Latest news with #Moir
NZ Herald
a day ago
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Matt Kelso and lass out to restore New Zealand training pride
'Legarto is being aimed at the Proisir Plate at Ellerslie on September 6,' says Kelso. 'And Alabama Lass should have her first start back that day too but in the Moir Stakes at The Valley [Melbourne]. 'So we are going to have a bit going on that day.' The challenges include trying to restore New Zealand's training pride after the season, which finishes today, is a modern-day rarity in that no solely New Zealand-trained horse won a Group 1 in Australia. That could be in part due to the fact increased stake money at home kept some of our best and brightest here for almost their entire campaigns. However, if you remove parochialism, it is hard to make a creditable list of New Zealand horses who would have been genuine winning chances in any Group 1 in Sydney or Melbourne. Savaglee, who finished a brave second in the Group 1 Australian Guineas, clearly could have won at the highest level in Australia and taking a line through his form, Damask Rose could have too. But after winning both the Karaka Millions Three-Year-Old and NZB Kiwi at home, the decision not to send her to Australia proved a masterstroke. Damask Rose is now at Te Akau's Cranbourne barn, along with Return To Conquer and La Dorada, so three of our absolute elite youngsters will campaign in Victoria this spring. Labelling them New Zealand-trained during this campaign would be a bit of a stretch, though. Alabama Lass may actually be one of the few early spring flag flyers for New Zealand training, even though she was bred in Australia. She won the highest-stake race by a New Zealand-trained horse in Australia this season when she took out the A$500,000 ($546,000) World Pool Classic over 1100m at Flemington on March 29, suggesting she is sharp enough for 1000m around The Valley. 'The Moir is in her aim as I think 1000m will suit her fresh-up and if she happens to race well there and come through it well, she could stay on for the Manikato [September 26], but that is likely to be stronger,' says Kelso. Alabama Lass isn't listed in the TAB market for the Moir, although fellow New Zealand females La Dorada and Bellatrix Star both are. Kelso says both his stable stars will have two trials before their September 6 comebacks and he is happy to be taking Legarto to Ellerslie, even though he is not sure she is as suited to the new StrathAyr track there as Alabama Lass. 'It is a lovely track and we love taking horses there but she [Legarto] doesn't seem to like it as much as Alabama Lass does.' Legarto, of course, has already won a Group 1 for the Kelsos in Australia, having triumphed in the Australian Guineas in 2023. Michael Guerin wrote his first nationally published racing articles while still in school and started writing about horse racing and the gambling industry for the Herald as a 20-year-old in 1990. He became the Herald's Racing Editor in 1995 and covers the world's biggest horse racing carnivals.
Otago Daily Times
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Raising their voices
A benefit show to support Palestine is an opportunity to show solidarity, Harriet Moir tells Tom McKinlay. "I just felt like it was time to do something again," Harriet Moir says of the motivation behind tomorrow's benefit show, Voices for Palestine. Faced with the appalling situation in Gaza, it's easy to feel impotent, she says. But for the Dunedin comedian and the benefit show's co-producer Caitlin Owen, another funny-woman, doing nothing wasn't an option. "The way we know how to take action is to organise entertainment," she says. Indeed, it's the second fundraiser for Palestine Moir has organised. "I cannot stand by and watch the genocide of a population unfold in real time without feeling anything or being compelled into action in some way. I may not understand all the intricacies of the situation, but you have to be without a beating heart not to understand that an entire population is being intentionally and barbarically eradicated before our eyes. We cannot afford to look away." The show she and Owen have put together, at Dunedin venue Errick's tomorrow, features poets, musicians and comedians. They gave a lot of thought to the tone of the event, Moir says, and the variety of performers means there'll be a real mix of sentiment expressed, but, as part of that, she backs comedy's ability to bring light to darkness. A significant part of the motivation for the show was to support Ōtepoti Dunedin's own Palestinian community, she says. "Despite all the pain and the grief and the heartbreak and the horrifying calls in the middle of the night, they've been working tirelessly to raise awareness, to march, to rally, to call people