Chief Stipe

Rule Number(s): 869(3)(b)Following the running of Race 1, an information was filed by Stipendiary Steward, Mr S Renault, against Amateur Driver Mrs C Negus alleging that “as the Driver of 14 HIGHLAND REIGN drove carelessly near the 700 metres when allowing her runner to shift wider on the track when attempting to activate gear”. ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Rule Number(s): 869(2)Following the running of Race 4 an Information was filed by Stipendiary Steward Mr Renault alleging a breach of Rule 869(2) by Open Driver Mr C Thornley. The information alleged; you used your whip on more occasions than permitted by Clause (b) of the Use of Whip Regulations. Mr Thornley signed the information ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Rule Number(s): 869(2)Following the running of Race 5 an Information was filed by Stipendiary Steward Mr Renault alleging a breach of Rule 869(2) by Junior Driver Miss A Mugford. The information alleged; you used your whip on more occasions than permitted by Clause (b) of the Use of Whip Regulations. Miss Mugford signed the ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Rule Number(s): 638(1)(d)Following the running of race 4, an Information was filed pursuant to Rule 638 (1)(d). The Informant, Mr Jones alleged that Mr Weatherley allowed his mount RELIABLE HUNTER to shift outwards on a number of occasions inside the final 150 metres when continuing to ride his mount forward making contact with ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Rule Number(s): 638(1)(d)Following the running of race 3, an Information was filed pursuant to Rule 638 (1)(d). The Informant, Mr Jones, alleged that Ms Thornton permitted her mount SHEEZNOTEASY to shift inwards when not sufficiently clear of PONTIAC which was dictated inwards crowding LUCKY CENTURY which was checked near the ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Rule Number(s): Rule 869(2) and Whip RegulationsThis charge arises from the running of race 6, the Group 1 HR Fisken and Sons Idom Champs Final Mobile 2700m. Chief Stipendiary Steward Mr Ydgren filed an information alleging Licensed Open Horseman; Mr B Williamson breached Rule 869(2) in that he used his whip on more occasions than permitted by clause ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Rule Number(s): Rule 869(3)(b)Following the running of Race 1, the Breckon Farms Mobile Pace 2200, an information was filed by Chief Stipendiary Steward Mr Ydgren alleging Open Horseman Mr Z Butcher, breached Rule 869 (3) (b) in that he drove carelessly causing interference to LOUIE THE HORSE (A Butt) near the 100 metres with resultant ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Rule Number(s): Rule 638(1)(d)Following the running of Race 5 (Central House Movers Handicap) Information A11668 was filed with the Judicial Committee. It alleged a breach of Rule 638(1)(d) and stated that:"...R Kozaki allowed his mount POLZEATH to shift out early in the home straight when not clear of JACKSSTAR which was checked". ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Maybe Thomaas and Petone should read the above article.

