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By Murray Fish · Posted
Many y New Zealanders are starting the year feeling stressed about money despite interest rates having fallen, one bank says. Westpac surveyed just over 1000 of its customers and found 28 percent said their holiday spending would probably or definitely cause financial stress in the new year. Another 23 percent thought it might. Just under 20 percent said they planned to use debt to cover their costs. Just under three-quarters said they were very or moderately concerned about the cost of living. Westpac managing director of product sustainability and marketing Sarah Hearn said there had been an increase in the number of people applying for debt consolidation loans as well as increases in the amounts they were asking for. "While we have seen a reduction in interest rates over the last year it's clear that people and our customers are still feel very much the cost of living and the pressure of finances is present still. "At this time of the year, though, we would tend to see in the coming months more debt consolidation going on as people look to kind of get their finances in order and simplify the debt that they may have into the one." Almost a quarter said additional costs in January and February added pressure, including annual bills and the cost of sending kids back to school. "A really high portion of people said that they'd be expecting more financial pressure at this time of the year. "One in four people pointed out that it's the annual bills that would be coming through, life insurance and paying off summer holidays, but it's also the additional expenses like children going back to school. paying off the summer holiday. So some of those incidental expenses that you typically see more in January, school uniforms, books, laptops, all those sorts of things, there's a real spike. So that puts additional pressure on top of what is already a cost of living pressure that people are feeling." Hearn said people were sometimes consolidating by now pay later debt, or credit card and personal loans. If the problem was bigger than debt consolidation could fix, she said people should speak to their banks to work out what options could be available. Loan Market mortgage adviser Bruce Patten said he was dealing with more people who wanted to top-up their mortgages to clear other debt. "With the current market conditions there are a lot of people getting top ups to consolidate debt due to the cost of living pressures, so car or boat finance is being extended over a longer period under mortgages to provide some relief." This can mean lower repayments in the short term but cost more overall if the loan term is extended and people end up carrying the debt for longer. https://www.odt.co.nz/news/national/finding-missing-tramper-involved-huge-amount-luck-rnz -
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By Wandering Eyes · Posted
Everything worked out perfectly for White Abarrio in last year's Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1). View the full article -
Jan 1, was watching trackside(Riverton) and when Ellerslie was on it looked like a industry day meeting, maybe this week might be different......the Auckland Cup trotting on Dec 31 is a non event now, best time is about march 20, not too long before the slots races, through January and into early March our best pacers often go to aussie, Auckland stuffed things up, but I see harness officials are hoping to work closer in regards to scheduling feature races, if they can get that right it's a win win for both countries. Miracle mile in Oz is week 2 in march, after that it's a bit quite across the ditch.
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By Wandering Eyes · Posted
New Mexico's Ruidoso Downs, beleaguered by flooding the last two years, will be unable to host a live meet in 2026 at the facility due to the potential for “life threatening” flooding from even moderate rainfall, according to a press release posted on the track's website. The story was first reported by the Paulick Report. The somber statement details findings from JE Fuller, an engineering firm, and discussions with state officials. Ruidoso's 2026 racing schedule will be hosted at the Downs at Albuquerque as the track assesses its future, with officials stating “the racetrack is not sustainable now or for many years to come.” For nearly 80 years, Ruidoso held both Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse meets, but planned to switch to only Quarter Horses in 2025 after 2024 flooding washed out much of the oval. The track has been home to “Quarter Horse Racing's Most Coveted Prize,” the GI All-American Futurity, which was moved to Albuquerque for both 2024 and 2025. The track's statement appears below in its entirety, while the JE Fuller report can be seen here: “We have been diligently working with local, state, and federal agencies to evaluate ongoing flooding risks at Ruidoso Downs Racetrack and determine whether flood mitigation measures could be implemented to prevent a repeat of the significant flooding that occurred in July 2024 and July 2025. Both these flooding events were catastrophic for the customers, patrons, employees, horsemen, and horses at Ruidoso Downs Racetrack. Our goal has been to return the Ruidoso Downs Racetrack facilities and operations–if that could be done–with flood mitigation steps needed both on-site and off property upstream of the Racetrack to avoid a future flooding event. For the past several months, we have begged for solutions to no avail. “Thursday, January 15, 2026, Ruidoso Downs Racetrack owner Johnny Trotter, General Manager Rick Baugh, and Village of Ruidoso Mayor Lynn Crawford traveled to the State Capitol in Santa Fe, NM to meet with numerous state officials to discuss additional flood mitigation efforts, only to find out that the racetrack is not sustainable now or for many years to come. It has now become clear that, even with proposed flood mitigation work done on-site and off-site upstream, Ruidoso Downs Racetrack cannot be adequately protected from future flooding. “We are sharing the findings of engineering firm JE Fuller, which was retained by and working for the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security, regarding future flood risks at Ruidoso Downs Racetrack. August 5, 2025, JE Fuller analysis shows that the Racetrack faces serious and ongoing flooding risks that cannot be adequately addressed with the mitigation measures proposed. “According to the JE Fuller Report, even moderate rainfall events–around two inches or more per hour–can overwhelm existing and planned drainage improvements intended to mitigate flooding risks at Ruidoso Downs Racetrack. A rainfall event of two inches per hour over the fire-scarred areas creates a high risk of dangerous flooding at Ruidoso Downs Racetrack that could be life threatening. “Based on the JE Fuller findings, and our follow-up discussions with governmental agencies, the engineers specializing in hydrology and flooding concluded that the Racetrack is not sustainable as a public venue. We are deeply concerned about the safety and well-being of everyone who attends Ruidoso Downs Racetrack, and our equine athletes. Continuing operations at the current site of Ruidoso Downs Racetrack is not feasible. “This decision is not taken lightly. It is, without question, the most challenging and emotional choice we have ever made as an organization. The racing schedule will be run at the Downs at Albuquerque and the 2026 NM Bred Sale, and the Super Select sale will be held at the Ruidoso Downs Sales pavilion in their normal time frames. We will continue to communicate openly as we assess our next steps.” The post No Racing at Ruidoso Downs in 2026, Track’s Future Uncertain appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article
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