Chief Stipe

Who was it posting on BOAY that said "there was more evidence that the JCA didn't see and it is really damning"?

Speeding Spur has done New Zealand proud and given his future stud career a massive boost with a track record breaking win in North America. The reigning New Zealand Trotter Of The Year won his first race on American soil in style, when clocking 1:52.4 to win the $US148,000 Crawford Farms Open Trot at Tioga Downs on Monday morning (New Zealand time). That mile (1609m) time saw the 8yr-old set a new mark for aged male trotters at the New York track. The victory for trainer Linda Toscano and driver Brian Sears was not only impressive, it was a coup for owner Woodlands Stud. A feature race win in North America puts a massive tick on Speeding Spur’s stud resume. Woodlands Stud co-founder, Andrew Grierson, said he was buzzing after the race. “I was absolutely ecstatic this morning, it was fantastic.” “He is just such a lovely horse, he has done a good job for us.” Speeding Spur has fitted seamlessly into Toscano’s stable after arriving in the United States. Grierson said the trainer told him the horse has the potential to clock an even more impressive mile time. “She loves him, she tells me he shows real speed and she reckons if she got the right trip with him he could go 1:49.” Though Speeding Spur has massively enhanced his stud resume already, it is not a case of mission accomplished on his North American expedition. The trotter will continue to compete in big races, with the hope of adding to his CV. It is hoped his campaign will culminate with a big showing in the Yonkers International Trot in October. Grierson is hoping for a little more luck with barrier draws than the horse has had in his three American starts, so far. “He has had the visitor’s draw every start.” “The first two starts he went great – he went 1:51.1 – he just never had any luck.” “We have staked him for everything and it would be nice to have a chance in the International Trot if got a decent draw.” Speeding Spur showed the grit and determination he was renown for in New Zealand when winning at Tioga Downs. The Pegasus Spur entire had to fight hard to earn his victory during his epic homestraight duel with runner-up, Mission Accepted. Earlier in the race, the pair traded places in the lead with Mission Accepted’s driver Yannick Gingras retaking the front from Sears after he moved Speeding Spur to the top with a lap to go. Sears angled Speeding Spur off Mission Accepted’s back in the straight and the New Zealand bred nosed out the $1.45 on the line. Speeding Spur’s victory impressed his champion driver. “He’s a classy horse. He’s made close to a million dollars overseas, so he knows what it’s all about,” Sears told North American trotting media. “He’s only raced a couple times, so far, since he’s been over here.” “I just tried to put him in the race a little bit with the short field, and it worked out.” Speeding Spur’s win in the Crawford Farms Open Trot was his 28th career victory and it took his total stake earnings past NZ$1,200,000.

Seems to me that the Court process came to a similar conclusion as the JCA did months ago.

Canterbury harness racing trainer-driver Nigel Raymond McGrath has been cleared of a race-fixing charge arising from an 18-month industry investigation. It was the only charge McGrath, 45, faced as part of the police's Operation Inca inquiry into racing industry figures last year. Christchurch District Court Judge Raoul Neave dismissed the charge and McGrath was able to walk away. He had no name suppression, but one aspect of the case remains suppressed. Christchurch District Court Judge Raoul Neave dismissed the charge against McGrath on Monday. Prosecutor Karyn South told the court the Crown believed there was enough evidence but the "public interest test was not met". READ MORE: * Names remain secret on race fixing charges * Police lay 12 new charges in harness racing investigation * Thirteen more charges laid in relation to race-fixing scandal * Police make 11th arrest as harness racing investigation continues Defence counsel Pip Hall QC Hall said the defence position was always that there was not enough evidence for the charge to proceed. McGrath runs successful harness racing stables at Rolleston, near Christchurch. McGrath had been charged with using deception to manipulate the result of race 11 at the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting race meeting at Addington on March 31, 2018, by assisting Sheriff to win the race with the intention of influencing the betting outcome and causing a loss in excess of $1000 to other people, including other participants in the race and those betting on the race. The Crown dropped one drugs charge against another man, a 27-year-old shed hand from rural North Canterbury. The man pleaded guilty to one charge of possession of MDMA, known as ecstasy, for supply, and two charges of supplying the same class B drug, all in 2018. Defence counsel Allister Davis said he would seek a discharge without conviction for the man at his sentencing on December 11. Because of that, Judge Neave entered no convictions. Davis said a conviction would prohibit the man from ever going on a racecourse in his life. He would apply for the discharge "because of that consequence". The Crown's summary of facts has not yet been finalised for sending to the judge and the media, but Judge Neave said that should take place next week. The man has interim name suppression, which was continued on Monday. Ten other people face charges arising from Operation Inca. Nine did not have to appear at court on Monday and were remanded for a pre-trial call-over on December 19. One has been remanded to a date in October.

