Chief Stipe

Precisely. Mills and co have only two jobs - present a good racing surface and a race programme that aligns with the horse population. They fail miserably on both.

Why make excuses for them? They're obviously incompetent and/or lazy. Not surprised if Mills and @Pitman are leading the charge. It isn't rocket science by any stretch. How many trainers are left in the South Island? How hard is it to: 1. Design programmes that follow the normative horse training pattern. Has training changed that much in 50 years? 2. Contact all the trainers every fortnight to find out what horses are fit and ready, what they want and fine tune the programme accordingly. Yeah na. They probably pitch up over a bottle of whiskey take out the tattered old plan the have had for decades and rearrange according to the vested interests at the table.

Yes but apparently that is just a "Quirk in the Data...." In my opinion the following article is bollocks for a number of reasons. Basically it is saying that if you vaccinate 100% of the population then it follows that those who are hospitalised or die from Covid are vaccinated. However it is odd that over 10% of NZ's current cases are vaccinated. Surely that points to a lower efficacy for the vaccine than what we have been told. http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/explained/126883892/covid19-how-raw-vaccine-and-case-data-can-be-very-misleading?cid=app-android

The Code of Conduct is an absolute nonsense. It is a form of elitism derived from insecurity. Basically "we'll hide our incompetence behind a veil of control". "You either don't criticise us or you don't participate". Would be a bit like the BOAY Chief Stipe banning or fining anyone who criticised him. You can clip your heels and salute or stand firm with a polite erect middle finger and enjoy your sport.

Synthetic track at Awapuni racecourse on track for summer NZ Racing Desk17:31, Aug 23 2021 WARWICK SMITH/STUFF Work on the new artificial track at Awapuni Racecourse is expected to start later this year. RACING: With the deluge of positive feedback for the synthetic tracks at both Cambridge and Riccarton, Central Districts trainers are looking forward to racing on a similar surface in their own backyard in 2022. As part of a $72.5 million emergency support package from the Government last year, the racing industry received up to $20 million in funding from the Provincial Growth Fund to go towards the construction of three synthetic tracks at Cambridge, Riccarton, and Awapuni in Palmerston North. The Cambridge track was completed in 2020 and hosted its first race meeting in May, while the Riccarton track was unveiled earlier in August and received a welcome response from southern trainers. Awapuni is the next and final cab off the rank, with construction set to start later this year. Awapuni Racing Centre general manager Kim Treweek said the tendering process would close by mid September, and they would look to start construction in early November. While funding from the Provincial Growth Fund has partially paid for the construction of the synthetic track, Treweek said the club had to fund the remainder. “Being able to offset that [cost of track] against some of the development [of land] we have has been helpful. We have almost got that box ticked now.” While Awapuni will be the last of the three tracks built, Treweek said this had its advantages. “You get more confidence within the industry. There were a lot of questions pre Cambridge around how good they were. “I think Cambridge has proven that off the bat that it is a big add-on to the industry, particularly around this time of year. “I was down in Christchurch for the national week and they had been through a tough month with wet weather, and to get on the synthetic track was such a big positive for the local trainers. “We have also had learnings from the construction process. The same engineer has been used for all three projects.” Treweek said a synthetic surface would be a godsend for racing in the region, particularly during winter. “If we didn’t get a synthetic track in the Central Districts it would have meant more horses would have gone north.” The Awapuni build will have its challenges, with less space to work with compared with Cambridge and Riccarton. “The synthetic track will go inside [the turf track]. We will have a sheet that runs across the course proper inside our 1600m chute, which is a little bit unique, but it has been done overseas so it’s not a first. “That’s where the camber of the track is going to come into play. We are looking at just under a 1600m circumference. If we get up to a 6 per cent camber that will help greatly with those smaller tracks. “In saying that, some of the information that we have received from our engineer, and from overseas, it is still a comparative size to Hong Kong and Singapore.” Treweek said the synthetic surface would also be a welcome addition for Palmerston North trainers. “At Awapuni we have been in debt for a long time, so we haven’t been able to put a lot of money into tracks and facilities. An upgrade like this is going to be huge. “There will be a bit of pain through the building process, but we are doing that over the summer, so fingers-crossed we get some good weather and it doesn’t affect the training of horses in the short term.”

