Chief Stipe

Rule Number(s): 638(3)(b)(ii)Following Race 5 (H&T Agronomics/Agricom Handicap)) Mr Goodwin lodged an information with the Judicial Committee alleging a breach of Rule 638 (3) (b) (ii) in that Apprentice J Kamaruddin used his whip excessively prior to the 100 metres. At the outset of the hearing Mr Kamaruddin confirmed that he understood ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Rule Number(s): 638(1)dFollowing the running of Race 1 (Pilet Contracting/Pioneer Seeds Maiden 1400), an Information was lodged by Mr Goodwin alleging a breach of Rule 638 (1) (d) in that M Singh angled his mount ROCK WITH CHOUX in when not clear of HARRY HARRISON which was checked near the 1250 metres. At the outset of the ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Rule Number(s): 638(3)(b)(i)This charge arises from the running of race 4, the T.W Moore Ltd Hwt. Stipendiary Steward Mr Jones filed an Information pursuant to Rule 638(3)(b)(i) alleging that Jumps Rider Mr Cole’s use of the whip was unnecessary, when his mount was clearly winning the race. Mr Cole acknowledged he understood the ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Rule Number(s): 638(3) (b)(ii)This charge arises from the running of race 5, the Rotorua District RDA – Flair Amateur Riders Series. Stipendiary Steward Mr Jones filed an Information pursuant to Rule 638(3)(b)(ii) alleging that Class E Rider Mr Isdale used the whip excessively on his mount TOORAK TOWER prior to the 100 metres. Mr ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Tracks will close over time due to economic reality. I don't see the point of closing those tracks that can keep going using their own resources e.g. Reefton or even Hokitika for that matter. The reality is we don't have the stakes funding to fund all the races on the programme nor the numbers of horses to fill those races. The latter will be an economic driver however those in position of power will distort market forces "in the interests of the industry as a whole." If trainers and owners continue to nominate for courses like Reefton and Reefton keeps solvent then why not race there? Reefton costs the industry a damn sight less than Trentham. As for acquiring assets from racecourse sales they are dreaming. I don't know what the racecourse ownership model is like in Australia but it must be different for Mesara to buy into this approach. I'm guessing it is going to take some draconian asset grabbing legislation to be passed for the Racing Industry to get their hands on club assets. Unlikely to happen now under this government. I also think the Workplace Safety "issue" is a red herring. All you have to do is separate the horses and their workers from the general public. When was the last time we saw a race horse leap the fence and run riot amongst the crowd? The only time I can remember was when I was at a harness meeting at Waterlea. A horse took fright at the start, dislodged it's driver, lept the outside fence ran down the roped off channel to the stables and pulled up at its stall. Of course there is the issue of track conditions and horse falls but they seem to be paying lip service to this issue at the big tracks. I agree with your assessment of an All Weather Track - the only synthetic type track I would support is a Strathayr. Have you noticed on some of those overseas tracks all the horses in a race wear some form of head gear? We talk about track bias - seems to me those dirt tracks favour those that are in front not getting a ton of grit chucked into their faces!

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WHAN-R07-140919.mp4

I think the powers that be live in a delusional state of mind that the world actually wants to see and bet on our product.

Just as the NZ TAB is paid for the broadcasting of NZ races overseas we pay in the opposite direction. Conceivably the net position is more likely a deficit.

Seriously who in their right mind would try and launder money through the NZ TAB?

I think this sort of stuff is crap. Just the same as I think the Crusaders shouldn't change their name.

Interesting case and some parallels to what happened in OZ over Cobalt. What is also worth noting is the process was fair and reasonable.

