Chief Stipe

I think we need to put this in perspective. ENTAIN have made a core profit of $2.3 Billion in the latest financial year.

Well isn't it easy to work out where the best yield is?

Meeting News Wairarapa RC Sunday 16 February - Race Meeting Cancelled Tauherenikau Racemeeting Cancelled The Racemeeting scheduled for Tauherenikau on Sunday 16 February has been cancelled due to a lack of entries. An Open 2040m race for $35,000 has been added to the Whanganui meeting on Friday 21 February as a 9th race. This race was originally The Wairoa Cup (with club added money). NZTR will look to divide a race(s) at Wanganui and/or Otaki if numbers permit.

Perhaps but why aren't the in-sport activists banging on about the lack of rules around pace in a race? Arguably more horses are hurt worse by poor pace exacerbating the poor riding. The welts on the backside are gone in a couple of hours but the galloped on injuries take a lot longer.

Mark Purdon under the All Stars brand bought 3 yearlings at the 2023 Karaka Sale - they are now 3 year olds. They were to be broken in by Danny Frye in Canterbury. https://www.nzb.co.nz/sales/23kaa/427 named Captain Roy. Trained by Glen Old, Matamata. 9 starts, 12k in stakes, 3 thirds. https://www.nzb.co.nz/sales/23kaa/485 named Our Beau. Trained by Glen Old, Matamata. 1 start for a fifth. Been based at Riccarton. https://www.nzb.co.nz/sales/23kaa/595 named Diversify Trained by Glen Old, Matamata. Hasn't shown much in 4 trials to date. Shifted from Christchurch to Matamata last September.

They are currently two year olds. However they were bought by Barry Purdon. https://www.nzb.co.nz/sales/24kaa/408 named Yamato Satona has had three trials the most recent one this week (see below). Trained by Wexford. https://www.nzb.co.nz/sales/24kaa/649 unamed.

Shouldn't the Stewards be more focussed on those issues than counting whip strikes?

Yep being subdivided. Worth squillions.

Newitt impressed with Jenni | RACING.COM www.racing.com Pride Of Jenni's new race-day jockey Craig Newitt is bullish that the brilliant mare can return to her best this autumn. Speaking on Racing.com's Raceday Live on Thursday, having been announced as the multiple G1 winner's rider for her possible return to racing, Newitt said he was impressed with the feel the mare gave him in a piece of work on Tuesday. It was initially announced that Pride Of Jenni would be retired after she suffered a bleed in the G1 Champions Mile last November, but she returned to trainer Ciaron Maher's stable earlier this month after some foundation fitness work at owner Tony Ottobre's Mornington Peninsula property. Newitt rode the daughter of Pride Of Dubai when she ran second in the G2 Stocks Stakes in 2023, before Declan Bates took the reins and built his incredible association with the bold front-runner. "I've only had the one sit on her on race day, when she just fell short of Amelia's Jewel at Moonee Valley," Newitt said. "We all saw what she came out to do that preparation. "There are probably only two blemishes in her book so far and they were her last two, with genuine circumstances, so I think an enforced break and a little time on the sidelines has done her the world of good. "I rode her yesterday morning and I couldn't be happier. "You're pretty much a passenger when you ride her but she's pretty foolproof when she's right so she's going to be competitive in whatever she runs in."

Bloody auto spell check. AI is making it worse.

HISTORIC ERA AT ROLLESTON TO END purdonracing.co.nz HISTORIC ERA AT ROLLESTON TO END Feb 11, 2025 The sensationally successful era of the Purdon partnerships at Rolleston is to come to an end with the announcement the Nathan and Mark stable is to shift to Auckland. The stable will take over the Pukekohe barn formerly operated by Steven Reid in May and expect to be in full operation by June 1. “Dad had suggested it before but I resisted it because the current setup suited me. But when I was based in Auckland over Xmas with friends and family I began to have a change of heart and just before New Year we started having talks with the Auckland club” Nathan said “I was a bit worried too that our local owners might resist a major change like that but I have been really surprised at their reaction.Nearly all of them have signed up to it and we should have about 25 horses heading north in May.Its a great boost for us” Mark Purdon,now based in Matamata, moved south from Auckland in 2000 and began an unparallelled run of success on his own account and then in partnership with Grant Payne,Natalie Rasmussen, Hayden Cullen and finally Nathan. The Rolleston property, which Mark developed from scratch into one of the finest harness racing establishments in the world after starting out training at Yaldhurst, has been under option for other uses for some time and was due to be handed over in the foreseeable future. It included a straight track that proved a boon to the stable over the years and may other innovations. “Some of the staff want to remain here because of their ties to Canterbury and you would expect that but I am sure they will not be short of offers given their skills and attitudes. We couldn’t have achieved all this without top staff. “Now its go I am really looking forward to the challenge” Nathan said “It will be quite different in some ways but great in others. We will still naturally be travelling south for major races when we have the horses to suit.” “I have enjoyed it here and met some great people but its time to try something new” The Purdon family emigrated to Canterbury from Scotland early in the 20th century but a branch headed by Hugh Purdon moved north in the 1920’s and then descended Roy Purdon a legendary trainer in his own right,and his highest achieving sons, Barry and Mark as famous as their father. Nathan’s brother,Michael, is one of those who will remain in Canterbury developing his own property and interests.

