Special Agent

This doesn't matter to the RIB. There is no scientific evidence that cobalt is performance enhancing but, licence holders are still charged if detected. I would have thought meth would have a negative effect on performance.

I want to know what the consequences are for anyone in a leading position not following the conditions set out in the Racing Act, as the industry is legally bound? It seems racing administrators just do whatever they want with little or no consequences.

One would hope consultation with interested parties happened before making that decision. Woo hoo synthetic racing!!

The phase out continues. You'd have to wonder how many jumpers will venture down to the Grand National carnival, and how long before the reference to jumping goes completely with a change to the Winter Carnival, or something.

That "B sample" not being tested is interesting and shows an RIB cross code inconsistency. Surely testing of this sample would have left no doubt. I stand to be corrected but, I think if you put your hand up to have the B sample tested you can choose which laboratory it can be tested at e.g. Hong Kong may be your choice.

It seems to me if you were going to give your dog (or horse) a performance enhancing drug, meth would not be your "go to". It doesn't appear to be something that would improve your greyhound and make it kick over the final stages of a race. Most positives to meth in galloping and greyhounds have been through contamination from the people employed to look after these athletes on race day. When you look at the consequences of their actions why do we need them in the industry? With greyhound racing "on notice" to clean up their act maybe a more permanent ban is required to show greyhound racing is serious about keeping the industry alive for those who wish to continue in it.

Certainly a young team of workers.

https://i.stuff.co.nz/business/131979402/concerns-raised-over-tabs-proposed-outsourcing-deal

Let's face it, 10 wins anywhere is still a thrill for any owner. That's what we are all in it for, wins. If they were only in the Manawatu you would have to think the horse has been nicely handled and well placed. On the other matter of Australian authorities (both codes too I would suggest) insisting change of tactics declared and form reversals explained it shows to me exactly what it is. Professionals across the ditch, amateurs here.

A hang over from 2020's Year of the Metal Rat .... an extremely bad omen and bad year as history will show. 2023 is the Year of the Water Rabbit. That figures .... look at all the Bunnies in charge!!

I don't think there will be a choice moving forward, they might all be mRNA. I bet you never gave getting a tetanus shot a second thought in the past. As time goes on few will even question other vaccine make ups.

I'm not sure if people are ignorant or dumb. There are plenty I would not want to go to war with. It is amazing how some are still scared of catching Covid and worried about the vaccination status of those around them. There was a lady customer at the Post Office yesterday wearing a mask. When will having your face free to be seen become a prerequisite to enter banks and shops again as displayed at their doors?

Since everyone became soft. Maybe NZTR are trying to dispel the wet track breeds by cancelling all heavy tracks they would excel on, and using synthetic tracks their bodies are not designed for. Wanganui abandonment excuse was a good one too. The ambulance and vet vehicles could not follow the field. Has this ever happened at Wanganui (or anywhere) in the many years of winter racing there? Heard of ambulance tracks? Heard of four wheel drive vehicles? Heard of tractors?

I don't have a comment on last night's blood testing but, have observed the galloping Stipes' Reports where pre race blood testing pops up seemingly randomly and not always on big races at big race meetings. There was also hair follicle testing on one horse only at a meeting with no explanation. The Stipes/RIB are in charge and can pretty much do what they like apparently. I don't understand why there isn't blanket testing rules so everything appears above board. Well yes I do actually because I know that, as an example, cobalt testing is cost prohibitive to test every winner.

Ronaldo, that is a particularly sad situation and brave of the Canadian Cardiologist to make such comments. New Zealanders really were railroaded into thinking they needed to be jabbed, not for their health but to continue working or be able to have coffee with friends. It's interesting you say there was not a lot of choice. To say "no" to the mRNA vaccine you'd likely have done a lot of reading and listening to non-mainstream media. If you made any comment whilst non-vaccinated regarding how difficult and restricting life was, you were promptly told "well that was your choice to not be vaccinated" or things like this from a leading female jockey "people like you make me sick, you are holding the whole country back from getting back to normal". Many, many, many Kiwis are now wishing their choice had not been pro-vaccine.