New Zealand Cup draw out 3 November 2021 , News The draw is out for next Tuesday’s IRT New Zealand Cup at Addington. Defending champion Self Assured has drawn 15 alongside second favourite South Coast Arden, who will start off the unruly. It’s a good draw for Copy That, who’ll start off the front line, as will the in-form Classie Brigade and big southern hope Pembrook Playboy. The three emergencies are Taipo, Matt Damon, and That Alexander Guy. The draw is : 1 Steel The Show 2 Vintage Cheddar 3 Taipo (E2) 4 Pembrook Playboy 5 Matt Damon (E1) 6 Classie Brigade 7 Robyns Playboy 8 Cranbourne 9 Kango 10 Copy That 11 Henry Hubert 12 Bad To The Bone 13 Terry 14 That Alexander Guy (E3) 15 Self Assured 16 South Coast Arden 17 Laver 18 Dance Time The New Zealand Cup will be run at 5.50pm. To see the Cup day fields click here

Do you have a link to the new version?

Flemington is a fantastic track and gives every horse a chance. I have real concerns about Rosehill and Randwick. They cut out and often have a bias so the jocks are all fighting for the same piece of turf.

I thought it had to be used by a certain time and only on the AWT.

FFS @Gammalite I've posted many times saying how good JMac is over the years. That's not to say he doesn't always get it right or go through brief patches out of form. For example the one time he rode a horse for me he misjudged it. That said the difference this year which set it up for VE was the fact the favourite Incentivise was always going to head for the front from out wide and the others weren't going to make it easy. Hence seven abreast heading down the straight making it perfect for VE to spend nothing and get over to be one out.

Interesting comments from Chris Waller "11th hour decision start in Melbourne Cup": Waller said Verry Elleegant’s versatility was “her defining characteristic” although the trainer doubted the mare will start in a handicap race again. “I didn’t think she would carry the 57kg on Tuesday, especially being a mare,” Waller said. “For her to do that was an amazing effort. To try it again, it would be tricky as she is in the twilight of her career. “How long can she keep racing? What she is doing for a six-year-old is special, her legs are great, she is an equine athlete of the highest calibre. “If she is to race on, we need to make sure she can race at the elite level and I don’t think the autumn will be any problem. “But if at any stage she is showing us she is ready to be a mum, she will become a mum.” Verry Elleegant will be sent for a well-earned spell with Waller already thinking of her preparation towards the $4 million Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Royal Randwick during The Championships next autumn. This was the same event that Winx famously won her 33rd – and final – race in succession in 2019. On the same day, Waller also won the ATC Australian Oaks with a little-known filly called Verry Elleegant. Incredibly, as Winx retired, Waller had found his next champion although the trainer didn’t know it at the time. “Verry Elleegant was like a caged tiger, basically, when we first got her,” Waller said. “But through maturity she has developed into this beautiful horse that is putting her free spirit into her racing. “One of my trackwork riders, Chris Harwood, rides Verry Elleegant almost every day and he has helped harness this young girl that was a rough diamond into a beautiful swan as we saw at Flemington. “For Verry Elleegant to come along as Winx finished, who would have thought – lightning does strike twice.”

