rdytdy

What about the older horses as there were a number eliminated tomorrow in preference to the 2yos.

TJ Smith Stakes, 1200m, Saturday 1. HAY LIST Glyn Schofield (9) 58.5kg 2. BEL SPRINTER Hugh Bowman (2) 58.5kg 3. RAIN AFFAIR Corey Brown (5) 58.5kg 4. DECISION TIME James McDonald (4) 58.5kg 5. ATOMIC FORCE Joshua Parr (6) 58.5kg 6. TITLE Michael Rodd (3) 58.5kg 7. HOWMUCHDOYOULOVEME Brenton Avdulla (7) 58.5kg 8. ONTHELOOKOUT Carl Spry (11) 58.5kg 9. BLACK CAVIAR Luke Nolen (1) 56.5kg 10. SEA SIREN Jim Cassidy (10) 56.5kg 11. EPAULETTE Kerrin McEvoy (8) 56.5kg

Well spotted Lloyd. Hope you got on early.

Yourbreak. Our Maizcay was a brilliant 2yo. At the beginning of August 2004 he won a trial at Levin over 450m. At his first start at Wanganui a month later he finished second behind Ballroom Babe (Remember that name) on a heavy track 800m. He then won his next seven starts as a 2yo. At Hastings over 800m he won by four lengths. He then won the Wellesley Stakes at Trentham by five lengths over 1000m Next start at Riccarton he won the Welcome Stakes by four lengths over 1000m. He then won his next two starts by 3.5 lengths, the Ford Fairview Stakes at Te Rapa and the Eclipse Stakes at Ellerslie. His next two starts were at Trentham winning the Magic Millions Classic by six lengths and the Wakefield Stakes by eight lengths which was the last time he started here in NZ. He crossed the ditch and had three further starts as a 2yo. He finished second behind Strategic at Canterbury and then ran second, beaten a long head behind Octagonal, before finishing fourth behind Flying Spur and Octagonal in the Slipper. He spelled and then came out and won his next six starts as a 3yo in Australia. He beat Strategic fresh up , then beat Slipper winner Flying Spur by four lengths. Next up he beat Octagonal by nearly two lengths with all those races in Sydney. He then went down to Melbourne and won the Ascot Vale by two lengths beating Gold Ace and Strategic. Next up was a win in the Vic Health and the an easy win in the Caulfield Guineas beating Ravarda by three lengths with Octagonal third. He then ran last in the Cox Plate and had his last start in the following February in the Lightning at Flemington finishing seventh behind Gold Ace and Strategic. He was a damn good horse. in all 19 starts for 13 wins and three seconds $1.3 million in stakes. Ballroom Babe who was the only horse to beat him (on a heavy track) in NZ was pretty smart also. She had six starts as a 2yo winning five and finishing fourth in the Matamata Breeders Stakes. She won the Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes by 14 lengths and at her next start won the Ellerslie Sires Produce Stakes by nine lengths.

When did it last happen? 4 years ago in 2009 when Phelan Ready won from gate 16 on a wet track, and it looks like it may be a wet track this year too Go Ruud Awakening.

I can see a trilogy of some sort here.

I fail to see how you come to that conclusion Sheriff. Earlier in this thread I posted: I didn't do the ratings nor have I supported them. Neither have I supported the handicapper in the past. I am not a handicapper nor purport to be one, therefore your post is irrelevant. You and I both know there has been a history of unfathomable ratings both up and down in recent times under the current handicapper that are not transparent. Whether this changes from 1 August 2013 remains to be seen. However they must be done logically and transparently and I share your concerns in that regard. Perhaps you missed that salient point. I do notice however that Better Than Ever who won a $85.000 race yesterday received no points yet the second finisher Ransomed received 4 points (up 2kgs). But then again I have little knowledge of how the ratings are done.

