Chief Stipe

Aidan O'Brien's four runners ruled out of Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe By Andy Stephens@StevoGG Sat 3 Oct 2020 O'Brien's four runners are out of the Arc (Pat Healy) Aidan O'Brien's intended four runners in the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp on Sunday were sensationally ruled out of the race on Saturday night. It was revealed on Friday that various batches of Gain horse feeds, which O'Brien uses, had been found to be contaminated with a prohibited substance. And urine samples taken from the quartet have come back positive. Derby winner Serpentine was among O'Brien's quartet, along with three more Group One winners in Japan, Mogul and Sovereign. The first three-named had all been trading at about 14-1. Their absence was announced via a Tweet on the official account of O’Brien’s Ballydoyle yard at 9.20pm. It read: "Unfortunately the results of the urine samples taken from the horses yesterday have come back positive from the French laboratory. Derby winner Serpentine had been set to be among O'Brien's Arc runners (Focusonracing) "There is a possibility that the contaminent may have left their racing by the time of racing tomorrow however we have no guarantee of this and in order to protect the integrity of racing we have decided to withdraw all our horses from racing tomorrow. "Joseph and Donnacha O'Brien will do likewise." O'Brien Sr had withdrawn his brilliant dual Classic winner, Love, from the Arc on Thursday because of the heavy ground. She had been favourite in many ante-post lists. The absence of his star-studded quintet means Enable, seeking a record-breaking third win in the mile and a half feature, will start hot favourite for the fourth successive year. She had been a top-priced 6-4 before news broke of the O'Brien runners being ruled out but is now no bigger than 11-10, with some firms quoting her at odds-on. Stradivarius, her stablemate, is a top-priced 11-2, but as low as 7-2 in places. Fancy Blue will be another absentee on Sunday (Pic: Focusonracing) Gain Equine Nutrition had issued a statement on Thursday advising trainers to refrain from feeding horses its equine products, including its widely used cubes and mix, after it emerged some of its products have been contaminated with Zilpaterol. That substance is unlicensed in Europe but is used in America and elsewhere to promote weight gain, mainly in cattle. The advisory came about after France Galop announced five horses had tested positive for Zilpaterol in recent weeks. O'Brien reacted swiftly, switching from Gain products to Connolly's Red Mills feed on Friday morning, but the damage had been done. He was set to have four other runners in the supporting races, too, including St Mark's Basilica, who had been favourite for the Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere. O'Brien's two sons also had leading Group One contenders due to race on Sunday. Donnacha's French Oaks and Nassau Stakes winner Fancy Blue was second favourite for the Prix de l'Opera, while his older brother Joseph's Pretty Gorgeous had headed the betting in the Qatar Prix Marcel Boussac. The Arc was first run 100 years ago but celebrations this weekend have already been muted. Only 1,000 people will be permitted in the racecourse on Sunday because of the coronavirus pandemic and heavy rain in Paris this week has left the racecourse saturated. Leading jockey Christophe Soumillon, 39, has been riding at the track longer than most and said on Saturday he had never known the ground at the track to be riding deeper. More showers are forecast on Sunday.

Given the times they ran at Riccarton yesterday was the track really presented as a G3? The track was given 16mm of irrigation on Tuesday afternoon/night taking it from a Dead 4 to a Dead 5 on Wednesday. It had returned to a Dead 4 on Friday and that afternoon 4mm of water was applied. At 6:30am on raceday the track was a G3. It wasn't upgraded during the day.

I thought tracks were supposed to be presented no better than 3? Yesterday wasn't G3 as officially posted but a G2 if not an F1. As I posted earlier in the week the Riccarton turf has issues. A bog when wet, gluey in-between and as hard as concrete when dry and not irrigated. Unless sand has been applied the clouds of dust kicking up down the straight yesterday were evidence of dry mud and proving the soil structure is stuffed. I'll repeat - all fine and dandy building a new All Weather Track but where is the funding coming from to fix the Turf Track? Further the argument that not racing on the track during the worst months will help it "rejuvenate" doesn't seem to have happened this year with a lengthy spell! Questions should be asked of yesterday's steward's and the track manager. Afterall trainers have to accept what they are given. I doubt ANY trainer can put hand on heart and say the surface yesterday was only a G3 and was a good surface to race on.

