Chief Stipe

Good evening, It’s been just sixty days since the establishment of the Racing Industry Transition Agency (RITA) and a timely opportunity to update you on progress against the Reform Programme the Board are advancing on behalf of the Minister for Racing. Our strategic focus is set out very clearly in the letter of expectation from the Minister for Racing - we must work to secure the long-term success of the New Zealand racing industry. We must reform the industry into a more sustainable structure, and support them as it goes through this change. You will know that there are 17 recommendations from the Review of the New Zealand Racing Industry by John Messara that we are working through. Many of these need policy, legislation and comprehensive regulations for the proposed changes to take effect. Much of this work is complex and requires significant focus from RITA Board and management, as well as the Department of Internal Affairs. As we come into the important period of Spring racing we are encouraged by the progress made to give effect to this ambition. Bill One The first Racing Reform Bill came into effect on July 1 and addresses the industry’s need for additional revenue. This included the totalisator (betting) duty paid to the Crown being phased out and the introduction of two new charges on overseas betting operators (offshore charges) to help ensure they contribute to the New Zealand racing and sports codes from which they benefit. The money available as a consequence of the reduction in Betting Duty is being held by RITA while the final details of its distribution between Harm Minimisation Initiatives, and the Racing Codes and Sports NZ is finalised. From mid 2021, we would expect the returns will be in excess of $14m, with approximately $4m available this year. The distribution amounts need to be set by a specific regulation and we will update the industry prior to Christmas on the outcome. The Offshore Charges will be able to be set and collected following the implementation of regulations. It is expected that this process will be completed and collection commenced from the beginning of the 2020 calendar year. While overseas betting operators will be required to pay product fees in due course, a number of these have already committed to voluntary charges, most recently Sportsbet. This is in addition to the arrangement secured with Betfair earlier this year, and discussions with other operators in the Australian market are ongoing. The first Bill also permits RITA to offer betting on a wider range of sports where an agreement is reached with Sport NZ. We are hopeful of new sports being made available to TAB customers before the end of the year. Bill Two Work is now well advanced on preparing the second Bill which we anticipate being introduced into Parliament at the end of this year. This will include provisions designed to give effect to the establishment of TAB NZ in order to maximise revenue and profit for racing and to the transfer to the individual Codes of a range of racing and industry responsibilities previously undertaken by RITA. We have sought feedback from the Codes on this with a view to policy decisions being taken for inclusion in the draft policy papers for the Bill. Provisions to facilitate discussion between Codes and Clubs in relation to the future of New Zealand’s racing venues, as part of the Future Venue Plan work started last year, are expected to be included in the new Bill. The Messara recommendations in relation to the racing Integrity bodies and animal welfare have been advanced in an independent review undertaken by Malcolm Burgess. His Report has been circulated for consultation with the various views currently being analysed, including from the JCA and RIU who presented to the Board at our last meeting. The decisions on a new Governance structure for integrity bodies will likely be made by the Board at our next meeting on September 25, and could result in specific legislative considerations in the Bill. Messara also recommended an independent performance and efficiency audit on the NZRB and we expect a final version in mid September. This has been slightly delayed to ensure the scope of the report brief was fully met. Once complete it will be sent to the Minister. In addition, we've had an independent report on the Distribution Model under section 16 of the Act developed and which will be discussed with the Codes within the next few weeks with regulations developed next year. Harm Minimisation As the Board work through the various recommendations we remain acutely aware of our responsibility to minimise the harm that gambling can lead to for some people. RITA management has reviewed its work in this area and developed a comprehensive strategy to add further weight to activities already underway. This will include utilising technology, improving communications and building stronger partnerships with the sector. Industry Engagement Over the past few weeks we have met with the Boards of the three Codes to update them on the process and our progress. We will also keep the industry up to speed on our progress where we can. Good progress is being made but to meet the timelines required for the legislative process the momentum must be sustained. We will provide a further RITA operational update in September. Yours sincerely, Dean McKenzie Chair

I created a separate topic for this discussion rather than hijacking and existing one.

Well Newmarket you just upped your profile to get more of these ads by copying and pasting them. You will notice in the top right hand corner of each ad is a little i and an x. Click on the x and give a reason why these are not appropriate to you. They will then stop. As for why you are getting them - have you visited a porn site lately?

What's wrong? Accident?

I get ads for womens clothing. Not sure why!

Probably not as you no doubt fit into the demographic and interest profile of many who post on on here. Who just happen to be the same demographic/interest profile that frequent race courses and punting sites.

