Toblerone

Short answer is YES.

working one horse at Pukekohe and that's it. Works as a flight groom now.

Very articulate fella and passionate when arguing a point. RIP.

I actually think you have a major psychological problem.

HRNZ have commissioned an independent report in to this treatment. Hopefully the report's investigators will explore why the process is banned Europe. As noted, a fundamental of journalism is to present both sides of the fence and differing opinions. Not the case here - merely a interview with the All Stars' current and previous vet and the companies' owner, who is an All Stars owner. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with the treatment, I am no scientist, but the tv pieces were cunningly one-sided. Was GOC ever going to put anything on the show that drew criticism towards the All Stars? no, no he was not.

What knockers? All I ever read and hear is people who love the horse.

Strong words for someone too chicken to put their name to it.

There are two chances of GOC doing anything to upset the All Stars stable - zero and none. It will be interesting viewing but do not expect it to be anything sensational or an 'expose'.

As an aside, the Hall Of Fame as it's called is a bit of a joke (in terms of who runs it, how it's administered, marketed etc etc). It's just Gilbert Myles and his wife living vicariously through the name to try and remain relevant. I believe the rules are that any trainer with 500 (?) wins and drivers with 1000 (?) wins get automatic inductions. To be clear, this post has nothing to do with John's induction specifically - ultimately I think he would end up in a 'true' hall of fame like they do in the gallops.

It will be a sad day when discretion is removed. These handicappers are getting right royally fucked over by trainers who are too ignorant or selfish to embrace the system. What we have now is the furtherest thing from a rating system and it's in no way the fault of the handicappers. The handicapping sub committee (on which Morris and Smith have little to no power), under the recommendation of the horseman's association, have ruined the system. As an example, just one that picked off the top of my head right now. Without discretion applied in recent months, The Night Hawk would currently be rated 89. He's an 80. Mach Shard is a rating 90. You tell me.

Is this is a pisstake? Why would maidens be in a R40-50 race? They would be in an M40-50 race. Please, do not comment, or bag the system, if you have no fkn idea what you are whinging about.

I think a 3yo trotting trotting filly that wins a maiden probably shouldn't go to a 55, and that's where the system needs a few tweaks. But it's the rating system's fault that ATC run races with rating parameters from 55 to 102. That is truly ludicrous. Can you imagine if they did that for the pacers? As an aside, Monkey Selfie would have been competitive in that other race, which means the system, in essence, actually works. But a 3yo filly shouldn't, on principal, have to race seasoned horses over 2700 metres at her second start. That being said, the trainer would be conscious of this and waited for another week any way.

I disagree. What is needed is an extra 50 horses in the 60-80 bracket.

simple reason - the club cannot afford it.

If you own a horse, and lease part of it to a trainer, why would you even charge grazing on the horse when it is sent home either permanently or with the intention of going back to the trainer. Seems very tight-assed.

I play in a sports team with a dozen guys aged late 20s and early 30s. Approximately zero of them have any family connection to racing, nor any real knowledge of the industry. The extent of their racing involvement was easybets at the tavern over a few jugs. A couple of them got added to Boys Get Paid, had a few wins and are now hooked. Most of the team is on there and they live for the hot tips and all they talk about is the next Ellerslie race meeting they can attend or the Punters Club they can get in to. I'm a harness guy and have done absolutely nothing to foster their interest. But because of BGP, there are now 8-10 guys, all professionals with good income, and plenty of disposable, hooked on to the industry. This is only a small bunch of guys but I get the feeling it's a microcosm of the BGP movement and it's impact as well as future potential.

Has there ever been a New Years Day harness meeting? Not in recent memory.

P4P, what do you make of the evidence around a horse being administered something on race day?

It was, but then it got deferred earlier this week until December 13.

Has an upcoming commitment in NZ.

Big story on it in last week's paper.

Pukekohe will be sold by 2024 regardless.

The RIU can't comment on most of those charged specifically due to temporary suppression orders.

LongOwner I am sure you will read with interest the just-released story on the case in this week's Informant. Headlined 'Operation Inca... much ado about nothing?'