Chief Stipe

Rule Number(s): Rules 869(4) and 869(6)(b)(c)Following the running of Race 1 (Jim Hurring Memorial Handicap Trot 2500m), Information A10266 was filed with the Judicial Committee. It alleged a breach of Rules 869(4) and 869(6)(b)(c), stating that Mr Martin had “...shifted his gelding out approaching the 1400 metres and forced CAITLIN’S SURPRISE ...View the full article

Paul Court was in for a sleepless night Thursday. In Auckland for Friday night’s premier meeting at Alexandra Park, the Christchurch horseman is in two minds about how to attack the Group 1 $100,000 Messenger Championship with his stable star, Hail Christian. On the one hand, he wants to take advantage of a draw that sees his charge start inside the hotly-favoured stablemates, Turn It Up and Spankem. He says he has become disenchanted and “extremely frustrated” with the driving tactics of the country’s leading stable and wants to make a statement of sorts this week. But on the other hand, Mach Shard is drawn inside Hail Christian at gate one and the Barry Purdon-trained pacer showed enough gate speed from the same alley in last week’s Taylor Mile to hold the lead in to the first bend, before handing up to the eventual winner, Spankem. So, Court is in two minds about what to tell driver Blair Orange. “Everyone is thinking Spankem will lead and win, including the stable. “The biggest problem I’ve got is that we ran last last week and if we hunt out for the lead, we may not get it. “So as much I want to run the gate and gun for the top, the respect may not be there and we may be forced to take a nice sit in the running line.” Hail Christian did run last in the Taylor Mile, but he also ran the fastest last half in the race – 54.4 seconds. The problem is, Spankem ran 54.5 from the front so he never had any chance to get in to the race. With stablemate Turn It Up sitting parked, there was no mid-race pressure whatsoever and that took the back-markers out of play. You can’t blame Natalie Rasmussen for taking the lead on the Miracle Mile winner from a good draw last week or for holding it despite having her stablemate outside her. As well as that, she and partner Mark Purdon told media pre-race that it would be happening, too. But for Court, the ‘blue army’ dominating the key positions in feature races has become all too common in New Zealand’s feature racing as a rule, and he’s well and truly over it. “In my view it’s screwing our racing up. “We’ve been too ‘PC for too long, and I’m not afraid to say it.” Hail Christian won four races on an extended Sydney campaign over the summer, as well as placing in the Group 1 Chariots Of Fire, won by Poster Boy, in 1.49.1. Since returning to his homeland, he’s gone four starts without a win, draws, and ‘shuffle ups’ effecting him in three of the four starts. And Court has a theory. “The problem is, when you’re in Sydney, you get a good tempo and it brings you in to the race regardless of the draw, generally. “They’re run at a decent clip – how they should be run – and he becomes a big contender. “He showed that by beating Ashley Locaz and Chase Auckland and many other nice horses. “But here is a different story. “Mark and Natalie have so many runners that they can control the race. “It’s not uncommon for them to be in lead, trail and parked and that means no one is going to challenge them because they know they’ll get posted three-wide.” Court just wants more horses and more aggressive, or at least confident drivers, to take the bull by the horns and make a real race of it. “This is racing, you know, it’s what the industry is all about.” Court is quick to say he’s not trying to take anything away from the horses themselves – they are all elite athletes and there is a reason they are feared. Why wouldn’t Mach Shard want to hold out Hail Christian and wait for Spankem? Especially after doing the same thing last week secured him third place? But trying to justify the racing pattern in New Zealand to his owners, especially the Australian-based ones in Hail Christian, is getting harder and harder. “They’re blowing up wondering what’s going on. “I wouldn’t be surprised if I lose more of horses to Australia because they are sick of it. “It’s just happening time and time again and eventually they’ll say what’s the point?” Court, who trained three-time New Zealand Cup winner Terror To Love, knows his horse is good enough to match it with the best in the country, and he hopes to prove it with a New Zealand Cup campaign in the spring. So, Hail Christian will be shut down for the season after this week and, realistically, a placing would be a good result. “My horse is fit and well and ready to run a good race. “He’s probably starting to show the effects of a long season, but we wouldn’t be here if we didn’t think he was up to it.” One thing in Hail Christian’s favour is the services of the country’s leading driver, Blair Orange, who is making firm strides towards another 200-win season, having 161 on the books as of Thursday afternoon. Turn It Up was a $1.70 favourite as of Thursday night, Spankem in to $2.60 after opening at $3.60 while Hail Christian was friendless at a quote of $35. View the full article

The younger one looks better.

Rule Number(s): 638(3)(b)(ii)Following the running of race 8, the “River City Cabs Maiden 3YO 1600”, Information A9248 was filed by Stipendiary Steward Mr D Balcombe under Rule 638(3)(b)(ii). The Information stated “A Jones used her whip excessively prior to the 100m”. Ms Jones signed the Information admitting the breach and at ...View the full article

Thanks Pitty. I don't think anyone here would not love to have a horse invited to Hong Kong and Ascot. Enjoy! I'm bloody envious as an owner who always went on course wherever my horse raced.

You work in Petone?

