Chief Stipe

Really!? What has she beaten? The world still needs to catch up with the state of our racing.

Massive bid rejected for Kiwi star Melody Belle NOT FOR SALE: Melody Belle's owners have rejected a big offer for the mare from Australian interests. Photo: Darryl Sherer. Article Author Brad Waters12:56PM16 April 2019 5 Comments More than $3 million wasn’t enough to buy star Kiwi mare Melody Belle. Connections have knocked back a massive $3.25 million offer for the six-time Group I winner to keep their dream alive of winning a major race in Australia. Melody Belle’s syndicator, Fortuna director John Galvin, said the recent offer was the second large carrot dangled in front of the mare’s owners during an outstanding 2019, which has produced three Group I wins to date. Galvin said the first offer of $3 million was rejected because the purchaser wanted Melody Belle scratched from the Group I Bonecrusher Stakes as a condition of the deal. Galvin said the prospective buyer, a “significant Australian breeder” put together a better offer in recent weeks but that was also rejected. “The offer that came in recently was more considered and well thought out,” Galvin told Racenet. “I was able to put that to the syndicate members and 100 percent of the syndicate members voted not to retire her. “The deal was that she was to be bought as a broodmare. “We knocked that back because she was only four and got her career ahead of her and we were having so much fun. “If she won a big race in Australia, she could conceivably win two or three million anyway and still have that residual value at the end of her racing career. A New Zealand spring campaign is locked in for Melody Belle, but Galvin said connections were still deciding when the daughter of Commands would head back to Australia for a crack at rich races next season. Galvin said the Jamie Richards-trained mare could be at The Valley in October for the Cox Plate if she is still thriving after her four-race spring program in New Zealand. “We haven’t made any decisions on her Australian campaign as yet,” Galvin said. “She’ll go for the Hawkes Bay triple crown first and then you’ve got races like the Cox Plate. “If she didn’t go there, because we thought it would be a step too far after a four-race campaign in New Zealand in the spring, then races like the All-Star Mile and Queen Elizabeth Stakes next year are also options.” Related Topics: Fortuna RacingJohn Colvin Article Author

I have. But I had to make the admonishment public. Integrity of competitions is all important to me. The reality is that a moderator could fudge the results. IF I wasn't DILIGENT. When I was a competitor I realised how much time people put in to selecting. Sadly I don't have enough time to compete anymore keeping the venue going. The Crucible still has his rights.

This season’s dominant three-year-old colt, Ultimate Sniper, will miss the season-ending Harness Jewels and November’s New Zealand Cup carnival. Advanced scanning and x-rays on the dual Derby winner revealed a knee complaint that requires time in the spelling paddock. “Effectively, he’s got an immature body and a terrific heart,” said part-owner Phil Kennard. “The vets say it’s a minor knee issue and have prescribed three months in the paddock right away. “After that, we can swim him for six weeks, before doing more tests. “If he has come right by then, we can press on and look to race him again. “There’s nothing really for him at the Cup Carnival, and the Inter Dominions aren’t on the radar, so it’s probably Auckland at Christmas that will be our target.” Ultimate Sniper has swept all before him this season, winning the Sires Stakes Final, Northern Derby and New Zealand Derby at Group 1 level, as well as the rich Sales Series Pace at Alexandra Park on New Year’s Eve to accrue almost half-a-million dollars in prizemoney. But despite his dominant New Zealand Derby win at Addington on April 5, his connections, including trainers Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen, felt like something wasn’t quite right. He had galloped out of contention a fortnight earlier and lost his undefeated streak when going rough in Auckland last month, too. “We were a little bit suspicious after watching the last 75 metres of his Derby win,” said Kennard. “Natalie has mentioned a few times that he’s felt quite fragile, too. “So, the day after the Derby, we talked to Mark and Natalie and Mark made the suggestion that we send him north to Matamata for scintigraphy and x-rays.” “We haven’t got the full report yet, but his knees are definitely bothering him.” Similar issues arose with Ultimate Sniper’s full brother, Ultimate Machete, who was recently retired prematurely after suffering another leg injury. “We learnt a lot from Machete about not going too early with the breed and that’s why this fella didn’t race until he was three. “So, we’ll do the right thing by him now and hopefully we will be able to enjoy racing him for years to come.” Kennard was philosophical about the news, especially since the horse had already had such a rewarding season, as well as the fact he and wife Glenys also won the Miracle Mile and New Zealand Cup as owners, with Spankem and Thefixer respectively. “This is just all part of the thrills and spills of racing; you take the good with the bad.” “This year has been pretty good to us, but just like in a financial year, we all go back to square one on August 1 and start from zero.” Ultimate Sniper was the $1.50 favourite for the $150,000 3YO Emerald at Addington on June 1, but his stablemate, Jesse Duke, will now firm in to clear favouritism. Their stablemate, and last year’s Harness Jewels 2YO Emerald winner, Another Masterpiece, was also withdrawn by Purdon and Rasmussen on Tuesday. View the full article

