Chief Stipe

Why not?

Forget about the idiot pitch invader - the big issue remains the whip Article Author Bruce Clark 3:59PM01 February 2021 22 Comments While dead-heats and racetrack idiots were much of the talk in weekend wash-ups, I think as importantly it is to note again that Racing Victoria has clearly signalled no matter the outcome of the long drawn out Racing Australia review of the whip rules, it will be going its own way. That review, as we have covered here in the past, is due to be tabled later this month at the RA board meeting, but despite publicly stating their own amendments and preferred position last September for that review to consider, they dug in deeper last week announcing another new set of whip rules will be incorporated into their rich Country Mile Series. After RV quickly back tracked on a proposed “whip for safety” when it was revealed in this column late last year, due to lack of participant support, RV announced last week its “limited use of the whip” trial for the Country Mile series. And again, it will proceed without any significant participant support, jockeys, trainers and owners quick to question the why, and the timing of it. Why is RV shackling itself so closely to its position, when all participants are satisfied to let the RA review play itself out. RV has already flagged it may go it alone with their preferred options, no matter the outcome and this latest trial series is just further affirmation of where their mind space is. This latest trial digs a deeper line in their sandpit. As quick background: The current Australian Rules of Racing permit the use of the whip a maximum of five times in non-consecutive strides prior to the 100m mark and at the rider’s discretion in the final 100m of a race where its use in consecutive strides is permitted. RV’s position is that the whip can only be used between five and eight times through a race and never in consecutive strides. So in announcing this different trial – RV wrote it off as it “will assist with gathering data and learnings in areas such as racing and wagering outcomes, fan engagement and sentiment, level of participant support, adaptation to the conditions by riders, conduct and safety of the race, and the consistency of form lines.” It went on: “This information will be invaluable in informing the review of potential changes to rules governing the use of the whip that is currently being conducted by Racing Australia.” So the series starts on Colac Cup day February 14, progresses through Swan Hill, Ballarat, Pakenham and Wangaratta (with $75,000 races) with qualified horses (if their riders haven’t breached the new latest whip rules), going to a $250,000 final at Moonee Valley on March 13. I am not sure what wagering data for one they can glean from a trial at Colac that races three times a year. If this was to be a serious data collection series, with ramifications for RV’s position on such an important issue, why not use metropolitan races where the leading riders will participate (or maybe not)? So extrapolate that out – if the “data” shows wagering drops in these new whip restricted races, will RV abandon that plan. But punters are resilient, they bet, wagering has increased in recent years, despite flood, drought, boom, busts, lockdowns - you name it. If they are on, the punters are on. There was a queue to question RV’s latest whim from owners, trainers and jockeys. “We acknowledge this initiative has mixed support from some industry stakeholder groups. However, we thank them for their input to the process to this point and we can only reiterate that we see little downside to running this trial and using the learnings to better inform the discussion on this critical issue,” RV’s general manager of racing Greg Carpenter said. “It’s a resounding no, according to the feedback from our trainers,” said trainer’s spokesman Andrew Nicholl highlighting the $625,000 on offer in prizemoney in a time he said many trainers were continuing to struggle through COVID-19, suggesting the money would be better spent across grass roots racing. TROA (Owners boss) Jonathan Munz said the national approach where a uniform rule would be determined was their priority. “In terms of data analytics, trialling a modified set of rules in an expensive country “pop-up” series for restricted horses is not going to give you useful data and is not a good use of industry funds, which should be deployed elsewhere," he said As for the jockeys, again Matt Hyland confirmed the VJA’s support for the RA process. “We are not supportive of the concept. It will be up to each member to decided whether to ride in those races.” And if they do, they are liable for a revamped set of fines and, or suspensions and not be able to ride in the final of the Country mile Series. Horse’s ridden by jockeys in breach will also be ineligible for further heats or the final. The five heats and final of the series will now be conducted under race conditions which will provide for the whip to be used no more than five times throughout the entire race. While the industry is first to acknowledge the need to adjust public perceptions on the use of the whip in racing, the long winded, RA review and RV’s undermining positions is doing little to advance the cause.

