Special Agent

If you go to the races and read the Stipes Report that night there are times when what is written and your recollection are quite different. Even though these reports should not be open to debate, you cannot believe everything you read. As for this new state of the art surface, some Australians remarked on them in a not too favourable manner. It seems state of the art is not what it is cracked up to be. The lazy method of just throwing money at something is not the answer. It seems there are big noters who have a following while they are here. When they move on to other occupations they become someone else's problem for a while. Unfortunately the bad pennies have a tendancy to turn up at a later date.

Yes, a lot of passing the buck in this industry. I agree with Freda. Previous Starters with obvious pride in their work and a sense of responsibility have managed to regularly check and maintain the starting gates. I would have thought that would be part of their contract. Surely the Starters of today don't just rock on up on race day.

Do we know if this positive is to cobalt, or something else? The ruling for cobalt was flawed for one thing. There is no evidence cobalt is performance enhancing. The Australian court cases proved the injustice. Same applies here even though all trainers bar one put their hands up, and were charged as guilty. Every licence holder should be treated equally.

All the hype leading in then an unsafe track offered. I think that is more than teething problems as mentioned earlier on here.

I don't see how they can race on the back of how the track played on Karaka Millions night. I doubt many jockeys would put their hands up. Avondale may be a cot case but, the track surface looked a lot safer than Ellerslie and in better condition than Pukekohe. Can we PLEASE forget about people getting drunk and focus on the horse and rider safety?

It will be an interesting one to hear by the sounds.

Who would want a horse in Central?

There are examples of farm training, the use of water treadmills and trips to the beach that have worked wonders for such horses.

And thus sold at market value.

WTF!!! Trentham off due to an unsafe track. Well done to all concerned. Stop worrying about what licence holders are doing wrongly. Get your own shit under control. This is not a joke. Injuries and deaths are unacceptable.

And now Trentham off!!!!!! FFS.

As one trainer told NZTR, don't bother us with stable audits until you get tracks up to scratch. What they are and aren't doing with track maintenance is killing and injuring. I don't think a bucket not properly scrubbed is even worthy of mention on their report.

Inconsistent (unsafe) track at Hastings so, just the two races there today. No further comment from me required.

In some instances that could be tricky. Why would riding engagements and fees be different to any other race.

Probably not gossiping, more likely annoyed.

Oh yes, you are all correct. NZ Bred OR the other condition.

To me it would suggest vendor buy backs are okay but, open to comment.

Reading the terms, I'd say no.

Yes it does. How is this being addressed?

More gimmicks.

Oh dear. Is that a $80K race in our money? The Entain way ... quantity.

These are all great points that everyone is bringing up, and so bloody obvious those in charge are just giving us all the fingers. It can only end in tears!!

It is quite surprising breeders are backing this one as it will not reflect a genuine black type race. I thought I heard Bruce Sharrock correct himself saying the CJC would have to buy their slot. What with? They'd have to sell the two houses on the property, if they haven't already.

So to enter your horse it either has to be NZ bred or to have gone through the NZ sales. I'd say NZB's contribution is providing the vehicle to Auction. NZTR is retaining a slot for whatever knows what purpose.

If you ask do you think you will be answered?