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Reminds me of my late GP ranting about hospitals bringing in ex brewry CEO's to run them, he maintained how vital it was to have leaders with knowledge of the specific area. Yet here we are heading down the same old blind alley, doing the same thing over and over that always end up going down like a Led Zeppelin. To cock up is normal , to learn nothing from past cock ups is unforgiveable.

Wow in Canterbury you quite often see Blair and JD few hundred meters from start calming there horses.

So in our investigations when we were asked to provide a timing system for NZ in 2016, we stated the following: 1. There are three types of timing protocols in NZ; 2.One consists of the steward of the racing club clicking a hand timing piece when they consider the gates have opened; 3. One consists of the timer being activated when the start button is pushed by the starter; and 4. One consists of when the actual gates hit a time switch when the gates have sprung open. This inconsistency will always provide differential timing discrepancies if one wishes to record accurate certified timing of races, and sectional times. In addition to the actual timing systems, there would seem to be inconsistences in the actual distance of the races when comparing these actual distances to the advertised distances. It would seem that of the three race courses that have surveyed using GPS system with a 200mm accuracy, inaccuracies to be + or - 16m. This does not allow an accurate timing solution to be achieved. We would advise that all race tracks be accurately surveyed to ensure that the actual start points and distances are properly certified. Our solution to this would be to survey and Lidar the tracks to put to bed once and for all the weird timing results that have been recorded. The Lidar will provide an accurate representation of the track topography.

Total time posted : Telegraph 2021 : 1:07.95 Telegraph 2022 : 1:06.18 Time from barrier opening to the red marker on the inside fence (800m?). 2021 : 23.42 secs 2022 : 21.84 secs Time from red marker to finish line. 2021 : 44.53 secs 2022 : 44.34 secs I also did similar analysis with other early marking points down the chute. To the end of the chute where the inside rail ends. 2021 : 38.69 2022 : 36.70 Time from this point to finish line. 2021 : 29.26 secs 2022 : 29.48 secs Therefore, I think there are 2 possibilities arising out of Levante's time. 1) The 1200 metre chute was extremely fast. 2) The barriers were positioned slightly forward of the 1200m mark.

I was told today that it was hand timed. What is going on in Wellington, both with the club and with the NZTR. It's fine to spend $14m pa but something as important as timing in 2022 isn't? Where is the leadership? Come on you guys....we gave you a paper on the racetracks and timing systems 5 years ago. We did all the hard work and still nothing done. I seriously hope the next CEO can pour a beer properly.

