Chief Stipe

Many possible reasons for that. It would appear the Te Akau situation was handled by a different group at the RIU. Perhaps one not prone to feeding the media. The media only "keep quiet" if not fed. Although in saying that it would appear at this stage that the media coverage has been similar. Except Te Akau weren't as "colorful" as Sharrock in their response. Noticeably the social media response as been muted. I guess Sharrock isn't a tall enough poppy.

An interesting observation. When Te Akau returned a positive to morphine all the knives came out. Finger pointing, wink wink nudge nudge, yeah right. Sharrock's stable returns TWO positives to methamphetamine (P). Comparative silence.

Are you talking about racing or some other industry? No matter how hard you market and promote a crap product you will eventually lose to those who have a higher quality product being sold at a cheaper price. The key fundamental issue in NZ racing is the quality of our race fields, the quality of our tracks and the price at which we try to sell.

But you don't need all those things as Cambridge proved yesterday. Not according to the Jockey's and other Trainers. But them there are these pictures taken recently: received_127373929229248.mp4 1768306332_received_260115425649253(3).mp4

That's evident in the UK as well but that is influenced by the fact that the money races are run on Turf. Who knows perhaps the plan is to run the NZ Guineas on the AWT and we have a NZ Triple Crown.

I already am having seen the Korean and USA dross dished up each day. Up 3 times a week in NZ isn't going to improve my excitement. Add to that the crap premier surfaces...... I actually like betting on soft to heavy grass tracks. Speed maps and data base statistics go out the window which suits me.

If you had a horse that can run good sectionals and likes a good surface why would you race them on a midweek AWT in winter? Is the plan for some Trainers to get some wins and form quickly in the winter and then give the horses a spell for Spring racing? I dont know (maybe Pitty can tell us) but is it possible to give a horse three preps in one season? From my experience 10 to 12 starts a season was the limit.

With a higher cost structure as well I.e. even if they return the same amount of revenue as the meeting at Rotorua all they have done is reduce any profit margin by a considerable amount.

Unless Riccarton does something to fix their turf track they'll have no choice.

Victoria has said no more than two for the State. Meanwhile they continue to invest in and upgrade turf tracks. Strategically I think that is smart thinking especially to counter the end racing mob. What better advertisement for racing than having a horse galloping on a natural sustainable surface as opposed to a synthetic dirt one!

They got an insurance payment and spent it wisely. Regardless as Cambridge proved yesterday you don't need facilities let one flash ones to run a race meeting. A great winter track Foxton. So you belong to the build and hope mob that says "something needed to be done"? No business plan, targets or research just let's spend $48 million of someone else's money, close down profitable racing clubs and things will be all fine and dandy. Do you know how much punting turnover was required to fully fund yesterday's meeting and to cover additional maintenance costs? Let alone achieve a return on capital. Meanwhile a perfectly good racetrack with nice facilities like Foxton sits idle.

Rule Number(s): 870(3) and Breaking Horse RegulationsFollowing the running of Race 2 an Information instigating a protest was filed by Stipendiary Steward, Mr P Williams, against THE MIGHTY MONDO (G Smith), placed 4th by the judge, on the grounds that it “galloped in excess of 150 metres over the early stages”. Rule 870(3) provides: that any horse which ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Nothing to do with Brodie at all. But I'm interested to know if you had the final figures to justify your "they were woeful" statement. But you obviously don't. So FAKE NEWS!

Well there is that hypocrisy but arguably Riccarton are worse in that regard as Christchurch wasn't eligible at all under the PGF rules!

Do you have the actual figures or "mere supposition on your part"?

Hi I'm motivated to make a complaint about some of the inaccuracies in MVB and Sherwood's reporting on the Harness industry. The process is to first complain to the editorial management of The Press. CPL-NewsDirectors@fairfaxmedia.co.nz Then if you are not satisfied with the response or lack of action then you can make a complaint to The Media Council, NZ. https://www.mediacouncil.org.nz/complaints#:~:text=Complaints should be lodged via,writing to the Media Council . Cheeers Chief Stipe

I don't disagree. In this particular case the tom tom drums were beating. I question the timing though of the article and the journalists real agenda. In my opinion MVB has been orchestrating a hit job on racing for some time now. Even been rebuked by a High Court Judge for his approach. That said I see no comments from NZTR - were they asked for comment? For all we know Sharrock may have gone on the front foot on this. Good on him if he has. Media management 101 - control the story as soon as you can.

You obviously weren't listening!! If you had you would have heard George Simon mention the commentators box, Aiden Rodley mention the "temporary facilities", the bar leaners and other things that "will be addressed as we move on from this historic day"! Foxton must be chomping at the bit to hold the next washed out Awapuni meeting!!! Geez their commentators box is in place and in the right place! Pitty I'm sure Foxton would even have good food and you wouldn't have to pack your lunch.

One of our posters goes on about positividdy - did anyone notice how the negative news regarding Sharrock's horses hit the media on the same day as the "historic moment in Cambridge and NZ Racing"? There is a leak at the RIU. What is their agenda? What is MVB and Sherwood's real agenda?

One of our posters goes on about positividdy - did anyone notice how the negative news regarding Sharrock's horses hit the media on the same day as the "historic moment in Cambridge and NZ Racing"?

Well the Cambridge Jockey Club AWT meeting did highlight what some of us have been saying for years - the focus should be on the track and horses. The CJC meeting proved you don't need: A flash grandstand - tents and awnings will suffice; Toilets for patrons - port-a-loos will do; High class hospitality - a pie cart, a hotdog stand, a coffee caravan and a few bar leaners outside; Hell you don't even need a commentary box placed above and near the finish line for the race commentator! Did anyone notice all the journo's and live Trackside staff on track rather than being bunkered down at Te Rapa? Was a super high speed internet connection put in for the HD television? Maybe places like Timaru and Foxton with better facilities and the best turf tracks in NZ (certainly better than Riccarton) will get more race dates with this obvious change in policy.

I had the exact same thought. Although the jungle drums were beating on this a few days ago. One of the posters on BOAY inferred there was something coming.

Well in this latest case Sharrock couldn't be classed as a quiet backfoot sort of guy. I've said often that the issue of environmental contamination or nefarious administration of drugs is a time bomb. No trainer in their right mind would administer a drug such as P expecting to get past a post race urine or blood test. Now ultimately under the rules as they are currently written the Trainer has to wear the punishment. Which escalates each time there is an offence. It is damn near impossible in the New Zealand environment to protect your horse 100% of the time.

Hi I'm going to write a submission regarding the proposed HRNZ Social Media Code of Conduct. Essentially I believe that anyone should be able to express their opinion anonymously on forums such as BOAY within the constraints of the applicable laws e.g. Defamation, Harmful Digital Communications Act etc. That is there are ample protection mechanisms in place now without developing rules that may gag industry participants from expressing a fair and honestly held opinion. If anyone would like to contribute to the submission then please PM me. I will post a draft on BOAY when I have completed it. Thanks Chief Stipe.