So, what happens now in the absence of Dr Nick? Article Author Stephen Brassel 3:08PM16 December 2019 1 Comments Last weeks story that the mysterious Dr Nick was turning his back on betting on local racing certainly caused a stir and had the debate running hot on the Racenet website, so what could the real repercussions be? EXIT ‘DR NICK’ - SO WHAT ARE THE REPERCUSSIONS I had a lengthy discussion with Tristan Merlehan of TopSport over the weekend about the exit of Dr Nick from betting on Australian racing and he made some extremely salient points. For those who may not know of TopSport they are the ones who take on the majority of the ‘low margin’ punters, the likes of Dr Nick and all the other big boys. While there has been plenty of scepticism around the overall effect on turnover of one individual Tristan suggested he wouldn’t be surprised if indeed the numbers mentioned were very real. As he pointed out Dr Nick may not have a direct six percent effect on the market himself, the figure mentioned by Robbie Waterhouse, but his activities could certainly account for that much, and possibly more. Tristan pointed out that Dr Nick bets significantly with the family-owned TopSport and the flow on effect is the market becomes more active and other players come into action. “Dr Nick may back a couple and the market reacts with others following the money, but that activity causes other horses to ease to a palatable price which then triggers betting on those runners,” Tristan said. Whatever way you look at it any decline in turnover isn’t what the racing industry needs as the massive prizemoney splash of recent times just isn’t sustainable without strong turnover across the board. Read the initial Dr Nick story HERE. PERCENTAGES DO MATTER With the increase in taxes bookies just aren’t offering anywhere near the value we, as punters were able to secure 12 months ago. Tristan gave me an indication of what affect the taxes have had on the TopSport prices. When the Melbourne Cup field jumped this year, his market was 119% compared to last year when it was 116.4%. The 2019 Caulfield Cup was at 120.1% compared to 115.4% and the Victoria Derby 120.3% compared to 115.2% in 2018. With no Winx the Cox Plate was a massive 124% against 110.2% in the last year of the great mares four-peat. Some will say who cares, the punters will take whatever they are offered. But the reality is no they won’t and many of the serious players won’t take the price as it’s not value against what they have a specific horse rated at, so they turn their back on the race, and in the case of Dr Nick they turn their back on Australian racing. The rise in percentages is a direct result of the increased taxes on bookmakers and as we’ve seen in the case of Dr Nick there is in fact a breaking point at which punters will accept and when they won’t. Now before those who feel this is a case of feeling sorry for the bookies jump all over me, I can assure you I’m not, I’m actually concerned for the punters and the overall health of the Australian racing industry. Lost turnover = lost revenue = lost prizemoney = lost owners = lost jobs. SPORTS BETTING IS THE DANGER Now let’s forget about racing for a minute and look at the Australian wagering landscape. Tristan went back through his figures and pointed out that in 2013-14 his business was 76.2% racing and 23.8% sport. Today the hold is running at 50-50 with the sport hold increasing 311% in that five-year period. He says the sport hold will be much more than racing in the coming years unless something changes with the taxes, and changes soon. WINGS CLIPPED FOR PEGASUS After the inaugural running of the Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park in 2017 the initial ‘slot holder’ race has met its demise under its starting format so you might ask ‘is this a sign of things to come for The Everest?’ I think not. The 2017 Pegasus World Cup was won by champion galloper Arrogate and was followed by Gun Runner in 2018 and City Of Light earlier this year. However while the winners have been bona fide stars the problem with the Pegasus has been there were never any more than a couple of chances, so how would 12 people want to fork out the US$1m to purchase a slot when you’ve got little hope getting a hold of the winner? Now we see The Stronach Group, who run the event, changing tack and running both the 2020 Pegasus World Cup Invitational and World Cup Turf Invitational without any entry fees - the slots are gone. But so too has the prizemoney, the inaugural Pegasus World Cup was worth US$12m, then it was upped to US$16m and this year it was US$17m, but that was split over two races worth $9m and $7m with a $1m bonus on offer if an owner won both, and the slot holders forked out $500,000, and there were 24 of them this year. Now the 2020 version of the inaugural dirt race has been reduced to US$3m with the turf edition worth ‘just’ US$1m after being run under much fanfare for $7m last January. It would be nice to say it was great while it lasted but the reality was it wasn’t for the majority of participants – but that’s not saying the event didn’t get the wheels turning here in Australia. The Everest was modelled on the Pegasus concept, but unlike the US version the Randwick slot holder race has gone from strength-to-strength with slots now very much sought after. There has been no standout in any edition of The Everest and in the three runnings so far virtually every horse that turned up on the day has been a live chance, and with all the current slot holders indicating they want more the future seems well and truly assured for the Aussie version.

I had Cecil Devine in the list originally but he was Australian and I still have memories of seeing him deal to Lord Module in the stalls at Addington. Only horse I've seen with a chain instead of a rope lead.

