Just because it can happen doesn't mean IT IS! Where are the big performance turn arounds and betting coups? Provide some curcumstantial evidence of you can.

That's why there are withholding periods for bute. But you can't confirm causation and correlation links between specific bute use and a leg break. I assume you aren't deliberately obfuscating the argument for Lasix with the bute example? Lasix helps to prevent EIPH I.e. is a therapeutic. It isn't hiding pain it is preventing injury.

Why don't you throw in @Thomass's aged chestnut of Dummy Myers misleading the punters 17 years ago? I dont live in the past or continually dine on nostalgia. Training techniques at the highest level have changed considerably and to regale one's past achievements as a source of credibility for today's views is pointless. Of course there will be a positive to some banned PED in the next 10 years. It won't mean there is widespread cheating in the industry but you'll feel vindicated and will tell us - "I was right, I've been telling you for years"! Meanwhile have you researched what an EPO mimetic is? Is it OK to use an EPO mimetic as a therapeutic? On Peter Profits latest crusade what's wrong with using stem cell technology? Repairs tendons and ligaments very well doesn't it?

But you have no NZ based evidence. ZERO, ZIP, NADA! You can't even point to a horse or a race that looks dodgy. The best you can come up with is wink, wink, nudge nudge when someone's hay or trough is contaminated. How can I be naive when I don't believe your factless conspiracy theories of mushrooms under the bed?!

You missed the point. It wasn't about the number of horses using Lasix or a similar drug it was the fact that 90%+ of horses in training/racing suffer EIPH. So of your 35 horses a minimum of 31 bled at some stage. You wouldn't have known unless you scoped them. I disagree. Physiologically the Thoroughbred horse hasn't changed a great deal in 100 hundred years of inbreeding. Arguably it has got worse considering the attrition rate of those that are bred to race. Essentially a horse is not designed to run distance at speed wearing steel shoes carrying 60kg's on its back. Why do we need high performance feeds and continual vet treatment? I'm not saying we shouldn't do it I'm just presenting the facts. How can it be a game of Lotto when the odds are stacked in favour of EIPH occurring? Trainers like Waller use it as a preventative to stall or avoid the inevitable. Once a horse has bled at a visible or high grade level it is too late to give it. 3 Don't talk crap , the numbers of horse6 that would be on lasix would be very small, I've had 35 or more horses and not one has had lasix, and don't know anybody that does, but I'm sure it is being used. And racehorses are doing exactly what they are bred to , refined for 100s of years in fact. But as I said using lasix is a game of lotto , it isn't just given to every horse it is given for a specific reason , a weakness in the lungs . It aslo doesn't stop horses from bleeding again . But you think it's ok for a horse to train and then go out and find out under racing conditions that it's worked. Yes for minimising harm. Conversely would you rather train them hard without preventative measures then let them bleed in a race? Why not ban ALL non-natural preventative measures in training?

Well then do you want to eliminate virtually all horses from racing? The fact is Thoroughbred Racing is about training a horse to do something it isn't designed to do. That is race at high speed over distance.

What real argument? There is ZERO evidence of widespread PED abuse in NZ Thoroughbred Racing. You sit there on the Gold Coast firing pot shots at a racing jurisdiction you have largely abandoned. One of your prime sources is a scumbag journalist called Peter Profit. You may have trained winners in 3 states over several decades as have any number of people. However it is irrelevant when expressing opinions on the state of NZ racing. I doubt you even know what an EPO mimetic is yet it doesn't stop you from posting an article relating to it and asserting that (one presumes) because they are allegedly being used in the USA and allegedly they are a PED that they must be being used in NZ. Do you really have NZ Thoroughbred Racing interests at heart? When you make unfounded assertions about NZ Racing you cast aspersions on ALL NZ Trainers but generally the more successful ones. What's that achieve? Quite frankly I get a bit sick and tired of the innuendo, supposition and unfounded assertions that are made. FFS some are still going on about the Cobalt trough and the contaminated hay as if either of those are indicative of widespread PED abuse. They are indicative of cross contamination issues that will continue to trouble the industry especially when there are zero tolerances and highly accurate testing to low levels. As for Lasix I've said time and time again that there are horse welfare issues that will bite the industry in the arse more than any whip. One of those is EIPH. I have no problem with Lasix being used in training or any medication that reduces the severity of EIPH. No I don't need to hear from your how Lasix has been abused or entertain the conspiracy theories attached to it.

I'm not being a twat but what us the alternative model for a business that earns 100's of millions in revenue? The issue isn't the type of model or the various Acts it's purely and simply Governance. There is no accountability to stakeholders. But back to the model - some of the failures occur because Racing in NZ has traditionally been a mixed model that is a mix of Corporate businesses and Amateur Clubs/participants.

