Chief Stipe

Hasn't raced for a year!

Karrots don't be sucked in by a particular narrative - it pays to follow up and check the facts.

OK - you can't say A Bettor Act has "lost a leg" since changing stables. It last won a race 10 October 2019 and has had one other placing since then in 9 starts! It has only had two starts from the Williamson stable. Its best success was when it was in the All Stars stable BEFORE going to Kerr! Manattan has had only 7 starts yet to win a race and has only run two places 7 months ago! Those two placing's were hardly in top fields! You might have a point with A Delightful Act but it has hardly set the world on fire. Last win was October last year and its next five starts returned one placing when it was in the Kerr stable. Perhaps it has reached its mark. So the evidence doesn't back up your assertion. As you keep telling us the RIU is doing a great job so if there had been any issues surely they would have been uncovered.

Actually the assertion that Kerr's horses lost form after moving stable, if in fact true, highlights what a loss the talented young Kerr is to the industry. Afterall we have an impeccable RIU and a world class drug testing regime so it must be just pure talent.

Aren't you overlooking some of the points made - for example if the RIU Betting Analyst is tasked with monitoring betting anomalies by NZ licensees how did Kerr slip under the radar? Are there other examples being "overlooked"?

Oooohhh! Another conspiracy theory perhaps.

Actually that might work shift ALL the industry days to the AWT (who cares about those horses that want soft tracks) and move the Premier days to the regions. That way they will get better turf surfaces. Freda will you sack those horses that require softer tracks as the AWT won't suit them?

But costs are not covered now nor does it seem enough is spent on maintaining existing surfaces so the increase in maintenance costs from the AWT will not be offset by an additional 50 horses!!!! Simple maths really isn't it? Strangely as evident in the ambiguity of your responses that you, as the leading trainer at Riccarton, are not privy to the business plan/case for the AWT. Which begs the question was there one? If there is one why hasn't the CJC been transparent by publishing it? A bit like the flawed premise that the AWT's were built on i.e. that they would stop the losses from abandoned meetings. That was a myth. As for the number of "extra" meetings I believe you mentioned 14+ on the AWT. I guess they will be bled from the regions. Where the horses and more importantly the new owners are going to come from is anyone's guess. However at this stage of the exercise we are still working on the costs not revenue. As for me knowing everything given the number of questions I'm asking (and getting ambiguous answers) would contradict that!!!! Sadly you don't seem to have the answers either!

Rule Number(s): 638(3)(b)(ii)Following Race 1, Mr Goodwin lodged an Information with the Judicial Committee alleging a breach of Rule 638 (3) (b) (ii) in that B Lammas used his whip excessively prior to the 100 metres. At the outset of the hearing, Mr Lammas confirmed he understood the Rule and admitted the breach. Mr Oatham used ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Rule Number(s): 638(1)(d)Following the running of Race 3, (Aquashield Roofing Maiden), an Information was lodged by Mr Goodwin alleging a breach of Rule 638 (1) (d) in that R Aukett permitted his mount RODENT to shift inwards when not sufficiently clear of LITTLE TEXAS SKY (F Lazet) which was checked near 1000 metres. Mr Goodwin ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Rule Number(s): 638(3)(b)(ii)Following Race 2, Mr Goodwin lodged an Information with the Judicial Committee alleging a breach of Rule 638 (3) (b) (ii) in that M Gibbs-Manssen used his whip excessively prior to the 100 metres, and continuing to use the whip inside the final 100 metres when out of contention. At the outset of the ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Rule Number(s): 638(3)(b)(ii)Following Race 4, Mr Goodwin lodged an Information with the Judicial Committee alleging a breach of Rule 638 (3) (b) (ii) in that K Hercock used her whip excessively prior to the 100 metres. At the outset of the hearing, Ms Hercock confirmed she understood the Rule and admitted the breach. Mr Oatham ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

