Chief Stipe

My point is nothing has changed inside China. What has changed is Trump started a Trade War by poking the Panda. You can list a litany of things that the rest of the world dislikes but that have been going on for decades. It isn't new.

I always thought standing starts was an oxymoron. Sitting down starts? Or standing still starts.

From a racing perspective there will be no change. The CCP would not have approved the Chongua, Guandong investment otherwise.

I disagree. China has been under Chinese control since 1997. The issue that it seems you are eluding to is the recent change in law. Which certain nations are using to flex their muscles at China namely the USA, UK and Australia. It seems at this stage only the UK are looking at offering opportunities for HK citizens to relocate. Commonwealth nations did the same thing in 1989 (Tiananmen Square) and 1997. Hong Kong survived. There will be some flight again but China has more than enough people to pick up the slack. Now you can get all xenophobic if you wish but if it comes down to a trade war then I know who I'd put my money on. I lot of the noise we are seeing at the moment is nations deflecting the blame for their abysmal Covid-19 management. It's about the only Trump card Trump can use.

Sorry I can't see your point. Hong Kong racing won't be going anywhere. I don't see the HKJC model changing anytime soon. What may change is that the HKJC may race more at Chongua than Sha Tin or Happy Valley. Indeed that's one of the reasons why they built it to take pressure off HK so they can proceed with infrastructure repairs. But if you see a city of 8m and a important hub for China closing down then you are mistaken.

Further to Conghua - I don't know any NZ trainer that wouldn't weep when told that Conghua has a 1,100m uphill straight Strathayr type track! Imagine that to train on let alone race on! Which gets me back to one of my pet topics. Why the hell are we building 3 All Weather Tracks in land-locked locations? Riccarton is the one that really bugs me - surely their assets are such that they could purchase a large block of land say on Macleans Island and build some decent assets. You wouldn't need to spend $700m but spending $20m on an AWT at Riccarton is just nuts when you have limited ability to increase the number of horses being trained there.

I think you are missing my point. For a start China won't "close down" Hong Kong full stop. Strategically for business and defence it is far too important. With regard to racing - can't see them closing that down either. As I said they have continued to invest in training and racing tracks. The new complex on the mainland at Conghua, Guandong province is something to behold. A $720 million NZD joint investment between HKJC and the mainland. The picture below is BEFORE the public stands were build. Note the straight training track out to the right? The only threat I can see is the depletion of our racing stocks and the provision of a higher class betting product than NZ can ever produce. The only thing that they would struggle to replicate is our breeding industry and why bother doing that when you can just pitch up with a pocket of small change and buy horses after all the work has been done? The turf track is 10 furlongs in circumference – against Sha Tin’s nine furlongs - while there are two All-Weather tracks on its inside, one of nearly nine furlongs round and the other a mile. There is also an uphill grass gallop of five and a half furlongs.

Rule Number(s): 869 (2) & Whip Regulations (b)Mr Tristan Larsen (DUKE OF DUNDEE) was charged with a breach of r 869 (2) and the Whip Regulations (b) in that he used his whip excessively in Race 5. Mr Larsen admitted the breach and appeared at the hearing assisted by Mr Gray. Mr Munro, with the use of the videos, stated DUKE OF DUNDEE was trailing ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Rule Number(s): 869 (2) & Whip Regulations (b)Mr Tristan Larsen (DUKE OF DUNDEE) was charged with a breach of r 869 (2) and the Whip Regulations (b) in that he used his whip excessively in race 5. Mr Larsen admitted the breach and appeared at the hearing assisted by Mr Gray. Mr Munro, with the use of the videos, stated DUKE OF DUNDEE was trailing ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Rule Number(s): 638 (1) (d)Following the running of Race 1 Stewards charged Miss S Wynne (CHITONA) with a breach of r 638 (1) (d) alleging she rode carelessly causing interference to CHOUX IN (B Murray) with approximately 150 metres to run, which in turn hampered SUTHERLAND which in turn clipped a heel and blundered. Miss Wynne ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Rule Number(s): 638(3)(b)(ii)Following Race 5, Stipendiary Steward Mr Goodwin lodged an information with the Judicial Committee alleging a breach of Rule 638 (3) (b) (ii) in that J Baillee (SMOKEY AFFAIR) used his whip excessively prior to the 100m. At the outset of the hearing, Mr Baillie confirmed he understood the Rule and that ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Rule Number(s): 638(1)(d)Following the running of Race 4 (AB Equipment/ Whisker Forestry 1200), an Information was lodged by Mr Goodwin alleging a breach of Rule 638(1)(d) in that Temyia Taiaroa (TOTAL SASS) allowed her mount to shift inwards near the 800m when not clear of CHEEKY AZ (M Hudson) which was checked. Mr Goodwin ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

