Where have all the Stipes gone that were Jockey's? A lesson in this article for today's Stipes!

[Chief Stipe]

Racing: Stipes promise at least a fine for riders who slow the pace

13 Feb, 2005 09:30 PM4 minutes to read

 

By by Mike Dillon

 

Watch out any jockey who gets the lead and packs a field up over the next few months - a fine or suspension is guaranteed.

After Saturday's abortive stock car-like $100,000 Sir Tristram Classic, stipendiary stewards' tolerance of jockeys creating unnecessary danger by slowing fields down to ridiculous levels is zero.

That no runner fell during the group-two Classic at Te Rapa on Saturday is a miracle.

From the winning post to the beginning of the back straight, the field slowed to little more than three-quarter pace. The result was shuffling with such volatility that senior riders were white with shock.

"That was dangerous," said Noel Harris, who won the race on Tusker.

"Crap," was how Hayden Tinsley described it.

Former stipe Ginger Tankard said it was the roughest race he'd seen in years.

"It was bullshit. If one horse had fallen they'd have all gone."

The problem began when Mark Hills went around the leader on Axis on the bend out of the straight with a round to travel. The tempo, already pedestrian, appeared to slow even further, although Hills denied that.

Lisa Cropp, three places back on the rails on Myladys, was immediately in trouble when her mount tried to climb over the heels of Bible Class, the horse that had yielded the lead to Axis.

As Cropp angled her horse out of trouble a chain reaction back through the field eventuated, with Tusker and Leith Innes on Sahara Flight flushing out wide to avoid clipping heels.

Half the field was so badly affected that many were travelling sideways for a number of strides and eventual runner-up Authoress was so badly galloped on she returned with a gaping wound just above the fetlock on her off-side hind leg.

The net effect was that a number of riders were forced into tactics that did not suit their horse, but meant lessening the danger. Finishing down the track was a better option than lying on it.

Stipendiary stewards faced a massive problem. They had to act. They gave warnings to all those in the jockeys' room after Race 2, which was ridiculously slow - the time of 1.40.54 for the 1600m was more appropriate to mid-winter racing.

The message from chief stipendiary steward Noel McCutcheon and assistant Alan Coles was, "Don't pack fields up to the point it creates danger for those behind".

It had appeared Hills would be charged for the Sir Tristram Classic incident, but he was not in the room after Race 2. Stewards instead gave him a warning.

There is no question that a big part of the problem is many of the younger riders are unable to judge pace to the same degree as the likes of Harris, Coleman, Innes and Tinsley.

Australia has been clamping down, charging jockeys with careless riding, a rule which seems slightly inappropriate but is applied for the want of a better rule.

McCutcheon said that when he attended a stipendiary conference in Australia last year the Australians were looking at framing a specific rule. It would be good if we followed.

Stewards said they would have charged Hills with careless riding had he been part of the original warning, a stance Hills was not entirely comfortable with.

Being able to judge pace was one of the first lessons jockeys of earlier decades learned.

Norm Holland, still involved on raceday, rode against the best in his high profile career in the saddle.

"You had it drilled into you. The likes of Bill Broughton and Grenville Hughes were outstanding at it," said Holland at Te Rapa.

"And more recently David Peake and Bruce Compton had it drilled into them by [trainer] George Cameron. They were good."

Tinsley believes it is probably the single most important talent a jockey can possess.

"The best judge of pace will win a race. If you can do it well, you have half the field beaten before you go out. Half the jockeys out there can't do it well."

 

[Freda]

5 minutes ago, Chief Stipe said:

Racing: Stipes promise at least a fine for riders who slow the pace

13 Feb, 2005 09:30 PM4 minutes to read

 

By by Mike Dillon

 

Watch out any jockey who gets the lead and packs a field up over the next few months - a fine or suspension is guaranteed.

After Saturday's abortive stock car-like $100,000 Sir Tristram Classic, stipendiary stewards' tolerance of jockeys creating unnecessary danger by slowing fields down to ridiculous levels is zero.

That no runner fell during the group-two Classic at Te Rapa on Saturday is a miracle.

From the winning post to the beginning of the back straight, the field slowed to little more than three-quarter pace. The result was shuffling with such volatility that senior riders were white with shock.

"That was dangerous," said Noel Harris, who won the race on Tusker.

"Crap," was how Hayden Tinsley described it.

Former stipe Ginger Tankard said it was the roughest race he'd seen in years.

"It was bullshit. If one horse had fallen they'd have all gone."

The problem began when Mark Hills went around the leader on Axis on the bend out of the straight with a round to travel. The tempo, already pedestrian, appeared to slow even further, although Hills denied that.

Lisa Cropp, three places back on the rails on Myladys, was immediately in trouble when her mount tried to climb over the heels of Bible Class, the horse that had yielded the lead to Axis.

As Cropp angled her horse out of trouble a chain reaction back through the field eventuated, with Tusker and Leith Innes on Sahara Flight flushing out wide to avoid clipping heels.

