Special Agent

Does anyone have any thoughts and comments on this? It always scares me when I see the word "Consultant" in any upcoming racing decision.

The issues of today don't look to have changed much from 2015.

I've spoken to a few who have received the open letter and pretty much all seem to have little idea what has happened to prompt such a letter. I guess if we are in the dark we must have a clean nose. Suppliers to the industry is an unusual inclusion. Would this be feed merchants, blacksmiths, saddleries, vets etc.? How are these people bound by racing industry rules? The mind boggles as to how bad this issue is but, then it is pointed out that there is a small minority displaying negative behaviour. This may just be highlighting the obvious that many living in the modern age have no manners, no sense of humour and some have no back bone.

Awards given out for everything seems to be a recent thing in racing, like the ones for racing clubs. They were popular on here.

Oh for goodness sake. Those people are not in the limelight because they don't want to be. I don't know why you think everyone wants accolades and back slapping. Some do the job because they love the horse, the real hero of the industry. They help others without an announcement and volunteer their time assisting and teaching. Most of the people I know go about their business without the hooplah, live a simple life, work hard and have a laugh, even at themselves.

Ain't that the truth, irrespective of how successful you were.

No, I still have a tribe of kids eating me out of house and home.

Am I? Just because you get an award it does not mean you are the hardest worker in the industry. There are some who couldn't give a toss to have an award on their shelf. Feeding their kids, or taking them on holiday might be more meaningful.

Just wanted to point out that there are weight stipulations, like for starters a jockey must be 58.5kg or less to reapply for their licence.

Is there anyone in the racing industry who doesn't work hard?

I agree with quite a few on here and am not a fan of awards for awards sake. The number of training wins clearly puts Sam ahead of his peers on merit. When there is a system where you can nominate yourself, those who work for sponsors of the event are not excluded, non-connectivity is intimidating etc, I think it's a little bit pointless. It's rather school-ish.

No, you made a statement about Sam learning his training trade from his grandfather Herb. Now it's Wallace Young. I thought he was quite an old trainer in the 1970's. I don't think meeting someone a couple of times gives automatic authority on all things Sam.

Herb gave up training when Sam was about 4 years old. I guess training racehorses at such a young age wasn't a health and safety issue back in the '90's.

As a matter of interest, which department, and with whom would you personally start?

How do you know they aren't? Do they answer the phone?

Haha. I guess I asked the wrong question on this forum then. I think I said it would be hard to head him off in his category and he represents the industry well. How does that say Sam is undeserving of the award? I'm all for promoting young people in the industry, there's no growth without them. I can see where others are coming from though when more than a few of the winners are employed by NZTR or sponsors of the event.

Yes, I understand the word peers but, I'm wondering what relevance being recognised by those peers means. Thanks Curious, obviously not voted by his peers. Does it just mean applauded by his peers? Normally the terminology would refer to being voted the best by his/her peers. Some sort of office work place appreciation and encouragement hang over maybe. I find it perplexing phrasing. NZTR have the most weird way of putting words together that say nothing, robust protocols and all.

I think it would have been difficult to find a more apt winner than Sam in the Equine Licence Holder category of those nominated. He represents the racing industry better than most. I agree with Huey's comments that he's not alone in putting in the hours as that is par for the course in his vocation but, Sam is definitely reaping rewards as a trainer. One thing I might need educating on is the wording I've seen more than once in relation to these awards ... "was recognised by his peers when receiving". Does this mean voting was by other trainers, or others in his category? What does "recognised by his or her peers" mean here?

Chasing unfinished business of Group win # 100 makes sense but, I'd imagine there would be stringent weight related terms attached to his licence, starting with his registered riding weight.

Some good prices but, also some definite bargains well under service fees plus costs so far.

On top of 100+ triallists at Foxton today 42 using the practice gates at Levin. No Group One racing there these days but still vital for the industry.

If your standardbred did most of it's long and fast work around the roads of North Canterbury would you trial it at Addington before racing there?

I think you will find horses are lining up on the synthetic without even a canter once around on it. I wouldn't have mentioned it otherwise. There seem to be a number of bleeders, not sure if that's commonplace on the other two synthetics.

I think this is worse than hitting a horse when not in contention of running in the first five. Not being in contention is a judgment call which could be based on a number of factors i.e. how does the horse feel, have you ridden the horse before, does it run on from back in the field, what is the start number in this campaign, how has the horse trained and eaten this week, is today's race the optimum distance, is the trainer trying different tactics etc. A well trained horse with ability is a pleasure for a jockey to ride and may need little whipping. For the others make sure you have a savvy jockey who knows how to hit, where to hit and how to count. Is it really that hard? There are official eyes, cameras and vets to enforce the rules. If jockeys want to ride and be paid, abide by those rules, or suffer the consequences.

Another option used to fine or suspend and shown in the Stipes Reports is hitting a horse when clearly winning. As for having no listed definition of the flank, I guess it is assumed as a licence holder you know where that part of the body is.