curious

The big plus is the liquidity and punters have the choice to decide if the marginally lower price is satisfactory or not and therefore whether they choose to bet. I doubt NZTAB would do it if they didn't think it increased revenue overall. They commingle with TABCORP where the reverse is the case.

Fair enough, though you do have the fixed odds alternative.

It's not nonsense. It's a fact. Read for yourself. That's how they define it. If all those horses are going forward and improving their position, why on earth do they need to be struck illegally with the whip?

True. Miss plenty and see plenty I don't post. Usually just put up the first one I notice any day where I have reasonably good video vision.

How is it "screwing more" out of punters?

Other more enlightened jurisdictions like the US do. HISA also defines the abuse as inflicting undue suffering on a horse which is a serious racing offence under NZ rules subject to disqualification.

Here ya go then. https://loveracing.nz/Common/SystemTemplates/Modal/Video.aspx?v=http%3a%2f%2fwww.racingreplays.co.nz%2fmedia%2f202510%2fM4_WELL_R08_261025.mp4&i=%2fCommon%2fImage.ashx%3fw%3d565%26h%3d314%26a%3d1%26o%3d1%26z%3d1%26bg%3deeeeee%26p%3dhttp%3a%2f%2fwww.racingreplays.co.nz%2fmedia%2f202510%2fM4_WELL_R08_261025.jpg&r=Race 8 - NZCIS WELLINGTON CUP PACKAGES NOW ON SALE 1400&rs=1&jwsource=cl Flank, head and shoulder forehand all in one race and not a word from the stipes.

Because it's not random and for the sake of our horses and our industry, I want the abuse to stop and be stopped.

It was a super day and a super day's racing. Far from unhappy.

That makes it sounds like Flaxmere is a done deal. Have they got the MBIE funding and members' vote already?

Brent Thomson would be another?

No, mainly my ailing memory though I did have to look up his race record to establish what race he actually won.

Make that the City of Auckland Cup then. Ridden by Parksie?

So, are you suggesting that the whip can make slow horses faster?

I think his sire won the Auckland Cup for Donna Logan didn't he?

I'd say so mostly, since they've travelled that far. Just a bit of a logistical issue for trainers with staffing etc.

I'd say not tomorrow with Riccarton Saturday?

Meeting News Gore Races Abandoned Gore Races Abandoned Today’s Gore Races have been abandoned due to excessive wind gusts. The riders, club and RIB are all in agreement after assessing the conditions. NZTR will investigate a transfer date after talking with relevant groups, including Entain NZ.

Here is the US (HISA) definition of abuse. I agree with that. Definition of Abuse in Whip Use (HISA Rule Series 2000) Abuse includes, but is not limited to: Exceeding the Strike Limit: Jockeys are limited to six strikes per race. More than six strikes may trigger penalties, especially if deemed excessive or unnecessary. Striking the Horse in Prohibited Areas: Whip use is restricted to the shoulder or hindquarters. Striking the horse on the head, neck, or belly is considered abusive. Using the Whip with Excessive Force: Whips must be used in a controlled, non-aggressive manner. Excessive force or repeated striking that causes visible injury or distress is classified as abuse. Using the Whip After the Horse Has Clearly Won: Continued use of the whip after the outcome is obvious is considered unnecessary and abusive. Failure to Give the Horse Time to Respond: Jockeys must allow the horse time to react between strikes. Rapid-fire whipping is discouraged and may be penalized.

Some I know have. Or, made sure that the jockeys were instructed not to violate the rules under any circumstances. However, I'm pretty sure all would if we had a DQ penalty similar to that in more enlightened jurisdictions.

There's nothing for him to write about really is there?

Sure was exactly that got me back into racing in NZ after a 10 year hiatus.

I agree with your last sentence and that's the whole point isn't it? The failure to address the whip use problem is contributing to the economic issues. As to the highlighting of whip indiscretions, some of us first took the matter up with the RIB and NZTR, to no avail. Highlighting them on racing oriented social media was the next step which has also failed to date, at least as far as any visible action is concerned. Unfortunately, it seems the only way forward now is the wider media and the politicians. That is underway.

I have hardly heard the term "breaking in" for decades. Most of us now talk about starting horses. And I've no idea where or when in that process any pain to the horse would usually occur. That idea is about as foreign and antiquated as the one that says whip use for encouragement is OK.