Chief Stipe

Yep and the general public are not watching let alone counting. In my opinion the industry itself is making an issue when there isn't one. If they spent more time promoting the positives of the industry instead of kowtowing to a very very small minority the industry would be better off. The biggest issue for NZ racing is losing punting revenue not because people are protesting through their punting pockets about whips but because they are offered better wagering products elsewhere.

In Thomarse's case he seems more worried about his punt and Opie beating him by "cheating"!

Ok I'll rephrase my question - where is the evidence that this is becoming a "big issue" with the general public?

Where is the evidence of this "defening noise of protest"?

Does anyone remember this positive? http://jca.org.nz/non-race-day-hearings/non-raceday-inquiry-riu-v-a-browne-decision-dated-1-september-2017-chair-mr-m-mckechnie/?searchterm=Browne*

The biggest problem our elite NZ stables have is the "Tall Poppy" syndrome. Pun intended.

They played within rules and weighed up the penalty vs the reward. Bit like Richie McCaw - at half way at a ruck do what is the risk vs reward of playing the offside margin?

FFS you haven't looked at the sectionals have you? Armarelinha still ran faster than Needle and Threads the last 100m. But Armarelinha had MOMENTUM from the 800m! The fastest last 200m wasn't from the first two horses. I said that. I doubt it - do you think Grylls would have stopped riding his horse? Come on you are "NZ's leading tipper" (your Twitter words not mine) - give us an evaluation of Armarelinha's performance? 8th outer, improved wide from the 800m, ran the fastest last 800, 600 and 400m sectionals. Last 200m 0.07 seconds faster than the second horse. Needle and Thread - had the soft trail the whole way - out and kicked on the corner.

Nope just looking at the industry with both eyes open. I removed the red and black eye patch when I moved north.

Environmental contamination - watch this space for more of it. The key questions are: What was the source of the contaminant and what level was it? The four chemicals found are all present in coffee and chocolate.

I didn't say or think what you infer I did or do. However my gripe is that most are focusing on the symptoms not the cause. As for the cause I have seen NO evidence that anything has changed. Some are quick to knock down those that are succeeding in this environment but overlook the root cause. The industry needs to unite and focus on those in the top admin positions - McKenzie, George, Saundry, Godber, Woodham, Hughes.

Why do you argree?

Why single out the Sistema Stakes? There are heaps of other indicators that there is a problem.

The Bonecrusher Stakes doesn't have huge nominations either. A couple of weeks ago the Grp 1 at Otaki was poor.

That is absolute bollocks. Did you not notice that the winner of the Karaka Million is one of the nominations for the Sistema? 2 out of 4 of the noms ran in the KMillion. The other two weren't even eligible for the KMillion.

Rule Number(s): 638 (1) (d)Mr C Campbell was charged with a breach of careless riding following Race 8. Stewards alleged that Mr Campbell rode carelessly - r 638 (1) (d) when he shifted his mount Zabay wider on the turn about the 400 metres when insufficiently clear of Hee’s Our Secret (J Lowry) which was checked. Mr Campbell ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Rule Number(s): 638(1)(d)This charge arises from the running of Race 6, the Vertical Logistic 1400. Chief Stipendiary Steward, Mr Oatham filed an Information pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d) alleging the rider of ROCH ‘N’ HORSE (L Allpress) allowed her mount to shift in when not sufficiently clear of MAI TAI which was checked passing ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Rule Number(s): 638(1)(d)This charge arises from the running of Race 2, the Stella Artois 1400. Chief Stipendiary Steward, Mr Oatham filed an Information pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d) alleging the rider of “ALL PAID UP (V Colgan), allowed his mount to shift out when insufficiently clear of GLITTERING ARMOUR, which was crowded and ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Rule Number(s): Rule 638 (3)(b)(ii)This charge arises from the running of Race 8, the McKee Family Sunline Vase (Group 3). An Information was filed pursuant to Rule 638 (3)(b)(ii) by the Informant, Mr Oatham, alleging that Mr O Bosson used his whip excessively when riding AMARELINA prior to the 100 metres. Mr Bosson said that he understood ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

What trap? I dont think it is a 2yr old problem but a reflection of where the industry in NZ is at. That said there are many Group races in OZ that from time to time have very small fields.

Is the rump more sensitive than the flanks?

What could be done differently to improve 2yr old nominations?

Fair enough. Still in my opinion you can't label either Jockey a "cheat". They played within the rules and weighed up the reward vs the penalty. Happens in all sport. I'm in danger of being called biased but if I owned Armarelinha I'd be very happy with Bosson's ride. He was caught out wide and about midfield and started his move at the 800m. He had momentum up and put the horse well in the race before the 200m. I've watched this filly several times and she is the type that competes against what she can see. Her view of Needle and Thread was obstructed for a bit and needed a bit more urging. The first two were a level up from the rest and I doubt that the breaking of the rules changed the first two placings. So was the breaking of the rules the nose difference. I don't think so. If Armarelinha was sitting on Needle and Threads rump over the last 800m she would have won by 4 lengths. At the end of the day whipping only works if you have a horse that has something to give.

I would go so far as to say Thomass's "momentum theory" is completely flawed. Just view the sectionals.

But did you know there were 23 strikes before I posted the head-on and Thomas deigned to count them? Also the strikes up until the 100m wouldn't as strong as those in the last 100m. Partly due the close proximity of another horse.