curious

Exactly! And add this from the Brits for example: g) A rider must allow 3 strides between each use of the whip h) A rider must only use the whip where their horse is responding

It would be interesting. He seems to rely on data and science, not population stats like some.

Looks like he might be contemplating a Wellington Cup meeting raid too from the early noms.

Thanks. Worth a watch. Please update us when episode 2 emerges.

You mean this Huey? https://www.racing.com/videos/2024-11-20/vinnie-colt-breaks-australasian-sales-record

I take that back. It's in another part of the rule. (e) In a Flat Race or Jumping Race, a Trial (including jump-outs and/or tests for certification purposes), a Rider must not use his or her whip in an excessive, unnecessary or improper manner.

Thanks. I did have it (parked). For response this week. I note that they have conveniently left out critical elements of the IFHA guidelines though good to see the prohibition on flank use and overhand forward of the saddle. It still won't be compliant with or "align the Rules with the International Agreement", will it? Only padded/shock absorbing whips/crops which have not been modified in any way may be carried in a race. This Guideline gives examples of use of the whip which are prohibited: - Using the whip to the extent of causing injury. - Using the whip with the arm above shoulder height. - Using the whip with excessive force. - Using the whip on a horse which is showing no response. - The continued use of the whip on a horse after its chance of winning or being placed is clearly gone. - The unnecessary use of the whip on a horse that has clearly won its race or has obtained its maximum placing. - Using the whip on a horse which is past the winning post. - Using the whip on the flank of the horse. - Using the whip with excessive frequency. - Using the whip on any part of the horse’s head or in the vicinity of the head. - The use of the whip in front of the saddle while the whip is held in the forehand position, unless exceptional circumstances prevail.

Not sure. What Wingman said. I thought you were referring to the training/conditioning model, not the business model.

You'd think they could have let us know in advance if it was scheduled, or did I miss that too?

I got a reminder at 2.49pm today that noms for the Telegraph, Thorndon and Cup closed at 4pm today. At mid-day, as far as I could see, there was nowhere on the trainers' service center to nominate. Now, I can't find the noms anywhere. What gives?

"the model"? What do you mean?

Gosh that's a bit of a shock. 50 something?

Ellerslie is set to host two World Pool meetings in early 2025. Photo: Nicole Troost World Pool coming to New Zealand LOVERACING.NZ News Desk 19 November 2024 In a coup for the New Zealand racing industry, the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) have announced the arrival of World Pool to two New Zealand thoroughbred meetings in early 2025. In an unprecedented development for the New Zealand racing industry, the TAB Karaka Millions meeting at Ellerslie in Auckland on January 25 will be the first of the two World Pool meetings in New Zealand, with the second taking place on the newly created Champions Day on March 8, also at Ellerslie. Champions Day is home to four Group One races, including the Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m), Bonecrusher Stakes (2000m), NZ Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) and Sistema Stakes (1200m), as well as the inaugural running of the $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m), the richest race for three-year-olds in the Southern Hemisphere. The presence of World Pool leads to increased international viewership as well as providing much larger pools for New Zealand’s TAB customers to bet into. Lachlan Fitt, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Entain Australia and New Zealand, the operators of New Zealand’s TAB, said the announcement reflects the progress made in New Zealand racing in the past 18 months. “World Pool is an exciting opportunity to share the very best of New Zealand racing internationally,” Fitt said. “The benefits of having the thoroughbred racing world firmly focused on New Zealand for these two meetings cannot be underestimated. As well as the advantages that our TAB customers will see, World Pool meetings are a confirmation that New Zealand racing is making its mark on the global stage.” Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, the hosts of World Pool, was delighted to welcome New Zealand as a World Pool partner. “New Zealand has a long and rich horseracing history with an outstanding record of producing champion horses, jockeys and trainers on the international stage,” he said. “Not only is New Zealand a proven nursery in terms of equine and human racing talents, but it also boasts a vibrant and respected domestic racing structure crowned by world-class Group One races.” New Zealand-bred thoroughbreds hold a great record in Hong Kong, with the likes of Sunline, Beauty Generation, Vengeance Of Rain, Aerovelocity, Lucky Sweynesse and Werther performing to the highest level in the leading racing jurisdiction. New Zealand-sourced gelding Golden Sixty has been crowned Hong Kong Horse of the Year for the last three seasons, while Kiwi-bred sprinting sensation Ka Ying Rising is proving to be one of the most exciting prospects in Hong Kong ahead of the renowned Hong Kong International Races next month. New Zealand horsemen have also made their mark in Hong Kong, with leading jockey James McDonald currently plying his trade there on a short-term contract following a standout spring in Australia. “New Zealanders James McDonald, Shane Dye, Paul O’Sullivan and Jamie Richards are synonymous with racing excellence and also strongly linked to Hong Kong and it is upon this foundation our World Pool partnership is founded,” Engelbrecht-Bresges said. “New Zealand becomes the ninth racing jurisdiction to have its elite Group One races included in the World Pool operation and, from a personal viewpoint, it is wonderful reflect on the close racing ties shared between New Zealand and Hong Kong. “New Zealand occupies a special place in the international racing ecosystem due to its excellence in breeding and, as a like-minded partner, the New Zealand TAB has been a strong supporter of international commingling, joining the HKJC pools for local races and other international World Pool events since 2019. We very much looked forward to a continuation of this collaboration.” Auckland Thoroughbred Racing Chief Executive Paul Wilcox is excited by the extra international attention the World Pool will bring to two of the Auckland track’s feature meetings. “We can’t wait to host these two meetings, and all the attention that World Pool brings,” he said. “With the addition of World Pool, we’ll be building on the hard work that delivered a game-changing TAB Karaka Millions in 2024 and producing a stunning new raceday on Champions Day.” New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing chairman Russell Warwick has welcomed the announcement and said it will be a great addition to the local industry. "To have World Pool operating on not one but two meetings in New Zealand is a great boost for the industry,” he said. “These meetings were already promising to be world-class affairs, and the arrival of World Pool takes them to another level.”

