Chief Stipe

Are you sure the track will go off that quickly? The Strathayr holds up pretty good and doesn't get heavy as we know it. Currently a Good 4.

Friday Morning Weather: Fine Track: Dead 5 Rail: Out 8m to 1000m, then out 11m to winning post Weather and Track last updated at 8.51am Friday 23 October

Yep I've had to recalibrate my picks. Heavy rain forecast today and tomorrow. Racing tonight on the track won't help at all.

Rosie Myers communicating with family NZTR 22 October 2020 Injured jockey Rosie Myers has shown significant improvement today with husband William Fell saying she was talking to family and understanding what was happening around her. Rosie was injured following a fall at the Foxton trials on 6 October and was initially flown to Wellington hospital in an induced coma. The popular Central Districts jockey was moved out of ICU last weekend and then on to Lower Hutt hospital where she had undergone facial surgery on Tuesday. Until this morning, the 33-year-old had not communicated verbally with family members. William said that while she was “just like Rosie” the fact her face was still swollen and sore she wasn’t easy to understand, however he said she did appear to understand what had happened. “It’s obviously early days but all going well Rosie will go to the Rehab unit either Friday or Tuesday,” William said. “It’s just good to know we are going in the right direction – she is tough!” William said he was planning to share a video from industry participants with Rosie later today. The video came together thanks to Rosie’s good friend Sophie Baker who encouraged people to video their best wishes under the banner #youvegotthisrosie. The team at LOVERACING.NZ then compiled the messages into a video to be shared with Rosie, a short version of the video can be seen on the LOVERACING.NZ Facebook page.

You are making some big calls. Any proof?

My two are Russian Camelot and Probabeel.

Your Pick?

There are several things going on here. The field size is reduced because of where the rail is. The track is trending very hard. So who is going to scratch? Bearing in mind that some of these horses are aiming for bigger dosh Cup week including those balloted out!

Have I got it wrong?

My apologies everyone but I'm not a punter but even I can see this is crap!

Horse 20 Rivaldo is number SIX on the ballot! Get on at $10!

How is it that it takes a Harness supporter working freelance for the NZ Herald to make an "announcement"? NZTR promised us one this week.

Imagine where we would be if they had breath tested Winston Churchill every morning!

Noted and corrected. Predictive text!

Thursday Morning Weather: Fine Track: Dead 4 Rail: Out 8m to 1000m, then out 11m to winning post | 10mm Irrigation To Be Applied Today Weather and Track last updated at 9.41am Thursday 22 October Which local trainer was standing on the hose?

I assume you mean testing Jockey's. There are less dangerous industries that do. Which begs the question why did they test CWJ in this instance? Spies in bushes again?

When was the last time you saw CWJ fall off a horse? However the issue is all part of this "being a good employer" crap but then they are not actually his employer. In my opinion it is none of their business but they think they have the power under the licence agreement. I guess a lawyer is pointing out to them that they don't actually have that power. Wouldn't a compromise be CWJ agreeing to be tested early each race day? Do they actually test EVERYONE early race day?

Racing: Kiwi jockey Chris Johnson fighting to save career 21 Oct, 2020 07:30 PM3 minutes to read Chris Johnson. Photo / Paul Taylor NZ Herald By: Michael Guerin The jockey on the verge of becoming New Zealand's most successful is fighting to save his career. Chris Johnson is eight wins from the record for race victories in New Zealand but the 56-year-old Cantabrian will have to convince racing bosses he is not an alcoholic and a danger to himself and fellow jockeys before he is allowed to ride again. In an extraordinary story that few industry insiders are willing to discuss openly, Johnson's licence to ride is suspended until New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing's integrity panel is convinced he is fit to ride. Johnson's troubles started when he failed a breathalyser test after riding in the first race at Riccarton on September 12, his blood alcohol rate of 133 mcg/l being above the allowed level for jockeys when riding of 100 mcg. The legal limit for a driver of motor vehicle is 250 mcg. Johnson admitted the positive test and was suspended until October 16 and was fined $1000. That appeared to be the end of the incident for Johnson, who has admitted his previous battles with the bottle but is adamant he has that under control and he did not drink heavily the night before the failed test or on raceday. That has been backed by sources close to him who have spoken to the Herald. But last week Johnson was sent a letter informing him his licence had been reviewed by NZTR's licensing panel and he was not able to ride again "until such time as NZTR can be satisfied that your riding does not pose an elevated risk of harm to yourself or others". That confusing part for Johnson and his supporters is that he has not been examined by a medical professional in person since his suspension was handed down. NZTR chief executive Bernard Saundry confirmed his organisation's stance but says they want to work with Johnson as his welfare and that of his fellow jockeys and horses is paramount. Johnson is understood to have taken legal advice and is visiting a medical specialist in the field of alcohol dependency in Christchurch this week to obtain an independent assessment in the hope of regaining his licence. Those close to Johnson who have spoken to the Herald believe he will be passed fit to ride, and if he gets his licence back he will resume his career on 2443 wins in New Zealand, just eight short of the country's most successful domestic jockey David Walsh. Johnson was unavailable for comment on legal advice.

I bet he can spell better than you. You miss the point he is driving well and his UDR reflects that. But keep bagging him. BTW what was your best UDR?

This is a Riccarton thread!

The credibility issue she will have is this. Those that have suppressed Covid-19 but have also had it circulate and infect significant numbers e.g. Sweden will not need to vaccinate many to achieve herd immunity. In that regard NZ is starting from zero. The best vaccines are only 50% effective at most. At what % of vaccinations does she open things up? Covid-19 will have to circulate in the community at some stage. Good luck with spinning that. The USA and Sweden will open up their borders. Where will we be? What's more if these other economies ramp up oil prices will increase. If Biden wins expect them to increase even more. Just for a moment think about the cost of 91 in 2018? There is no reason why it won't go straight back to that and more. Meanwhile Princess Snowflake has stopped oil and gas exploration, coal extraction and isnt going to invest in our refinery.

It's a bit of a step up for a maiden to go from 1200m to 2000m. As for the other races you'll find that some of the higher grade stayers will miss out because of the rail being moved.

You are taking the piss surely?

They need to pump a shyte load of water onto the track tonight that's my call. However my understanding is that is problematic the further out from the inside rail you are trying to apply water.