Chief Stipe

Another thing to consider is Ireland has a high number of cases per population relative to other countries but a lower number of deaths relative to those cases. Again Dublin has the majority of cases in Ireland.

They do largely don't they. But they are not immune from swallowing the hook of BS are they? For example how many of the population believe that we have one of the lowest rates (levels of infection per population) of Covid-19 in the world? Australia is doing better. I gave up counting when I got to 100. As for leaving the "wagering stuff to someone who knows what they are doing" they can be excused for thinking that's what they had done.

Oh and another factor that may have made a difference is Ireland had a bad flu season with Covid-19 coming hard right after. Note the deaths per million are well short of Spain and Italy.

The median age of those who have died is 83. Mostly in Dublin. 1.9 million people. The population density is 5 times that of Auckland. 14% of population are aged over 65. Average temperature for April is 13 high - low 4.

David Ellis is a stockman and a pretty good one at that. He can be excused for believing the crap that was dished out. Geez there are still prominent people in the industry that believe Racefields Legislation will be the saviour.

Wasn't the only one who got it wrong however Ellis has made it quite clear one of the reasons is the lack of clear direction from the NZ Industry managers.

Maybe the 50% spare capacity reported by the Ministry of Health isn't enough for the experts. https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/121126159/coronavirus-41-canterbury-dhb-staff-isolating-after-contact-with-confirmed-cases

If you are wondering if I made it up I assure you I didn't. However it is not the first time that information has "disappeared." I may have taken a screenshot of it.

What have I said that isn't fact? What we do know is that our hospitals are half full or even less. To go back to your bread bakery analogy that you have often used in the past. You have known demand and you know your average throughput. You have an unknown variable in terms of the quantum of extra demand caused by an event. However you are receiving data on that extra demand. Do you operate your bakery at 50% capacity and keep paying all the fixed costs and staff costs? Leaving a substantial part of the demand unsatisfied? Yes we do normally live in a parliamentary democracy but at the moment that has been suspended. FFS our Deputy Prime Minister is in his own bubble in North Island. If the underpaid teenager at the supermarket checkout is required to work why isn't Parliament?

I would but I can't. I did a search for it yesterday and I can't find it!

If "The Programme" is adhering to the Level 4 Lockdown rules and requirements then I've "got with the programme." I don't buy into this "Masterclass" in politics bullshyte. Fairly easy to do things in this country compared to the rest of the world. Given the complexities involved in Australia you would have to say they have done extremely well. If "getting with the Programme" means: Accepting that Parliament should be suspended and far-reaching decisions should be made by two individuals without the scrutiny of Parliament then NO I'm not on board; That certain sectors of society should have to carry the burden of "the programme" more than others. Then NO I'm not onboard. We talk about the number of employees at RITA earning over $100k a year but did you know that there are 3,000 MPI employees with a total salary/wage cost in 2019 of $300m. I'll do the math for you - that's an average salary for 3,000 people of $100,000. These are the people telling us how fast we can ride horses. How many government employees have been laid off or taken a pay cut? Remember it is the other 55% of the workforce that fund them; If a bank is an essential service why is it closed and not open like the supermarket? Does it mean that I will become a snitch and ring the RIU when I see the trainer down the road working some of his horses faster than a canter? NO. Didn't you advocate doing that?; Will I voluntarily sign up to letting the Government track my movements and contacts? NUP; Do I accept the Government mortgaging the country and my young daughters future to the tune of $100 billion (and rising) and spending it the way they are? NUP; Does it mean accepting the nonsense directive that "attending school isn't voluntary if your child has someone to look after them at home"? Definitely not. I could go on. We are not hearing the truth instead we are hearing outright propaganda coated with syrup such as unity, we can do this, we are saving lives.....and on and on and on. Meanwhile our hospitals are half empty and that isn't just because "elective" surgery has been cancelled. There are people out there who are paying with their future health to save people who are already sick. Is that a fair price to pay?

Just heard that Te Akau have acquired 12 boxes at Flemington.

What programme is that?

How many public servants have taken a pay cut?