The ads displayed are relative to the interests of the individual browsing i.e. we all see different ads depending on what we have searched on the internet. For example I don't see ads for "mature sluts" but see ads for arthritis and teeth implants. I guess it is an age thing! Thomaas probably sees ads for puncture repair kits.

Rule Number(s): 638(3)(b)(ii)Following the running of race 6, Hi Jinx 1400, an Information was filed pursuant to Rule 638 (3)(b)(ii). The Informant, Mr Jones, alleged that Mr Elliot used the whip excessively when riding GARNET with the whip above shoulder height. Mr Elliot said that he understood the Rule and confirmed he admitted ...View the full article

Manawatu jockey Rosie Myers will step into uncharted territory when she teams up with Aalaalune in Saturday's Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) at Hastings. A natural lightweight, Myers usually walks at 51kg but she is facing a rare task of shedding weight to get to Aalaalune's 48.5kg for the weight-for-age feature. "I don't think I've ever had to ride that light," Myers said. "It's only a couple of kilos I've had to lose and it should be sweet. The boys (male jockeys) keep telling me that's what they have to do for every meeting." Myers, who has five Group One wins to her name, was only too happy to accept Team Rogerson's offer to ride the Reliable Man filly, who raced exclusively in stakes company last season, finishing second in the Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie and a fast-finishing fourth in the Gr.1 Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes (1400m) at Awapuni. "She's got pretty good form from her two-year-old season but it's just hard to measure her up in this race," Myers said. "She hasn't raced against those proven older horses and the likes of Endless Drama and Melody Belle have been there and done that but she's getting a lot of weight from them." Aalaalune carries 10.5kg less than $2.70 favourite Endless Drama, a last-start winner of the Gr.2 Foxbridge Plate (1200m) at Te Rapa and 8.5kg less than six-time Group One winner Melody Belle, who won the Tarzino Trophy last year. "She's drawn out (barrier 14) but she gets back anyway though, I want to talk to Rogey (co-trainer Graeme Rogerson) before I make any plans on tactics," Myers said. An $18 shot with TAB bookmakers, Aalaalune is having her first start for Rogerson and his co-trainers Debbie and Bailey Rogerson, having transferred from Matamata trainer Jacob McKay earlier this month. Still a maiden, Aalaalune will be the first three-year-old to contest the first leg of the Hawke's Bay triple crown series since the John Wheeler-trained The Pooka finished fifth in 2007. The Pooka also contested the other two legs of the triple crown before going on to Group One success in the New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton. Rogerson, then training in partnership with Stephen Autridge, produced Cedar Manor to finish seventh in the race in 2004. Not that any of that matters to Myers, whose focus will be on getting to the 48.5kg on Saturday and enjoying a hearty meal afterwards. "I'm not eating much at the moment. I'm pretty hungry right now," Myers said.

IF she is good enough to compete in the Tarzino against some seasoned campaigners then well and good. However she has shown nothing to date that she is up to this field even if she has a big pull in the weights. She is rated 77! She is still a two year old and doesn't turn 3 until 17 September. Personally I would have taken a more patient approach against her own age group and sex. There are some ripe pickings for a good 3yr old filly both here and in OZ. I've long held the opinion that a race horses mental conditioning is an important part of training a horse. She will be entering the gladiators ring on Saturday against some serious race horse's (for NZ that is). Her confidence could take a hammering. In that regard it will be interesting to see if Helena Baby bounces back. I don't think he disgraced himself in the Foxbridge up against genuine Group horses but he will know now what the next step is.

If you can think of better ways of paying the cost to provide this service and funds for future development then I'd love to hear them.

what was the name of the other young horse that Rogie raced against all comers early?

No because they clip the ticket to pay for the costs of providing the service.

Where is he?

Wouldn't you rate at least 6 ahead of her in that field?

Aalaalune accepted for the Tarzino. Surely she is on a hiding to nothing even carrying 48.5kg?

