Ashoka

As I have previously stated, as far as I am aware, this investigation has not shown that it is possible to get the cobalt levels recorded through the circumstances that have been outlined in this matter. If I am wrong about this, please correct me. All the best. Ashoka

It must be noted that the outstanding mare Harriet Of Mot is also a four-year-old. This is certainly a vintage year for trotters of this age. Cheers. Ashoka

Sairy... The definition of what the phrase "good bitch" means in relation to breeding will produce more answers than the industry is capable of accommodating. For example, please tell me your opinion on the breeding of Miata. Would you have bred from her mother or one of the more successful racing bitches from the same litter? All the best. Ashoka

beerwithduncan... Thank you for the attitude that you have displayed towards the unwise, inappropriate and stupidly provocative manner in which I chose to respond to your initial post. In relation to the matter at hand, I agree with everything that you have said and share your opinion. A tragic situation indeed and a living nightmare for the young man's mother. The fact that the bank account is untouched does not augur well. Still...hope springs eternal. All the best. Ashoka

beerwithduncan... A measured, considerate and intelligent response which, I have to say, I thought would be forthcoming. I am annoyed with myself for reacting in anger when I could have properly conveyed what I wished to say in a productive and constructive manner...and should have done so, especially so given who it was to whom I was responding. I apologise for the insinuations that arise from what I actually said. I don't believe that you are either a bigot or a racist. I firmly believe that you are unaware of the full content of what Mr Henry actually said. The media restricted their coverage to just the part about the politician's name, which is an obvious target for mirth. Mr Henry has escaped the scrutiny that should have arisen around what he added, sotto voce, while still on air. He vilified a group of people, one of whom is me, who constitute around one-fifth of the world's population, for no apparent reason at all. It was the remark of a gutless, unintelligent cretin and coward who hides behind a public profile paid for with other people's money.and provided by the talents of other people who should know better but are guided by their wallets. I have no idea as to whether Mr Henry is any of these things but an insensitive, arrogant, pseudo-intellectual, gutter-dwelling rodent he most certainly is. One day I might well say what I really think of him...and of the late and, by me, unlamented Paul Holmes, Mr Henry's partner in crime. All the best. Ashoka

beerwithduncan... I, too, welcome you back but, if it has taken you until this latest "incident" to realise the truth about Paul Henry, then, perhaps, you need to take a good look at your own analytical processes. You say that you supported Mr Henry over the Indian politician business. If you did so after listening to the full extent of Mr Henry's statement regarding Indians, then you are a bigot and a racist. Regards. Ashoka

TOM(the other Molloy)... I am speaking from my own experience when drafting the Rules for an Incorporated Society, so, yes the IRD did have concerns regarding "winding up" clauses. If that is not your experience, then so be it. The fact that you are a qualified accountant and I am not may have something to do with this apparent disparity. Incorporated Societies are independent identities so, while NZTR have statutory powers over Clubs, the extent to which they are able to exercise influence, as opposed to instruction, remains a moot point. Most Clubs would have, as part of their Constitution, a commitment to their region and this objective would be at odds with this "directive". Your main point is a very valid one...fight back now before this kind of stuff gains a stronger foothold than it currently has. All the best. Ashoka

TOM(the other Molloy)... The "winding up" clause used to be a concern for the IRD but this was some time ago so they must have loosed up. The Racing Act requires officials to behave with integrity and observe the principles of natural justice. The fact that you can openly aver deceitful action (and I agree with you fully on this point) really says it all about the state of governance within the racing industry. All the best. Ashoka

TOM(the other Molloy)... If a Club wishes to change its dissolution clause, does this not have to be approved by the Inland Revenue Department before any such change can be approved by the Registrar of Incorporated Societies? Further, if the declaration made by NZTR to the Clubs is faulty, then, given the serious nature of the matter at hand, is this not a reason for a vote of "no confidence" in the NZTR governance personnel? All the best. Ashoka

Iraklis... I stand by what I have said. The Blue Magic affair was not resolved and there are aspects of what is public knowledge that have not been addressed. Edward Rennell's statements about stored swabs did not appear to be accurate as events progressed and the failure of the police to follow up on the thwarting of their investigation is astounding. We don't know anything about what it was that HRNZ believed it had that required action against Mr Seaton. The fact that we continue to support an industry in which the standards of integrity are so low is simply indicative of how devoted we are to harness racing itself. I did not denigrate Mr Purdon as you accused me of doing. Your failure to acknowledge your mistake is noted. Regards. Ashoka

Iraklis... If you think that the Blue Magic affair was sorted, then please tell me what the outcome was. The death of John Seaton was used to shroud the whole affair in secrecy. Please tell me why the thoroughbred official was not charged with interfering with a police operation? The only beneficiaries of this matter were those trainers who were tipped off by a professional racing official and, therefore, had the chance to "cover up" if they needed to. You can keep your head in the sand. I'll leave you there. Regards. Ashoka