Owner Bob Peters has plenty of worries ahead of the Melbourne autumn carnival. ALL STAR MILE Star duo ‘messed up completely’ by lockdown Article Author Brad Waters 4:40PM01 February 2021 21 Comments Perth’s COVID-19 lockdown could derail the preparation of All-Star Mile favourite Arcadia Queen. WA Premier Mark McGowan locked down Perth and two other major areas for five days after a hotel security guard tested positive to the highly infectious UK strain of COVID-19. The lockdown caused an early end to Sunday’s Bunbury meeting but also forced a crucial set of trials at Belmont to be scrapped on Monday. Arcadia Queen and last year’s All-Star Mile winner Regal Power were set to have their first trial of the autumn in the same 1000m heat. Arcadia Queen leads All-Star Mile voting while Peters hoped Regal Power would gain a Racing Victoria wildcard into the $5 million event at The Valley on March 13. Owner Bob Peters told Perth broadcaster TABRadio the pair missing the trial was a significant hiccup. “It messes them around completely,” Peters said. “They were due to trial on Monday and then next Monday, then fly to race at Caulfield on the 20th. “This just throws everything out.” Star WA mare Arcadia Queen missed a trial at Belmont on Monday. Peters said he was worried the pair, and the rest of his Melbourne-bound team, would not even get to Melbourne if the COVID-19 outbreak severely disrupted flights out of Perth. He added it was probably too late to put his team on a truck to make the long road trip east. “The thing that worries me is the flights, whether they fly or not,” Peters said. “I think they’re too close to the races they are headed for to truck them over so I don’t know what’s going on with the flights. “We just have to wait and see what comes along and what is available to us.” Peters said Arcadia Queen and Regal Power could travel to Melbourne with only one trial under their belts but that would depend on when grass tracks re-opened for gallops. “We need to get them off the sand onto the grass and give them some decent hit-outs or they’ll be a long way behind,” Peters said.

Leading trainer Chris Waller. Picture: Mark Evans/Getty Images TRAINERS Stable staff quit after ‘out of control’ racing party Article Author Ray Thomas 12:44PM02 February 2021 Two senior stable staff from leading trainer Chris Waller’s Gold Coast satellite stable have resigned amid serious allegations of misconduct. Racing Queensland stewards are investigating the allegations after a celebration following the win of the Waller-trained Shaquero in the $2 million Magic Million 2yo Classic is said to have “got out of hand” last Wednesday. Waller’s stable foreman Paul Shailer and trackwork rider Paul Hammersley have tendered their resignations, effective immediately. It is alleged the two men were involved in a physical altercation that left both requiring medical treatment. It is understood the stewards investigation will include an inquiry into allegations of illicit drug use. Hugh Bowman rides Shaquero to victory in the Magic Millions. Picture: Trackside Photography Shailer, a long-term Waller stable employee, would not comment when contacted by The Daily Telegraph on Tuesday. Racing Queensland stewards also refused to comment on the incident but did confirm they have asked Shailer and Hammersley to attend a stewards inquiry on February 10. Waller, the nation’s leading trainer and a member of racing’s elite Hall of Fame, was not at the Magic Millions raceday on January 16 or the Gold Coast stable celebration last month, and is not under investigation. Waller, famous as the trainer of all-time great Winx, released a statement on Tuesday confirming that an incident had taken place between members of his Gold Coast stable last week, revealing that two of his staff have since resigned. “There has been speculation that there was a party that got out of hand on the Gold Coast involving stable staff on the evening of Wednesday, the 27th January,’’ Waller said. “As this incident was outside of work hours, I haven’t made comment in relation to this until today. “I can confirm that some of these staff were from my stable and have been stood down as a result of this incident which did include a physical altercation between two people who have resigned immediately. Paul Shailer has resigned as Chris Waller’s Gold Coast stable foreman. Picture: AAP “Due to the incident being outside of work hours, we have to be careful how the matter is handled and therefore a thorough investigation is continuing. “All of our 140 staff across Australia are randomly drug tested which included all of our staff present on Monday the 25th of January at the Gold Coast, who subsequently provided negative drug and alcohol samples. I can assure all my loyal clients that it will be business as usual at my Gold Coast operation. “I am proud of the staff that currently work for Chris Waller Racing and they will always be supported through various issues whether it be work related or not, but a zero drug and alcohol policy will continue to be enforced.’’ Queensland Racing’s Crime Squad has also begun its own investigation in the fracas. Racing NSW chief steward Marc Van Gestel revealed stewards regularly conduct random drug-tests of stable staff in NSW Racing. Champion trainer Chris Waller. Picture: NCA NewsWire/James Gourley “Every year, we conduct on average more than 600 random drug tests taken from stable staff, track riders, jockeys and other licensed persons including trainers,’’ Van Gestel said. “There were about 20 positive findings from those tests.’’ Van Gestel said some of the larger training operations including the Waller stable also do their own in-house drug-testing and provide stewards with their results. “The Chris Waller stable is very proactive in that regards and other big stables around NSW do the same thing.’’ Van Gestel said stewards are also focused on rehabilitation for drug users and provide penalty discounts for those offenders who agree to attend counselling.

