Chief Stipe

Don't tell me - MORE DUMB MPI RULES! In saying that how can a boat load of dairy cows travel to China but a plane load of horses can't?

Why are they pulling out of NZ? Did any Awapuni or Riccarton Trainers buy those bred to run on dirt?

Rider Horse NZ Dispersal Sale - Results Lot Name Colour Sex Sire Dam Price Purchaser Status Weanlings 1 Unnamed Bay Colt Mongolian Khan Dawninsky NZD$1,200 Spotlight Sold 2 Unnamed Bay Filly Mongolian Falcon English Kath Res NZD$500 - Passed In 3 Unnamed Grey Filly Sweet Orange Envy Me NZD$800 Pilgrim Sold 4 Unnamed Bay Filly Sweet Orange Libourne no bids - Withdrawn 5 Unnamed Bay Colt Mongolian Khan Treasury NZD$600 bmac Sold 6 Unnamed Brown Filly Mongolian Falcon Winsome Kash Res NZD$500 - Passed In Yearlings 7 Unnamed Bay Filly Sweet Orange Ballacara Res NZD$500 - Passed In 8 Unnamed Bay Colt Mongolian Falcon Champagne Shisha Res NZD$500 - Passed In 9 Unnamed Bay Filly Mongolian Khan Creole Res NZD$500 - Passed In 10 Unnamed Bay Filly Mongolian Khan Daliesque Res NZD$500 - Passed In 11 Unnamed Bay Filly Mongolian Khan Dawninsky Res NZD$500 - Passed In 12 Unnamed Bay Filly Sweet Orange De Russian Queen NZD$600 fredrick Sold 13 Unnamed Bay Colt Mongolian Khan Demeter Res NZD$500 - Passed In 14 Unnamed Bay Colt Mongolian Falcon Emlajay NZD$700 Ksb Sold 15 Unnamed Bay Filly Mongolian Falcon English Kath Res NZD$500 - Passed In 16 Unnamed Bay Filly Mongolian Falcon Envy Me Res NZD$500 - Passed In 17 Unnamed Bay or Brown Colt Mongolian Falcon Femmena NZD$800 andrewsan Sold 18 Unnamed Bay Colt Mongolian Khan Invermoray NZD$2,600 jaxco Sold 19 Unnamed Bay Filly Mongolian Khan Irish Tavern Res NZD$500 - Passed In 20 Unnamed Bay Filly Mongolian Falcon Julieta NZD$500 samracing Sold 21 Unnamed Bay Filly Mongolian Falcon Katinka NZD$2,000 Thistime Sold 22 Unnamed Bay Filly Mongolian Falcon Lecanda Res NZD$500 - Passed In 23 Unnamed Brown Filly Mongolian Falcon Live it Up Res NZD$500 - Passed In 24 Unnamed Bay Filly Mongolian Khan Malibu Miss Res NZD$500 - Passed In 25 Unnamed Bay Filly Mongolian Falcon Middlebrook NZD$600 muzza99 Sold 26 Unnamed Bay Filly Mongolian Khan Mongolian Miracle NZD$11,500 CJ Sold 27 Unnamed Bay Filly Mongolian Khan More Than Adequate NZD$500 Vulcan23 Sold 28 Unnamed Bay Filly Sweet Orange My First Fifteen NZD$1,400 Mikemccann Sold 29 Unnamed Bay Filly Mongolian Khan My Rose Maree Res NZD$500 - Passed In 30 Unnamed Bay Filly Mongolian Khan No Reins NZD$500 samracing Sold 31 Unnamed Bay Filly Sweet Orange Paulette NZD$600 johnr Sold 32 Unnamed Bay Colt Mongolian Khan Peach Bellini no bids - Withdrawn 33 Unnamed Bay Filly Mongolian Khan Permanent NZD$17,000 IDS Sold 34 Unnamed Bay Filly Mongolian Falcon Pink Beach Res NZD$500 - Passed In 35 Unnamed Bay Colt Mongolian Khan Piper NZD$3,100 Cola Sold 36 Unnamed Bay Filly Mongolian Khan Polynesia Email offers to info@gavelhouse.com Still available Sold 37 Unnamed Bay Colt Mongolian Khan Scarlet's Secret NZD$1,200 jbarker Sold 38 Unnamed Bay Filly Mongolian Khan Scattered Dreams NZD$2,100 jaxco Sold 39 Unnamed Chestnut Colt Sweet Orange Silent Ways NZD$600 Lorr23 Sold 40 Unnamed Bay Colt Sweet Orange Sister O'Reilly NZD$1,200 rutzy Sold 41 Unnamed Bay or Brown Filly Mongolian Falcon Sky Charm Res NZD$500 - Passed In 42 Unnamed Bay