Chief Stipe

TAB's strategic change throws early markets into a frenzy www.racenet.com.au SOCIAL media chatter has caught fire in recent days following media giant Tabcorp's decision to realign its approach to the offering of odds for non-metro thoroughbred meetings. Punters hopeful of securing early market overs have been left in a world of pain following the surprise move, forced to wait until raceday before prices for a range of lower tier meetings now become available. That pain has extended across the corporate bookmaking network which eagerly awaits for the first set of markets to go live before in some instances being copied, reframed and reproduced. "It's a race to the bottom and it's getting worse not better," an insider said. "The TAB has essentially drawn a line in the sand and said to its competitors if you want to go first and earlier on these meetings then go for it. READ: Antino and Pride Of Jenni headline Doomben Cup field "What the move has done is shine a light on some glaring weaknesses with some doing more of the heavy lifting than others." With the vast majority of Minimum Bet Laws (MBL) kicking in at 9am on raceday, it remains to be seen if the changes will have a material impact on turnover. The landscape for early markets has changed Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images However, logic suggests that reducing a trading window can't be advantageous towards generating interest and in turn wagering. The move by Tabcorp is similar to that undertaken by Bet365 a few years ago when it elected to cease its practice of going live with harness and greyhound meetings the night before. The change caused an instant frenzy in the bookmaking ranks and reset the way in which odds were being delivered for the two-codes on a daily basis. Part of those sweeping changes saw Tabcorp institute algorithm based prices for the three codes which are currently being introduced into the market. Serving as a starting point with a layer of protection, these prices are then knocked into shaped by professional punters and Gambling bots before MBL's set in and the more aggressive betting begins. READ: Blackbookers – Derby prospect says look out Queensland In response to the recent move, a Tabcorp spokesperson said "TAB prides itself on being market leader for racing" while also dismissing claims the changes were a result of recent staff cuts. "We're first to market for the majority of thoroughbreds domestic races and that will continue," the spokesperson said. "Moving forward we have refined our approach to some non-metropolitan meetings whereby markets will be posted the morning of the race."

That's incorrect. Individual accounts are filed and available online at the Incorporated Societies site. The WRC and other RACE participant clubs are still registered non-proft organisations and are required to file accounts. Not sure what you are rambling about. Did you score a triple tot of the Rest Home rum? Beaten at what? I get the impression you aren't a member of the WRC let alone an active one.

I agree about the "sand obsession".

WTF is the Clegg Hammer reading? Haven't seen it reported anywhere!

NO.

NZTR and RACE Inc. are continuing the maintenance and remediation work on the RACE Awapuni course proper. No images? Click here RACE Awapuni Remediation Progressing Under Specialist Oversight New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) and RACE Inc. are continuing the maintenance and remediation work on the RACE Awapuni course proper, with weekly management meetings underway between RACE, NZTR and international racecourse specialists, Callum Brown and Liam O’Keefe. As part of this process, alternative machinery is being trialled to address compaction issues identified within the track profile. This is particularly important given the presence of stones beneath the surface, which limits the use of certain tines on the verti-drain machine. The course proper at RACE Awapuni requires decompaction through intensive remediation work to ensure it is safe for racing in the long term. As organic material begins to build beneath the surface, the track will become easier to manage, with less frequent and intensive maintenance required. This approach is similar to the work at Ellerslie Racecourse, where an extensive verti-drain process is routinely carried out prior to raceday to support surface performance. NZTR CEO Matt Ballesty commented, “We are treating the RACE Awapuni situation with the seriousness it warrants and working closely with the right people to get the best outcome for our participants, punters and for the future of racing in the Central Districts,” he said. NZTR and RACE Inc. are completing the scheduled work programme and continuing to test different decompaction techniques and machinery, in accordance with advice from Liam O’Keefe and Callum Brown. At this stage, there is still a target to return to RACE Awapuni in late August 2025, with a standardised racing programme expected to follow across the upcoming 2025/26 season. However, both organisations remain committed to proactive decision-making should the track’s progress warrant any adjustments to this plan. “A safe return to racing is our number one priority,” added Ballesty. “We’re closely monitoring how the track responds to the remediation work and will make an early call on the RACE Awapuni programme if any material issues arise before the beginning of the new season.” “Clear communication with participants and Clubs is a priority as we work through this,” Ballesty said. Liam O’Keefe will return to RACE Awapuni on Monday 9 June to carry out further testing and surface assessments. A revised work programme will be agreed upon following this visit and we will inform the next phase of remediation activity. Corporate Communications New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Contact: Emma Thompson +64 21 071 2929 nztrcommunications@nztr.co.nz New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing 18 Dick Street, Cambridge 3434 Email: office@nztr.co.nz Tel: 0800 946 637 NZTR.CO.NZ Unsubscribe

Look closer at what caused the "significant loss". $400k isn't that much is it? Which raises the question - how many horses do you need to make a track profitable? @Dark Beau Trentham has less than 10.

I reckon Te Aroha will be involved going forward as well. Matamata main turf track will need some rejuvenation work soon. Interesting though that many have slagged Mildon the track manager at Hastings. He started his career at Matamata.

Sunk cost. You could take a @TAB For Ever cost accountant approach and say there should be a return on the capital invested. If you took that approach there wouldn't be a track in NZ that was profitable. However most tracks have been subsidised because they pay lower rates as a non-profit organisation. Which is an interesting question. How many Racing Clubs are actually tax paying companies?

None of that are OVERHEADS.

I wouldn't. As I said it isn't anything personal. All will be revealed in the fullness of time.

No wonder Trentham is as run down as it is if its members are talking like that. I guess you are taking the Nero approach. The "current management"?! I suggest you look closely at yourself when you were in your prime rather than in your sunset. The Wellington Racing Club only has themselves to blame for the situation they find themselves in. You can blame those that have very little direct control over the Clubs assets for its demise if you wish but I suggest you look in the mirror a bit more closely. So who are the "current management" that you are blaming?

He asked a question and I suggested he PM me. What's your problem with that?

Just when I thought things were getting back to normal!

You're 100m in front at the moment and your Jockey hasn't gone for the whip yet!!