Chief Stipe

Thomaas you remind me of the "free loaders" that sit down at the Kohi Cafe with their designer dogs reading the free newspaper, spending 2 hours there and only buy a bowl latte. The dog drinking out of the stainless steel bowl provided by the cafe. You have no idea what it costs the owner of the Cafe to provide you with this "service." All of it costs - even the view isn't technically free as the poor owner has to pay rent for the space on the footpath for the tables and chairs. You probably hook into their "free" WiFi with your clown proof tablet so you can write the crap you post. Dare I say the same applies to your "free-loading" on BOAY. Many complain about the advertisements yet only a few have dodged the gorse in their pockets and helped to pay for the "service" that you frequently abuse. Being the self-proclaimed expert punter I'm sure you could afford to buy a subscription. Anyway back to the GoingStick and the "simple process and click of a button stuff"... Again it COSTS and it isn't simple to provide what you want - the data is collected in .csv format, the GoingStick itself doesn't have WiFi so someone has to load it to a networked PC - that requires software. Then the .csv file (raw data) has to be loaded to a website for downloading by those who want it. Websites and the networks that connect to them - guess what - COST! That .csv file would be useful to some but not you. You would require the next stage using the software developed by the producers of GoingStick - GoingMaps - that COSTS! To automate all that specifically for the websites that provide betting information e.g. LoveRacing (I hate that branding!) and the TAB would require software development - more COSTS! Yes - some trainers, punters, and other interested stakeholders get that information sent to them "automatically" in the UK. But guess what they PAY for that service. The information is automatically stored in the GoingStick memory and an average of all readings can be provided instantly. The data can be downloaded on to a PC using the TurfTrax GoingStick software (left) and is saved as a .csv file. The GoingStick data can be printed off for viewing in raw data format or can be used in conjunction with the TurfTrax Mapping system.

She could have been injured in her first jumpout......your point is? Winning the MM Guineas doesn't do anything for HIS value. He is a gelding - in case you didn't know you can't breed from them yet. Well not until cloning is allowed. Yes he is a class animal - has a galloping style like Winx - and any horse breaking 1:21 at the Gold Coast has some upside. Remember he already has Black Type on his page. You criticise the breeders for their influence on SW & P racing (presumably the 2kg female allowance as well - if you are consistent) however you ignore that influence when it comes to sweepstake races like the Karaka Million and the MM's.

Push the button and the data goes where? No it doesn't - development will be required. Also transformation of the data for presentation. Storage of the data. You will want historical data to give the data meaning.

Nothing to do with no GoingStick readings I suggest. More to do with a low quality and over priced product. If this data is so important to you how much are you willing to pay for it? Given it costs to purchase and maintain the equipment, process and store the data and publish it.

Rule Number(s): 632(1)Following the running of Race 10, Recreation Hotel Rating 65, an information was filed by Stipendiary Steward, Mr M R Davidson, requesting a ruling “as to whether SPIDER LILY (D A T Hirini) was denied a fair start”. Miss Hirini was present at the hearing. Rule 632 provides as follows: (1) If, in the ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Rule Number(s): 869(2)and Whip Regulations (b)Following the running of Race 3 the Patrons Mobile Pace 2700m, an Information was filed by Senior Stipendiary Steward, Mr J Muirhead. He alleged that Junior Driver, Mr A Drake, breached Rule 869(2) in that he used his whip on more occasions then permitted under clause (b) of the Use of Whip Regulations, ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Rule Number(s): Rule 870(3) and Breaking Horses RegulationsFollowing the running of race 5, the NZB Standardbred Handicap Trot 2700m, two Information’s instigating protests were filed pursuant to Rule 870(3) by Senior Stipendiary Steward, Mr Muirhead. Information 1 (A2230) alleged that the 5th placed THE REV broke in excess of 50 metres inside the final 200 ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Rule Number(s): 869(3)(b)This charge arises from the running of Race 2, the NZB Standardbred Handicap Trot 2700m. An information was filed by Senior Stipendiary Steward, Mr Muirhead alleging Open Horseman, Mr B Butcher, breached Rule 869(3)(b) “in that he drove carelessly near the 150 m when shifting ground outwards which resulted ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Rule Number(s): 869(4)and Home Straight RegulationsFollowing the running of Race 7 (Fasttrack $2,500 Added Stake Handicap Trot 2400m), Information A13117 was filed with the Judicial Committee. It alleged a breach of Rule 869(4) and the Home Straight Regulations in that "G Smith (GREAT THINGS HAPPEN) failed to maintain a straight course in the run home". ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

You're the imbecile! I'm not questioning the time but the SAMPLE SIZE! To accurately give YOU the information that you want would require a lot more than 30 samples! By the time they'd finished on a sunny day in summer the stats would be worth less than they were....although less than zero....????