Filly Mongolian Falcon So Take That NZD$500 morry58 Sold 43 Unnamed Chestnut Filly Sweet Orange Suneeta NZD$600 Jockeydke Sold 44 Unnamed Brown Colt Mongolian Khan Tokomutu Mistress Res NZD$500 - Passed In 45 Unnamed Grey Filly Mongolian Khan Tossed and Turned NZD$900 Farrah Sold 46 Unnamed Bay Filly Mongolian Khan Vitruvian Lady NZD$500 alla49 Sold 47 Unnamed Bay Filly Mongolian Khan Viva Roma NZD$500 lucre Sold 48 Unnamed Bay Filly Mongolian Falcon Winsome Kash NZD$600 RSS Sold 49 Unnamed Brown Filly Wrote Ze One NZD$900 Morrinsville Sold Two Year Olds 50 Unnamed Bay Filly Mongolian Khan Amazing Sky NZD$900 davina72 Sold 51 Unnamed Bay Colt Mongolian Khan Attivaree NZD$600 MiChampion Sold 52 Unnamed Brown Colt Mongolian Khan Caldera NZD$1,200 Cola Sold 53 Unnamed Bay or Brown Filly Mongolian Khan Champagne Shisha NZD$2,100 Boxer Sold 54 Unnamed Chestnut Filly Bullbars Commendable NZD$4,500 ballycormac Sold 55 Unnamed Bay or Brown Colt Mongolian Khan Coveted NZD$1,700 GN123 Sold 56 Unnamed Bay or Brown Filly Mongolian Khan Demeter NZD$600 Sherules1 Sold 57 Unnamed Bay Filly Mongolian Khan Diamond Miss Res NZD$500 - Passed In 58 Unnamed Bay Filly Mongolian Khan Emlajay NZD$600 Kerrin Sold 59 Unnamed Brown Filly Mongolian Khan English Kath Res NZD$500 - Passed In 60 Unnamed Grey Filly Mongolian Khan Envy Me NZD$3,500 weststock Sold 61 Unnamed Bay Filly Mongolian Khan Fur Elise Res NZD$500 - Passed In 62 Unnamed Bay or Brown Filly Mongolian Khan Game Call NZD$500 RobertBlacker Sold 63 Unnamed Brown Filly Mongolian Khan Giggleswick NZD$6,000 Rivergigi Sold 64 Unnamed Bay Filly Iffraaj Invermoray NZD$8,500 Boxer Sold 65 Unnamed Bay Filly Mongolian Khan Julieta Res NZD$500 - Passed In 66 Unnamed Bay Filly Mongolian Khan Katinka Res NZD$500 - Passed In 67 Unnamed Bay Filly Mongolian Khan Lecanda NZD$1,100 AjLethbridge Sold 68 Unnamed Bay Filly Mongolian Khan Libourne Res NZD$500 - Passed In 69 Unnamed Bay Colt Mongolian Khan Live it Up NZD$500 donahue76 Sold 70 Unnamed Bay or Brown Colt Mongolian Khan Miss Annaliese NZD$800 Margaret Sold 71 Unnamed Bay Colt Mongolian Khan Mongolian Miracle NZD$1,700 Cola Sold 72 Unnamed Bay Colt Mongolian Khan Pink Beach NZD$700 FOXY Sold 73 Unnamed Brown Filly Mongolian Khan Senorita Rosay NZD$700 davina72 Sold 74 Unnamed Bay Filly Mongolian Khan Sky Charm NZD$600 Bucko Sold 75 Unnamed Bay Filly Mongolian Khan Southern Pride NZD$500 Suem Sold 76 Unnamed Brown Filly Mongolian Khan Tereshkina NZD$500 386kauri Sold 77 Unnamed Bay Filly Mongolian Khan Vitruvian Lady NZD$600 SBW1 Sold 78 Unnamed Bay Colt Mongolian Khan Viva Roma Res NZD$500 - Passed In 79 Unnamed Brown Filly Mongolian Khan Winsome Kash NZD$600 Loneoak Sold Unraced Horses 80 Unnamed Brown Colt Mongolian Khan Caldera NZD$100 Regal Sold 81 Unnamed Bay Colt Niagara No Reins Res NZD$500 - Passed In 82 Unnamed Bay Colt Mongolian Khan Pink Beach NZD$1,800 Vstar Sold 83 Unnamed Chestnut Colt Bullbars Quaalup NZD$1,200 Cola Sold 84 Unnamed Bay Colt Mongolian Khan Trustam no bids - Withdrawn Broodmares 85 Amazing Sky Bay Mare Danroad Quasi Stellar Res NZD$500 - Passed In 86 Ballacara Brown Mare Don Eduardo Balmacara NZD$500 KAG Sold 87 Caldera Bay Mare Tiger Hill Annie Daly Res NZD$500 - Passed In 88 Chocolat Bay Mare Align Creole NZD$700 Slipper Sold 89 