Chief Stipe

One poster has stopped posting in fear of the repercussions of the HRNZ proposed Code of Conduct in particular one clause that says Harness participants including owners need to identify themselves on social media. The so called "Code of Conduct" rules don't come into effect until 1 July. In any event the way they are currently written are at odds with laws of the land that take precedence. Quite frankly I wouldn't worry about it. In terms of my position as owner and moderator of BOAY as I have said many times before it would take a Court Order to attempt to identify any poster on BOAY. I would also personally defend that position and fight any legal action to identify individuals. If HRNZ wish to take on that fight then please do. I'd even be willing to purchase a small share in a Harness horse as a Test Case. I would have thought that HRNZ had bigger things to worry about e.g. sorting out the prevention of horse shares being oversold.

Is that true? Has the rule been passed? The so called "Code of Conduct" rules don't come into effect until 1 July. In any event the way they are currently written are at odds with laws that take precedence. Quite frankly I wouldn't worry about it. In terms of my position as owner and moderator of BOAY as I have said many times before it would take a Court Order to attempt to identify any poster on BOAY. I would also personally defend that position and fight any legal action to identify individuals.

It gets worse. The TAB NZ don't even display which horses are balloted! Maybe we should pay another $10m a year to get the extra software modules! Perhaps Glenn Saville can cut us a deal!

Clearly the All Stars/Cullen has targeted the higher value races. The tiers in Harness are becoming more pronounced. When considering what they are targeting a UDR of 0.4200 for the Cullen stable is remarkable. That said the quality of the fields at Addington today are ahead of the OZ ones.

It's a joke so far. How can a bookie set a market if a third of the current field has to be scratched! So much for a great revenue generating innovation. Competing against 5 OZ meetings tomorrow. Two of which have Fixed Odds displaying on OZZIE bookies already. Perhaps the TAB NZ only sets a book when its algorithm can copy someone elses!

Rule Number(s): 869(2)& Whip and Rein RegulationsFollowing the running of Race 8, Lone Star Sires’ Stakes Aged Trotters Classic (Listed Race), an Information was filed by Chief Stipendiary Steward, Mr N M Ydgren, against Licensed Junior Driver, Mr B T Hope, alleging that, as the Driver of MIDNIGHT DASH in the race, he “used his whip in a continuous ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Rule Number(s): 1104(1)Following the running of Race 10, Spectators Now Open Sundays! Handicap Trot, an Information requesting a Ruling was filed by Chief Stipendiary Steward, Mr N M Ydgren, “as to whether the race should be declared null and void as a number of runners were affected by the barrier [strand] not clearing the ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Rule Number(s): 638(3)(b)(ii)Following the running of Race 5, the Sherlock Contracting 1560, Mr Williamson presented an Information charging Mr Elliott with a breach of Rule 638(3)(b)(ii) in that he struck his mount UCALLEDIT with his whip in a manner that was excessive, in that his whip use was with his arm raised above shoulder ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Rule Number(s): 625(1)Mr N Bishara - Licensed Trainer (VERRY FLASH) - presented runner late to the plate inspection and birdcage. Penalty - $100 fine (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Rule Number(s): 638(3)(b)(ii)Following the running of Race 5, the Sherlock Contracting 1560, Mr Williamson presented an Information charging Ms Thornton with a breach of Rule 638(3)(b)(ii) in that she struck her mount VOLITIVO with the whip in a manner that was excessive in that her whip use was with her arm raised above shoulder ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

32 years ago. I think the Japanese are relatively good learners. They have had at least two major renovations of the track surface since then. Shouldn't there be some consistency? The more variable the surfaces the harder it is to maintain. It is clear from the disparity between the tracks and clearly defined break in colour that irrigation is not applied evenly to ALL turf surfaces. Including behind the 1200m start. That would suggest a lack of investment and opex.

NZ BROWNTOP A lovely dark green creeping grass that requires maintenance to keep looking good. It needs drier well aerated conditions to thrive and does not respond well to over-watering or compacted soils. It can be a beautiful lawn in the right conditions and with a lot of care. Only for those serious about their lawns - or their golf.

Or putting green. If the Browntop is struggling in the drought then no other grass is likely to have survived. Questionable you could even class it as a grass as it is generally classified as a weed and not common in modern pastures.

Stick to training horses Freda.

That's WITHIN the sport of racing. Why have dumb rules that penalise someone for having a blood alcohol level less than what they are allowed to drive a truck? It is plain stupid.

Only because people like you point it out. Society sets the standard - Anderson got his punishment why does Harness Racing need to have a higher punishment or double down?

Perhaps but why longer than what the Court system does? Is it because Harness Racing is so low that anyone associated with it should be the epitome of society? Give me a break. Why set standards that no other section in society can meet?

Why? Does Harness Racing run a different court system from society?

Really? Don't see that many on course or that many who mention it unless the journos mention it.

I hope the same Stipes have inspected the Steeple course at Riccarton.

At least they are giving a reading. Why they haven't been doing it during the trials is anyone's guess. That would have given some Benchmark.

But why the double jeopardy? As I have said many many times before the rules of racing were onced based on a puritanical holier than thou foundation. That is racing had to be beyond repute because the perception was it was a dodgy pursuit that was open to manipulation because it involved gambling. One of the scourges of society! Really? Racing because of anachronisms sets us up for constant falls. It is just plain daft! I know of a story of where someone was questioned in the family court because he had taken his daughter to a race meeting. When asked why he replied - "she wanted to pat a horse, eat a hot dog and be with her dad - your honour"! BTW the Judge was a known pisshead who liked a punt!

Especially if they tie up. The bicarb neutralises the lactic acid which causes the tieing up problem. Some horses are in considerable discomfort after a race because of it. When I was younger and medium to long distance runner the lactic acid build up after a run could be right painful. Which is part of reason why I'm so concerned about this type of reporting. I remember after running in the Canterbury under 18 New Brighton Steeplechase, which was one of the first races that my mother had attended, where she thought I was going to die and didn't want me to run another race again. A couple of hours later I was demolishing a large steak and chips dinner and pleading for a beer! The point is horses are athletes and some push themselves more than others which involves considerable discomfort/distress which would be upsetting to a naive outsider. Their argument would be that the horse doesn't have a choice when in fact it does - the good athletes put in and go past the pain barrier to win. A good trainer will identify the symptoms of a hard run and treat their horses accordingly. A couple of weeks or even a few days later the horse is as keen as ever to get out and compete. Is tubing a horse with Bicarb before a race more harmful than doing it after a race? The answer is no. Prior to a race it supposedly offers an advantage. I say supposedly because the research is not clear. We all know that horses bleed (EIPH) when racing - would it be better for animal welfare to allow the administration of Lasix before a race?

Only under the rules of racing and if the horse in question is racing that day. It is still a legitimate veterinary technique for administering medication to horses, cattle, dogs and cats. It is not illegal from an Animal Welfare Act perspective which was the topic of the article. The journalists have deliberately misled. I've been thinking about making a complaint on the basis it what they wrote is misleading and borders on misinformation. At the very least it is sloppy journalism.

He won't be banned from society for life nor any other job except probably being a Policeman. What is so special about being a Harness Trainer or Driver?