Bloodstock figures go public with claims of malpractice in the sales ring The BHA has launched a review into the buying and selling of horses Edward Whitaker / racingpost.com/photos 1 of 1 UPDATED 7:35PM, OCT 11 2017 The spotlight is on the sales ring after the BHA this week revealed it is reviewing how horses are bought and sold in Britain amid allegations of criminal malpractice. Few and far between are the industry insiders who go public on their concerns about the ethics of the sector, but Lee Mottershead has spoken to two who believe current regulations and practices fall a long way short of being good enough The sales companies say there is no cause for alarm. The BHA wants to know if such confidence is merited. Auction houses argue if people are unhappy about practices linked to the buying and selling of horses in the ring, complaints are not being made to them. Yet some people are complaining. Most have done so anonymously. Until now. The BHA this week confirmed it is reviewing the buying and selling of bloodstock, together with the industry's code of practice, having become "concerned about evidence of unsatisfactory experiences for owners and prospective owners". The Racing Post contacted a number of industry professionals, both before and after the BHA's Tuesday statement. Many echoed the view there was no reason for the governing body to become involved. Others have welcomed the intervention. Concerns have been expressed not simply by those buying horses but also those selling them. In particular, some vendors say they have become frustrated at feeling compelled to make a post-sale payment, known as luck money, to the individual buying their horse or, more regularly, the agent or trainer representing the buyer. Within the code of practice it is made clear payment of luck money should be entirely voluntary. Bruised vendors now say there is all too often nothing voluntary about the arrangement, with a number reporting agents have told them they will not consider buying a horse without a luck-money promise. Some industry insiders state this is merely the tip of an iceberg. An unsafe environment Philippa Cooper is no stranger to the sales ring. During Book 1 of last year's Tattersalls October Yearling Sale her Normandie Stud sold Dubawi colt Glorious Journey to Godolphin for 2,600,000gns. She has bred a host of high-class racehorses but says she has suffered some unpleasant experiences when attempting to sell them. Philippa Cooper says she feels in "an unsafe environment" at the sales Steven Cargill/Racingphotos.com "I feel, personally, I am in an unsafe environment at the sales," says Cooper. "They have a code of practice but it is broken and not policed." She explains: "I first attended a bloodstock sale in 1997. I had my heart set on a certain filly. However, the vendor, when he heard of my interest, which in my naivety I declared, warned me off bidding for her, saying she was intended for somebody else. "I questioned this. He said if I was intent on proceeding he would run me up to an unattainable price. Unfortunately, I was so angry at him that I bid against him. He did exactly what he said he would do. I ended up with the filly and, 20 years on, she is in my paddock, having never raced. "In 1999 I went to the sales with two filly yearlings. I was approached with offers from sundry people, the worst one being he had a client who was willing to pay £250,000 for her, and if I was happy with £150,000 I should split the £100,000 difference with him." That happened in 1999. Bloodstock figures on both the buying and selling side are adamant such activity, which could in some circumstances be deemed criminal, continues. "It is totally fraudulent," said one, who spoke of agents being known for seeking a "split the difference" arrangement with vendors, similar to the one Cooper highlights. It is claimed owners based overseas have been particularly hard hit, although without ever realising they have been defrauded. Another allegation has been individuals have bought horses for clients they themselves were selling, but not in their own name. Lucky for some The latest updated form of the bloodstock industry code of practice, which came into force in January, 2009, contains guidance on the subject of luck money. It reads: "An agent shall disclose to his principal and, if required, account to his principal for any luck money paid to him by or on behalf of a vendor… "The practice of giving and receiving luck money shall be entirely voluntary, transparent and should be disclosed to all appropriate parties by the recipient. A vendor has no obligation whatsoever to pay luck money and the non-payment of such should not prejudice any further business activity." To those outside racing and bloodstock, it may seem odd someone selling a horse should make a financial payment to the individual buying a horse, or more commonly to that person's agent. The practice has also been synonymous with agricultural sales, although it is dying out, while the sums involved are typically in the region of just £20. Sotheby's has confirmed to the Racing Post such payments are not allowed in connection to any of its auctions. Conversely, these payments have become ingrained in the sphere of bloodstock sales, to the extent vendors claim certain buyers will, in the main, shun the horses of those consignors who do not see it is as their duty to pay. One breeder told the Racing Post: "It's a big problem but I can't be named saying that. I might as well give up the game if I do. "It is absolutely rife. Everyone has to play the game. If you don't give it they don't buy from you again, unless you have a very special horse. My estimate is most vendors pay luck money because they have to pay it." Cooper says: "It is common practice some agents and a few trainers would expect the vendor to pay them five per cent, which is euphemistically called luck money – lucky for them but not for the vendor, who has to pay five per cent to the sales company amongst other deductions. "I have been threatened by one trainer that if I didn’t give him luck money, he would make sure nobody ever bought from me again." The payment of luck money is a common practice following the sale of bloodstock Edward Whitaker She adds: "It is the smaller breeder I feel most sorry for. When there are another 30 or 40 yearlings by the same stallion, how do they get their horse sold without some kind of payback being suggested to them? "It is they who suffer the intimidation. I have removed myself from that scenario, but I know what it feels like, and it shouldn’t go on." Another experienced breeder put on a faux-shocked expression when asked if luck money is demanded by agents, who inevitably can already increase their own commissions the more they pay for a horse. "Really!" the breeder said, before adding: "It has always happened. The difference is now it is more brazen." The price is right – but wrong In addition to the allegation that agents on occasions conspire with vendors to inflate the price of a horse in order to split proceeds over the real sale price, insiders also claim some vendors, or others with an interest, actively 'run up' prices by directly, or with a 'stand-in', bidding in the ring against genuine prospective purchasers. This is, in part, possible because vendors, perfectly legally, can bid to buy their horses beyond any submitted reserve price. Sotheby's does not permit this, with a spokesperson saying: "Consignment agreements state the seller will not bid on their own property or get a third party to bid on their behalf. This is strictly enforced." TBA board member Bryan Mayoh wants to see major changes to the way horses are sold at auction Thoroughbred Breeders' Association board member Bryan Mayoh, breeder of Gold Cup hero Sizing John, buys broodmares and sells their produce. He says: "It is my opinion the protocols used by both of the major bloodstock auction houses have weaknesses that make the simple concept of buying a horse at auction far more intimidating to prospective buyers than it ought to be. "The result is that when the BHA and HRI are trying hard to get new owners into racing, a prospective owner visiting an auction for the first time might well wonder what on earth he is getting into. "Firstly, the vendor normally sets a reserve but this is not announced or shown on the board. Up to the level of the reserve the auctioneer might well take bids 'off the wall', so the price rises via some mysterious bidding process invisible to the untrained eye. "Even when the reserve is reached, the vendor can place bids on his own horse, aiming to 'run up' the genuine would-be buyer even though the reserve should surely reflect his real view of the horse's value. This is not only allowed by the auction house, it is practically encouraged. "A vendor buy-back incurs 2.5 per cent commission, so it seems a pretty bad deal for the sales company when a vendor outbids a genuine buyer. "However, if vendors win out more times than not in the game of bluff, and end up as underbidders on their own horses, both they and the sales company win - but they win at the expense of leaving a very sour taste in the mouth of the buyer if he finds out what has gone on." Mayoh only bids if told a reserve in advance. That sometimes is not enough. "At one sale last year I twice talked to the vendor of a mare and ascertained the reserve," he says. "Twice I bid the reserve price but stopped soon after because this equated to my own valuation. Twice I was outbid by the vendor, who had said not a word about his intention to 'support' or 'buy back' or whatever euphemism you choose. "The result? I wasted my time. I missed out on bidding on horses earlier in the auction whilst waiting for ones whose 'reserves' proved to be false. There are also now two vendors whose horses I shall never look at again. "Moving to a more open and transparent auction process, with the sales companies encouraging this by revealing the reserve and banning vendor buybacks (or at least discouraging them by charging full commission), even if they do maintain their addiction to 'off the wall' bidding below the reserve price, would help to create an auction environment that is far more customer-friendly, which is ultimately the best way to get more customers and grow your industry." Cooper does go public on her reserve levels. Last year that almost cost her dear. She says: "Vendors should not be allowed to run up nor bid on their horses and reserves should be declared, but not false reserves, which is often the case. I am scrupulous about declaring my reserves, but people don’t really believe you. "Glorious Journey was stuck on £650,000 for 30 seconds. Nobody believed it was the reserve and they couldn’t understand why nobody was bidding. A vendor would often use somebody to run up the horse in those circumstances. The hammer was about to go down, and then people sprang into action. I could have lost out for being so up front." Goffs group chief executive Henry Beeby points out the Sale of Goods Act enables vendors to bid and does not see a problem with the practice. "I don't think there's anything wrong or unfair in it," he says. "If a purchaser likes a horse he must value it himself. We always say to people they should work out what a horse is worth and then bid up to that figure. Nobody is making anybody bid." We can't help if you don't talk to us Both Tattersalls and Goffs mount a strong defence of the propriety of their sales. Tattersalls' marketing director Jimmy George stresses integrity is "a priority" and pledges the company will "work with all parties to ensure we continue to set the highest possible standards". Goffs echo those comments. Goffs group CEO Henry Beeby in action on on the auctioneer's stand Patrick McCann "I am adamant British and Irish bloodstock auctions are as fair and transparent as they can possibly be," says Beeby. "We watch everything that happens. There are also codes of conduct in place. Since they were introduced, and even beforehand, we've never had any vendor, purchaser or person make a complaint. We trade on our integrity and I trade on mine. "I don't know what is said in private conversations any more than anyone else does. My concern is one man's perception is another man's reality. I slightly worry some people think they know what's going on when, in reality, it isn't going on." Beeby highlights that in the past vendors could go to the office of an auction house and draw out large sums of cash after a sale. This was stopped as it was deemed to be subtly encouraging the payment of money from one party to another. He points to the change of policy as evidence of policing the arena. Beeby is also exasperated by the silence of those who talk about wrongdoing being rife but refuse to speak publicly or make formal protestations. He says: "If you were caught drink driving 25 years ago, people would have said it was a bit of bad luck. Nowadays if you tell someone you've been done for drink driving you'll be told it's a disgraceful thing to have done. "Maybe what's needed here is a similar change of attitude? Talking off the record to a journalist is one thing, and in a way it's commendable, but will it solve the problem? "It's frustrating for me if people feel there is a problem with the auction process but won't say anything. It's like walking by as someone is being beaten up in the street because you don't want to get involved." Beeby adds: "If there is a bad apple – and maybe there's one in every barrel – I would suggest to anyone with concerns that if enough people say something about that particular person then surely public opinion will turn against him or her. "If nobody is prepared to stand up, how is anything ever going to change? If there are people, and to me it's a big if, who are behaving in an unacceptable way, how many people have to walk on by? I can't help people if they don't come and tell us." COMMENT Blurred moral lines make case for review incontrovertible It is easy to sympathise with auction houses saying they can only take action if complaints are lodged. It is also true evidence presented by those who allege wrongdoing in the ring is largely anecdotal. There is, nonetheless, good reason for that. Those vendors being adversely affected have been afraid to report malpractice to sales companies or the BHA. Breeders need to be able to sell their horses. To do that they require a pool of people prepared to buy them. They feel there is a danger associated with alienating those people. At the very least it is absolutely right the BHA has started a review. The regulatory remit of British racing's governing body does not extend to the sales ring but it can influence what goes on there. It can also take action against those behaving badly by warning them off licensed property, such as racecourses and stables. That would also make it an offence for licensed individuals to have professional dealings with them. As such, the BHA does have power. The sales companies are proud of their transparency. They could be even more transparent by making clear not just who consigns every horse but by stating, in full detail, who owns those horses, including part-ownership and foal share arrangements. There is also a powerful case for stopping, or strongly discouraging, the unsatisfactory peculiarity of vendors bidding beyond reserves. Henry Beeby is correct to argue buyers must put their own valuation on a horse. So, too, must vendors. They do that through setting a reserve. This surely ought to be sufficient in most circumstances. There is definitely no reason why any buyer, trainer or agent should feel justified in demanding, or being in any way entitled to, a financial 'reward' from vendors, especially if he or she is already being paid by the buyer. This is not the same as Tesco thanking customers with Clubcard points. Is all luck money declared to the person for whom the agent is working? Moreover, is it fully declared to HMRC or the Irish Revenue? If it is not, the BHA may be correct in its suspicion some bloodstock practices stray into criminal territory. If a revised code of practice continues to recognise and approve luck money, the system should be changed so it is part of the terms of sale that both parties declare to the auction house all sums paid with the amounts properly documented. The sales arena is frequented by a host of honourable people, whose reputation need not be tarnished by the BHA's review. One can, however, contend that a failing of the bloodstock sales sector, and what occurs within it, is that much of what to most outsiders would immediately be seen as wholly inappropriate is seldom questioned by some insiders. Moral lines are blurred. If this review can bring greater clarity to what is right and what is wrong, the industry, together with those who work and play in it, will be the beneficiaries. Lee Mottershead