Hi Sorry for my tardiness in replying to this issue. I've only just clicked on what has happened as I normally work from a position of trust. It is TOTALLY inappropriate for a competition moderator to edit someone else's post in this fashion. More so in someone else's competition. As I pointed out to those given competition moderation rights it is important to maintain the integrity of posts regardless if there are prizes are up grabs. Editing posts in this fashion seriously undermines that integrity. Up until now I've been able to avoid checking what each moderator does. One who steps out of line risks impugning the integrity of all. I won't tolerate that. If I find or am alerted to a similar indiscretion then that person will lose their rights. Sorry to post about the harshest post I have posted on BOAY to date. The Chief Stipe

Chelsea Faithful scored her first winning double as a trainer at Winton on Saturday. Photo: Jonny Turner. Rookie trainer Chelsea Faithful notched a career highlight at Winton on Saturday when her whole team scored victories. The horsewoman only has Tartan Trilogy and Toby O’Gara in work and they both ran to wins on their home track. “At the moment they are the only two I have got in work, so it was pretty amazing,” Faithful said. Tartan Trilogy continued his resurgent season by winning his second race as a nine-year-old for driver Nathan Williamson. The pacer has been in the best form of his career since returning to racing after competing in A&P show events while overcoming injury. Faithful notched the second leg of her winning double when Toby O’Gara ran away from his opposition to win by two and a half lengths for driver Shane Walkinshaw. A change in the horse’s training techniques was a key to the victory, Faithful said. “I have changed my training with him for his last three starts and it seems to have helped.” “I don’t think I was working him hard enough and he has thrived off the change of work.” Toby O’Gara was effectively a cast-off when coming to Faithful’s stable late last year from her employer, Nathan Williamson. “He has always been a horse that has had one problem after another.” “It was four to six months after I started at Nathan’s and he was one of my favourites, so I had to see if I could lease him.” Tartan Trilogy and Toby O’Gara are prepared at Faithful’s stable, which is just metres away from Winton racecourse. “I bought the stables coming up a year ago.” “They are next to Lauren Pearson and Brent Barclay and Tracie McGrannachan.” “The boxes were quite little, so we are slowly getting them a bit bigger and up to my sort of standard.” “My grandad has been a lot of help with them and so has my mum, as well as Stew Thomson.” Faithful’s grandparents, Norm and Bev Cox, race Tartan Trilogy. Though Faithful is a race-winning driver herself, she was not in the sulky behind either of her winners. She said putting a senior driver on her charges was part of her training philosophy “I just like having Nathan and Shane on.” “I feel like it is good for me to have them there to tell me what they think about the horses.” “Senior drivers are so much more on to it and quicker, it makes so much more difference having them on.” View the full article

Thanks for the update Reefton. I think you have highlighted the danger of blinkers. You hit the go button and they don't often come back under the jockey afterwards. In saying that I'm not a great fan of Michael Walker especially when riding mares that have a bit of bitchiness about them. He got thrown at the start by my good mare because he got into her. Only rider to get tossed by her. As for those who race against WINX I'm sure that the likes of Hartnell may have won more if they hadn't had come up against WINX. She just demolished all opposition with contempt.

