MaltedMilkshake

To put all the hearsay to rest, how about the Chairman of the Board, actually release a statement advising the facts and what they are doing to remedy the track surface...actually it’s pretty important .... the track is one of the country’s premier venues....is that too difficult to expect?

In fact, picnic race clubs are run better in Australia because they are held accountable. credibility...but when your central body charged with running the industry is so flawed then problems such as Te Rapa happen under everyone’s nose and no one is responsible...gimme a break...it’s amazing to think this country can actually get out of bed each day and function.

It’s called accountability .....something that does not exist in NZ..in just about every aspect of life. in fact, not only should Ken Rutherford be removed but Karen Fenton Ellis needs to make a public statement in her capacity as Chairman of the Board of Waikato Racing Club as to how this happened and what they are going to do to remedy a hopeless situation. Then she should resign . That’s called accountability. But of course, it will be all those who depend on the course for various aspects of their day to day living that will be left holding the can...that’s accountability NZ style.

She had different track conditions, different trainers...and she turned up and got the prize. I don’t know what more a racehorse could achieve? We certainly didn’t think we’d ever see another horse win 25 in a row after BC, but within several years, Winx goes one better, albeit she is not unbeaten...but MD’s feat, I confidently say, will never, never be repeated... I just believe we have been privileged to witness some wonderful horses over the last 30 or so years...and each and everyone of them holds a special place in our thoroughbred history.

Please can anyone tell me why the so-called dedicated followers of fashion, AKA Bloodstock agents, are privileged to receive this information? Why them? What is the rationale behind this? OMG...John Messara please .....please stop this unprofessional, incredulous crap.

OMG...it’s MAKYBE DIVA’s birthday...she can also be spoken of in the same breath as WINX...what she did will NEVER be repeated... also there is a magic race in York this evening...what a shame there isn’t a southern representative....

Just browsing noms for Saturday and noticed that $100k Taranaki race is programmed, a special conditions 1400m...not sure what the conditions relate to as can’t seem to find it on the NZTR website???? Also noticed amongst the noms is Beltoy...Someone mentioned they heard on Trackside, this horse returned a positive after its win at Taranaki...so I’m now pondering..... why haven’t the RIU make some sort of statement regarding the status of this horse considering the media interest surrounding this race. As this horse had won previously at Taranaki by a big margin...it just opens a can of worms. ..and if its subsequently advised the swabbed horse is disqualified, who then becomes liable for the compensation to the owners who missed out... This is a lot of money in NZ and every horse eligible should be able to have a crack at the cash. owners need to know it’s a level playing field. Perhaps more transparency from those charged with policing our industry would give owners a bit of comfort.

I do feel for Jessica Harrington...she and her team have done a great job with the horse. Shame neither party gave her the opportunity to bring him down for the Cup..but then Australian Bloodstock have had success with Wohler.

I think we all read the news release last week from Te. Akau announcing the sale of their European stayer, Torcedor, to a German syndicate and Andreas Wohler...as the money offered was too good to refuse. just read only minutes ago on Racing Post, the actual purchaser of the horse is Jamie Lovett’s Australian Bloodstock...who negotiated the deal with Ellis. Lovett states the money paid was less than what they thought it would take to buy the horse. they are planning a Spring campaign in Australia and hope to have him down with the first wave of horses...his target race will depend on how he shapes up for Wohler... I guess this scenario highlights all is subjective when it comes to trading horses.

Yes, agreed Jess. It’s more than we’ve had previously. Well at least all the “known” problems, perceived or actual, will be placed on record. Hallelujah for that - which, in the big scheme of things, is the easy part.....now to get the recommendations implemented...that’s when things will get really interesting ...not only getting it through parliament but the circles within circles will do their level best to roadblock anything that removes their power..

