Chief Stipe

There has been again some debate about the difference weight makes to a horses chances. An old chestnut! I don't believe 2 to 4 kg makes a difference. Plus our handicap weights are so compressed that they are not true handicaps. Throw in the Max and minimum limits and well weight would only stop a severely underpowered train. That said what is wrong with Weight For Age (WFA) where fixed weights are allocated on the basis of age and sex? For example today we see James Cummings make a statement that Cylinder is not as advantaged as Imperatriz at WFA. Yet Cylinder has 56kg and Imperatriz has 56.5kg.

@Thomass you are nothing more than a woke apologist.

So you don't know yet on the one hand spruik it as having improved substantially then on the other hand discount it as it isn't something to worry about because you can't change it. Are you applying for Cameron George's job? You seem to meet all the previous criteria.

Statute of limitations should stop you from trawling through all your old video tapes.

Then don't put Allpress on your horses.

You didn't answer my question regarding ROI.

Well done Chazza. Now you've only got another 5 courses to go. The industry loves your work but not as much as SAFE.

Don't post that sexist and racist crap on BOAY thanks @Thomass

This is what Winston Peters said in his original speech: “It was not just ideological theory, it was race-based theory. Where some people’s DNA made them, sadly, according to these people, and condoned by their cultural fellow travellers, their DNA made them somehow better than others. I’ve seen that sort of philosophy before, I saw it in Nazi Germany, we all did. We have seen it elsewhere in the world in the horrors of history, but right here in our country tolerated by the very people whose job is to keep the system honest.”

Hardly "stolen" given the Maori supposedly didn't have a concept of land ownership. That said if you sold your yearling for what you thought it was worth you can't go back and ask for more when it wins multiple Group Ones! Anyway the so called compensation hasn't changed anything. So what do you propose instead of throwing money at the problems? That doesn't work does it?

Of what? The last TV screen shot is so pixelated it doesn't show much at all.

@Thomass unless you have solid proof of what you allege please stop posting pixelated shots of your TV replays taken while sitting in your PJ's. Thanks.

I'm not anti-vax - just didn't think that the experimental mRNA vaccines were worth the risk. Actually my own extensive research indicated they were risky. However I was shocked at the reaction to the non-vaccinated of what I once thought were normal decent people. If Peter's was alluding to the affects of Government propanganda illiciting irrational behaviour, fear and ultimately unsavoury action then yes his comparison to the techniques of the Nazi's is a fair one.

Mmmmm I sort of get it... Counties and Auckland are now combined clubs... so...

Update on Avondale Racecourse New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR), in conjunction with Avondale Jockey Club (AJC), would like to issue a joint statement regarding current discussions between the governing body and the racing Club. Representatives from both NZTR and AJC are working together constructively to agree on the future of the Racecourse land, as well as the direction of the Club entity. This week, the parties have become aware of a social media post created by the Avondale Business Association concerning a submission AJC made in 2022 about the future of the Avondale racecourse. In 2022, the AJC made a submission to Auckland Council’s Plan Change 78 - a housing intensification plan change mandated by the Government of the time. The Club’s submission asked the Independent Hearing Panel to consider whether a residential zoning for the land would be more appropriate, and consistent with the mandated purpose of Plan Change 78. The AJC submission acknowledged that NZTR’s Venue Plan process proposed to cease racing at Avondale Racecourse after the 2024/2025 season and as a result, the Club has asked the Independent Hearing Panel to consider whether the better zoning for the land in the future is a residential zone. AJC’s submission forms part of the Plan Change process and is not directly related to NZTR or the Racing Industry Act. NZTR understands that the recent social media post, which focuses on this Plan Change submission, may raise concerns about the future of the Racecourse land amongst participants and the wider public. The current discussions between NZTR and AJC are independent of Auckland Council’s Plan Change 78 process. Importantly, the Club intends to engage with its members and community about the future of the Racecourse at an appropriate time. NZTR would like to thank the Club for its willingness to engage in collaborative discussions to date. Both parties will continue to seek a positive outcome for the Racecourse land and the Club that will benefit New Zealand racing participants and the wider Avondale community. Corporate Communications New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Contact: Emma Thompson +64 21 071 2929 nztrcommunications@nztr.co.nz

I have no idea what the strategy is. There is a maiden 2yr old race at Matamata next week. You'll probably find they have snuck an open 2yr old race into the Ellerslie meeting on the 30th. As for the new calendar - is it out yet? Actually I'll answer my own question the latest programme came out yesterday. See attached. NZTR Racing Programme - March 2024.pdf

Fine but your opinion offers no solutions on how to get to this concept of equity. Obviously pouring money at the issue doesn't work. So what is the solution? Why is it poorer immigrant families can come to NZ and in less than one generation become financially independent and reach what you presumably call equity?

Can you give us the maths for how ENTAIN have increased the ROI for owners across the board? Regardless it doesn't matter a dam what the stakes are if: You can't get a start for your horse in the appropriate grade; The tracks are unsafe i.e. you risk injury to your horse by racing on them; The tracks are not consistent i.e. you don't get a fair run for your horse; You can't get a competent experienced Jockey to ride your horse; Or if you can get a competent experienced Jockey you can't get one to ride at the carded weight! None of those issues are ENTAIN's to fix!

So handing out money to Maori isn't the answer? It hasn't worked so far.

You're a fake and a flake Thomass. As for trolling - it's OK for you to troll the forum with your BS but not OK for anyone to call you out.

Photo shopped whip porn courtesy of @Thomass!

Is the Strathayr having a rest? ATR racing at Pukekohe today.

Can someone please explain why Cambridge couldn't hold trials even with 26 horses? Perhaps our resident cost accountant @TAB For Ever can explain. Afterall the track is a sunk cost (perhpas literally), the staff are a fixed cost, the track has to be groomed each day - again a fixed cost, the stipes are a fixed cost... So that leaves I guess contract staff - the commentator, the film crew, and the starting attendants.

Why is it solely ENTAIN's role? This is where the fundamental disconnect has caused NOTHING to change. If you don't have tracks and horses to race on them how can you increase betting? It isn't ENTAIN's role to provide safe and fair tracks nor is it their role to provide the horses!

So what's changed other than closing down some perfectly good racecourses that were paying their way and are desperately needed to provide relief to the tired so called Metro tracks?