Melbourne CupTrainers Cup winner Waller straight back to work with 3am start Melbourne Cup-winning trainer Chris Waller was back at trackwork early on Wednesday morning. By Ray Thomas 05:19pm • 03 November 2021 Comments Chris Waller’s first morning as a Melbourne Cup-winning trainer didn’t start differently to any other – his alarm went off at 2.58am. This is the time when most are probably heading home after their Cup celebrations, not getting out of bed to start another working day. “It was business as usual this morning,” Waller said at Rosehill Gardens trackwork. “The alarm was set for the same time and we get up to do it all again but that’s my team, they do a fantastic job 365 days a year. “I have a lot of horses and a lot of great support so the little I can do is show my face (for trackwork) and make sure I’m part of the team as well.” Champion mare Verry Elleegant gave Waller his first Melbourne Cup with her barnstorming win at Flemington on Tuesday. The Hall of Fame trainer celebrated at home with family and friends later that night. Waller said he was only starting to appreciate the magnitude of his achievement as he was bombarded from the moment he woke up on Wednesday with media interview requests. “I did my first radio interview this morning at 3.30,” Waller revealed. “I’m realising how special it is to win the Melbourne Cup. The race is a household name in Australia and New Zealand.” Verry Elleegant gave Chris Waller his first win in the Melbourne Cup. Picture: Grant Guy Waller reiterated it was an 11th hour decision to start Verry Elleegant in the Melbourne Cup. “I tried to find every reason not to run her,” he said. “After a flat run earlier in her preparation she had bounced right back so I sent the owners a message that I can’t find a reason not to run in the Cup.” When asked if this proved the best decision he has made in his life, the trainer replied: “The best decision I have made is marrying my wife, Stephanie,” he said. “But in terms of the horse, it was the right decision to make. Verry Elleegant was Horse of the Year last year and with that comes a lot of responsibility. “She deserved her chance in the Melbourne Cup and it was a fantastic ride by James McDonald.” Waller maintains he has no regrets not being at Flemington for his first Melbourne Cup win. “None at all,” he said. “I got to watch it with my family and that is something I will remember the rest of my life.” Chris Waller holds a press conference at Rosehill Gardens on Wednesday morning following his Melbourne Cup triumph with Verry Elleegant. Verry Elleegant has developed into one of the most remarkably versatile champions of the modern era, having won 10 Group 1 races from 1400m to 3200m under handicap and weight-for-age conditions, on dry or wet track surfaces. Waller said Verry Elleegant’s versatility was “her defining characteristic” although the trainer doubted the mare will start in a handicap race again. “I didn’t think she would carry the 57kg on Tuesday, especially being a mare,” Waller said. “For her to do that was an amazing effort. To try it again, it would be tricky as she is in the twilight of her career. “How long can she keep racing? What she is doing for a six-year-old is special, her legs are great, she is an equine athlete of the highest calibre. “If she is to race on, we need to make sure she can race at the elite level and I don’t think the autumn will be any problem. “But if at any stage she is showing us she is ready to be a mum, she will become a mum.” Verry Elleegant will be sent for a well-earned spell with Waller already thinking of her preparation towards the $4 million Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Royal Randwick during The Championships next autumn. This was the same event that Winx famously won her 33rd – and final – race in succession in 2019. On the same day, Waller also won the ATC Australian Oaks with a little-known filly called Verry Elleegant. Incredibly, as Winx retired, Waller had found his next champion although the trainer didn’t know it at the time. “Verry Elleegant was like a caged tiger, basically, when we first got her,” Waller said. “But through maturity she has developed into this beautiful horse that is putting her free spirit into her racing. “One of my trackwork riders, Chris Harwood, rides Verry Elleegant almost every day and he has helped harness this young girl that was a rough diamond into a beautiful swan as we saw at Flemington. “For Verry Elleegant to come along as Winx finished, who would have thought – lightning does strike twice.”

Yep settling made all the difference in the Melbourne Cup.