Scopolamine: Substance in Middle of Justify Scandal Scopolamine can be performance-enhancing, has been linked to cases of contamination. By Frank Angst Today, 8:43 PM The substance a lab found at a prohibited level in Justify after he won the 2018 Santa Anita Derby (G1), scopolamine, has seen plenty of attention from regulators in recent years because while prohibitions are in place because of its potential performance-enhancing effects, positives at a relatively frequently high rate have been linked to contamination—especially in Southern California. The New York Times reported Sept. 11 that before his successful Triple Crown sweep, Justify failed a post-race test following the Santa Anita Derby. As reported in the story and confirmed by California Horse Racing Board equine medical director Dr. Rick Arthur, the test indicated Justify had 300 nanograms per milliliter of scopolamine in his system. According to a number of veterinary sites, scopolamine is found in the drug Buscopan, which is used to treat mild colic, spasms, and gastrointestinal pain. But scopolamine also can show up in the systems of horses who ingest jimson weed, which would be considered environmental contamination. Knowing the potential for contamination, the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities has put a residue limit in place of 60 nanograms per milliliter in urine to try to account for such contamination. The test in Justify came back at five times that residue level, 300 nanograms. Despite that seemingly high overage, Arthur said lab evidence still pointed to contamination rather than an effort to skirt the rules. He said because California has had issues with jimson weed contamination, it has a higher threshold than the international standard in place. And even though Justify also was over that threshold, there was substantial evidence pointing to contamination. Arthur said there was one other horse who surpassed the scopolamine threshold and a number of other horses who showed some level of the substance in their systems after racing at Santa Anita Park that weekend, April 6-8, 2018. He also noted that when the positive is associated with jimson weed, as opposed to an administration of Buscopan, the lab indicates positives for both scopolamine and atropine, which was the case with Justify and five other horses that weekend. Finally, he noted that the level of scopolamine that showed up in Justify's blood test was much lower than what came back in his urine test, which he said was another factor indicating contamination. "Scopolamine is a toxin in jimson weed. It comes along with atropine, which is what we saw in a number of these cases as well," Arthur said. "Buscopan can be easily differentiated in the laboratory (from jimson wood contamination). The reality of it is that six of these horses have both scopolamine and atropine in their systems. So they have two different plant alkaloids that are typically found together with jimson weed poisoning." Arthur said the blood tests also were a factor in him recommending to the commission that a positive not be called, despite the lab's finding. "Even though the level was relatively high in urine, the blood level was actually quite low," Arthur said. "It basically tells me that anybody that would make a professional opinion based on urine levels should be ashamed of themselves." While Buscopan has a clinical use, it's not among the accepted medications on the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium's list of controlled therapeutics. The RMTC issued a Sept. 12 release explaining that better medications have come along for treating the horse. "Scopolamine has limited historical use in equine veterinary medicine to relieve intestinal spasms in the treatment of gas colic," the statement said. "However, gastrointestinal side effects, potential toxicity, and the development of safer, more effective medications have rendered its use as a therapeutic medication obsolete." Justify's trainer, Bob Baffert, maintains he never administered such a substance to the eventual Triple Crown winner. "I unequivocally reject any implication that scopolamine was ever intentionally administered to Justify, or any of my horses," Baffert said Sept. 12 in a statement. "Test results indicating trace amounts of the drug were undoubtedly the result of environmental contamination caused by the presence of jimson weed in feed, a naturally growing substance in areas where hay and straw are produced in California." RMTC executive director and chief operating officer Dr. Mary Scollay said she's heard of vets using Buscopan to relax a colon to allow treatment but no longer as a treatment. In December 2016, the Association of Racing Commissioners International moved scopolamine into a lower drug classification and a lower penalty classification on its Uniform Classification Guidelines for Foreign Substances and Recommended Penalties Model Rule. The ARCI is a regulatory umbrella group that shapes model rules it encourages its members to adopt. Scollay, who was not heading the RMTC at the time but did attend those discussions in her former role as Kentucky Equine Medical Director, said she recalls the ARCI taking a comprehensive review of all the substances on the list. She and Arthur said in the case of scopolamine it was determined there was little potential for the benefit of enhanced performance. She said because of that, and the high likelihood for contamination, the substance was moved to a lower classification. Arthur said he recalls no resistance to the change at the time. Scopolamine was moved from Class 3 to Class 4, a classification that indicates a lesser chance to influence performance. At that time, it also was moved from Penalty Class B to Penalty Class C. That move is significant because a first offense in Penalty Class B calls for a 15-to-60-day suspension of the trainer, a fine of $500-$1,000, and a disqualification of the horse (in absence of mitigating circumstances). The Penalty Class C calls for a written warning or fine up to $500 of the trainer and only a potential disqualification of the horse, if mitigating circumstances call for such a disqualification. Despite efforts by ARCI and the RMTC, horse racing rules continue to vary from state to state. While the ARCI recommends model rules on medications, it's up to states to decide whether to follow through with such recommendations. And even states that take action based on ARCI recommendations can take varying amounts of time putting new rules in place. (This year, the CHRB left the ARCI.) The New York Times story notes that at the time of Justify's positive, the California standards called for a scopolamine violation to carry a disqualification and forfeiture of purse money, but it has since updated its rule, with a disqualification no longer the recommended penalty. Baedeker says in the story that the regulator was in the process of updating its standard at the time, which makes sense based on the move by the ARCI. The current California rule lists scopolamine as a Class 4 category and Class C penalty in line with the ARCI standard. In California, substances that call for a Class C penalty do not carry a disqualification and loss of purse. The state does call for such sanctions for substances in Category B. Arthur noted that regulatory views of contamination have changed over the years. In 1994, the CHRB, following an administrative law judge's decision, determined that the scopolamine found in post-racing urine samples was linked to bedding straw contaminated by jimson weed, but because the horses were still racing with a prohibited substance in their systems, they were still disqualified. Because the trainers were not involved, they ultimately were not sanctioned. That decision was upheld by a California Court of Appeals, overturning a lower court's decision that called for the board to reconsider its action calling for disqualifications. The horses involved in that case tested positive with scopolamine levels between 15 and 47 nanograms. In recognizing the likelihood of contamination, Arthur said the CHRB has not moved forward on a scopolamine positive since Dixie Crisp was disqualified from a February 2007 victory at Golden Gate Fields. "That was 2007, and I think the whole approach to environmental contamination has evolved, even at the IFHA," Arthur said. "It's changed. Part of our problem is that with improved drug testing, you can find things at levels you previously couldn't. So you have to put some guidelines in there."

