the galah

Blair Orange is the best and most consistent driver I have ever seen. But his decision to not attend the world driving champs seems fair enough given operation inca. Matthew Williamson finished 4th with 83 wins last season,and the 3 who beat him are under a cloud because of operation inca. He's earned his selection.

The horse lifts its head 150m out when the driver takes hold of it,In my opinion because the driver thought he may win. K marshall then seems at a loss as to whether to let it go or hang on to it,doing his best to make it look like he was trying. That's my opinion after watching it several times. In my opinion the horse was pulled,and probably the most obvious case I have seen for some time.. Watch the horses action and watch its head and read its body language. I'm confident i'm correct after reading the stipes report. They did not even mention the drive. The north island stipes are blind as.

What do others think about that drive. Looked like he was just sitting on it. if you watch its previous race where he urged it along it was trotting with the same action.,so why was he holding on to it this time. Maybe its just the way he drives,he did the same on westy boyz 3 times in a row,until the bigger stake was up. Does Cambridge having half the stakes compared to Auckland lead to such inconsistent and questionable driving?

Not sure if jj flash deserves the level of aggravation he’s getting. That happens sometimes I suppose.

ive never once read on any forum criticism of how the all stars care for their horses,nor does anyone deny they are the best. So I don't see that as relevant to what I am saying. I know the all star fan club often infer that is what some say,but that's just fake news.. However what can't be denied is substances used to enhance performance today will be outdated in the future due to something better coming along, or a test being developed which can identify the particular performance enhancer being used. I don't think anyone could argue against that. Using your argument, any enhancer that is used legally is fine.. If they don't have a test for it then go ahead and use it type thinking. I understand that thinking, and have no doubt that is what is required to reach the top. Its just not the way I think. And clearly if you have greater resources and access ,then you are at a big advantage. Just logic.

I could understand the criticism of alford if it was accurate,,but I don't think it is. I actually had a couple of $ on the horse and thought he gave it its chance,and made understandable decisions as the race unfolded. I think he lacked a bit of confidence when he first started,often just following them around like most juniors do when they start off,,but he showed a bit more aggression in that drive, which is what he will need to do in future if he is to be successful. As far as junior drivers go John morrison is very talented and sarah o"reilly has improved big time lately.

If that's how you judge things then fair enough. Would you say the same to some catholics. Why are they against abortion if that's the way everyone should think?. I"m just expressing an opinion from my perspective of the world. I realise its easier to do that when you have no skin in the game so to speak. Your not influenced by factors that those involved are,So my judgement call simply comes down to what I believe is fair and what is not.

It depends whether you look at it from a legal or moral perspective in my view? You would get 2 different answers. ,

That's all true. No one argues otherwise that I know. But the reality is most believe there is more to their success than just that. Personally I think they are also ahead of the game when it comes to currently legal performance enhancers I think only the ignorant would believe they are ahead of the game in everything except performance enhancers. If you argue otherwise, well I think you can't be taken seriously. That's the reason you see some negativity towards that stable. Its so obvious that is where a lot of the detractors frustrations come from. One side argues they live in the real world,the other argues its all just jealousy. In all reality most would do the same if they had the knowledge, contacts, opportunity, money.. People in glass houses type thing. I think it also so blatantly obvious that as science progresses those that don't access what helps them run faster get left behind. The sad thing about it all is the health of the horse is often compromised. That is one of the reasons many no longer participate. One thing I would say about that stable is their horses don't have the intermittent form reversals due to ill health on the day that some others do. Not that we see on race day anyway .

The stewart stable is very dominant, but the Tonkin stable was caught in in the blue magic scandal, and of course many are still skeptical of whether performance enhancers are a current factor. I watched a couple of the races last night,,the all stars won them both and really made the opposition look very 2nd rate. The difference between the all stars and the also rans was rather noticeable. I thought one of the most notable things last night was the Butt stable. They had a couple of runners pull up distressed, and another drop out. They can certainly get them going, but when they aren't right,it certainly is noticeable.

I guess if there is no requirements to tell punters it was only going to sit and come with one run, then we shouldn't be too surprised. There is no doubt punters have too much faith sometimes . I think too you had a driver who often you never know what you may get these days.. That race illustrated that well. If Ricky May had driven it, at least you know he can try and not knock them around at the same time. They can do both.

Having viewed the video several times I can't work out how anyone could believe the explanation for the interference to capelli on the first bend. The horse was not trotting roughly,nor hanging out in the 40m prior to the interference, yet that's what the stipes would have us believe. Is that what the drivers said or did the stipes just make things up because the drivers concerned had higher profiles. Would a lesser known driver have been treated the same?