to action, to encourage us all to speak to our government about what's happening. "And, you know, that's a lot for them, they're carrying a lot. And so I would definitely say that my awareness has been heightened by their presence and their voices, which I'm really grateful for. I'm very grateful for that and the work they've been doing. "And I feel like they shouldn't have to be carrying all of that on their own, you know? I think part of this is about showing solidarity with them." The show gives everyone an opportunity to do that, whether by helping to organise the event or performing, or buying a ticket to the show or a raffle once there — or by making a donation. Moir and Owen had hoped to raise $5000 for United Nations aid organisation UNRWA, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine, but after receiving a donation for $2000 they have hiked the ambition to $7000. More than a year on from the first fundraiser she organised, Moir says she can't fathom how the assault on Gaza has been allowed to continue so long without the international community taking effective action. "It's just beyond me. But I don't operate in that world." Among her wider concerns is the potential for people to become desensitised by the horrors they see daily on their screens — and for the precedent that it might set. "If this was happening in a Western country the reaction of the global community would be so different, and that's abhorrent to me," she says. On the other hand, she says it is clear people want those in power to act. "I think that when you look at the millions of people protesting in the big cities around the world ... I don't think it's the people who want this to happen." Further barriers to helping the people of Gaza have emerged in recent days, both PayPal and Givealittle shutting down accounts that were supporting families to buy food — at a time when the population is being deliberately starved. However, donating all money raised through UNRWA avoided the danger of third parties stepping in to frustrate their efforts, Moir says. Tomorrow's show will finish with an opportunity for all those gathered to raise their voices. Among Moir's other endeavours is organising a pub choir, so she's prepared a song to bring the show to a close. "We're going to end the night with a song that everyone will sing together."
Scottish Sun
16-06-2025
- Scottish Sun
Toddler mauled by Japanese fighting dog which couple bought online for £150
The child's injuries are 'getting worse' DOG HORROR Toddler mauled by Japanese fighting dog which couple bought online for £150 Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A COUPLE have been jailed after a Japanese fighting dog bought for £150 online left a toddler scarred for life. Kayleigh Godbert, 39, and Thomas Moir, 38, housed the dangerous Akita dog - historically used for hunting bears - before it savaged the child's face. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Kayleigh Godbert, 39 Credit: WNS 3 Thomas Moir, 38, was asleep during the attack Credit: WNS 3 Akita were bred to fight bears Credit: Getty - Contributor The toddler was left with "truly breathtaking" facial injuries from the attack by the powerful dog, a court heard. Judge Simon Mills said the child was "lucky" to be alive and described one of the kid's lacerations as "absolutely awful". Prosecutor Emmalyne Downing said Godbert had bought the Akita dog from a Pets4Homes website for £150 before bringing it into their home. The couple had already been warned over their mut's behaviour, after it attacked someone nearer their home. The couple failed to protect the child in this instance. Miss Downing said a woman had warned Moir: "That dog could have ripped them to bits". She urged Moir to "get rid of the dog because it could not be trusted". But the couple ignored the warnings - and the dog struck months later to savage the toddler. A paramedic found the child - who cannot be named - had a deep cut to the head and a facial injury. Thankfully, the tot was taken to hospital - but they will be scarred for life. An expert who has seen the child said the appearance of the scars "is getting worse with time," according to the judge. The dog called Nuqe bit the poor youngster at least six times. Moir had been drinking for 18 hours and was asleep at the time of the attack in Flintshire, North Wales. Duncan Bould, for Godbert, said she had tried to have the dog rehomed after that first incident and that she believed it should have been put down. Alexandra Carrier, defending Moir, said her client had taken steps to rehome the dog but there had been a "failure to see them through." "It was not a failure to act altogether," she added. The dog had been "utterly beyond" the defendants' ability to control it, he added. The judge described