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Miss Marple would, I submit, tidy this lot up without dropping a stitch.

I don't agree with your penalty submissions. The guy, regardless of his family etc, completely bullshitted his way out of giving a sample on the morning in question. There is only one reason why he didnt want to give a sample-he'd been using either cocaine or meth and knew any sample would be positive to one of them. If you get stopped by the cops and refuse a breath test, or refuse to later give blood, you get charged with a substantive offence and your penalty ( as far as I'm aware ) is based as if you had a higher blood/alcohol level than allowed. Therefore Mr Cole should be-and I believe will be-disqualified from holding any licence for a period. 6 months is my guess.

It's clearly a case where the penalty should be the same as a positive test. There was absolutely no reason from the evidence presented that he could not have got the test done that day.

I think the RIB could do themselves a favour in the future by making the 'failure to comply' penalties double that of a positive result.

And it is a very good example that the actual stake has only limited impact on the quality of the field. Based on the field for the sprint you would have to assume that the Dyke would have attracted exactly the same field for $500,000.

This just shows how entrenched NZTR are in their narrow thinking , they haven't got an original idea in the building , this imbalance has been stuck in place for years and no one at NZTR has the intellectual fortitude to ask why and think to change things up . To be honest that field for the HD is embarrassing for the 700k stake , thank God Australia has loaned us the 2 favorites , saying that how the F@#K can a horse that has only run in benchmark races in Aus be 2nd fav , WTF does that say about our horses ??? Wake the fuck up NZTR , and all those smart boys on the board and the special panel of racing experts , you are making a mockery of NZ racing by standing by and twiddling your thumbs . C'mon guys start earning your dough . NZ racing needs a RESET !!

The whole idea that a licence holder should escape punishment by testing or retesting clear a week later is anathema to me, especially if that has come by the influence of power rather than due process. It is me and my horses that are being put at risk as well as everybody else and their horses if they are out there on the track every morning in an unfit and unsafe state. That's why we have rules to protect human and animal welfare.

The RIB investigator should not have let him leave the course. That was a grave error and I bet their' hand book for catching industry druggies' has been amended accordingly.!

They generally are higher. You'd expect that here, especially when the test was intentionally avoided for a week.

I would suggest that the RIB investigator was more Miss Marple than Inspector Morse .

It was clearly delay / avoidance of the test and the pantomine of the 'Apple watch video' is downright laughable. Add to that, I'm sure he would spend a fair amount of his time connected to his phone, so the incommunicado is just another of the many layers of horse shit. He could have phoned the RIB to say that he would be a bit late getting back to the track for the test and could they wait until he was able to return. That would be the logical way to handle the matter if you had nothing to hide, I suggest.....

They tried that - - remember 'no commentators at the trials'

Comp anyone? We're going to run a comp over the remainder of the summer and through to the end of the Sydney autumn carnival. 10 Saturdays from 14 February to 18 April. The Spring Pairs comp was quite a popular and competitive format so we're running with something very similar. Pairs will be split into two groups and we will have 7 weeks of Pool play followed by three weeks of play-offs (knockout). More details to follow but please register your entry on this thread. I'll look to confirm pairings, groups, match-ups by next Wednesday or Thursday so would appreciate entries registered by Tuesday 10 February. You can enter as a Pair or you can enter as an individual and be paired with someone else via a random draw. Hoping to get 40 entrants (20 pairs) at least.

Once again the Te Rapa sprint has better quality noms than the Dyke, as it does most years. I always find it strange that the 2,000m race runs for $700,000, whereas the sprint goes for $500,000. For several years the International Stakes, as it was originally called, has had a $200,000 higher stake. The Lion Brown sprint, as many of us know it, has had numerous high class winners over the years, from March Legend, Courier Bay, Poetic Prince, Veandercross, Sunline, Tavistock and in more recent times Imperatriz, even the high class Southern mare Final Touch. The International stakes has also had many fine winners, notably Commissionaire three times and Bonecrusher. However the disparity in stakes has always seemed to be a real anomaly. Currently NZTR puts $545,000 into the Dyke and $490,000 into the sprint. The club puts $155,000 into the Dyke and $10,000 into the sprint. Presumably Herbie left them some money to fund this. Surely it would make some sense for NZTR to take $100,000 of their money and put it into the sprint and run both races for $600,000. It does make you wonder whether owners of high class sprinters feel disadvantaged with anomalies such as this.