What's more they cost $8,000 each and $1,000 a year to service. Plus apparently they aren't perfect... . . . but it's not perfect Nobody pretends the GoingStick is perfect. “People will have the odd criticism,” says Cooper. “I certainly wouldn't ever want to be putting out a GoingStick reading on its own; I think we need the verbal assessment as well.” He adds: “We certainly haven't got to a situation across all the racecourses across the country where if a course gives out a reading of 7.5, a trainer or an owner can say, 'Ah, that means good ground'; in fact it could actually mean a very different going description between one course and another. Or even at the same track within 24 hours. Look at the example of Chester on June 24-25: on the Friday, the ground was described as 'good to soft, good in places' with a GoingStick reading of 6.8. The next day, the official description had firmed up to 'good, good to soft in places' – yet the GoingStick read 6.5. “It can be quite user-specific – it depends how forcefully an individual pushes it in, so there can be a bit of a variation,” admits Cooper. “Some people are quite light-handed and some are a bit more heavy-handed.”

LOL. The recommended sampling rate is.....wait for it....THIRTY samples...yes - 30!

Looks more like a pogo stick to me. The only advantage I see is that it takes two different measurements - penetration and shear and records the information electronically. I don't have any issue with that if it gives a more accurate reading of the racing surface. However it would need to be calibrated on a course by course basis as every course has a different soil structure. The issue I have is you suggesting that knowing if there is a fast lane or a slow lane improves your chances of winning a bet. You have no control over how the information is used by the Jockey so the improvement in your chances are nil. But you can't seem to get "your noggin around that." Also how would you determine if there was a significant difference between readings of the inside and outside e.g. would a 0.5 difference be significant?

Why include WFA performers in your justification for Black Type Handicaps? You really are talking illogical shit now. Once upon a time in NZ you MAY have given some credence to Black Type handicap form but the system here has been so bastardised and stuffed up that I would say it has no credence in the world of yearling buying. Geez even the punters reckon it is screwed. The difference with WFA is that it is an international standard that enables comparisons of performance across racing jurisdictions. A mare winning at the top of the handicap in New Zealand has been getting a "special" 2kg allowance all through her handicap racing career. So much for a fair comparison amongst her male peers.

List the number and the name of Handicap Black Type races that influence yearling buyer decisions? The iconic Melbourne Cup would still be the iconic Melbourne Cup even if it wasn't a Grp1. Owners and trainers don't race their horses in it to get Black Type.

Thomaas none of what you have written can be predicted, controlled or measured by the punter by any additional information from multiple measurements provided by a super duper hi-tech penetrometer . For a start it would take years of data to get any sort of relevant correlation that would aid in prediction. Therefore it is a complete waste of time for the punter in determining chance a horses relative chance. At the end of the day it the data would only give you something else to gripe about and more excuses to explain away your losses.

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That isn't how I interpreted his post which is as follows: He is stating quite clearly that SW & P were introduced at the behest of the 'Breeders'.....

Of course Breeders want Black Type on the page. But how does SW & P facilitate that? That isn't "pretty obvious." I can see the logic behind the 2kg female allowance but I'm not sure that there is evidence to show that it actually improves the chances of mares getting Black Type.

How does it help the Breeders? I understand how the female allowance supposedly does but don't think it does.

Rule Number(s): 869(7B)Mr Ydgren alleged that in Race 8 LOVE THE BLUES on the final bend raced inside the marker line for a short distance gaining an advantage. Mr Ydgren sought disqualification of LOVE THE BLUES pursuant to r 869(7B). Judges placings were: 1st - 1 LOVE THE BLUES 2nd - 3 VINTAGE ROSE 3rd - 9 JACKS N JAZZ 4th ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Rule Number(s): 870(3), 1003(2, Breaking Horse RegulationsMiss Haley alleged that in Race 3 horse number 6 DON’T NEED AN EXCUSE galloped in excess of 50 metres in the run home. Miss Haley sought disqualification of DON’T NEED AN EXCUSE pursuant to r 1003(2). Judges placings were: 1st - 12 RAKABEACH 2nd - 5 MIGHTY GEORGE 3rd - 6 DON’T NEED AN EXCUSE 4th – 2 ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Rule Number(s): 870(5)Following the running of Race 10 (Woodlands Stud “DOWNBYTHESIDE” Mobile Pace 2400m), an Information instigating a Protest was lodged alleging that horse number 2 breached the provisions of Rule 870(5) in that “HANDS UP JACK broke late in the run home and was lapped on by MORDECAI”. The Judge’s placings ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

The Manual needs a total overhaul before any changes in personnel.

Yeah well I'm a born and bred West Coaster too and I still don't agree with Guerin. Most Coaster's don't seek the lime light and just go about their business. The treatment of Coast racing by NZRB/NZTR says a lot about what is wrong with NZ racing. Most Coaster's are hard working eking out a living through hard work. Not for them suits, makeup, pontificating and seeking attention on TV and social media. Full credit to the Westland Racing Club in Hokitika (the racecourse that was my first introduction to racing) for giving the finger to RITA/NZTR and giving their assets back to the community that founded it. That isn't "petty small town parochialism" that's loyalty and integrity. Something the big gang of 5 should take note of.