The Rest of the World

Did struggle with an individual but got a satisfying outcome.   Kerry Packer’s legendary willingness to gamble led to some of the most incredible casino stories ever heard, and include an epic put down of a multi-millionaire Texan oil baron. Bored by the Texas man’s boorish behaviour at the blackjack tables, Packer called the braggart out over his claimed $100million worth. “I’ll flip you for it,” was Packer’s brutal offer, the Texan suddenly lost for words at the idea of his fortune resting on the toss of a coin. 

He has been around for a significant amount of time. Change can't be easy.

It's RDA volunteer week. We couldn't do, what we do, without our amazing volunteers. Thankyou to every awesome RDA volunteer. We are looking for some strong and forward-thinking volunteers to join our leading and side walking team. The role requires the following attributes: • Physically fit & healthy as leading and side walking can at times involve a large amount of walking over uneven ground • Committed & reliable • Eager to learn • Level-headed with a sense of fun! • Health and Safety conscience • At least 14 years of age Horse experience is NOT necessary - All training is provided. Tue / Thur/ Friday 9-1.15 or can be split 9-11.15 or 11-1.15 Wednesday 2-4.15 Go to website https://www.rdadunedin.org/ select volunteer tab Or email treasurer@rdadunedin.org Police Checks will be required

so the above couple of posts i think accurately sum up why there are  very few extra  2 year olds currently racing,than were racing pre bonuses being offered.  .. pretty much,the only trainers who have been lining up any extra 2 year olds, are the trainers who line up a runner they give little chance,to make sure a race gets off the ground,so another runner from their stable can have a chance to race.(e.g. as r green stated he does) And,the small number of extras that do line up,have the same owners as the other starters from the stable. After all,imagine if your a trainer and telling your owner your going to keep their horse in training and incur a couple of months extra training fees so another stable owner can benefit financially.  And remember, Hrnz changed the programming conditions to say  2 year olds should only race  2 year olds,whereas previously trainers accepted that if they didn't have enough 2 year olds nominating,they would be put in against the non win grade.A better system,because it meant you weren't getting the number of 2 year olds races currently being run at significant  losses based on the low turnover. In summary,trainers are saying,hey,we will try and win a bonus later in the year,but its not like they wouldn't be starting their 2 year olds then anyway,bonus or no bonus. So the  year old scheme clearly was a failure. And that was so very predicatble. Hrnz also said the bonuses would mean an increase in numbers bred,when in reality it could be argued the bonuses actually discouraged some breeders because they felt others sectors of the industry were being prioritised over them. so hrnz,knowing the bonus scheme was a failure,knowing they had just paid out $1.15 million and achieved nothing,refused to admit it Instead the doubled down on it being a success,even though anyone with any sense could see it wasn't. To justify that ,hrnz used stats relating to the % of 2 year olds that raced from the crop in the year they were born,comparing that with the previous year. They claimed that the increase from 18% to 21% was proof the scheme was a success. They did not use actual numbers,because that would have shown there about the same number racing,pre the bonus. e.g. 21% of 1000=210.   18% of 1170=210. in reality the small increase in % racing could easily have been explained by looking at who had no longer bred in the relevant year. You would have found that group comprised mostly small time breeders who never prioritised racing 2 year olds anyway. so hrnz having paid out $1.15 million in bonuses and achieved next to nothing,privately knew the reality,so have changed future bonuses to pay people for just starting some  2 years,not all. (again they have prioritised one group over another). Problem with that of course is ,yes,it may help numbers to a small degree,but those numbers will come near the end of the year,when field size for 2 year old races are good anyway. There are still some who claim the big time owners and breeders,the more wealthy of those in the game,need the money more than the hobby,less wealthy people,to keep going and deserve subsidies. but lets not forget,those who have the better 2 year old races have been looked after with significantly increased stakes,as well as the bonuses. In efect.the reality of what the bonuses very predicatably failed to achieve ,is increase the number of mares being bred  and the most significant drop off came from the small time breeders. and the most glaring folly of all,is the races in which profits are generated from turnover/stakes paid,comes from races run with horses supplied by the type of person who has been discouraged and who did not breed their mare. So,that means inevitably in the future,less money for stakemoney. So hrnz have knowingly been implementing policies to undermione their own future funding ability. thats why some of us say,the people in charge have no intention of sticking around when things hit the fan. even if they did want to,they would only have the support of the groups they have been prioritising.

Interesting read. Sounds like GRNZ are concerned Govt is going to try and take its money: https://www.grnz.co.nz/News/3358/Government-requisition-plans-for-Greyhound-money-revealed