So you'd be happy to race for no stakes?

What I've observed in NZ is those that raise the spectre of PED abuse in Thoroughbred Racing are looking for a reason to explain their own poor performance. Long may the tall poppy reign.

Nothing illegal about using Lasix. Waller frequently uses it. Just has a withholding period. Ethically you could argue that this use of Lasix to prevent EIPH is in the best interests of animal welfare.

So you can't provide any evidence of cheating or even point to extraordinary performances that might point towards the use of PED's in NZ Thoroughbred Racing?

Environmental cross contamination is happening in ALL jurisdictions not just NZ. It isn't any indication of a lack of integrity or cheating. Where is the evidence of drug cheating? If you can't provide any then all you are doing is fueling the drive to end racing. Similar to the daft whip rules.

So who's cheating in NZ? No one I can see in Thoroughbred racing. @Joe Bloggs you read too many conspiracy theories. As for this EPO nonsense in NZ - why bother for shit Stakes?

So you are suggesting they do pre-race testing for something they supposedly can't test for?

Avantage was by Fastnet Rock, stamped her form in OZ and won races from 1000m to 2100m. Appealing to OZ Studs. Forgot to add she could run time. Melody Belle by Darley Stallion Commands.

Uh?

Do you really expect racecourse to compete with the hospitality industry where the majority of businesses struggle to make a profit? Interesting how there are complaints from racing stalwarts about the food and choice of beer brands when I would have thought the priority was good safe fair tracks and high quality fields attractive to punters.

Are you tuning into SENZ today at 11am @mikeynz? 2022 Karaka Million Barrier Draw Announced on SENZ 18 January 2022 Tune into SENZ at 11am (NZT) where the full Karaka Million barrier draw fields will be announced. With all lead-up races run and won, and with the finishing touches being applied to preparations, the order of entry for the $1m DoubleTree by Hilton Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) and $1m Karaka Million 3YO Classic (1600m) now provides a clear idea of which horses will enter the Ellerslie starting gates this Saturday for New Zealand’s richest sporting event. New Zealand Bloodstock and Auckland Thoroughbred Racing Inc. will exclusively announce the final fields and barriers of the two $1million dollar features tomorrow morning via the SENZ radio platform and app. View the list of SENZ frequencies and listen to the live show here. Racing enthusiasts can tune in from 11am (NZT) onwards for a full one hour Karaka Million special with SENZ hosts Ian Smith, Louis Herman-Watt and Michael Guerin, alongside NZB Managing Director Andrew Seabrook, ATR General Manager of Racing Craig Baker, Te Akau Racing’s Jamie Richards and trainer Roydon Bergerson. The draw will be conducted following the standard New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing process as per usual race protocol. The full fields will then be published on New Zealand Bloodstock’s website, Facebook and twitter pages, as well as the NZTR website. The Roydon Bergerson-trained Wolverine (NZ) (Tivaci) has topped the $1m DoubleTree by Hilton Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) standings since her Group Two Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m) victory on December 11. She now boasts a perfect three-from-three record, having added the Group Two Eclipse Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day, and she has earned $138,970 in stakes. “We took Wolverine home straight after that Ellerslie win and she was in her box by 9:30pm that night,” Bergerson said. “When I saw her the next morning, she had eaten everything we gave her and was looking for more. She spent three days down on the farm with Chris Rutten (part-owner) and since she has been back, she has been a real handful. “That experience she had going to Ellerslie is invaluable looking ahead to the Karaka Million, and it’s very exciting to have such a good chance in the race, especially as she is doing it all on natural ability. I really believe she won’t be at her best until next season.” Eclipse Stakes runner-up Pacific Dragon (NZ) (Charm Spirit) boasts the second-highest earnings with $38,850, followed by Grace ‘N’ Grey (NZ) (Spirit Of Boom) and Fellini (NZ) (Belardo) with $38,200 and $31,225 respectively. Both Grace ‘N’ Grey and Fellini are trained by Jamie Richards for Te Akau Racing – the winners of five consecutive Karaka Million 2YO titles with Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands), Avantage (Fastnet Rock), Probabeel (NZ) (Savabeel), Cool Aza Beel (NZ) (Savabeel) and On The Bubbles (Brazen Beau). Last year’s winner On The Bubbles is set to line up again on Saturday to attempt a rare Karaka Million double in the $1m Karaka Million 3YO Classic (1600m). Mascarinto (NZ) (Per Incanto) and Sacred Satono (NZ) (Satono Aladdin) sit in fifth and sixth place on the Karaka Million 2YO order of entry with earnings of $26,550 and $24,500. The big mover in the final week of lead-up races is the new name that now sits in seventh – the Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott-trained Time Ruler (NZ) (Time Test). At this time last week, Time Ruler languished near the bottom of the table with just over $3000 in stakes to his name. But a brilliant five-length victory at Tauranga last Friday propelled him to $20,350 and a guaranteed spot in the Karaka Million field. Having a live chance in the Karaka Million is a big result in itself for first-season sire Time Test, who shuttles to Little Avondale Stud. The exciting young stallion also has Timeless (NZ) in 14th place on the order of entry, while Time Flies (NZ) is 15th and currently in line to be the first emergency. “Time Ruler had won a trial early on and was impressive, and he has taken a bit more time in learning his craft,” Little Avondale’s Sam Williams said. “Andrew and Lance have done a wonderful job and now have the horse in the Karaka Million. “It is outstanding for Time Ruler and fantastic for Time Test to have his first winner in the southern hemisphere and a runner in the race.” The other likely Karaka Million 2YO starters are Gwen Stephani (NZ) (El Roca) and the Te Akau pair of Lord Cosmos (Pierro) and Dynastic (NZ) (Almanzor), along with Alabama Gold (NZ) (Turn Me Loose), Gibraltar Rising (NZ) (Almanzor) and Diss Is Dramatic (NZ) (Dissident). Listen to the live barrier draw on SENZ radio here. View the DoubleTree by Hilton Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) Order of Entry here. View the Karaka Million 3YO Classic (1600m) Order of Entry here.

