ashburton stipes report

[the galah]

I think we all find the reports interesting as each of us has their own view on what we think is fair and whats not.

Yesterday there was some interesting decisions which i think people could view a little differently.

Paul Nairn got a 10 day suspension when driving the trotter forgiveness in race 2.

i can understand that one.  In his defence you could say,well the horse may have broken had he used more vigour. Maybe thats right as its a horse that just gallops for little reason if pressured,so its a tricky one for nairn when driving.

But he did carry a whip and i think he just didn't quite look to show enough intent between the 200m and the 50m.I guess he got a longer suspension because hes been found guilty of that previously. I can understand why hemay feel a little frustrated he got found guilty,but what choice was there when you look at the video.

Then you have the trevor grant case adjouned for a written decision. His drive at motukarara was on the 1st of april,and maybe the punters who backed him thought they were april fools after watching him in the final 200m. Now his case looked as clear as day so not sure why he defended it. But the decision will be interesting.

Then you had lionel dobbs. He started the day by admitting a whip infringment from a couple of weeks ago and got suspended for 3 days.Then in race 7 he was charged with using the whip in more than a wrist flicking motion in the home straight. Now,mr dobbs doesn't have the greatest success record when it comes to his driving. one 3rd from 118 drives. But there is no doubt he can train a racehorse,just by looking at how well his small stable of gallopers go,especially emanon who has won $323,000.

His horse yesterday,betterthandiva, fought hard all the way to the finish and ran a very creditable 4th.

but as to his drive,I can see why the stipes looked at his drive,but shouldn't they take into account that mr dobbs is a very tall person. Did the way he drove down the straight really warrant the 5 day suspension he got? Personally i don't think so.

Edited April 20 by the galah