Chief Stipe

Rule Number(s): 869(2) and Whip RegulationsMr Renault, Stipendiary Steward, alleged that Mr May when driving BURNING RUBBER in race 11, the Pick & Shovel Wine Mobile Pace, used his whip on more occasions inside the final 400 metres than is permitted by cl (b) of the Use of the Whip Regulations. Clause (f) of the Use of the Whip Regulations provides: ...View the full article

Well we haven't seen any turnover results since about mid-May. Reserves have gone. So the previous initiatives didn't deliver on promises so why will these?

It was OK until it got to this bit "racefields legislation are game-changers"

Rule Number(s): 638(1)(d)Following the running of Race 2 (Vilagrad Winery 1400), Information No.A10077 was filed with the Judicial Committee. It was alleged by the Informant that Mr Rusof permitted his mount "SPEEDKEEPER" to shift outwards near the 300m making solid contact with "RAZOR" which was badly unbalanced. Rule 638(1)(d) ...View the full article

Rule Number(s): 638(1)(d)Following the running of race 1, Colliers International 2 YO, an Information was filed pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d). The Informant, Mr Coles, alleged that Mr Innes allowed his mount JAGER BOMBED to shift in when not sufficiently clear of TAPPY’S ONE which was checked near the 700 metres. Rule 638(1) (d) ...View the full article

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I don't think we are ALL making excuses. My point is that a G3 rating is meaningless given that the track is stuffed. The penetrometer rated it a G3 assuming it had actually been used and used correctly. That doesn't mean it was actually a decent surface for a horse to race on. It is interesting to hark back to the Grey Way days. I looked at some old videos recently and I noted that the tracks weren't in much better nick than today. Trentham particularly was appalling.

Rule Number(s): 870(3) and Breaking Horses RegulationsFollowing the running of Race 3, the He's Watching Tender Closes Sept 21 Hcp Trot 2700m, Mr Muirhead instigated a protest by way of an Information against the 3rd placing of the horse MR GOOD AND EVIL. Mr Muirhead alleged that MR GOOD AND EVIL broke in excess of 50 metres inside the final 200 metres. ...View the full article

Rule Number(s): 869(2) and Whip Regulation (b)Following the running of Race 7, the Avon City Ford (New Brighton) Cup (Group 3), an Information was filed by Stipendiary Steward, Mr S Renault against Licensed Open Horseman, Mr M Purdon, alleging a breach of Rule 869(2) in that he used his whip on more occasions than permitted by Clause (b) of the ...View the full article

Rule Number(s): 869A(2)Following the running of Race 5, the Crombie Lockwood Bloodstock Handicap Trot 2700m, a protest was insitgated by way of an Information. Mr Muirhead alleged that ANGUS BURGA failed to allow full access to the passing lane impeding the progress of PRINCE GEORGE throughout the run home. Mr B Mangos, the ...View the full article

Rule Number(s): 638(1)(d)Following the running of race 4, Philpott Airfreight Ltd, an Information was filed pursuant to Rule 638(1)(d). The Informant, Mr Oatham, alleged that Ms Collett permitted her mount CHACHI ARCOLA to shift inwards when not sufficiently clear of TAVLIN which was checked near the 150 metres with SLICE N ...View the full article

Nights Watch and Rising Red quinella the Grp 3 East Malvern Bendigo Bank MRC Foundation Cup for NZ stallion Redwood. Stands at Westbury. "After watching Redwood race at elite level in Europe, I was keen to follow his progress at stud. The first Redwood we acquired was the stakes winner Romancer, subsequently OTI have purchased an additional seven of his progeny including the exciting metropolitan performer Night's Watch, while we have a group of very promising 2YO's heading to Australia in the spring of 2018." Terry Henderson, OTI Racing. 2006 | Brown Horse | 16hh (162.6cm) High Chaparral x Arum Lily, by Woodman Sire of stakes winner Romancer LR, NZ Derby placegetter Rising Red, VRC St Leger placegetter High Mode L. 19 winners to date from his first three-year-old crop including Rosewood, Chamalu, Swampland, Cedar Grande, Our Sequoia, Night's Watch, Wooden Red, Red Sierra, Tamarack, Scarlet Princess, Sequoia Lady, Livin' on a Prayer, Soonbaby, Youvebeenlitup, I See Red and The Big Sur. Group 1 winning son of the highly successful stallion High Chaparral, sire of 18 Group 1 winners. 16 of 17 starts were in black-type company, retiring with a record of four wins and seven placings, and an impressive stakes tally of US$2,335,995. 4YO Timeform rating of 121 - higher than Manighar, Glass Harmonium and My Kingdom Of Fife. Comes from a high class European family with his second dam, Jolypha, the Champion 3YO Filly of France in 1992, and a sister to the European Champion and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Dancing Brave. First crop of yearlings sold for up to $210,000.

