Jump to content
NOTICE TO BOAY'ers: Major Update Coming ×
Bit Of A Yarn

Gemma Thornley gone for three months


Nowornever

Recommended Posts

36 minutes ago, Chief Stipe said:

Pray tell what should she have done and when?

She broke the same rule as Ross Cameron :  a breach of Rule 868 (2) in that she failed to take all reasonable and permissible measures to ensure that her horse was given full opportunity to win the race or to obtain the best possible position and/or finishing place by displaying a serious lack of judgment in deciding not to shift out from behind the parked horse at the top of the straight when she had ample time and opportunity to do so.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It was virtually identical to the Ross Cameron drive where he got a 3 months suspension

1 minute ago, Doomed said:

Interesting, it might of been a case of the gap going faster than the horse was.

Any breach of this Rule puts into question the integrity of Harness Racing. Races are run on the premise that that all horses are given every opportunity by their drivers to do the best they can do.  It is not unreasonable to believe that a person watching the race – whether they had invested on Charlies Ace or not – would have been left wondering why Gemma Thornley did not shift out when she could but rather drive her horse into a position where she was clearly not going to have an uninterrupted run to the finish line.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

22 minutes ago, Chief Stipe said:

The horse wasn't going good enough and she pulled out at the first opportunity on straightening.  She might have pulled out perhaps on the turn but Mot is a very long straight and you would expect to get a chance.

Were you watching the same race? She never pulled the plugs until the 100m and was blocked at that stage. Shifted ground at least three times trying to get a run that never came and only 2.7L from the winner. That is about as unlucky as you get. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, Robalan said:

I don't believe she had room to pull out on the turn. Blair vOrange moved his horse quickly into the 3 wide position and she had no room to pull out.

Why not pull out when the run is available at the 400m? Why continue to sit behind a horse who had sat parked all the way and was under pressure and going backwards?

There may be circumstances in which a driver’s manner of driving may amount to merely a permissible error of tactics but, when that error of tactics amounts to bad judgement, that results in a disadvantage to her horse, then such manner of driving falls within the terms of the Rule.

When you sit in the best position in the race and don't take advantage of that run when it presents then you have not given the horse every opportunity and have opened yourself up to the type of accusation that NZ harness racing is trying to rid itself of. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

14 hours ago, Nowornever said:

Why not pull out when the run is available at the 400m? Why continue to sit behind a horse who had sat parked all the way and was under pressure and going backwards?

There may be circumstances in which a driver’s manner of driving may amount to merely a permissible error of tactics but, when that error of tactics amounts to bad judgement, that results in a disadvantage to her horse, then such manner of driving falls within the terms of the Rule.

When you sit in the best position in the race and don't take advantage of that run when it presents then you have not given the horse every opportunity and have opened yourself up to the type of accusation that NZ harness racing is trying to rid itself of. 

You are correct she should have moved out on the bend.

Yes the horse was a bit unlucky but then you get that in most races.

The Stipes are a waste of time nowadays,

basically do nothing of any consequence.

No experience required anyone could do what they now do!!

  • Champ Post 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Race 5   DAKINS PACE
Show Video   
WAVETHEBILL - broke at the start.
GET OUTTA TOWN - broke at the start.
IT'S A SHAWTHING - broke at the start.
RUBY'S A DELIGHT - broke at the start. Held up early stages of the run home.
CHARLIE'S ACE - had difficulty obtaining clear racing room in the run home.
MARK DUNNETT - broke briefly at the start.
ART COLLECTOR - lay out in the run home.
KENNEDY - held up early stages of the run home. Stewards lodged a protest against 2nd placing being awarded to the gelding alleging the horse gained an advantage by improving its position in the passing lane in the early stages. After viewing the replays and hearing evidence from Stewards, Mr DeFilippi and co-owner P Cook, the Adjudicative Committee upheld the Protest and disqualified KENNEDY from 2nd placing. Driver C DeFilippi defended an associated charge alleging he had driven improperly in the early stages by improving his position in the passing lane. After viewing the replays and hearing the evidence from Stewards and Mr DeFilippi, the Adjudicative Committee upheld the charge and suspended Mr DeFilippi's drivers licence from the conclusion of racing today up to and including 8th December 2021 (6 days).
EL SIRRAR - hampered shortly after the start. Held up early stages of the run home.
OMAR SHARIF - broke at the start. Hung inwards near the 1600 metres dislodging a track marker.
KOWHAI SHADOW - broke at the start losing considerable ground.
ESSENCE OF EASTON - driver J Murdoch was issued a $100 minor infringement notice for failing to activate the removable deafeners on the gelding.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

What a Crap heading to this thread. Thought the young lady must of done something bad. 

Appears to have given the horse a beautiful run 1-1 right from the start . and Blair O (a vastly more experienced and winning driver) whipped out so quick that she (Gemma) got stuck in behind the death-seat horse. Blair showing his skill once again.

Such a shame for Gemma , as she may of won the race. (As Brodster said , could of pulled out 3 wide on the bend instead (before the rush of 3 -wide runners I spose) but to Give a young driver 3 Months for that ??????????  good grief........ poor headline......

  • Like 2
  • Confused 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

4 hours ago, Brodie said:

You are correct she should have moved out on the bend.

