Brando

How quickly people forget Shillelagh's deeds of Derby Day 2017 when she won the G1 Cantala Stakes, which was year run this year as The Kennedy Mile. The race was formerly known as the Emirates Mile and run on the last Saturday of Melbourne Cup week. 2017 was the first time it was run on Derby Day because VRC switched it with the McKinnon Stakes.

Why have you categorised Wales as a dog farmer?

I'm going to be Devil's Advocate ? Wasn't track closures proposed back in 2010 by Stiassny and NZTR? From memory, there was a huge uproar back then because a whistle blower exposed the "Secreted Documents" and "Non Consultation" with claims it was equivalent to night time theft. Back at the time, I was a proponent of Race Course Rationalisation on Racechat, but not of the Stiassny and NZTR's secretive approach to achieving this. Today, I am still a strong proponent of Rationalisation. SO here we are again re Race Course Rationislation! With the exception of the Clubs and race Courses being a part of the consultation process. So the question I ask is: 8 years later, Is NZ racing better for NOT reducing the number of Race Courses back in 2010?

A charge of Possession generally = for personal use. The accused on drug charges, have been charged with Supply or the more serious; Possesion for Supply.

The evidence wasn't tested under the Rules of Racing because: after Match Fixing was legislated as a Crime in Dec 2014, and the New Zealand Policy on Match Fixing and Related Corruption 2014 accepted, all National Sporting Organistions(NSOs) signed an agreement to Collaborate with Police to investigate when Match Fixing and Related Corruption is detected. Once it becomes a Police investigation, it will subsequently become a police prosecution if evidence of offending/illegal activity is discovered. Prior to this Legislation, as Match Fixing wasn't a crime, it was to be dealt with by the individual NSOs. So at the time of David Walker's offending, he breached the Rules of Racing but didn't commit a crime so was dealt with by the RIU and JCA.

I for sure hope that one or more of his new season 3yos is a STAR in Australia this spring - for the sake of the Lindsays and for those breeders who supported Tavistock at his $65k fee. Because Australians don't take much notice of NZ form ??

I have read Mark Purodn's statement. I admire his and LongOwner' passion for the accused but their criticism of the Media and Police are based on their personal opinion. So I will strongly disagree with them blaming the Media or the Police; and playing the "Victim card" for the sport of Harness. Sports persons, actors, politions and any high profile person will draw media attention because it's "Newsworthy". Mark is a very busy man and may not have time to actually follow the media, therefore he shouldn't make uninformed comments on such things as "Being Published before Any Court Appearances". Ben Stokes, OJ Simpson, Indian cricketers(too numerous to name), Cliff Richard, Britney Spears, Hanse Cronje, Chris Cairns, Damien Oliver, John Banks, Daniel Carter and the list goes on, and on and ON. History is full of intances where media have published Names and Charges before Court Appearances; based on witness accounts and insider sources. Harness isn't being singled out cause it's "special" There is NO law against the media Publishing anythng prior to a Court Appearance. The media just have to make sure what is reported is accurate or they face libel. If Name suppression is granted later, then the Media will report accordingly to the court order. On one hand Purdon argues for the Court process to take its due course yet on the other hand he is critical of Harness leaders because they haven't come out in support of the accused, reasoning that they "are some of the most successful people in Harness racing". History is also full of highly successful people committing offences: Damian Oliver, James McDonald, Jose Mourinho, Lionel Messi, Martha Stuart etc etc. I applaud HRNZ for the stance they have taken. No person is bigger than the sport no matter how successful they are. HRNZ governs the Sport and its Integrity - and these are serious charges against the Integrity of the Sport.

Can you please elaborate on why you think HRNZ or the RIU did not carry out their roles?

505 (1) A horseman may not bet on any horse or combination of horses in a race, in which he or she is driving; (2) A breach of this sub-rule (1) is declared to be a serious racing offence

If this report is accurate and O'Connor placed bets on behalf of drivers, then it will be a very sad day in Trackside land when he is lost from our screens. I really hope this is NOT true! I have always enjoyed his knowledgeable presentation, alongside Mark Mac on race days for both codes. He is multi-skilled, a wonderful interviewer and the Box Seat will just be another "All about Me Guerin" show if he isn't there to bring the balance. ?

Yankiwi, re the Harness scandal: the RIU didn't pass onto the Police, an investigation which included drugs. It was an investigation into Match Fixing. As a result of phone tapping and monitoring text messages, the MDMA/Drug evidence was subsequenty discovered. I do agree with you that pursuing charges against an Unlicensed person is a total waste of industry funds

I disagree re damages because being a Licensed person is not a right but a privelge granted by HRNZ. 324 (1) The Board may, in its discretion, at any time cancel, withdraw, suspend, or impose, amend or delete any conditions or restrictions upon any licence for such period during the currency thereof as it thinks fit, giving seven days notice of its intention to do so. As this is the first case of it's kind in New Zealand, since Match Fixing was legislated to be a Criminal Act in 2014, the RIU needs to take a firm stance on this, and not let particpants and their smarty pants lawyers, use loop holes or find ways to make a mockery of an Industry where INTEGRITY is so paramount.

TAVISTOCK is in desperate need of a Spring star in Australia before the first of his $65k crop go to auction at Karaka in 2019. Otherwise his progeny are going to crash the Karaka Premier Sales average downwards. He has left nothing of note since Werther(1st Crop) or Tarzino and Tavago(2nd Crop). The Tavistocks are no good at 2, and have done nothng of note at 3 the last 2 racing seasons. No serious Australian buyer/syndicator is going to pay a lot of money for a yearling that's not going to show their best until 4 or 5. The Aussies are NZ's biggest market for yearlings followed by Hong Kong. Cambridge Stud have enjoyed the the success of Werther, Tarzino and Tavago for 2 breeding seasons and good on them. But to keep his service fee at $65k for this breeding season is taking those who supported the stallion for granted, given the Tavistocks' have done nothing of note the last 2 racing seasons.

CONGRATS and all the best to connections with the bub ?

Ok I'm not going to claim to be intelligent cause I'm not that full of myself or arroagant but..... ? Of the 11 charged, only one has pleaded NOT GUILTY. And he ain't even a harness person: Brent Wall ? The other 10 whom are Harness people, all have entered "No Plea" While one has expressed an "Intention" to strenuosly deny the charges - so strenuosly that he still won't plead "Not Guilty". So well played by his QC Eaton. The RIU have done the right thing. These are SERIOUS charges and if you aren't prepared to plead "Not Guilty" then you shouldn't expect the RIU to let you continue to be a particpant and affect the Integrity of the sport. Just remember: To plead "Not Guilty" but then to be found guilty at trial, incurs a far harsher penalty/sentence! Entering No Plea - this is classic legal manouvering. Those charged and their legal teams need time to fully evaluate the charges and the eveidence against them before pleading and also gives time for plea deals to possibly be agreed with Police. Form your own opinons based on that.

Well if you have got that feeling, then you need to see a doctor cause you are obviously are "feeling unwell" ?? The Police and Media have done ABSOLUTELY nothing wrong!

Sure sure they will..... NOT! You base this assertation on what?

Oh pah-lease. He stood up for Freedom of the Press!

Because it was a false positive ??