Chief Stipe

That is a debate worth having as is the whole testing regime and its associated protocols. That's not suggesting that the current system is being cheated but that it may no longer be fit for purpose especially in terms of Quality Assurance. Bear in mind also that we need to be aware of balancing the cost of running the industry. Anything that increases the costs will be detrimental.

You consider this a "constructive" comment? Whether I do or don't have shares in a Te Akau horse is irrelevant to this Topic or any other for that matter. Would I consider purchasing a share in a Te Akau yearling? If I could afford it of course I would. You would have to be daft not to consider it given their success year in year out. Having said that I would do so with my eyes open after years of experience with the industry.

I'm not making a personal attack however there is a definite slant to your posting which I'm sure others have noticed. For example you first post on this topic was this: Is that comment actually constructive? In terms of your criticism about being constructive you will note that I posted the NZ Herald article on this Topic. That was to provide a basis for informed debate rather than the piece of fiction written by our resident novelist. But be that as it may I can post on BOAY just like anyone else. I will admit from time to time I will post an alternative viewpoint in attempt to provide some balance. The rationale to that approach is to try and stop Topics descending down the rabbit hole of alleged conspiracies and cover ups.

Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit.

That's it this Topic is closed. Thom-arse once again you take things to a new low level. No point in fictionalising or sensationalising something that is before the courts. The reality is that due to the scourge of P and other drugs that is burning through our society the industry has lost a very talented horseman. Sure he has made some wrong life choices but there is nothing to be gained by putting the boot in. In my opinion it doesn't help that we have an industry where it is getting harder and harder to make a living in through continuing mismanagement.

Hardly "standing in applause" - that was the fiction!

Huey you are going off half cocked. You regularly put the boot into Te Akau. From the rules:

There you go Huey - bought right into the NZHerald headline.

Very very likely given the sensitivity of the testing science. Freda as a trainer you should be as worried as anyone about testing protocols, systems and protocols. A debate needs to be held on each of those factors including meaningful thresholds.

Don't let your axe get in the way of what has been so far reported. A test "irregularity" has been returned. Possible explanations could be "cross contamination".

Whoa back up there Huey. You are assuming that because a testing irregularity has been notified that somehow there has been something foul or illegal done. In my opinion testing protocols and test sensitivity has far outpaced practical considerations. I'm surprised that the article mentions Morphine - where did the media source this information from? I've seen the media in their ignorance extrapolate an opioid type therapeutic medicine to label it Morphine as that is what we hoi polloi know and understand.

Yes that highlights the culture at the RIU.

Yes and that is one of your rare very good points. As Professor Kary Mullis the inventor of the PCR test said - "testing is so sensitive now that you can find any molecule you want in anyone." His point being that unless you calibrate your testing against a specific outcome these tests will produce false positives - i.e. they detect the presence of a chemical or virus but that doesn't mean zip in terms of a clinical outcome. For example the PCR testing of Covid-19 if enough cycles are done (low threshold) then a positive will always eventuate but that means nothing in terms of measuring if a person is actually infected (has the disease) or is infectious.

I wouldn't have expected anything less from you Tesio as you have clearly shown to date that you have an axe to grind with Te Akau. But since you say the mare was "known to have issues" can you quote you source and detail what those issues were/are?

Then focus on your target instead of muddying the waters with your bait click headlines and scurrilous aspersions. Also stop, think and try to be consistent in your logic. For example do you think the proposed "Super Integrity Unit" is going to make the problems worse or better? Given personnel are unlikely to change I would bet it gets worse!

Could be any number of reasons. However it is a double blow as the mare bled during the running of the Hallmark and has been stood down. So her racing career is on hold anyway.

Racing: Jamie Richards' Ellerslie record in jeopardy after Vamos Bebe's irregular drug test 14 Jan, 2021 10:10 PM3 minutes to read Vamos Bebe returned a post-race urine sample irregularity. Photo / Trish Dunell NZ Herald By: Michael Guerin Jamie Richards' record of six training wins in a day at Ellerslie is in jeopardy after one of his Boxing Day winners returned an irregularity in a post-race test. But the champion trainer's licence is not believed to be in danger as racing investigators suspect a case of cross-contamination. Richards trained an Ellerslie record six winners at the Boxing Day meeting but one of them, Vamos Bebe, has returned a post-race urine sample irregularity, which the Herald understands is to morphine, after her win in the Listed Hallmark Stud. The irregularity, which is not officially classed as a positive swab until after the B-sample is tested and an investigation completed, is a double blow for the owners of Vamos Bebe as she is now almost certain to lose the black-type win. Disqualification of a horse is almost always the outcome after proven drug irregularities even when no foul play is suspected. That, and a charge of presenting a horse to the races with a prohibited substance in its system, now looks the most likely outcome of the Racing Integrity Unit's investigation. Sources close to the case have told the Herald the RIU does not believe Richards or any of his staff have been involved in any wrongdoing and the most likely source of the irregularity is cross-contamination, whether from a human handler, feed or absorption. Richards is the New Zealand trainer for thoroughbred powerhouse Te Akau and has an exemplary record with no previous irregularities. The five other horses he trained to win on Boxing Day also had post-race urine samples taken with no irregularities. News of the irregularity saw the horse racing rumour machine kick into overdrive yesterday but the reality is any charge proven, or that Richards pleads guilty to, would probably result in a mid-grade fine. That is standard in cases of presenting a horse to race with a banned substance as opposed to the much more serious charge of administering a banned substance. RIU boss Mike Godber told the Herald his investigators are working with Te Akau and Richards to find out how the irregularity happened. Te Akau boss David Ellis has emailed all owners with horses trained by Richards to reaffirm the stable's commitment to answers.

Nearly three years ago!

Here we go again. When did you first start banging on about this? Was it 4 or 5 years ago?

Rule Number(s): 869(3)(b)Following the running of Race 9, Studholme Park Yearling Draft 2021 Handicap Trot, an Information was filed by Stipendiary Steward, Ms C M Tibbs, against Licensed Graduation Driver, Mr G C Telfer, alleging that, as the driver of PRINCE RANIER in the race, “he allowed his horse to shift inwards over the ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Rule Number(s): 869(4) Home Straight RegulationsFollowing the running of Race 1 Advance Agricultural Trot, an Information A10657 was filed by Stipendiary Steward Mr V Munro against Junior Driver Mr M Hurrell alleging a breach of rule 869 (4) in that when driving Tease with my Tartan he failed to maintain a straight course in the run home resulting ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Rule Number(s): 870(3) and Break Horse RegulationsFollowing the running of Race 1, Advance Agricultural Trot, Information A12750 was filed by Stipendiary Steward, Mr V Munro. Mr V Munro alleged that IT’S SUMMERTIME (J Douglas) who has finished officially in fifth placing by the Judge, had galloped more than 50 metres inside the final 200 metres. Rule ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Rule Number(s): 869A(2)Following the running of Race 1, Advance Agriculture Trot, Information A12749 was filed with the Judicial Committee. Mr M Williamson, the Driver of DEM BONES DEM BONES alleged interference in the run home by not being able to access the passing lane. Mr M Williamson representing the Connections of DEM ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Rule Number(s): 213(1)(J)Following the running of Race 7, Willys Flooring/Phillips Horse Transport Mobile Pace, Mr V Munro Stipendiary Stewart lodged a request for a ruling under Rule 213 (1) (J) alleging whether Tiger Moth (S Ottley) received a fair start. Rule 213 (1) (J) reads: A Stipendiary Steward at any time may scratch ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Lisa Latta seems to be struggling as well.