Seventy-eight gallopers set to chase All-Star Mile glory after first nominations close A total of eligible 78 horses, including reigning Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m) heroine Verry Elleegant, will chase All-Star Mile glory after nominations for the world’s richest mile race officially closed at 12pm (AEDT) on Monday (17 January). The nominations list for the fourth edition of The All-Star Mile, which returns to its inaugural home at Flemington on Saturday, 19 March, includes 23 horses with more than $1 million in the bank, 20 Group 1 winners and 17 three-year-olds. With Racing Victoria (RV) again donating every $500 nomination fee to The All-Star Mile’s official charity, which raises vital funds for the Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne, the 77 initial nominations contributed $38,500 to the Good Friday Appeal. That figure was subsequently taken to $41,000 when Sydney trainer Bjorn Baker nominated his Stakes-winning mare She’s Ideel as a late entry, incurring a $2,500 fee. Chris Waller has nominated a total of 15 gallopers as Australia’s leading trainer bids to add The All-Star Mile trophy to his glittering resumé, with Star of the Seas (sixth last year) his highest finisher so far across the first three editions of Australia’s only fan-voted race. His 2022 entries are headlined by Verry Elleegant, who claimed her 10th Group 1 win in ‘the race that stops a nation’ last November and could be set for a return to the scene of her greatest triumph for the $5 million feature of Victoria’s autumn racing carnival. With Annabel Neasham’s three-time Group 1 winner Zaaki challenging Verry Elleegant for the title of Australia’s pre-eminent middle-distance horse, two of the stars of the spring could be set for a mouth-watering clash this autumn. Waller’s artillery also includes Espiona, who created a huge impression when winning the Listed Off the Track Desirable Stakes (1400m) on Kennedy Oaks Day at Flemington by a widening six lengths at only her second start; as well as multiple Group 1 champions Hungry Heart and Kolding, who ran in the 2020 edition of The All-Star Mile. The powerful Godolphin operation is also chasing its first success in The All-Star Mile, having filled the minor placings with Hartnell (second) and Alizee (third) in 2019; but 2022 could see the ‘Blue Army’ break the drought as head trainer James Cummings has nominated Group 1 stars Colette and Cascadian for the showpiece event. Having dominated the Victorian training ranks last season, the partnership of Ciaron Maher and David Eustace are again leading the way this campaign and the pair are launching a serious assault on The All-Star Mile after nominating five gallopers from their all-conquering stable. They include last year’s brilliant Penfolds Victoria Derby (2500m) winner Hitotsu; Lighthouse, who has won all four races since arriving from the United States; and her fellow import Armory, who finished runner-up in the 2020 Ladbrokes Cox Plate (2040m) when he was trained by Aidan O’Brien. Interstate and Kiwi representation has been one of the main features of The All-Star Mile since its inception in 2019, with horses trained outside Victoria winning all three previous editions, and this year is no exception with some high-profile nominations received from across Australia and New Zealand. The reigning New Zealand Horse of the Year, Jamie Richards’ magnificent mare Probabeel, is one of five Kiwi entrants and will hope to crown her final racing campaign with victory in The All-Star Mile. Probabeel finished down the field in last year’s All-Star Mile, with persistent rain and a heavy track conspiring against her, but the four-time Group 1 winner is certain to attract plenty of votes from across the Tasman Sea and the same applies to her compatriot Elephant, whose unusual name and impressive race record of six wins from nine career starts are sure to catch the eye of New Zealand voters. South Australia is again very well represented with seven nominees including last year’s minor placegetter Behemoth (trained by David Jolly) and his fellow competitor Regalo Di Gaetano (Richard and Chantelle Jolly), who were later joined in the entry list by a trio of gallopers prepared by Will Clarken: Stakes winner Beau Rossa, talented import