curious

The fiasco continues. Foxton will again pick up the slack. Meeting News Waipukurau Trials Cancelled After an inspection of the Waipukurau track the decision has been made to cancel the trials scheduled for tomorrow (Tuesday). This is due to some inconsistencies with the track surface. Alternative options are currently being investigated for later in the week.

Good piece. Big ears ! lol.

There is movement here. Though mainly at a more entry level than apprenticeships. Entain are the obvious partners for further development in the current context. They have the incentive to improve the product which clearly needs to include human as well as physical infrastructure. It's a shame that NZTR have not seen fit to invest the funding windfall more in both these areas. https://www.racingnews.co.nz/entain-partners-with-new-zealand-equine-academy/

Couldn't the industry do the same, using DN's as a model? One say at Cambridge, Awapuni and Riccarton? The respective clubs could be initiating that alongside local trainers, the apprentice school etc.

Pity we couldn't have them back doing that here.

I remember when trainers used to say that a good apprentice was better than a good horse.

AND the requirement to use it on the shoulder or hindquarters specifically excludes use on the flank. As well as the number of times the whip is used, the stewards will look at the force with which it is used, whether the horse has been given time to respond, the purpose for which the whip was used, whether the horse was in contention or clearly winning at the time it was used, and whether the whip has been used in the correct place (i.e. on the horse’s hindquarter rather than flanks)

GUIDANCE ON USE OF THE WHIP Toggle section as favourite In assessing a rider’s use of the whip for referral to the Whip Review Committee the Stewards should always remember that the whip must only be used for safety and encouragement within the guidance set out below. Whilst there is a requirement for all riders to carry a whip, there is no obligation on riders using their whip. Taking into account the below, on any occasion where the Stewards believe a rider may have committed an offence the Stewards shall refer the matter to the Whip Review Committee for consideration. a) A rider must use an approved whip. b) A rider may use the whip (including when waving it) in the forehand or backhand position. c) On each occasion the whip is used when the rider’s hand is off the reins, it will count towards the permitted number of strikes. d) A rider must not use their whip more than 6 times in a flat race or 7 times in a jump race. e) A rider must not use their whip excessively down the shoulder in the backhand position, with their hands on the reins, for example, as an alternative to using the whip in the freehand. f) A rider must only use the whip on the hindquarters of the horse in either the forehand or backhand position or down the shoulder with the whip in the backhand position. 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. i) A rider must not use the whip with excessive force, for example by pulling the whip through from the opposite side of the body or rotation of the core to generate increased leverage. j) A rider must not use the whip with their whip arm above shoulder height, for example where there is clear space between whip hand and top of the helmet. k) A rider must not use the whip when out of contention, for example when there is no realistic prospect of finishing in the first five places. l) DELETED m) A rider must not use the whip if their mount is clearly winning (or clearly in any other placing). n) A rider must not use their whip when past the winning post. o) A rider must not weal a horse with their whip.

Following the 2022 report into the use of the whip, the rules regarding the use of the whip in British racing are being revised. The basic rules for use within a race are as follows: The whip can be used a maximum of six times in a Flat race or seven times in a Jump race. Any more than this will prompt the stewards to review the ride As well as the number of times the whip is used, The Whip Review Committee will look at the force with which it is used, whether it was used from above shoulder height, whether the horse has been given time to respond, the purpose for which the whip was used, whether the horse was in contention or clearly winning at the time it was used, and whether the whip has been used in the correct place (i.e. on the horse’s hindquarter rather than flanks) Any rider found to have contravened the rules or guidance will face a period of suspension, and any rider picking up third suspension in a six-month period will be referred to the Judicial Panel for penalty Should the whip be used four times or more above the permitted level, the horse and rider will be disqualified from the race View the full Rules and Guidance

I agree that say adopting the BHA rules AND penalties would be a big step forward.

Exactly. So, why worry about it when the best horse wins anyway? Don't think the run had anything to do with it.

Didn't seem to bother Opie just now.

Is there necessarily something wrong with being 3 wide the trip?

I thought 6 stone was 38kgs? 58kgs is 9 stone

And what was the weight spread in handicaps then in Australasia?

Maurice Campbell?

The pics look like pretty solid proof to me.

Yes. I saw some of those a while back. Any chance of that being reinstated SA?

Yes, I've been there a number of times and agree that they are akin to trials. Professionally run with full published results and accurate times. They are also run over trial distances and on a course proper against the rail. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/59a49f93c027d87e465dfb38/t/65d412dc3d836640baa6ab62/1708397277590/Results+20+Feb+2024.pdf

The proposal to run trials around cones seems rather silly. Jump-outs sure, since they are primarily for gate practice and perhaps some conditioning purposes. Trials however are also to teach the learners to race in conditions akin to those of a race - on a rail.

They are open to the public and the full results are published.

Wouldn't grass grub amount to the same thing as diseased turf?

Might be a tune to some but it's pretty out of tune to me. I may have to get my hearing aids retested.

Have you ever seen the stipes walking it, let alone with a going stick? Or just racing around in a car?