HorsesMelbourne Cup Far from Elleegant: Melbourne Cup heroine’s first rider reveals all Verry Elleegant way back when with her first trackwork rider Ceilidh Johnston. Picture: Supplied By Ben Dorries 04:29pm • 03 November 2021 Comments Verry Elleegant is now the pin-up girl of Australian racing but the first person to ever ride her says the Melbourne Cup heroine was once so unruly she had to be broken in twice. Ceilidh Johnston was a trackwork rider for Verry Elleegant’s first trainer Nick Bishara in New Zealand and watched the mare’s Cup heroics in tears on Tuesday as she remembered some difficult early days. When she first arrived at Ardmore Lodge, headstrong Verry Elleegant had to be sent back to the breakers and the filly later snapped Johnston’s ankle when she took fright at trackwork one day. “The first time I hopped on her, when she had come back from the breakers, there was about a week when Nick and I were just trying to get on her back and see if we could even get her onto the track but we couldn’t,” Johnston told News Corp from New Zealand. “We just ended up sending her to get broken in again. “She had to be broken in twice, but even after that she certainly wasn’t easy. “One day we were about to have a gallop and we were heading out to the 1000m mark, just starting to speed up. “She saw a horse coming down the middle of the track and she just spun around and got me and broke my ankle.” But Johnston, who is now a lawyer after having given away riding trackwork to focus on her primary job, insists that she knew from day one that Verry Elleegant was going to be something very special. Melbourne Cup winner Verry Elleegant's first trackwork rider Ceilidh Johnston. Picture: Sonja Gardien Verry Elleegant has now won 10 Group 1s and is a Melbourne Cup champion. Johnston got a unique early glimpse into her extraordinary potential. “I remember getting off her after her very first gallop and there were a few potential owners around the track and I told them all they should get a share in her because I thought she could be something very, very special,” Johnston said. “She just had such a big stride and just amazing stamina, she wasn’t blowing after her first track gallop and she continued for nearly another lap afterwards which doesn’t usually happen. “She was awkward because it was a small track but once I let her go she did it on her ear. “The trainer told me off because we had gone too fast but I said I thought she was doing three quarter pace because she had done it so easy. “If you had told me even back then that she was going to win a Melbourne Cup one day, I wouldn’t have laughed because although she was difficult she was an absolute freak and she had stamina like nothing else.” Verry Elleegant showing her style back in the day with trackwork rider Ceilidh Johnston. Picture: Supplied Verry Elleegant raced three times in New Zealand, finishing runner-up at her first start at Te Rapa before winning the next two when ridden by then apprentice Rowena Smyth. Ironically, the winner in Verry Elleegant’s debut race was a two-year-old called Cyber Attack which was owned by Johnston’s now boss at the legal firm. Johnston was chuffed when Verry Elleegant came to race in Australia and is full of praise and admiration for how Chris Waller has developed the one-time difficult filly with the high head carriage. Johnston no longer works in the racing industry but tears flowed freely as she watched the Melbourne Cup, remembering her part in the early days of Verry Elleegant’s climb to the top. Verry Elleegant as a young filly. Picture: Supplied “As I watched the Melbourne Cup I screamed a lot and then there was a lot of sobbing,” she said. “It was pretty crazy to be able to sit here and watch her and to think that I was once able to ride what’s now a Melbourne Cup winner. “Chris (Waller) just deserves the utmost respect and I think the ride from James McDonald was the best I’ve ever seen in the Melbourne Cup. “Verry Elleegant is not an easy horse and she never will be. “James just respects her and keeps his hands quiet and doesn’t interfere and puts her in the right spot and lets her do her thing. “As soon as I saw them come around that bend, I was like she (Verry Elleegant) is just going to do this, she’s going to win the Melbourne Cup.” Read all news by Ben Dorries

Group 1 RacingMelbourne Cup Serious concerns for Incentivise following Melbourne Cup injury Melbourne Cup runner-up Incentivise pulled up sore after the race. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images By Trenton Akers 12:13pm • 03 November 2021 Comments Connections of Melbourne Cup runner-up Incentivise are sweating on the results of a second set of scans after he pulled up lame following his gallant run for second as favourite in Tuesday’s race. Managing owner Steve Tregea confirmed his home-bred superstar had suffered the injury in his fetlock area and displayed lameness shortly after the gruelling 3200m trip. “He has inflammation in the near-side fetlock,” Tregea said. “They scanned it and didn’t see a lot but there was inflammation and fluid there and he was lame so we will see what the second scan shows. “It is not a CT scan, just a normal scan they use on pregnant mares to see under the skin. It is in the fetlock so they don’t really know what it is, they have iced it and wrapped it up but he was lame on it shortly after the race. “When you are racing horses, these things are always on the cards. It is disappointing but you just have to cop these things.” Incentivise was set for an extended spell as it was after a busy winter and spring but his Melbourne Cup setback now has his racing future unclear while they wait for veterinary analysis. Incentivise has never shown signs of soreness like this after a race and it is the first time he has pulled up lame in his short but incredible career. “He ducked out on the corner so I would say something has gone wrong there,” Tregea said. “(Trainer) Peter (Moody) said he wasn’t lame immediately but soon after he was favouring that leg and had inflammation around it.”

I see they are doing pre-race swabbing of North Island Trainers and Jockey's.