Half the field was so badly affected that many were travelling sideways for a number of strides and eventual runner-up Authoress was so badly galloped on she returned with a gaping wound just above the fetlock on her off-side hind leg.

The net effect was that a number of riders were forced into tactics that did not suit their horse, but meant lessening the danger. Finishing down the track was a better option than lying on it.

Stipendiary stewards faced a massive problem. They had to act. They gave warnings to all those in the jockeys' room after Race 2, which was ridiculously slow - the time of 1.40.54 for the 1600m was more appropriate to mid-winter racing.

The message from chief stipendiary steward Noel McCutcheon and assistant Alan Coles was, "Don't pack fields up to the point it creates danger for those behind".

It had appeared Hills would be charged for the Sir Tristram Classic incident, but he was not in the room after Race 2. Stewards instead gave him a warning.

There is no question that a big part of the problem is many of the younger riders are unable to judge pace to the same degree as the likes of Harris, Coleman, Innes and Tinsley.

Australia has been clamping down, charging jockeys with careless riding, a rule which seems slightly inappropriate but is applied for the want of a better rule.

McCutcheon said that when he attended a stipendiary conference in Australia last year the Australians were looking at framing a specific rule. It would be good if we followed.

Stewards said they would have charged Hills with careless riding had he been part of the original warning, a stance Hills was not entirely comfortable with.

Being able to judge pace was one of the first lessons jockeys of earlier decades learned.

Norm Holland, still involved on raceday, rode against the best in his high profile career in the saddle.

"You had it drilled into you. The likes of Bill Broughton and Grenville Hughes were outstanding at it," said Holland at Te Rapa.

"And more recently David Peake and Bruce Compton had it drilled into them by [trainer] George Cameron. They were good."

Tinsley believes it is probably the single most important talent a jockey can possess.

"The best judge of pace will win a race. If you can do it well, you have half the field beaten before you go out. Half the jockeys out there can't do it well."

 

Make that ' most of the jockeys ' today...  and an interesting little anecdote about the above-mentioned McCutcheon.  

In the room to dissect a ride of one D Walsh,  the jockey was asked why he wasn't lying up closer to the pace on his mount, a last start winner from a handy position.

Sir, said Walsh, the pace of the race was suicidal.  If I had gone forward to match it, my horse would have been crucified.

The pace of the race, said McCutcheon, is irrelevant.

That was printed in a newspaper, I was so astounded at the comment that I cut it out and put it in a scrapbook of racing photos.

If I hunt around I might be able to find it still.

[Chief Stipe]

2 minutes ago, Freda said:

Make that ' most of the jockeys ' today...  and an interesting little anecdote about the above-mentioned McCutcheon.  

In the room to dissect a ride of one D Walsh,  the jockey was asked why he wasn't lying up closer to the pace on his mount, a last start winner from a handy position.

Sir, said Walsh, the pace of the race was suicidal.  If I had gone forward to match it, my horse would have been crucified.

The pace of the race, said McCutcheon, is irrelevant.

That was printed in a newspaper, I was so astounded at the comment that I cut it out and put it in a scrapbook of racing photos.

If I hunt around I might be able to find it still.

Interesting comment by McCutcheon but probably taken out of context.

A good mate of mine and I had a good session with Noel after the races at Ellerslie in the Novotel bar where we were staying.  The mother of my child was upstairs getting ready to go out for dinner.  Matty and I were well gone as my horse had won the last, we had had a bloody good punt and we took full advantage of being in the Presidents bar as Owners with all the free loaders that gravitated there once racing had finished.

Bloody interesting talking to him.  Sadly the day was marred by the death of a young Jockey at Riverton (I think) and Noel as Chief phoned Trackside to get the race video removed.

But back to the comment - yes the pace of the race is irrelevant in the sense that if you have a horse that races handy or on the pace it doesn't matter what the pace is you should be up front.  Again context.

[Freda]

30 minutes ago, Chief Stipe said:

Interesting comment by McCutcheon but probably taken out of context.

But back to the comment - yes the pace of the race is irrelevant in the sense that if you have a horse that races handy or on the pace it doesn't matter what the pace is you should be up front. 

Bollocks.

[Chief Stipe]

8 minutes ago, Freda said:

Bollocks.

Why is it "bollocks" @Freda? 

Who would you have rather had in charge McCutcheon and Holland or Oatham?

[nod]

Norm Holland would have been a good stipe. Oatham at least has a racing pedigree with his father being an excellent trainer. But you don;t need to be an ex jockey.

[Chief Stipe]

15 minutes ago, nod said:

Norm Holland would have been a good stipe. Oatham at least has a racing pedigree with his father being an excellent trainer. But you don;t need to be an ex jockey.

Norm Holland WAS a Stipe.  But shouldn't there be at least a few good Jockeys amongst the Stipes?  Actually that would be a good Topic in its own right - which ex-Jockeys would be good raceday Stipes?

[KickintheKods]

Hayden Haitana

A man of impeccable integrity and morals.

