Leggy

What logic?

I completely agree zzz. That was a travesty administered a rap on the knuckles. And that in the straight in a Group race. If it was at the start at Wairoa the stipes would come up and say your filly raced greenly didn't she? We don't train them for dodgem racing, wtf do they expect? I thought it was bad before but since this RIU outfit was constituted its gone from bad to horrific.

Classic!

Where's Pukekohe? Is that in New Zealand?

Notably I thought the median was up to 12k from 8500 last year and the clearance rate 77% cf. 62% in 2011. On the other hand the overall spend for the series was down to 77m from 88m last year, a 12% decline and perhaps a fair reflection of the overall state of things.

35k cf. 39k (2011), TN.

Correct, but the distribution of profit from the TAB turnover funds most of the stakes, for Reefton and indeed all clubs.

When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of GREEN SUPREME rider J McDonald said that, after travelling well, the gelding was under pressure from the 800 metres and felt uncomfortable in its action. A post-race veterinary examination of GREEN SUPREME revealed no abnormalities. Trainer G Richardson was advised that he must provide a full veterinary clearance for GREEN SUPREME before it races again and is to report the condition of the gelding if anything becomes apparent over the days subsequent.

Gore RC 26 January | Meeting Abandoned - 26/01/12 Today’s race meeting at the Gore RC has been abandoned after the running of Race 4 due to the high winds and dangerous riding conditions. Consideration was given to running the remaining races tomorrow. Unfortunately, due to numerous circumstances this was not a viable option.

To be fair, I heard two auditions for XFactor Australia that were equally bad.

Sheriff, I said it's fair according to the time tested weight for age scale and I'd add according to the most rigorous analysis conducted in Australasia. The opposing argument to favour older colts and geldings so that they might have an unfair advantage is another example of the influence of the breeder lobby so C&Gs can win a race and be sold to Hong Kong for 150k when they haven't really beaten anything on their wfa merits. Nice business if you can get it and sure helps the big breeder domestic sales. Let's see how a level playing field goes.

Not sure how much it cost you to get one to go to R65, but you prove my point with the others, 68/69 cf. 63/64 now. The allowance for three year olds and F&Ms is not a huge advantage in relation to the time-tested weight for age scale. It simply is undoing an unfair disadvantage that previously existed. I agree with Cam, this looks like a fairer system, and time will tell.

For Pete's sake guys. You used to go from a mdn win to top of R70 grade. Now you go to the top R65 and you still complain. Which do you think is better?

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of the RB's approach to fixing problems. this shows we can fix problems, with a simple solution, with no need for all the bullDUST!!! You don't have to be anybody special to appreciate this story. A toothpaste factory had a problem: they sometimes shipped empty boxes without the tube inside. This was due to the way the production line was set up, and people with experience in designing production lines will tell you how difficult it is to have everything happen with timings so precise that every single unit coming out of it is perfect 100% of the time. Small variations in the environment (which can't be controlled in a cost-effective fashion) mean you must have quality assurance checks smartly distributed across the line so that customers all the way down to the supermarket don't get cheesed off and buy another product instead. Understanding how important that was, the CEO of the toothpaste factory got the top people in the company together and they decided to start a new project in which they would hire an external company to solve their empty boxes problem as their engineering department was already too stretched to take on any extra effort. The project followed the usual process: budget and project sponsor allocated, RFP (request for proposal), third-parties selected, and six months (and $8 million) later they had a fantastic solution on time, on budget, high quality and everyone in the project had a great time. They solved the problem by using high-tech precision scales that would sound a bell and flash lights whenever a toothpaste box would weigh less than it should. The line would stop and someone had to walk over and yank the defective box out of it, pressing another button when done to re-start the line. A while later, the CEO decides to have a look at the ROI(return on investment)of the project: amazing results! No empty boxes ever shipped out of the factory after the scales were put in place. Very few customer complaints and they were gaining market share. That's some money well spent he says before looking closely at the other statistics in the report. It turns out the number of defects picked up by the scales was 0 after three weeks of production use. It should've been picking up at least a dozen a day so maybe there was something wrong with the report. He queried it and after some investigation the engineers come back saying the report was actually correct. The scales really weren't picking up any defects, because all boxes that got to that point in the conveyor belt were good. Puzzled, the CEO travels down to the factory and walks up to the part of the line where the precision scales were installed. A few feet before the scale there was a $20 desk fan, blowing the empty boxes off of the belt and into a bin. Oh, that, says one of the workers, one of the guys put it there because he was tired of walking over every time the bell rang.

The principle in the business plan which supports this is that it will increase starter numbers from already available horses, and therefore turnover, so if they are correct it will be increasing the pie from what it would have otherwise been. I am not convinced that will occur mind you and the analysis presented to support that is quite dodgy IMO.

I think that's a bit harsh Turny. The idea has been piloted with the Northern series by the previous administration with a view to going National. It was mooted in the May regional forums, discussed more specifically in the August round and with near current specificity at the December forums. I didn't hear a word of opposition at any of those so as far as stakeholder consultation is concerned it would be reasonable for the Board and Management to think they had broad support from stakeholders IMO. As far as the allowance is concerned, there were two rounds of consultation and submissions in the handicapping review which recommended it. I think it's rather unfair in that context to suggest you had no opportunity for input.

Remember that money still goes back to owners whether a filly series or other stakes. It just changes the rules of the game a bit.

I'm not sure I'm understanding your point but using the 2011 figures, f&m s made up 46% of horses in training and won 45% of races. So that is already pretty close to what you are saying (I think) and I should also think the 2kg allowance alone should remedy any remaining difference and probably bump the figure close to 50% or even the 55% that matches the racing age population. The 1.2m series is overkill for that purpose.

The figure across the country is stated in the release and is in the business plan. It was 46% of starters for FY11.

Thanks Sheriff, will do. I'd suggest though in the interests of the promotional aspects of this thread, that you keep your 'Jesus syndrome' symptoms to yourself.

Rumpers, are you suggesting the my judgement is affected by the same level of hearing and vision impairment as yours?

That may explain that then. Thanks Michael.

Sheriff, I'm sorry to say that I entirely agree with you though I think the ride was somewhat uncharacteristic, perhaps desparate looking, from Mr. Callaway. I'd suggest that not only jockeys but likewise stipes and JCA panels should have the study you indicate behind them. I also agree about international sales as our future, but why then has our TAB not had the balls to pursue them, instead of entangling us in a confounded agreement with TABCORP? And yes, that won't happen unless TR sorts out the quality issues you mention. Perhaps we should be innovative and take the whips away altogether?

At the time I was more inclined to something more modest than the rather overpriced Hill of Grace from the Eden Valley bread thieves. I was interested in something more local, velvety and seductive. Perhaps an 09 Muddy Water Slow Hand Pinot or equivalent if there is one. Seemingly there was nothing to hand.