curious

Yes. I'm sure Thommo will agree that long holidays should be reported.

Yep, I'm working on that. Just a simple radio system like they use in the US for track work should work I'm thinking and be legal.

I only back horses that are fitted with sleep monitors where I can get direct reports from trainers, provided of course that they meet other criteria such as tongue ties, blinkers and lasix and that I know where the fast lane is on the track, even if the horse doesn't.

ROI? Any evidence of that from a punting perspective? I'm surprised that you now trust the trainer on this. I thought you relied on stats.

Yep, I read that study about 8 years ago Thommo. Most trainers know that I think. What's your point?

To be fair, I think he'd know a lot about consistency of (bull) shit.

You trusted the trainer on a gear change? I thought you wanted to know what it had for breakfast and make your own judgement on that? Do you add the 20% because you trust the trainer or because the horse has a tongue tie on first up?

I agree, but as you state above, they are distinct industries, and as mardigras states, the NZRB obligation is to the racing ones of all codes, not the breeding ones. Conflating the two in the size and scope figures being cited is mischievous at best and irrelevant to arguments for support for the racing industry. I know the DIA and other key politicians are aware of this.

pix of what?

Had an agistment farm out of Paris, Ky, a couple of country blocks away from Claiborne in the 80s and early 90s. Used to walk mares in there for covering and also often took visitors to see the stallions. Sir Ivor used to like his tongue rubbed as well.

Never saw him race but saw him at work in the breeding shed a number of times and had the pleasure of shaking his tongue one day which he liked to pop out for a squeeze.

We are obviously not alone in thinking that. https://www.newsday.com/sports/horseracing/belmont-stakes/justify-stablemate-restoring-hope-helped-win-belmont-stakes-1.19118074

My point exactly. Here's Justify and Gronkowski pulling up after the Belmont. Jockeys can obviously afford more than two pairs of goggles over there and the horses cope with the kick back.

I'm curious what you mean by that TC? And which ones will be exempt from the experience?

I think doing that is a magnificent effort that should be acknowledged. If you don't think so, then each to their own. I'm just trying to recognise something that I doubt any other kiwi bloodstock agent has ever done, or is likely to do in the foreseeable future. It's a tough game and credit is due where ever credit is due. How many horses have you sold as agent TC? And does that include a triple crown winner?

Read again. I said accomplishment of a kiwi bloodstock agent, not a kiwi owner, trainer or jockey. In that respect it's an outstanding feat imho, and whether the owners he was acting for were the China Horse Club or the Kiwi Horse Club is irrelevant.

Yes, I think that's what makes Gronkowski's performance remarkable. Must have run his last half mile in 44?

Possibly one of the greatest accomplishments of any Kiwi born bloodstock agents.

Rightly so. Atrocious.

Was Restoring Hope's role to just sit outside him and try to stop anyone else pressing him? He seemed to retire on the turn unasked and left them to it.

I thought he was foaled in the US?

Good question. I don't know. Maybe mare bought in Oz and bred NHT before being shipped back to US? But he looked like he wasn't even going to join in. Some patient ride and if he'd begun, history might have been different. Have a look at his start here.

curious Report post Posted May 27 More seriously, with Audible out, I like Hofburg and Gronkowski. I did leave it to Baffert of course, as I said I would. I note that I also correctly named the two most likely to beat him, including the second horse which was 69/1 at the time. Of course you'd have been on to that because of the trainers first time lasix strike rate of 25% I guess. Is that better than first time blinkers?

Yes, I thought that he was just waving it at him. On another note what a performance by Gronkowsci and Chad Brown. He was motherless at least 12 lengths off Justify round the first turn. Got a dream run through on the rail but all the same, to finish a length and a half off that horse in his first start in the US was some effort I thought.

Way too good! Just kept looking better and better this week and almost went to sleep in the gates. I was hopeful turning in but I'll take the trifecta. Hope you got some of it.