Riccarton Park R8 49th New Zealand 2000 Guineas 1600m 15:25 1. Mana Nui (NZL) (3) 3yoC 😄 4: 2-0-0 L10: 8x116 T: C K Ormsby J: V Colgan (56.5kg) 2. Wakari (NZL) (8) 3yoG 😄 6: 2-4-0 L10: 21x2122 T: R Bergerson J: D Johnson (56.5kg) 3. I Wish I Win (NZL) (1) 3yoG 😄 5: 1-3-1 L10: 12x223 T: J Richards J: C Grylls (56.5kg) 4. Meritable (10) 3yoC 😄 4: 1-2-0 L10: 2142 T: M, A Baker & F J: M Cameron (56.5kg) 5. Noverre (NZL) (9) 3yoC 😄 6: 2-2-1 L10: 21x9x321 T: J Richards J: O Bosson (56.5kg) 6. Dark Destroyer (NZL) (2) 3yoG 😄 3: 1-0-2 L10: 313 T: L, A O'Sullivan & S J: S Weatherley (56.5kg) 7. Field Of Gold (4) 3yoG 😄 4: 2-1-1 L10: 3x112 T: T Pike J: M M Nab (56.5kg) 8. Mackenzie Lad (NZL) (7) 3yoG 😄 9: 2-3-2 L10: 221421x433 T: M & M Pitman J: S Wynne (56.5kg) 9. Ceasar (NZL) (6) 3yoG 😄 3: 1-1-0 L10: 217 T: M, P Moroney & G J: K Asano (56.5kg) 10. Fireglow (NZL) (5) 3yoG 😄 7: 1-1-1 L10: 523x1775 T: M & M Pitman J: (56.5kg)

Correct but it was also intimated that she wasn't 100% in the Cox. McDonald basically said it wasn't until Saturday’s gallop that she was in her zone. She was given every chance in the Cox - a "gut buster" is hard to quantify. Certainly she had had the prep to be fully fit. The key though was to keep on with the plan of getting her to settle. Hunting her up to find a better position early would likely have undone that plan. IMO she was still a length or two off her best in the Cox for whatever reason. Waller believes it may have just taken a bit longer to get her fully fit.

Melbourne Cup Was there an excuse for the Cup favourite? Incentivise pulled up with swelling in the left foreleg after the Melbourne Cup. Picture: Getty Images By Brad Waters 09:28pm • 02 November 2021 Comments Beaten Melbourne Cup favourite Incentivise will be examined by a vet in the coming days after the Peter Moody camp reported the stayer had swelling in a foreleg after the race. Incentivise was far from disgraced when second to brilliant mare Verry Elleegant in a Melbourne Cup run in hot conditions. Moody advised Racing Victoria Incentivise had a small amount of swelling in his left foreleg upon cooling down after the race. Moody’s stable vet has examined Incentivise and will reassess the gelding’s recovery from the Melbourne Cup later in the week. Meanwhile, University of Melbourne vets are treating the Symon Wilde-trained Tralee Rose for a wound suffered early in the Melbourne Cup. Tralee Rose required stitches after being galloped on in the Cup. Picture: Getty Images Wilde said Tralee Rose was galloped on early in the race before the mare finished ninth, more than 16 lengths from the winner Verry Elleegant. Racing Victoria vets attended Tralee Rose at Flemington before she was transported to the University of Melbourne veterinary clinic at Werribee. Wilde told News Corp that Tralee Rose had been sedated ahead of what he hoped would be ‘just a stitch-up job’. Both Wilde and the University of Melbourne vets later advised Racing Victoria the mare had not suffered any tendon damage or structural issues. Tralee Rose will stay at the Werribee clinic overnight before heading back to Wilde’s Warrnambool stable on Thursday.

So it's OK to bag Damian Lane? Her Cox Plate performance was flat and uncharacteristic of her hence Waller getting her fully vetted. Note your original impression was as follows.

So how much did you bet on Verry Elleegant?

But let's continue to distract from a brilliant win by what must be one of the best mares in history. What recent mare or any horse has won more group races over so many distances. But if you want to jump on @holy ravioli's bandwagon go for it.

Yes I would have been more bullish if the track had more give in it. You clearly haven't had much experience around horses judging by the comments you make. Mares do suddenly switch off and early spring the odd race will be out of character. Even the most amateur of observers would have noted that the relaxed behaviour she had shown recently was significantly different to her previous runs. It even prompted Waller to fully vet her two starts ago. But perhaps she has taken an extra couple of runs to peak this spring.

Waller gave huge wraps to the regular track worker too. But Lane must have played a part as well.

You are an absolute pain in the arse. I expressed my opinion - it isnt right or wrong. Unlike you I observe and take note of how horses behave. Verry Elleegant has been totally different in her last 3 or 4 starts. Many finer judges than me have observed that. The question was why. No straw clutching at all. That's why I reviewed her lead up to last year's cup and this year's and changed my mind about leaving her out of my first 3. McDonald had very little to do with her change in behaviour. Full credit to Waller, her track worker and Damian Lane in the lead up races.