Chief Stipe

Thinking about this a bit more - why the distinction between Matamata and Christchurch in terms of travel to Trentham? It's 500km by road from Matamata to Trentham. 336km by road from Christchurch to Picton - 64km ferry trip and then 30km up the Hutt motorway to Trentham. Total distance 430km. The Matamata horses travel further!!! Hardly zipping down!

Self-interest drives the industry. Why would you expect him to "generalise"? I note that no other trainer has joined in and formed a chorus. I note @Pitman in his self-interested bitch about Trentham compensation didn't generalise.

The MM averages are still heading upwards - the breeders will be pleased.

So where do you rate the Sydney Summer Yearling Sale compared to MM? What you are saying though is that the breeder gets a better return from the MM.

Why did you omit to post the turnover for Reefton?

Do you really expect Ellis to comment about other trainers issues? Then he'd get hammered for not minding his own business. Maybe affected trainers should all put their self-interest to one side for a moment and collectively work together to get some change.

Spent $7m so far at the sale which you call a wank. Annabel Neasham has spent $3.5m.

Your call.

Some big prices today at the sale @Joe Bloggs calls "a big wank". Ciaron Maher pays $1.7m for a Not A Single Doubt colt.

Would CWJ back the no whip option?

So? Ellis is entitled to speak his opinion. In fact he is obliged to on behalf of the shareholders he represents. Shame a few more don't. A week ago a horse with connections who post on BOAY had CWJ on board. Their horse was beaten a lip by a rider who got pinged for the same reason Bosson did -$750 fine and no suspension. CWJ got pinged as well. In fact he got fined $500 (no suspension). Even the owner watching his horse didn't see the offending so I doubt any member of the public worried about horse welfare would have seen on the off chance they were even watching. The offending can only have been seen on replayed Stewards vision probably from the bunker back at Parnell. The reasons for the penalties in all of the 3 cases are inconsistent as are the penalties. Ellis has a point. But let's all bitch about him batting hard for Te Akau and ignore the many many instances of how daft the rules and their application are.

Target the Karaka 3yr old race. Interesting to see if he gets 1600m. I see he is nominated for the Derby but I can't see him getting that distance.

It is an indictment of a bigger problem in NZ Racing. The total lack of competent senior riders. Remember when penalties were adjusted to lean towards fines rather than suspensions because of there wasn't sufficient Jockey's available?

So? Racing would be better off if more Trainers did stand up and complain. Good on Ellis going into bat for his shareholders. It would be remiss of him if he didn't. About time more Trainers pushed back.