Iraklis... You comprehension skills are the equal of your grammatical skills. There was no resolution to the so-called Blue Magic affair. We still don't know what went on. What "excerpt"? The passage that you appear to be referencing was written by me, from memory. I write exactly what I think and stand behind what I write, as is evidenced by the fact that I post under my actual name and all my contact and identification details are listed on this website. You incorrectly accused me of attacking Mr Purdon, which I most definitely did not do. I believe that JayTee2016 has posted a number of very well-worded statements that accurately describe the situation. I have had the pleasure of being involved in the ownership of two horses that raced from the Purdon stable when it was a partnership led by Mark Purdon's father and the experience could not be faulted. I have to say that when the partnership dissolved, I was sure that Barry Purdon would become our leading trainer. The baby-faced assassin, Mark Purdon, has really surprised me and I have only admiration for the way that he has set about establishing a new level of professionalism. I do, however, have a real problem with the lack of professionalism that exists in the racing enforcement ranks, in my opinion, and this subject troubles me no end. That was the reason for my post, as it is only by having a light shined upon each and every indiscretion in this regard that there will ever be any chance of things changing. All the best. Ashoka

Iraklis... You are displaying the undeniable fact that you are a total plonker, by which I mean, a person upon whom logic is wasted. I was not commenting on Mr Purdon. You have decided to reinterpret the English language in regard to my post. That is your prerogative. By all means, please keep on talking to yourself. Ashoka

Iraklis... You are indeed mentally challenged. I am not saying anything about Mark Purdon. I am on record in this Forum praising his ability. My post is about your continued recommendation that people whom, you imply, have a grudge against Mr Purdon, to go the police. Let me remind you what happened in the Blue Magic affair. The police had instigated an inquiry. The police were due to raid a number of training establishments the following morning. As one of the stables was that of a thoroughbred trainer, the thoroughbred code was notified of what was going on. A senior member of the thoroughbred code enforcement body notified the thoroughbred trainer of what was about to occur. This information then did the rounds of the affected trainers. As a result, the investigation was seriously compromised. No action was ever taken against the person who, it would seem, interfered with the police investigation. We still don't know what actually went on in regard to the Blue Magic affair, despite there being, officially, two suicides directly linked to this matter. Is this the level of integrity you support? That was my point. Ashoka

biff... "...and shot your carrier pigeon, blown out your smoke signals, deciphered your code...". I know the feeling. All the best. Ashoka

Iraklis... Do you not remember what happened in the Blue Magic affair? If you did, you would not be posting what you have unless you are mentally challenged. All the best. Ashoka

Midget... You say that "...that based on all available evidence it's "possible" the levels indicated did in fact occur by water contamination." I don't believe that this is correct. It has been established, I believe, that the said "limit" can be exceeded by water contamination but nowhere has it been established that the levels recorded could be, This is a salient point that, I believe, will become of major significance as this matter plays out. All the best. Ashoka

Basil... Integrity requires such issues as tacit partnerships to be openly disclosed. That is not what is happening on occasions such as this. The racing industry ignores such issues to its peril. To my mind, the industry needs to find a way to disclose the "inside" information to all on each occasion or risk losing what wagering income we currently command. I believe that this will become obvious to everyone...once our market share has declined to the point of no return. All the best. Ashoka

Leggy... You have hit the salient point, I believe. The wording that you have posted is very significant, in my opinion. I would like to see scientific evidence to support the "fact" that, in the circumstances outlined, the recorded levels could, actually, be achieved. All the best. Ashoka

Basil... So-called "silent" partnerships are illegal in regard to ownership. An obvious link between drivers that is so close as this one is must constitute an integrity issue. The fact that such obvious issues are ignored in the racing industry is one reason why punters turn to other avenues through which to indulge their habits. The climate of the racing industry is one in which the self-interest of the few conspires to destroy the industry for all. King regards. Ashoka

Basil... I took your reference to "reputational issues" to be those of the individuals concerned, not the interests of the wider sport and industry. Regardless of the reputations of the people concerned, this situation is to the detriment of the sport and industry as a whole. All the best. Ashoka

Basil... Yes, in my opinion. That is the issue of integrity. A wagering business without it is a scam, plain and simple. All the best. Ashoka

eljay... I consider both situations to be entirely separate matters even though there are overlapping factors that go to the heart of both situations. I am not at all happy about the current situation and consider this matter to be of such significance that the Australian harness racing authorities need to seriously consider the implications and, on the face of it, ensure that a repeat is not permitted. Further, the stipendiary stewards need to speak to all drivers in this event and remind them of their obligations, both to the connections of the horses that they are driving and to the integrity of the sport and industry itself. Speeches of such a nature are often made to jockeys engaged in major events and I see no reason that the same should not apply to drivers prior to a major event. All the best. Ashoka

hsvman and eljay, She was charged, found guilty and punished for her transgression. In this case, anything did not go. Credit to the authorities when it is due. All the best. Ashoka

In my opinion, any flag that represents the current state of our country needs to find room for the skull and crossbones. It depresses me, and angers me enormously, to have to say this. All the best. Ashoka