Chief Stipe

Come Joe. How do you know what was on the hands of the last person you shaked?

There were a number of systemic errors there. I bet Jamie Richards inspected and checked everyone of his charges before they went to the parade ring. FFS Emily probably met Jamie at Weigh Out scales - was handed the saddle by a Jockey and then walked with Jamie towards the stabling area and before she got there handed the saddle to a strapper. Wouldn't have saddled the horse.

FFS Joe you really are stretching things now. The scenario you paint could happen to any trainer with any staff member. However the scenario you paint is so far fetched to be laughable.

Emily DIDN'T saddle the horse she CARRIED the saddle probably not even to the stables! Hell how many times have you seen a top trainer have someone help them with saddling? Certainly I've helped from time to time.

Yep a lot more dodgy bread thieves over your way.

Joe you are nit picking. Ms Emily is allowed to ride a horse and interview Jockey's on the track I'm pretty sure that she would be allowed to carry the saddle back to the stables. I've checked the NZ rules and can't find anything preventing what happened. Plus she carried the saddle and I doubt actually saddled the horse given she didn't travel too far from the parade ring. Indeed there is nothing in the rules stopping you from asking another licensed person to carry the saddle or even lead your horse for you - they don't have to be employed in your stable.

Looks like the Minister of Finance/Racing just flicked some printed money to DC. $625k for a Written Tycoon/Pussy O'Reilly colt.

But at the end of the day you have no idea if any rule was broken. I'd be interested to see what specific rule we are talking about as well. Joe I'm sure you have at your finger tips reference to the relevant rule in Australia. Are you able to post it?

The point is there is bigger issues to address not that I consider this to be an issue. She wasn't "some acquaintance" at the end of the day you have no idea who carries the saddle to the stable of every horse at every race meeting in the country. Shyte I used to do it and I didn't have a license - sure I was an Owner and had a stable pass. At the end of the day the Trainer allowed it and that is where the buck ends and stops if there is an issue. Are you now saying Jamie Richards is unprofessional?

Roger James just outbid Jamie Richards for a Nicconi colt at $120k.

FFS she sleeps with the Te Akau's top jock I would have thought that is about as close as you can get to being a stable rep? I think it was in that walking interview that Jamie gave the tip regarding the winner which soon after went from 2nd favourite to favourite. I guess some of us were too busy watch the presenter carrying the saddle!

Oh well if that is all we have to worry about then I'd rather have Francesca Cumani in the birdcage than Mrs Bosson.

If you were watching the sales you just saw Big Dave get out bid by Rogie for a Almanzor colt at $300k.

They still didn't get ALL the horses they were after. Hell if they weren't there then there'd be a lot more heading out on a plane overseas in the next couple of weeks. While you are thinking about that it wasn't one of the top 5 lots that won the Karaka Million yesterday. It cost $90k which which you would think was well within the range of many stables in this country. Huey you know what is wrong with NZ Racing and isn't one stable becoming "too big". If a stable is dominating that is a symptom not the cause. I'd say a bigger problem is the AWT installed at Cambridge - that can only but help any stable that isn't based there.

Well in reality that's what we are. The bigger issue is when we pretend we aren't i.e. we think we are bigger than we really are. We just don't have the resources or the revenue to apply Flemington or Hong Kong style rules. NZ Racing would be the poorer if we raced towards the closed Hong Kong style system. Take the carrying of the saddle by Mrs Bosson - what potential harm could have been done? She pilfered one of the lead weights for her next round of fishing sinker making? She picked the stitching around the stirrup? She sellotaped a pea under the saddle? The reality is that NZ racing due to the largesse of our TAB and Racing Administration is struggling to pay for a presenter to be oncourse at any race meeting other than the top premier days. I bet Mrs Bosson's salary is being topped up by Te Akau - it certainly is for the Weigh In show. Now you might say "so they should do that because look who is benefiting" but is that type of subsidisation required in Australia?

They don't buy "whatever they want" they often get outbid by other bidders granted often from overseas. Too big or too successful? The same argument has been used against Purdon and Rasmussen. In my opinion NZ Racing would be poorer for their absence. They set a standard here that is common in Metrop Australia. They are also not adverse to sharing their experience and knowledge or offer assistance when a smaller operation wants to have a go across the ditch.

Geez guys give the man a break. Aren't you both getting a bit picky now? He had FIVE horses in the race and it isn't as if Mrs Bosson doesn't know what she is doing! Hell she is probably still a license holder! As the only owner in a large syndicate who attended all 52 of my horse's starts I had the responsibility of collecting the saddle and cloth on many an occasion. Most stables in New Zealand can't afford to send a whole lot of support staff around the country to both look after the horse AND doing all the jobs required.

You're kidding me? Well as the old saying goes "it is only a rort if you are not in on it!"

Soon? March? Obviously when viewing the screen shot the system can offer it NOW but it is only available to the BGP account. Essentially gifting a $2.60 Quinella (tote price $1.70) to BGP. Why not spend that money directly advertising the new option?

I would say the TAB got a hammering. Listening to the TV commentary I heard on more than one occasion where 70 to 75% of the pools were held on one horse. Levante was one. Entriviere another. Need I Say More probably another. On The Bubbles was up there. Unlike some I don't profess to be a wagering expert but I would imagine that with those types of liabilities you wouldn't have a great day at the office.

Just had a look at the sectionals and although the overall time was slow the last 200m and 400m was as quick as any on the day certainly faster than the winner of the first.

Joe Bloggs will be pleased to learn that Cameron George has a 10% share in On The Bubbles. Just been listening to Sky Radio OZ. Two commentators don't rate yesterday's Karaka Millions runners.

For $100 a $96 return less credit card charges and "ticketing fee". A loss.

Ice in his veins?

Apparently they had an overall loss on the day. Not sure if that is before or after rebates.