Concinnity Chestnut Mare Rock of Gibraltar Anatomy NZD$800 TateBrown Sold 90 Daliesque Bay Mare Darci Brahma Paint Me a Dream Res NZD$500 - Passed In 91 De Russian Queen Bay Mare Stravinsky Perfect Evening NZD$600 Kat Sold 92 Demeter Bay Mare Sir Percy Oenology Res NZD$500 - Passed In 93 Desiree Bay Mare Savabeel Well Kept Res NZD$500 - Passed In 94 Diamond Miss Chestnut Mare Sufficient Diamond Lady Res NZD$500 - Passed In 95 Diamond Thorn Bay Mare Thorn Park County Crim NZD$800 ETHJAYB Sold 96 Eleanor Coup Bay Mare Daggers Drawn Besty Coup Res NZD$500 - Passed In 97 Emlajay Brown Mare Johar Rory's Helen Res NZD$500 - Passed In 98 Femmena Brown Mare Zabeel Stella's Pantry Res NZD$500 - Passed In 99 Fur Elise Bay Mare Danasinga My Girl Elise Res NZD$500 - Passed In 100 Highest Bid Bay Mare Montjeu No Reserve NZD$500 Kat Sold 101 Hui Hai Stars Bay Mare Pour Moi There's No Doubt NZD$500 Thinkbig Sold 102 Irish Tavern Bay Mare O'Reilly Pubs NZD$500 cjh09 Sold 103 Jelly Bay Mare Reset Blue Beans Res NZD$500 - Passed In 104 Julieta Bay Mare Darci Brahma Mareva Res NZD$500 - Passed In 105 Katinka Bay Mare Redoute's Choice Satinka NZD$5,750 Explosive Sold 106 Lady Fenuala Bay Mare Cape Blanco Lady Dehere NZD$6,500 Berlin21 Sold 107 Libourne Bay Mare Montjeu Trotanoy Res NZD$500 - Passed In 108 Lilyput Bay Mare O'Reilly Lily Potter NZD$500 rooney10 Sold 109 Live it Up Brown Mare O'Reilly Bali Hi Res NZD$500 - Passed In 110 Mabsam Brown Mare Stratum Gypsy Dollar Res NZD$50,000 - Passed In 111 Malibu Miss Brown Mare Sufficient Marwiki NZD$1,000 alex19982001 Sold 112 Miss Annaliese Brown Mare Don Eduardo It's Spring Again Res NZD$500 - Passed In 113 Model to Nite Bay Mare Johar Depuessence NZD$500 DeBee Sold 114 Monegasque Bay Mare Pour Moi Argante Res NZD$500 - Passed In 115 More Than Adequate Chestnut Mare Generous My Marilyn no bids - Withdrawn 116 My First Fifteen Bay Mare Danasinga Fifteen Reasons NZD$600 Sherules1 Sold 117 No Reins Bay Mare Show a Heart Loisset Res NZD$500 - Passed In 118 Pedderstock Bay Mare Tavistock Lady Pedder NZD$500 facgen Sold 119 Perfect Set Bay Mare Reset Our Sharapova Res NZD$500 - Passed In 120 Pierian Bay Mare Montjeu Nimue NZD$1,650 Sherules1 Sold 121 Pink Beach Bay Mare Johar Anakela Bay Res NZD$500 - Passed In 122 Quaalup Bay Mare Pins Bremer Bay NZD$600 MaggieT Sold 123 Scarlet's Secret Bay Mare Savabeel Scarlet Vanhara NZD$15,500 nico2 Sold 124 Scattered Dreams Brown Mare Redoute's Choice Snippets' Jewel NZD$1,700 Explosive Sold 125 Silent Ways Bay Mare Sir Percy Habitual Res NZD$500 - Passed In 126 Sister O'Reilly Bay Mare O'Reilly Charlotte's Sister Res NZD$500 - Passed In 127 Sky Charm Bay Mare Darci Brahma Star Charm Res NZD$500 - Passed In 128 So Take That Chestnut Mare Align So There NZD$500 morry58 Sold 129 Tossed and Turned Grey Mare Secret Savings Dolphinima NZD$750 william94 Sold 130 Via Veneto Bay Mare Cape Cross Shopping Spree Res NZD$500 - Passed In 131 Vitruvian Lady Bay Mare Manduro Vas y Carla NZD$700 facgen Sold 132 Viva Roma Bay Mare Spartacus Verganti Res NZD$500 - Passed In 133 Ze One Bay Mare All American Ze Choice NZD$900 PENN Sold 134 Zuccato Bay Mare Iffraaj Bow Lane NZD$4,400 Millefiori Sold Stallions 135 Mongolian Falcon Bay Colt Fastnet Rock Amazing Beauty Res NZD$50,000 - Passed In