Well guys, he's (Rep Party) got a mighty battle ahead of him even from that draw, but you know what, he's in it drawn well, as the sole Kiwi rep I just wanna wish him an his connections all the best of luck cmon Kiwis lets get behind the lil fella..... GOOOO!!! the Party Cheers Iraklis

Rev and Jim !! ( Thanks John )

Alex Park - used to be a 'sweet spot' but Charlie gawd no, lets not see the figures we know it won't be sweet readin.... Cheers Iraklis

Another interesting thing is that he has 90 horses on the go, yet he is the only one capable of dealing with the situation of getting the vet to the stricken horse. Not sure what would happen if he took a holiday - but I guess that wouldn't be in the best interests of his staff and the horses..... The one test that this all fails miserably on is the age old 'sniff test'!

Well, after reading some RIB cases on decisions on their webpage it appears that the RIB and the other party make submissions on a penalty then the Adjudicative committee set a penalty not the RIB. it will be very interesting what type of penalty is handed down and if it's a light one will the RIB appeal the decision but let's wait and see. By then Mr Cole should have written another bestseller that if sells well could help offset any financial penalty if that's what happens.

Would like to see the figures in the next few months for Alex Park . It won't be something good

Couldn’t resist a bit of nostalgia checking on a bleak Wellington afternoon! Horlicks ran 2nd to Regal City (trained by Jim Gibbs) in the International Stakes on 14 February 1989, as a 5 yo mare, before going on to win the first of her two $1 million DB Draught Classics at Ellerslie on 4 March 1989. Incredibly, she won the second DB Draught Classic on 3 March 1990 in her fresh up run, after winning both the Mackinnon Stakes and then the Japan Cup in November 1989! If you want a real memory shot, go back a year to the late summer of 1988, when she finished 2nd to Bonecrusher in a WFA 2000m at Ellerslie on 27 February 1988, won a 2000m WFA at Awapuni and then beat Bonecrusher at Ellerslie over 2000m again on 9 April 1988! Not a bad 6 weeks of work! As WD points out, Bonecrusher himself won the International Stakes in 1986 as a 3 yo, in a time of 1:59.59. What do you think Horlicks and Bonecrusher would be paying on Saturday??

I agree with Bucky that at most he will get 6 months. But this happened back in July 2025 - it took until (I believe) December 2025 they had his hearing - so they have let him keep running his horses over the summer months while the money is up. So, what will he be out for the winter months? - he will probably want a holiday anyway? The precedent has been set!

I sort of get what your saying , but in the wider world of sports athletes are routinely tested for drugs and the one standing rule is that they have a duty to be tested when called upon , and that can include in the early hours of the morning , any time the authorities want . Why ??? To maintain the integrity of the sport that athlete competes in . If an athlete fails to comply with the order to produce a sample they are hence considered guilty and judged accordingly , no if no buts , produce or your gone . There maybe situations that I don't know about but on the whole that is the stance . So what sort of example would a $150 fine set . I'm not saying he conclusively had a substance in his system but his clear disregard for the order to produce doesn't look good , I mean why would you risk this situation if you have nothing to fear by testing . What sort of example is he setting when he is one of the young tyros of NZ training and behaves like he is above the law , and then produces that War and Peace novel as his case . I have watched no so prominent industry participants hit with far worse for far less .

I have read the case. My opinion is that because of the many extensive extenuating facts presented by Cole that he should be fined $150. BUT, that he also be ordered to pay costs to the R.I.B. of something like $20,000. The R.I.B. is a very expensive outfit to run. The RIB has been put to huge expense all over a man who wouldn't spend a few minutes urinating. I don't know, but I think the RIB costs about $16mil per year to run. Everything they do has to be done in such a time consuming and intricate manner, so that it stands up to rigorous cross examination. We should not use abbreviations without knowing what the RIB stands for. It is the Racing Integrity Board. Integrity is so important in this day and age. Mr Cole's expensive costs award will be a salutary warning to all licence holders. The Racing Integrity Board must be treated with the utmost respect and dealings with the RIB treated with the utmost good faith.

