Taku Umanga

Whoops

Last year's fields were larger due to a minimum stake of $9k per race. This year four of the races are for $7k, four are for $8k and the cup for $10k (down from $12 or $14k last year). It's a long way from the larger north island horse population and travel / accommodation costs make the excursion hard to justify. Am surprised M House and the other southerners have made the trip, but assume they may stay up for the Manawatu meetings on May 12 and 14. The whisper is that the Kapiti club is wanting to merge with Manawatu - it wouldn't be hard to imagine that if they don't this meeting may well be the final curtain for them.

Not sure, but I know I had runners there in 2016 and again in 2017.

Not quite true - I had horses race there in 2017 .....

Wasn't that whip ban rule revoked?

Can anyone cut and paste this story? https://theinformant.co.nz/riu-seeking-to-exclude-trio-of-drivers-once-again/

Back on topic - I couldn't fathom this fine after watching the video ..... JIMMY CANNON - raced wide early stages. When questioned regarding the improved performance Trainer/Driver D Keast advised that the gelding had broken during the running two starts ago when fresh up from a spell. Mr Keast added that the horse had not disappointed him in its most previous start after working hard in the middle stages and finishing in a close up position. Given this Mr Keast was not surprised by its efforts today, Mr Keast was fined the sum of $350.00 by the JCA for using his whip outside of the provisions of Clause (c) of the Use of Whip Regulations when using his whip in an uninterrupted manner in the middle stages.

115 for the centenary meeting (with noms left open) so far - more than I thought they'd get. 151 for the grass at Te Aroha ...... doesn't that let the club know what owners and trainers prefer!

..... and since when was Cambridge known as "The Bridge"? Come on Craig, think you've been listening to Aaron too long!

Geezus! ?

Tell Tell that to John Kriechbaumer ......straight up guy on a very average horse - amateur driver gets hammered but the professional get zilch! J Kriechbaumer (HIGHVIEW JUSTICE)[Rule 868(2)] - Failed take all reasonable and permissible measures to ensure horse given full opportunity.Suspended from 05/01/2019 until 31/07/2019 inclusive.

I bet ..... NO

Maybe he'll be treated like this amateur driver from Cambridge last week: J Kriechbaumer (HIGHVIEW JUSTICE)[Rule 868(2)] - Failed take all reasonable and permissible measures to ensure horse given full opportunity.Suspended from 05/01/2019 until 31/07/2019 inclusive.

Think that was because it was trying to run but wasn't allowed to - certainly went to the line well.

Not that I'm an expert, but think I would've taken the opportunity to drop into the trail behind Sharknado rather than heading for the lead - I know she would've struggled to out sprint the pacers going toward he line, but reckon that may have been the better option than using her up early.

I think he works at Auckland Airport

Plenty of current top trainers can be said the same of .....

Grrrrrr - can't delete a doubled up post!

Jamie is a very good horseman, farrier and obviously mentor. Fantastic start for Darren on a circuit that is hard to win one race on let alone 7! All the best for the future young fella.

Making up the numbers - that meeting always struggles as it's too far away from the main horse population, restricted programme and only a one day thing. In the old days (when fuel was cheaper), Geoff Small used to take a truckload of his lesser lights down and won everything.

You're right though - if I had a grass tracker that was likely to get spanked at Cambridge Raceway I'd withdraw it rather than have it moved to make up the numbers.

Traditionally at this time of year the grass tracks get better support from owners, trainers and punters and occasionally extra races have been created to cater for the nominations. I think the club anticipates this to be the case again, but since the Friday is their centenary celebration they are understandably wanting to get as many horses there as possible. With the low horse numbers in the North though, I don't think either meeting will have a full race card unfortunately.

Is the club anticipating a lack of nominations for their well staked Centenary meeting on 11 January with the grass track meeting at Te Aroha being held the next day? The programming conditions for Te Aroha would suggest so ..... 4. RESTRICTED PROGRAMME: Owners and trainers please note that no more than ten races will be run at this meeting. If excess nominations are received, in consultation with trainers horses may then be required to transfer to a suitable race at the Waikato Bay of Plenty Harness meeting at Cambridge Raceway on the preceeding night race meeting on Fri, January 11, 2019.

Surely the loss of 1.8 kg was a welfare concern that justified withdrawal in this case too? http://www.jca.org.nz/non-race-day-hearings/non-raceday-inquiry-riu-v-j-mcinerney-written-reserved-decision-dated-18-december-2018-chair-prof-g-hall

The talk amongst trainers at the Park tonight was that nobody (that I spoke to anyway) could believe Mr Yips held the race. Was told that one of those trainers went into the stipes room last night seeking clarification of the rule and was shut down very quickly. One trainer said that Herlihy was as surprised as anyone that he wasn't disqualified!