Yes the horse was a bit unlucky but then you get that in most races.

The Stipes are a waste of time nowadays,

basically do nothing of any consequence.

No experience required anyone could do what they now do!!

Kudos. You are finally on the money.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

45 minutes ago, Nowornever said:

Yeh I agree. Should be 6 months

Given how circumstances played out was into the straight the only thing different she could have done differently was pull-out at some stage on the bend.  Mot has one of the longest grass home straights in the country.

I dare say if she had moved early and failed she would have got stick for that as well.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

8 minutes ago, Chief Stipe said:

Given how circumstances played out was into the straight the only thing different she could have done differently was pull-out at some stage on the bend.  Mot has one of the longest grass home straights in the country.

I dare say if she had moved early and failed she would have got stick for that as well.

She (Gemma)  was doing the best she could , after giving the horse a great trip in the running. 

Held up for a run because of the 'usual' great Blair Orange driving. LOTS Of Drivers get held up now and then you know. (or don't)

Give em all 6 months then?? what a lot of ROT.  you need to be charged with something first ? what's the charge ???

Incompetent driving? running and handling? out-driven by Blair Orange ? (there's a lot guilty of charge 3 right there) .......... 

or NOWORNEVER could look at the Kilmore Cup at the gallops yesterday if wants something more recent. The New Zealand horse JUSTACANTA ridden by Billy Egan, hopelessly held up from a very poor ride in a small field. running un-placed when should of won. That's on a galloper too, that doesn't even need the 'room' that Gemma required with her drive. (to get sulky through gap).

NOW that deserved 6 months lol..... for incompetence.  But he won't get anything. In Gemma;s case NEVER 6 months.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yes the horse was unlucky in the straight although it is no AllStars type horse.

Yes she should have come out on the bend as there was plenty lf room and time to do that!

I am sure we have all backed horses that have been held up in the straight when the driver couldve driven the horse better?

The top drivers like Blair Orange, John Dunn, Tony H etc. tend to put their horses in the race before the turn and that is  why they have the excellent UDR!

There are heaps of drivers that are not very good despite them driving good horses and that is what makes the art of punting a challenge.

There are different levels of expertise in all professions, some are good some not so!

Not sexist but there are now a lot of very capable female drivers and Harness certainly needs them all!

However most of the girls are slight build and they are driving powerful horses and obviously they will not be as strong as their male counterparts!

Overall I reckon we are very fortunate to have so many female drivers and stable hands or racing would be in bigger dire straights!

  • Like 1
  • Champ Post 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, Brodie said:

there are now a lot of very capable female drivers and Harness certainly needs them all!

However most of the girls are slight build and they are driving powerful horses and obviously they will not be as strong as their male counterparts!

Overall I reckon we are very fortunate to have so many female drivers and stable hands or racing would be in bigger dire straights!

 

20 minutes ago, WOLF said:

METRO…….10/9/21…….RACE 7

I think WOLF is seeing the New Brighton Cup , won by Samantha Ottley driving DI CAPRIO to beat the fav Classie Brigade (JD)

There was some great driving as we often see from Sam. She was pretty 'Strong ' in the home straight might be what WOLF is suggesting. Does a great job on Way less horse-power than what Nat get's to drive. 

Anyone wants to see a GREAT YouTube article all about Sam Ottley and her history in the harness racing game , there is a SUPER 2018 interview by Greg on YouTube called OFF THE TRACK - Sam Ottley.   fantastic stuff and well worth seeing/ re-seeing. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

GAMMALITE.I AGREE WITH YOUR COMMENTS,BUT THE RACE WAS HIGHLIGHTED FOR THE REASON THAT NOWORNEVER STARTED THIS TOPIC. SEE SAGINAW TOPIC WHERE I SAID ABOUT THE ABOVE RACE BUT NO ONE FOLLOWED UP.

Edited by WOLF
CHANGE OF A WORD.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

20 hours ago, Nowornever said:

Yeh I agree. Should be 6 months

6 months suspension for a drive that caused no inteference to others.? ? 

Because a young driver (Gemma Thornley) with Only '200' drives to her name? , driving a horse who is the winner of just 'One' race ?, on a day of weak grass track racing, was beaten to the punch by NZ leading driver Blair Orange? .

AND you want 6 Months out for her ??

 Plenty of drivers get held up for a run in lots of races ?????????.  guess you could try and force a passage like these examples.

TomBerry near killed fellow jockey B.Avdulla this year and only got 8 weeks suspension, HughBowman near killed A.Adkins last year and only got 6 weeks suspension. Both the horses ridden by Avdulla and Adkins 'were killed' in those incidents in Sydney. 

Lauren Penalla (Triton) now gone to America . BUT, In the 2014 Interdominion Grand Final at Menangle, she near Chopped the leg off the race favourite IM VICTORIOUS in the home straight. That Nz-bred horse repping for WA and Michael Brennan. He won 22 of 34 starts and $750k and was on the road to being a Superstar. NEVER raced again. leg hanging off. Imagine the scenes with the connections of all those horses??.......Lauren got 8 weeks suspension only. 

That's the reason I'm saying your 'penalty' call for Gemma Thornley is TOTALLY mean and un-necessary. worse things happen.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.



×
×
  • Create New...