Cup Week Washup
Nothing written about the 2022 Cup meeting can omit a mention of the Dominion Handicap. Undoubtedly the race of the year and won by a horse that no-one can call anything but a champion, it follows on from last year’s breath-taking win by the same horse in the same race. The trotters have most definitely arrived.
I think it’s only fair to comment on the starts of both the Trotting Cup and the Dominion. In the past the starter has come in for, sometimes unjustified criticism for poor standing starts, however this year, they were as perfect as they are ever going to be. Hat’s off to Ricky Donnelly.
There have been articles written, by apparently knowledgeable people, and I also have received communications, asking why the Trainers & Drivers have been missing in action over both the Colin DeFilippi suspension issue, and the alleged prohibited substance administration on Cup Day.
There have been questions as to why harness racing has a 7 day deference of a suspension, whereas the thoroughbreds have 10 days. Apparently the 10 day rule was introduced because of a shortage of jockeys available during the Covid period. Obviously in this Country, jockeys have many more opportunities to race than their harness counterparts, many of whom are trainer/drivers, meaning that the landscape is totally different. In any case, the deferral period is part of the Rules of Harness Racing, which requires a remit to be passed at the Annual Conference. In Colin’s case, even if a remit had been put up at this years recent Conference and passed, because of the need to Gazette any Rule changes, it would not have come into effect until 1 December. In other words, it would have made no difference in this case.
As far as the suggestion that the Trainers & Drivers Assn. should deal with drug cheats, not only is that impossible, but also a waste of time, given that HRNZ has introduced a Code of Conduct. The Association is NOT, as some would have it, a union. Unions represent employees in their dealing with employers. Given that the vast majority of license holders, i.e. our members, are self-employed, we have no power to act against such people. That is the job of the Racing Integrity Board, and HRNZ, who issue the licenses.
Having straightened that out, no one with any sense of morality and passion for our Industry should condone cheating, and the Trainers & Drivers Assn. is very firmly in that camp. Unfortunately, human nature being what it is, there will always be people who try and get an edge by illegal means, just as in any other walk of life. It seems, given their recent results, that RIB is doing it’s best to rid them from our midst.
Pete Cook