Come on Sheriff. It's April the first. Surely you are joking. Michael Pitman lines El Chico up with big weights week after week. Ten starts ago in November he lined up with 59kgs. Since then he has lined up a further 9 times carrying 59kgs, 59kgs, 59kgs, 59kgs, 59kgs, 58kgs, 59.5kgs, 60.5kgs and winning with 60kgs on Saturday. That was his fourth start in March alone. Today's fields came out prior to his win on Saturday and as a result of that win he was re-handicapped to 61kgs for today's race. Saturday's win with 60kgs was the most he has ever won with. Michael Pitman may have felt the extra weight was too much or he may not have come through Saturday's race to his satisfaction. It would have been start number five in the space of 30 days. How can you compare that to the accepting and scratching of Better Than Ever. I'll take an educated guess at why Sempier Plus didn't receive a handicap for winning the R75 race on Saturday. He was entered in the open handicap race today, which is out of his grade, therefore I would say he didn't deserve a penalty for that particular race. Shall we now await the official outcome with regard tp BTE.

I think you misheard Zelda. He said, "He wanted to have relations with Boris."

He's the real deal Pogo. If (when) he wins the AJC Derby he will take the Autumn Triple Crown which is, The Randwick Guineas, Rosehill Guineas and AJC Derby. The last horse to do so was Octagonal 1996.

I didn't back I Do should you be thinking that. I actually backed NGH's mount Galaxy Star who finished fifth Sheriff. Caught three wide and pushed out at the 1000m when Open'N'Shut came out onto him when avoiding heels. However I boxed up Burgundy and I Do in quinellas with him so ended up with a tidy profit on the race.

Agree, seems unfathomable that she dropped two points on the Wairarapa second. However that is a separate issue. Two wrongs still don't make a right.

Not true at all Sheriff as I do not condone any of the issues that you raise here as I am very sure you know I would not. It would appear that everyone is in agreement why Better Than Ever was entered in the sprint...no one is disputing that fact. Thus the only question is to whether this is in breach under the current rules of racing and as I mentioned at 1:44 "I guess we will have to wait the official outcome. My subsequent posts have been to Tom re condoning the breaking of rules as he supported what happened and to clarify with admin on what basis he thinks the weights could have been altered with BTE having accepted.

Admin what you post is irrelevent. Better Than Ever accepted. On that basis the weights could not be changed.

Really Admin....You didn't know about Rule 526 until I brought it to your attention. What rule gave the handicapper the discretion to change the weights in this scenario? ie after acceptances? These are the rules for such action in respect to a change of weights: 216 (1) The Handicapper may amend the allotted weight and/or rating of a horse only if: (a) the Chief Executive is satisfied that the allotted weight and/or rating was incorrect because of: (i) a clerical error at the time of release of such weight and/or rating; (ii) incomplete or inaccurate information on the performances, age, sex or identity of that horse; or (iii) an error by the Handicapper in the assessment of the age or sex of any entry or of the conditions of the Race; or ( the amendment is a rehandicap or imposition of a penalty, as a result of that horse winning another Race, and the amendment is made prior to the official scratching time on Race day. (2) The Handicapper may, with the permission of the Chief Executive and before the relevant Withdrawal Deadline, issue a substitute set of weights and/or ratings for a Handicap Race only when: (a) a correctly nominated horse was not included in the original weights; or ( the original weights were not in accordance with the conditions of the Race. (3) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Rule, an error in the allotted weight and/or rating of any horse in a Weight-for-Age, set weight or set weight and penalties Race may be corrected at any time Better Than Ever paid up so please explain how the handicapper could change the weights after he was scratched.

No question as to Jason Bridgman's ability as a trainer Tom and he is a nice bloke as well. However I do note that you condone the breaking of the rules of racing. You Quote:We all knew what he was up to on nomination day and the plan came off. Good on him I say Under the rules of racing, then he should be charged. You also obviously see that as a benefit of having a big stable as well. You condone them also of being able to manipiulate the weights of horses in races to the detriment of opponents. Perhaps this is why the rule is there? This whole issue is about a question of integrity Tom!

Firstly the current system in place allows what weight I Do receives and no rules have been broken there. I fully understand what you are saying Sheriff and have no doubt he did it in the interests of Burgundy's connections. I think however a question of integrity applies here. Does one abide by the rules of racing or not, that is the issue. Perhaps the wording of Rule 526 could be better but it's intention is pretty clear. The entry of BTE manipulated the weights the others carried greatly advantaging Burgundy's weight for the race. Is there any ethical difference in pulling a horse up in order to reduce it's rating to get into a race with a lighter weight? There are rules against both scenario's and both achieve the same result. I guess we will have to await the official outcome of this which will be interesting for what happened in this case and as a precedent for the future. Could if become rife?

