Chief Stipe

The Stipes report says - "no rider available".

Yet at Taupo yesterday there was a late scratching because there was no rider available. Not as if the weight was too light at 58.5kg.

Yes but I've never attended a meeting where I wanted to achieve something and not have my ducks lined up well beforehand. But Clubs can't have turnover it there are poor quality low number fields or they can't fill a full race programme for the day.

Maybe "low key" from a recognised elite/star horse perspective but very good betting races with good sized fields and lots of up and comers. Even and competitive fields on good tracks.

So the protocol now is that everytime a horse slips there will be a full track inspection?

Uh? How can there suddenly be a problem after they've already run 6 races?

Or is it? You are either being cute and know what the setup is and how it arose OR you need to look at the various documents and the land transaction that occurred in approximately 2010-11.

Levin RC only pay OMRC $10,000 a meeting to hire the track and all facilities. I'm saying that Levin RC is doing well out of that bargain.

Not directly but their 3 Trusts do. Don't they? More than $10,000 a meeting.

How much time do you need? It isn't exactly rocket science as the variables are known and measureable. Why do you call them "opponents"? Perhaps therein lies the answer to my question - who is benefitting!

Then who is driving things and benefitting? Some have argued that one South Island trainer has held the programme to ransom for a very long time. Has that changed?

Even worse if you like a horse that is in two futures market races for the same day and is nominated for both!!! Money for jam for the TAB. Got burnt once never again.

But it is the wrong thing to do. It has been proven beyond doubt that increasing stakes does NOT increase participation. There is no indication in their annual accounts that it goes to the maintenance of core racing infrastructure. Certainly not enough does nor is enough profit put aside. It should be the main story. I'm afraid though most committees have no idea how to manage a balance sheet and inevitably end up spending money on the wrong activities e.g. bolstering stakes. If you are talking about Levin well congratulations on "the most successful jumpouts in the country". However you are deluding yourself if you think that Levin is making sufficient proft to maintain their assets. Especially when you take into consideration the sale of land to sustain themselves plus the raceday subsidisation by the Otaki Maori Racing Club. Never a true word. Therein lies the conundrum. They aren't accumulating they are redistributing as Stakes. They are taking the risk with their speculation that the track will always perform yet they are not accumulating to maintain that asset.

Yes. Look at the consortium accounts. They are heavily reliant on the Greyhounds and Harness.

Why put it into stakes when there is a shortfall in maintenance and/or rainy day fund?

Been happening in nearly all races at the "new" Ellerslie!!! You can't be more than 4 lengths off the lead 400 to 500m out and expecr to win. Which makes wunner of the last look extra special.

Since you are now professing to be an expert on the subject - WHO BENEFITS FROM THIS PROGRAMMING DECISION? If you are so much in the know then reveal ALL!! Or are you just an irrelevant blowhard?

Great ride Rory Hutchings on Kingswood. Take that you sit and sprinters!!!

I was there nearly every year in the 70's and a few times in the 80's. Had relations that lived across the road in Derby street. Invariably my father had a horse or two racing there from the Hill stable. High Chapparell won the main race one year. Apparently in those days we were related to two thirds of the town. I do remember one year Keithy Powell was way out in front half way up the straight on the rank outsider paying 60's or 90's. The crowd was silent except for one lady in the stand yelling "Go Keithy!!!"

When did they ask? WHO was it? Which Clubs? Was one of them the Canterbury Jockey Club?

No one has answered the question: WHO BENEFITS? Until you answer that question then you can't change anything. PS: @Huey your snipes are irrelevant and childish.

So a bit late to be complaining now. Who was involved in setting the programme? Who benefits most from it?

How long has the programme been published?

I was there in 1974. Are you sure the Westport Cup was run on Boxing Day?