Absolutely.

I think any of the top 3 in each of the races would aquit themselves well in the Pierro Plate. Which BTW isn't black type and is worth NZ$176k. Is there anything you like about NZ Racing?

For a start it isn't $400k as you stated it is $375k. One is a Grp 3 ($150k - boys) the other is a Grp 2 ($225k - girls). Is your main beef the field size? It can't be the quality of the entrants as that is outstanding. Two years ago the stakes were $85k and $120k which quite frankly well short of what they should have been.

We realise @Huey that you are a strong proponent of "in-breeding" and can count to 12 using the fingers on your two hands so you must be bitterly disappointed that none of the 12 are by NZ bred sires. That's a good sign in my opinion that new blood is being introduced into NZ Thoroughbred breeding. Although in saying that the three Snitzel colts are going places and will likely be lost to NZ.

Likewise with the Matamata Breeders Stakes: Previous Matamata Breeders' Stakes Winners Date Horse Jockey WT Trainer BP 24 Feb 2024 CAPTURED BY LOVE (AUS) 2F WRITTEN TYCOON (AUS) - MOLDOVA (AUS) SNITZEL (AUS) O P BOSSON 56.5 MARK WALKER & SAM BERGERSON 2 25 Feb 2023 ZOURION (NZ) 2F ZOUSTAR (AUS) - IRION (NZ) DANROAD (AUS) O P BOSSON 56.5 MARK WALKER 5 26 Feb 2022 MAVEN BELLE (NZ) 2F BURGUNDY (NZ) - DOYENNE (NZ) KILIMANJARO (GB) RYAN ELLIOT 56.5 JAMIE RICHARDS 6 27 Feb 2021 BONNY LASS (NZ) 2F SUPER EASY (NZ) - POSH BEC (NZ) LE BEC FIN (NZ) C J GRYLLS 56.5 GRAHAM RICHARDSON & ROGAN NORVALL 6 22 Feb 2020 VERNAZZA (NZ) 2F MORE THAN READY (USA) - ZONZA (NZ) ZABEEL (NZ) M T COLEMAN 56.5 L NOBLE 9 23 Feb 2019 ARETHA (NZ) 2F CHARM SPIRIT (IRE) - TSIKORY (NZ) STRAVINSKY (USA) J K RIDDELL 56.5 MURRAY BAKER & ANDREW FORSMAN 1 24 Feb 2018 SPANISH WHISPER (AUS) 2F LOPE DE VEGA (IRE) - CUTTING REMARK (AUS) ENCOSTA DE LAGO (AUS) V A COLGAN 56.5 PETER & DAWN WILLIAMS 7 25 Feb 2017 GOLD FEVER (NZ) 2F SAVABEEL (AUS) - GOLD ROCKS (AUS) ORATORIO (AUS) O P BOSSON 