Rider Horse NZ dispersal on gavelhouse.com 22 April 2021 A dispersal of 135 Lots for the Inner Mongolia Rider Horse Industry (NZ) Ltd group is now live online on gavelhouse.com. Lot 106, Lady Fenuala (NZ) (Cape Blanco) offered in foal to Mongolian Khan. The 135 listings include mares and foals, weanlings, yearlings, two-year-olds and unraced stock. There are 45 in-foal mares set for auction, while a number of mares are being sold with foals at foot. The Rider Horse stock is based at two properties, namely Highview Stud in Ngahinapouri, and Willow Glen Stud in Waimate. All bar two of the Lots are being sold unreserved, with an upset bid of $500. With mares by leading broodmare sires Zabeel, O’Reilly, Pins, Stravinsky, Redoute’s Choice, Savabeel, Iffraaj and Montjeu, there is something to suit all breeders. There is also an opportunity to secure young stock by emerging sire Mongolian Khan, a dual Derby and Caulfield Cup winner, whose eldest are just three and are making a good impression, particularly as staying horses of the future. With New Zealand renowned for breeding quality middle distance and staying horses, as evidenced by the first three past the post in the recent Gr.1 Australian Derby all being New Zealand bred, Mongolian Khan looks to be a sire whose progeny can add to the legacy. Mongolian Khan’s first crop winners include stakes performer My Squeeze Louise in addition to winners Supreme Khan, Mongolian Wings, Suppression, Maria Jane, Granados and last Tuesday’s impressive Mornington winner Made By Khan. Inner Mongolia Rider Horse Industry (NZ) Ltd will also be selling young stallion Mongolian Falcon, a Group Two winning son of Fastnet Rock, whose eldest are just yearlings and Mabsam, the dam of three winners including I Am Invincible mare Festivity, a five-time winner for Jamie Richards and a stakes winner in waiting. Foals at foot have been branded and microchipped, with all stock recently drenched and trimmed. Lot 134, Zuccato (NZ) (Iffraaj) offered in foal to Sweet Orange. “This is a complete dispersal as a result of Inner Mongolia Rider Horse Industry not being able to export horses to China since Covid-19 hit, which is a significant part of their business,” Highview Stud’s Brent Gillovic. “Given there is no likelihood of horse flights resuming between New Zealand and China in the near future, the decision has been made to disperse the horses, with several quality offerings amongst them. “With a large number of horses on offer, I expect to see some bargain basement prices and plenty of opportunities for pin-hookers and young trainers to get their hands on quality youngstock. “I once bought a horse for $100 from a supplementary session at Karaka and subsequently sold it for $120,000 as a trial winner and expect some great stories like this to come out of this sale in time,” he said. The sale will conclude on Sunday 25 April, with the first lot scheduled for the earlier than usual time of 5PM (NZT) given the larger volume of horses to be auctioned. Due to the dispersal sale running during the usual entry phase for gavelhouse.com’s fortnightly mixed bloodstock auctions, the entry window for the next sale will open from Sunday evening through to the later time of 10AM Tuesday 27 April before launching at 5PM. If you would like to enter early email info@gavelhouse.com with your horse details to start the process. - gavelhouse.com