BHA braced for backlash as bloodstock sales review nears publication Report into buying and selling practices due to be published in September Nick Rust: 'I can't remember how many warnings I've had on this one' Edward Whitaker 1 of 1 By Howard WrightUPDATED 5:26PM, JUL 22 2019 BHA chief executive Nick Rust is preparing for a backlash from the bloodstock industry and beyond as he revealed the controversial review of buying and selling practices is close to publication. Rust was speaking at a breeding seminar in Newmarket when announcing that the report's findings and recommendations have been approved by the BHA board and will go before a cross-industry group early next month ahead of expected publication in September. "I can't remember how many warnings I've had on this one," said Rust, in reference to the levels of opposition to a review announced as far back as October 2017 amid ethical concerns. Rust hinted at the likelihood of challenges to the report, possibly of a legal nature, adding: "My hope is that leaders in the industry will accept the need for some change and that we will be able to develop an agreed action plan." The BHA's interest in bloodstock sales has been far from universally well received. As senior a figure as Philip Freedman, chair of the Horsemen's Group, described the review at its launch as "a cause for concern". Rust is aware of the potential for a robust response. He added: "One way or another, the report will be made public." The BHA chief was addressing an audience at the TBA's annual seminar. He said the review report had been passed by the BHA board on July 3 and would now go through a "planning and briefing session," with a group known under the banner of the bloodstock industry forum, back at Flat racing's HQ on August 8. Representatives of the TBA, Federation of Bloodstock Agents, sales companies, the National Trainers Federation, Racehorse Owners Association "and others" will be in attendance. They would be given a copy of the report's recommendations and executive summary before the meeting, Rust said. Rust suggested publication of the report, with or without overall acceptance from outside the BHA, would take place in September. The present code of practice was introduced in 2009. Following media discussion in the summer of 2017, the BHA board was asked to consider "what risks there were in the practices in buying and selling," Rust said, adding that the review, which began in July last year, had involved interviews with 60 individuals and organisations. Back in October 2017 the BHA revealed that practices linked to the buying and selling of bloodstock were identified as worthy of examination as far back as 2014 and had prompted the "situational review", one it was thought at that point could have wider implications in terms of criminal activity. In announcing the review, the BHA focused on the need "to ensure openness, transparency and fair dealing is at the heart of all we do or we may risk turning away existing and potential investors into the sport". In a separate presentation, Rust's BHA colleague, director of equine health and welfare David Sykes, revealed that the sport's new horse welfare board had held its first serious working session on Tuesday and set out its initial priorities. The board is made up of two independents – chairman Barry Johnson and former sports minister Tracey Crouch – and representatives of the BHA, including Sykes, the Horsemen's Group and the Racecourse Association. The board’s opening task is to develop a new welfare strategy covering the whole racing industry. With that in mind, the initial priorities involved fatalities and the whip, Sykes outlined. In response to a government minister's call for racing to work towards zero fatalities, he said: "That's just not possible, but the welfare board is initially assessing all risk factors, so that we can convince the minister that racing is doing everything it can to minimise them." On the issue of the whip, he said: "We are not conducting a review but rather putting together an action plan, looking at every aspect from technical considerations to industry attitudes. We will come back to the welfare board in November, when we have finished gathering all the information in one place, so that as an industry we can make a decision on what we do."

