Spatchcock

where did you read that?

Well as it stands if a trainer intentional drugs a horse for gain, its a serious offence under the rules of racing leading to fines, disqualifications and forfeiture of stakes. But you don't also get charged in a court of law. That doesn't make the charge any less serious in my opinion, especially within the context of the racing industry and what kind of financial advantage can be gained from such things.

I am not going to harp on on this, but I have read at least some of the transcripts and it very clearly shows blatant breaches of the rules of racing by a couple of people. As the case is now closed, I won't elaborate on who they are or what those rules were. But rest assured I read this with my own eyes and it's not up for debate. I sympathise with all concerned who had to foot huge legal bills for six years. It became a joke and clearly this was not fit for purpose when it comes to criminal proceedings. but the rules of racing are a different beast, with a lower threshold and unique rules to be applied. Note: what I am talking about does not relate to the race or story at the top of this page.

Don't muddy the waters. The point I make is you KEEP saying this same thing every other week. We get it... it's true and there are no quick or easy fixes. In fact, I would say it's a one way road in to oblivion for the north. But you know this, and yet you keep subjected us to the same narratives week after week.

Stupid, stupid move. But ATC wanted it so badly...be careful what you wish for.

If the RIU were able to use the recordings to file charges under the Rules of Racing, there would have been many charges laid. But a Judge ruled they could not use them and without that evidence, there was not much they could do.

on this occasion, it was neither new or constructive.

How many times are you going to post the same thing?

The issue here is Brodie couldn't find easy ways to make money on the punt, so he's not happy. it was a twilight meeting catering to horses mostly rated R40 or less. Newsflash - most of them are not much good. If you race like with like (as this meeting did), it's harder to find favourites, meaning more attractive prices and hopefully, incentivising people to bet. If the turnover doesn't turn out to be much good (and with the placement of the meeting, it's possible), it still served to put money in the pockets of owners of many valuable horses to the racing pool in the country.

It's the very least that should have happened. Punters were rorted. If you back a horse in a race believing it has twice the distance it actually gets to position itself before the first bend then you have been ripped off.

The Derby was a joke... they went three seconds slower than the norm. Having over half the field is not good for competitive racing or betting.

We was huge in the Hannon at start 8 tbf. Owners wanted to try for a Cup start... trainer far less inclined.

Alan has had five winners from his last 300 starters, across 10 years. Is it any wonder people are falling over themselves to buy one off him that has shown speed?

it bolted on him at the trials last week.

I don't believe your scenario applies. The directive/rule (and it was a condition of the Entain sign off, I thought), was any account holder would be able to win up to $2k profit with their first fixed odds win bet on any New Zealand race. I know a couple of sharp punters who are cut off at the knees on top 3 and top 4 (and I mean like, can't win more than $20-$50). But they can still bet to win $2k on a win option.

But the Punters Promise was a directive from the former Racing Minister??

Nah

Steve's probably drunk and talking about Race 3. Negligible at best.

news tonight. Or Seven Sharp. Not sure which.

Horse is now back at Purdons due to an ongoing disagreement between the owners.

HRNZ have come out today saying they are 'encouraged' by extra race this week. But there's 10 less horses than last week?

You will note this has been updated to three Otaki meetings in January. https://infohorse.hrnz.co.nz/datahrs/calendar/Raceday/2025/dates_january2025.htm My mail is the Thames plans are slowly losing steam due to red tape but its not dead in the water.

wide of the mark**

Unfortunately you are wide of the wide with your slot race assumptions. Part of the reason a number of people didn't buy Race By Grins slots is because initially HRNZ barely contributed anything to it. There needs to be a matching investment from the code on top of the total of the slots. In this case, the slots will total $300,000 and the code/Entain is chipping in $200,000 which is reasonable. I doubt there are the horses to make these two races viable though.

I think if you go outside at the next full moon and chant SEMAHT! three times, it will materialise.