Rule Number(s): 534(2)(b) - Permission sought to late scratchMr Williamson lodged an Information requesting a Ruling in relation to Rule 534 (2) (b) to establish whether Licensed Trainer, Mr Richards can scratch his horse (RADEGAST) from Race 9, the Vale Prince Philip - Duke of Edinburgh 1921-2021 Mile. Rule 534(2)(b) enables an Information to be filed with the ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Rule Number(s): 902(1)Following the running of race 5, the Staphandos By Deep Impact Champagne Stakes (Listed race) Mr Williamson lodged an Information requesting a Ruling from the Judicial Committee pursuant to Rule 902(1) as whether Race 5 should be null and void (abandoned) or selected runners scratched due to track staff ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Rule Number(s): 534(1)This charge should be read in conjunction with the Request for Ruling (Information Number A13397), where this Committee was requested to make a Ruling, pursuant to rule 534(2)(b) as to whether RADEGAST should be scratched from race 9. Mr Williamson advised that following Race 4, Mr Richards sought Stewards' ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Rule Number(s): 638(3)(b)(ii)Following the running of Race 5, an Information was filed by Stipendiary Steward, Mr M Davidson against Apprentice Jockey, Mr K Chowdhoory, alleging a breach of Rule 638(3)(b)(ii) “You struck your mount excessively prior to the 100 metres”. Mr Chowdhoory acknowledged that he understood the Rule and confirmed ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

