Chief Stipe

Hardly bullying. But you should realise that this persistent basic error degrades your posts especially when you are having a dig at the Waikato gentry. Personally it brings back bad memories of a strict Irish Nun education and I'm sure others find it irritating.

It is but some special needs types get distracted and go off topic.

FFS "we" is a personal pronoun as in "I", "you", "her", "him" etc. "Wee" is the correct spelling of the word meaning "very small"!

We don't run to those lengths at BOAY but occasionally it would be nice to keep on Topic. I do note though that NO ONE including the rule setters (informal and formal) ALWAYS stay on topic. However.....

@Brodie can you please stick to the topic. If you are capable of doing it - start a new Topic on your current favourite topic and post evidence of your assertions. Thanks.

Are there still rules around who can drive in Premier races like the Cup?

Yep. Country meetings $22k to $24k. Non-TAB races $8-10k.

I've stopped discussing it with anyone in person especially in a group. The responses are vitriolic and irrational. You can't even discuss the data properly. I'm not extreme in my views either and don't adhere to any of the extreme conspiracy theories at all.

Everest, Eagle fuels record turnover in NSW The Everest, won by Nature Strip this year, has been popular with punters. Picture: Getty Images By Ray Thomas 10:05pm • 04 November 2021 1 Comments Racing NSW’s strategy to enhance Sydney’s spring carnival has been embraced by punters and race fans as prizemoney across the state soars to record levels. These were some of the features from the Racing NSW annual report for 2020-21 released earlier this week which revealed the list of the most wagered NSW races is now led by two relatively new events with The Everest clearly on top followed by the Golden Eagle. The Everest was being run for just the fourth time in 2020 and it was the Golden Eagle’s second renewal so both races have quickly established themselves with punters and replaced Sydney’s iconic Golden Slipper as the NSW races attracting most bets through TAB and other wagering operators. It is understood betting on The Everest and the Golden Eagle last month exceeded the 2020 betting returns. NSW’s racing industry returned more than $291 million prizemoney to owners last season – the highest of any state and by a considerable margin. With further Racing NSW prizemoney increases already announced for 2021-22, those returns to owners will swell to over $310 million. The robust NSW racing industry’s massive prizemoney levels are being fuelled by record wagering turnover which is increasing revenues from TAB and other wagering operators through the race fields scheme, wagering taxation parity and the point of consumption tax. Racing NSW championed the introduction of race fields legislation more than a decade ago and fought hard for wagering parity with Victoria, resulting in two new and lucrative wagering revenue streams for the NSW racing industry. Racing NSW chief executive Peter V’landys detailed in his report that funding “from the Race Fields scheme has continued to grow significantly and is now almost on par with the revenue received from the NSW TAB.’’ V’landys also detailed the increased returns to the NSW racing industry from the Betting TAB Legislation Amendment Act 2015 which has provided wagering tax parity with Victoria. Racegoers enjoying Golden Eagle day at Rosehill. Picture: Sam Ruttyn The 2020-21 was the first year of full wagering tax parity with the NSW thoroughbred code receiving $72.39 million which takes the total amount received so far from parity to more than $250 million in five years. Thoroughbred racing industry returns from the point of consumption tax also reached nearly $40 million last financial year. These new revenue streams has enabled Racing NSW to introduce new big money races like the $15 million The Everest, $7.5 million Golden Eagle, $2 million The Invitation, $1.3 million The Kosciuszko, plus $1 million races like the Bondi Stakes, The Hunter and The Gong in recent years, and increase stakes for more traditional races like the Golden Slipper, now worth $5 million (up $1.5 million). But Racing NSW’s policy to maximise returns to owners has resulted in increased stakes at the sport’s “grassroots” including the introduction of The Midway races of $100,000 each Sydney Saturday meeting. Prizemoney for TAB Highways are now worth $100,000 (up from $75,000), and there has been increases in minimum race stakes at country TAB meetings from $22,000 to $24,000 per race, country Sky Meeting races from $12,000 to $15,000, non-TABs from $8,000 to $10,000n and picnic races from $3,000 to $4,000. Racing NSW also detailed in the Annual Report that wagering on NSW thoroughbred racing has increased by more than 65 per cent over the past five years. MOST WAGERED NSW RACES Top 10 – Season 2020-21 – The Everest – Golden Eagle – Golden Slipper – Doncaster Mile – ATC Derby – Yes Yes Yes Stakes – Epsom Handicap – The Metropolitan – Queen of the Turf – George Ryder

