Richard Cave

The Stipes now have high resolution cameras along with side views the hoi polloi don't have access to. They can probably see a jockey rolling their eyes when a gap closes or mouthing wtf!

Fair enough, I was asking the question of Steady, I didn't see the race. As the Deputy says charges can and have been laid now, up to 4 since the new season I think?

Mick Pitman has absolutely given it to the JCA when his apprentice Morgan got charged recently. So much so they bent over backwards and completely altered the "recommended" 6-8 day penalty to 5. "Mr McLaughlin, with the assistance of Stipendiary Steward, Mr M Williamson, showed video replays of the final 200 metres of the race. He pointed out Miss Morgan riding VINSANITY, in the lead and racing just off the rail. Mr Williamson said that near the 200m, Miss Morgan, drew the whip and struck VINSANITY 8 times before going back to push for 3 strides, then drawing the whip again and striking the horse 3 further times before the 100m mark. He said the total strikes were 10, but the pauses were insufficient under the Guidelines and that was the reason Miss Morgan was being charged. Mr Williamson stated that the breach was low level and the strikes were low force. Mr Pitman stated that this rule is the most inconsistent in racing. He asked why some riders get warnings and some riders not. He showed a race day report from the recent Poverty Bay meeting where a number of riders were warned. Mr Pitman stated that they had obviously broken the rules so why weren’t they charged not warned. He said that he had had a discussion with Mr Oatham recently, in regard to why rider O Bosson did not get charged when he used the whip 9 times in a race. Mr Pitman said that it was alright for a strong rider to “thrash the shit” out of a mount over the final 100m and not be charged with excessive use. He said the rule was there to appease the horse welfare people and yet the rule allows a horse to be thrashed over the final stages. Mr Pitman stated that this was the stupidest rule in racing. He said, what is worse, Miss Morgan hitting the horse 11 times outside the 100m or a strong rider standing bolt upright on a horse, “hitting the shit out of it” inside the final 100m. Mr Pitman stated that this rule would be gone within 12 months which he said he was willing to bet on. He conceded that it was clear that Miss Morgan had used the whip too many times without the required pauses which was why she admitted the breach."

It was tongue in cheek scoobs! I've posted some very erudite "shit" I think, so much so you commented positively to the J Swap thread and then I helped berri understand the Handicapping system. This is a great site and similar to the ones I used in Melbourne. Loving the banter and it's all in good nature!

To be fair Steady, Lee did preface the comm. with "maybe".

No I'm giving you purely the Nuts and bolts explanation. SW&P 3yo Black Type racing is exactly the same weighting system as the older horses. Ordinary every day SW&P 3yo races are as follows Maiden Fillies 54kg Maiden Colts 56kg A first win receives a 1 1/2kg penalty and each win after that receives 1 kg. AOF to 57.5 kg for its first win plus 2kgs for its 2 other wins regardless of the race! I told you it was balmy but it encourages Black Type performers to race against their own age group which is what most stakeholders want. 3yo Handicaps are a thing of the past I'm afraid.

This is great and thanks for the offer. We had similar access to the main players in Melbourne when I was there. Can I ask you if you think stakeholders should have direct access to Handicappers or should they only be allowed to protest through the NZTR complaints service? And are you happy you're on a level playing field when you venture to the North Island considering milk shake testing appears almost non existent there? Cheers, Richard Cave

Boom boom!!! While you're there, being a 'thieves on wheels' supporter, are you happy with the surprise element of Harness milk shake testing here? How many a day on average would get tested do you know?

Can you stop trolling. Thanks

No, that's just listing urine swabs from winners and any pre race bloods are notified separately aren't they? I've puffed and I've puffed and can't find any up in the Northern area reports? Maybe a trainer can tell us when their charge was last tested for having a milk shake before a race?

I'm on very good terms with the owner now we've sorted a few misunderstandings out and using fowl language like that and non value added posts could get you banned. Just warning you pounded. Speak up or forever hold your piece and we'll all be able to have a greater understanding of our industry poundy mcpounded face. Where was the testing first up?

Oh ok I think I'm getting the picture. So do you know when they last "felt like it" and who got the "account", the owner, NZTR or 'general accounts'? I hate to keep saying this, 'but when I was in Melbourne' they would do 30 pre race tests a day on Metrop meetings as well as others post race including bloods. So if I give Gobder a ring he'll tell me where, why and when because nobody else really knows here by the looks? The report on Saturday said they just did urine on winners and Black Type placegetters post race, nothing about milk shakes testing.

Steady, are you complaining about the complete change in tactics here? Remember you made no comment wrt the lack of requirement here to report change of riding tactics. As that quite successful bloke Waller says, "the industry must look after the punter" And Waller religiously informs all riding change of tactics well before the required time frame. What does that tell you? Imagine Winx being hauled back to last because "we wanted to teach her something new", as happened here recently? Punters would set fire to the new Randwick stand wouldn't they?

Are the boys and Girls At Ellerslie going big on this Derby PR lark I wonder? Mainstream TV, Breakfast with that Blonde Barbie doll Hales who'll pick Craig Baker's brains to bits. A real horse in the studio, bunting, a clip of Phar Laps forelock, the Broncrusher song maybe? Anything? Sammy Spratt, Danny Marsh, and Emily Bosson mud rastling with Matt Cameron refereeing so there'll be no hint of controversy?

Gobder, who the fuck is Gobder? But seriously, you do test here don't you? Or is it once in a blue moon, just like last month? Must have been last month then?