Geez what's with all the clouds of sand? Have they already had a Polyfiller delivery? Didn't look like the "best turf track in NZ"!

If the number of NZ Harness races in August was up 29% over last year and there was no increase in NZ Thoroughbred races then wouldn't it be safe to assume that the 10% increase in turnover could be attributed to Harness?

If Harness NZ have had 29% more races than last year wouldn't this account for the extra 10% AND amount to "a growth in the volume of racing being broadcast"?

Just did a quick look over HRNZ meetings for August. 129 race in August 2019 vs 166 in August 2020. An increase of 29%. Is Harness driving the betting turnover/revenue increase?

$16m is going to be spent at Awapuni to build an All Weather Track. Gives new meaning to "Drain the Swamp"! What would Foxton have done with $1m?

2 PART 3 USE OF THE WHIP 3. USE OF THE WHIP 3.1 A driver may only apply the whip in a wrist only flicking motion whilst holding a rein in each hand with the tip of the whip pointed forward in an action which does not engage the shoulder. 3.2 For the purposes of clause 3.1, “wrist only flicking motion” means: 3.2.1 Ensuring no force is generated by the use of the elbow or shoulder when applying the whip. 3.2.2 The forearm is not raised beyond forty-five degrees relative to the racing surface. 3.2.3 Not applying the whip with overt force. 3.3 A driver shall not use a whip in an unapproved manner. 3.4 For the purposes clause 3.3 a driver shall be deemed to have used the whip in an unapproved manner in the following circumstances which are not exclusive: 3.4.1 If the whip is applied other than as permitted in clause 3.1. 3.4.2 If the whip is applied excessively, continuously, or without allowing the horse time to respond. 3.4.3 If the whip is applied when the horse: 3.4.3.1 is not visibly responding. 3.4.3.2 is not in contention. 3.4.3.3 cannot maintain or improve its position. 3.4.3.4 is clearly winning. 3.4.3.5 has passed the winning post at the finish of a race. 3.4.3 If the whip is used when the reins are lengthened so as to result in loose reining. 3.4.4 If the whip is used in a prodding or jabbing fashion. 3.5 A driver must not use the whip in a manner which causes injury to a horse. 3.6 A whip shall not be used in a manner that may obstruct, strike or endanger another driver or horse. 3.7 A driver must ensure a whip does not project outside his or her sulky. PART 4 USE OF THE REINS 4 USE OF THE REINS 4.4 A driver may not use the ends of a rein as a whip. 4.5 A driver must drive throughout the race with a hand on each rein (subject to 4.7 below). 4.6 A driver must not extend either hand on the rein in a manner which results in excessively lengthening or loosening the rein. 4.7 A driver may not cross the reins except: 4.7.3 when activating gear; or 4.7.4 for safety reasons.

Are you out there JJ Flash? What say you on this analysis? Is it right or wrong? Is defining black and white negative or being a realist? My opinion is if you use marketing spin to present results in a favourable way that hide the truth from your stakeholders you are NOT being positive. You are doing them a disservice. I've said it before and I'll say it again what I have seen from the new regime is the same old same old. The August report reinforced that belief. If the industry continues to believe its own propaganda then there is only one outcome and it isnt positive. Has anyone noticed that the Race Fees charge has a new name? BIUC (Betting Information User Charges). Anyone noticed that the yearly budget figures of $9.1m is nowhere near what we were told it would be. Many of us realists on BOAY pointed that out at the time as a false promise. Dont forget that charges go the other way too i.e. we pay OZ fees for using their information. The TAB'S increase in profit has not ended up where it is needed i.e. in owner and trainers hands. As I've pointed out collectively over August and September they have taken a pay cut. The increases have not been passed on from NZTR. What is that extra money being used on? Three business consultant firms assisting with the acquisition and carve up of club assets. Is that positive? Is it being spent on those functions that have been devolved from NZRB to the code administration's? If so then the cost savings touted by the TAB are false savings. So you can either join the JJ Flash's of this world and drown yourselves in "postividdy" or start asking some hard questions before it is too late!