I would say that there was little difference between the management of a harness track vs a galloping track. Both are subject to mechanical forces such as horses hooves, vehicles and tractors etc. Over time the mono-cultural nature of the track and the combination of the mechanical forces the soil structure will break down i.e. become compacted and affect drainage and pasture root growth. To revitalise the soil structure the best practice is to introduce organic matter to the soil. Temporary measures (i.e. Te Rapa) are to sand slit however over time you just keep adding more sand and pasture doesn't grow too well on a beach. A good farmer will plough their pasture, fertilise, sow a sacrificial crop to introduce organic matter and resow on a rotational basis to maintain good drainage and grass growth. Artificial type turf systems such as Strathayr combine plastic mesh components in the upper layer of the turf system to provide an artificial form of soil structure but even these tracks need major rejuvenation in the upper layers after 7 to 10 years of use.

Taylor Swift's decision to perform at the Melbourne Cup sparks backlash Robert Moran12:19, Sep 12 2019 This year's Melbourne Cup race-runners will have more competition for the spotlight, with pop star Taylor Swift set to headline the event. The Victorian Racing Club has announced the global superstar will perform two songs ahead of the race that stops the nation at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, Australia on Tuesday, November 5. VRC chief executive Neil Wilson said he was thrilled to welcome the "world's most celebrated star" to the event. EVAN AGOSTINI/AP It was announced that singer Taylor Swift will perform at this year's Melbourne Cup in Victoria, Australia. "To think you can come to Flemington and watch not only the race but see one of the world's biggest, if not the biggest, entertainer perform for the cost of a general admission ticket is phenomenal," Wilson said. Swift told the Herald Sun, "I can't wait to come to Melbourne, and I can't wait to come to the Melbourne Cup. I've heard so much about the race." However, Swift's decision to perform at the race that stops the nation has caused backlash, with animal activists asking her to cancel. 31 people are talking about this The Coalition For The Protection of Racehorses has been quick off the mark with a campaign to ask Swift to say #NupToTheCup on social media. "Taylor Swift has put money before compassion by agreeing to perform at the 2019 Melbourne Cup," the group posted online in the wake of the announcement. 50 people are talking about this See asian swiftie!!'s other Tweets The gig will mark Swift's only public appearance in Australia following the release of her seventh album Lover last month. The 29-year-old last toured Australia in November last year. Other musical acts set to perform at the carnival include locals Dean Lewis, Ball Park Music and Birds of Tokyo. - With AAP The Age

Rule Number(s): 638(2)Following the running of Race 9, US Navy Flag at Valachi Downs Rating 65, an information was filed by Stipendiary Steward, Mr J M McLaughlin, against Licensed Jockey (Class A), Ms K Williams, alleging that Ms Williams “made a celebratory gesture prior to the winning post when riding QUEEN JETSUN.” Ms ...View the full article