He's Eminent pressing on to Hong Kong despite Randwick flop Eminent will have one more chance to find his best form in Hong Kong. Photo: Ladbrokes News Article Author Brad Waters11:12AM15 April 2019 3 Comments He’s Eminent felt the might of the champion mare Winx in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick but trainer Sir Mark Todd will send the five-year-old to Hong Kong for Sunday week’s QE II Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin. He’s Eminent finished more than 16 lengths from Winx when beating one runner home in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes on Saturday. Todd told the New Zealand Racing Desk the son of Frankel might have switched off when racing in ear muffs for the first time. “He’d worked in them and been fine,’’ Todd said. ‘’I expected him to jump and put himself there in front. He likes to be near the front. But he just didn’t switch on. (Jockey) James (McDonald) said it wasn’t him. ‘’He did get a bit worked up in the back parade ring, but that’s normal for him. ‘’I spoke to others and there had been similar experiences with ear muffs for the first time, it even happened with Winx. When they tried them on her she missed the jump by six lengths.’’ McDonald said He’s Eminent “wasn’t interested” early in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Todd said vets have gone over He’s Eminent and found nothing wrong with the horse. He’s Eminent will head to Hong Kong to try to keep his career alive in the QE II Cup. ‘’If he goes well, he’ll go back to Europe and we’ll probably look at the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes (Gr.1 2000m) at Royal Ascot,’’ Todd said. ‘’If he doesn’t fire in Hong Kong, that’ll be it.’’ ‘’He seems to have come through the race very well. Mind you he didn’t even have a race. He only lost one kilo. ‘’I’ve had him checked out and there’s nothing wrong so we’ve just got to put Saturday’s race behind us.”

Mmmm you can't pull your head off and win every week.

Interesting how according to our recently gone quiet oracle blinkers did the trick on Consensus at the Valley previous start but last start they seem to have had her pulling her head off like crazy. Also it seems that He's Emminent didn't respond very well to the ear muffs. Sure Sir Mark being the consummate horse trainer that he is would have got that right. The truth is neither of the horses were up to winning either field based on recent and previous form.

Recently-retired pacer Ultimate Machete has been purchased for stallion duties in a partnership deal between two New Zealand stud farms. South Auckland’s Alabar Stud and Christchurch’s Nevele R Stud have acquired the son of Bettor’s Delight after he was retired from racing through injury last month. It is not the first partnership between the two studs, who purchased Ultimate Machete’s former stablemate and three-year-old adversary, Vincent, in a similar deal last year, and also stand American shuttle stallions A Rocknroll Dance and Always B Miki together. The acquisition of Ultimate Machete is part of a concerted effort by the studs to support the local product, according to Alabar’s New Zealand manager, Graeme Henley. “Vincent had an amazing response last year, and we were really thrilled with it so that made us even more determined as a group to get these colonial stallions under way. “We think it will be an important model going forward, especially when you consider how well the New Zealand breed has performed in North America recently with Lazarus, Shartin, Bit Of A Legend and so forth. “For the life of me, I can’t believe that there is any horse racing in North America at present better-credentialed than Ultimate Machete to stand here. “And this way, rather than us securing another shuttle stallion, it stops all that money going back to North America.” Ged Mooar, General Manager at Nevele R Stud, sees the venture as low-risk. “When you read his resume, he sure does have a lot to offer to Australasian breeders. “A strong, tough entire with a high cruising speed that he carried over a good distance, with a stallion’s pedigree to boot. “Together with Alabar, Nevele R is prepared to give locally sourced stallions with top-quality credentials every chance at stud.” Ultimate Machete was voted both the Three and Four-Year-Old Male Pacer of the Year in the past two seasons off the back of a brilliant Sires Stakes win at three and three straight Group 1 wins as a four-year-old, including two in Perth. The most memorable, of course, was his brilliant effort to sit parked outside Tiger Tara and win in the New Zealand Free For All in New Zealand Record time in November of 2017. Mark Purdon co-trained Ultimate Machete throughout his career and he is full of admiration for what the horse achieved in what was ultimately an injury-shortened career. “He was a very tough horse with a great attitude. He never gave in, always trying right to the wire. “He was a horse who could really maintain his high speed.” Most will have forgotten, too, that Ultimate Machete was the favourite for this season’s New Zealand Cup before a minor hoof issue become apparent ten days before the great race, forcing his scratching. And while his deeds on the track were relatively short-lived, his bloodlines will remain prominent through his younger brother, Ultimate Sniper, who has this year’s Three-Year-Old of the Year crown sewn up. Ultimate Machete will stand at Alabar’s Waiau Pa property at an introductory fee of NZ$3,000 (plus GST) and AU$3,300 (incl. GST). View the full article