James McDonald and Verry Elleegant during trackwork at Rosehill on Thurdsay morning. Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images HORSES Time to shine for Verry Elleegant at The Championships Article Author 7:35PM15 April 2021 The sunrise was spectacular, the sky with various shades of orange, pink, red and purple, as it shined some light on Verry Elleegant as she strutted her stuff at early morning trackwork. This was the mare’s final serious gallop ahead of the $4 million Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Royal Randwick tomorrow. These Thursday morning pre-race media calls at Rosehill trackwork were once a regular occurrence for Verry Elleegant’s trainer Chris Waller when his all-time great mare Winx was dominating Australian racing. It was two years ago this week when Winx ran her last race, scoring her 33rd consecutive win in the $4 million Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes before more than 43,000 fans at Royal Randwick. Winx retired, then there was a global pandemic, and those media calls were a thing of the past – until yesterday. Verry Elleegant, Waller’s latest superstar mare, is no Winx but she is doing a good job of filling the void. It says a lot about how far Verry Elleegant has come this season that she is now commanding her own media call. “Verry Elleegant is an amazing horse,’’ Waller said. “Because she has been racing over so many seasons now, she did it (Group 1 winner) as a three-year-old, four-year-old and now as a five-year-old, I certainly have a soft spot for her and she is creating her own following.’’ The clock ticks over 6am as Verry Elleegant goes through her paces under James McDonald. Photo: Mark Evans/Getty Images Where Winx would toy with her opposition and often win by big margins, Verry Elleegant has to fight hard to beat her rivals. She is racing’s “blue-collar champ”, earning the admiration and respect of punters because of her sheer determination and fierce will-to-win. “Verry Elleegant showed those fighting qualities earlier this campaign in the Chipping Norton Stakes at Randwick over the mile when she looked beaten in the straight,’’ Waller said. “Wow, how she fought that day! Then last start (Ranvet Stakes) to turn the tables on Addeybb – she is getting a lot of recognition for that.’’ Waller was speaking on the eve of Verry Elleegant’s much anticipated rematch with Addeybb in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Addeybb has a 2-1 advantage in head-to-head clashes with Verry Elleegant but the mare’s last start defeat of the English raider in the Ranvet Stakes is enough to ensure she will start favourite for the Queen Elizabeth Stakes tomorrow. “Their rivalry is fantastic for racing,’’ Waller said. “What we have seen over recent years with the likes of Winx and Black Caviar in particular the great horses do bring people to the track. “There is an amazing vibe around the racecourses at the moment post-Covid and they are really enjoying racing. “So, having the big names, Verry Elleegant and Addeybb, in the one race plus obviously Sir Dragonet and Mugatoo, that is what people want to watch. “It is building towards a great Grand Final and we have a very talented horse in Verry Elleegant, she is the right horse to talk up.’’ Verry Elleegant goes to the Queen Elizabeth Stakes after successive Group 1 wins in the Chipping Norton Stakes and Ranvet Stakes. She has now won five Group 1 races for the season after her spring carnival successes in the Winx Stakes, Turnbull Stakes and Caulfield Cup. Verry Elleegant is in career-best form but still Waller has made a significant change to the mare’s autumn campaign to give her every opportunity to exact revenge for her second placing behind Addeybb in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes last year. Waller admitted when Addeybb defeated Verry Elleegant in the Ranvet Stakes last year, he decided to back up with the mare in the Tancred Stakes over 2400m a week later. “We thought we had better try and win some prizemoney and a Group 1 along the way so she went to the Tancred Stakes and duly won that,’’ he said. “She then came back to run over 2000m for the Queen Elizabeth Stakes which wasn’t ideal. We released James McDonald (he rode third placegetter Danon Premium) as we didn’t think she would be as effective but she ran second to Addeybb. “This year I thought we would keep some speed in her (legs) – that would be the key. “She goes into the Queen Elizabeth with three weeks between runs and she had four weeks between runs into the Ranvet Stakes. “I think that is close to perfect with her, she is ready to go.’’ Waller also believes Verry Elleegant is better equipped physically and mentally to take on Addeybb, Sir Dragonet, Mugatoo and others tomorrow. Verry Elleegant is now a rising six-year-old mare, lining up for her 29th start having already won 13 races, eight at Group 1 level, earning more than $7.8 million prizemoney. She was once considered erratic and headstrong, a difficult ride, and a dour stayer but this season she has been versatile enough to win at Group 1 level over 1400m at weight-for-age and over 2400m under handicap conditions. “She was a supreme stayer but she is very versatile now,’’ Waller said. “It is no surprise to me she has continued to get better as she has matured. “She was a very lightly-framed filly but as an older, more mature mare, she has really strengthened up and has a thicker frame which has given her that power. As a result she is racing so consistently.’’ Addeybb won the Queen Elizabeth Stakes last year on a heavy track but the expected good track surface tomorrow is to Verry Elleegant’s advantage. But the scratching of Samadoubt has taken some of the speed out of the race so Addeybb might be able to lead and dictate terms tomorrow. Chris Waller speaks to the media at Rosehill trackwork. Photo: Mark Evans/Getty Images “With Verry Elleegant, the beauty of her is she is very adaptable,’’ Waller said. “She has run very quick times and won Group 1 races on good surfaces and she has won on very wet tracks, so it (track rating) certainly won’t worry her. “I haven’t worried too much about the tactics of the race just yet but fortunately we have a good draw (barrier four). “Last start, I was a little concerned when she drew barrier one in the Ranvet Stakes that she might get bottled up and have trouble getting out but she is a changed horse in my eyes, she settles well now. “I expect there to be fair speed on and as we saw last start, she has a great turn of foot. She also has staying powers as well winning a Caulfield Cup with a pretty big weight for a mare so she can run a tough 2400m. “Whether they go fast or slow we have the right horse to adapt to the conditions of the race.’’ A cloudless blue sky and blazing sun replaced the colourful hue over Rosehill racecourse as Waller ended the media call, content that he can’t have Verry Elleegant any better for the Queen Elizabeth Stakes where victory should be the sealer for Horse of the Year honours. “Verry Elleegant has had a faultless preparation and she had a nice gallop this morning on the course proper without doing too much,’’ Waller said. “To my eyes she has done enough already (to secure Horse of the Year) as she is a multiple Group 1 winner over all distances, weight-for-age and handicap conditions, “But there is one race to go and it would be a big help if we could win it.’’

