Chief Stipe

Did you really expect a response any different to the one you got? I understand Weasel didn't get a lot of love either.

No not sunk. Still chugging along. To be fair not making any ground but haven't lost any either. I had to make some hosting changes this week which involved shifting to a different server. Was paying huge costs for a lot of storage I didn't need. I entrusted the last part of the transition with the host company thinking it would be easier. However I was wrong. Add to that the archaic internet infrastructure we have in this country there was a lag time between when things came live in the new server. If you lived in Europe like Bulgaria or Albania you wouldn't have seen any outage. Some BOAY members thought that I had suspended their accounts but in fact it was the old server account that had been suspended. On reflection the NZ TAB would be be better hosted offshore than with Spark. I suspect that the Trackside streaming is using similar services to Spark Sport. The reality is all they are doing is retailing off the back of overseas vendors. They were a bit mischievous in blaming overseas.

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Fairytale story halted as injury shatters New Zealand Cup dream Logan Savory14:40, Sep 26 2019 KAVINDA HERATH Owner Tom Kilkelly and trainer Kirstin Barclay with their horse U May Cullect which has been ruled out of a shot at the New Zealand Cup because of a tendon injury. [File photo]. Kirstin Barclay is doing her best to remain positive. Her dream of training and driving a horse in the 2019 New Zealand Trotting Cup has been shattered. The connections of U May Cullect were handed news on Thursday morning that Southland's star race horse will be sidelined for between four and six months. U May Cullect was initially scratched from Sunday's Hannon Memorial race because of a minor stone bruise. However earlier this week Barclay and fellow trainer Paul "Tank" Ellis felt the horse still wasn't right. A vet check on Thursday morning discovered a small tear in the lower tendon, ruling out any hope of him lining up in November's New Zealand Cup. The horse had quickly become the talk of Southland racing this year on the back of the left-field rise to New Zealand Cup hopeful. Tom Kilkelly bought the horse for just $5200 at a weanling sale in Auckland, although he never made it to the race track until he was five. Two tendon injuries held him back and Kilkelly acknowledges giving up on him as a racehorse was a possibility at one stage. However, U May Cullect, or Carlos as he's known around the stable, went from an unqualified five-year-old horse to winning seven in a row. Carlos become the fairytale story of New Zealand harness racing. "What he's done has been amazing, not just for us, but he's been really good for the industry. A lot of people outside [of harness racing] started to follow him," Barclay says. She admits the injury is gutting for everyone involved, including Barclay herself who was eyeing a shot at a drive in the New Zealand Cup. "We were so close to having a crack. It's the dream to race in the biggest race, but it's not over. "He could have another shot next year and we've got other promising horses coming through." It is a new injury rather the reoccurrence of older tendon problems, which Barclay says is positive. She doesn't see any reason why U May Cullect can't return for another campaign next season. "He's showed he can come back from an injury. I'm staying positive." To add to an already tough week for Barclay, her dog, which ironically is named Carlos after the horse, was kicked by another horse and required surgery on Thursday afternoon.

Rule Number(s): 638(1)(d)Following the running of Race 8 (Windsor Park Plate) Information No. A11652 was filed with the Judicial Committee. It was alleged by the Informant that Mr Lammas allowed his mount HELLO IT’S ME to shift inwards shortly after the start when not clear, crowding SULTAN OF SWING and DARK PRINCESS. Mr Lammas ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Rule Number(s): 642(1)Following the running of Race 6 (Hawkes Bay Breeders Gold Trail Stakes) Information No. A11651 was filed with the Judicial Committee. Mr S Ritchie the Trainer of the fourth placed horse JENNIFER ECCLES, protested against the third placed horse LOIRE, on the grounds of interference in the home straight. ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Rule Number(s): 869(3)(b)Mr Renault alleged that Mr McIlwrick (ZONED SCARLETT) drove carelessly near the 4 00 metres in race 9, the WAITAKI REFRIGERATION LTD HANDICAP TROT, by striking the wheel of CLYDE (Mr Thornley). Mr McIlwrick admitted the breach and was present at the hearing. Mrs Tibbs, Stipendiary Steward, demonstrated ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Auckland Cup? They wouldn't have enough room.

