curious

At red light, they do have to exclude those without vaccine passports at any events. That is the law. They can still hold the events with the 100 person limit among other things.

FYI, I know exactly what it feels like to be excluded because I'm unvaccinated. I think that's atrocious but it's the law at this point.

What greater good? So, Trentham and Ellerslie providing for owners this weekend is against the greater good?

Or the elite of thoroughbred racing animal welfare maybe?

Jockeys in Sweden will no longer be able to use the whip for encouragement when the new racing season begins in that country on Apr. 10. Swedish racing authority Svensk Galopp has published a new rule that will allow jockeys to carry the crop, but only use it “to ward off a dangerous situation.” Recently, jockeys in Sweden have been allowed to hit their horses three times in a race. The whip, however, has not been allowed in jumps racing or for 2-year-old racing. Helena Gartner, project manager of the Scandinavian Racing Regulations Committee, said, “The use of the whip in Sweden has been discussed for years. The regulations have changed gradually and the foam-padded sticks were introduced some years ago, but now it is time to ban the use of the whip completely. Whip use in horse racing simply does not belong in 2022.”

Yeah, well that member and other members should get together and put a rocket under the CJC board and management. The members control the club after all. The decision is bad enough on its own but the fact that they notified it 36 hours before raceday is atrocious. They at least could have let people know they couldn't be bothered before nominations closed. The whole thing stinks.

The reason they gave was the limited available time-frame. But Wellington and Auckland managed as Tesio points out. It's a crock of shit and feels like a 🖕

Exactly, and as Freda points out the hospitality suites could be used for that purpose. They are all open to the outside so essentially reasonably safe outdoor areas fit for this purpose. It's just pure laziness. The NZTR protocols allow it. Makes me want to give up, if not throw up. Gutting treatment of owners, sponsors and members imo,

"due to the country currently being in COVID Protection Framework ‘RED’ and with the limited timeframe available, this raceday will be run as a closed door meeting. This means no members of the public, including owners, sponsors and members, will be admitted to this race meeting. Only essential raceday personnel are permitted to attend." What? "the limited timeframe available". The meeting has been scheduled for months. And the traffic light system for 2 months. What is the limited time-frame within which they couldn't get organised?

Exactly. They knuckle over because it is inconsistent, not because it's slippery. Very dangerous.

Yes. But sectionals have been electronically timed for probably two decades. From memory Ellerslie and maybe Riccarton started using them in the early 2000s They are measured by a timing device on the rail at the exact say 600 point triggered when the first horse passes that point and again at the finish line. That of course only captures the first horse to pass those points. The other horse sectionals are calculated based on their distance from that horse and the relative speed that the sectional is run. Neil Davis could probably explain it better but I don't see how you could possibly use a marker on the outside fence 30m away from the rail for that purpose.

Why?

The last 100 is clearly marked. I doubt any of the inside markers are precise. They are only a guide and on many tracks could be 10 or 20m out depending where the rail is. The actual start points are marked on the rail for the rail position used for the meeting. You can clearly see that for the 2100 start.

I don't think they have a 2000 start point do they? If you look at the start of the Trentham Stakes though it's definitely closer to the post than the 100 marker.

Must be 2011m based on what they said musn't it?

No you can only enter the saddling area with the trainer at CD. You may be thinking of Keeneland where horses are saddled under the trees behind the stand.

Except it's no picnic.

Don't think going forward was the wrong decision. Trying to take on the other two when they clicked up was. The wide lane doesn't get a head start. Each lane is measured so they all run exactly 400m. Horses don't race in lanes. None of those full of running after saving ground win do they? Those that are in the open do because they are able to fully exert themselves.

Yes. A top rate rider with a career plagued by a foot injury. But that is exactly my point. Avoiding bumps, ground changes, momentum shifts from speeding up or slowing down, all conserve energy, often moreso than what is used by covering a little extra ground.

Don't agree with that. The decision to go forward may well come mid-race as it did with OP yesterday. Then it's based on your judgement of pace and how you think the horse is traveling.

Have a look at the first at Gore yesterday JB. Perfect example. CWJ may be getting close to his use by date and is more known for dropping horses out, getting them relaxed and travelling and getting them home late but you don't ride 2500 winners without the ability to judge pace and the confidence to back that judgement. 3w without cover early, then 2w without cover. No pace on, took action. Bolted in.

Just another armchair expert JB and that's what many of us were taught to think or do. Not sure I entirely agree though. There is a momentum and/or energy cost in going forward or back contra to the distance cost of traveling 3 wide. It also may mean that a further momentum/energy cost is incurred to get a run in the straight e.g., having to change ground. Some horses (bigger long striding types especially) may travel more comfortably a bit further out even if 3 wide without cover. I agree with Freda that the much more important thing is to be able to judge pace and position horses, go forward or steady on that basis. If you are wide in the open then you have a much better chance of doing that than if you are stuck snuggled up on the fence where the race can be taken away from you and there is nought you can do about it.

He's well up to it. Good luck to him.

I reckon stick with 6, 8 and 13. They feel lucky.