Positive scan results for beaten Melbourne Cup favourite Incentivise will head for a well-earned rest after his second in the Melbourne Cup. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images By Trenton Akers 05:27pm • 04 November 2021 4 Comments Superstar stayer Incentivise has been given a clean bill of health after completing a second set of scans on Thursday afternoon in Victoria. The beaten Melbourne Cup favourite pulled up lame from his brave second placing on Tuesday and there were fears he may have suffered a serious injury after experiencing significant swelling in his fetlock post race. Despite conjecture, Incentivise did not have a second scan on the lame area until Thursday afternoon and has since been cleared, paving the way for him to return to racing in the autumn following a significant spell. Trainer Peter Moody said the battle-weary Incentivise will head to the spelling paddock for an extended break with an eye towards autumn. “Still a bit jaded, the boy,” Moody said. “He’s still a bit battle-weary. He did himself extremely proud and we are extremely proud of him. “He got beat by an absolute champion there on Tuesday. We are hoping he’s the new boy on the block for a few years to come. “As soon as the weather clears, he will head off for a well-earned rest. Get him out in the paddock, get a bit of green grass in his belly and hopefully a bit of Victorian sunshine on his back.” Incentivise was back swimming at Moody’s Pakenham stables on Thursday morning in a sign he is on the road to recovery. Incentivise chasing Verry Elleegant in Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup. Picture: Getty Images Moody confirmed there were no set plans for Incentivise following his Melbourne Cup run but indicated he was keen to get him back into his stables in the autumn. “We look forward to having him back in the stables some time during the autumn when he is ready to kick up again, he will let us know, there are no plans in place,” Moody said. Connections of Incentivise received an invitation to the lucrative Group 1 Japan Cup (2400m) following his devastating Caulfield Cup victory last month but managing owner Steve Tregea confirmed the race would have been a bridge too far even if the gelding pulled up well from the Melbourne Cup. As the winner of the Caulfield Cup, Incentivise was eligible for a $4m bonus on top of the $3.75m winners cheque had he travelled to Japan and won.

It's not worth worrying about in my opinion and as you say most of it is in the rules already. Much of it is vague and immeasurable and therefore enforcing the intent (whatever that is) would be problematic. If you applied the broad brush of this Code of Conduct to the administrators themselves then many would fail on the following clauses:

Vaccinating children for Covid-19 based on the evidence is insane.

Pretty tame really. Vague in parts. Any draconian penalties would be difficult to enforce. For example the following clause is vague, open to interpretation and thus difficult to enforce. Ultimately it will end up with the RIB to adjudicate over. How do you measure the "damage to the reputation of harness racing"? Does that mean when the administrators themselves display incompetence any owner can lodge a complaint with HRNZ because it breaches the Code of Conduct?