the injuries as "truly breathtaking" and said that the dog should have been euthanised before that attack. He said the first attack had been a "clear warning that the dog posed a risk". Speaking to the pair, he said: "I accept you had taken some steps to rehome it or muzzle it. "But the dog can't have been muzzled because it caused the injuries it did. "It bit six times. "The injuries suffered in what appears to have been an unrestrained dog attack were frightening. "Although the doctors have done a good job in repairing those injuries, the child still, to this day, carries the scars." The dangerous dog has in fact been put down since then, but that factor "pales into insignificance in comparison to what it did." He said: "This incident could and should have been foreseen." Godbert and Moir were both jailed for 18 months after they admitted owning or being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control which caused injury. Jailing the pair at Mold Crown Court, he also disqualified them from keeping or owning a dog for seven years. Detective Constable James Grimwood said: 'This was a horrific incident and has sadly resulted in serious and lasting injuries to a vulnerable child. "Both Moir and Godbert have shown little remorse throughout this investigation despite the lifelong consequences their actions have had on a young child. 'The court outcome reflects the seriousness of this incident, and I hope that this sends a message to any dog owners to ensure that they do not leave dogs alone with children." ends
The Irish Sun
16-06-2025
- The Irish Sun
Toddler mauled by Japanese fighting dog which couple bought online for £150
A COUPLE have been jailed after a Japanese fighting dog bought for £150 online left a toddler scarred for life. Kayleigh Godbert, 39, and Thomas Moir, 38, housed the dangerous Akita dog - historically used for hunting bears - before it savaged the child's face. Advertisement 3 Kayleigh Godbert, 39 Credit: WNS 3 Thomas Moir, 38, was asleep during the attack Credit: WNS 3 Akita were bred to fight bears Credit: Getty - Contributor The toddler was left with "truly breathtaking" facial injuries from the attack by the powerful dog, a court heard. Judge Simon Mills said the child was "lucky" to be alive and described one of the kid's lacerations as "absolutely awful". Prosecutor Emmalyne Downing said Godbert had bought the Akita dog from a Pets4Homes website for £150 before bringing it into their home. The couple had already been warned over their mut's behaviour, after it attacked someone nearer their home. Advertisement Read more News The couple failed to protect the child in this instance. Miss Downing said a woman had warned Moir: "That dog could have ripped them to bits". She urged Moir to "get rid of the dog because it could not be trusted". But the couple ignored the warnings - and the dog struck months later to savage the toddler. Advertisement Most read in The Sun Breaking A paramedic found the child - who cannot be named - had a deep cut to the head and a facial injury. Thankfully, the tot was taken to hospital - but they will be scarred for life. An expert who has seen the child said the appearance of the scars "is getting worse with time," according to the judge. The dog called Nuqe bit the poor youngster at least six times. Advertisement Moir had been drinking for 18 hours and was asleep at the time of the attack in Flintshire, North Wales. Duncan Bould, for Godbert, said she had tried to have the dog rehomed after that first incident and that she believed it should have been put down. Alexandra Carrier, defending Moir, said her client had taken steps to rehome the dog but there had been a "failure to see them through." "It was not a failure to act altogether," she added. Advertisement The dog had been "utterly beyond" the defendants' ability to control it, he added. The judge described the injuries as "truly breathtaking" and said that the dog should have been euthanised before that attack. He said the first attack had been a "clear warning that the dog posed a risk". Speaking to the pair, he said: "I accept you had taken some steps to rehome it or muzzle it. Advertisement "But the dog can't have been muzzled because it caused the injuries it did. "It bit six times. "The injuries suffered in what appears to have been an unrestrained dog attack were frightening. "Although the doctors have done a good job in repairing those injuries, the child still, to this day, carries the scars." Advertisement The dangerous dog has in fact been put down since then, but that factor "pales into insignificance in comparison to what it did." He said: "This incident could and should have been foreseen." Godbert and Moir were both jailed for 18 months after they admitted owning or being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control which caused injury. Jailing the pair at Mold Crown Court, he also disqualified them from keeping or owning a dog for seven years. Advertisement Detective Constable James Grimwood said: 'This was a horrific incident and has sadly resulted in serious and lasting injuries to a vulnerable child. "Both Moir and Godbert have shown little remorse throughout this investigation despite the lifelong consequences their actions have had on a young child. 'The court outcome reflects the seriousness of this incident, and I hope that this sends a message to any dog owners to ensure that they do not leave dogs alone with children." ends