We have had a very warm summer and in most of the country a very mild autumn. With the latter the normal flu season has not yet kicked off. Covid-19 kicked off in the Northern Hemisphere late-winter and early Spring. There is very strong science indicating that Covid-19 is adapted to the same seasonal temperatures as the flu. Why did we go into Level 4 Lockdown when we did? Another question: Why are we contemplating coming out of Level 4 if the virus season is yet to start? I have my views - I'd love to hear yours.

I believe some states have changed that. A Jockey can't be legged up now they have to do it themselves. That's why our leaders should be lobbying like crazy saying - "we can do this with positividdy."

These travel restrictions are a nonsense. 40-50% (at least) of the population is still working. The rest are still going to the supermarket and joining unmanaged queues. What's worse 2-300 people in a supermarket queue that isn't managed? Or 100 people working within strict protocols at their normal place of work being policed by the industry black boots? The Covid-19 alert levels are a nonsense too. Their definitions keep changing. If you don't define black and white you can't manage the grey!

Bosson considering family move to Sydney in wake of COVID-19 Article Author AAP 5:00PM19 April 2020 3 Comments Leading New Zealand jockey Opie Bosson is to consider moving his family to Australia amid uncertainty when racing across the Tasman will resume. Bosson ended the Sydney autumn carnival as the leading Group I rider with four elite victories aboard Probabeel (Surround Stakes), Te Akau Shark (Chipping Norton) Quick Thinker (Australian Derby) and Tofane (All Aged Stakes). The carnival went ahead under strict biosecurity protocols because of the coronavirus pandemic. New Zealand racing is shut down and importantly, so is training under the Alert 4 lockdown meaning it will take weeks to get the horses back to full fitness before racing can start. Bosson left New Zealand primarily to ride for Te Akau Racing with the flagship horses - Melody Belle, Probabeel and Te Akau Shark - still in Australia and likely to be prepared for spring racing in Sydney and Melbourne. The jockey will return to New Zealand on Tuesday for 14-days self isolation and will discuss the possibility of another trans-Tasman relocation with his wife Emily and Te Akau boss David Ellis. Emily Bosson works in racing media in New Zealand but has spent the past few weeks looking after the couple's young son Max and their farm. "I've been at an apartment for the majority of the time and have only been out to go to trackwork on a Tuesday and ride on race day," Bosson said. "On race day I had a room to myself but the last two weeks I've been with English rider Tom Marquand. "When you get on track you get your temperature taken and then you are in the room for the rest of the day with all of the jockeys isolated in different areas. "The set-up was really good and luckily I've been getting quite a few rides each day. "Emily has been doing a great job at home but she has told me there are plenty of jobs waiting for me when I get back. "We have to have a good chat about things and a lot will depend upon what is happening in New Zealand. "It is something (moving to Australia) that we have to look into but nothing has been set in stone and there are a lot of factors to consider. "I will have to talk to David Ellis and people like that so there is a lot of things that would need to fall into place before anything was decided. "A few people have approached me about giving me rides which is quite encouraging while there might be some media opportunities available for Emily. "I've probably had the best season I have ever had so I have no complaints and riding Group One winners in Australia is something you dream about."

You may well find that if our NZ industry leadership doesn't lead with decisiveness then our elite jockeys, few that they are, will travel West instead of South.

Unless I've missed something I don't believe Mardigras said that. He has advocated not running them if there are restrictions on horse transportation. His rationale is similar to why he believes the Karaka Millions shouldn't be Group races as entry is not available to all in the age group. I concur.

I thought we were arguing about WHERE they would be run. BTW I won't have a horse racing in the Melbourne Cup this year but it is important to me that it is run in Melbourne this year.

Aside from the fact most of the purchasers don't end up the sole owners of the horses what the purchasers want is raffle ticket in the Karaka Millions sweepstake!!!!!! A million dollar race funded from raffle tickets and strangely enough by NZTR.

Would have weighed in light!

So basically your whole argument is based on "there are mostly North Island horses in the Guineas races therefore they should be run in the North Island." You are probably going to take that one step further using your logic and say they should be held in the Waikato. Frankly it is that approach that has stuffed NZ racing.

True. But if MPI won't let us fast work there is hardly any point in transporting horses! As for other trainers helping each other. That happens a lot now so increasing the support should be achievable.