I guess those inbred Tasmanian's have a few more clues than those one eyed Cantab's!

The program for today's Devonport meeting as advertised in their calendar.

Woops sorry I meant Tasmania. Gammalite will have to shift his horses back to the mainland! Trotting to cease in Tasmania Thursday 1 April 2021 Reintroduced as a trial in July 2018 and confirmed to continue in January 2020 subject to Industry support, trotting races in Tasmania have failed to achieve the support from the industry that was hoped for. Although there was strong initial support the decline has been obvious specifically over the last 7 months with races being deleted due to lack of nominations and decreased field sizes. Tasracing, after consultation with the Industry Group, have determined that Trotting races will no longer be included as part of the Tasmanian program from 1 October 2021. These six months will give those trainers the opportunity to restable their horses back to the mainland. A transport subsidy will be provided, on application, to the Trainers of the current trotting population to assist with the restabling of these horses. Paul Eriksson Chief Executive Officer 1 April 2021

But wouldn't Tasmania have a bigger horse population than the South Island or even the CD? Information from the 2019 annual report.

Well if it is any indication check out the field numbers from Davenport Synthetic in Tasmania today.

Perhaps they proactively engaged with Trainers and determined the horse numbers in work. <tongue-in-cheek-font>

Well there is a known aversion by punters to dirt tracks hence I assume one of the reasons Victorian Racing has limited to only two for the entire State. I don't see any market advantage in the time difference between NZ and OZ. Most people that I know that have a punt don't really get started until after lunch. So if you are even slightly wary or adverse to dirt racing you are going to probably wait and see for a while and focus on Ozzie turf racing. Will the Ozzie market bet on our dirt races in greater numbers? I doubt it. The only theory that I can think of that might have some basis to it is that 3 meetings a week with the same group of horses will provide a consistent betting product that will be unique in the product range.

What about the puppy factories producing large numbers for the pet industry? Is the idealist Chloe promoting legislation to stop that? What about the pet breeds that can't breed naturally? The bulldog breeds for example where they are artificially inseminated because the male's legs are too short and birthing can only be achieved through caesarian because the female's pelvis is to small. Where is Chloe's legislation too ban them? It seems even the massive resources of the SPCA couldn't find enough evidence to push for a conviction. Perhaps they should have used INCA techniques and utilised the Police wire tapping service. The industry doesn't struggle to rebut because it doesn't do anything! Where was Hughes and co when the Meth case hit the news? "No comment" was the loud response. No positive spin that the positive was 1 in over 3,000 tests or that any positive is very very rare in Greyhound racing. Nor was there or has been any front foot action on the Government review which they were alerted to months ago. To say that they are asleep at the controls of the lure would be an understatement!!!!

