Scotch Thistle

Compare the following two items: 22 March 2013 Waipukurau Dead 4 Mendoza runs 5th of 9 in a Rating 65 1600 run in 1:38.78 beaten 6.4 lengths. Stipes report: When questioned regarding the run of MENDOZA rider B Lammas could offer no real excuse but was of the opinion that the gelding may be better suited by a firmer track. 8 December 2013 Waipukurau Good 3, upgraded from Dead 4, Mendoza runs 8th of 8 in a Rating 75 2200 run in 2:16.18 beaten 7.2 lengths. Stipes report: When questioned into the disappointing run of MENDOZA rider R Myers was of the opinion the gelding was better suited to a more rain affected track. So the stipes have been given the opinions that Mendoza is better suited by a firmer track than Dead 4, and is better suited by a more rain affected track than Good 3. The first opinion by his regular rider, B Lammas, the second by R Myers having her first race day ride on him But hang on, Mendoza has had 2 wins in his 9 start career, both before the two items above. The first win was on a track rated Dead 4, and the second win was on a track rated Dead 3. It is hard to escape the conclusion that the stewards lack the energy or wit to test whatever jockeys offer by way of opinions. Surely they have immediate access to form records? Where a jockey's opinion does not square with race records, they should have the sense to test the jockeys' opinions. Questioning the trainer might provide enlightenment, especially where the rider hasn't ridden the horse before and the horse has been in the same stable all its career.

It was often hard to hear Bevan Sweeney on Trackside from Wanganui as he was too close to a loudspeaker over which a longwinded course announcer blathered away. Seems to be a common problem with Christmas at the races meetings.

Still Heavy 11 this morning. Something stinks. The Met Service website says Upper Hutt has had 19mm of rain over the last 10 days. Much of that time there have been drying winds from strong to gale.

Who was she pissed off with? Her husband is the president of the club, and clearly the problem was of the club's making, as NZTR says "Excess sand from an area of extensive earthworks on the inside of the course proper had been blown on to the track by high winds overnight, accumulating on the home bend and straight."

Thanks for your updates. Where is the rail to be come race day?

Stewards report: Weather: Showers Track: Dead 5, downgraded to Dead 6 retrospective to Race 5 Tallies with what I saw on Trackside.

I agree with you, bigdog1. Based on the Trackside TV coverage, I thought the protest should fail. But I wasn't sure it would, because a roughie was first across the line and the solid favourite finished second.

Bridgman can point to the entry of Better Than Ready having the purpose of allowing flexibility as to which race Better Than Ever competes in. He could concede that a second purpose was to affect the weight allocated to Burgundy and still be off laughing, having established that there was no sole purpose. The problems lie with the inadequacy of rule 526, and with the ethics of a stable/stud which places integrity second to the increasingly-desperate task of getting Burgundy a record on the track which fits him up to be a commercial stallion.

Stu McGraill on Wednesday on radio Trackside said there were large bare areas because the club had no irrigation. The lack of entries is, therefore, no surprise. Waverley was another meeting lost recently for a lack of irrigation.

Hopefully he is sorting himself out, and reducing the input of liquid calories.

If they're doing all they can to avoid repeats, as Wall says they are, then their first step will be to increase the height of all their gates and fences.

Imagine the stink had Asavant won, or been placed in a dividend-paying position, and her backers were merely given their wagers back. Would have been appropriate for the punters to pull the stalls apart and insert components up the jacksies of the committee members.

Given point 8, Steven McKee winning 2 of the 6 races on Million day rates well ahead of point 10 for mine. And it was interesting to note that the 2 would-be stallions from which Matt Cameron was given the flick by Te Akau failed to distinguish themselves under Opie Bosson. Sure, Burgundy ran third, but the two mares who beat him in gave him 5kg and 2kg respectively at weight-for-age. Catalonia was an also ran.

Right on, chelsecol, Sweeney is the goods. He is way better than some of the old hands already. He listens to answers from trainers and jockeys and doesn't ask questions they have already answered. He was also impressive in the studio discussion role on Melbourne Cup day. He recognises that his role is to get fresh information from those in the know to punters/viewers, not to wallow in self-importance. Another big improver in his role has been Tom Wood.

I reckon it would be fitting for Tony to be voted the racing personality of the year award to stick it up those who caused a gem to be lost.

I reckon he's the best in the country calling gallops, Bruce Sherwin second, now Tony Lee has hung up his mike.

To the extent that Trackside attempts to promote racing, whether as an industry or merely as a gambling product, it should have presenters who speak clearly, and have average vocabularies and intelligence. It should select staff who relate well alike to industry insiders and to those whose involvement is confined to Melbourne Cup day. I recall in my youth trying to catch racecalls on radio, listening through static to anything but a local meeting, if one could get a signal at all, waiting for results for 10 minutes or so, longer if the announcer was anti racing or couldn't be bothered. No one then would have foreseen the marvellous broadcasting set up we have today. Sure, full enjoyment today is ruined by many of the Trackside TV and radio people being not too bright, and up themselves. But the pictures usually speak for themselves, and the familiar won't take much notice of the prattle. It is the occasional viewers that I worry for. They must shudder at the confusion of jargon. Worse still, they must be appalled at the constant "he's done good"s and the ignorant pretentiousness of certain of the Trackside people.

I (thought I) was suggesting that if the Maori Party want to stop Maoris blowing their dosh on gambling, they would want Maoris to stop running organisations which foster gambling. As I understand, only Maoris are allowed to be members of the Otaki Maori Racing Club.

A specially targeted solution would surely see the end of the Otaki Maori Racing Club. That would be a pity, overall.

There are fools at Trentham throughout the year. The closest Met Service site, at Lower Hutt, has recorded less than 10mm of rain over the last 10 days. Poor track, poor fields (quantity and quality), though great sponsors. Put your money on at Te Aroha, give Trentham the fingers.

Good on the sponsors. Tony Lee will be able to mention the sponsored horses' names several times, and give shout outs to the owners, in padding out his commentaries. Especially so in the early races, with fields of 8, 6 and 8. 91 acceptors for 9 races. Somehow the club has achieved a Slow 8 track after 10mm of rain following more than a week of brilliant weather.

Never mind, Nicholson has plenty to be going on with. Time Keeper has another 106 races in him before he gets to match Slick's number of starts. When he drops further in the ratings, Time Keeper looks capable of picking up a Monday or Tuesday R65 or two along the way. That will greatly enhance his Group I win as an attraction to broodmare owners when/if he goes to stud.

Don't be put off by those who hold jump-outs to be trials, Garfield. Trials have characteristics, defined in the Third Appendix of the Rules of Racing, Regulations for Trials, which are not typically met by jump-outs. They must be sanctioned by NZTR, have notified scratchings, jockeys must wear colours, an ambulance, a veterinarian and a farrier must be present, there must be a raceday starter or someone ticked by a stipe as good enough, jockeys are paid, results are notified to NZTR, etc etc. It could be interesting, but most unfortunate, were connections of a starter to seek that the JCA be assured by the stipes that RTC has done the business at a trial run in accordance with the Third Appendix of the Rules of Racing. If she has not the JCA could have no option but to order that RTC not start, and put a rocket up NZTR and the Integrity Unit?.

I hope they've swabbed the starter, and that the club recompenses all the connections who are out of pocket through the incompetence of their official.