Thumbs Down, Down Under - by Dan Liebman

re: Thumbs Down, Down Under - by Dan Liebman

rider — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 23:25:25 GMT

p-val is a great case. why should a rider be given this many chances?? he has done everything to not comply with racing rules in california, so why is he allowed to ride anywhere?? he should have been given a life sentence years ago BUT. the wimps in california wouldnt do it, now louisiana is doing the same thing. i say B--L S--T. any other rider doing it after 1 time would have gotten life he has had how many chances??20??

re: Thumbs Down, Down Under - by Dan Liebman

newrust — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 10:14:14 GMT

The racing authorities in Australia are ,to quote jockey John Egan "tin-pot Hitlers",who was fined for saying this in a media interview regarding the interference of the racing authorities with his mount Yellowstone.They believe they can do no wrong, and hold those they have authority over to a stricter standard compared to those who make up their own ranks.

Trainer Rod Douglas was fined this year for calling (in a radio interview) the actions of Racing Victoria stewards "dummy" "numbskull", when these stewards forced him to run his first time starter in racing gear the horse was not supposed to wear.

Of course like the case of the horse Bauer ,the offending individual ,an employee of the racing authority was not disciplined or fined in any way.

In the Bauer incident,an article in the Herald Sun said that the trainer agreed to the shockwave treatment "on the advice of an RVL-contracted veterinarian."

The racing authorities in Australia should be more concerned with keeping the sport safe and fair, rather than fining people for knocking the authorities off their pedestal of self importance.

re: Thumbs Down, Down Under - by Dan Liebman

international citizen — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 17:04:27 GMT

maybe the case of p/val being allowed to ride in Louisiana after being banned in california should be brought up here.

those who live in glass houses should not throw stones.

re: Thumbs Down, Down Under - by Dan Liebman

jose — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 13:44:53 GMT

No, no, no, Bauer should not have been disqualfied. It was agreed that the treatment he recieved never enhanced his performance significantly, and crucially a RVL vet advised Cumani to give him the treatment. If RVL disqualfied Bauer then it would quite simply have been overturned for that very reason, it was RVL's fault.

The comparison with Brass Hat is a rather extreme one. You have to ask why was Brass Hat even having medication before such a big race, even the prescribed 23 days. In truth, American horses should be banned from racing anywhere else in the world why Lasix, Bute and any other drug is allowed on raceday's for no good reason.

re: Thumbs Down, Down Under - by Dan Liebman

Nicole — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 17:53:59 GMT

None of this surprises me. I have dealt with racing people from New South Wales and they think that they are above and beyond any law or rules. That horse in the Melbourne Cup would have been disqualified very quickly anywhere else but not in Australia. That jockey wouldn't be allowed to ride in any other country in this world. We would have honored the HKJC's suspension. But the Aussies find ways to get around just about everything. Thankfully I don't deal with this person anymore. Well said Dan.

re: Thumbs Down, Down Under - by Dan Liebman

needler in Virginia — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 16:23:04 GMT

Without wavering, without equivocation, without question you are correct. If NSW is NOT a signatory to the International Agreement, as they claim, then racing there is not a viable option for anyone who breeds, owns, trains or races horses.

As far as I know, there are very few, if any, "yes, but" clauses in contracts. The International Agreement was drawn and signed for a reason...to make horse racing around the world a level playing field. NSW can't now claim that they "agree with ALMOST everything" or that they are not covered under this umbrella, as are all other racing venues. What makes them so damned special??

Well said, AGAIN, Dan.