jess

I just can't figure out why you wouldn't have been watering days out - making sure it was soft going into race day - at which time there was always rain/showers forecasted. Here's an equation that I thought most of us already knew: Good track + showers on/immediately before race-day = slippery track. But don't worry everyone - nothing to see here - there'll be an enquiry into Te Rapa and the track - and lessons will be learned - power harrows deployed - bad luck & acts of god will be rued - and any people possibly at fault will probably gain promotions - and it will never happen again. J. .

Didn't see the first but apparently a horse slipped? Been watching the track readings and weather (& forecast) for this meeting. Was expecting with the unsettled forecast and likelihood of rain, they'd take insurance & start irrigating up there early - to avoid the firm track then showers scenario that we've seen lead to slippery surfaces in the past (and abandoned meetings). But I don't think this happened? Fingers crossed for everyone up there that things work out ok ...

A tragic loss. We've missed Parksey since he hasn't been a regular fixture around the courses in the CD but of course we all hoped it was a temporary absence & he'd be back sooner rather than later, doing what he was very very good at - riding winners. Sad days for the CD & NZ thoroughbred racing community - and of course more importantly - for those close to Johnathan. Most sincere condolences to J Parkes' friends & family - such a very painful loss. Wishing peace for you all - hoping that memories of happy times with Johnathan comfort & sustain you. Jess

Don't know whether that's right or not Centaur - but if it is - god bless NZTR providing a financial lifeline to such a worthy (according to them) candidate! They say charity begins at home don't they ? - so it would be only natural that the big boys help the big boys? Nothing to see here folks .. normal transmission continues at NZTR head office ..... 🤭

Ha! Yeah nah. I'll just do Jess, thanks Doomy. Tight five can do tight five. I'll remain an independent, (very) occasional contributor 😜 . As I say - I've got the last of my brood in work or close to it, and so the end is nigh. In all likelihood, no-one need stress about having me here banging on or getting up their noses for too much longer 🤣 J.

Yep Chief - that seems to be the plan. Also alludes to what Huey posted. It's starting to feel cartel-like to me - a bit like the supermarket duopoly. I have an image in my mind. If only I was artistic - I would draw a cartoon of a giant spinning thing with all of us industry participants inside it. And as the apparatus gathers speed and spins faster & faster - the centrifugal force spits the small players - trainers, breeders, owners and non-NZB players out of the machine - where they splat against the outer wall and slide down, leaving a smear of blood on the wall & a small crumpled carcass on the floor. Whilst the big players continue to party in the middle - holding their trophies aloft & clinking their champagne glasses.

What a story. Yep - they'll be happy to send that person to the sideline - possibly sniggering as they do so - yet they will happily embrace others whose behavior, and/or disciplinary record leaves much to be desired. Just another illustration of some pretty distasteful attitudes/treatment from those who run the show. And Freda, now I think about it. I reckon you were right to post it here - it does fit this thread. It's just another face the industry leaders have decided does not fit - and for whom they are prepared to make zero effort to accommodate - not at all bothered if they are squeezed out. They are happy to shout from the rooftops all the things they think display their superior & admirable values - the CPD - the welfare stuff - the TBs off the track cheer-leading - but when it comes right down to it - this is who they are. I've always said that the real mark of a man (or woman) and their integrity is what they do when no-one's looking. And when you do get a glimpse beyond the glossy veneer of this outfit - back in the recesses where they think most things are hidden from public view -this is the sort of thing you see. Jess.

Yes Curious! - that one grinds my gears! And for good measure:- a few more of my personal favorites: "moving forward" (someone trying to sound progressive when they most likely are rooted to the spot & full of 💩) "aspirational goal" - (pie in the sky - impossible dream. Sometimes seen hanging out with its equally irritating cousins "blue sky thinking" and "thinking outside the box") "but what I CAN tell you is ...." - (the way to start an answer when one totally ignores the tricky question that's been asked but one has been directed to deliver the speech prepared by your Comms staff member - no matter what's been asked ) "standing up" - as in a system, process or infrastructure (seems we've retired the work "established") "at this particular point in time" (previously known as "now") "socialise the concept" (= serve up some 💩 & give the ppl some time to suck it up) "consultation" - (see above - very similar but also giving the (false) impression the people can stop the 💩 being served up)

Good lord! That's unreal! Not sure the hapless riderless victim didn't get galloped on either - seemed to falter and drop back at one stage. Geez if my horse got hurt by some idiot cowboy performance like that I'd be pretty dark ... Thanks for posting SLB2.0

Oh Centaur - you mythical beast. What have you done! ..... when I open the message and play the NZTR video some day hence - I'll know who planted THAT seed ....😜

Bloody hell I know right? The little catch-phrases they kept repeating - the cheer-leading corporate speak propaganda. As soon as people start talking about ruddy "journeys" they lose me. Unless it involves a passport & a very big aircraft - don't give me bloody journeys, people .....