Questions: Does Verry Elleegant really want a good track? Could Mugatoo spoil the Queen Elizabeth party? Photo: Mark Evans/Getty Images. THE CHAMPIONSHIPS Is the Queen Elizabeth really a two-horse race? Article Author Clinton Payne 2:27PM16 April 2021 Respected form student Adam Blencowe is questioning the basis of why punters think Verry Elleegant has a clear edge over Addeybb in Saturday’s $4 million Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick. The Timeform Australia handicapper believes the race shapes as an intriguing contest of tactics and he doesn’t concede to the opinion of many that there are only two winning chances. The TAB Fixed Odds market has Verry Elleegant as the $2.40 favourite after she opened at $2.60 while Addeybb has eased from $2.80 to $3.10. Tancred Stakes winner Sir Dragonet is solid at $6.50 while Mugatoo has eased from $7 to $7.50. “I always get sceptical as soon as things start being drawn up as too obvious,” Blencowe said. “There are so many variables here which make for an interesting watch.” Verry Elleegant made it eight Group 1 victories when defeating Addeybb for the first time in three clashes in the Ranvet Stakes on a soft (7) rated track at Rosehill in the Ranvet Stakes. Verry Elleegant defeats Addeybb in the Ranvet Stakes last month. Photo: Mark Evans/Getty Images. Saturday’s racing surface is expected to be a good (4). “All of a sudden the good track is the ace up Verry Elleegant’s sleeve?,” Blencowe said. “I reckon six months ago we got four-to-one ($5) about her to run down Toffee Tongue and Finche in a Turnbull on a good track. And she only just did it. “Finche was a similar price ($5.50) to her that day and it was all because it was a good track. “Now they want to tell me that the good track is the ace up her sleeve. I’m not so sure about that. “She’s awesome, I love her but I’ve seen better chances to back her than this week.” Blencowe said punters should take note of the Ranvet and Queen Elizabeth margins between Addeybb and Verry Elleegant from 2020. In the Ranvet there was half-a-length separating the two and that margin increased to 2-3/4 lengths in the Queen Elizabeth. Blencowe made the point of stating Verry Elleegant has never gone better but with variables at play – “tactics, fitness and ground” – could the market have overreacted? “The market has now decided this is lopsided because of the ground and Addeybb needs soft ground and as I’ve said in the past we try to fit horses into narrow boxes and I’m not convinced he can’t go on good ground,” he said. Addeybb continues his preparations for the Queen Elizabeth at Canterbury this week. Photo: Mark Evans/Getty Images. “He can’t be any more disadvantaged than her on good ground other than her top speed is probably superior to his. “Marquand is going to have the chance for this to be on his terms. “If he wants to make it not about speed and he wants to make it about sustaining speed, he can and will do that. “If Marquand goes out there and makes this about a sustained test, then that could bring Sir Dragonet into the race. “I’ve been pretty dismissive of him in the past and I am somewhat again on Saturday but if he’s to figure, that’s how it will have to happen. “He obviously won the Tancred very well but was that a Group 1 weight-for-age race or did he beat She’s Ideel?” Sir Dragonet has a look around at Randwick on Tuesday. Photo: Mark Evans/Getty Images. The fourth wheel of the Queen Elizabeth Stakes contenders is the All-Star Mile winner Mugatoo – the horse that Blencowe said the market has been somewhat dismissive of. “I think Mugatoo is the one horse that represents overs in the current marketplace,” he said. “They were disappointed in his Doncaster run but I didn’t think it was too bad at all. “The shape of the Doncaster and the way the race was run looks to me to be the dream race to back-up off. “I think this horse is poised to run the race on Saturday that everyone expected last week. He comes here off a lethal platform last week.” Blencowe said Verry Elleegant and Addeybb are deserving favourites and the horses to beat but he also believes punters shouldn’t be too dismissive off the next two in betting. “The top two look the top two but I’m not so sure the good track is the ace for Verry Elleegant,” he said. “Go back to the Turnbull again. “Mugatoo would kick the snot out of Toffee Tongue and Finche on a good track over this trip so maybe he’s the way to play – worth thinking about it if nothing else. “Find me a head-to-head market for Sir Dragonet and Mugatoo and there’s a bet for me – evens or better Mugatoo.” Mugatoo could be the surprise packet in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes on Saturday. Photo: George Salpigtidis/Racing Photos via Getty Images)