Rule Number(s): 330(3)(c)Information No. A11460 was filed by Stipendiary Steward, Mr J M McLaughlin, against Licensed Apprentice Jockey (Class B), Miss T Jonker, alleging that Miss Jonker as the rider of MEARA MARY in the race, “could not make the contract weight for MEARA MARY and was replaced”. Miss Jonker was present at the ...View the full article

Rule Number(s): 638(3)(b)(2)Following the running of Race 8, Christchurch Casino Open Handicap, an information was filed by Stipendiary Steward, Mr J M McLaughlin, against Licensed Jockey (Class A), Mr T R Moseley, alleging that Mr Moseley, as the rider of NOMEN LUDI in the race, “used his whip excessively on his mount NOMEN LUDI”. ...View the full article

Rule Number(s): 638(3)(b)(ii)Following the running of Race 10, Racecourse Hotel and Motor Lodge Rating 65, an information was filed by Stipendiary Steward, Mr J M McLaughlin, against Licensed Apprentice Jockey (Class B), Mr C A Campbell, alleging that Mr Campbell, as the rider of BRIDGET TOWN in the race, “struck his mount excessively ...View the full article

I'm happy for you to approach.

Rule Number(s): 869(2) & Use of the Whip RegulationFollowing the running of Race 3, McVicars ITM (Junior Drivers) Mobile Pace, an information was filed by Chief Stipendiary Steward, Mr N M Ydgren, against Licensed Junior Driver, Mr M D J Hurrell, alleging that Mr Hurrell, as the driver of LETS HUSTLE in the race, “used his whip on more occasions than ...View the full article

Rule Number(s): 868(2)Following the running of Race 1, Probuild ITM Trot, an information was filed by Chief Stipendiary Steward, Mr N M Ydgren, against Licensed Open Driver, Mr D J Butt, alleging a breach of Rule 868 (2) in that Mr Butt, as the driver of PALISADE in the race, “failed to take all reasonable and permissible ...View the full article

Rule Number(s): 870(3)& Breaking Horses RegulationsFollowing the running of Race 9, Rangiora ITM Mobile Trot, an information instigating a protest was filed by Chief Stipendiary Steward, Mr N M Ydgren, against Licensed Open Driver, Ms K A Butt, alleging that QUAESTOR, driven by Ms Butt, placed 3rd by the judge, “broke in excess of 50 metres in the final ...View the full article

The Wellington Racing Club is pleased to advise that the Asian Pattern Committee has voted in favour of retaining the JR & N Berkett Telegraph Handicap as a Group 1 race following a review of the Pattern for the 2019 season. While the race has not met the required benchmark in recent seasons, it has consistently attracted strong field with the highest rated starters in 2018/2019 rating above the Group 1 benchmark. Two unplaced runners were also multiple Group 1 winners elsewhere in the season. As a result and to ensure that the race reaches its benchmark in future years, the conditions of the race will change to WFA conditions from 2019/2020 onwards. In other developments, the NZ Pattern Committee approved a request from the Wellington RC and the Auckland RC to effectively swap dates between Wellington Cup Day and Karaka Millions Day on years when there are 5 Saturdays in January. Sales timing constraints require that the Karaka Million Day be held on the second last Saturday in January in those years. WRC President and RACE Deputy Chair Wayne Guppy was pleased the Telegraph had retained its Group 1 status. “The race is one of only two G1 sprints in New Zealand and has an iconic position in New Zealand racing. By changing the conditions to WFA we are optimistic that the race will attract the very best horses from within NZ and we will consciously be targeting Australian contenders for the event. We are also pleased to be able to assist the Auckland Racing Club and New Zealand Bloodstock with the change to the dates for the Wellington Cup for the next 2 years.” For enquiries please contact: Al Robertson alasdair@raceinc.co.nz

Rule Number(s): Rule 869(2)and the Use of Whip RegulationsFollowing the running of the AMBER GARDEN CENTRE MOBILE PACE an Information was lodged by Senior Stipendiary Steward Mr S Mulcay against Junior Driver Mr L Whittaker alleging that when driving MAJOR RAGE he used his whip on more occasions than permitted under clause (b) of the Use of Whip Regulations. ...View the full article