Yes Chief - this is what I wondered. If it was all on NZB - then it's harder to argue (so long as it's additional to NZTR's contribution). But for the likes of an owner-breeder like me - who doesn't go near Karaka with my home-breds - it just feels like another tightening of the screws as I continue to be squeezed out of the industry/sport I've loved. The game is increasingly expensive to the point it's prohibitive. And the whole enterprise is increasingly dominated by, and incentivised for the big players. This is just another example. I'm now trying the last of my horses. Must admit - feeling less optimistic and more like a mug. I will see it through - they will either succeed or be found good homes as sport horses. If a filly is worth breeding from - someone else can carry on with her. Because when this lot is done - I'm out. You win, fat cats! - NZB - the mega studs - the big syndicators. I don't expect any sympathy - it's a first world problem after all ! But I still feel a bit sad about it - and sad for the history of NZ racing - all the farmers I know whose grandfathers - fathers/mothers - and then themselves - had a mare or two and raced the progeny on their own account or with friends. Our time has come and gone, and I doubt we'll be missed by the those who run the show now. Best of luck to those of you who stick around. Jess

Yes - generally the ponies don't want to hurt us but if I ever saw potential for humans being collateral damage - it's the starting gates opening and 6-7 horses either side galloping off when the middle horse has a human trapped in front of it. Probably just a good thing in this last case that the horse still had the blindfold on - stood still. Assistant unscathed. Dumbfounded by the stewards' report. Gates not directed to open by the starter. if that's the truth - how come there isn't SERIOUS concern? Apparently we seem to have no idea why/how this happened - or presumably when it will next happen? If that's the case - every time an assistant is in with a horse - potentially the gates are going to open and he's going to get smashed! The report may have got one individual off the hook - but I can't see how this is a lot of comfort or the end of the story ....occupational health and safety anyone?

Ahhhh! Really? And so that makes it therefore believable? Are you at au fait with how a Group 1 runner's prep might go? Have you seen dairy cow pasture? Have you seen dairy cow fencing? Have you seen ....? Oh - never mind. There's none so blind as those who will not see ...

Is that you Leo? Sorry ... just something about the turn of phrase and tone .... 😜

Note for Freda - thank you for the warmth of your welcome upon my return. I'm always looking out for your runners when I'm following fields or results. And I wish you well. This forum's value relies largely on posts from the likes of you. Intelligent - reasoned - fair-minded - and credible on account of your experience and expertise. Oh and a sense of humor as well. Not trying to talk you up here - just the way I see it. I'm sure we all have posters where we spot their moniker and decide that post will be worth a read - or conversely - that post will just be ill-informed vitriol I might not bother with. Great to see you still here gracing the forum! J,

I don't care to engage in an argument or a slanging match with you Chief. We're each entitled to our opinions (although I imagine you're more entitled than many of the rest of us). And I'm mindful of where this forum's predecessor went wrong in the first place. An egotistical and objectionable "chief" who wielded his power over the forum by shouting down every opinion that didn't concur with his own, abusing & belittling the poster and playing favorites. But if you want an example - you could always start with a judiciary who "bought" a defence/mitigation that their derby horse was living on a dairy farm with the cows right before the big race thus inadvertently drinking cobalt-supplemented water. I wonder with your recent tours of top establishments - did you have to venture out in the range rover to visit the Friesians and Jersey cows in order to view the elite runners in the late stages of their preps for the upcoming Group 1 assignments ....

Ha! I haven't been round these parts for a fair while ... dropped by last night ....didn't take long for me to attract opprobrium from the Chief Stipe ... or should I say "Grand Master" ... there's a lot of re-branding in this day n age and BOAY no exception, it seems. You're dreaming Jonesy. It's one of the issues NZ racing has. Top heavy with big players - in the breeding - the racing - the buying/syndicating - and the training. If you think it's a level playing field and people are treated equally - I'm surprised at your naivety. I think as far as some "leaders" are concerned - some players are "too big to fail". Whereas the bottom feeders are less well positioned to fight their corner, easier pickings & essentially expendable. If this is not the world you live in - then enjoy your utopia. And make sure you close your eyes before you take off the rose tinted glasses each night before bed. Sir. Grand Master. Chief. Kind regards Jess

Freda - greetings to you. I respect your knowledge and experience - both greater than mine when it comes to horse racing. So tell me - would it really not have been possible until after 2 races had been run (and the destruction of one horse - no idea whether that was related to the "inconsistencies" in the track however) - to tell that the track was not safe to race on that day? Would a track manager and any others involved at the venue have no way of knowing prior that there were issues? Do they just rock up on race day not really knowing what the track is like - assume all is well & hope for the best? (known round my place as a "suck it & see" approach 😜) Or would there more likely be a inkling of trouble afoot (no pun intended) - but keep it on the down-low, fingers crossed for clement weather, good luck & we all get through ok? Also interesting to know how the rate of these mid-meeting cancellations compares with other venues around the world running on turf ....

