Chief Stipe

Parsons said one of the major benefits should be getting an improved surface on the main turf track by reducing the foot-traffic. “The course proper at Riccarton is stuffed, but the synthetic gives another option. They just overused the course proper and it is a bog after that Winter Cup meeting, but now we have somewhere to run,” she said.

Mmm another trainer agrees.

Mmm some interesting comments in that press release. I heard whispers that not all trainers were so glowing in their praise for the track. Comments like: "Too firm" "The top didn't have the cushion that Cambridge has" "Lots of kick back" Etc. Those issues could be fixed by grooming, watering and polymer/wax ratio adjustment.

Synthetic trials at Riccarton get thumbs up By NZ Racing Desk - October 5, 2021 Leading trainers were bullish on the new Polytrack surface at the Riccarton trials on Tuesday Photo: Race Images CHCH The first set of trials was conducted on the newly installed synthetic track at Riccarton on Tuesday, with the new surface receiving the full support of some of the major players in the region. Leading trainer Michael Pitman, who trains in partnership with son Matthew, was full of praise for the track. “The feedback has been very positive, it is all going well,” Pitman said. “It rained consistently here yesterday, and to be fair if the trials had been elsewhere, they might not have been on but now we have a really nice track to trial on. “There were plenty of horses trialling, including some nice three-year-olds. “We had jump outs here last week and we were very happy with how they went. “These are unraced horses we are trialling and it is good to give them a hit out and it will hopefully bring them on towards the Cup meeting a bit quicker.” The Pitman stable are not noted for frequently presenting horses at the trials but given the convenience and cost-effectiveness of having trials on their doorstep, the Christchurch trainers are keen to utilise the facility more. Like the Cambridge track in Waikato, the Riccarton track is Polytrack, and given the roomy expanse of the Riccarton outer track, the inside synthetic still has appealing dimensions. With a 1900m circumference and a 360m home straight, the Polytrack will have starting points of 1200m from the middle of the back straight on the synthetic, 1400m and 1600m from separate chutes (all with a starting limit of 14) and 2100m and 2200 from the home straight, both with a starting limit of 12 horses. Rangiora trainer Paul Harris was also pleased with his initial experience of the Polytrack. “I think we are very fortunate in Canterbury to have it. The trials have gone on without a hitch,” he said. “At the end of the day, it is like anything, you make your own tracks and figure it out as you go along. I’ve had two trial early in the day and one ran second and one third and they hadn’t seen it before. “The feedback from the jockeys has been excellent, including my rider Brett Murray who said it is beautiful. “I’m really happy, progression is always good. “Without any doubt we will have horses trialling and racing on it. I think it would suit a number of our horses that we have earmarked.” Balcairn trainers John and Karen Parsons also had six horses have a hitout on the new circuit and despite being initially sceptical about the level of investment required and the speed at which Riccarton construction commenced soon after the Cambridge installation, Karen Parsons was happy to give the track the tick of approval. “You can tell the ones that manage on it,” Parsons said. “I was at Cambridge when it kicked off and I was going on the feedback from there. I wanted them to let that first track get going before they started on this one. “They are pretty positive on the Cambridge track now, they weren’t initially. “As long as the horses go on it, and they are looking like they are, we will support it. “It is definitely a tick of approval.” Parsons said one of the major benefits should be getting an improved surface on the main turf track by reducing the foot-traffic. “The course proper at Riccarton is stuffed, but the synthetic gives another option. They just overused the course proper and it is a bog after that Winter Cup meeting, but now we have somewhere to run,” she said. “There are horses that manage heavy and hard and now there is another option. “It is somewhere to race in winter and we don’t have to go way off down the way.” The next set of Riccarton trials will take place in a fortnight, with racing on the surface due to commence on May 5 next year.

Be careful what you write when using the PM function on that site.

Some one should take a class action and get the money refunded back to account holders. Been done against banks for excessive charges.

Isn't Timaru targeted to go? Talk about a paradox. Trainers looking for good safe fair tracks to race their charges on regardless of the Stakes. Avoiding poor tracks except when the big Stakes are on offer.

Is that 1/6th left the part with your wallet?

@Brodie on the money again. 6,000 businesses closed shop last month. Normally only a couple of dozen a month!

I remember as a young smart arse teenager having an argument with some old trainers that very soon a horse will put two sub minute miles together in a two mile race. They laughed and said don't be silly - will never happen! I'd worked it out on comparing the mile record progress and the ratio with other distances.

But aren't the odds just computer generated based on other jurisdictions? Isn't that what they paid for with the new Paddy Power system?

He is a nephew. His driving skills were more like his father's - Hughie.

Which would have been what year? Ted was old school. You worked hard and he rewarded you. I know a couple of people who benefited from his generosity.

You couldn't have met a nicer man than Ted Lowe. I assume you never met the man? I know he rewarded well those who put the hard work in.

The fact is he didn't and was upfront and honest yet still got pinged. But I guess that is the society we now live in. It still amazes me how a driver can have a minor accident, cut a finger, no other car involved, no harm to anyone other than themselves and be charged by the Police with dangerous driving causing injury.

