Chief Stipe

Here we go again. Gossip and innuendo. Let fiction spew forth.

Nup once again Brodie thinks he is on the money. I doubt any of those involved would have burnt bridges. Clearly the number of horses in work is less than before so opportunities for Tim would have been less. Fine young man who has served his time at the best stable in the country. Perhaps time for him to go for it on his own account. I'm sure he'll make a better job of it than some younger ones have recently.

I hear you aren't too bad hunting Captain Cookers.

Yes but the Brown Top will be watered now! Seriously I don't think they care anymore about jumps races. Yet again no room for the good old tough aged gelding!

Ummmm maybe ask him in a post on a thread under a topic?

Ask @JJ Flash if it is going to happen in New Zealand. He says he has all the inside TAB NZ info!

Keep up Karrots. Tim is driving Alta Wiseguy in the 3yo Emerald.

Agreed. I'm sure he has learnt more than the average person by working for the All Stars.

How is it "Obvious"?

Will have to be good to surpass the docu-drama about the same horse. Real people especially when they are Welsh characters are better actors. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_Horse:_The_Incredible_True_Story_of_Dream_Alliance

Rule Number(s): 649(1)(a)This charge arises following the running of Race 9, the Auckland Co-Op Taxis 1400 metres. The Informant, Senior Stipendiary Steward, Mr M Williamson, alleged that Mr Ralph omitted a towel when saddling TAHUROA HEIGHT which was subsequently scratched at the barrier. Rule 614(2) provides that: A person ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Rule Number(s): 638(1)(d)This charge arises from the running of Race 6, the Celebrating Te Akau’s Black Type Winners at Ellerslie 1100. Senior Stipendiary Steward, Mr Williamson filed an Information pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d) alleging the rider of “SPEEDY MEADY (E McCall), allowed her mount to shift out at the 100 metres when ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Rule Number(s): 638(1)(d)This charge arises from the running of Race 7, the Network Visuals 1200. Senior Stipendiary Steward, Mr Williamson filed an Information pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d) alleging the Rider of PACKING NOBLESSE (Mr V Colgan) allowed his mount to shift in when not clear of MEGEVE who was checked losing ground ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Rule Number(s): 638(3)(b)(ii)Following the running of Race 6, the CONCERT HALL Cup, Mr Goodwin presented an Information alleging that Jockey Ms K Hercock, Rider of STORMY HABIT “committed a breach of Rule 638(3)(b) (ii) [striking her mount excessively with the whip] prior to the 100 metres point. Ms Hercock admitted the charge. ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Rule Number(s): 870(3) and Breaking Horse RegulationsFollowing the running of race 8, an Information instigating a protest was filed by Chief Stipendiary Steward, Mr N Ydgren, against HARRY POTTER (R Close), placed 5th by the judge, on the grounds that it “galloped in excess of 50 metres in the final 200 metres”. Section B of the Breaking Horses Regulations ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Betting Win for punters with change to minimum bet rules Racing Queensland CEO Brendan Parnell. Photo: John Gass/ AAP By Trenton Akers 06:07pm • 30 May 2021 0 Comments Punters can expect “real markets” from the time they open with Queensland set to be the first state to force corporate bookmakers to adhere to minimum limits from the time markets open across all three codes. The Courier-Mail can reveal Racing Queensland has written to wagering service providers informing them of changes to the general conditions of the racing product – which is currently due to expire on June 30. While the limits remain unchanged, corporate bookmakers will be required to bet punters to lose $2000 on all metropolitan thoroughbred races and $1000 on non-metropolitan racing from the time markets go up from July 1. The rules will also apply to harness and greyhound races with bookmakers forced to bet to lose $500. Currently, minimum bet limits only come into play at 9am race day. “From the moment operators release the final field markets, punters will be able to access the minimum bet limits,” Racing Queensland CEO Brendan Parnell said. “This includes win and place options for all three codes. “The introduction of minimum bet limits were warmly received by punters in Queensland and we anticipate that they will welcome the opportunity to access them from the moment the markets open.” Racing Queensland CEO Brendan Parnell at the Gold Coast Turf Club racetrack. Picture: Glenn Hampson The rules will not apply to all-in or futures markets. Currently it is common practice for corporate bookmakers to offer racing markets three days out from the races. After undergoing significant consultation on the issue, Racing Queensland says it does not expect corporate bookmakers to put Queensland markets up slower than they currently are. TopSport’s Tristan Merlehan applauded the move, saying he believes it will improve turnover on Queensland racing. “It has been a blight on the industry where a certain set of customers weren’t able to have a bet until 9am on race day,” he said. “It is discriminatory to them that there are markets up and it’s not a true reflection of the market price. “Previously, you would have some places where the prices weren’t available to the general public and it would distort the market – horses would firm considerably when really nothing had been placed on them. “Now when it happens, it can be a true reflection of the confidence in the marketplace because it could be anyone putting those bets on. “It gives a bigger trading window where the dynamic aspect of the marketplace is open for a lot longer which I think is going to have a really positive impact on turnover which we know drives race fields.” Victoria is currently trialling a similar proposal for thoroughbred racing, but is due to expire on December 31.BettingQLD