Perhaps in the 80s, Jacinta would have been very relevant...as NZ was predominantly a “social”economy...but today, her model doesn’t work. Changing the structure of the economy is challenging and plenty will fall through the cracks. But NZ can no longer afford the society of the 70s & 80s. The government should leave the driving of the economy to those who can steer...and just provide legislative structure to ensure whatever needs to be done, gets done. Union employees and party hacks don’t have the empathy/ideology/intelligence to run a nation’s economy...

To watch this race unfold, it was totally unreal. Wow, seems to have found a new lease of life since going over the sticks in a trial in July...ummm ???

I’ll just add to my previous post. How can you expect young riders to improve when there is a lack of racing dates. Take the SI...there is no race meeting until next Friday - that’s almost 2 weeks. Is it any wonder the current standard of jockey is questionable?

So why do you think Kiwi horses improve lengths over in Oz? Trainers spend owners money getting the horses ready and have to suffer the anguish of the it being hammered by the person steering (or in the majority of cases, not steering)...

Why would either want to go back?

Yes, I think Mark dP is going OK...and seems to be picking up rides from a variety of stables...no doubt he will sort out the wheat from the chaff in due course. He seems to have slotted in a wee bit better than McNab, who I,think he is having a time coming to terms with the tempo of races here...and as he is riding Wallers that is not going to make the adjustment any easier...they go hard from the gates with a lot of hustle and bustle up front...I’m sure he will settle into a rhythm in time...but they won’t make it easy for him...he just needs to tough it out...

In all honesty, if a horse is being treated with a substance as part of its training regime, then it should be notified....punters have the right to know...after all, they are the ones pumping the money into race days...

?

Regardless, all treatments and gear changes/additions need to be notified here in Oz.....no exceptions.....

Yes, that’s the conundrum isn’t it...you’ve paid full tote odds for the service and you’re competing with, give or take, 140other yearlings for a piece of the sales pie. So your return is not as lucrative ..but you’ve risked good money...and what happens if you’ve got a filly? Ahhh...I would think the colts will still be popular with trainers...but those dedicated followers of fashion who spend other people’s money, will be on to the next big stallion making stallion....two different games we play...

Hi Jess - can’t say anything about those stallions, but we did buy a yearling filly from Rich Hill and I can’t speak highly enough of the experience. Our filly is lovely to,handle, easy going, nothing really fazes her and she broke in well. And most of that goes back to the rearing and yearling prep regime. Would send a mare to Vadamos or their new Japanes horse....but don’t have a suitable mare to justify the fees.

I actually think this year could be challenging for him. The new CS owners have their “own” stallion to look after and ensure he is full. Plus they have upped the fees for Burgundy and taken on Highly Recommended so both of will need plenty of work to ensure they’ve got good numbers. That leaves Tavistock at $65k...and unless there are good number of mares coming over from Australia, I don’t know where you find the number of quality mares in NZ who are worth spending $65k on? And there are a few new stallions to compete with. So the fact he didn’t have a headline performer in Australia this year, may hurt him in the short term.

Interesting comment. I believe it would be fair to say, few so called “analysts” can actually dicipher form. I’ve had an instance recently whereI needed to check form on a particular race. The difference in the analysis between the Kiwi TAB and the Aussie corporates was as if they were looking at two different races.....just absurd.

I couldn’t agree more Curious. I don’t believe people fully understand the ramifications of poor governance...integrity is paramount to investment, whether it’s the day to day punter or the bloodstock investor. Clearly these positives need to be fully investigated but alas I fear it will be swept under the carpet because it’s all too hard. Only the RIU and the JCA can provide integrity by adjucating in a timely manner but why no statements from either entity on these positives. So that’s the integrity the industry has to endure. You wonder why people won’t have a bet....

I have to agree with Centaur...in fact from reports here in Australia, that whilst Michael Wallace signed the sales slip...the selection of the horse is down to the principal of Newgate Farm and the SF Bloodstock representative. The other Wairarapa Bloodstock agent, Bruce Perry, has an impeccable record with horses purchased at the cheaper end of the scale...