Your first paragraph just illustrates why this matter was always best handed on to the police. Do you really think the RIU could have conducted a thorough investigation without it being undermined. Have you forgotten the blue magic scandal where several trainers were tipped off on upcoming police raids by racing officials? You say 'the RIU is sieve like with information' then argue they should have conducted an investigation that required utmost secrecy over a long period of time while evidence/information was gathered. Its a contradiction. Your second paragraph is exactly what other sporting bodies do. Lots of examples.The Irish rugby players stood down for some time last year when they were charged with offences like rape which they were eventually acquitted on,the nz rugby league captain stood down for drug offences last year the day after he was charged, the many overseas cricket players immediately stood down when news of police investigations into match fixing surface. All other sports do it, its what sports do to protect their integrity. They all try to work with the police and the defendants to gain a balanced view so as they can make informed decisions as to what action is necessary to protect their sports reputation. Your 3rd paragraph seems to conclude that there may be a damages claim if racing authorities find guilt and the courts don"t. Then you quite rightly point out the 2 very different burden of proof thresholds that courts and racing have, possibly nullifying your initial inference. I think you have pointed out flaws in your own argument, which I supposed means your presenting both sides. The RIU are being criticized by many on here for not gathering the evidence/information themselves while at the same time being criticized for trying to gather evidence from other sources who have the evidence as a result of their investigations. I just don't get the logic of those making that argument. I've never been a great fan of the RIU, but i'm consistent, and I recognize when they are trying to uphold integrity and honesty. So I disagree with you for the above reasons.

this is what I think. I think many are only interested in truth and honesty when there is no wrongdoing by those they support. In all my time of following this sport it has never been clearer to me the double standards and hypocracy of many within the industry who claim to endorse integrity,that is as long as they can choose who should be judged. And whats with those pointing out past failings of the riu to properly uphold integrity issues. Criticize them when they don't,then criticize them when they do

They are not the same. Each enforces its own based on evidence they have before them. The RIU would be derelict in its duty if it were to put on hold investigation of possible breaches of its rules ,especially when the possible breaches strike at the heart of the industries integrity. How you call that really,really petty I do not know. Say the police had evidence of extensive use of performance enhancers by a high profile participant would your attitude still be the same towards the riu? Let them win as much as they can for 18 months,because another authority is already dealing with it. You seem to be pre judging what the riu may do. Are you privy to information that may lead you to that conclusion? If not,why do you protest?

If I am reading it right as to what you are saying. You think those that would have had their race scrapped due to insufficient numbers, now actually have a race,but may not be happy as they have to race against horses who have won previously, albeit those winners probably are horses of less ability than theirs? I cant see why the non winners would be upset,but if they are they can always scratch and get a vet to write a vet certificate for some non existent problem that will disappear by nomination time next week, like seems to happen so often.

No. In my opinion they should have been doing this long ago. Some of the non winners look to be the better chances in my opinion.

Alexandra park is showing positive leadership in programming races like this. For too long this club has failed to utilize a pool of horses who would rather race at other venues for lesser money than run in events where they are non competitive. Criticizing the programming of a race which attracts a good size field of similar ability horses,which should make for a good betting race, is not warranted in my opinion.

The horsemen don't complain about starts down there,why is that???

If they were deliberately back as far as they were ,then they sure were stupid.. Watch the video and you will see the only one on the second line who was in its correct position settled a long way in front of those who got the running start. That's not getting an advantage. That's the opposite.

I didn't see much wrong with that start, it appeared to me that those on the second line were a little asleep in lining up,so while they did get a moving start they were at a disadvantage already because of the drivers,not the starter. What would you have the starter do,wait until they all stand still and 2 or 3 on the front line start going backwards like they do in Canterbury,then be sent around again with a 2 minute delay.. Standing starts in southland have a higher % go away than Canterbury. Ive said it before,and will say it again, its the horses I feel sorry for that race in Canterbury then southland or vice versa. They don't always get the same,and it shows in their starting. Horses like michele,gypsy's choice ,and many more are a menace in Canterbury stands,whereas they will go away in southland. Or would you rather they be a menace all the time?

I've just watched that race again and it defies logic to think a horse that they cant get to move for 2 minutes and constantly standing with its weight on the back feet, would all of a sudden go forward when the tapes go. It was an accident waiting to happen,and they let it happen.

II think you would have to be a loyal supporter to back it at that price. Last couple of starts it has started that far behind them that you had done your money before they had even started. IThat leads to having runs that are harder on it physically and mentally. My theory with it is that it will run its best races when its up on the nickel pre race,and trying to restrain it during the running is also counter productive at the moment.. The horse and driver seem to have both lost a bit of confidence in each other. I think horses like that get their confidence from winning,not being driven pretty.. Having said that,good luck to them,i still hope it can deliver what it is capable of one day.

Vladimir-the rat catcher,i think that would catch on if he ever took up race driving ...."Never corner a rat" personally I think mr evans does a good job.

interesting reading. Must be costing those involved a lot of $ to fight it every step of the way. If there is nothing incriminating ,then why try to keep it from racing authorities?