??? Are you saying they are not covering costs in providing these services? How will an AWT improve that situation unless they get more trainers/horses and charge more? Considering costs will probably increase.

Just did a quick look over HRNZ meetings for August. 129 race in August 2019 vs 166 in August 2020. An increase of 29%. Is Harness driving the betting turnover/revenue increase?

So Year to Date: Stakes paid out to the industry is DOWN $1m over last year. Essentially a pay cut of 14%. Note: these are only Thoroughbred figures.

Just in case you were thinking that "Ok but we will catch up in September!" September 2019 Number of Meetings: 24 Number of Races: 194 Stakes Paid out: $4,037,000 September 2020 Number of Meetings: 21 (-3) Number of Races: 197 (+3) Stakes Paid out: $3,596,000 (-$444,000). So although net profit was up on last year stakes paid to the industry is down 11%. September 2019 Stakes per race average: $21,450 September 2020 Stakes per race average: $20,809

The devil is always in the detail. A comparison of the 2019 vs 2020. 2019 Number of Meetings: 21 Number of Races: 172 (note would have been more but for a couple of partial abandonments). Stakes Paid out: $3,690,000 2020 Number of Meetings: 19 (-2) Number of Races: 177 Stakes Paid out: $3,060,000 (-$630,000). So although net profit was up on last year stakes paid to the industry is down 17%. 2019 Stakes per race average: $21,450 2020 Stakes per race average: $17,288 Perhaps NZTR could post their results for August 2020 afterall that is where the "rubber hits the road" for those with real skin in the game.

Especially with all its advantages compared to other clubs the CJC has run at a loss for the last two seasons.

That's an interesting one!

Would it be fair to say that those clubs that did race during August would have lost revenue opportunities due to Covid-19 lockdown rules? If so will NZTR up payments to compensate?

Yep great result after two years of Mackenzie and crew in charge JJ. I see you have swallowed the spin hook line and sinker.

I must have got my analysis wrong somehow. I'm sure JJ Flash will show me where I have. Still the way I see it is that LESS money is budgeted to be distributed to the codes than each of the last two years. Well actually less than about the last 8 years! I ask again has everyone forgotten that to achieve the 2018-19 code distribution an extra $28m was BORROWED or FLEECED from reserves to achieve the promised distribution? In the 2019-20 year the Government gave them a handout of $35m to meet the promise. The only way to achieve the same distribution in 2020-21 without borrowing more is to increase net revenue by about 30% or slash costs by $30m. If I was looking to invest or upscale my current investment in the industry I'd want to see more evidence than this press release. To achieve increases in revenue AND fill the fields on the new AWT'S then they are going to need investment by those who provide the product.

I don't believe the numbers actually are great when you consider the revenue vs the 2018-19 year. Great to say they are "above budget" but if the "budget" is less than it was two years ago the industry is worse off! Has everyone forgotten that NZRB-RITA-TABNZ has been living beyond its means for quite some time to the point where it needed a Government bailout regardless of the impact Covid-19 had!

Vaccination doesn't create a force field around an animal that stops infection. The immune response which has been developed by vaccination will fight the infection and prevent it from becoming a debilitating disease i.e. the dog gets infected but fights it off. Some dogs (just like humans) won't develop an immune response and still be susceptible however the majority will.

