Chief Stipe

What is the overall rate in New Zealand for racehorses? Are their statistics for horses that breakdown doing other pursuits?

According to the records of the Association of Racing Commissioners International (ARCI), a conclusive positive for Medina Spirit after the split-sample would bring the 30th violation from a Baffert barn, stretched across 44 years. The list includes one from 1977, eight from the 1980s, six from the 1990s, six from the 2000s, four from the 2010s and four from the 2020s. Many, and all in 2020-21, entail drugs that are kosher but must clear from a horse’s system before a certain window ahead of race days and their thundering exertions. Most resulted in small fines and brief suspension, though that one from 1977, for morphine, landed Baffert a one-year ban. ____________

the colt's disqualification and a fine and suspension for Baffert from the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, marked the fifth time a Baffert-trained horse tested positive for prohibited medications since May 2, 2020. _______________ 5 positives in 21 years not for performance enhancing drugs but for similar reasons to the last one - legitimate therapeutic medications allowed on all occasions except raceday. In 21 years Baffert has raced thousands of horses.

So what is your alternative? Be a luddite in your approach to the health and welfare of an elite equine athlete? Go back to feeding them on oats and chaff? Play to the lowest common denominator? Ban everything except mung beans and leather harness? Elite human athletes are doing similar LEGAL things. I remember when I was a fairly decent athlete in my teenage years electrolyte replacement supplements become common. They made a huge difference. At the same time they started to become more readily available and at a reasonable cost for horse racing. I raised the topic with my father's horse trainer and discussed the science and very soon the addition of electrolytes post hard workouts became a normal feed additive. They weren't cheap but owners were willing to pay it as it helped with reducing tying up, fluid replacement and recovery. Do you ban them as well? NO I'm "embracing and actively promoting" practices that are focused on animal health and welfare. The reality is that neither the Thoroughbred nor the Standardbred animal is designed for high performance for long periods of time WITHOUT the active prevention and treatment of wear and tear. Arguably it is inhumane not to use these treatments. For that reason I have a different opinion to most on the use of Lasix to forestall the inevitable development of EIPH. Many of the top trainers DON'T need to go to Vets as often because they take preventative measures to avoid an issue occurring. They know from experience that if they have a horse that has a tying up problem that they can adjust the feeding and supplement regime to counter it. Some trainers will get regular comprehensive blood tests and adjust feeds accordingly in order to avoid bigger issues. They have learnt to read these tests. That distinguishes the elite trainer from the also ran.

Were the horses floated to Auckland? When? Being the harness training experts @the galah and @Newmarket then you would know that the stresses of long float trips are quite different. Alleged and assumed "likely reason". You are either naive or have been hiding under a mushroom if you think that the top trainers in all codes are not applying preventative medications to keep their charges at the top of the game. Racing at the elite level competitively costs. Don't get into the game unless you can afford the best feeds, the best supplements, the best treatments and vets. It has always been the case - the fact is that treatments both preventative and therapeutic have got better over the years. You can go back through many decades of racing and find horses that have had carried issues that today can be alleviated or cured. Lord Module and Noodlum are two that come to mind. Yes some don't continue their early age form through to later years but many do. However often that is because they don't step up to the next level. Always has been the case where precocious youngsters have picked up big races early in their careers but others that have taken more time have eventually surpassed them in ability. That's a fact of racing and in my opinion is the smoking issue that when the anti-racing groups get their heads around it will hammer racing more than any "use of whips" issue. The industry is also shooting itself in the foot on this issue when it comes to zero thresholds. The authorities have already made an ass of themselves around Cobalt levels - the Peter Moody case being the classic example. The question is a simple one - do you allow Trainers to administer preventative and therapeutic non-performance enhancing treatments to prevent wear and tear and improve the health of their horses? For example why can't a trainer administer a proton-inhibitor to their horses feeds every day? Horses chronically suffer from stomach ulcers. I bet you are taking Losec or Omeprazole - doesn't make you run faster but sure makes you less grumpy!

Your and Galah's alternative scenario is?

Obviously you have no interest in equine health, safety and welfare. The two most recent drug positives posted on BOAY were for therapeutic medication. But I guess you don't actually give a shit about a horses actual health.

You're a sore loser Thomarse. Suggest you give up punting.

Rule Number(s): Rule 869(2)Following the running of Race 7, the Granite Benchtop Company Pace, an Information was filed by Stipendiary Steward, Mr S Renault against Licensed Open Driver, Mr J Hay alleging a breach of Rule 869(2) in that he used his whip in more than a wrist flicking motion in the home straight. Rule 869(2) reads ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Why was it dangerous? Only dangerous to your pocket when you didn't adjust your blueprint after race one? With regard to your blueprint are you looking for excuses why it didn't work? Seems to me that the winners and placing favouritism distribution was as to be expected. What a joke! You want a Heavy 11 track watered so Jockey's don't have to think about where to place their horses? FFS you are as bad as Pitty with your understanding of turf, soil and how irrigation works!