[Chief Stipe]

7 minutes ago, KickintheKods said:

Hayden Haitana

A man of impeccable integrity and morals.

For those that don't know the history of racing @KickintheKods is taking the piss.  Wasn't a Waterhouse involved?

[KickintheKods]

If you could convince Mickey Coleman to quit his job as bar manager at Darren Weatherley's establishment, he would be a good addition to the ranks.

[nomates]

3 minutes ago, KickintheKods said:

If you could convince Mickey Coleman to quit his job as bar manager at Darren Weatherley's establishment, he would be a good addition to the ranks.

Colman said on SENZ on Saturday that he was on the breeding team at Waikato Stud , had been there 18 mths .

Presume he meant the horse side of things. 

[nomates]

First and foremost they have be a prick, can't be caring what guys you might have rode against think. 

Set your line in the sand and don't cross it. 

[Chief Stipe]

Just now, nomates said:

First and foremost they have be a prick, can't be caring what guys you might have rode against think. 

Set your line in the sand and don't cross it. 

I don't agree with that.  Any good rider with good hands that could nail pace would suffice. 

[Joe Bloggs]

16 minutes ago, nomates said:

First and foremost they have be a prick, can't be caring what guys you might have rode against think. 

Set your line in the sand and don't cross it. 

Lisa Cropp for mine, a fine choice that.

[nomates]

10 minutes ago, Joe Bloggs said:

Lisa Cropp for mine, a fine choice that.

Yeah most didn't like her already, not that popular. 

[Joe Bloggs]

She told me to get  effed one day, so I did.

[nomates]

Joe, you've been in the cauldrons of Melbourne and Sydney, how many stipes did you know that gave a shit about being your buddy?

And how many stipes did you know that were ex jocks and did you think they were better stipes for that experience?

We have Matthew Williamson and he's no better for having been a good jockey .

Just curious. 

[Joe Bloggs]

None Nomates, the innuendo that surrounds ex jock/stipes is not needed, it's bad enough some trainers nowadays used to be stipes, I've seen some bloody useless stipes in my time, too many to mention, but John Schreck in SYD was one of the best, followed by Ray Murrihy, in MEL John Boyd and Bill Brewer were streets ahead of their boss Pat Lalor, those two earned respect, but by no means did they rely on the old mates network like some//.......hope that helps.

[nomates]

16 minutes ago, Joe Bloggs said:

She told me to get  effed one day, so I did.

Yeah well she was mad enough to pull a knife on you if you didn't. So smart move. 

[Freda]

2 minutes ago, Joe Bloggs said:

None Nomates, the innuendo that surrounds ex jock/stipes is not needed, it's bad enough some trainers nowadays used to be stipes, I've seen some bloody useless stipes in my time, too many to mention, but John Schreck in SYD was one of the best, followed by Ray Murrihy, in MEL John Boyd and Bill Brewer were streets ahead of their boss Pat Lalor, those two earned respect, but by no means did they rely on the old mates network like some//.......hope that helps.

Shreck lacked personal integrity.  Might have been an ok stipe but....

[Freda]

1 minute ago, Freda said:

Shreck lacked personal integrity.  Might have been an ok stipe but....

Just ask Bruce Compton.

[nomates]

6 minutes ago, Joe Bloggs said:

None Nomates, the innuendo that surrounds ex jock/stipes is not needed, it's bad enough some trainers nowadays used to be stipes, I've seen some bloody useless stipes in my time, too many to mention, but John Schreck in SYD was one of the best, followed by Ray Murrihy, in MEL John Boyd and Bill Brewer were streets ahead of their boss Pat Lalor, those two earned respect, but by no means did they rely on the old mates network like some//.......hope that helps.

Yeah thanks, I've always reckoned that a great mechanic doesn't mean they make great race car drivers and visa versa. 

Edited February 9, 2022 by nomates

[billy connolly]

20 minutes ago, Freda said:

Schreck lacked personal integrity.  Might have been an ok stipe but....

Schreck, wasn't that the bloke who was porking a well known jockey's wife... whilst enforcing the rules?

Lest not forget our former chief Stipe tripping down from Wellington for a bit of debauchery with a harness owner/trainers missus.

A standing prick has no conscience.

[Freda]

6 hours ago, billy connolly said:

Schreck, wasn't that the bloke who was porking a well known jockey's wife... whilst enforcing the rules?

Lest not forget our former chief Stipe tripping down from Wellington for a bit of debauchery with a harness owner/trainers missus.

A standing prick has no conscience.

That's right.  Read following post. Bruce Comptons wife. And the Ross Neal biso....oh dear. Bad enough but then attempting to cover it all up when the woman concerned died in the middle of proceedings..Integrity Unit indeed. 

Edited February 9, 2022 by Freda

[Shad]

9 hours ago, KickintheKods said:

Hayden Haitana

A man of impeccable integrity and morals.

Didn't he have a son that was a jockey in nz some years back, justin may have been his name, certainly was many years ago, someone on here will know.