I'm with Freda on this topic. Her post was a reasoned one based on practical experience at Riccarton. When we compare today's track conditions with yesteryear we shouldn't forget we are comparing two different measurement systems. One used an umbrella and some experienced locals walking the track and coming up with a hard and fast, fast, good, soft or heavy rating. We now have a tool called a penetrometer and a series of point ratings. Now the accuracy of that tool is dependent on a number of factors. Has it been recently recalibrated, has its readings ever been calibrated against another tool for the local conditions, is the operator properly trained and is there a foolproof procedure for operating and collating the data. I've never accepted that the penetrometer has ever been used with any degree of accuracy in NZ. For a start it seems like too much work when there are other things to do with an approaching race meeting. Secondly race times don't always reflect what the penetrometer says. From what I've been told horses will instinctively protect themselves when running on conditions that they feel will hurt them. It's a bit like you Brian shortening your stride when walking across the icy pub car park or when walking across the slippery path towards the chook yard. Soil structure has the most significant influence on track conditions. Take a Strathayr track. You'll never get an F1 and it is hard to get a G2 on that type of track. That's because the soil structure has artificial elements that help maintain its high quality. It retains moisture when conditions are dry and it drains freely when conditions are wet. Grass root deeply rather than shallow as they do on compacted soils. Riccarton displays all the characteristics of a soil structure that is stuffed. Ellerslie and Te Rapa are the same. As for a leaders bias if you think about it if conditions are not conducive to horses letting down then if you are too many lengths off the leaders who have probably run soft early sectionals then you can't catch them.

Rule Number(s): 869(2) and Use of Whip GuidelinesFollowing the running of Race 1 the “BISHOPDALE & BUSH INN TABS (Amateur Drivers) Mobile Pace”, an Information was filed by Chief Stipendiary Steward, Mr N Ydgren alleging a breach of Rule 869(2) by Amateur Driver, Mr A Edge. The Information stated that Mr Edge used his whip in contravention of the use ... (RSS generated with FetchRss)View the full article

I just don't see the point of so many options and race meetings on the TAB. What other industry dilutes their revenue stream by flooding the market with low yielding low quality product. Take the race just run at Golden Gate (wherever that is) - less than $100 in the pool! What's more you could argue it on encourages the problem pathological gambler who needs the early morning fix.

No Freda that solution was far too simple!

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Yes the soil structure is stuffed. I know we hear often about the best tracks being those prepared by farmers but I can imagine the good farmers were frustrated by not having the option of cultivating and resowing the circular paddock from time to time. To enable ensure good soil structure. Hence the artificial structure created in Strathyr tracks give you a longer time between renewal.

Yep I hear you Reefton. My biggest ownership win (a Grp 3) was on a F1!!! I think it was the first time a track was rated an F1. Hard and Fast used to cover it in the old days. 8 horses were lined up neck and neck with a 100m to go. Darryn Tyquin called it "the charge of the light brigade". They'd probably call the races off if a track was rated F1 today.

Rule Number(s): 869(2) and Use of the Whip RegulationsFollowing the running of Race 9, Kaiapoi Club Handicap Trot, an Information was filed by Stipendiary Steward, Mr SP Renault, against Licensed Graduation Driver, Ms KJ Hodgson, alleging that, as the driver of DIANA HARBOUR in the race, she “used her whip on more occasions than permitted in Clause (b) ... (RSS generated with FetchRss)View the full article

Rule Number(s): 869(3)(b)Following the running of Race 7, Papanui Club Junior Drivers Pace, an Information was filed by Stipendiary Steward, Mr SP Renault, against Licensed Junior Driver, Mr JD Harrington, alleging that Mr Harrington, as the driver of BILLIE JEAN in the race, “drove carelessly by allowing BILLIE JEAN to contact ... (RSS generated with FetchRss)View the full article