Rule Number(s): 638(3)(b)(ii)RACEDAY JUDICIAL COMMITTEE DECISION Informant: Mr M Williamson - Stipendiary Steward Respondent: Mrs L Satherley- Class A Rider Information Number: A11323 ...View the full article

Rule Number(s): 614(2)Following the running of race 8, Ruakaka Christmas At The Races – Dec 17, an information was filed pursuant to rule 614(2). The Informant, Mr B Jones, alleged that Mr S Marsh presented POKURU WILD and VIS TA VIE to race with the incorrect saddles. Due to Mr Marsh being unavailable, Mr R Mildon was present ...View the full article

Rule Number(s): 638(1)(d)This charge arises from the running of race 2, Fell Engineering. Stipendiary Steward Mr B Jones filed an information pursuant to Rule 638(1) (d) alleging Senior Rider J Riddell (DROPS OF JUPITER) angled his mount out when insufficiently clear of SWEET SEREIA which was crowded and steadied near the 350 ...View the full article

I hope they sue for costs.

So the Crown Prosecutor has more credence than the Judge or authority?

Well then we could focus on good stuff like who's going to win the next?

Rule Number(s): Rule 870(3) and Breaking Horses Regulation.Following the running of Race 10, the Mezze A Night of Sharing at AP 13/9 Trot (Stand) 2700m, an information instigating a protest was filed by Senior Stipendiary Steward Mr Muirhead, alleging that the 4th placed horse SUNNY PETITE broke in excess of 50 metres in the final 200 metres. Mr Stormont the ...View the full article

Rule Number(s): Rule 869(3)(b)Following the running of Race 4, the Ngaire’s Got it Under Control Handicap Trot 2700m, an information was filed by Senior Stipendiary Steward Mr Muirhead alleging Open Horseman Mr T Mitchell, breached Rule 869 (3)(b) when he contacted the wheel of the sulky of SOL INVICTUS causing his own drive MATUA ...View the full article

I disagree. I don't think anyone has criticised the positive evaluation of a "good apprentice". It's working out value and which apprentices are "good". However what the stats guys have pointed out is that relative to their weight advantage apprentices bat below average.

UK race name used to get square with ex-husband Article Author Brad Waters 10:43AM12 August 2019 3 Comments A divorced couple in the UK have sponsored races to get back at each other in a tit-for-tat battle despite parting company more than 20 years ago. The Racing Post reported David Chillery and his wife Madeline split in 1997 but Mr Chillery has sponsored a race to commemorate his single status at his local track Newton Abbot for the last eight years. The last edition of his race was in June with the running of the David Chillery Continues Celebrating His Divorce Novices Handicap Chase. But Madeline has decided to get square with her ex-husband. Monday’s Wolverhampton card features the Celebrating 22 Years Without David Chillery Fillies’ Novice Stakes. The two-year-old fillies’ race has attracted 10 runners with the James Tate-trained Melodic Charm has been well-backed from 3/1 into a 13/8 favourite. However, we’re with the Racing Post team – Endless Joy looks a good omen bet in the race.

Yes but there is no process for counting how much I laundered to get that $1k.