I can't see nor have I heard of China closing down racing in Hong Kong. With the substantial investment being made in new racing and training facilities on mainland China in recent years I cant see it happening. Quite the reverse actually and that could have just as big an impact here.

It'll be interesting to see if the defenthreat to sue is followed through. I would imagine this site and some posters would be targeted. However my understanding is that the truth is a very good defence.

There are lots of obvious inconsistencies in that article. Can someone explain that if as Cole says the "RIU have been profession and found nothing ages ago" why was Cole warned off for a period of time?

Rule Number(s): Rule 638(1)(d)Following the running of the PUKEKOHE COSSIE CLUB 1300 an Information was lodged by Stipendiary Steward Mr A Coles against Class B Rider Mr C Jones alleging that Mr Jones as the rider of DIOGENES permitted his mount to shift in near the 1100 metres mark when not sufficiently clear of MAGDALA which was ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Rule Number(s): Rule 638(3)(b)(ii)Following the running of the TUAKAU COSSIE CLUB 2100 an Information was lodged by Stipendiary Steward Mr A Coles against Class A Jockey Ms S Spratt alleging that Ms SPRATT used the Whip excessively prior to the 100 metres when riding IFFRAAJINATOR. Rule 638(3)(b)(ii) provides: a rider shall not strike ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Rule Number(s): Rule 638(3)(b)(ii)Following the running of the ANSELL BUILDERS 1300 an Information was lodged by Stipendiary Steward Mr A Coles against Class B Rider Mr M Hashizuma alleging that Mr Hashizuma used his whip excessively prior to the 100 metres when riding Havana Heat. Mr Hashizuma was present at the Hearing and he acknowledged ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

From the actions (or inactions) I have seen to date the only way that they can maintain stake levels is to reduce the number of races or borrow more or sell assets (that they don't have).

Rule Number(s): 870(4) and Breaking Horses RegulationsFollowing the running of Race 3, the Garrards Horse and Hound Pukekohe Trot 2200m, an information instigating a protest was filed by Senior Stipendiary Steward Mr Muirhead, alleging that the 3rd placed horse CEPHEUS broke in excess of 50 metres in the final 200 metres. Ms Mathews the trainer of CEPHEUS, ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Rule Number(s): 869(3)(b)This charge arises from the running of Race 1, the Lonestar AP Open Now Mobile Pace 1700m. An information was filed by Senior Stipendiary Steward Mr Muirhead alleging Amateur Horseman Mr B Hadley, breached Rule 869 (3)(b) “in that he drove FORTUNE SMILES carelessly allowing the mare to shift ground outward ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Rule Number(s): R 870(5)Following the running of Race 7 the Hydroflow Mobile Pace 2200m, Mr Muirhead instigated a protest into the 1st placed runner JACK RYAN alleging a breach of rule 870 (5) in that JACK RYAN galloped across the finish line and was lapped on by the 2nd placed horse KERRI MAGUIRE. Rule 870 (5) reads: Notwithstanding ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

FFS Brent can you stop trolling.

Too busy hiding in bushes! FFS someone tried to suggest that they could do their job by sitting in a remote broadcast bunker! Can anyone explain what Godber actually does?