BRENDON HAWTIN SHIFTING TO CRANBOURNE After operating out of two Waikato stables, trainer Brendon Hawtin is taking another step in his career with a shift to Victoria. Hawtin has accepted a position as assistant trainer to expat New Zealanders Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young at Cranbourne and will also train a few horses on his own account. “The opportunity arose to be assistant trainer to Trent and Natalie and I will be applying for my trainers’ license over there so it is too good to turn down,” Hawtin said. “I’ve been friends with Trent and Natalie for years and they are flying over there, getting bigger and bigger. I will be taking over a new barn at Cranbourne to have 30 of their horses in work. “I’ve always wanted to have a go in Australia at some stage and I had to grab this with two hands. “I will finish up at my Cambridge stable on Friday and my last runner here will be Double Impact who is in at Matamata on Wednesday but he could go to Ruakaka (on Saturday) instead.” Stephen Marsh, whose training operation is expanding, is stepping in to take over Hawtin’s Cambridge stable and Hawtin’s father, Keith, will reapply for his trainer’s license to continue the Te Awamutu stable, which he has been managing for his son. “It’s all worked out well,” Hawtin said. “Initially when I get over to Aussie I’ll probably end up back in Sydney for a month or so with some of Trent and Natalie’s horses.” Hawtin made his mark in Sydney when heading over earlier this winter with Simply Optimistic, who had been off the scene since winning at Ruakaka last September. The Encosta de Lago gelding produced a top effort to win over 1200m at Randwick before suffering a setback. “He kicked the wall in his box and suffered an injury below his hock so he needs a long spell,” Hawtin said. “He’s spelling at Berry (New South Wales) and will resume work with me at the beginning of December. If everything goes well I might be able to get him to the Brisbane Winter Carnival.” Nightlign is the best horse I’ve trained and I also had Miss Pelear when I was training with ‘Kiwi’ (his father). Simply Optimistic could be right up there. He’s only had 10 starts and won four of them and he has still been learning.” Nightlign was bred by his mother Lyn and before being sold to Hong Kong he was unbeaten in his three New Zealand juvenile starts, with his victory in the Gr.1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) earning him the 2007 Champion New Zealand Two-Year-Old Award, while Miss Pelear’s wins included the 2013 Gr.2 Rich Hill Mile (1600m) at Ellerslie. Hawtin began training in the 2006-07 season with his father, who had topped the New Zealand Trainers Premiership twice when in partnership with Graeme Rogerson. Hawtin branched out on his own account when his father handed in his trainers’ license in 2015 and has now netted 161 wins in New Zealand. “The highlight so far was getting that win in Sydney with Simply Optimistic,” he said. “I took a gamble and it paid off. “Now I’ve got the opportunity to carry on from there in Aussie.”