Here is the decision. Why all the bullshit with comparing against precedents? If the rule is black and white (arguably it isn't) then why not create a list of penalties based on number of offences and do away with all the palaver over mitigating circumstances. I do have some sentiment for Jockey's that know how to get the best out of their charges Bosson and CWJ are in this category yet both are being pinged constantly. Outcome: Proved Penalty: Class A Jockey Opie Bosson is suspended for 6 National Riding Days and fined $400 EVIDENCE: Following the running of Race 5, the Respondent Class A Rider Mr Bosson admitted a charge alleging the use of whip in consecutive strides over the concluding stages of the race. Rule 638(3)(g)(ii) provides that in a Flat Race a Rider must not: (ii) strike a horse with a whip in consecutive strides at any stage of the race. Using the available race films Stipendiary Steward Mrs L Selvakumaran demonstrated that Mr Bosson struck his mount (THE PERFECT PINK) twice in consecutive strides over the concluding stages of the race. THE PEFECT PINK finished second, beaten a nose by the race winner LA CRIQUE. Mrs L Selvakumaran added that Mr Bosson used his whip four times in the run up the straight, with two of those strikes having occurred very close to the finish. In response, Mr Bosson agreed with the strike count. REASON FOR DECISION: As Mr Bosson admitted the breach, it was deemed proved. SUBMISSION FOR PENALTY: Mr Williamson submitted that Mr Bosson has had 3 previous breaches of the Whip Rule 638(2)(g) over the past 6 months, namely: 2 November 2021, Te Rapa (under subclause (i)) – fined $250 13 November 2021, Riccarton, (under subclause (i)) in a Group 1 Race – fined $4500 16 November 2021, Rotorua, (under subclause (ii)) – suspended 5 days Mr Williamson submitted that with regards to the Whip Rule relating to consecutive strikes / strides (sub-clause (ii)), the Penalty Guide is ambiguous. Mr Williamson read out the provisions in the Guide regarding this clause and noted that it does not allude to an appropriate penalty for a fourth breach of the Whip Rule. He added that a prior offence in any category is included in consideration of penalties; and that within the 6-month reset period each consecutive penalty is to be raised by 1 or 2 days. Mr Williamson submitted that Mr Bosson struck his mount four times down the shoulder with two being consecutive. He said no force was applied to each strike. Mr Williamson said the 5-day suspension imposed on Mr Bosson by the Adjudicative Committee at Rotorua was an error and should have been a fine. In conclusion, Mr Williamson submitted that a fine greater than $500 be imposed. He added that Mr Bosson’s share of the stake for finishing second was $830, with 50% being $415. In response Mr Bosson submitted that, if possible, he would prefer a fine. He said that over the next two weeks he is committed to riding the favourite in the Group 1 Race at Wellington (on 15 January 2022) and also the two favourites in the Karaka Million-Dollar Races (on 22 January 2022). REASON FOR PENALTY: This is Mr Bosson’s fourth Whip Rule breach fourth breach in 9 weeks. The reset period is 6 months. The NZTR Revised Penalty Guide for improper whip use (effective as of 1 September 2021) provides that: Excessive or improper whip use during racing is unacceptable (particularly where repeated) and must be denounced and discouraged by way of a penalty. A prior offence in any category of breach is included in consideration of penalties. Additional National Days and/or an increased percentage of the jockey share of stake to be added where whip infringement is in a black type race, a prestige jumping race or other major race. Where charges are upheld within the 6-month reset period, each consecutive penalty in the 6 months is to be raised by 1 or 2 days. Mr Williamson submitted that a fine, for this fourth whip breach, would be an appropriate penalty and he suggested that Mr Bosson’s previous suspension for a breach (of the same Rule) at Rotorua on 16 November 2021 was an error and should have resulted in a fine. The Adjudicative Committee disagrees with Mr Williamson’s interpretation of the Penalty Guide, and further the breach at Rotorua was not a mistake or error and it is consistent with other like penalties. Since the revised NZTR Penalty Guidelines came into force on 1 September 2021 there have a been a number of precedent cases that support the notion that breaches in any category of the whip sub-clauses (i) and (ii) are grouped together for the purpose of fixing penalty. Precedents cases A sampling of precedent cases include: 28/10/21 B Grylls, Te Aroha, suspended 5 days 03/11/21 L Satherley, Cambridge, suspended 5 days + fine $150 16/11/21, O Bosson, Rotorua, suspended 5 days 27/11/21, V Colgan, Te Aroha, suspended 5 days 11/12/21 T Thornton, Te Rapa, suspended 7 days 11/12/21 L Satherley, Te Rapa, suspended 7 days (and 9 days on 18/12/21) In B Grylls the Applicant Chief Stipendiary Steward Mr Oatham submitted that the Penalty Guidelines provide for a penalty of a 5-day suspension for a 3rd breach. The Adjudicator, Mr McKenzie commented that “The NZTR Revised Penalty Guidelines provide for a starting point for penalty for a 3rd breach of a 5-day suspension. This breach is regarded as a 3rd offence, the Guidelines providing that a prior offence in any category is to be included in consideration of penalties. That starting point is an appropriate penalty for this breach”. In L Satherley (03/11/21) the Adjudicator, Hon J W Gendall QC stated: (with regards to the Penalty Guide stated “It speaks of a starting point for a fourth offence of breach of “the Whip Rule” and although some might say this only refers to excessive number of strikes, this approach would not be what is intended under Rule 638. Any breach of the Whip Rule 638(3)(g) – whether under sub clause (i) or (ii) – is to be taken into account when recommended starting points are considered”. Quite simply the various precedent cases do not support Mr Williamson’s submission in terms of fine versus suspension for a fourth breach, particularly where previous breaches under subclauses (i) and (ii) are grouped. The way in which the NZTR Penalty Guide is framed and the manner in which it has been interpreted since promulgated and introduced on 1 September 2021 is that prior offences separately under subclause (i) [excessive strikes before the 100m mark] and subclause (ii) [use of the whip in consecutive strides] are grouped for the purpose of setting penalty. It is accepted that Mr Bosson struck his mount no more than for times in the home straight, but two of the strikes were consecutive and therefore in breach of the Rule. They were not forceful, but nevertheless they constitute strikes for the purpose of the Rule. The Adjudicative Committee is mindful that any proposed suspension will result in Mr Bosson having to forgo his mount in the Group 1 Race at Wellington; and potentially his rides at the Karaka Millions meeting. In consideration of this, the Adjudicative Committee has come to the conclusion that any proposed penalty should not include both meetings. There are effectively six meetings scheduled between now and the Karaka Millions on 22 January 2022, therefore a suspension that falls within that six-meeting timeframe is fitting under the circumstances. Finally, in consideration of Mr Bosson’s submission that he receives a fine, the Adjudicative Committee is of the view that a fine for a fourth whip breach would not be appropriate and would run counter to the intent of the NZTR Guidelines. It would also be inconsistent with the precedent cases, and there are no compelling grounds to make an exception for Mr Bosson. After considering the above Guidelines, the film evidence; the submissions and having due regard for the number of consecutive strikes (2), as well as the Respondent’s share of the stake ($830), the Adjudicative Committee determined a 6 days suspension to be appropriate. In addition, a fine of $400 is imposed which is about 50% of Mr Bosson’s share of the stake. CONCLUSIONS: Accordingly, Mr Bosson is suspended from riding after the conclusion of racing on 9 January 2022 until after racing on 20 January 2022. In addition, he is fined $400.