As Matamata is racing with the same fields on another day, has the meeting not been postponed?

With Allpress, Collett and D Johnson getting the bulk of the rides over the last four seasons, and all currently out of commission, opportunities for the other jockeys may not be as reducing as at first glance.

Brodie, I agree with all four points 100%. Mainstream media is a joke and I wouldn't think viewership of TV1 or TV3 news would be strong. New Zealanders must be a weakened breed now with shot immune systems to the point where minor infections and viruses could be a serious problem to many. Galah, I'm not so sure your comment regarding the National Party fully supporting vaccine mandates is factual as I believe National, ACT and the Maori Party voted against mandating the vaccines, all conveniently forgotten as time has moved on. However, on your point regarding the amount of money being sent straight out of the country by overseas workers, this is something I have been trying to explain for a long time. The idea that these people are bad for the racing industry, the economy and our country's wellbeing has been falling on deaf ears. I get sick of hearing how New Zealanders do not want to work etc when in some cases they are not actually valued for their experience or paid what they are worth. I love those figures you have provided as concrete evidence we should not be relying on workers from other countries and should be nurturing our home grown. Charity begins at home. Gammalite, I don't recall childhood vaccines being a big deal when I was young. Not everyone was jabbed but, we all had measles, mumps, whooping cough, chicken pox at least. I remember feeling really ill but, not for long and only once with each flavour. Our immune systems were/are fine. Mind you we didn't sit on our arse, eat junk food or hunch over a device. We read books, magazines and newspapers, worked two or three jobs, played sport, were respectful to our elders, had a good time and lived life. In my opinion there are too many pussies today, as the Covid Era proved. Unfortunately there will be more serious medical events such as that suffered by Gary Woodham. Any updates on his condition, hopefully on the mend. Without trivialising what happened to Gary, aren't the terms of today crass. How does heart attack become serious medical event? It sounds like junior nurses are being taught how to find a vein and take blood on a Carry On episode.

So do you think those who believe Covid vaccines are dangerous for your health are still in the minority?

I think the National Party being fully supportive of the vaccine mandates is a sweeping statement. I spoke and corresponded with many politicians during the Covid lockdowns (because I was unable to work within the racing industry) and I can guarantee not all of the individuals of the party were "fully supportive". Like many others in the country a "no jab no job" policy applied. Definitely coersion in my book. To not allow MP's who are representing the people to talk to protestors showed a definite weakness, a thought I relayed in no uncertain terms. David Seymour was the only sitting MP I could see who fronted those in Parliament grounds. Whether you follow ACT or not, those actions would have done David no harm. Good to see you reciprocating the lack of respect to Michael Guerin by calling him Mick, he hates that. The overlooking of locals is the sickest and most damning action of the Government. All political parties are screaming that we can't survive without an influx from overseas. New Zealand is already a dumping ground for substandard people in all professions. I'll get ready to be hit by a lightning bolt but, because citizens from poorer countries where racing is pretty average are willing to do almost anything to send money home to family we now employ the worst horse people in the world. The sad thing is I know there are very capable experienced New Zealanders in most regions who are cast aside for cheaper labour. When former greats of the industry talk of how riding standards are at an all time low yet they too take the cheap and nasty option, ask yourself!!

Not all of us were sucked in but, if another deadly virus hits town and the Government of the day advises us all to take some form of application will you and your family, without self investigation, willingly take whatever is being offered? Or might you say, well actually I choose not to partake in your medical trial on this occasion?

Try this https://rumble.com/v2gxr4i-silenced-nz.html

Taken down no doubt. What are they scared of us seeing?

I didn't know Covid was still a thing? Isolating for 5 days but your family can go to work and spread the deadly disease with only symptoms of a cold, maybe because it's not much more than a cold. Ridiculous to have perfectly able bodied professionals still out of work, with inferior overseas workers taking their place. Do employers not hire applicants because they haven't been vaccinated for herpes, shingles, tetanus, measles etc ? You wouldn't be looking anywhere other than the unvaccinated if you were needing a blood product to keep yourself alive.

Wouldn't have won the fair play award that day.