Special Agent

Do you think NZTR has become aware that RACE has not met the minumum standards? How would RACE run a future meeting without funding?

If as it states in the RIU report the Coles' race 4,000 per year, why are there only going to be 2,900 greyhounds needing homes? I remember as others some enjoyable times at QE11 Park watching greyhound racing. Are the injuries so many more now, or were they just not public knowledge back then? I am very disappointed in some weak politicians making these decisions. I wouldn't be making smug or snide remarks from another code. This is a sad day in New Zealand history.

If a trainer breaches any rule they are interrogated and penalised accordingly. What is the consequence of a club not adhering to their mandates?

I'm not on a mission to bag Opie Bosson, and I'm not in the pocket of Thomass. There just seemed to be passionate people on both sides of the argument and I thought I'd go looking for a more factual approach vs emotional. Lance O'Sullivan did hit hard when required but, he'd probably be one of only a few of the older jockeys who would adapt to the "less whip" style of today. He liked to ride handy so if they were good enough they had been given every opportunity. You'd have to agree that Hayden Tinsley is similar to Opie Bosson in that he had little use for lead bags and heavy boots. He had less opportunities but that didn't stop him winning his fair share. I think Craig Grylls is a better contemporary comparison to Opie as he has had around the same number of rides. I have to admit I was shocked at how many times Opie has been suspended giving Craig the look on paper as a fairer rider. No jockey is perfect. One race that Lance kept after major interferrence was the Auckland Cup. The race where Opie carved up the field and put many jockeys on the deck close to the finish at Hastings was as bad a riding example as you'd see.

As a coincidence Hayden Tinsley's profile photo shows him in the Te Akau colours. On style Hayden would compare favourably with Opie. With about 1,000 less rides than Opie, his statistics are interesting:- H Tinsley - 11,043 starts, 1,491 wins, 21 suspensions

Figures from NZTR performances in New Zealand, jockeys with a similar amount of rides:- Jockey Starts Wins Suspension O Bosson 12,083 2,058 95 C Grylls 12,309 1,248 36 N Harris 13,237 1,792 36 L O'Sullivan 13,245 2,355 45 D Peake 14,739 1,116 18 L Allpress 15,769 1,950 58 Some may say a top rider, some may say reckless. You be the judge.

A confusing string for me. There was no reason to think business model over training model going by Huey's comments. Then the Te Akau trained mare reference. I can only assume Huey meant the dam of the colt which won 4 from 6. Then the silly money for the TA trained mare lost me, unless the mother was sold, or did he mean the colt just purchased?

One of the suggestions to take over from Bruce Sharrock from some quarters.

I suppose each vendor is different but, you'd think once they'd breezed up the trainer/preparer would back off with work on a walker to keep them eating, interested and muscled for the sale ring.

You have the opportunity to lodge a submission. Don't moan about any adopted or adapted rules if you haven't done so. Also, don't be disappointed if no notice is taken of your suggestions.

Doesn't mean you can't change it back. Remember when the fillies could race on Day 1 and back up against tge boys on Day 2?

I don't understand that either. Is it laziness?

Here's an idea out of left field then. Entain and NZTR love a novelty race. I propose a (pick a number) say a 15+ start maiden with a big stake attached. The race would be quite even albeit at the bottom end of the scale but, it would prove a good betting race. The Melbourne Cup proves that the public don't care about the quality of the runners.

We can all say stupid things in the heat of the moment, and I can throw in the odd swear word, but I'd have thought the type of comments mentioned here would have come from trainers not so used to being in the limelight who are interviewed less. Not really what you would expect from those who are role models. These indiscretions aside, let us hope class and decorum in racing are not dead.

I think you have hit the nail on the hatted head. Whatever is done it has to be vastly different to what was done in the year of the abandonment. That embarrassment cannot be repeated.

When you think back to Allan's time in the chair, how would his salary compare to what they get today? It would be nice if we didn't get a cast off from another country. I notice Darin Balcombe and Bruce Sherwin have not been mentioned for either of the roles.

Maybe to the horse. He may have felt a superior being for part or all of the race. Not everything relates to speed. Sometimes it's more attitude. And sometimes it's not long lasting thus the reluctance to use blinkers until you think necessary.

Meet and greet who? NZ racing people? NZ racing media? Am I suspecting a "do you know who I am" vibe?

Programming is a problem (I don't think the 2000 guineas should even be on Day 1, it was better on Day 2 in my opinion) but, you can only work with the quality of horseflesh available. Even though the week has holidays scattered through it, maybe the ladies making comment haven't worked a 9-5 job for a while if at all. To have a family bbq day on the Wednesday would require a further day away from paid employment (and school) for those who will be making up the crowd.

With all he has won I can understand leaving the application of blinkers as long as they have.

That's an interesting list compiled by an avid observer from afar. Is there anyone more local who may have been overlooked for the role/s? How many would be chomping at the bit to take it on?

I'll put billy on that list too. It appears very few manners were instilled at a young age.

The world would be a better place if some adults had had a few whip strikes when they were kids.

He's had the arbitrary warning. Do they allow that sort of riding where he comes from? I would have thought not. I agree with others that as he has cheated to win the result should be reversed.

I don't agree that 19 degrees is a normal daytime high for early November in Canterbury. Maybe not near those Queensland highs but getting close to 30 degrees at Riccarton would not be a surprize for Cup and Show Week. Have you noticed how Robbie has a vice like grip on that Melbourne Cup? Not even fellow countryman Ronan Keating was allowed more than a touch of the bottom. It's like the dream he doesn't want to be woken from will be broken if he releases his control of the trophy.