What do you mean "ALL these positives"? Hardly a significant number considering how many horses are tested each week. That aside one of the reasons for the number of positives is the increased accuracy of the testing. Zero thresholds need to be revisited and some work done on what levels are actually performance enhancing or therapeutic. Maybe it is time for Grierson to earn whatever the industry pay him.

Which reinforces the point that I've made about the elite Trainers being proactive in the administration of medication as preventative measures.

Trainer Annabel Neasham fined after Zaaki positive sample By Luke Sheehan Yesterday at 4:53pm The Neasham-trained ZaakiImage: Getty Boom trainer Annabel Neasham has been fined $7000 after her star galloper Zaaki produced a positive sample to a prohibited substance from a Sydney race in April. The English import has burst onto the scene via some commanding wins in Queensland, but the positive sample produced by Zaaki precedes that - with a pre-race blood sample producing a positive to the anti-inflammatory, meloxicam from his second-up performance weeks prior. The race in question was the Group Three JRA Plate (2000m) at Randwick on April 24, with Paths Of Glory narrowly holding out Zaaki in the finish. Group One-winning trainer Neasham put out a statement clarifying the circumstances of the positive sample. She also declared that "the results that have been returned from his wins in Queensland were negative". “Today I attended an inquiry with Racing NSW stewards after being informed that our star galloper Zaaki had returned a positive pre-race sample to the anti-inflammatory meloxicam, after his second-placed performance in the G3 JRA Plate at Randwick on April 24. His post-race urine sample returned a negative result,” Neasham said. “I am extremely disappointed to get this news, not only because it undermines the standard of integrity and professionalism the stable represents and that everyone in the team strives to achieve, but also for Zaaki’s owners who are great friends and supporters. “Meloxicam is a widely-used veterinarian-prescribed therapeutic medication that is given to horses as an anti-inflammatory, and often given post galloping. Zaaki was routinely given the treatment after his final Tuesday gallop, as is common practice for many stables. Subsequently, the results that have been returned from his wins in Queensland were negative. “I have the utmost respect for the Racing NSW stewards and their integrity process and accept full responsibility for this unfortunate result. It is a steep learning curve, and to mitigate future risk I will be reviewing all our processes to ensure this does not happen again, which will include lowering our dosage level of meloxicam. “I look forward to moving past this and continuing to develop the record and reputation of the stable.” In fining Neasham, stewards took into account her guilty plea and relative inexperience as a licenced trainer, the fact it was a Group Three during the Sydney carnival and also evidence from Racing NSW’s vet Dr Toby Koenig that the gelding was administered meloxicam above the recommended dosage. Zaaki was subsequently disqualified from his second-placing to Paths Of Glory in the JRA Plate, with Hang Man (second) and Polly Grey (third) promoted in the placings.

Trainer Peter Moody fires up about Sandown and cheating By Luke Sheehan Yesterday at 3:01pm Trainer Peter MoodyImage: Getty Hall Of Fame trainer Peter Moody wasn’t pulling any punches on a couple of hot topics in Victorian racing when talking on Melbourne radio on Thursday. Speaking to Michael Felgate on RSN 927, the interview was about to wrap up after a chat about the horses Moody has engaged in the coming days, but the champion trainer wasn't quite finished. Moody pressed on to have his say on the potential sale of Sandown racecourse, and the Racing Integrity Commissioner’s inquiry into why Racing Victoria stewards’ case against trainer Richard Laming had to be thrown out. READ: Moody to train Queensland hype horse with eye on spring carnival “Moods, good luck over the weekend,” Felgate said, thinking the interview had come to a close. “Now you’re not getting off this easy ... couple of points,” Moody started ominously. “I am going to challenge you to ask every participant you speak to - owner/breeder/trainer/jockey - in the next 3-6 months … ‘is it a good idea to sell Sandown?’ “I can’t believe it. I want to reinforce Mick Kent’s comments the other day … why the bloody hell is it even being considered? “A beautiful galloping track like that, it’s an asset to the industry. “You tell me another organisation or business in the world that sells their assets and invests in something they don’t own, that isn’t going to end up in a sh*tfight. “It’s a beautiful galloping track, every participant loves it - we don’t need another goat track inside Caulfield. "Just because it’s an extra 5km from South Yarra and Toorak and wherever the executives that are making this decision might live … look after Sandown, save Sandown. “I challenge you to challenge everyone you speak to see if it’s a good idea - we really need to get this ramped home. “You cannot invest in something that you don’t own, over the possibility of saving this great facility. It’s ludicrous.” LISTEN: The Moody interview on RSN 927 (Sandown & integrity issues discussed from eight-minute mark) But that was just the entree, as Moody moved onto an issue that has affected him in the past - the perception of 'mistake' vs 'cheating'. Racing Integrity Commissioner Sean Carroll raised concerns about Victorian stewards’ practices after his inquiry into the reasons for their case against Cranbourne trainer Laming had to be thrown out. Moody was banned for six months in 2016 after a long-running saga relating to elevated cobalt levels, with the trainer cleared of deliberate administration but found guilty on a lesser charge. This ban and the effect on his reputation was front of Moody’s mind when it came to speaking about the Commissioner’s inquiry findings, in relation to the actions of steward Dion Villella - which brought the case against Laming undone. “I think [it was] a great lesson for Dion Villella and the integrity department at Racing Victoria. I’ve got nothing personal against Dion, but I think it’s a great learning curve for the fact he made a mistake, and he got caught out making that mistake - he’s only human,” he said. “But I think that should let them realise that the participants out there, whether they be trainers, jockeys, breeders for that matter - we make mistakes too because we’re only human. It doesn’t make us a cheat, it makes us human. “So unless you genuinely catch someone cheating, be a little bit forgiving and respect the fact that they might be telling you the truth - don’t look down your nose at them and think they’re deadset cheating, the mentality that (former RV chief steward) Terry Bailey put into these people years ago that everyone out there’s a cheat and we’re going to catch you. “Dion’s very lucky, he didn’t lose his livelihood over this like myself and other people did in previous issues.” “A good lesson to be learned there for a few people, I reckon.”