CD Meeting Abandoned due to Parvovirus On Wednesday, the decision was made to abandon the CD meeting. This was due to the discovery that some of the racing dogs nominated to race had been on a property where other breeds on the property had been identified as suffering from Parvovirus. Parvovirus is a highly contagious infection and the Greyhound community have worked really hard to keep Parvovirus out of the Greyhound population. All of our racing dogs have been vaccinated. The reason for the abandonment is that the dogs from the contaminated property had been released into the kennels at the track and Parvovirus is easily transferred via dog to dog contact, contact with contaminated faeces, environments or people. We recognize the racing dogs at the track had all been vaccinated but there was a major risk that they could have taken the virus back to their properties where it would be transferred to unvaccinated dogs and puppies younger than 4 months. All facilities at the track and the dogs and licensed persons present were fully disinfected to contain the spread and ensure that the virus was not transferred back to properties where unvaccinated greyhound puppies were present. A decision to abandon any race meeting is not taken lightly, and specialist veterinary advice was taken before the decision was made. Below is a summary of the parvovirus symptoms and actions needed to be followed in order to prevent the spread of Parvo Virus in the Greyhound Population. Canine parvovirus is a highly contagious virus that can affect all dogs, but unvaccinated dogs and puppies younger than four months old are the most at risk. Dogs that are ill from canine parvovirus infection are often said to have "parvo." The virus affects dogs' gastrointestinal tracts and is spread by direct dog-to-dog contact and contact with contaminated faeces (stool), environments, or people. The virus can also contaminate kennel surfaces, food and water bowls, collars and leashes, and the hands and clothing of people who handle infected dogs. It is resistant to heat, cold, humidity, and drying, and can survive in the environment for long periods of time. Even trace amounts of faeces from an infected dog may harbour the virus and infect other dogs that come into the infected environment. The virus is readily transmitted from place to place on the hair or feet of dogs or via contaminated cages, shoes, or other objects. Some of the signs of parvovirus include lethargy; loss of appetite; abdominal pain and bloating; fever or low body temperature (hypothermia); vomiting; and severe, often bloody, diarrhoea. Persistent vomiting and diarrhoea can cause rapid dehydration, and damage to the intestines and immune system can cause septic shock. Parvovirus infection is often suspected based on the dog's history, physical examination, and laboratory tests. Faecal testing can confirm the diagnosis. No specific drug is available that will kill the virus in infected dogs, and treatment is intended to support the dog's body systems until the dog's immune system can fight off the viral infection. Treatment should be started immediately and consists primarily of intensive care efforts to combat dehydration by replacing electrolyte, protein and fluid losses, controlling vomiting and diarrhoea, and preventing secondary infections. Sick dogs should be kept warm and receive good nursing care. When a dog develops parvo, treatment can be very expensive, and the dog may die despite aggressive treatment. Early recognition and aggressive treatment are very important in successful outcomes. With proper treatment, survival rates can approach 90%. Since parvovirus is highly contagious, isolation of infected dogs is necessary to minimize the spread of infection. Proper cleaning and disinfection of contaminated kennels and other areas where infected dogs are (or have been) housed are essential to control the spread of parvovirus. The virus is not easily killed, so consult your veterinarian for specific guidance on cleaning and disinfecting agents. In spite of proper vaccination, a small percentage of dogs do not develop protective immunity and remain susceptible to infection. Dogs with vomiting or diarrhoea or other dogs which have been exposed to ill dogs should not be taken to kennels, show grounds, dog parks, or other areas where they will come into contact with other dogs. Similarly, unvaccinated dogs should not be exposed to ill dogs or those with unknown vaccination histories. People who are in contact with sick or exposed dogs should avoid handling of other dogs or at least wash their hands and change their clothes before doing so. Posted on 30 September 2020

We don't know what that budget is. But what we do know is the increase over budget is "soft" and not reflective of a normal operating environment. It would also appear that neither the budget nor the increase in budget are sufficient to turn the tide. If you look at the figures they released you will see that Net Betting Profit EQUALS Code Distributions. There is no mention of paying down debt or investing in new infrastructure - although the Government insolvency bailout helped balance the books in the short term. The Net Profit before distributions in 2018-19 was $136m. If the figure quoted in this release is the derived in the same way then it is $131m or a $5m drop from two seasons ago!!!!!! JJ Flash even you can't consider that to be GOOD can you? Hell they'll need to be above budget by 5% to deliver the same as they did two years ago! ALSO it is important to note that the final distribution to the codes was bolstered by $28m in borrowed money/taken from reserves with the final figure for racing being $151m. Is this "budgeted" $117m the final distribution? Or will it be "topped up" somehow to get close to $151m? If not then the codes will get around $30m less than 2018-19! If it is topped up where is the money coming from? Government isn't going to pitch up again and I doubt that another bank will be giving them another $35m overdraft! See JJ - the release looks like spin to hide a sow's ear!

Rule Number(s): Notification of Drivers RegulationsMr S Smolenski - Trainer - You were late to notify a driver change for the horse ASHES TO ASHES. Penalty - $100 fine (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article