Rule Number(s): 869(2)RACEDAY JUDICIAL COMMITTEE DECISION Rule Number: 869(2) Charge: Contravention of the Use of Whip Regulations Judicial Committee: D J Anderson, Chairman ...View the full article

Rule Number(s): 638(1)(d)Mr Davidson alleged that Mr Laking (ROAD TO REDEMPTION) in race 9, the SEE YA AT WINGATUI 24TH MAY HANDICAP, allowed his mount to shift outwards when insufficiently clear of MADAM DE SOIR (C Barnes) which clipped a heel and blundered. Mr Oatham, Chief Stipendiary Steward, demonstrated on the films that ...View the full article

Rule Number(s): 642(1)Following the running of race 3, the WINGATUI FUNCTION CENTRE MAIDEN 1200 metres, Mr Hannam, the rider of the 2nd horse, HOMBRE, lodged a protest under r 642(1) against the 1st horse, OUTRAM, alleging interference by the winner over the concluding stages. The official placings were: 1st 4 OUTRAM 2ND ...View the full article

Rule Number(s): 869(2)Following the running of Race 4 the “Clarkson Signs – Traditional Handcrafted Signs Mobile Pace” an Information was filed Chief Stipendiary Steward Mr N Ydgren alleging a breach of Rule 869(2) by Open Driver Mrs A Lethaby. The information alleged, A Lethaby (FRANCO RIOT) used her whip on more occasions ...View the full article

Rule Number(s): 869(2)Following the running of Race 4 the “Clarkson Signs – Traditional Handcrafted Signs Mobile Pace” an Information was filed Chief Stipendiary Steward Mr N Ydgren alleging a breach of Rule 869(2) by Open Driver Mr C Butt. The information alleged, C Butt (LOCKED OUT OF HEAVEN) used his whip on more occasions ...View the full article

Rule Number(s): 869(4)(6)(b)(c)Following the running of Race 8 the “Clarkson Signs – Logo Branding Design Moblie Pace” an Information was filed by Chief Stipendiary Steward Mr N Ydgren alleging a breach of Rule 869 (4)(6)(b)(c) by Junior Driver Ms L McKay. The Information stated that “You Shifted outwards at the 1500 metres when not ...View the full article

Rule Number(s): 869(3)(b)Following the running of Race 1, the Bishopdale/Bush Inn TAB’S (Amateur Drivers) Mobile Pace, an information was filed by Chief Stipendiary Steward, Mr N Ydgren, against Amateur Driver Mr P Wallace alleging that. “P Wallace (SENORITA MARGARITA) drove carelessly racing into the first bend when shifting ...View the full article

Rule Number(s): Rule 638 (1)(d)This charge arises from the running of Race No 6, the Lodge Real Estate 1200. An Information was filed by Senior Stipendiary Steward Mr M Williamson pursuant to Rule 638 (1)(d), alleging that the rider of SHEEZALLMINE, Apprentice Jockey Ms Newman allowed her mount to shift out when not sufficiently clear ...View the full article

Rule Number(s): Rule: 638(3)(b)(ii)This charge arises from the running of race 6, the Lodge Real Estate 1200. An Information was filed pursuant to Rule 638 (3)(b)(ii). The Informant, M Williamson, alleged that Apprentice Jockey Mr M Hashizumi used his whip excessively on CENGHAR prior to the 100 metres. Mr Hashizumi said that he understood ...View the full article