I just dont hide things...why should some get to bury things when others get punished...that to me is unfair and if Doug thinks its OK then he has compass issues..the game is stuffed if its not a level playing field for ALL participants...maybe I am old fashioned....

Nothing that has been said here is untrue...as long as it stays that way these issues need to be bought to lighten point one burying their heads in the sand and saying everything is rosy when it is not a level playing field for all the participants...sorry that in my mind is not right.

Strange response, personally I think you are the only prick on this site

ATC 23/1 5-10-7-9-7-8-6-6 8 races 58 horses average F/S 7.25 WBOP @ Taupo Monday, so could be more scratching's, Track Limit 10; 10-10-9-10-10-10-10-10-9-10-10-10-10 13 races 128 horses avg F/S 9.84

Interesting article in the Herald about the Aussie visitors being subsidised to come here and win our big races. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/racing/horse-racing-australians-being-subsidised-to-race-here-annoying-local-trainers/GOKMSBE3NFDTHPFHMRFNCFU6NQ/

it ain't spilt yet.

Well guys here it is, Rep Party's drawn well check it out.... Cheers Iraklis

While I work up the reviews from the Dublin Racing Festival, I'm already looking ahead to the coming weekend. I'm supposed to be at Lingfield on Thursday and Sandown on Friday where it's Royal Artillery Day which this year means six steeplechases (the hurdles course was trashed last Saturday and is waterlogged) and an afternoon of big men and bigger guns but we've had a day of soaking rain in London and Sandown is inspecting at 8am tomorrow which doesn't sound good. Newbury stages the main meeting on Saturday and the ground is already Soft, Heavy in places. Two Grade 2 races - the Denman is over 4750m and is a Gold Cup Trial of sorts. HAITI COULEURS was nowhere in the Betfair at Haydock but won the Welsh Grand National under top weight at Chepstow. He had also won the Irish National last April but long distance handicaps aren't Gold Cups and aren't even Grade 2 contests. The slow ground will help and he could well win but I simply can't see him winning a Gold Cup unless it comes up a quagmire. He faces JANGO BAIE who was involved in that incredible King George at Kempton when finishing fourth beaten a length. We know he enjoys decent ground - whether he'll be as happy on testing ground I don't know and for me there are stamina doubts. L'HOMME PRESSE was a fine second in the Cotswold a fortnight ago and this is a quick return if he turns up. The Game Spirit over 3250m has the top British speed novice chaser LULAMBA going into open company but has to carry a penalty for his win in the Henry VIII at Sandown. Nevertheless, he must have a decent chance against the likes of SAINT SEGAL who was no match for THISTLE ASK at Kempton over Christmas. Warwick lost their big January meeting and will be hoping their other big meeting survives - the ground is Soft. Their two Grade 2 races start with the Kingmaker over 3200m and to confusr everyone Nicky Henderson has entered LULAMBA for this as well. Oddly enough, this might be tougher than taking on the seasoned handicappers as he would face Wayward Lad winner MAMBONUMBERFIVE who looked very good at Christmas. The Jane Seymour Mares Hurdle over 3800m is, I assume, named after Henry VIII's third wife rather than the actress who played Solitaire in Live and Let Die but I could be wrong. 13 entries and plenty of unexposed types - the two who catch my eye are GOOD GIRL KATHLEEN from the Emmet Mullins yard but her form is over 4800m which would be a concern. Dan Skelton has SUPREME MALINAS who has won both her hurdles well, the latter at Haydock over this trip and she could be improving. More on these races later in the week.

I'm equal parts anticipation and trepidation.

I would like to register thanks. Come in Rev!

Of course delay delay delay take the winter off...when he has hardly any runners...rules should and must be the same for ALL trainers and employees.

Montydrum and Insider as a team. Thanks SNM

First cab off the rank John Lucasduke and me.

On that rating I'm sure she would get into the "big one" at Riccarton in Nov.