56.5 STEPHEN AUTRIDGE 7 27 Feb 2016 GOLD RUSH (NZ) 2F SO YOU THINK (NZ) - GOLD ROCKS (AUS) ORATORIO (AUS) C J GRYLLS 56.5 LANCE O'SULLIVAN & ANDREW SCOTT 5 21 Feb 2015 SERENA MISS (NZ) 2F IFFRAAJ (GB) - GIFTED LASS (AUS) MORE THAN READY (USA) L G INNES 56.5 GRAEME & DEBBIE ROGERSON 5 22 Feb 2014 LADY ROYALE (NZ) 2F CAPTAIN RIO (GB) - CACKLES (AUS) CATBIRD (AUS) S C SPRATT 56.5 RICHARD COLLETT & GARETH MCRAE 6 23 Feb 2013 RECITE (NZ) 2F DARCI BRAHMA (NZ) - CHANT (NZ) TRADITIONALLY (USA) MARK DU PLESSIS 56.5 JOHN BARY 1 26 Feb 2011 ANABANDANA (AUS) 2F ANABAA (USA) - GREAT NOTICE (USA) NUREYEV (USA) O P BOSSON 56.0 D SELLWOOD 1 27 Feb 2010 BANCHEE (NZ) 2F ORATORIO (IRE) - MISS JESSIE JAY (NZ) SPECTACULARPHANTOM (USA) L G INNES 56.0 J G SARGENT 14 21 Feb 2009 TE AKAU ROSE (NZ) 2F THORN PARK (AUS) - STRAUSSBRIDGE (NZ) STRAUSSBROOK (AUS) T N HARRIS 56.0 MARK WALKER 2 23 Feb 2008 TE AKAU COUP (NZ) 2F THORN PARK (AUS) - BEYOND THE SUNSET (USA) GONE WEST (USA) J L WADDELL 56.0 MARK WALKER 1 24 Feb 2007 SATINKA (NZ) 2F STRAVINSKY (USA) - MISS SAIGON (NZ) KINGS ISLAND (IRE) MARK DU PLESSIS 56.0 LANCE O'SULLIVAN & ANDREW SCOTT 6 25 Feb 2006 NATURO (NZ) 2F POSTPONED (USA) - RUBITON'S BEST (AUS) RUBITON (AUS) J L WADDELL 56.0 J G SARGENT 1 19 Feb 2005 MI JUBILEE (NZ) 2F HOWBADDOUWANTIT (USA) - MI STEEL (NZ) MI PREFERIDO (USA) DAVID WALKER 55.0 STEPHEN CRUTCHLEY 8 14 Feb 2004 VELASCO (AUS) 2F FLYING SPUR (AUS) - VITAL CURVES (NZ) MCGINTY (NZ) A CALDER 55.0 B TANKARD 8 15 Feb 2003 KATANA (NZ) 2F VOLKSRAAD (GB) - TRISTEAN (NZ) SIR TRISTRAM (IRE) M T COLEMAN 55.0 M MORONEY & A SCOTT 10 23 Feb 2002 LADY DEHERE (NZ) 2F DEHERE (USA) - EXPRESS A SMILE (AUS) SUCCESS EXPRESS (USA) M C SWEENEY 55.0 GRAEME & DEBBIE SANDERS 8 24 Feb 2001 FLYING BABE (AUS) 2F FLYING SPUR (AUS) - CAST YOUR FATE (AUS) BLETCHINGLY (AUS) L A O'SULLIVAN 55.0 COLIN & RICHARD YUILL 3 26 Feb 2000 CONQUISTAR (NZ) 2F DANASINGA (AUS) - THE STREET (NZ) AMYNTOR (FR) M T COLEMAN 55.0 MICHAEL MORONEY 1

