curious

Except the main track referred to which the concern is about is not turf as the head post suggests.

Meeting News Trentham Track Inspection - Friday Update The Trentham track was inspected early Friday Afternoon by the regional track advisor, the track manager and the RIB. The track is currently a Heavy 10 and in safe state to race on. Overnight rain is predicted and a further inspection will take place at 6:30am Saturday.

I see the proposed new whip rules are now out to the TA for consultation. Time to have your say. 3. WHIP USE. Background: The International Agreement on Breeding, Racing and Wagering contains a number of prohibitions on the use of the whip by riders in Flat and Jumps races. Most of these prohibitions are contained in Rule 638(3)(f). In order to align the Rules with the International Agreement it is proposed that Rule 638(3)(f) be amended as follows: (f) Without limiting the generality of subrule 638(3)(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: (i) forward of the Rider’s horse’s shoulder or in the vicinity of its head; or (ii) using an action that raises the Rider’s arm above shoulder height; or (iii) when the Rider’s horse is out of contention of winning or otherwise finishing in the first five placings; or (iv) when the Rider’s horse is showing no response; or (v) after passing the winning post; or (vi) in a manner that causes a welt and/or injury to the Rider’s horse; or (vii) when the Rider’s horse is clearly winning; or (viii) when the Rider’s horse has no reasonable prospect of improving or losing its position; or (ix) in a manner where the seam of the flap is the point of contact with the horse, unless the Rider satisfies the Stewards that that was neither deliberate nor reckless; or Page 4 of 9 (x) on the flank of the Rider’s horse; or (xi) forward of the Rider’s saddle whilst the whip is held in the forehand position.

I have none for Trentham on one account.

If your French isn't too flash, here it is in English.

...and not see any soiled breeches?

Watch the Breeders' Cup races the next couple of days. 6 strike per race max and disqualification from millions for excessive breaches. We are so far behind the rest of the world on this. It's embarrassing to say the least.

Yeahh. I'd probably add hands on the reins between strikes and preferably 3 strides between to give the horse time to respond. Much simpler for jockeys to do and stewards to monitor. They told me that proposed new rules would ban strikes on the flank. No sign of those out for consultation yet though.

I think the rule is crap and confusing and not consistent with international standards, aside from being hard to implement and monitor. Why not just simplify it to say 6 strikes for the whole race?

Where did you see that?

I thought those two words were synonymous in NZ racing?

They commonly send them out for a race or two to determine whether the track is even safe for racing. What do you expect?

Super ride too and it should have the desired effect of bringing her on for whichever Guineas race they go to.

I think the idea is to lessen the feel of contact between the rump/flank areas and side of the gates which may upset some, though with the padded gates we have these days, I'm not sure they generally do much. The main benefit might be that with them on, they get to load last or late.

I think his point was, it is illegal, as smacking horses should be, not that nobody breaks the law.

I certainly wouldn't.

Maybe he can't read, or needs a trip to specsavers?

Do you think there was any influence from those wanting a firm track for the Sarten on the track preparation that eventuated?

Could do in the Guineas too. Who knows?

We know he was on Sabrina in that race where he reported the track to be slippery. Did Leith say it slipped badly then?

I didn't hear or see anything suggesting a horse slipped badly other than Ess Vee R after losing a shoe in the first losing its footing. Not sure where that came from.

"There is a sad irony in the fact the Te Rapa track that has carried New Zealand racing through such a turbulent last two years finally had a major meeting of its own partially abandoned yesterday." Guerin is now really up with the play if he thinks the meeting was yesterday!

You'd hope so. The primary stated purpose of that is to confirm the track rating though that is never reported to punters, trainers or owners, certainly not in the tracks' own reports via NZTR nor in the stipes' reports.

Did they today at Te Rapa? Who rode them and did they confirm the G4 rating?