Regardless of whether it is Te Akau complaining or any other stable I have been consistent in my criticism of the rules. THEY are farcical. Not only are they unworkable as evident by the weekly list of offenders of all levels they are applied inconsistently. Then the penalties are all over the place again given without any consistency. What are the whip rules trying to achieve apart from being a sop to the woke animal welfare brigade? Apparently a whip hurts more if you are a senior rider in a Grp race at Ellerslie than an apprentice in a Maiden at Omoto.

A two stone problem? What was up with On the Bubbles?

You are making the incorrect assumption that the sale toppers are the best. Inevitably they are the best bred and best looking in terms of type and conformation. Top money is paid because if they are successful on the race track their residual value is considerable. But there are some good judges that buy lower in the market - generally on type who have more than average success.

As I said some are better judges than others.

How can you blame it on the screen? Was there a screen at Avondale when it performed in a similar fashion? What is different about the Ellerslie screen compared to the those at big tracks in OZ?

I picked five out on the first day. Not sure if I'll get to see the second day. Ciaron Maher spent over $4m yesterday. Gross Sales $40m. Average well up on last year - Up $70k. $200k t0 $270k. Median up too - $150k to $220k.

@aquaman are you still having the rally's? I see the Council has sent a bill for $14k.

From what I've read the Pzifer vaccine doesn't destroy natural immunity however there is evidence that it does compromise it. Which when you think about it, the continual stimulation of only one part of the immune system through one mechanism must have an impact on other parts of the immune system. Another reason why we shouldn't be vaccinating children who have near zero risk from Covid. For them it is a cold and the natural infection will stimulate their immune response more effectively than a narrowly focused vaccine. Added to that is the unknown long term effects of adverse reactions that we have yet to uncover. NZ's whole pandemic strategy has compromised the population's immunity to a wide range of viruses. Herd immunity develops by viruses circulating and immune systems in order to function need to be stimulated. Isolating us from the world has impeded that process.

Is it really Lotto? Some are better judges than others.

Your point? Damn good couple of trials coming up today. BTW since you are obviously on to it what is the total stakes won by them?