Good work. Where the hell did you find that? I can't see it anywhere. Did any other owners or trainers get it?

The excessive whip breaches in the NZ Cup, would have been an instant DQ in the US, UK and France.

Handicapping Blog | Monday 18 November Handicapper’s Blog 18/11 The New Zealand Cup carnival provides the perfect finale to New Zealand’s spring racing. The 3-day, Group 1 carnival is unique, and fits ideally on the back of Melbourne Cup week. It is a busy racing week, with 9 meetings programmed across the country, and invariably presents numerous re-ratings of interest. We touch on Open race winners below. Feature Open race winner ratings: Bella Waters Gartshore Tauranga Stakes, Group 2, $150k 98 Mehzebeen Martin Collins NZ Cup, Group 3, $400k 97 Kopua TAB Mile, Group 3, $250k 96 Mystic Park Lindauer Stewards, Listed, $140k 95 Bella Waters entered the Tauranga Stakes as a rating 84 horse and risked a large re-rating for a top 4 finish - given she was competing at WFA against a 105-rated horse, Ladie’s Man, and other high-rating horses at the level weights. In winning she beat two rating 98 horses, Pearl Of Alsace and Mali Ston, in a tight finish. Given the narrow margins, and the relative weights, a re-rating to 98 (+14) was appropriate. Any less of a re-rating would have her receiving weight at their next meeting under handicap conditions, which is not equitable. The risk and benefits of running a progressive horse in a race under these conditions is a balancing act. No doubt Cambridge Stud factored these, and the calculated risk has paid dividends with Bella Waters now a Group-2 winning mare. In terms of feedback, Kopua was the most contentious re-rating of the week with his 9-point re-rating for the TAB Mile win. The entry of Perfect Scenario (rating 107) pushed the majority of field to 53kgs and out of the handicap. Kopua was 6 points out of the handicap (ie. In a precise handicap he would have carried 50kgs). To give Kopua a re-rating 6 points or less for the win would see the entire field facing him again at exactly the same weights set-up. Kopua was given 3 points for the win, and 6 points for the out of handicaps adjustment. In simple terms, had the race been run again Kopua would carry 54.5kgs. Mehzebeen and Mystic Park were standard feature race re-ratings of 5 points, given no issues with out of handicap. Previously, Mehzebeen had attracted an 8-point re-rating on Day 1 for an out of the handicap win in the Metropolitan Trophy (Listed). In that race also, Beavertown Boy was re-rated 7 points for his 2nd placing, moving him 1kg below the winner at that point in time.

120 horses. Half a dozen from Cambridge and Matamata. I wonder what that must cost the owners?

Thanks for posting that. Makes me sad in a way that we don't have anything here resembling that kind of journalism and interviewing skill, let alone the informed opinion and insight of the interviewee.

Where are the new whip rules? Last I heard they were to be sent out for consultation but I haven't seen them yet.

Agree. He's a star. Breath of fresh air.

Just gave it a kiss?

JACKAROO (K Hercock) - Contacted by CARIGNAN over the final stages. Connections were advised that a warning had been placed on the gelding’s racing manners. Following the running of the race, Stewards lodged a protest alleging interference by the 1st placed JACKAROO which turned towards and made head contact with the 2nd placed CARIGNAN in an attempt to bite that runner. After hearing evidence from the Riders and Trainers of the respective horses and viewing all available footage, the Adjudicative Committee dismissed the protest.

In my experience many trainers prefer NOT to work them in the blinkers. Just put them on race day for the first time. Where did you get the idea that they do?

You could say he should have given him more to equalise the others' chances?