Ironclad and stablemate Second Slip. The Harrovian (Toby and Trent Edmonds), who finished a gallant fifth behind Mugatoo in the 2021 All-Star Mile, will hope to fly the flag for Queensland along with Axe, who is trained by up-and-coming Gold Coast horseman Michael Costa. Shout The Bar received a wildcard to compete in last year’s All-Star Mile and the consistent mare has again been nominated by the first lady of Australian racing, Gai Waterhouse, and her training partner, Adrian Bott. The pair have also entered Group 1 winner Converge and his stablemates Entente, Vangelic, Silent Impact and Riodini. Of the 33 nominations received from New South Wales stables, other notable entries include Group 1 winner Captivant, trained by the father and son team of Peter and Paul Snowden; Maximal, John O’Shea’s regally-bred British import whose brother Frankel was arguably the world’s best racehorse before he was retired with an unblemished record; and Icebath, Brad Widdup’s stable star who has earned more than $3.7 million in prizemoney. Local trainers appear primed to end Victoria’s drought in The All-Star Mile, with 30 horses entered from stables across the state. Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr would appear to hold a strong hand with Group 1 hero I’m Thunderstruck leading their charge; whilst Mike Moroney’s magnificent mare Tofane will be hoping to end her final campaign on a high before she is retired to the breeding barn. In addition, Stakes winners Sierra Sue and Forgot You – who both race in the colours of leviathan owner Ozzie Kheir – are in contention to represent Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young’s in-form stable; Ben Hayes and his brother JD are pinning their hopes on Mr Brightside, a winner of six of his nine races; Danny O’Brien, who came so close to claiming last year’s race with Russian Camelot, has an interesting contender in recent arrival Callsign Mav; and emerging Warrnambool trainer Maddie Raymond has two eye-catching contenders in Turaath, a winner of four successive races including the Group 2 Let’s Elope Stakes (1400m), and her fellow British import Earlswood. Greg Carpenter, RV’s Executive General Manager – Racing, welcomed the strength and depth of the All-Star Mile nominations. “We are delighted with the quality and variety of nominations received for The 2022 All-Star Mile, which have continued the theme we have seen since we started this journey back in 2019,” he said. “As well as topliners such as Zaaki and Verry Elleegant, undoubtedly two of Australia’s very best horses, it is intriguing to see up-and-comers such as Espiona, Captivant, Hitotsu and Forgot You all nominated as well as some extremely talented imports like Maximal, Lighthouse and Armory. “We are excited to welcome back some previous runners in Behemoth, The Harrovian, Lunar Fox, Streets Of Avalon, Regalo Di Gaetano and Shout The Bar, who all lined up in last year’s All-Star Mile; and it would be very fitting if either Tofane or Probabeel were able to sign off their final campaigns with victory in the world’s richest mile race. “I would like to thank all owners and trainers who have embraced the race so far, and in the process helped raise more than $40,000 for our official charity, the Good Friday Appeal. I believe The All-Star Mile is more than just a horse race, and the charity component is certainly an important aspect of its broader appeal.” For the full list of 2022 All-Star Mile nominations, click here To be eligible to be nominated, a horse must have met the following minimum performance criteria between 1 February, 2021 and the close of nominations on 10, January 2022 (or between 1 February, 2021 and 17 January, 2022 if a late entry): placed first, second or third in a Group or Listed race; OR have earned $20,000 or more placing first, second or third in a flat race. In addition, a three-year-old requires a minimum Victorian rating of 70 at the close of nominations to be eligible to run. Four-year-olds and upwards require a minimum Victorian rating of 80 at the close of nominations to be eligible to run. 2022-01-10-all-star-mile-nominations (1).pdf

What more than AUD$1.2m to the winner? Are you suggesting that NZ Grp wins still rate highly? If that was the case why don't OZ horses target NZ Grp races?