Freda

Michael Roustaby posted an explanation, where he states that the 'map' shown to the riders had only one gap shown. A total dereliction of responsibility by track staff/officials and a disgrace. Probably to void the race altogether and refund all bets and entry fees would have been fairer.

Hmm...not casting aspersions on Sam at all, a very worthy winner indeed...but yeah, no idea who or what body did the voting.

Sadly, many I speak with voice the same opinions. Not totally do with the TAB stuff, but that as well as general dissatisfaction with so much of the operational decisions. The programming, the obvious bias against the south, the awareness [ which has been slow to come to many ] that the lolly-scramble will run out in another 2 and a half years - unless there really is a rabbit in the hat - is sapping the enthusiasm of so many participants.

Yep.

Wonder when/if Martin Collins might become aware of this breach? And what NZTR might do?

Shouldn't Nztr be all over this?

I was gonna say Old Fogies but didn't think that would be polite.

And yes, I agree, great initiative. But non-racing folk will still need to be informed as to what/ where such information is to be found. Adverts on Trackside won't cut it.

What's OF?

Never heard that terminology! I have heard of 'currying favour'....but cully - I think - means someone easily duped.

They may do....but I've never seen it done.

I fail to see why or how it is that the rest of the racing world [ or most of it ] can get it right, and we can't? are we all illiterate? As an aside, I was chatting to Tina Comignaghi a while ago, and asked her what were the whip rules in Argentina...she said, oh, there aren't any, you just smash them how you like.

I did say more often than not...and they switch their whip to suit the horse, not the effing camera.

Believe it or not, I actually do get your point. Both about the videos and about the 'rod for the back'. But highlighting what appears to be misuse is the only thing we CAN do. And when the best of the international riders get it right more often than not, it clearly is not impossible to manage. I found an interesting teaching video of an American former jockey, on a mechanical horse showing young riders how to swap the whip over into the other hand smoothly. Showed it to a local mentor, who seemed not to be very interested. After a few weeks I asked what the response was? Oh, he said, it was thought to be too advanced and not suitable for apprentices. FFS.

It proves that the whip is being used incorrectly. You can argue all you like, but the fact remains that our riders aren't being taught correctly and nor is the misuse being dealt with. Joe Doyle has appeared in a few pics..do you seriously think he'd get away with that at home? He knows he can get away with it here, is all.

Yes.

I'm pretty sure there was a time when 'man' in a sentence meant 'being of humankind' not specifically a male person. I do recall my English teacher referring to something like that, explaining that the practice simply saved time instead of writing he/she, his/hers, all the time. 'Woman' was 'understood' was the way she put it.

Now that is a leading question.

Yes, an excellent idea and great turnout. Does anyone remember Steph Faulkner ( Clark ) winning the Homeby Steeplechase as an apprentice? Weighing all of 52 kg at the time I reckon.

Oops...Wightman.

Thought it was Whiteman who uses that term.

This is becoming circular. I think the two main protagonists both have valid points. No one is deriding the efforts, business savvy, dedication and astute judgement that underscores the huge successes that the appointed committee collectively has had. But ( as the saying goes) there but for the Grace of God....and so on. It remains to be seen whether any actually comprehend the handicapping, date structure and race programming issues that have been highlighted for a decade or more and have been firmly ignored. If increasing betting revenue and building a healthy industry for the future ( once the Entain largesse finishes) is the focus of the group, then these issues must be dealt with. Probably only Chris Waller could comprehend the utter idiocy of throwing yet more money at the top end and strangling the small players even more. Breeders have pushed their own barrow too long to the detriment of the overall industry and also allowing the distortion of the Pattern. Something that should be pivotal to the thinking of any breeder. Hopefully my fears are unfounded and a New Beginning is upon us.

I disagree. I don't subscribe to the no-whip ethic but riding within limits is perfectly possible. I defy anyone to convince me that Ryan Moore, William Buick, Oisin Murphy et al are soft on their mounts, or that harder or more punishing rides would achieve more. Their upper body strength and driving finishes put most of our hoops to shame.

Was a nice day and a good crowd. Well done Oamaru