Rule Number(s): Rule 642(1)Following the running of Race No 6, the Lodge Real Estate 1200, an Information was filed Instigating a Protest pursuant to Rule 642(1). The Informant, Co-Trainer QIJI EXPRESS, alleged that horse number 6 (SHEEZALLMINE) placed 1st by the Judge interfered with the chances of horse number 1(QIJI EXPRESS) ...View the full article

Discretion gone One of the most talked about and contentious issues among harness racing insiders is set to be a problem no more. I understand the HRNZ board are to announce that discretion will be removed from the country’s ratings based handicapping system. The decision will certainly make the conspiracy theorists and tinfoil hat wearers in the game happy. They regularly take to online forums, social media and bend anyone’s ear to point out that some horses have been dropped two or three points when others have only dropped one. I think it is fair to say there seemed to be cases where it was fair to ask why a horse was dropped more than one rating point. From an overall perspective, there did not appear to be consistent use of discretion. Obviously, is in the interests of fairness and transparency and that must be a good thing. The most interesting point of this unconfirmed change is that the move aligns the New Zealand system with the new Australian ratings system. The Aussies look like they are on to a winner with the system they have designed. In my opinion, it is more streamlined and less complicated than the New Zealand one. Though it is important to note that both have been designed to achieve the same thing – increase turnover through better use of the horse population. The Australian system is set to be a success because of their larger horse population. My prediction is that success will lead to more changes in New Zealand to align with Australia. That will be welcome news to the chorus of trainers here that have massive issues with the way the current system is operating. Ultimate machete or pocket knife? Regular readers of this column will be well aware of my thoughts on colonial stallions. There have been quite a few since Christian Cullen and Courage Under Fire both went to the breeding barn and I don’t think any of them could be deemed a commercial success. Ultimate Machete will attempt to buck that trend when he stands under a two-stud deal in the spring. I really hope he is a roaring success and bucks the trend of his Australasian bred counterparts. The breeding industry can ill afford the utter wastage an under performing colonial sire produces through his noncompetitive stock. One major plus Ultimate Machete has going for him is that he has been sensibly priced. Breeders are desperate for a stallion to come along and successfully service the lower end of the stud market. Ultimate Machete’s $3000 stud fee will be inviting for breed-to-race broodmare owners to have a punt. There is another key aspect to that price is that it is likely to separate him from Lazarus. As they are both sons of Bettor’s Delight, they will be competing for the same pool of mares. Of course, that is if a stud deal can be confirmed for Lazarus. It should be settled by the time some people have forgotten how good he was. Shake my head I read with disbelief that a driver was given just a four-day suspension for allowing his feet to contact the hocks of the horse he was driving, recently. In an age where animal welfare is under such high scrutiny, it is hard to comprehend why that act would not attract a higher penalty. I understand the starting point for an improper driving charge is an eight day suspension. I think it is time that rule is changed and a much more severe penalty is established. Harness racing can simply not have this kind of act beamed to TV sets across Australasia and computer monitors across the world. Let’s be honest. The New Zealand judicial system is soft. And the industry has plenty of sympathisers. This is the country where television hosts defend drivers who bet on a horse other than the one they are driving. Give me a spell. I would much rather spend my time advocating for the good of the sport. View the full article

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Rule Number(s): 638(3)(b)(ii)Race: 8 Rule: 638(3) (b)(ii) Committee: G Jones (chair) A Dooley Name(s): Ms T Thornton - Rider of THE COSSACK Informant: Mr N Goodwin - Stipendiary Steward ...View the full article

Rule Number(s): 869(2)(b)This charge arises from the running of Race 10, the Yee-Haw Its American Night April 26 Mobile Trot 1609m. An Information was filed by Senior Stipendiary Steward Mr S Mulcay alleging Licensed Open Horseman; Mr L Chin breached Rule 869(2)(a) in that he used his whip in breach of the “use of the whip” ...View the full article