Some very handy horses have won the Matamata Slipper and many have gone on to be decent Stallions at Stud: Previous Matamata Slipper Winners Date Horse Jockey WT Trainer BP 24 Feb 2024 SAVAGLEE (NZ) 2C SAVABEEL (AUS) - GLEE (NZ) O'REILLY (NZ) S C SPRATT 57.0 MICHAEL MORONEY & PAM GERARD 3 25 Feb 2023 TOKYO TYCOON (NZ) 2G SATONO ALADDIN (JPN) - ALL ABOUT THE COIN (AUS) STARCRAFT (NZ) CRAIG ZACKEY 57.0 MARK WALKER 5 26 Feb 2022 ALABAMA GOLD (NZ) 2C TURN ME LOOSE (NZ) - ATTALLA (NZ) VOLKSRAAD (GB) SAM WEATHERLEY 56.5 STEPHEN AUTRIDGE & KRIS SHAILER 7 27 Feb 2021 SWORD OF STATE (AUS) 2C SNITZEL (AUS) - IN THE VANGUARD (AUS) ENCOSTA DE LAGO (AUS) T N HARRIS 56.5 JAMIE RICHARDS 2 22 Feb 2020 SPIRITED EXPRESS (AUS) 2G NO NAY NEVER (USA) - BO BARDI (AUS) FASTNET ROCK (AUS) C J GRYLLS 56.5 JAMIE RICHARDS 2 23 Feb 2019 MINI FORCE X (NZ) 2G DUNDEEL (NZ) - MISS ZAPPER (AUS) RED RANSOM (USA) M CAMERON 56.5 JAMIE RICHARDS 1 24 Feb 2018 SWORD OF OSMAN (NZ) 2G SAVABEEL (AUS) - BUNYAH (IRE) DISTANT VIEW (USA) O P BOSSON 56.5 STEPHEN AUTRIDGE 3 25 Feb 2017 SUMMER PASSAGE (AUS) 2C SNITZEL (AUS) - SUBSEQUENT (AUS) ENCOSTA DE LAGO (AUS) C J GRYLLS 56.5 LANCE O'SULLIVAN & ANDREW SCOTT 2 27 Feb 2016 HEROIC VALOUR (AUS) 2C FASTNET ROCK (AUS) - MYRRH (NZ) NASSIPOUR (USA) M CAMERON 56.5 STEPHEN AUTRIDGE 3 21 Feb 2015 ROCANTO (NZ) 2C PER INCANTO (USA) - ROMANTIC LIAISONS (NZ) DANASINGA (AUS) MARK DU PLESSIS 56.5 STEPHEN MARSH 3 22 Feb 2014 PRINCE MAMBO (NZ) 2G THEWAYYOUARE (USA) - GRACE PARK (NZ) DANSKE (NZ) S C SPRATT 56.5 STEPHEN MCKEE 6 23 Feb 2013 TWIN DELIGHT (NZ) 2G PERFECTLY READY (AUS) - PENNY ARCADE (NZ) STRAUSSBROOK (AUS) B R JONES 56.5 JASON PRICE 1 25 Feb 2012 MAGIC SHAFT (AUS) 2G SHAFT (AUS) - ADAPTABLE LASS (AUS) MARAUDING (NZ) M T COLEMAN 56.5 J G SARGENT 10 26 Feb 2011 HAPPY HA HA (NZ) 2G SAVABEEL (AUS) - ILLUMINATE (NZ) DESERT SUN (GB) H S TINSLEY 56.0 J G SARGENT 6 21 Feb 2009 KING'S RANSOM (NZ) 2G KING'S CHAPEL (AUS) - JOAN (NZ) COLONEL COLLINS (USA) M J WALKER 56.0 MARK WALKER 5 23 Feb 2008 MINSTREL COURT (AUS) 2C DANEHILL DANCER (IRE) - TREGURRIAN (AUS) RORY'S JESTER (AUS) O P BOSSON 56.0 MARK WALKER 8 24 Feb 2007 FLORAL EL CUENTO (AUS) 2C TALE OF THE CAT (USA) - ROYAL CELEBRITY (AUS) ROYAL ACADEMY (USA) J C COLLETT 56.0 JIM COLLETT 7 25 Feb 2006 JOKERS WILD (NZ) 2C BLACK MINNALOUSHE (USA) - MISS RORY (AUS) RORY'S JESTER (AUS) M T COLEMAN 56.0 M MORONEY & A SCOTT 3 19 Feb 2005 DARCI BRAHMA (NZ) 2C DANEHILL (USA) - GRAND ECHEZEAUX (NZ) ZAFONIC (USA) H S TINSLEY 55.0 MARK WALKER 6 14 Feb 2004 KEENINSKY (NZ) 2C STRAVINSKY (USA) - SO KEEN (NZ) JADE HUNTER (USA) A C PEARD 55.0 GRAEME ROGERSON & STEPHEN AUTRIDGE 5 15 Feb 2003 MR UBIQUITOUS (NZ) 2G TALE OF THE CAT (USA) - ZAHRA (NZ) ZAFONIC (USA) M T COLEMAN 55.0 M MORONEY & A SCOTT 1 23 Feb 2002 DANROAD (AUS) 2C DANEHILL (USA) - STRAWBERRY GIRL (USA) STRAWBERRY ROAD (AUS) L A O'SULLIVAN 55.0 C MCNAB 6 24 Feb 2001 VINAKA (NZ) 2G VOLKSRAAD (GB) - SHEPHERD'S DELIGHT (NZ) FAMOUS STAR (GB) L G INNES 55.0 JIM GIBBS & ERIC BET 6 26 Feb 2000 PALLADIO (NZ) 2G VOLKSRAAD (GB) - PALMETTO (NZ) PALM BEACH (FR) B R JONES 55.0 JIM GIBBS 3

I was just thinking how long it would take for you to post on these two races.

Did Scooby call it a "he" and then edited it later to a "her"?

That's why they cant' expect anything to change and hence Trainers get the tracks they deserve.

Said like a true cost accountant. I'm sure the Bookies and the computer is checking the margins in real time!

I've heard the track was a bit firmer than a Soft 5.

Yeah. My rule is don't say anything you wouldn't say to someone face to face or in the pub school.

Lost me on the last bit but I did enjoy Pogo. Definitely Australian in my opinion.