Liam Birchley to step aside from training Liam Birchley. Photo: Steve Hart. Article Author Clinton Payne9:00AM28 August 2019 Controversial Queensland trainer Liam Birchley will move away from training from next Monday. The Queensland-based conditioner is currently plying his trade under a stay of proceedings, pending the outcome of an ongoing appeal against raceday treatment charges in Victoria. Birchley was given a one year ban for his alleged involvement in the Aquanita scandal before appealing the ban at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal with evidence taken in December last year and closing arguments from defence counsel and Racing Victoria in March. But on Tuesday, Birchley issued a press release to his owners stating “some upcoming changes at LB Racing, commencing on Monday the 30th of September 2019”. “After 30 plus years of training, I will take on a new role which is focused on developing our Archer Park spelling and training complex,” the release said. “This will also give me more time to devote to bloodstock selection, whether it be weanlings, yearlings or tried horses.” “Archer Park Racing Pty Ltd will be responsible for managing all horses that are currently being trained by myself at LB Racing, and the horses will be trained by either Toby and Trent Edmonds or Chris Munce.” Racenet believes the backers of Archer Park Racing Pty Ltd made the decision to stand Birchley aside as their trainer due to his ban on running horses in NSW and the affect the Aquanita affair has had on the business. “By placing the horses with Toby, Trent and Chris we will also be able to race our horses in NSW and take advantage of the increased prizemoney that is on offer there as well as access the BOBS monies we have not been able to compete for over the last 20 months,” Birchley said in the release. “I will analyse each horse individually to determine which trainer would be best suited to your horse's needs. “I will also continue to have ongoing contact with the horses and trainers regarding the care, pre-training and recuperation between races. “I would like to take the opportunity to personally say "Thank You" to all of the owners that have stuck solid over the last 20 months. “It has been a testing time for us all and your support has been unbelievable.”