Write to them and complain. themovement@boysgetpaid.com Feel welcome to post the reply on BOAY. OH shoot.....if it wasn't for the 'A' BOAY would be a 'BOY'.... That's OK Thomas we are not misogynist and we don't mind the odd bit of sexual boasting afterall we allow you to post here!

How the hell do you get to that conclusion? We all realise that you as an exemplar in the practice of sexism would be able to recognise this things but.....

The majority of horses DON'T race in blinkers nor wear all the pacifier crap. That's a double dog roll for you today! Again you prove my point. It is how we treat and train these horses prior to raceday that causes the issues which are then overcome by adding extra gear. How do you know there isn't any "pain"? You've said yourself that "blinkers invoke a fear or flight response"! I am making points - so well in fact that you are posting evidence to support them. Back to whip use. Do you support the banning of them from all parts of the racing supply chain? In the interests of animal welfare of course.

You miss the point and prove my point in one sentence! Boy you are on a dog roll today! So you are only interested in physical pain NOT mental anguish? The point is there is a whole raft of issues and practices that the "Woke" can focus on to "Cancel". Give an inch and it is a slippery slope. Didn't mention Jamie Richards - I referred to the unlicensed breakers and pre-trainers that are at the early part of the supply chain. Where is the focus on that relatively unregulated part of the industry? If you are an activist for animal welfare why are you only focussing on the stuff your adoring public can see? BTW Melody Belle would probably go just as well without Blinkers. She won her maiden without them. They were first put on for the KMillion. Often gear becomes a trainer superstition or for the horse a Pavlov Dog type reaction i.e. "oh blinkers are on - not a track gallop but a race!" However again that isn't the point. Blinkers are a tool to elicit a behavioural response to achieve a better outcome. If we used your animal breeding philosophy on horses then we'd ban blinkers and get a better breed that wants to race without them. However the breeding it out of them is a rubbish argument because the need for blinkers could just as easily be a learned behaviour to a flaw in the breaking in and pre-training process. I won't be dragged kicking and screaming anywhere especially by animal activists that want racing ENDED fullstop! No doubt we will have to reduce our horse numbers by 15% to reduce emissions! Again back to the point - will you be lobbying for the banning the use of whips by horse breakers, pre-trainers and during track work? Or are horses subjected to pain or feel pain only on race days? As I say "Be careful what you wish for"!

A bit rich coming from you! I presume the lack of female membership is why you haven't joined either group?

Rule Number(s): 638(3)(b)(ii)Following the running of Race 6, the Christchurch Casino Dunedin Cup Trial, an Information was filed by Stipendiary Steward, Mr M Davidson, against Licensed Jockey (Class B), Mr C Campbell, alleging that, as the rider of DIORISSIMO in the race, he used his whip excessively prior to the 100m. Mr Campbell ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Rule Number(s): 638(1)(d)Following the running of Race 7, the D Reynolds Electrical Rating 65, an Information was filed by Stipendiary Steward, Mr M Davidson, against Class B Rider, Mr K Chowdhoory, alleging careless riding in that he permitted his mount IMAKEEPA to shift inwards dictating ATAAHUA DREAMTIME inwards onto ARE ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Rule Number(s): 638(3)(b)(ii)Following the running of Race 6, the Christchurch Casino Dunedin Cup Trial, an Information was filed by Stipendiary Steward, Mr M Davidson, against Licensed Jockey (Class A), Ms S Wynne, alleging that, as the rider of SULU SEA in the race, she used her whip excessively prior to the 100m. Ms Wynne was ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Rule Number(s): 902(1)Following the running of Race 8 (Stephanie Murray Mortgages Premier) the siren was sounded and an Information lodged with the Judicial Committee requesting a Ruling in relation to Rule 902 (1): whether BOSTON STRONG BOY was affected by the trespasser near the 100 metres. Rule 902 (1) reads: The Judicial ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Rule Number(s): 869(2)Following the running of Race 3 an Information was filed by Stipendiary Steward Mr P Williams alleging a breach of Rule 869(2) by Open Driver Mrs A Lethaby. The Information alleged; A Lethaby (BILLIE VISTA) used her whip with more than a wrist flicking motion in the home straight. Mrs Lethaby signed ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