Well I'll certainly miss his calls. IMO a very good commentator and the nicest quality voice of them all. Pretty easy to listen to. Wry humor - and appeared to have a genuine affection for the horses. Shame I won't hear you call another one of mine T Lee - but tbh, I won't be far behind you as you exit stage left. Too tough for small owner breeders like me now. I bow to the might of the dominant big studs and syndicators and ticket clippers and trough-feeders. I'll see through the last handful of ponies I have and then leave you all to it. Kind wishes to those little people who stick around - I'll certainly cheer you on against increasingly tough odds - and raise a glass when you manage to pull it off. J.

Sorry - I must be a bit dim. I read the original post - and wondered if someone would be kind enough to translate the meaning of this for me please: "The MJC's apparent reasons for this were due to their operational difficulties and the inability of horse racing activities to meet the current development needs of society".

If the jungle drums beating in my neck of the woods are correct and they've got the rumored trainer right - there'll be a defence advanced and no matter the likely plausibility - I predict it will be swallowed greedily and without question by the powers that be. With narry a burp or slightest hint of indigestion to follow. Nothing to see here folks (but best not try your luck some of you little no-names battlers training a couple from your back paddock - I don't fancy your chances). Happy new year one and all - may your horses be swift & the luck of the Irish be with you. Kind regards, Jess

Long time since I passed by this way. Firstly - like all of us here I was immensely saddened to read of this tragedy. Sincere condolences and love to Taiki's family. As I recall from previous times here at BOAY - Freda is the voice of reason & commonsense - with intelligence and experience in the industry that always lends real credibility to her posts. Respect. Chief - go easy - I know this is an awful thing that's happened but I do think people are being respectful here - and largely constructive too, when speaking of racing, safety and related matters. I didn't hear David Ellis speak - but the one thing that gave me pause for thought was why he was the one approached when so many others would have been better placed to speak to this. It seems he has shown by his own utterances, however intentioned, that he was a poor choice to speak on the matter. Perhaps he would have been better when approached to have offered his sympathy (which I'm sure is genuine) & then to defer to someone who could speak more eruditely on this. Fly high Taiki - may all your steeds be fast & true. You felt the wind on your face & you've known the grace & speed of the thoroughbred. Your final salute to the judge came way too soon. Jess

No-one's putting their hand up to administering P/meth to their animals. So there is a lot of talk about how a horse can "inadvertently" return a positive to meth - mostly supposition/speculation. Like whether it can be picked up (absorbed through the skin, feet or by inhalation) in a box where a meth-user has pee'd in the corner - or from casual contact with an owner who's used P? We really don't know for sure. And in the ensuing investigation - how much do negative tests on the people associated to the horse mean? If these are urine tests undertaken some time later - possibly not much, as P is so rapidly metabolized/excreted). And we might never know about these various theories producing positive swabs in horses - I mean imagine designing a trial to test these (& other) theories - good luck getting that past an ethics committee! It’s all got me wondering though. If there was an individual who was a meth addict & who worked with horses in several capacities (short of race-day riding) – would this be a concern? Would it be any more of a concern if that person frequented a racing complex? Would (– or should!) this situation attract attention/action from the authorities? Not sure how many of you can think of someone you know, in your areas, who could fit this description – or partly fit the description. But if you can – how come it’s allowed to continue? Besides those pesky positive race-day swabs – competent & focused investigations could yield benefits and enable risks to be mitigated. What comes to mind is enhancing safety & integrity - & reducing exposure of young industry participants to drugs. Who knows – it could also bring change & support to the hypothetical individual/s to get themselves clean & sorted? God knows there are enough people hell-bent on shooting our industry down - why would we hand them the gun & the bullets? – because that’s what we seem to be doing currently. No use being those 3 monkeys with their hands over their ears, eyes & mouth - that won't make it go away. IMO there needs to be a more serious commitment to cleaning up our act. Detecting & dealing with drug users in the industry will bring short term bad press – but allowing it to continue could wreak long term havoc – to horse, human and the viability of racing. So what will we choose? J.

So I went through our hay paddocks after they were cut this year - picking out the weeds before it was baled. Thought at the time I was picking out docks & the odd scotchy ... now I realise it was probably poppy plants! Growing wild and free with their nasty opioid ways in my hay paddocks! Well bugger me! Who knew?! So thanks for your help Chief - I'll pay more attention next time. And then there's the matter of how I feed it out. I will change my ways and will follow the example of the exalted and in future, will carefully allocate individual supplies of forage to individual horses. You see I have this weird habit of opening a bale and feeding it to everything until it's time to open the next bale. Which could have resulted in positive swabs for morphine for the entire tribe had they been lining up at the races! Ouch! Really appreciate the heads up ....always something to learn in this game .... Cheers, J