Chief Stipe

Sounds like me.

Smooth Fella. Again with Hal Dale on both sides of his pedigree. Sire of Roydon Glen one of @Gammalite's favourites.

That brings back memories of my Standardbred breeding research. Vance Hanover was by Albatross and the first son of Albatross available down here. Hal Dale a favourite of mine in pedigrees was on both sides of Vance Hanover's pedigree. Vance Hanover's service fee was for a few years $400 to $500!!! After his success at stud emerged his fee increased to $6,000 in the late 80's. Definitely a broodmare upgrader.

You may like this article. https://brownstone.org/articles/is-this-becoming-a-general-strike/

You'd appreciate this Tweet.

Waller was upbeat in his report on 2KY yesterday. He suspects the trip to Melbourne and the change in surrounds may have put or a fraction off. She galloped as good as she ever has late this week. In the back of my mind though is sometimes when a horse puts in an uncharacteristic performance there is a physical issue hiding somewhere.

I see our resident lurking sulker @Thomass has labelled this post "Fake News". I was referring to her ride on Savvy Yong Blonk in the Livimol. Well I'm sure @Thomass you were all over the previous race at Hastings just like the Stipes were. Race 7 TUMU GROUP 1400M D Johnson (DEEP BEAUTY) - Admitted a charge of careless riding in that she permitted her mount to shift outwards near the 500 metres when not sufficiently clear of FOUR QUEENS which was dictated outwards clipping a heel of SHOCKALLIA and blundering badly. After hearing submissions, the Adjudicative Committee imposed a suspension of her license to ride in races from the conclusion of racing on Monday 25 October until the conclusion of racing on Wednesday 3 November, 7 national riding days.

Looking at the race again I'm not so sure your assessment is correct.

Race 4 NZB READY TO RUN SALE TRAINERS SERIES 3YO 1300M MERCURIAL (E Leighton) - Jumped away awkwardly and lay out crowding IVANKA onto UNUSUAL COUNTESS, which both lost ground. Badly held up near the 300 metres having to be steadied for a distance and shift outwards across heels before obtaining clear running approaching the 100 metres. IVANKA (K Hercock) - Crowded start losing ground. Over-raced in the middle stages on a moderate tempo. Steadied off heels near the 600 metres. UNUSUAL COUNTESS (L Allpress) - Crowded start losing ground. WAKARI (D Johnson) - Slow away. PURE IMAGINATION (C Grylls) - Commenced to over-race near the 1000 metres then racing ungenerously for a distance making the bending near the 800 metres awkwardly before being allowed to improve forward to lead. PALAMOS (T Harris) - Over-raced middle stages. Riders E Leighton (MERCURIAL) and R Elliot (DRUM MAJOR) were questioned regarding the steadying of the pace in the middle stages. R Elliot advised that after riding his mount forward from a wide barrier to lead he had then opted to steady when MERCURIAL was maintaining a position to his inside. E Leighton explained that after taking up a prominent position inside DRUM MAJOR once her mount had been left in front it had raced very greenly shying near the 700 metres then ducking away from the running rail near the 600 metres. The explanations of both riders were noted. T Harris (PALAMOS) – Admitted a charge in that he struck his mount PALAMOS six times prior to the 100 metres with the matter being adjourned until tomorrow race meeting at Rotorua. HBAY-R04-161021.mp4

Why is it that OZ can have the Race video and Stewards vision of a race posted online within an hour or less of the race time? If Walsh is doing his job he will have a big video and whiteboard session on Monday. Heaps of material in here to work on. ASHB-R06-161021.mp4

I get the impression that the Apprentice Mentors are just there for support when the Apprentice gets called before the Stewards. Or perhaps they use their extensive experience from their list of excuses to help the Apprentice.

Race 9 VALACHI DOWNS 1400m SAIGON HOT NIGHT (M Taylor) - Crowded shortly after the start losing ground. Stewards spoke to apprentice rider M Taylor in the presence of the Apprentice Riding Mentor in regard to her mount losing contact with the field, particularly through the middle stages. M Taylor advised that after being crowded at the start the gelding had been flat and lost ground in the early and middle stages on a good tempo despite her efforts, adding that SAIGON HOT NIGHT was probably looking for tracks with more moisture and further distance. Stewards noted M Taylor’s comments but advised her that in future in similar circumstances she would be expected to show more vigour to keep her mounts in touch with the body of the field. I must say the Harness Stewards are harder on this type of stuff than the Thoroughbreds. Not that they are consistent either.

Asano had an excuse Freda! Must have been to the @Thomass School of Creative Racing Excuses And Misinformation (SCREAM)! SUMMER MONSOON (K Asano) - Bumped from the inside passing the 300 metres. Rider dropped his outside rein when it became entangled with his whip near the 150 metres. Shifted inwards under pressure near the 50 metres placing LIVE DRAMA in restricted room. K Asano was advised to exercise greater care and straighten his mount sooner than he had on this occasion.

Here is the Stewards Report from Ashburton yesterday. I wonder if Terry Moseley got done through frustration as he is normally one of the best riders. I counted 20 mentions of "crowded" or "hampered"! Competitive bunch these South Island riders! Report 2021-10-16 Ashburton.pdf

Yeah I watched a couple of his efforts and his balance was way off. Seems to turn side on and whip with an extravagant style. I was surprised because the last time I watched him quite some time ago he seemed OK. Should post some Stewards vision. Looks like wounded ducks riding.

Classique Legend wasn't too tardy either considering first up.

Oh isn't your Avatar picture real?

Explains why you don't know much. I'm guessing you are a late developing 15 yr old?

Well some of them were before I was born but it's a shame when we forget about the history of a sport. When I looked back at that Methven meeting I couldn't believe how many horses went round that day. Might chart that meeting over the years for race sizes. Be interesting to see when the decline started and accelerated. Was harder to win races but there was more of them.

BOAY appreciates your staunch effort. Obviously you are still light on your feet.

Brett obviously got my riding instructions! But seriously that was one hell of a performance. Melbourne Cup? 7 months from a Maiden? I'd love to race a horse with Moody. Be bloody fun.

Did you back Ten Bells? I gather you haven't had a good day at Caulfield. 😜

Hell HE IS GOOD!!!!