Wales Online
13-06-2025
- Wales Online
Toddler suffers 'truly breathtaking' injuries in savage dog attack
Toddler suffers 'truly breathtaking' injuries in savage dog attack 'This was a horrific incident and has sadly resulted in serious and lasting injuries to a vulnerable child' Kayleigh Godbert and Thomas Moir were jailed after their dog savaged a toddler The owners of a dangerous Akita dog that savaged a toddler, leaving the youngster with "breathtaking" facial injuries, have been jailed. Kayleigh Godbert, 39, and Thomas Moir, 38, of North Wales, were both jailed today for 18 months after they admitted owning or being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control which caused injury. A judge at Mold Crown Court heard the toddler was bitten six times and will be scarred for life. Don't miss a court report by signing up to our crime newsletter here Moir had been drinking for 18 hours and was asleep at the time of the incident, the court heard. A court order prohibits identification of the injured child. Prosecutor Emmalyne Downing detailed how Godbert had purchased the Akita from the Pets4Homes website for £150. But in the spring, the dog turned aggressive and bit another individual. Afterwards a woman warned Moir: "That dog could have ripped them to bits." She urged Moir to "get rid of the dog because it could not be trusted". Article continues below However he didn't and several months later it bit the victim in this case, the court heard. An ambulance was called to the scene. Paramedics discovered the child with a deep cut to the head and a facial injury which meant they required hospital treatment. Duncan Bould, representing Godbert, argued that his client had attempted to rehome the dog following the initial incident and believed the animal should have been euthanised. Mr Bould noted his client's fear of the prospect of imprisonment. In defence of Moir, Alexandra Carrier highlighted that her client had attempted to rehome the dog but acknowledged there was a "failure to see them through". "It was not a failure to act altogether," she stated. Moir's history with alcohol misuse was touched upon, with mention that he had refrained from drinking for nine months before the reporting period prior to sentencing. His Honour Judge Simon Mills emphasised that the first incident should have served as a "clear warning that the dog posed a risk". Addressing the defendants, he said: "I accept you had taken some steps to rehome it or muzzle it but it can't have been muzzled because it caused the injuries it did. "It bit (the child) six times. The injuries (they) suffered in what appears to have been an unrestrained dog attack were frightening, and although the doctors have done a good job in repairing those injuries (the child) still, to this day, carries the scars." The judge also mentioned that an expert's assessment indicated the child's scars are "getting worse with time." He made clear that the dog was "utterly beyond" the defendants' control. Describing the extent of harm, Judge Mills labelled the injuries as "truly breathtaking" and declared that the dog should have been destroyed prior to the attack. Despite the dog having since been euthanised, the judge said this "pales into insignificance in comparison to what it did to (the child). This incident could and should have been foreseen," he concluded. Jailing the defendants, he also disqualified them from keeping or owning a dog for seven years. Following the hearing, Detective Constable James Grimwood, of North Wales Police, said: "This was a horrific incident and has sadly resulted in serious and lasting injuries to a vulnerable child. Both Moir and Godbert have shown little remorse throughout this investigation despite the lifelong consequences their actions have had on a young child. Article continues below "The court outcome reflects the seriousness of this incident, and I hope that this sends a message to any dog owners to ensure that they do not leave dogs alone with children. I would urge anyone with information of concerns around a dangerous dog to report this to North Wales Police via 101 or though Crime Stoppers."