That's what I've read from that particular quarter when they were regular posters here. At the end of the day you still need to evaluate "value" and "individual chance relative to the field" to determine who to back. Otherwise you end up backing EVERY apprentice in EVERY race and given the averages you lose shit loads!

Maybe Sam could appeal on the basis that "the punishment will affect his earning potential in disproportion to the seriousness of the crime"? Hasn't that been used recently?

So when will they ask for ID when buying a Lotto ticket? If it is the DIA enforcing these changes then the TAB have bought it on themselves by crowing constantly about Turnover instead of Revenue. With regard to the Act - yes the trigger point is $10k for reporting but that can be accumulative e.g. 10 x $1k. So in that respect maybe the TAB are obliged to report however the reporting should be on SPENDING not COLLECTING!

So how did you select which apprentice and which race at Riccarton to back? Given that 7 out of 10 were won by non-apprentices?

Agree. Even that would be better than Rogie telling us yet again that "this is the best horse he has ever had."

Geez how would he feel if stakes were increased to keep up with costs and the promises? Orgasmic?

Really are they that serious? The RIU went for a soft kill and once again showed their inconsistency.

MEDIA RELEASE CLUB FUNDING FOR 2019-20 HARNESS RACING SEASON Harness Racing New Zealand (HRNZ) today announced that funding to clubs for the 2019-20 racing season remains unchanged (on a race-by-race basis) from 2018-19. This has been achieved due to the Racing Industry Transition Agency (RITA) maintaining funding to the codes at a consistent level. Ken Spicer, Board Chair, said “We are delighted to be able to hold funding at existing levels and congratulate the new board of RITA for ensuring that distributions to the codes has allowed this to continue”. All clubs are now bulk-funded by HRNZ and set their own stakes levels. It is the expectation of the HRNZ board that all clubs set stakes at a level that matches or betters the 2018-19 season. This season all clubs will pay stakes monies to the first five place getters (in line with the rating system) as well as making a payment to all starters. The minimum stake remains at $6,000 with most clubs choosing to pay well above this level. HRNZ has confirmed it will not continue with the first totalisator win supplement for the 2019-20 season. This initiative, introduced in March 2017, has largely been funded from reserves, in anticipation of new funding coming into the industry. There is an expectation that all codes will see several new sources of funding coming on stream later in the season (reduction in the Betting Levy, Race Fields, Point of Consumption) enabling a later review of this decision, however there is no certainty as to exactly when these funds will become available. “We know how popular the first winners supplement has been, however as a Board we must ensure we are acting in a fiscally responsible manner. HRNZ is keen to restore the first winners supplement as funding allows,” said Spicer.

MEDIA RELEASE CLUB FUNDING FOR 2019-20 HARNESS RACING SEASON Harness Racing New Zealand (HRNZ) today announced that funding to clubs for the 2019-20 racing season remains unchanged (on a race-by-race basis) from 2018-19. This has been achieved due to the Racing Industry Transition Agency (RITA) maintaining funding to the codes at a consistent level. Ken Spicer, Board Chair, said “We are delighted to be able to hold funding at existing levels and congratulate the new board of RITA for ensuring that distributions to the codes has allowed this to continue”. All clubs are now bulk-funded by HRNZ and set their own stakes levels. It is the expectation of the HRNZ board that all clubs set stakes at a level that matches or betters the 2018-19 season. This season all clubs will pay stakes monies to the first five place getters (in line with the rating system) as well as making a payment to all starters. The minimum stake remains at $6,000 with most clubs choosing to pay well above this level. HRNZ has confirmed it will not continue with the first totalisator win supplement for the 2019-20 season. This initiative, introduced in March 2017, has largely been funded from reserves, in anticipation of new funding coming into the industry. There is an expectation that all codes will see several new sources of funding coming on stream later in the season (reduction in the Betting Levy, Race Fields, Point of Consumption) enabling a later review of this decision, however there is no certainty as to exactly when these funds will become available. “We know how popular the first winners supplement has been, however as a Board we must ensure we are acting in a fiscally responsible manner. HRNZ is keen to restore the first winners supplement as funding allows,” said Spicer.

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