Well after reading the Cody Cole book on excuses he should have been a jockey. So, the incident occurred on the 24/7/2025 and obviously it wasn't hard to get proof of horse being injured on his Tirau property, so why the delay in hearing the case until mid-December? He needs to see a Urologist sooner rather than later. I understand young horse being upset after a jump out, but he knew that he was required to present himself for a test so why load the horses on the truck. There is another side to this which is a bit tricky-- i know a trainers first obligation is to their horses and staff- however it is a condition of their license that testing can be carried out at a reasonable time which appears that the RIB was attempting to carry out that day. Do they do hair testing? and if so, did the RIB ask for this type of sample. I'm assuming that other racing persons advised of testing that day fronted up. Mr Cole should be treated the same as anybody else no matter whom he trains for or his owner base, but i guess he will just get a fine and carry on. How do the trackwork riders, jockeys feel after reading this report when they get stood down almost immediately for say 6 weeks or more for failing a test.

A great analogy. They don't just lock your car up and say we'll give you the keys back in the morning provided you test clear.

That might be the only hair left lol

Interesting Runner today is Flying popov at Seymour, Melhams very 'lacklustre" effort ( ) last start has been noticed 2.35 into 1.8 Lane on today...very impressive previous

And hats off to Kate Hercock, a superb ride!

I have no problem with Masa as a rider or a person, I just think he erred on his ride on this occasion. I did have $10 each way on him by the way!

Dettori's Final Day Includes Brazilian G1 Triumph Grande Premio Estado do Rio De Janeiro is the first leg of Brazil's Triple Crown. By Racing Post Staff Today, 7:30 PM Sponsored By Frankie Dettori notched an emotional winner on his final day as a jockey in Rio de Janeiro Feb. 1—and then made a great day even better by claiming the first leg of Brazil's Triple Crown. Dettori was positioned towards the back of the pack aboard his first mount, Speak Alpha, but switched out into the clear in the home straight and came with a potent late run to win easily. The jockey stood up in his irons and celebrated crossing the line. More of the same followed after the floodlights were turned on at Gavea, where Dettori then steered Bet You Can to land the Grande Premio Estado do Rio De Janeiro (G1T). "I can rest now, whatever else happens today." said Dettori after his opening win. "I couldn't have asked for a better way to finish. From the minute I got on the horse, it has been phenomenal. It's a great place to finish, trust me. I'm very happy." The 55-year-old started out in his native Italy 40 years ago, and later Sunday evening he is expected to bow out of the saddle after an epic career featuring three championship titles and 287 group 1 victories. He also memorably won all seven races at Ascot in September 1996. In his final race, aboard Nidavellir, Dettori finished third. As well as making a name for himself in the saddle, Dettori embraced the celebrity lifestyle and endeared racing to a wider audience, appearing on reality television shows like Big Brother and I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! He has also experienced controversy, as he was banned for six months in 2012 after testing positive for cocaine, while last March he said he was "saddened and embarrassed" after filing for bankruptcy and being unable to pay £765,000 in tax debt.

Perhaps not the sign off he might have wanted - I'm sure he'd have preferred to have finished in the UK, Italy or America but I suspect money talks. A mercurial character both in and out of the saddle but sheer unadulterated box office - he's probably the only jockey since Lester Piggott to have gone beyond racing or even sport and got into the public consciousness over here. I don't know if he could or would come back in a media role - the idea of him on the ITV podium at Royal Ascot with the taciturn AP McCoy is one to savour on a winter morning. He is such a natural on camera - he has an infectious enthusiasm for the sport which is wonderful. Was he the greatest jockey? Technically, my view is no - very, very good but I've seen better riders in races and he'll be the first to admit he got it wrong on occasions but when he was at his brilliant best he was a crowd pleaser. I hope he can find a way past his money troubles and I'm sure this isn't the last we've seen of him.

Spilt beans or not should be the same rules for ALL Industry people, not selective rules for some.

How long does it take to do a pee test? 5 minutes? I think CC is taking the p!$$

And his defence is an absolute joke...he had many chances to provide a sample...and didn't. He needs to be treated exactly the same as all the others punished by this rule...not differently because of who he trains for or who helped him out in his defence...otherwise there is rules for some and rules for the rest.

Add to that Thad Taylors 'input' and these ridiculous big bet exposures pre race you have the complete circus... every bet made should be on the public record for transparency