Chief Stipe

I believe he is top line given how the way he has had to win and his sectionals. I like him as he seems to be a horse that can sprint twice and is tractable enough and robust enough to get out of trouble and not lose momentum. Even though the opposition wasn't much his Ruakaka performance was eye catching. BOAY made Verry Eleegant the video of the week when she won on the same track. I recall the same criticism about the class of opposition. Catalyst's Guineas win was a galloping lesson for the rest. I'm picking he will measure up in Ozzie in the Autumn just like his old man did.

What part of your response shows any constructive analytical rebuttal? I assume your Baldrick quote is self-analytical?

I don't take a positive approach to blinkers for a number of reasons: Every trainer that I have had anything to do with has never given a good reason for using them - it has always been "I might TRY using them" - none of them have known before hand if they will work or not work to achieve something they are not really that sure about. Often a horse will win with them on and then the trainer leaves them on in the belief that they made a difference; The stats I've seen published by Mardigras and others confirm that it is one variable not worth worrying about in your ratings. Except I tend to look at first time use as a negative; Why would a horse who is a herd animal want to be partially blinded from the rest of the herd? It doesn't make natural sense. The only thing that I've concluded over the years is that those horses that need them have an attitude issue or weren't adequately broken in or trained well in their first prep. The two best horses I've owned didn't race in head gear (they were tried and they didn't like it). They liked to see the field and where the winning post was. Neither of them were big strong horses but they were innately aggressive and smart thinkers. So when I'm looking at a field I get put off slightly by head gear especially for the first time and tend to focus on those who have clean heads and who eyeball their competitors. Of course though focussing on the other variables that help rate a horse's ability relative to the field it is racing in.

TAS's two performances this season in Australia must surely rank ahead of Melody Belle's Livamol win. He ran the fastest sectionals of both races and was only just beaten in both. If Melody Belle was truly superior to TAS then wouldn't Te Akau have aimed her for the Cox Plate? If she wins against the best in OZ then I'll re-rate her......the status of the Livamol needs her to! As I said she hasn't beat much in New Zealand (nor has TAS) and that is a sad reflection of the decline in our racing quality. I don't see her as being anywhere near superior to previous winners of two legs of the the NZ triple crown. As for competing with the best in OZ I've only seen two in the last two seasons that would cut the mustard - Verry Elleegant and Catalyst. Of course you can't ever underestimate a Murray Baker trained horse heading to Australia either.

Just got this text from the little man: Hilarious, I own half the mare and make all the decisions She's leased to my family but BM is not a part of that lease, his wife is, and her share is 5% Jealous is a cunt of a disease

Rule Number(s): 870(3), 1003(2), Breaking Horses RegulationsMr Munro alleged that in Race 5 horse number 6 ANOTHERSUPERSTAR galloped in excess of 150 metres. Mr Munro sought disqualification of ANOTHERSUPERSTAR pursuant to r 1003(2). Judges placings were: 1st 5 ZONED SCARLETT 2nd 7 WINNING BONES 3RD 8 WITH ICE 4TH 2 AYUTTHAYA 5TH 6 ANOTHERSUPERSTAR (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Rule Number(s): r 638(1)(d)This charge arises from the running of race 6, the West Brook Wines 1400. Stipendiary Steward Mr A Coles filed an Information pursuant to Rule 638 (1)(d) alleging the rider of GRAVITELLE, Mr C Lammas, permitted his mount to shift out near the 350 metres when insufficiently clear of SURF’N’TURF which ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Rule Number(s): 869(2) and Use of the Whip RegulationsMr Ydgren alleged that Mr M Shirley, the driver of RYDGEMONT MILLY in race 6, used his whip on more occasions than is permitted by the Use of the Whip Regulations. This is a breach of r 869(2). Mr Munro, Stipendiary Steward, identified RYDGEMONT MILLY on the race films. Mr Ydgren demonstrated that the ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Rule Number(s): 869(4)Mr Munro alleged that Mr Jones (WITH ICE) breached r 869(4) in race 5, in that near the 1200 metres he shifted inwards when not clear of NEVERNEVERLAND causing that runner to be moved inwards and had to be steadied. Rule 869(4) states: No horseman shall during any race do anything which interferes or ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

I rate Te Akau Shark well above Melody Belle or Kawi. However history shows that Melody Belle has yet to beat much. The Livamol this year barely rated R88. With regard to Consensus please show some respect towards Reefton. It is unfortunate that we don't have a thousand more like him - those who under the most trying conditions have kept racing going. Also just to remind you that the person you are directing your comments at has more say than his ZERO ownership shares would entitle him to.

Kawi is a bit like Melody Belle - good horses in NZ but did they really beat anything?

Yes but she missed.

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We don't need to spend zillions on flash facilities. We need to provide decent tracks, do away with tiered racing and try to retain our good horses. Geez my introduction to racing was at Hokitika. A beer, a Percy Hurren pie, and watching the horses go round. I look back and the facilities were crap but I had a lot more fun than I've had at Ellerslie. Except when my horse won the last race there.

There is another way to look at the figures. If 17% is the takeout i.e. gross revenue then the Livamol contributed $83,000. Over half of that is consumed by costs so we could say that the Livamol returned less that $42,000 in stakes or a net loss of -$208,000.

What a load of shyte!

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So that's another $17m from reserves. Are they expecting a handout from Government? Why didn't they just bite the bullet and live within their means? Also why is it that through all this decline the person responsible for managing the revenue side of the business seems to have immunity?

The problem(s) has been around longer than 9 years. Isn't it and hasnt it always been an industry issue to fix not Government?

Sorry who is my "cut and paste crony"?

Anyone ever used a nose twitch?

Enough of that shyte Thomass (pot, kettle, black) and one last warning get rid of your ellipses!

So I guess you have changed your mind and you are now in the camp where you don't need to be told if a mare is in foal if it is racing? Afterall in terms of selecting a winner it has no significantly measurable impact. Finally he learns.

To be fair that race tomorrow at Caulfield isn't particularly strong.

Oh and closing tracks in NZ will have Zero impact on revenue and very little impact on expenses.