Chief Stipe

International contenders for the Melbourne carnival spring have begun to arrive in Australia. (RSS generated with FetchRss)View the full article

Yes but we are about to commercialise it - the BOAY Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)!

Races canned at Thames Racecourse this summer ANDREW CORNAGA/PHOTOSPORT Gallops will not be held at Thames Racecourse in January, (file photo). There will be no gallops at Thames Racecourse this summer. Thames Jockey Club, which celebrated 150 years in January, will hold their annual race meeting in Te Aroha this season after facing challenges with the track and services. President Kevin Hansen said having a track that wasn't irrigated was a factor. TERESA RAMSEY/STUFF Thames Jockey Club will not be holding its annual race meeting at Thames Racecourse this season. Irrigation would improve the condition of the track, however, at more than $50,000, it wasn't cost effective for the club to install it for one race meeting a year. "With the changing seasons over the last few years, the chance of any rain on a track without irrigation comes with a risk of having an unsafe racing surface for the jockeys and horses," he said. Fiber Fresh Thames Jockey Club will hold its annual meeting at Te Aroha Racecourse this summer, (file photo). "Naturally, health and safety is paramount to the club and this scenario became a reality over the three consecutive years resulting in three abandoned race days." The club also faced challenges with securing raceday services, such as caterers, liquor, video and sound, because many raceday partners carried serious losses after cancellations over the past three years due to bad weather. Hansen said TRAC partner club Te Aroha offered their track, which was irrigated and well-supported by trainers and sponsors. Steve Edwards The track at Te Aroha Racecourse is irrigated and well-supported by trainers, (file photo). "This raceday is still a Thames raceday, with our club and committee running the day as before. All normal activities, such as the fashions in the field, mega giveaways, flounder packs to be won etc, will continue," he said. All members have been informed of the change in venue and transport will be arranged to Te Aroha for raceday in January. A couple of members had made queries but there hadn't been any negative feedback about the decision, he said. It was a committee decision to hold the race day in Te Aroha, he said. "Although a few stated they would have preferred to remain racing at Thames, however, they understood the challenges that this would have presented. "Sadly, one committee member resigned due to the outcome of this decision, which was disappointing for the club as he had been a valued part of the Thames racing family." Steve Bowen resigned from the committee in protest when the committee voted to move the race meeting to Te Aroha. Bowen had been a member of the committee for 30 years and had served as both president and vice president. He believed the decision to move should have been voted on by club members in a general meeting. "Under the constitution, I believe that for something that monumental, they should have called a special general meeting with the members involved," he said. "If it had gone to a special general meeting and the consensus of the members had been for the shift then I could have lived with that but I just felt that it wasn't a committee decision to make." Bowen said until recent meetings were abandoned due to bad weather, Thames hadn't had a cancelled meeting in as long as he could remember. "We always struck good weather. We might go another 20 or 30 years without another cancellation. I was pretty disappointed in the committee's decision." He was also concerned races would not return to Thames. "Once you show your hand that you're prepared to race at another course, I don't believe that the authority will allow it to come back." However Hansen said racing could return to Thames. "We haven't written off the idea of future racing at Thames, if we can solve the logistical challenges and gain the support back of NZ Thoroughbred Racing, who issue the racing licences. "We understand that this is a huge change for our club, but feel that it is the correct decision for the January, 2019, race day." Hansen said no decisions had been made about the club's land and facilities at Parawai Rd and the club would continue to hire out the venue for functions and events. The venue is currently booked for two years in advance for weddings, corporate functions and large events, such as Wellington band Fat Freddy's Drop on January 7. - Stuff

It's legal Tank. Does it matter if the punter knows or doesn't know? Does it increase the animal's ability? Probably not.

Tank you don't seem to understand much about horse physiology. They can be worked harder and not risk bleeding. You don't dehydrate a horse to work it harder. What are the "very good reasons" it is banned in Hong Kong? Or is that one of your blanket no facts to back it statement? Waller has been quite open about his Lasix use. It is very rare for any of his horses not to be ready to race when they do race. I can't recall the last time he said "it needed the run"...

