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    • Back and refreshed..Squaarrk The Awapuni saga is a diabolical mistake created by two incompetent entities, RACE and NZTR. In announcing the decision to not use the track this year the latest import CEO from Australia prattles on about "Our team, The RIB and the Club, with the support of independent experts." The CEO then conveniently leaves the following critical statement to the Melbourne track specialist, Mr O'Keeffe who says "More aggressive renovation work is required. At the same time we are progressing a wider investigation into the tracks long term suitability." That statement must come from the top and to defer that to a specialist is weak leadership. I therefore agree 100% with JESS who stated in one of her posts under 'Awapuni officially out of action' that "Nothing will change until we operate with some accountability". CS is 100% correct that a massive problem has been created by "Over reliance on sand, to fix tracks". He then unfortunately stumbles towards dopey land by stating "I have a great deal of sympathy for central management". NZTR have by and large created the problematic tracks we have today. Previous CEO's procrastinated re remedial work, a convenient ploy perhaps to let the track 'fade away'. When that did not work the work agreed upon was a cheap fix, akin to replacing bald tyres on a car with better 2nd hand tyres. Worse, whilst they were being cheap skates they insisted that all tracks must be presented the same, good 4, on race day. A track managers nightmare! No longer a manager of turf, now a watering manager. Should you still feel the need to rebut CS, which you will, look at Hastings as irrefutable proof as to NZTR culpability. Ten years ago - problems. Five years ago - problems. In that period the same person was responsible and the same words were uttered, "We have put in place protocols and processes to ensure this will not happen again". Happen again and again they did. Words changed, manager did not! Accountability; Zilch. When they next meet around a board table, NZTR executive will be fervently fixated on a fantasy greenfield build in Flaxmere whilst the problematic Hastings track gets a 'partial' reconstruction. In closing, the Industry does have one not so small door open. Walk away from the door of large stake increases for a few select races and agree on going through the alternative door which is a golden ticket for a few tracks to have comprehensive remedial work. Specifically, one track in the North, one in CD and the other in the South Is. In the CD my vote would be for Otaki. Relay the track, no sand apart from what lies there naturally, bowl both stands and build one new stand. Angle the straight outwards effectively widening the bend out of the straight. Totally change the parade rind, birdcage and add stables. Central Districts will then have it's new Trentham.    
    • When I saw the title of this topic I thought you were talking about my wife on the roads. 
    • It has been a season of near misses for Richard Kingscote so far, but the British jockey hopes that reuniting with a familiar face can finally get him over the line and in the winners’ enclosure at Sha Tin on Thursday. A four-time winner in a short stint in Hong Kong last season, Kingscote has not enjoyed the rub of the green this campaign, going winless in 72 rides. It has not been for a lack of trying, however, with the 39-year-old placing in the top three on 11 occasions and finishing fourth...View the full article
    • Presenter-driver-trainer Brittany Graham knows a thing or two about racing on both sides of the Tasman and now that the Queenslander is working for Trackside in this country she’s (reluctantly) agreed to write a weekly column. By Brittany Graham  Is Kingman coming? That question will be answered tomorrow (Thursday) by his owner Mick Harvey on whether the $28,750 late payment is lodged for the IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup. Another hurdle was jumped today, however, at Club Menangle when the four-year-old stallion safely negotiated the tapes to gain his standing start qualification. “He stepped nicely and felt super” said his trainer/driver Luke McCarthy. “It was nice work the last three quarters on a wet track”. The son of Always B Miki then recorded an overall mile rate of 1.54.1 seconds with quarters of 30.7, 28.4, 28.3 and 26.7. The last start winner of the Group 1 Victoria Cup is currently the $6 third favourite with TAB despite not yet being confirmed in the field. Meanwhile, Leap To Fame has completed his necessary checks post his return to the winner’s circle on Saturday night and his trip is back on track. “He will have a couple of reasonable workouts here in Melbourne before the flight across Monday,” said Grant Dixon when he joined The Box Seat this week. “Now it’s a case of keeping him ticking over and getting on the plane to get over there.” And when it comes to two-time defending champion Swayzee, he can solidify his trip with a forward showing when he lines up in a 1609metre free-for-all at Menangle on Saturday at 10.03pm NZT. View the full article
    • War Machine (NZ) (Harry Angel) did not run up to expectations in The Everest, but Ben Hayes has urged punters to stick with the explosive gelding. The Group 1 winner gets the chance to get his spring campaign back on track in Saturday’s $3 million Russell Balding Stakes at Randwick. The 1300-metre event will be War Machine’s first start since The Everest, in which he clocked in 10th, which was only second run of the campaign and Hayes would like to think he has much more to achieve this campaign. “He sprinted really well fresh and then got a bit crowded and a bit further back than we wanted in the Everest and then he was good through the line,” Hayes, who trains in partnership with brothers Will and JD, said. “The 1300 is right up his alley and he’ll now be third-up and ready to go and he’ll go really well. “We go to the Russell Balding and then we’ve got the Orr Stakes on the 15th (of November) and that’s probably been his Grand Final race for the spring.” War Machine’s only start this spring before The Everest was a brilliant win in the Group 2 Gilgai Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on October 4. He landed a maiden Group 1 success in the 1400m Stradbroke Handicap at his previous start, on June 14. The son of Harry Angel was one of the best-backed runners outside Ka Ying Rising in The Everest, starting $10 third favourite, but was never a factor and beat home only roughies Jedibeel and Magic Time when 3-1/2 lengths from Ka Ying Rising. “Obviously we were a little disappointed with his Everest run, but he did actually finish off really strongly and ran quite good sectionals. I think only Angel Capital ran better sectionals than him,” Hayes said. “He’s got a lot of improvement (to come), he’s only third-up into the Russell Balding, so don’t discount him.” Tim Clark, who was aboard for the Stradbroke success and rode in The Everest, retains his association with War Machine, who drew ideally in barrier seven. View the full article
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