× Punters - Horse Racing & Form Guide Free - Now on Google Play VIEW Punters - Horse Racing & Form Guide Punters Paradise Pty Ltd SIGNUP / LOGIN James McDonald has attracted more attention from stewardsImage: Getty Stewards open inquiry into James McDonald ride at Hawkesbury By James Lamb Yesterday at 2:15pm Racing NSW stewards have opened an inquiry into gun jockey James McDonald's ride on Juan Diva in race six at Hawkesbury on Wednesday. Juan Diva, heavily-backed from $6 into $2.80, finished 10th of 12 - beaten 13.32L - after meeting with interference in the straight. The Hawkesbury stewards' report stated "McDonald will be interviewed regarding his riding in the early part of the straight," but that 'interview' is now an official inquiry. "Stewards will be conducting an inquiry into James McDonald's riding of Juan Diva in the early part of the straight and as to whether there was an option for him to make his run back towards the inside of runners," steward Tom Moxon told Punters. While a date for the inquiry is yet to be fixed, Moxon hopes it will be next week. The inquiry will focus on McDonald's decision to come from off the fence at the top of the straight when there was seemingly room to make a run along the inside rail. Juan Diva was three-back in the inside running line straightening for home, with all jockeys keen to steer away from the fence. Juan Diva went from three-back the inside to midfield behind a wall of runners at the 250m. The Freedman-trained mare bumped with other runners from the 250m to the 200m before being eased down by McDonald over the concluding stages. Thankfully for connections, a post-race vet examination did not reveal any abnormalities. Kris Lees filly I Say Hello, who was behind Juan Diva approaching the 400m, won the event after taking an inside run under Hugh Bowman. The Juan Diva inquiry comes just days after stewards opened an investigation into McDonald's ride on High Supremacy in the G3 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on the first day of the Championships. Stewards, similar to the Hawkesbury inquiry, questioned McDonald post-race as to why he chose not to improve his position back to the inside of the leader Marsannay in the early part of the straight. READ: Stewards adjourn inquiry into James McDonald ride on Doncaster day McDonald told stewards he was of the opinion that the inside section of the track was “B-ground” and he wanted to get away from the fence. High Supremacy, a $5.50 chance, was unable to secure clear running until inside the 200m when he flashed home to finish fourth, beaten 1.75L. Both inquiries have been adjourned to a date, or dates, yet to be fixed, with McDonald set to partner Verry Elleegant in Saturday's G1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes, among eight rides on the Randwick card.

Still not enough. By my calculations two thirds of the total race population are based in three Waikato locations. How many horses racing in the South Island?

I fail to understand how the RIU Betting Analyst or HRNZ weren't notified at some stage that a license holder was betting and losing large sums. Surely there must be flags in the system that do data matching. No doubt they'll quote some BS about privacy and data matching restrictions. 99% of the time that is nothing more than an excuse.

Great post @NZRacing Before anyone jumps up and down that I'm somehow excusing Kerr's actions I'm not. But @NZRacing raises some very good points which should be addressed. I sincerely hope the RIU tactic hasn't been one where they knew what was going on but took the "give'em rope" approach We now have a situation where any hope of restitution or reparation by Kerr is impossible. Afterall he has been disqualified from doing the only thing he is qualified to do and what he can do well. Wouldn't one option that had the potential for better outcomes was to disqualify him for a period of time but then allow him back under strict controls and supervision where he was able to earn and pay back what he owes? Basically a form of financial house arrest. That isn't an unheard of approach in the "real world". I repeat I'm not in any way condoning what Kerr has done but I'm throwing that option out there for discussion.

