shaneMcAlister

It sounds like you and/or vendors may have high expectations based on costs as you and Freda have suggested.
Fact is median for Book One was down 8%. Book 2, Day1, median was up 15%. Seems to me given the quality of horses available and the market context, that's not too bad. You can't value stock based on the cost of production as you seem to be doing. Every farmer knows that.

I feel that vendors were possibly more realistic in their expectations under the older format of Premier, Select and Festival.
Lower offers, although disappointing for breeders, were expected in Festival at least.    Many of the offerings I saw yesterday would have been more realistically sold on Gavelhouse, at a fraction of the preparation costs.
Surprising, as said, to see Ribchester seemingly not wanted.

Well the clearance rate, median and average are all a bit higher than last year. I'm not sure why anyone would expect them to be significantly higher.

Luke Radich seemed to have a lot to say on this topic on The Weigh In today.  Not one to shy away from speaking his mind.  Need more of him.  

Good to see the jockey get a decent win as well.

Ted Amber had Coruba Jak first into the birdcage. Had him nice and relaxed. Looked very well. Raced accordingly. Not easy for owner trainers to compete against the big stables these days. Amber is doing a splendid job with this fellow.

Congratulations Amber Sims winning the open handicap with Coruba Jak at Tauranga today. 
The win follows Coruba Jak's close third in the G3 Waikato Cup last month.
Today was the 31st time Amber has sent one around and she has now registered 4 wins. 
 
 
   

So sorry to hear this paul was so very good to me RIP my sincere condolences to his family

Just back to pre covid level.  Probably a fairer valuation.

Tony is one of the best race callers there has been in NZ..for him to be told to go is really sad, why could they not have just let him go after two years like the others are doing, he makes most of the ones they are keeping look 2nd rate...poor decision and I for one wish him well in whatever he chooses to do from here on...thanks for all the great calls over the years Tony and thanks for your lifetime of service to the industry.

Quite honestly Barry if those two questions are representative of how it’s presented, the format, the direction etc, I can’t believe it. 
The first question about what you would like to see, Better Products, Better Promotions or Better Pricing was of school year one grade. 
The second one about NEDS defies belief. 
I think that I have wasted enough time on this subject for now. 
It’s time to sign off and pick three losers for today. 

 

Is that meant to reassure us? 😊

Thanks Leggy for this.  I was referring more to the fact that whips are used in most riding disciplines, it is just horse racing that is on TV makes an easier target.  
No overarm I can understand.  
If the animal groups want animal cruelty it is not in racing that it will be found at large.    The amount of dogs and cats being bred (sold on social media) for people that would not know how to look after a toy is frightening....

Thanks Leggy for this.  I was referring more to the fact that whips are used in most riding disciplines, it is just horse racing that is on TV makes an easier target.  
No overarm I can understand.  
If the animal groups want animal cruelty it is not in racing that it will be found at large.    The amount of dogs and cats being bred (sold on social media) for people that would not know how to look after a toy is frightening....

Thanks Leggy for this.  I was referring more to the fact that whips are used in most riding disciplines, it is just horse racing that is on TV makes an easier target.  
No overarm I can understand.  
If the animal groups want animal cruelty it is not in racing that it will be found at large.    The amount of dogs and cats being bred (sold on social media) for people that would not know how to look after a toy is frightening....

Thanks Leggy for this.  I was referring more to the fact that whips are used in most riding disciplines, it is just horse racing that is on TV makes an easier target.  
No overarm I can understand.  
If the animal groups want animal cruelty it is not in racing that it will be found at large.    The amount of dogs and cats being bred (sold on social media) for people that would not know how to look after a toy is frightening....

We are miles behind those disciplines on this.
At an appropriate time, namely when the horse is reluctant to go forward under normal aids of seat and legs. In the right place, namely down the shoulder or behind the leg but never overarm. With appropriate severity. No more than twice for any one incident.
Seen a lot of dressage horses try perfectly hard without one.

Are jockey's allowed to make a mistake?

I hear you all and understand the argument.  But I just don't think we can go down this road. 
People are getting too far removed from the farm to educate nowadays.  Animal experience and education is done by social media now.
 

Eventing, Cross country, pony club too?  Whips are all the way through the game.  
To me its the name "whip" that is wrong.  
I think it is the jockey's (and ex jockeys) that should be making this call.......not the animal right groups.
Just my opinion.

Eventing, Cross country, pony club too?  Whips are all the way through the game.  
To me its the name "whip" that is wrong.  
I think it is the jockey's (and ex jockeys) that should be making this call.......not the animal right groups.
Just my opinion.

Spot on.

And then what?  Stay ahead of the anti gambling brigade and ban betting on races?

Can you ever be? 

Malicious, or maybe just plain stupid.    I still think that the change to an overall limit - say 5 strikes, or 6, as is done in some European jurisdictions, would be both easier to function under and easier to police.
And by firmly policing the limit, riders will be forced to use balance, skill and upper body strength to urge their horses, not flap around.