I'm of the opinion that that hasn't happened here.

Damn I saw the headline and thought they were talking about our Government! A newly discovered bloodsucking, olive-green leech with three jaws and as many as 59 teeth has been found about 60 kilometres outside of downtown Washington in the US. A team led by a researcher at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History discovered the new species, Macrobdella mimicus, in the swamps of southern Maryland. It's the first time since 1975 a new leech species has been found in North America. Anna Phillips, the museum's curator of parasitic worms, led the team that made the discovery. She waded in murky waters for days wearing shorts - with bare legs and sandals - looking for leeches under wood, grass and trash in swampy, algae-covered ponds near Nanjemoy, a small community southwest of Waldorf. The researchers' findings of the new species, which is about the size of a cigarette, were published this month in the Journal of Parasitology. Leeches are parasitic worms, and some feed on the blood of their hosts. In the 1700s and 1800s, doctors sometimes used them to treat fevers and headaches by "ridding a patient's body of 'bad blood'," according to Smithsonian experts. There are more than 700 species of leeches in the world. About four years ago, Phillips and her team started to dig into a well-known leech species known to live from the East Coast to the Rocky Mountains, including Canada and the southern United States. The researchers, from universities across North America, wanted to determine whether the same species lived in such a large geographical area. "You see a broad distribution with a different geography, and we were suspicious," Phillips said. "Leeches don't crawl across dry land, so we wanted to see if there was more going on." SMITHSONIAN HANDOUT Macrobdella mimicus is the first new species of medicinal leech discovered in over 40 years. They collected hundreds of samples of leeches, including six found in swampy ponds in southern Maryland. Using DNA sequencing and comparisons to more than 100 leech specimens, they discovered the new species. The leech looked like the well-known M. decora species, but something was different. To distinguish among species, parasitologists usually look at the way pores are arranged on the bottom of a leech. Leeches are hermaphrodites and have what's known as accessory pores that secrete mucus, which helps them stick together while mating. Scientists noticed these leeches had four accessory pores grouped in two rows, like other leeches, but they also had another set of pores farther back on their bodies. They named the new species Macrobdella mimicus after the Greek word for "imitator" or "actor". "They were overlooked," Phillips said. "It was unrecognised that these were different." The species lives primarily in the Piedmont region of the United States between the Appalachian Mountains and the Atlantic coast. SMITHSONIAN HANDOUT PHOTO BY PAUL FETTERS Anna Phillips, the Smithsonian's curator of parasitic worms, led a team that discovered a new leech in Maryland. Phillips said she spent hours with ticks, flies, mosquitoes and chiggers around her, walking in squishy, mucky water while trying to find leeches in ponds. She was unfazed when a leech would grab on to her leg. Leeches bite only when they're hungry, she said. Indeed, when a leech attaches itself to her, Phillips "gets pretty excited", she said. "They come in very stealthy," she said. "They use their tail sucker, which is a muscle, to attach and then spread their mouth out and bite." The encounter doesn't hurt - "nothing like a bee sting", she said - and she uses a fingernail to lift them off. After a leech finishes, "it will just itch a little". "Ticks and mosquitoes are way more scary than leeches," she said, adding that in her 15 years of studying leeches, she has been bitten many times. The leech uses its teeth to bite and siphon blood from its prey - usually frogs, fish and tadpoles, along with the occasional human, Phillips said. It can suck two to five times its body weight in blood because of pockets that expand in its digestive system. Leeches can go up to a year without eating, and blood meals can take months to digest. To declare a new species, the team followed standards set by the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature, which keeps rules and makes recommendations for the scientific naming of animals. Phillips said she and her team are presenting their findings at conferences and spreading the word on social media. Michael Tessler, a postdoctoral fellow at the American Museum of Natural History in New York, said the new species is unique. He compared it to the feeling of having an "amazing find of anything new in your backyard". "This is really quite close to major metropolitan areas where people have professionally studied leeches," Tessler said. "People have had this under their noses for so long and not known it."