Northern Southland TC 12 January 2022 – R9 – Mark Purdon ID: RIB6992 Respondent(s): Mark Purdon - Driver Applicant: Miss R Haley - Stipendiary Steward Adjudicators: Mr N Skelt Persons Present: Mr N McIntyre - General Manager of Stewards Information Number: A16512 Decision Type: Adjudicative Decision Charge: Delaying race start Rule(s): 858(1)(a) - NA Plea: Admitted Stewards Report Results Animal Name: OSCAR BONAVENA Code: Harness Race Date: 12/01/2022 Race Club: Northern Southland Trotting Club Race Location: Ascot Park Raceway - 29 Findlay Road, Ascot, Invercargill, 9810 Race Number: R9 Hearing Date: 12/01/2022 Hearing Location: Ascot Park Invercargill Outcome: Proved Penalty: Driver Mark Purdon was fined the sum of $200 At the conclusion of Race 9 the Pryde’s Easifeed Southern Lights (Handicap Trot) (Gr3) an Information was lodged by Stipendiary Steward Miss R Haley alleging that Driver Mark Purdon delayed the start when driving OSCAR BONAVENA Mr Purdon did not wish to be present at the hearing and admitted the breach. The Rule reads 858: Every driver and/or person in charge of a horse shall ensure that 1. The horse is, not later than the time fixed by the stewards (whether in the regulations for the race meeting, official racebook or otherwise) prior to any race paraded at the assembly area approved by the Stipendiary Steward. Miss Haley used several of the video clips of the start of the race to highlight Mr Purdon taking an extra half lap with his horse OSCAR BONAVENA who was starting from the 30 metre mark when the front line horses had already assembled and were ready to commence the race. Miss Haley said the race was starting late about 34 seconds, initially. Miss Haley also stated that ANDY HALL (N Williamson) who was starting on the front line had become fractious and broke and lost all chance after the tapes were released. Decision: As the charge is admitted, it is therefore proved. Submissions for Penalty: Miss Haley stated that Drivers had been made aware nationally of the Rule by email recently, and that the standard fine for this offence would be $200 which has been the case with recent offences under this Rule. The Penalty Guide allows for a $300 fine. Miss Haley believed Mr Purdon could be given credit for his admission of the breach. It was noted that Mr Purdon had no previous breaches under this Rule. Reasons for Penalty: The Penalty Guide provides a penalty starting point of $300. After taking into account the submissions from Miss Haley, the Adjudicative Committee gave Mr Purdon some concession for his guilty plea and reduced the fine to $200. Whilst Mr Purdon was not present, it is noted that the race was a Gr3 Race, and a horse did lose its chance at the start, which cannot be completely determined by Mr Purdon’s actions, however the expectation is that Mr Purdon should be far more professional in this situation. Conclusion: Mr Purdon is fined the sum of $200. Decision Date: 12/01/2022 Surely an own goal by Nigel Skelt. MP should be more professional. Has he not seen the cowboys perform down that way each an every week and will Haley catch any other drivers delaying start by 34 seconds. Heaven forbid

Seems quite petty as I have seen this done countless times in my more than 50 year involvement with harness racing. Ms Haley seems to be implying that the reason Andy Hall broke is because of Mr Purdon? What a joke! Andy Hall often begins poorly. April Fools' Day has come early.

Is this such a bad thing ? Sometimes nice to have horses around for a few years for folks to follow. Try and breed or own a stayer and it may not race over 2200+ until a 4 x year old so may be just peaking at 7 yr old. And if they still sound and frisky at 10 yr old good to have them racing IMO. Win a couple of these races at 4 or 5 and suddenly always up in the weights .

I've just discovered NESTA is a half through the dam to that useful sprinter Society Rock who in 2012 got to within two lengths of a certain Black Caviar at Ascot.

How pathetic is it that we cannot have an accurate time for a time honoured Group 1!! Not recorded by hand, but electronically. Reminds me of a three legged sack race at the Christmas Party for Mums and daughters……………..

indeed and I think you could have bought two of them for a combined 7k. Interesting to see the better credentialed types get to the races.

Three in the Karaka millions. Who would have thought a few weeks ago. Go LA

you mean like 'bonkin Bayliss'

I applauded Sir Mark Stewart's appointment as chairman. BUT, following this recent chief executive officer's appointment I now have my doubts about Sir Mark Stewart. A CEO must have a real good knowledge of the industry that he/she is involved in. Wagering is a weird industry and I doubt whether Tod would know that Aussies bet more on quinellas than they do on trifectas. That is, from a perusal of his curriculum vitae, he has no knowledge of the unbelievable intricacies involved in the wagering industry, and your eyes would water over if I typed up four A4 pages of just a few of those details, all of which are important. Without that knowledge he will be unable to determine whether the multitude of reports submitted to him by underlings are bull dust or not. I think that Tod would be very good at running an outfit like Foodstuffs, where textbook management decisions can be made. No school of management has ever been set up to educate any "high flyer' in the unusual details of a wagering business. My greengrocer at my supermarket told me that they have run out of lemons. I am scared that Sir Mark Stewart may have grabbed the last one.

What time did Blue Blood run back in the 70s. Remembering they used to write the time on a blackboard. With hand timing of the same Group 1 last Saturday, things have really come a long way .....