Chlöe Swarbrick: Greyhound racing is cruel, and we must end it now Chlöe Swarbrick05:00, Apr 25 2021 RICKY WILSON/STUFF Green MP Chlöe Swarbrick is working on a Member’s Bill to end greyhound racing in New Zealand. Since only the beginning of 2021, seven greyhounds have been killed and 282 injured on racetracks across Aotearoa. Take a moment to let that sink in. This is our dog-racing industry, one of the last still in operation in the world. These deaths and injuries aren’t a bug. They’re a design feature, and they always have been. Fifteen years ago, former racing minister Winston Peters launched the Greyhounds As Pets adoption scheme, seeking to improve the public perception of the industry’s approach to animal welfare. In 2017, he reflected on that moment 11 years prior, lamenting: “It is disappointing the industry is still grappling with these underlying issues”. Those underlying issues are greyhound deaths, injuries, and the occasional meth-doping scandal. 123RF Seven greyhounds have been killed and 282 injured on racetracks across Aotearoa so far this year. Time and again, the industry argues that it loves these dogs. I would hope that anyone who loves their dogs would have learnt from nearly 20 years of broken legs and ankles, ruptured stomachs and trauma that, just maybe, they should stop doing the same thing over and over again. Because we’ve been here before. In 2013, the ‘WHK report’ made a slew of recommendations to improve animal welfare. Then in 2017, with disconcert from the broader racing industry, former High Court judge Rodney Hansen QC produced yet another report. That report found: “The number of greyhounds reported as euthanised continues at high levels with evidence of widespread non-compliance with reporting requirements strongly suggesting the true figure is much higher”. There were at least 1200 dogs unaccounted for in the four years since that last report. Last week, the Government announced the third review of the industry this decade, with new Minister for Racing Grant Robertson stating he was “not satisfied the [Hansen] recommendations are being implemented in a way that is improving animal welfare”. ROBERT KITCHIN/STUFF New Minister for Racing Grant Robertson isn't satisfied that the Hansen recommendations are being implemented. When the same questions keep turning up the same answers, and those answers are the mistreatment of animals, how long are we supposed to extend goodwill? How many more dogs will die or disappear in that time? Greyhound Racing New Zealand will tell you greyhounds are athletes; they love to race! This is a sport! Research the breed, you’ll find out! The reality is greyhounds are typically low-energy dogs with a light frame and, obviously, the ability to run fast. Because of that, these dogs have been bred and imported into New Zealand to generate income for the gambling sector. Do they love to race? More importantly, do they have a choice? When the gun goes off and the gate goes up, the dogs run, because they’ve been trained to do so, and thousands of dollars are at stake in each race. In an industry plagued by claims of doping, live baiting, animal welfare issues and kennel cough outbreaks, the dogs that don’t perform don’t make it. Greyhound Racing New Zealand reported that 165 dogs alone in the last annual reporting period were killed ‘for other reasons’ – they’re too slow or too broken for the industry, and too traumatised to be a family pet. SUPPLIED Chlöe Swarbrick says there are plenty of ways for greyhounds to run, including playing with other dogs. The dogs that do make it out of the gate on race day are the ones that are still useful. This has nothing to do with ‘loving to race’, and everything to do with training and the window of opportunity the industry has to use them up. The injuries suffered routinely are serious – horrific major bone breaks and organ rupture – painful, fatal injuries there can be no recovery from. Athletes aren’t put down. But these dogs are, when they become a balance-sheet liability. We’ve got plenty of other sports, and many you can gamble on if that’s really what you’re after. Those athletes have a say in what they’re doing and when they retire. Greyhounds can pursue a love of running in plenty of other ways, like chasing a ball at the park with other dogs. Or, they can be found nuzzled into the arm of a couch for notorious hours-long naps that come quite naturally, if you ask anyone who’s ever owned a greyhound as just a good old pet, not a bet. Green MP Chlöe Swarbrick is working on a Member’s Bill to end greyhound racing in New Zealand.

Yep and it is going to get much more uninteresting very very shortly. 3 AWT's which are budgeted to run on average a minimum of 15 race meetings each year over the winter months. So that's 3 times 15 = 45 race meetings. Now going back to the 2019 NZTR annual report - (the last year that anything of substance was produced - notice how the NZRB and NZTR are producing LESS reporting information now? Yes you should be suspicious!) - 311 meetings were held for that season. So 45/311 = 15% - 15% of the seasons meetings will be run on 3 AWT tracks. If they are all run over 3-4 months of the year that will mean up to THREE AWT meetings a week. Sorry but dirt racing (don't be conned into thinking that the Polyfill is special - it's just imported sand from Australia with some artificial wax and recycled carpet fibre garbage i.e. dirt) does not appeal to me at all. I've seen enough of the dirt racing over the last couple of years from Korea, Japan and USA!! THREE AWT RACE MEETINGS A WEEK! What's more it will be largely the same horses races every week! Today there are 11 Turf meetings in OZ and 1 dirt. Mmmm which one's will I be watching - Alice Springs, Moe, Gawler, Gosford, Kalgoorlie, Beaudesert, Kennsington, Pioneer Park, Pinjarra Park, Bathurst, Sunshine Coast or even the fantastic grass surface at Flemington! What do we have today? A low grade meeting from Awapuni which next year will be raced on dirt. 8 races with the following number of starters - 6, 6, 12, 4, 12, 13, 14, 11 - a total of 78 horses. Tomorrow - a public holiday - did NZTR realise this? One meeting at Avondale. Good fields though. OZ - 4 meetings (note not every State has made Monday a holiday because ANZAC falls on a Sunday).