Rule Number(s): 638(1)(d)Mr Davidson alleged that Mr Beeharry (REGENT STREET) in race 4, the KB CONTRACTING 1200m, allowed his mount to shift outwards when insufficiently clear of CAMPO (J Lowry) which was hampered and forced outwards onto MELBOURNE BORN, which was crowded and checked near the 200 metres. Mr Oatham, Chief Stipendiary ...View the full article

By Garrick Knight Two of the biggest names in the training ranks are teaming up. Michael House and Steven Reid have agreed to terms that will see the latter train the former’s northern team. Ten horses moved from Kumeu to Pukekohe on Saturday and there is a promise of many more to come. House, who finished third on the trainer’s premiership last season with 98 winners, says his plan is to have upwards of 30 horses trained in Auckland by the new year. “I’m committing myself to this move and I felt the best way to do that, to give myself the best chance, was putting the right staff in place to make it work,” he told HRNZ. House initially set up in Kumeu earlier this year and had Neil Munro taking care of the team before he returned to Christchurch recently to train his own horses. “When Neil came home, I sat down and thought about it how I could do it best. “I wanted to get one of the best guys and after a phone call to gauge Steven’s interest, I was on a plane the next day to have lunch with him. “It’s played out over a month and we signed off on it over the weekend.” House has rented out a recently-vacated stable at Franklin Park and says he expects it to become a key part of a huge strategy he will roll out this season. “It was either pull stumps and come home when Neil did or think about a bigger picture.” Kimberley Blakemore will take on the role as stable manager, leaving Reid to simply train the horses around his own team and that was part of the appeal for him. “I don’t work a big team, which I’m actually quite happy about because I have Star Galleria and some nice young stock coming through.” said Reid. “But early on in my career I used to buy a lot of horses from the South Island and loved doing different things with them to see if I could get the best out of them. “So, to be able to do that again is a little bit exciting. “Kim can run the barn; I will just jump in the cart and train them and that suits me fine.” Among the team Reid received over the weekend were Delightful Major, Warloch, Shillelagh, Mogul and a newcomer to the north, Changearound. “I said to Michael that I would like to take a few weeks to step them back from racing and spend a little bit of time on them to get to know them all.” The plan will be for House to continue his highly-successful Manawatu raids and then many horses will continue on to Reid and Blakemore in Auckland. He won’t outright admit it, but 100 winners and a trainer’s premiership are seemingly goals for him this season. “To win a premiership with low level horses, you probably need 100 of them and they all win a race. “I guess it’s very possible with the strategy we are developing but I’m not hanging my hat on it. “The kids have been on at me about it though, and that’s a motivator. “When I was a kid, there were paddocks full of horses waiting to come in to training at every stable. “That’s not the case anymore and that will be the biggest hurdle to overcome – a lack of available horses. “But I’m only limited by own imagination and I think we’ve shown in the past few seasons that anything is possible if you have the right staff in place.”

Why would you give a racing dog poppy seeded stale bread within 24 hours of racing?