jess

This partiocular drug is one which seems to span all tiers of society. I believe it is significantly represented amongst the racing fraternity to an extent at least equal to or possibly greater than average in the community (and don't be fooled into believing it's just the stablehands and track-riders folks ....) I agree CC - it adds a real and avoidable risk factor to an inherently risky business (incl handling, preparing & riding TBs on a track at speed). There are general arguments as to whether it should be treated criminally or medically (a la - poor things - they're addicted, we must help them). Amid all the hand-wringing I am disappointed there is not more emphasis on educating people - esp our younger ones - on the risks of trying this drug even once. It is highly addictive. People need to understand what they are buying into when they make that first call - it's quite likely they will not be deciding what they do that one day/night - they might be signing on to become a slave to the pipe for years - and all the misery that goes with it. The other fact is that there is not the capacity currently to "treat" all the P-addicted people if they sought or were directed to get help. The RIU must continue their efforts. And hopefully as well as detection they are investing in education as well.

... but I daresay not as tasty should you happen to face-plant into it Hesi ...

Shame. How's Trentham looking?

RC been hvng an excellent run of late. Good on him too. Dunno what his secret is but it's nit the purchase of half million dollar yearlings ... so i find it all the more appealing ?

Haven't looked at the proposal carefully enough Flash ... but the likes of say Te Akau have their fingers in breeding pies so I reckon they'd find a way to gain advantage from it ... and possibly other syndicators too ... As I say - I don't know the details but on the face of it I only see the big fish getting bigger and the small `uns shrinking still further ... Happy to be corrected if someone else has a better understanding ... And as I say - playing devil's advocate - maybe the likes of my participation (breed one or two a year; race progeny etc) is so irrelevant to the industry that it makes no fiscal sense to ease our passage and industry/political efforts are better placed solely to support the big players ...

Tax business announced sounds like it will need refining - to define what it deemed to be a worthy animal ... I can see nothing at all which will directly assist the likes of a small breeder like me - largely breeding to race - unless there is an overall uplift in the industry as a result which I can somehow coat-tail on. I think most likely however it will really only benefit the big players - the major studs, queen street investors and syndicators. The rest of us will continue to pay exorbitant fees for most services (wasn't talking stallion fees but might as well include them as plenty priced well up there) with our only hope an offshore sale or a decent horse and increased stakes. Mind you - maybe we are not really important in terms of industry finanicals - in which case I can see why no-one would seek to support or incentivise our endeavors ...

Nice looking horse IMO. 2018 fee $3K in USA.

Good for you Chief. It'll be interesting to see if you get a response. I think the rule that Curious has helpfully posted reads pretty clearly. But if Mr Pike is mistaken as the reportage suggests - and moreover - if indeed a NZ stipe is confused (and I don't know that this is the case) - surely it is time for an all-points bulletin to be issued to all trainers to clarify. Perhaps they need to use an example of a horse racing on a Saturday and tell the trainers the last minute of which day they can legally administer such a product to their horse. Or maybe they need to spell it out in pictures or cartoon form?? - pictures of a calendar, clock, horse, racetrack, pastes/powders/stomach tube etc .... I find this very interesting indeed ....

Be interested to hear opinions of others about this horse. Highview has rights for him for 3 years I think. Anyone seen him or have any comments?

Funny to hear in the course of today's racing and attendant interviews some significant divergence in what trainer and rider had to say about a horse's chances. Trainer had reportedly cast doubts on the horse coping with the track conditions ... However on returning triumphantly to the bird-cage, the rider indicated he had been reasonably confident as the trainer had told him the rain would help the horse. Horse gets up to win and pays plenty ?

Oh really? Silly me Richard. And I watched the coverage twice too! Better get to specsavers .... ?

Good effort getting the old boy through to a quarter century - esp given he retired from the serving barn 6 years ago ....

Yep - different opinions are all part of the fun and the appeal - but they can still be respectfully expressed - often with humor but without nastiness or derision - or outta control egos! And without moderators playing favorites. So far so good, I reckon. Looking forward to a greater presence in the TB Breeding forum ... we'll get there in time I reckon .... All the best, J

Thanks for posts about the mare Reefton. You mightn't have read the whole thread but i read and enjoyed each of yr posts. I'm with Newmarket. Best, J.

Yep Pete maybe. I do like him and thought he was very attractive at $7K but it brings a whole lot of other horses into the realms of comparison once you're talking the $12K fee - so will be interesting to see how well he is patronised this season. I expect he will prove himself worth the fee but whether it's the right time to almost double it remains to be seen. All the best, J

I wonder if the riders have considered taking some personal responsibility for the safety of themselves, their colleagues and the owners' horses - by undertaking in future not to angle their mounts out so sharply - dictating the paths of others and allowing little chance for them to adjust their course or pace safely ... The head-on coverage was pretty awful ...

Yes it was Flag. And I've seen it before from him. There is a part of him which is intelligent and has incisive wit. Now and again you also see compassion (only where he believes someone strictly deserves it, mind!). Now and again .....? ..........

Haven't followed the hype this time around. While I don't doubt there's been plenty - even if others agree NM that she's one-paced and past her best - I'd be proud as punch if I owned her and would happily install her in my broodmare paddock ... (like us not choosing our relatives - horses don't choose their connections - so I won't hold anything against the mare ?)

What are the thoughts on the Burgundy fee? I rather like his prospects but this is quite a hefty rise from $7K in 2017 ....

Any decent regular coverage of racing in mainstream newspapers sadly seems to be a thing of the past ...

No-one should have anything to fear from people browsing a variety of sites. It's completely normal online behavior! As I say - most will probably end up favoring one over others - but it's not a matter of having to nail your colors to a mast forsaking all others. And that is the weird thing about how the old site is responding. I gather the administrator there believes he has a grievance - that would usually be dealt with by the established channels in a professional manner. Not by on-line personal attacks and banning of site members. J

I hear ya Bazza but also understand in these early days there will also be some natural focus on the old channel - particularly as a result of their behavior. I see nothing wrong with dipping into both sites - there remain some good sorts over the fence still who submit posts I find interesting. However I have not posted there since I joined BOAY - & i note now that even if I wanted to - a msg tells me that I am barred from doing so until 1 May 2018. I put my hand up as having expressed my regret about the other site at times (there and here) but believe I did so in a measured and not in a rude way. I have to say I find this response completely bizarre. I know of not a single online forum which demands your membership be exclusive. Naturally you will likely end up preferring one to the other - but who evicts their members merely for having the temerity to particpiate on another site? You would think when you are facing an exodus and have had the misgivings of some members clearly expressed (with common & consistent themes to that discontent) - you would set about examining yr practise, trying to up your game & make efforts to retain old members and attract new. Instead of that you get a mean spirited PM and a ban. I struggle to see it as anything but a petulant retort which besides anything else - is commercially foolish.

One condition Flash - that you report back to BOAY breeding forum! Esp in regard to weanlings from newer sires - won't make it there myself but would love to hear opinions about the youngsters from various stallions ... bonus points if you post pictures J.

Ae ..... I hear ya Flags ...

Tempted? You thinking of bein' on the buyers' bench Flash?