I find it interesting that the Purdon's have been at the top of this game for as long as I can remember and probably before. SO we are talking half a century at least. First Roy then Barry and Mark. Barry was there or there abouts on Saturday. A dynasty. I think the difference now is that compared to then there aren't as many competitive trainers. Roy won his first Trainers Premiership in 1971. In those days you had Ces Donald, George Noble, Charlie Hunter, Jack Smolenski, Wes Butt, Derek Jones, Don Nyhan. Wasn't called the "Golden Mile" for nothing!

From my observation it appears that the Standardbred Stallion has a greater influence on the progeny than the Standardbred mare which is different to the Thoroughbred. There seem to be many Standardbred Stallions that upgrade a poor mare. Another observation is that the first generation from a champion mare is not always the best but her daughters and grand-daughters often produce something of note.

Yes. You only need to do a comparison between the increase in the current products over the last few years to see that there is no positive correlation between increasing the number of products and increasing revenue. The reverse in fact. So the only way they can increase revenue is to increase takeouts via other mechanisms that only do one thing and that is increase the price of the product comparative to other betting jurisdictions. Hasn't worked so far and isn't likely to work going forward. What I can't understand is that Glen Saville has been there through this whole decline yet he keeps his job!!! How does that work?

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Do the employees in Petone realise that when racing is gone that they are gone too? Sports betting alone in New Zealand is not enough to sustain them and bludging off other racing jurisdictions cannot sustain their high cost model. As for building new race tracks that is only going to be a black hole that sucks the final bit of blood from the industry. They need to slash costs from RITA and NZTR. NOW!

There doesn't seem to be anything official that I can find on the PGF website about this funding.

Rule Number(s): 638(3)(b)(ii)Following Race 1, Mr Balcombe lodged an information with the Judicial Committee alleging a breach of Rule 638 (3) (b) (ii) in that S McKay used his whip excessively prior to the 100m. At the outset of the hearing, Mr McKay confirmed that he understood the Rule and that he admitted the breach. Mr Balcombe ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Rule Number(s): 638(1)(d)Following the running of Race 6, an Information was lodged by Mr Balcombe alleging a breach of Rule 638 (1) (d) in that J Fawcett (MATT CAIN) angled her mount inward near the 1100m when not clear of WASP which was tightened and GALLARDO which was checked. Ms Fawcett confirmed her understanding of the ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Rule Number(s): 638(1)(d)This charge arises from the running of race 3, The Pond Premium Recruitment 1600. Senior Stipendiary Steward Mr M Williamson filed an information pursuant to Rule 638(1) (d). He alleged Class B Rider Mr T Yanagida (SARDONIA) angled his mount outwards when not sufficiently clear of READY TO ROAR which ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

They have got in before the legislation has passed. Would have been interesting to see what would have happened if it had been passed. LOL Saundry has got it wrong dragging race dates BEFORE they have the power to land grab. Wouldn't be surprised if other clubs sign similar contracts while they can without fear of litigation. With regard to that I hope the Westland Racing Club have followed a water tight process.

Good on them. But that is also very sad. The Hokitika race course was my first introduction to racing from about age 4. In later years I used to use it as a training track for harriers. As kids we used to catch crawlies in the creek that ran down the side of the back straight. I remember the days it had the tote bell ringing, an actual balloon that went up on the semaphore board. The tote dividends displayed on the tote with ribbons they used to pull up and down to show the odds.

Rule Number(s): 869(2)and Use of the Whip RegulationsFollowing the running of Race 10, Greg & Nina Hope Fasttrack & 2.5K Green Mile (Mobile Trot), an information was filed by Stipendiary Steward, Mrs C M Tibbs, against Licensed Open Driver, Mr M J Anderson, alleging that Mr Anderson, as the driver of RUTHLESS KAYLA in the race, “used his whip on more occasions ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Rule Number(s): 869(2)and Use of the Whip RegulationsFollowing the running of Race 8, Neumann’s Tyre Service Handicap Trot an information was filed by Stipendiary Steward, Mrs C M Tibbs, against Licensed Open Driver, Ms P J Wakelin, alleging that Ms Wakelin, as the driver of RUSTY I AM in the race, “used her whip on more occasions than permitted by Clause ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

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