I think the term you misspelt is 'laissez faire' - aside from the spelling you have misused the term. I can't speak for Reefton however I believe his view was the same as mine. It happened, an error was made, the trainer made his views clearly made - end of story - move on. No doubt we will hear about it from you for the next four years. Not to mention you posting totally unrelated pictures of a horse with its throat cut! Are you a closet animal rights activist? You have no idea what I enjoy or don't enjoy watching. With regard to "Whip Rule Changes" my view is that it is token virtue signalling that won't change the animal activist's agenda which is to ban racing completely. Impractical whip rules that are hard to enforce only serves to provide a public focal point for misguided angst. Not to mention some of the dubious science used as justification. Banning the whip won't be the end of it. The focus will then shift to blinkers, mouth bits, ear hoods, shoeing and so on and so on. Where do you stop? I say don't start especially when you are policing things at the end of the system and only paying lip service or no attention at all during the early part of the process e.g. rules for those that break horses in, pre-trainers etc. All the recent additions of barrier blankets, hoods, ear plugs, blinkers and the rest are reflective of poor training. You are anti hitting a horse on its flank with a padded whip but are happy to see a horse literally blindfolded and deafened on its way to the barriers and to wear blinkers during the a race because it suits your betting blueprint. Who is the hypocrite here?

Isn't that in the RIU/JCA hands?

LOL - bloody hindsight! Just had a look at Matamata trackwork for the 19th January. 2yr old On The Bubbles worked with the 3yr old Need I Say More running their last 600m quicker than Amarelinha!

I just had a quick squiz at the Cambridge Jockey Club Trackwork reports on https://www.cambridgejockeyclub.co.nz/category/trackwork/ Seems you may well be right Freda. Very few mentions of trackwork on the AWT - the vast majority is on the Plough. The last report where any significant numbers worked on it was 8 December. I did notice this report from 19 December 2020 - On the all-weather track, KHUFU was outstanding, dashing 800m in 46.7, sprinting the last 600m in 33.4. He is set to debut at Ellerslie on Boxing Day.

FFS At least show some effort and post what the hell you are referring to! From the Stewards Report: A member of the public entered the race track during the running of this event just inside the final 100 metres, with a number of riders reacting to varying degrees. Following the race a request for a ruling was lodged by the Stipendiary Stewards with the Judicial Committee as to whether the chances of BOSTON STRONG BOY (J Parkes) had been affected with the Judicial Committee ruling that BOSTON STRONG BOY be declared a non-starter and all bets on that runner to be refunded. A male Caucasian was arrested by Wellington Police being charged with Criminal Nuisance, Section 145 Crimes Act 1961, in doing an act endangering public safety and is due to appear in the Lower Hutt District Court on Monday 1 February. BOSTON STRONG BOY (J Parkes) – Declared a non-starter following a ruling that its chances of finishing in a better placing by a member of the public entering the race track.

If you don't know why don't you go and ask them? Here are the details: https://www.ifhaonline.org/default.asp?section=ContactUS&area=1

Doesn't have to get up so early in the morning. Chooses what he drives when he wants and someone just hands him the reigns. Can have a beer during the week and not worry about being over the limit as a trainer. Doesn't have the RIU hiding in the bushes watching and tracking his every move looking for things that don't exist. Still making a very good living by doing less and someone is paying to use his assets. Hell sounds a damn sight better than before. Got all the best bits without any of the shit stuff! Oh and probably the most important thing doesn't have the burden of obligation and commitment on his shoulders.

Wellington Cup: Man runs onto Trentham Racecourse 30 Jan, 2021 04:55 PM2 minutes to read Play Video Horses narrowly miss man standing on track during race at Trentham. SOURCE: Sky2 NZ Herald A huge Wellington Cup crowd was left stunned as a member of the public ran onto the track into a field of charging horses at Trentham today. Remarkably nobody was injured in the incident that saw jockeys dodging the foolish track intruder at full speed 150m from the end of race eight. The intruder was arrested by police and taken from the track, with the disruption to the race seeing one of the horses declared a non-starter. Jockeys were left trying to avoid the male offender as he stood in the middle of the track as the field fanned directly in front of the main grandstand. ADVERTISEMENT Advertise with NZME. "He was lucky he didn't get run over," said champion jockey Danielle Johnson. "Most of us didn't see him until late." With thoroughbreds weighing around 500kg and travelling faster than 60km/h in the closing stages of the race, had any of them made direct contact with the intruder the results could have been fatal - and all on live television being beamed around Australasia. The incident comes three months after a golfer playing at the pitch and putt course inside Ellerslie racetrack accidentally wandered into the body of the field in the famous Great Northern Steeplechase. No one was injured in the incident.

??? What was the betting option for running FIFTH?!

Are you sure it wasn't the RIU in disguise?