Addington Starter

[jess]

This sort of thing and the blatant team driving I've seen in harness has put me off betting at the trots.  Only times I bet nowadays is if I'm on-course or have connections to a runner. 

Now don't get me wrong - the TAB won't miss me! - I am a very modest punter & spend my hard-earned more on breeding & racing my own (TBs).  But I can't see any of this enhances turnover when you add these sorts of things to what you are up against every time you have a bet ....   

J.

[Karrots]

Ok no probs, was just a thought.

[Dougie]

https://www.lincolnfarms.co.nz/stories/universal-outrage-after-todays-shambolic-new-zealand-cup-start-destroys-many-hopes/

Really Good read.

 

Why doesn't the Lamb Chop start every stand start from 5 metres in front of the tape and 3 or 4 metres high--- perfect viewing.

 

Shambles

[Chief Stipe]

[Rusty]

Like the commentator said right at this moment; "Tapes are back!"

And the starter yelled out Happy, Riiight.

One can only assume he was happy, not only with the movement of some runners on the outside, but also the proximity to the tape of the inside runners? 

How many lengths back from the tape is Copy That and co? 

[Rusty]

On a more positive note, it was great to get the Judge's call post race on Trackside with placings and times etc. 

[Happy Sunrise]

10 hours ago, Dougie said:

https://www.lincolnfarms.co.nz/stories/universal-outrage-after-todays-shambolic-new-zealand-cup-start-destroys-many-hopes/

Really Good read.

 

Why doesn't the Lamb Chop start every stand start from 5 metres in front of the tape and 3 or 4 metres high--- perfect viewing.

 

Shambles

They turned down that possibility.

Stewards discussed with Mr Lamb whether his viewing platform should be relocated but it was agreed that to move the platform could potentially raise other issues for the starts from that point. Mr Lamb promoted the idea of his assistants taking a more proactive role in ensuring that horses, and in particular those on the 2nd row, were in the correct position as the front row was forming up. 

[Chief Stipe]

9 hours ago, Rusty said:

Like the commentator said right at this moment; "Tapes are back!"

And the starter yelled out Happy, Riiight.

One can only assume he was happy, not only with the movement of some runners on the outside, but also the proximity to the tape of the inside runners? 

How many lengths back from the tape is Copy That and co? 

Ironically the SAME distance as the winner Self Assured!

 

[JJ Flash]

25 minutes ago, Chief Stipe said:

Ironically the SAME distance as the winner Self Assured!

 

Spankem is well behind all of them . Fantastic effort by it in the Cup.

[Dougie]

44 minutes ago, Happy Sunrise said:

They turned down that possibility.

Stewards discussed with Mr Lamb whether his viewing platform should be relocated but it was agreed that to move the platform could potentially raise other issues for the starts from that point. Mr Lamb promoted the idea of his assistants taking a more proactive role in ensuring that horses, and in particular those on the 2nd row, were in the correct position as the front row was forming up. 

Yeah so he stands so far in front of the start for his reasons but has no chance of seeing if it's a straight line or how close to the tapes the horses are solely in my opinion for when a shambles like this happens he's got numerous built in excuses.

[Noodlum]

Looking at the replay YET AGAIN!  Copy That didn't seem that interested in stepping away.  It was very very slow away and made things worse for itself.  Didn't seem to have ANY early spoed.  

Edited November 10, 2020 by Noodlum

[Rusty]

3 hours ago, Chief Stipe said:

Ironically the SAME distance as the winner Self Assured!

 

Good point, just one was standing and the other one pacing. 

There was an online petition doing the rounds last night to replace the starter for Addington. Names were being added at a great rate. Sad in a way, but something seriously needs to be done. 

People are angry and have had enough. 

[Karrots]

Hi Rusty, I would like to add my name to the online petition. Is it possible to post the link, or direct me towards it or send link to me privately via here? I still have not yet figured out how to reply directly to a poster. 

[Happy Sunrise]

16 hours ago, Karrots said:

Happy?

You are quite creative. You guys have loads of examples, I know because Iv read them. Be fair and respectful in the write up of it. The petition could be circulated directly within industry also. 

Wouldn't it be nice to do something like that after yesterday. A revolt!

However, with INCA as a backdrop it seems the politics of the starter, RIU etc is so complicated it would be up to the CEO to fix. Ask Brodie, if he has seen him lol.

[Rangatira]

18 minutes ago, Happy Sunrise said:

Ask Brodie, if he has seen him lol.

was he not sighted on course yesterday

[Happy Sunrise]

1 hour ago, Rusty said:

Good point, just one was standing and the other one pacing. 

There was an online petition doing the rounds last night to replace the starter for Addington. Names were being added at a great rate. Sad in a way, but something seriously needs to be done. 

People are angry and have had enough. 

Did you start it Rusty or was it the owner of Spankem? 😂

[Rusty]

3 hours ago, Happy Sunrise said:

Did you start it Rusty or was it the owner of Spankem? 😂

No mate, wasn't me. I didn't sign it either. The situation is sad. 