Don't confuse the law regarding the right to an abortion to other medical treatments and the sharing of information. The law and precedents in that area are still somewhat ambiguous and haven't been challenged. Although the Care of Children Act 2004 links to the UNC regarding the rights of the child it is not clear how far those rights go at the exclusion of the parent.

Did you read the essay that I posted? It isn't specifically enshrined in any Statute. As you well know any precedent can be overturned by a legal argument. If you have a copy of NZ - Re J (An infant) 1996 2 NZLR 134 (CA) 145 then I'd be grateful if you forwarded it.

Well the 14 year old daughter was obviously not "mature" enough to discuss contraception with her Doctor in the first place and one would assume that the Doctor asks questions about the father's age. No I'm not living in another era - I may well be living in an era that has lost its way where as a society we place blind faith in bureaucrats and scientists but not as you are trying to infer one that is backward. There is a distinction between allowing the child the right to consent and sharing information with a parent which may allow the parent to be involved in the decision making process. The latter does not preclude the former. In my opinion involving the parent provides an important check and balance to a process that has the possibility to be abused.

No that isn't law it is an interpretation which hasn't been fully tested.

It hasn't been the law in New Zealand since the early 80's. Try again. If you know exactly where in the statutes the Gillick principle is enshrined in NZ law then I would be grateful to know. As far as I know it is an interpretation of the law by the Medical council under the auspices of the Health Privacy legislation. I'm happy to be proven wrong but it is my intention to challenge this interpretation because I believe it to be fundamentally wrong and open to abuse. There are children's rights just as there are parents rights to parent. The attached essay is a discussion on the Gillick Principle with regard to contraception and consent in NZ. It was written in 2009. Do you want the State to train your racehorses as well? Gillick and the consent of Minors in New Zealand 38.pdf

I disagree vehemently. A child's parents SHOULD NEVER be excluded from knowing what treatment their child is being prescribed and for what reasons. Should the State take over all parenting responsibilities? How many dodgy doctors are out there?

Made no difference to the result. Proved that. Move on or is this another one of your bullshit theories that you'll bang on about for the next 10 years? Make that 20 with Myers. Have you renewed your SAFE subscription?

Yes I agree. I'm not an anti-vaxxer by any stretch but I'm very very concerned about the vaccination of children and young adults. Particularly when their risk of serious illness from Covid-19 is negligible or almost zero. Certainly less than the risk of the common cold or the vaccines. Did you know that a parent doesn't have to consent for a child to be vaccinated if the medical professional deems the child is "mature" enough to consent themselves? Please PM me if you want more information.

Hunter why do you insist on fishing for people's real identities?

The "cause" dare I say it out loud is that your average horse is not built to withstand performing at a high level over an extended period of time. Gammalite would probably argue that the breed although faster and with greater stamina than yesteryear is not as tough. It has been like that for a very long time. It is due to the intensity at which they are trained and raced for long periods of time. It only takes a 1 or 2% difference for a horse to go from being good to very good or champion class. So every preventative measure is taken to minimise wear and tear but the horses are still worked and raced harder because of it.

Rule Number(s): 870(3) (Instigating a Protest) and Breaking Horses RegulationsFollowing the running of Race 4, the Spectators Is Open Sunday’s Handicap Trot, Stipendiary Steward, Ms R Haley, filed an Information instigating a protest against MY MOMENT’S NOW, driven by Mr M Williamson, placed 5th by the Judge, on the grounds of “breaking and then galloping in excess of 50m inside ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article