That's fine Tom, the punters could work it out but how about the connections of the other horses? It was obvious to a blind man the reason why Better Than Ever was entered and scratched, it was hardly subtle following the Otaki race in November and you seem to have ignored rule 526. Earlier in the thread Bigdog1 noted: No Idolmite, Better Than Ever compresses the weights of the rest of the field. For example he is giving Open N Shut just 3kgs. If BTE wasnt in the race he would be giving him 4.5kgs. I Do is getting 3.5kgs, when she should get 5.0kgs, Choice Bro 3.5kgs, instead of 5.5kgs, etc, etc. Burgundy beat I Do by a half neck. It would be fair to say she would have beaten him with a 5kg difference. Dennis Ryan Jason Bridgman’s feature race double at Awapuni yesterday was not without controversy due to the scenario around the acceptance of Better Than Ever in both the 2000-metre Awapuni Gold Cup and the 1400-metre Flying Handicap. On Friday Better Than Ever was scratched from the Flying Handicap, for which he had been allocated topweight of 61.5 kilograms, with stablemate and eventual winner Burgundy next in the handicap with 56.5 kilograms. Better Than Ever, who had finished third to Ocean Park and Veyron in the 2000-metre New Zealand Stakes at his previous start on March 9, took his place in the Awapuni Gold Cup and won the set weight and penalty event carrying topweight of 58 kilograms. Bridgman, the pair's trainer, was initially questioned on the matter by Racing Integrity Unit stewards following the release of nominations last Tuesday, when he denied making any statement to the media that Better Than Ever was being set for the Awapuni Gold Cup. He further stated that he had he had entered Better Than Ever for both races as he was undecided as to which race the horse would be best suited to contest, adding that he would monitor both horses’ work during the week and make his decision closer to raceday. Bridgman was again questioned by stewards at Awapuni yesterday with regard to his scratching of Better Than Ever from the Flying Handicap. Reference was made in that questioning to a similar scenario around the Bridgman pair at the Levin Racing Club meeting on November 29. On that occasion, Burgundy had been nominated for the Levin Stakes and when entries were left open the higher rated Better Than Ever, who had finished second in a trial on nomination day, was also entered. He was scratched on race morning and Burgundy proceeded to win the Levin Stakes carrying 54.5 kilograms. During yesterday’s interrogation of Bridgman, stewards repeated their concerns that Better Than Ever’s nomination for the Flying Handicap had “compressed the weights…..which, in consequence, had resulted in Burgundy being more favourably treated with respect to the weights it would be allotted”. Bridgman’s response was that the dual nomination was a consequence of his taking the time to assess what was best option for the horse which suffered from wear and tear and took careful management, including veterinary interventions to prepare for racing. He added that while Better Than Ever was capable of running either distance he wished to maintain an open option to see if he was fit enough to run in a 2000 metre event, further stating that the determining factor for him starting over the longer distance was the three weeks between the horse’s races. Stewards advised Bridgman that their concern over the matter under investigation was echoed by New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing, who had written to the Racing Integrity Unit voicing concerns that this was the second occasion the horse had been scratched in similar circumstances. At the conclusion of the interview Bridgman was advised that the stewards had significant concerns regarding this matter and that investigations would continue with respect to a perceived breach of Rule 526 of the Rules of Racing. Rule 526 states that: “A person shall not enter, or cause to be entered, a horse in a race with the sole purpose of affecting the weight to be allocated to any other horse entered in such race.”

Thumps “Thumps” is the term used to describe a condition known as synchronous diaphragmatic flutter (SDF). This condition is a sign that a horse is in severe metabolic distress from dehydration. A horse with thumps will display rhythmic twitching or “thumping” in the flank area, in time with the beating of the heart. Sometimes it is so subtle that you can only feel it under your hand. In severe cases, it is observable from several feet away. Thumps can occur when excessive sweating causes dehydration and massive electrolyte loss. As the bloodstream is depleted of salt ions, the function of the nervous system is compromised. The phrenic nerve that runs across the heart to the diaphragm muscle begins to fire in time with the heart beat, stimulating the diaphragm muscles to contract and causing the distinctive, thumping flutter. Thumps should be regarded as a warning sign that the horse is suffering from acute dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. Immediately stop, administer water and electrolytes, and call your veterinarian for treatment instructions. If ignored, the consequences include founder, colic, heat exhaustion or collapse. Recognizing this sign of impending metabolic failure can help to avoid more problematic consequences. Sheriff can elaborate I'm sure.