Thinking about it a bit more. One of most memorable days out was to the Wellington Cup Day about 18 years ago. A group of friends and I were guests of the Dockside Bar. Met there for champagne breakfast and then onto Trentham. Most of the day was a blur but I do recall heaps of additional entertainment including any number of bands. The course and stands were packed as was the infield. What would Trentham do to have Cup Day's like that again? I remember going out in subsequent years and over time the drop in attendance was noticeable but I still longed for another edition of that first Cup Day. Eventually I stopped going rather than be disappointed and only went when there were great horses or one of my own racing.

The crowds at the Melbourne Cup have been declining. I understand from a high of 100k down to 80k. Pre-sales were stagnant until they announced the Swift gig and they then shot up rapidly.

Rule Number(s): 638(1)(d)Following the running of Race 10, the Racecourse Hotel & Motor Lodge Rating 72, an Information was filed by Stipendiary Steward, Mr J McLaughlin, against Class A rider, Mr M McNab, in that he allowed his mount, MISS SCANDINAVIA to shift out forcing GRAND RIO outwards onto SAVAPAK which was crowded and ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Rule Number(s): 638(1)(d)Following the running of Race 7, the Fleur Open Sprint, an Information was filed by Stipendiary Steward, Mr J McLaughlin, against Class A rider, Mr A Calder, in that he allowed his mount to shift in when not sufficiently clear of TURNCOAT who was taken in onto KILLARNEY who was crowded and checked passing ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Rule Number(s): 638(1)(d)Following the running of Race 9, the Pryde’s Easifeed Rating 65, an Information was filed by Stipendiary Steward, Mr J McLaughlin, against Class A rider, Mr M McNab, in that he allowed his mount, SUMMER MONSOON, to shift in crowding and checking DREAMTESTA, SENTITO, SUPATWISTA and EXPRESS RIP passing ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

His comment about the Best Bets is true though. Fairfax sold it and the Turf Digest to the NZRB and laughed all the way to the bank. I know because I knew someone who was involved with the sale.

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Rule Number(s): Rule 330(3)(c)Following the running of Race 5 (Derryn @ Grangewilliam Stud 1200) Information A11624 was filed with the Judicial Committee. It alleged a breach of rule 330(3)(c) and stated that Mr D Turner “...failed to make the carded weight for EMPRESS TZU HSI being 1 kilo over”. Rule 330(3)(c) states: “A rider shall ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Rule Number(s): Rule 638(1)(d)Following the running of Race 4 (WANGANUI GREYHOUND RACING CLUB MDN 1200m), Information A11625 was filed with the Judicial Committee. It alleged a breach of Rule 638(1)(d) by Licensed Rider Mrs L Allpress. The Information alleged that: ”...L Allpress (NUBIAN SMILE) allowed her mount to shift inwards ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Do they wear blinkers?

Rule Number(s): 632 (1)Following the running of Race 4, TRANSPORT MECHANICAL WAHAROA LTD 1400, Stipendiary Steward, Mr B Jones, lodged an Information requesting a ruling in relation to Rule 632 to determine whether MARIOTA was denied a fair start. Rule 632 provides “If, in the opinion of the Judicial Committee, a horse which ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Rule Number(s): 638(1)(d)Following the running of race 2, RBC Racing 1600, an Information was filed pursuant to Rule 638 (1)(d). The Informant, Mr Jones, alleged that Mr Goindasamy permitted his mount TAREE to shift out passing the 200 metres when insufficiently clear of GRAND ARIANA which was checked. Rule 638(1) (d) provides: ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Rule Number(s): 638(1)(d)Following the running of race 5, WAHAROA TRANSPORT CO (1995) LTD 1200, an Information was filed pursuant to Rule 638 (1)(d). The Informant, Mr Jones, alleged that Mr Bosson permitted his mount SUPER SID to shift out near the 325 metres when insufficiently clear of HAPPINESS FOREVER and LUSTFUL LADY who ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Saville needs to be investigated

Yeah well it was this type of reaction that some decided it was best to do their own thing. That's the thing about the internet - a relatively low cost of entry. Shame our industry leaders dont recognise that and realise they don't have a monopoly.

You've been "orf" for ages although I think Freda misses you Barny.