I feel for the starter. I really do. Not trying to stick up for him, but he must be trying to do his best. Surely? There are plenty giving him stick, and I feel for him, and his family too. 

I've made my thoughts known on the starting issues over the years, but in a way I kind of feel sorry for the starter. He is getting some heat from plenty of people, and at the end of the day, I think the whole system needs a real good going over, not just one specific individual. Because these issues are being raised time and time again, but nothing is really changing. 

[Rusty]

3 hours ago, Karrots said:

Hi Rusty, I would like to add my name to the online petition. Is it possible to post the link, or direct me towards it or send link to me privately via here? I still have not yet figured out how to reply directly to a poster. 

Nah mate, in one way I would love to, but in another way, I don't want to. Fair to say I'm a dollar each way on it! 

Like I've said, I feel for the guy. 

Not saying I agree with or like his performance and what he does, but I need to show him a wee bit of respect etc. 

I really hope the new CEO can maybe address the whole issue of starting races etc and the process involved when so many people are unhappy with this situation. 

[Dougie]

https://www.lincolnfarms.co.nz/stories/horsemen-weigh-options-in-fallout-to-shocking-cup-start-everyone-baying-for-lambs-blood/

Another very good read.

I don't care if Lamb leaves/retires or gets re training I just want whoever is there is to get it right 99% of the time instead of this guy at 50-60% of the time.

I went to watch the race again on HRNZ and shock horror they've edited the start of the race from what was there yesterday.

The betting was big yesterday, up from last year and no doubt the suits and marketing guys will suck up a nice bonus but what they don't realise or care about is it's the every week punter that's dropping off due to incompetence and that drop off in turnover is way more important than the young kids getting pissed once a year on cup day and blowing a few hundy on the punt.

[JJ Flash]

23 minutes ago, Rusty said:

No mate, wasn't me. I didn't sign it either. The situation is sad. 

I feel for the starter. I really do. Not trying to stick up for him, but he must be trying to do his best. Surely? There are plenty giving him stick, and I feel for him, and his family too. 

I've made my thoughts known on the starting issues over the years, but in a way I kind of feel sorry for the starter. He is getting some heat from plenty of people, and at the end of the day, I think the whole system needs a real good going over, not just one specific individual. Because these issues are being raised time and time again, but nothing is really changing. 

The problem i see is that he does not "appear to take ownership of his errors"

 

 

[Karrots]

Absolutely no problem Rusty. I shall endeavor to make enquires elsewhere for it. I have a lot of empathy for others. Never will I engage in name calling, nor make jokes at someone else's expense. And I even find the Aveross Spitfire thing somewhat mean, and bulling towards the connections. 

Before yesterday I had read noise about the starter, but thought I would come to my own conclusions.

I plan to sign the petition. 

 

[Brodie]

15 minutes ago, Karrots said:

Absolutely no problem Rusty. I shall endeavor to make enquires elsewhere for it. I have a lot of empathy for others. Never will I engage in name calling, nor make jokes at someone else's expense. And I even find the Aveross Spitfire thing somewhat mean, and bulling towards the connections. 

Before yesterday I had read noise about the starter, but thought I would come to my own conclusions.

I plan to sign the petition. 

 

Karrots, how is commenting about a horse that can not run a place in over 50 starts, still being in work bullying towards connections?

What I would like to know what is what is the story behind Averos Spitfire, and why it is still racing?

No personal attack on anyone, more humour than attack!

 

 

 

[Happy Sunrise]

53 minutes ago, Rusty said:

I think the whole system needs a real good going over, not just one specific individual. Because these issues are being raised time and time again, but nothing is really changing. 

But that is it isn't. They brush over poor starts by ignoring them, howlers like the last the one in August and yesterday get varying treatment seemingly dependent on how big the day was. 

It is not good for the starter but this is business and yesterday was the biggest day of the business and he made a mess of it, not for the first time. I would dread to think what Australian punters would have made of it, never to bet again on NZ harness?

HRNZ makes no mention of the start, Guerin and those within the system don't either. Stipes, with their report turn the other way out of convenience. The rules around late scratchings changed with no notice and during lockdown the suits made wildly reactive decisions to get rid of things but it seems the starter is a protected specie and I have had enough of that.

Who is in charge and where is the leadership?

[Happy Sunrise]

35 minutes ago, JJ Flash said:

The problem i see is that he does not "appear to take ownership of his errors"

What is there a difference in treatment between that galloping starter who got stood down for an error at the start at Ellerslie (?) and Lamb? 

[Happy Sunrise]

31 minutes ago, Karrots said:

And I even find the Aveross Spitfire thing somewhat mean, and bulling towards the connections. 

It is a touch because one should not blame a horse for what happens on a track.

At least the Spitfire is a cult figure and plenty of grass racing coming up so he must be a chance as he is getting a bit more competitive.