GENERAL: Following the release of nominations for today’s meeting on Tuesday 26th March 2013 Stewards questioned trainer J Bridgman with respect to BETTER THAN EVER being entered for both the FAIRDALE/GOODWOOD STUDS FLYING HANDICAP and the LAWNMASTER AWAPUNI GOLD CUP when media reports had stated that the gelding was being set for the latter race. Mr Bridgman denied making any statement to the media with respect to his intentions for BETTER THAN EVER and added that he had been entered BETTER THAN EVER for both races as he was undecided as to which race the horse would be best suited to contest. Mr Bridgman further stated that he would monitor both horses work during the week and make his decision closer to race day. Stewards today again questioned Mr Bridgman, seeking reasons why BETTER THAN EVER was withdrawn from the FAIRDALE/GOODWOOD STUDS FLYING HANDICAP in preference to starting in the LAWNMASTER AWAPUNI GOLD CUP; this being the second occasion this racing season that BETTER THAN EVER had been accepted for the same race as stablemate BURGUNDY and subsequently scratched after acceptances. The Stewards particular concern being that as a consequence of BETTER THAN EVER being a more highly rated horse, its nomination for FAIRDALE/GOODWOOD STUDS FLYING HANDICAP had resultantly compressed the weights for this event which, in consequence, had resulted in BURGUNDY being more favourably treated with respect to the weights it would be allotted. Mr Bridgman stated that the dual nomination was a consequence of his taking the time to assess what was best option for the horse which suffered from wear and tear and took careful management including veterinary interventions to prepare for racing. Mr Bridgman added that while BETTER THAN EVER was capable of running either distance he wished to maintain an open option to see if he was fit enough to run in a 2000 metre event. Mr Bridgman went on by saying that the determining factor for him starting over the longer distance today was the three weeks between the horse’s races. Stewards advised Mr Bridgman that their concern over the matter under investigation was echoed by NZTR who had written to the RIU voicing concerns that this was the second occasion the horse had been scratched in similar circumstances. At the conclusion of the interview Mr Bridgman was advised that the Stewards had significant concerns regarding this matter and that investigations would continue with respect to a perceived breach of Rule 526 of the Rules of Racing. Also as an aside" During routine post-race swabbing, BURGUNDY was treated by veterinary staff for thumps (dehydration), a condition caused by an electrolyte imbalance. During routine post-race swabbing, BETTER THAN EVER was treated by veterinary staff for thumps (dehydration), a condition caused by an electrolyte imbalance.

Also ran second in the race in 2001.

Just looked at the NZTR site. Better Than Ever has been scratched from the Flying Handicap!!!

You mentioned precedents, which Puha's original post refers to. The same horses were entered in the Levin Stakes with Better That Ever accepting and scratching and both horses accepted for the Flying Handicap tomorrow. Better Than Ever's acceptance of course pushing down the weights of the other runners. Better Than Ever was scratched in the Levin Stakes and there is every reason to expect him to be scratched again and start in the Awapuni Gold Cup in preference. After running at wfa over 2000m at Ellerslie three weeks ago it is hard to fathom dropping him back to the1400m tomorrow. I note that the track work report from Matamata states "the Awapuni Gold Cup entrant looked good" On the face of it, should he scratch from the Flying Handicap tomorrow it would appear that he has been entered to reduce the weight of Burgundy. However I do agree that Rule 526 may be difficult to enforce and I'm not sure what the penalty would be if proven anyway. It will be interesting to see what questions the Stewards do ask tomorrow.

NZ Racing Rule 526 “A person shall not enter, or cause to be entered, a horse in a race with the sole purpose of affecting the weight to be allocated to any other horse entered in such race.”