Rule Number(s): 638(1)(d)Following the running of Race 4 (Yara Fertiliser 1100), Information A14041 was filed with the Judicial Committee. It was alleged by the Informant that Mr Aukett allowed his mount to shift out near the 300m when not clear of DENY (L Hemi), AURORA STAR (T Yanagida) and CANCHERO (J Riddell). Mr Aukett said ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Rule Number(s): 638(3)(b)(ii)Following the running of Race 2 (Agritrade Valagro Highweight), Information A14040 was filed with the Judicial Committee. It was alleged that Mr Cropp used his whip excessively prior to the 100m. Mr Cropp said that he understood the Rule, charge and confirmed that he admitted the breach. Mr Jones showed ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Rule Number(s): 638(3)(b)(ii)Following the running of Race 2 (Agritrade Valagro Highweight), Information A14039 was filed with the Judicial Committee. It was alleged by the Informant that Ms MacNab had used her whip excessively prior to the 100m. Ms MacNab won the Race, riding FANTASY FLIGHT, with 5 strikes being the limit. Ms MacNab ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Rule Number(s): 642Following the running of Race 6 (Fruitfed Supplies Hdcp) Mr P Didham, Trainer of RED RUFUS (3rd) protested against the first-placed horse EL NYMPH. The Information stated that the interference was in the final straight. The Judge’s Placings were: 1st - EL NYMPH 2nd - AKELA BELLE 3rd - RED RUFUS Margins: ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Every year that I can remember as a child we travelled from Hokitika to Nelson for our annual holiday which just happened to coincide with the January races. I always missed the first week of school as we often had to include the Blenheim races in the trip especially if one of Dad's horses was racing. Only downside was at High School when getting back to school for the new term everyone else had got all the nice new text books! Sorted that out one year with my Geography/History teacher and debating coach who loved a good punt! 😉

My dad owned Dunhill. By Lordship out of a Fallacy mare False Chic. Really good horse but unfortunately started to badly knock a knee. Stayed at Ted Lowe's once at Hinds. Ted drove him on his track - said he was the fastest horse that he had timed over a furlong. In the Double Smooth year there was Dunhill and Crafty Admiral. McShane was still going as well. I spent most of my University holidays working in and around the stable. The other horse I remember from my childhood was High Chapperal (again owned by my father - raced against the likes of Micron and Trevira and won about 7 races I think), Johnny something else I can't remember, Rostrevor. Single Lord was out of Single Girl as was McShane. Single Girl was given to Brian and George Hill by Ted Lowe. Single Lord was the most gentlest entire I've seen around a stable. Never forget the day that a very young Kristie was standing underneath him with her arm around his front leg. But McShane was my favourite. John had one helluva personality and had amazing sense of racecraft. If you ever wanted to dispel the animal rights activists assertions that horses don't like racing you would only have to introduce them to John. One story came from a race at Nelson in which McShane started from a back mark - steadily made his way forward in the 2nd line then for some reason on his own accord he pulled out wide. A horse further forward on the inside went into a break and disrupted the field and McShane pre-empted the situation.

Some fantastic trotters in that era.

Australia is a different competitive ball game altogether. I don't think many of us realise how competitive it is all throughout OZ racing from the Metrop right through the provincial, country and out to the bush. Many of our horses running around that do OK here would really struggle at provincial meetings. You only have to look at Melody Belle as an example. NZ's top horse for the last 3 seasons didn't quite match up to the elite in OZ. Partly some of that in my opinion was to do with her racing style and the way some Jockey's rode her in OZ. If you can't consistently run on or close to the speed than a very good horse isn't going to win that often. The champions like Verry Elleegant get away with it but there not many. We also need to look at the number of horses that those big stables train and churn through to remain competitive. That is another whole level in investment. So for TA to venture to OZ it would involve considerable upfront investment, the establishment of good supply chains including food, transport, agistment and vets, good staff which are hard to find, an increase in the number of horses purchased at various sales, Jockey partnerships and more. No small task. Two approaches to it - one all in big investment or softly softly creating a base in one State and feeding into the other States from OZ and NZ. The bit investment approach would put at risk the successful NZ operation. Also it would involve a step up for Jamie Richards as a trainer and a modification of his approach. You can get away with a few soft runs in NZ and still be competitive. In OZ you have to have your horse a small percentage points around its peak fitness from the get go and sustain that for 6 or 7 runs. It might be just a perception rather than fact but it seems to me that horses based in NZ doing successful raids across the Tasman are getting fewer and fewer. That is probably a reflection of the fact that our top racing has fallen to OZ provincial or even country level.

Probably do but the discussion at that point was about estimating the annual cost of training Melody Belle. I put a finger in the air estimate of $45k. No one else has put up an estimate yet but of course that doesn't stop some from critiquing the $45k. Now if I'm out of touch with costs and the actual is way North of $45k then it only highlights to me that NZ Owners are carrying racing in NZ disproportionately to any other stakeholder and it has got worse. Look at it this way the owner who pays all the bills would have to win at least $45k a year to break even. I'm other words races totally $100k in stakes.