300 isn't enough to sustain the number of meetings that one particular trainer has forecast will be run at Riccarton.

They are closing Rangiora so are I guess expecting the Trainers there to move to Town. But that will require building new stables and my understanding is that the current setup leaves a lot to be desired.

Yeah right! Firstly they don't appear to have been maintaining what they had/have now! Geez look at the main racing surface! Secondly they are seriously underestimating what it takes to keep an AWT up to scratch. You only have to look at OZ to see what is required. Costs will be more and the maintenance is underfunded now. FFS they don't even have an irrigation system that effectively and easily covers everywhere it is required.

A Victorian greyhound trainer was found guilty of attempting to source wild rabbits. GREYHOUNDS Greyhound trainer found guilty after attempting to source ‘wild rabbits’ Article Author Gilbert Gardiner 8:23PM15 April 2021 A Victorian greyhound trainer found guilty of attempting to source “wild rabbits” that could be used as bait claimed he simply had an interest in cooking and Jamie Oliver recipes. Tooradin trainer Darren Langley, who remains suspended pending a directions hearing on penalty submissions later this month, posted an ad on Gumtree on August 21, 2019 titled “Wanted wild rabbits”. Within the ad, Langley said: “Looking for rabbits to buy any one catching wild rabbits”. Langley did not agree to buy a live rabbit or agree to meet anyone for the purposes of buying a wild rabbit. He told the Victorian Racing Tribunal the purpose of the ad was to source a rabbit for cooking. Google searches at about the same time of the ad confirmed Langley’s interest in game meat, including kangaroo and deer for cooking, the tribunal heard. “He said he was interested in cooking and a follower of Jamie Oliver’s cooking recipes and shows,” a VRT decision delivered on Thursday read. “He said he did not intend to use a live rabbit as bait to encourage greyhounds.” In early interviews with stewards, Langley “was unable to explain why he wanted a live rabbit to cook as distinct from one that was already dead and could be easily sourced” from a butchers shop. It is an offence to use any animal in connection with greyhound training as a bait, quarry or lure to entice, excite or encourage a greyhound to pursue it or otherwise. Langley’s counsel argued his client did not attempt to possess an animal. He submitted the advertisement was “mere preparation rather than a completed attempt”. The Tribunal heard Langley did not live at his kennel address, nor intended to bring rabbits into the bounds of the property where his greyhounds were trained. But the Tribunal remained comfortably satisfied Langley breached racing rules in respect to the Gumtree post. “In this case, Mr Langley attempted to possess a rabbit for a purpose which might reasonably be capable of being used as bait, quarry or lure to entice a greyhound to pursue it,” the VRT said. “The fact that the attempt to possess a rabbit might also have been for the purpose of eating it does not deny that, objectively considered, a greyhound trainer seeking to source a live rabbit might be viewed reasonably and objectively as being capable of being using it as bait.” A Directions Hearing has been scheduled for 28 April for the programming of a hearing to deal with penalty submissions in respect of the guilty finding.

In NZ Greyhounds don't have that much electoral weight as they do in OZ. Excuse the pun but in NZ banning Greyhound racing will be an easy rabbit kill that will give the Government more electoral support than it loses.

So that total income is now required to maintain and renovate ALL training facilities at Riccarton. A low cost model has now been replaced by a high cost model. The increase in expenses has to come from somewhere. Will the % of revenue earned from TAB that currently goes to administration and other opex items be reduced? Currently 80% of revenue earned from TAB (after they and NZTR deduct their costs) goes back to stakeholders via stakes payments. It must reduce if Riccarton is to break even.

The animal rights lobby have a soft target with Greyhounds as it involves an animal that a significant part of the population can relate to. This Government sees Greyhound's as a potential sacrificial lamb that appeases their supporters and the Greens. Further those that control the Racing Industry don't give a shyte about the dogs. What required changes? Those protesting against the industry have made it quite clear that their objective is to close it down. Doesn't matter what you change it won't change their objective. Remember Greyhound Racing was banned for a short period in NSW and Queensland was going to follow their lead. However the Greyhound Industry was quick to respond and had sufficient clout to turn those bans around. NZ doesn't have the same level of clout and the local industry is led by leaders that really don't seem to have any passion for the sport nor are they proactive. You watch the animal rights groups baying for blood - the noise will be very loud and the Government will kowtow to them. I fail to believe that socialist Robertson truly gives a damn about racing other than fraternising with the Waikato Thoroughbred elite!