Chief Stipe

You miss the point. At the time it was only hearsay. If you recall originally it was reported his heart stopped for 20 minutes. Ricky doesn't confirm that. The point is it wasn't good journalism nor necessary. In due course we got the truth from Ricky and his family and delivered in a proper manner. I guess some people still buy the Womens Weekly.

I've long promoted that idea - bring some market forces back into the game. Get some real rather than token sponsorship.

Plus he is 11 wins ahead of Sam Collett and 20 ahead of Lisa Allpress on the Premiership. With an incredible strike rate of 4.77.

At Gore he has 8 rides - all chances. He would be lucky to get two on a Premier Day up north. One day you'll understand the economics of racing.

Still doesn't change the fact that the BIG FIVE don't contribute net revenue to the industry. Now that is ridiculous.

Got lucky? Yeah right.

Explain how he has only come good this season? He has ridden in three seasons.

Why? You have Jacinda

I have no problem with people expressing their concern for Ricky. But what I do object to is journalists publishing false information.

Your point is?

How are they ridiculous?

Racing stakeholders have only themselves to blame. The only thing Government should have done was remove the NZ TAB monopoly and force the industry to fund itself. Most of the distortions we see today wouldn't have survived. Contrary to the self-promoting propaganda for a very long time the racing industry has not been a positive contributor to GDP. Whenever trouble has arisen the industry has gone to the Government for another handout. That can't continue. I draw a comparison now with the Manuka Honey Industry - $7m has been given to a very rich industry from the PGF to fund the trade marking of the word "Manuka." Why couldn't the industry fund this effort themselves? This type of protectionism is only going to weaken the industry not strengthen it. Racing crows about the number of people employed, the overseas earnings generated by the Karaka Sales and the "Billions of dollars" in gambling turnover - yet it can't fund itself? It can't stand on its own two feet? The last roll of the dice has been thrown by NZ First as a payback to large funding sums. Pork Barrel politics at its worst!

Rule Number(s): 638(1)(d)Following the running of Race 6 an Information was filed by Stipendiary Steward, Mr D Wadley, against Class B Rider, Mr K Chowdhoory, in that he directed his mount TIMES TIME inwards near the 300m when not sufficiently clear of DREAMING EASY which was checked. Rule 638(1)(d) provides as follows: “(1) ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Rule Number(s): 638 (3) (b) (ii)Following the running of Race 4 an information was filed by Stipendiary Steward, Mr D Wadley, against Licensed Class A Rider, Mr J Laking, alleging that as the rider of BLAIR FLIGHT in the race, used his whip excessively prior to the 100m. Mr Laking was present at the hearing of the information and confirmed ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Combined turnover Trentham 2.47m

Alligator Blood's Racing Plans: He now heads markets for the Australian Guineas at Flemington and the All-Star Mile at Caulfield but Vandyke and the gelding's owners will let the dust settle before committing to a Melbourne campaign. "I'll make a decision next week about our next move. Whether he’s going to head towards Melbourne or whether he goes for an extended break," Vandyke told Sky Sports Radio.

Catalyst's Racing Plans: The son of Darci Brahma will be out to continue that run in the Gr.3 Henley Park Mr Tiz Trophy (1200m) at Ellerslie on January 25 before heading across the Tasman next month. “We will head to the CS Hayes (Gr.3, 1400m) in three weeks. Hopefully we can show them what we have got in the Hayes and then go again in two weeks in the Australian Guineas (Gr.1, 1600m) and if he can get enough votes we will run in the All-Star Mile (A$5million, 1600m)."

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Well done Reefton. Based on an average 17% takeout (probably more than that) Reefton provided $30k+ to the industry coffers from oncourse betting alone. A deficit of $100k. On that basis Trentham provided $20k+. A deficit of $525k. I doubt the off-course figures will give a positive result for Trentham but it may well do for Reefton.

Typical response Thomaas when you are being spanked. Yep James Mac was on to it. Who would have known - not you. Let's assess this shall we: Although it was briefly mentioned during the day that the inside was off. You probably wouldn't have known. On that basis assuming Madam Rouge was your first pick you wouldn't have changed your bet nor the amount. You win. If you had known the track was "off" you would have not backed Madam Rouge. You lose. Either way you had no control over how the information was used. You could say you outsourced the management of your bet to James Mac. James Mac rode the horse perfectly. Now if you had known the information prior to the race it is likely, given your blueprint, that you would have not bet or altered your bet. You lose.

That's a shame if they have indeed fallen on their swords. That won't change what's wrong with the manual. Was there a Stipe behind the gates when the mistake was made? Where are they going to get experienced starters from?

Hmmmm Madam Rouge drew 1 and the "inside was off".....

RIDE OF THE WEEKEND I had plenty to choose from whether it was at the Gold Coast or around the country on the weekend but the ride by James McDonald on Madam Rouge gets the top gong as the best of the weekend. Madam Rouge drew barrier one in the Magic Millions Snippets 1200m which is usually ideal, except when the fence is like quick sand. J Mac saved every inch of ground before working his way off the fence to get to the better part of the track. In doing so he and Madam Rouge latched onto the back of one of the dangers Isaurian, and the rest is history.

You've got no idea about the technology.