curious

Brent Thomson would be another?

No, mainly my ailing memory though I did have to look up his race record to establish what race he actually won.

Make that the City of Auckland Cup then. Ridden by Parksie?

So, are you suggesting that the whip can make slow horses faster?

I think his sire won the Auckland Cup for Donna Logan didn't he?

I'd say so mostly, since they've travelled that far. Just a bit of a logistical issue for trainers with staffing etc.

I'd say not tomorrow with Riccarton Saturday?

Meeting News Gore Races Abandoned Gore Races Abandoned Today’s Gore Races have been abandoned due to excessive wind gusts. The riders, club and RIB are all in agreement after assessing the conditions. NZTR will investigate a transfer date after talking with relevant groups, including Entain NZ.

Here is the US (HISA) definition of abuse. I agree with that. Definition of Abuse in Whip Use (HISA Rule Series 2000) Abuse includes, but is not limited to: Exceeding the Strike Limit: Jockeys are limited to six strikes per race. More than six strikes may trigger penalties, especially if deemed excessive or unnecessary. Striking the Horse in Prohibited Areas: Whip use is restricted to the shoulder or hindquarters. Striking the horse on the head, neck, or belly is considered abusive. Using the Whip with Excessive Force: Whips must be used in a controlled, non-aggressive manner. Excessive force or repeated striking that causes visible injury or distress is classified as abuse. Using the Whip After the Horse Has Clearly Won: Continued use of the whip after the outcome is obvious is considered unnecessary and abusive. Failure to Give the Horse Time to Respond: Jockeys must allow the horse time to react between strikes. Rapid-fire whipping is discouraged and may be penalized.

Some I know have. Or, made sure that the jockeys were instructed not to violate the rules under any circumstances. However, I'm pretty sure all would if we had a DQ penalty similar to that in more enlightened jurisdictions.

There's nothing for him to write about really is there?

Sure was exactly that got me back into racing in NZ after a 10 year hiatus.

I agree with your last sentence and that's the whole point isn't it? The failure to address the whip use problem is contributing to the economic issues. As to the highlighting of whip indiscretions, some of us first took the matter up with the RIB and NZTR, to no avail. Highlighting them on racing oriented social media was the next step which has also failed to date, at least as far as any visible action is concerned. Unfortunately, it seems the only way forward now is the wider media and the politicians. That is underway.

I have hardly heard the term "breaking in" for decades. Most of us now talk about starting horses. And I've no idea where or when in that process any pain to the horse would usually occur. That idea is about as foreign and antiquated as the one that says whip use for encouragement is OK.

It's only NOT "abuse" and "cheating" based on flawed definitions. You asked and that's my opinion.

They can't see the whip infringements on the clearest of days, so they'd love that to give them another excuse to allow the abuse and cheating to continue.

I think that's plain wrong. Many of them tried (ask @Reefton) but "I raced 90" prevailed with the support of the big club beneficiaries who control NZTR.

I'm struggling with that comment. I think that's exactly what they don't understand.

I'll take a shot at that question and probably be shot down but I'd say it's because those clubs are no longer funded in proportion to what the product they produce generates and they have no funding provided for infrastructure maintenance and development because the NZTR leadership have wasted all that on stakes.

The NZ Racing Board (now TABNZ), if that's what you mean, operated the TAB. I'm not clear what that has to do with NZTR operating costs?

https://www.dazn.com/en-NZ/home

I think that's because a lot of horses can't because of the camber? They can't get round the corner at full speed.

I might have dreamed it but I thought I saw or heard that somewhere. Don't think it's ever in the guide as it's a pop-up.

Where did you see that? Supposed to go live about 2.15 I thought?