Another Interesting de Lore Piece

[Reefton]

14 minutes ago, Freda said:

There is now a 'new' rule that a horse is NOT allowed to start without all four plates on.

Yes that is one thing that Clement did say in one of the letters.  They should call that the Molloy rule.  The whole point is the stipes discretion, in my experience, was where a horse lost a plate on the way to the start and replacement was impractical.  The stipes could allow it to run, perhaps with the other plate off as well.  NOT when a horse presents at the brand checking and plate inspection area without a shoe as happened here.   How the Chief Stipe of NZ allowed that horse to run minus a plate is beyond me

[Freda]

28 minutes ago, Reefton said:

Yes that is one thing that Clement did say in one of the letters.  They should call that the Molloy rule.  The whole point is the stipes discretion, in my experience, was where a horse lost a plate on the way to the start and replacement was impractical.  The stipes could allow it to run, perhaps with the other plate off as well.  NOT when a horse presents at the brand checking and plate inspection area without a shoe as happened here.   How the Chief Stipe of NZ allowed that horse to run minus a plate is beyond me

You're absolutely right.

I spoke at length with a farrier who has been, at various times, the plating inspector and also the behind-the-barrier bloke.

The rules were quite specific;   if a horse is presented at the plate inadequately shod, it MUST be scratched.    Quite clear.

If a plate is lost on the way to the barrier, however, the matter is at the discretion of the farrier behind the barriers.  In most cases of that nature, either the lost plate is replaced, or the other plate removed.

So Oatham abrogated his own organisation's rules.  And as well, the approval given to the Reefton track prior to the meeting, only to have him abandon the day on the flimsiest of pretexts, indicates a personal issue of his own which is quite unacceptable for someone in his position. 

If Clement has any credibility at all he will shift the bloke sideways somewhere - making the tea perhaps.

[Reefton]

4 minutes ago, Freda said:

You're absolutely right.

I spoke at length with a farrier who has been, at various times, the plating inspector and also the behind-the-barrier bloke.

The rules were quite specific;   if a horse is presented at the plate inadequately shod, it MUST be scratched.    Quite clear.

If a plate is lost on the way to the barrier, however, the matter is at the discretion of the farrier behind the barriers.  In most cases of that nature, either the lost plate is replaced, or the other plate removed.

So Oatham abrogated his own organisation's rules.  And as well, the approval given to the Reefton track prior to the meeting, only to have him abandon the day on the flimsiest of pretexts, indicates a personal issue of his own which is quite unacceptable for someone in his position. 

If Clement has any credibility at all he will shift the bloke sideways somewhere - making the tea perhaps.

I do have to make it clear Oatham was not the stipe in charge that day - Veronica Algar was

But it was pretty clear who was pulling the strings

 

[Chief Stipe]

58 minutes ago, Freda said:

If Clement has any credibility at all he will shift the bloke sideways somewhere - making the tea perhaps.

The only advantage I saw in the creation of the RIB behemoth was that it offered a chance to restructure and to cut out the rotten wood.

But just like Mackenzie with the TAB restructure an opportunity was lost.  Now both organisations are hamstrung by employment laws.

[Doomed]

6 hours ago, Reefton said:

Interesting!  The NZTR guys have been kept in the loop with the various correspondence and they know our track was OK.  There were no less than four inspections in the few weeks leading up to it, including by their track man and Garry Foskett(and also by one John Oatham),  and there is a very notable NZTR employee who was oncourse and knows tracks who was disgusted.

We await the results of the Chair's enquiry and the Minister's but as far as ongoing communication with Clement you might as well talk to a rock.  The guy is clearly out of his depth.  Head of the RIB(either CEO or Chair) is no place for a person who seems to have no idea about racing.

 

Generally no idea about racing is considered an ideal qualification for most racing roles.

[holy ravioli]

Oatham was promoted above his credentials.

He afaik is a reliable old boy sycophant.

I still recall the mayhem at his first gig in charge at Avondale.It was a free for all.

[Murray Fish]

On 21/02/2023 at 2:58 PM, Doomed said:

Generally no idea about racing is considered an ideal qualification for most racing roles.

this approach seems to work best  in a Industry that is very hierarchically driven.  lol! throw in Sunset as well... seems to work well in the present! not that great in the long run!  

[Murray Fish]

On 21/02/2023 at 9:46 PM, holy ravioli said:

Oatham was promoted above his credentials.

He afaik is a reliable old boy sycophant.

I still recall the mayhem at his first gig in charge at Avondale.It was a free for all.

I could make some comments about that! best not to as often when one shares insights along that sort of line,  there are always unbidden  fall outs for the people who have come under his gaze....