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Rule Number(s): 870(3) and The Breaking Horse RegulationsFollowing the running of Race 2 (New Public Bar Open Now Mobile Pace) Information No. A12211 was filed with the Judicial Committee. It was alleged by the Informant that the 4th placed horse DESTINED FOR HEAVEN (B Mangos) broke in excess of 50 metres inside the final 200m. The Connections signed the Information ...View the full article

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Rule Number(s): 330(3)(a)Information No. A11451 was filed by Stipendiary Steward, Mr M R Davidson, against Licensed Apprentice Jockey (Class B), Miss Z W Moki, alleging a breach of Rule 330 (3) (a) that Miss Moki “broke riding engagements in Races 7 & 8 without reasonable cause”. Miss Moki was not present at the race meeting ...View the full article

Rule Number(s): 868(3) - reasonable chance of running 4thFollowing the running of race 3, the WILLIAMSON RACING STABLES HANDICAP TROT, Mr Renault lodged an information alleging that Mr May (SMOKEY MAC) failed to drive his horse out to the finish of the race when having a reasonable chance of finishing fourth. Rule 868(3) provides: “Every horseman shall drive ...View the full article

Rule Number(s): Rule 638 (1) (d)Following the running of Race 3 (Hawke’s Bay Owners Association Mile), an Information was lodged by Mr D Balcombe alleging a breach of Rule 638(1) (d) in that R Myers (TUIGIRL) shifted out near the 300m when not clear of WAR OF WORDS (M Singh) which was hampered. Using the videos, Mr Goodwin explained ...View the full article

Rule Number(s): Rule 638(3) (b) (ii)Following Race 7 (Hawke’s Bay Breeders Association 1200) Mr Balcombe lodged an information with the Judicial Committee alleging a breach of Rule 638 (3) (b) (ii) in that jockey D Bradley used his whip excessively prior to the 100m. Rule 638(3) (b) provides A Rider shall not: (ii) strike a horse with ...View the full article

Rule Number(s): 802(1)(a) NZTR Starters Manual 6.18Following the running of Race 4 (Giles Carpet 2100) Information No. A11096 was filed with the Judicial Committee. It was alleged by the Informant that the Starter Mr Sargent effected the start when the horse WILIJONMcBRIDE had not been loaded and failed to comply with the provisions of the Starters Manual ...View the full article

Rule Number(s): Rules 534(1) and 534(2)(b)Prior to the running of Race 5 (Power Farming Rating 72 1200m), Information A12277 was filed with the Judicial Committee. It sought a ruling in relation to Rule 534(2)(b); specifically that Trainer L Latta be permitted to scratch the horse MISS OAHU from Race 5. Where a Stipendiary Steward is not satisfied ...View the full article

Rule Number(s): Rule 534(1)Following the running of Race 5 (Power Farming Rating 72 1200m), Information A12278 was filed with the Judicial Committee. It alleged a breach of Rule 534(1) and stated that “...L Latta (Trainer) scratched MISS OAHU from Race 5 without authorisation.” Rule 534(1) provides: At any time from the Withdrawal ...View the full article

Rule Number(s): 869(2)-Whip Regulation (b)Following the running of Race 2, the Golding At Harcourts Four Seasons Pace, an Information was filed by Stipendiary Steward, Mr S Wallis against Licensed Open Horseman, Mr B Munro, alleging a breach of Rule 869(2) in that he used his whip on more occasions than permitted by Clause (b) of the Use of ...View the full article

Rule Number(s): 869A (2) & Passing Lane, False Rails and Home Straight RegulationsFollowing the running of Race 2, the More FM Trot, an information instigating a protest was filed by Stipendiary Steward, Mr S Renault against MAJESTIC SUNSET, driven by Mr T Chmiel, placed 2nd by the judge, alleging interference in the home straight to the 5th placed, EYRE I GO, driven by Mr M Jones, ...View the full article

Rule Number(s): 869(4) and Home Straight RegulationsFollowing the running of Race 2, the More FM Trot, an Information was filed by Stipendiary Steward Mr S Renault against Open Horseman Mr T Chmiel, alleging a breach of Rule 869(4) and the Home Straight Regulations in that “he shifted inwards into the passing lane and failed to allow full access to trailing ...View the full article

Rule Number(s): 869 (5)Following the running of Race 8, the Lion Beverages Handicap Trot, information was filed by Stipendiary Steward Mr S Renault against Open Horseman, Mr D Butt, alleging a breach of Rule 869(5) in that he failed to trail behind the sulky seat of the horse in front. Rule 869(5) reads: (5) A horseman shall ...View the full article

Rule Number(s): 869 (3) (b)Following the running of Race 11, the Brosnan Transport Passing Lane Mobile Pace, an information was filed by Stipendiary Steward Mr S Renault against Junior Horsewoman Miss K Tomlinson, alleging a breach of Rule 869(3) (b) in that she shifted inwards racing near the 650m checking BILLIE JEAN who broke. ...View the full article

Rule Number(s): 869(2)-Whip Regulation (b)Following the running of Race 2, the More FM Trot, an Information was filed by Stipendiary Steward, Mr S Renault against Licensed Open Horseman, Mr C Butt, alleging a breach of Rule 869(2) in that he used his whip on more occasions than permitted by Clause (b) of the Use of the Whip Regulations. Rule ...View the full article

Rule Number(s): 330(3)(c)Prior to race 1 an Information was filed pursuant to Rule 330(3)(c). The Informant, Mr Oatham, alleged that Mr Harris failed to make required weight for VIGOR WINNER in race 8 Inglis Sales Cambridge Breeders Stakes (Group 3). Rule 330(3)(c) provides: (3) A Rider shall not: (c) fail to ride a horse at ...View the full article

Rule Number(s): 638(1)(d)Following the running of race 7, Travis Stakes (Group 2), an Information was filed pursuant to Rule 638 (1)(d). The Informant, Mr Oatham, alleged that Mrs Allpress directed her mount (JESSIEGEE) inwards when not sufficiently clear of TANTALISING which was checked when placed in restricted room near the ...View the full article