That isn't the issue. Richards found out about the drug mistake and as soon as possible scratched the horse. The issue is he got a significant fine for being honest. @JJ Flash if you fine legal brain can explain where in rule 534 (1) it demands a fine then I'd be interested to hear your reasoning? But in saying that even the RIB admitted in their judgement of having difficulty in determining what to do. A better outcome which was within the rules was to applaud Richards for his honesty and quick action and not fine him. Instead the message that is sent out is "We expect you to be honest but we'll nail you with a fine anyway!"

Are we talking about the Waipounamu people?

Bad draw for Victoria Cup fave King Of Swing Luke McCarthy with King Of Swing, who has drawn barrier 13 for the Victoria Cup. Picture: Liam Kidston By Adam Hamilton 01:12pm • 05 October 2021 Comments Champion pacer King Of Swing will have to overcome a horror barrier draw to add Saturday night’s Group 1 Victoria Cup to his bounty of feature race wins. The Grand Circuit race gained a huge injection of competitiveness when King Of Swing drew the worst possible alley, outside the back row (gate 13) over 2150m at Bendigo. Stand-in driver David Moran will have to make some big decision and need luck at the right time despite King Of Swing being by far the best and most decorated pacer in the field. “That’s certainly made things interesting,” co-trainer Luke McCarthy said. “It’s never easier from that sort of draw in any race, let alone a Victoria Cup. “But Dave (Moran) knows the opposition and drives these big races so well. “I’m sure we’ve got the horse as good, if not better, than he’s ever been, which he might need to be from there.” Superstar former Kiwi mare Amazing Dream will also need some luck from the front row (gate five) with noted quick beginners Torrid Saint (one), Max Delight (two) and Majestic Cruiser (four) drawn inside her. In-form NSW trainer Jason Grimson has booked gun local freelancer Zac Phillips to drive the only other interstate raider in the race, Majestic Cruiser. The six-year-old has won five of his six starts since moving from Victoria to join Grimson’s Menangle stable, including his past three at Group 3 level. Classy sit-sprinter Triple Play is another who will need luck from gate eight (inside the back row) where he’ll get a cosy run, but be sweating on clear air when it matters. “He’s following out a horse (Torrid Saint) with the tactical speed to hold a forward spot, so that’s a plus,” driver Greg Sugars said. It was a horror draw for Andy Gath’s pair with Wolf Stride landing gate seven (outside the front) and the emerging Pacifico Dream (12). In contrast, Gath’s star trotter Majestuoso drew superbly in gate three and will dominate betting in the Group 1 Bill Collins Trotters’ Sprint. The Victoria Oaks was turned on its head when the brilliant Ladies In Red, a winner of 12 of her 13 starts, drew the back row (gate 10), while emerging stablemates Beach Music (three) and Joanna (six) snared the front row. Impressive heat winner Act Now looks assured of Victoria Derby favouritism from barrier three, but former Kiwi pacer American Dealer will have plenty of admirers from gate two.

If I recall correctly Ted Lowe was only ever an Amateur driver and Trainer. OTD = Owner, Trainer, Driver. He set up Paul Young the father of Jessica in the industry.

I met Ted when I was very young. Listened to many a story retold by him. If you didnt know better you would have thought he was a better driver than Morrie Holmes. My Dad's horse was stabled there when we tried to win the Orari Challenge Stakes. Nostradamus (good horse won the Messenger) beat us by less than a nostril under a hard drive whereas our driver didnt touch our horse, was worried about breaking due to the previous performance. Ted had taken our horse out onto his track and timed him to run 12 seconds for a furlong the fastest any horse had run on the track. Ted also had on display a 100 year old Hokitika Trotting Cup which the family had won.

As a 9 year old I sat in Ted Lowes lounge at Hinds and looked at Humphrey's Cup. Listened attentively as Ted regaled every drive he ever had while he and Dad drunk whiskey.

Sorry @Gammalite when I saw those two fields I thought Alexandra Park had moved to Tasmania!

From Israel. The index case was fully vaccinated. https://www.eurosurveillance.org/content/10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2021.26.39.2100822 We have investigated a nosocomial COVID-19 outbreak involving the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant among a highly vaccinated population. The attack rate among exposed individuals reached 23.3% in patients and 10.3% in staff, with 96.2% vaccination rate among exposed individuals. Moreover, several transmissions probably occurred between two individuals both wearing surgical masks, and in one instance using full PPE, including N-95 mask, face shield, gown and gloves.

Read it and weep. From Israel. The index case was fully vaccinated. https://www.eurosurveillance.org/content/10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2021.26.39.2100822 We have investigated a nosocomial COVID-19 outbreak involving the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant among a highly vaccinated population. The attack rate among exposed individuals reached 23.3% in patients and 10.3% in staff, with 96.2% vaccination rate among exposed individuals. Moreover, several transmissions probably occurred between two individuals both wearing surgical masks, and in one instance using full PPE, including N-95 mask, face shield, gown and gloves.

I agree 100% with that approach. You are a professional trainer who has their dogs welfare and longevity as paramount.