How is it a pitiful sight (not the spelling Tank)? Many horses sweat profusely before a race however what would be more damning - photos of a horse sweating supposedly from Lasix or those of a horse bleeding profusely form its nostrils? How many race bleeders has Waller had compared to other trainers? All the science shows that nearly all horses bleed to some degree when under race exertion.

Someone is standing behind Winston on the Racing issue. Three guesses who they are. The All Weather Tracks are a distraction and an expensive one at that. I'd say be careful what you wish for. I'm surprised no one has pointed out that the figure Winnie spouts about 40+ race meetings being abandoned as justification for AWT is crap. Firstly what meetings has he been counting? Secondly in terms of budgeted meetings/races per year NZTR have largely been on target. If those 40+ meetings (if they are in fact 40+) had gone ahead then there would have been a significant shortfall in funding. The revenue generated by those 40+ meetings would not have matched the stakes paid. So who is telling porkies? Winnie? The NZRB? NZTR? Or those standing behind Winnie?

Strathayr isn't a synthetic track it is a turf based SYSTEM. The only "synthetic" aspect is the use of plastic mesh within the soil/root zone which provides artificial soil structure and stability. Also aids drainage. Eagle farm made a number of mistakes. That is also a risk for NZ - do we have the expertise? Probably not so we will have to import it.

NZRB are projecting a net profit increase of 20%. Does anyone know how?

Read it here.

Read it here.

Read here.

Statement of Intent Released by NZRB and attached below. NZRB Statement of Intent 2018-2020 Final.pdf

Rule Number(s): 636(1)(d)Following the running of Race 1 (Higgins Concrete Hurdles), Information No.A8843 was filed with the Judicial Committee. It was alleged by the Informant that Mr Studd failed to ride his mount out to the finish when there was a reasonable chance of running into a position for which there was prize money. ... (RSS generated with FetchRss)View the full article

Rule Number(s): 638(3)(b)(ii)Following the running of Race 4 (LAWNMASTER AMATEUR), Information No.A8843 was filed with the Judicial Committee. It was alleged that Mr MacNab the Rider of EDDIE GILBERT had used his whip excessively prior to the 100m without the necessary respite. Mr MacNab said that he understood the Rule and the ... (RSS generated with FetchRss)View the full article

Rule Number(s): 638(3)(b)(ii)Following the running of race 10, Racing Rotorua 1560, an Information was filed pursuant to Rule 638(3)(b)(ii). The Informant, Mr Oatham, alleged that Mr Rusof used his whip excessively when riding YORKSHIRE DALES prior to the 100 metres. Mr Rusof acknowledged that he understood the Rule and confirmed ... (RSS generated with FetchRss)View the full article

Rule Number(s): 636(1)(d)Following the running of race 6, the “Creative Catering Handicap”, Information A8845 was filed by Stipendiary Steward, Mr N Goodwin under Rule 636(1)(d). The Information stated “in that C Johnson did not ride his mount fully to the finish when able to do so”. Rule 636 (1) (d) states “A person…..being ... (RSS generated with FetchRss)View the full article

Cambridge jumps jockey Shaun Phelan is keen to post his first Australian win and he believes he has … (RSS generated with FetchRss)View the full article

Former Cambridge apprentice Zy Nor Azman dedicated his win on the Bruce Marsh-trained Mings Man at K… (RSS generated with FetchRss)View the full article

Driving a win for his parents means Grant Ross has achieved everything he hoped to in the sulky, and… (RSS generated with FetchRss)View the full article

Bradbury Park’s Casey Dando only had one thing on his mind when he awoke from surgery on Saturday. (RSS generated with FetchRss)View the full article

James McDonald has secured the ride on Menari in the A$13 million Everest. (RSS generated with FetchRss)View the full article

Queen Elizabeth Stakes - 14 April 2018 View full major race contender

Darley July Stakes Newmarket - 14 July 2018 View full major race contender

Grp1 Robert Sangster Stakes Adelaide - 5 May 2018 View full major race contender