AUCK-R05-240421.mp4

Race 5 STAPHANOS BY DEEP IMPACT CHAMPAGNE STAKES (1600 metres) (Listed Race) DAARIO (C Grylls) – Slow to begin. Briefly hampered approaching the 600 metres when taking evasive action to avoid ARC staff on the track. ATULLIBIGEAL (A Calder) – Briefly hampered approaching the 600 metres when taking evasive action to avoid ARC staff on the track. NEST EGG (D Johnson) – Hampered and shifted wider when taking evasive action to avoid ARC staff on the track near the 600 metres. SONGGONG SUCCESS (L Satherley) – Briefly hampered approaching the 600 metres when taking evasive action to avoid ARC staff on the track. INVIALO (S Spratt) – Briefly hampered approaching the 600 metres when taking evasive action to avoid ARC staff on the track. SAMARKAND (L Allpress) – Hampered and shifted wider when taking evasive action to avoid ARC staff on the track near the 600 metres. LADY MAROAL (M McNab) – Briefly hampered approaching the 600 metres when taking evasive action to avoid ARC staff on the track. TE POROPITI (S Collett) – Inconvenienced soon after leaving the barrier. Hampered and shifted wider when taking evasive action to avoid ARC staff on the track near the 600 metres. Declared a non-runner. Following the race the Stewards lodged a request for a ruling with the Judicial Committee to determine whether the race should be voided or selected runners should be declared non-runners due to runners having to avoid ARC track staff approaching the 600 metres. After considering submissions, the Judicial Committee declared TE POROPITI to be a non runner. Report 2021-04-24 ARC.pdf

I know I do bang on about track renovation and maintenance but surely they can do it before or after a race! Begs the question though what was so important that it needed to be done on raceday? A belated Easter bunny perhaps?

Each one of these cases is very different. I assume the first case was the RIU vs D Scholfield 2018? Was the second the RIU vs K R Toomer 2020? With Scholfiled there was a number of aggravating factors including a clear deception whereby a disqualified unlicensed trainer was actually doing the training and all Scholfiled was doing was turning up on race day with the dogs. The parties concerned aside from D Scholfield refused to cooperate with the investigation. In Toomers case the source of the Methamphetamine was established clearly and there was no doubt where it came from. In comparison Turnwald cooperated fully with the inquiry, undertook personal testing and the source of the Methamphetamine could not be proven. The RIU and the JCA accepted that based on the evidence Turnwald didn't deliberately drug the dog and had no direct or indirect involvement with the administration of the drug. Hence the difference in penalties.

I think you will find that in @aquaman's case there were several charges not just one. There were also a number of aggravating factors. Also there was no remorse or apology given for the behaviour and it would appear that he doubled down on his abuse in his written submissions. The 12 months was an accumulative sentence for about five different charges. The 12 months was discounted in the end to 10 months.

These are starting point guidelines. As detailed and explained clearly in RIU vs D Schofield 2018 the JCA has the authority to impose a penalty that is either more or less than the starting point after assessing any mitigating or aggravating factors.

The JCA has to follow precedent, guidelines and principles of natural justice. It can't just make a punishment up. Both the respondent and the informant have the right to appeal any penalty. Any such appeal would be judged on precedent, guidelines and principles of justice. Turnwald was sentenced as per the current rules. If the RIU or even GRNZ think the JCA got it wrong then they can appeal. Past positives to P which are not as frequent as the media would have everyone believe have been due to contamination. In this latest case it seems that the dog may have been given P however the evidence to support that hypothesis is limited. Certainly it was determined by the JCA and agreed by the RIU that the Trainer didn't deliberately administer P to the dog. Given the testing regime in place you would have to be an absolute idiot of a Trainer to do that. So Turnwald, as you say probably an innocent party, got a significant punishment. If it happens again then the punishment will be greater. Now that could happen either by accident or by deliberate activity by a third party. The only way any Trainer can control things and prevent that from happening is to train and transport their dogs in a completely closed system. As I have said before it would help all stakeholders if the RIU published the full results of positive tests detailing the levels that were present and making a statement on the likely impact on the dogs performance.