curious

Interesting, but perhaps a programming issue rather than an AWT one. The CJC get insufficent noms to run an open 1600 for 40k on Thursday and 8 noms for the 40k open 1200. Yet, they get 32 for the 65 1600, enough to divide it and 26 for the 65 1200, enough for a consolation race. Is the programming team not talking to trainers re demand or what the hell is going on? Another question is why do they can without leaving open, the 1600 open with 7 noms and not the 1200 with 8 noms?

Maybe. It's the live ones I am worried about though.

Cambridge Synthetic Trials Cancelled The trials scheduled for Tuesday 14th May has been cancelled due to insufficient nominations (23 Total Nominations)

Further to this, the Australian Veterinary Association came out a year ago saying: "The Australian Veterinary Association has spoken out about the use of whips in equestrian sports, saying the whip must not be used to “influence the result of a competitive event”. In an updated policy, released in December, the AVA said that horse racing codes should “work towards a framework where whip use for encouragement is not condoned”. Has there been a peep on the matter from the NZEVA?

I'm pretty sure that NZTR signed up to the IFHA Principles of Good Practice for the use of the Whip in Horse Racing some years back. Prohibited Use of the Whip 6. The following actions are prohibited under the provisions of Article 11 B of the International Agreement on Breeding, Racing and Wagering and the enforcement of these prohibited actions should be regarded as the minimum acceptable standard of regulation.  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 Why is it then that the NZTR rules do not specifically prohibit "Using the whip on the flank of the horse;" when they preach to us about what they are doing for animal welfare? It is cruel and not a good look for the industry. NZTR rule: 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; 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 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.

Where did you see that? However, Entain ended the year with a group loss after tax of £879m, compared to a profit of £32.9m in 2022.

The fact that trainers are even putting her on their "hotpots", however they run doesn't really align with the idea that her career is collapsing.

Same. Don't bother watching now with 1/4 screen max. Just watch selected replays on Love Racing later though full screen works live there too.

Thanks. I think I'll stick to being a loosie.

Are you trying to justify the state of track that was presented?

I wish it were. I'd be right over to catch it!

Yeahh. It's right up there with "reaching out".

I'm not sure who the fab five are either but I'm wondering if I can join?

Well the trailer made me cry. Doubt I can manage the whole movie.

Did you mean skewed or screwed?

You'd think the Commerce Commission might be interested.

I think the rule out is clear. Must be KM eligible and 3yo+. It'll be interesting to see if the Oz sales companies react though.

One could argue, though maybe not successfully, that's it's unconstitutional for NZTR to be funding any KM initiative races when there primary objective is supposed to be "(a) Promoting and advancing thoroughbred racing in all its forms in New Zealand; " NOT promoting and advancing breeding, sales companies and offshore sale of NZ racehorses.

Probably won't. Never been much sign of it in recent times. Meanwhile, owners and licence-holders (not to mention small breeders and punters) are either leaving the game or leaving the country.

Yes. It occurred to me after I wrote that, I missed another important thing which you mention. So, maybe add in an independent review of the stakes allocation strategy with the objective of aligning the race stakes more closely in direct proportion to the wagering revenue generated from the events. That way the horses, connections and clubs might feel more fairly rewarded for their contribution to the product.

Probably not much looking at the production quality. How they think that is likely to improve any licence holder's skills and abilities is beyond me. I was expecting a series of workshops that we could choose from relative to the licence we hold or an online conference with presentations from leading trainers, jockeys, track riders etc. from around the world, not a slapped together propaganda promo about how well we are doing. Like everything else it's all talk and do nothing. Probably too busy getting settled in the new facilities at Cambridge. If you notice any changes in the quality of the trackwork riding, or changes in training methods or how stablehands are handling the horses in coming weeks Freda, do let us know.

According to Sharrock, they have an extra $10m for stakes next year. Heavens knows where that is coming from. If they want to fix /change anything, why not allocate that money to track infrastructure and substantive independent reviews of the programming and handicapping systems and actually implement some change. As I said more talk after decades of it, doesn't give most of us much hope.

They won't do anything perfect from day1 if they don't DO anything. What we continue to get is not new either. It's been the same for decades. It's all talk and hope, as Sharrock says, that they can find another pot of gold somewhere.