1. NAME AND COMMENCEMENT 1.1 These regulations are the Code of Conduct Regulations made by the Board under the New Zealand Rules of Harness Racing and clause 14.4 of the Constitution of Harness Racing New Zealand Incorporated. 1.2 These regulations come into force at [a date to be agreed by the Board]. 2. OBJECT AND PURPOSE 2.1 The purpose of this Code of Conduct is to: 2.1.1 Set a standard of conduct required by all participants in harness racing. 2.1.2 Ensure a clear understanding of what is expected and required in our conduct and behaviours to ensure a positive, healthy, supportive and professional working environment. 2.1.3 Protect our sport, our people, and our reputation. 2.1.4 Ensure participants conduct themselves in an appropriate manner, particularly in their engagement with other participants and with a board member, committee member 2 panellist, employee, or contractor of: a. Harness Racing New Zealand. b. The Racing Integrity Board. c. TAB NZ. d. Racing New Zealand. e. Harness racing clubs. f. Kindred Bodies. 2.2 Other obligations are imposed upon participants under the Rules and associated HRNZ regulations. This regulation complements those Rules and regulations. The Rules of Harness Racing at all times prevail. 3. INTERPRETATION 3.1 In these regulations, unless the context otherwise requires: owner has the same meaning as provided in rule 105(1) of the Rules. participant— (a) means a person registered with HRNZ; and (b) includes (without limitation)— (i) a trainer, driver, stablehand, or a person working at a harness training premises; (ii) a breeder of standardbred horses; (iii) an owner of a standardbred horse; (iv) a person who otherwise deals with animals used for harness racing; (v) a member of a Harness Racing Club or Kindred Body; and (vi) any other person to whom Rules apply. Rules or Rules of Harness Racing means the New Zealand Rules of Harness Racing. social media includes social networking sites, video and photo sharing websites, micro-blogging sites, weblogs (including corporate or personal blogs or blogs hosted by media publications), forums and discussion boards, online encyclopedias, and any other websites that allow persons to use simple publishing tools. 4. COVERAGE 4.1 This code applies to all participants, employees of HRNZ and the members of the Board. 4.2 This code does not affect any other obligations imposed under the Rules or any other regulations. 5. GENERAL STANDARDS 5.1 Person to who this Code of Conduct applies must: 5.1.1 Maintain their competence in their field of expertise and to undertake continuing education and professional development. 5.1.2 Work within the limits of their knowledge, training, experience and expertise. 5.1.3 Provide ongoing education to cadets employed by them. 5.1.4 Act with care and diligence and perform their duties in a manner that protects the health and safety of themselves and others with whom they work. 5.1.5 To act with integrity in a responsible and trustworthy manner in their dealing with others. 5.1.6 Read, understand, keep up to date, comply, and uphold all applicable harness racing rules, regulations, directives, and orders. 6. PROHIBITED SUBSTANCES, PROHIBITED PRACTICES, MATCH FIXING, AND BETTING 6.1 All participants must abide by the applicable rules relating to prohibited substances and prohibited practices and ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to ensure these rules are not contravened. 6.2 All participants must abide by the applicable rules relating to betting on harness races. 6.3 All persons to whom this code applies must comply with the TAB-NZ Betting Rules. 6.4 All persons to whom this code applies must not engage in race fixing or misuse inside information relating to racing. 7. INTERACTION WITH OTHERS 7.1 Persons to whom this code applies must: 7.1.1 Recognise their interactions with others involved in harness racing must be appropriate. They must respect the privacy of others and not take advantage of a relationship they have with another. 7.1.2 Treat everyone with respect, courtesy and without harassment or unlawful discrimination. 7.1.3 Take all reasonable steps to eliminate any forms of unlawful discrimination and any physical, verbal or emotional bullying or abuse by or of others. 7.1.4 Maintain confidentiality of personal information and confidential information, whether received verbally, in writing or otherwise. 7.1.5 Act with freedom from prejudice or malice in dealing with participants, the Racing Integrity Board, and HRNZ. 8. REPUTATION 8.1 Persons to whom this code applies must behave in a way that enhances and supports the good reputation of harness racing and does not bring harness racing into disrepute. 8.2 When making public statements or using social media related to harness racing, participants should provide informed and factually accurate information and ensure that any commentary or opinion does not cause damage to the reputation of harness racing and does not breach the Rules of Harness Racing. 9. DISCLOSURES 9.1 Participants may use The Protected Disclosures Act 2000 that provides a safe opportunity for participants to raise concerns about inappropriate actions 10. BREACHES OF THE CODE OF CONDUCT 10.1 All persons to whom this Code applies have an obligation to report any behaviour or conduct which may be in breach of this Code. Failure to do so is, in itself, a breach of this Code. 10.2 A breach of the code of conduct must be reported to HRNZ. 10.3 In determining whether or not to take any action in relation to any statement HRNZ must take into account the persons right of freedom of expression and whether the conduct was proportionate to any lawful aim being pursued and whether it is supported by appropriate reasons. 10.4 HRNZ may direct, without limitation, one or more the following: 10.4.1 No action be taken. 10.4.2 A requirement that the person attend a meeting at HRNZ with management. 10.4.3 A record be placed on the person’s disciplinary record. 10.4.4 A referral to the Racing Integrity Board for consideration of laying charges under the Rules. 10.4.5 A requirement to attend a meeting with the HRNZ Licensing Panel for review of license status. 10.4.6 A recommendation to the Board that it reviews the participant’s license under Rule 324.

If they don't have the skills to sort it out then they shouldn't be in racing administration. Mills for one is well past his use by date. I've said before he is either incompetent or has no ambition. I suspect both.

When you start writing a new post you will see just below where you are typing a paper clip and "Drag files here to attach, or choose files...." Just save the document to your files and then drag and drop onto the paper clip area OR select choose files which will open a box that shows your file directories and then go to the file and select it.

This isn't a big job FFS. It isn't as if there are that many trainers and horses in work in NZ. What would be the total number of horses in work currently? In the old days didn't the Club Secretary get on the old blower and ring around?

I can only find the May 2021 Draft. Haven't seen an update or final copy aside from the change in the rules.

This was the last published one - May 2021 Draft. Code-of-Conduct-and-Social-Media-Policy-Regulations-22-April-2021-Draft.pdf

So @Rangatira and @hunterthepunter do you have a reason for hijacking another thread? Back to the Topic. Do either of you have a copy of the HRNZ Code of Conduct? I note that at the end of October the included a clause in their Rules that references the Code of conduct.

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.”