Chief Stipe

@the galah there is no excuse to become abusive. When you do you lose the argument straight away. What I've found is there are a lot of big talkers online some of whom are licensed some are not BUT they don't work together and use the structures and official avenues available to them to make change. Many don't even attend.

I disagree. Your post prompted me to read the letter again and in my opinion the letter makes a strong statement about the extreme abuse some individuals are resorting to. I just hope they act against the worst offenders.

Yeah I'm surprised NZ Racing has their head in the sand over the online casinos. The Government is in because they can see a new tax revenue for them to waste. However isn't there a contradiction where in OZ you can have a zillion bookmakers but zero online casinos? It would seem the punters that want choice must want EVERYTHING opened up. I don't see how that earns revenue for racing.

Lucky you!! You've missed some quite outlandish abusive posts from Wightman. LOL then again he did show himself up to be a hypocrite of the first order. He was quick to get into the OBC Trough when he sold a share in Pivotal 10.

Racing’s two codes look to join forces ww.nzherald.co.nz Racing’s two codes seek cohesive plan as big decisions loom By Michael Guerin Racing Editor·NZ Herald· Https://bitofayarn.com 11 Jul, 2025 12:19 PM New Zealand’s two horse racing codes are set to join forces to plan for the future. The thoroughbred and harness racing codes were once considered staunch rivals. Despite plenty of cross-over between owners, punters and trainers, the two codes used to compete for turnover. Those days are all but gone, with harness offering little competition on thoroughbred racing’s biggest days, while both codes benefit from a stronger overall turnover at the TAB. At present, racing’s percentage of TAB profits is also shared with greyhound racing. But that code is now slated for extinction next July, after the death sentence handed down by Racing Minister Winston Peters in December. That decision is being challenged by Greyhound Racing New Zealand, although it may not get to argue its case in court until as late as next March. The other two codes, commonly known as “the gallops” and “the trots”, have announced they will work together on their infrastructure issues and which tracks are likely to survive the next five years. Racing’s ageing infrastructure is one of its greatest concerns, with abandoned meetings on tired tracks costing the industry tens of millions in lost turnover and eroding owner and punter confidence. So NZ Thoroughbred Racing and Harness Racing NZ have launched Project Stamina, supported by the TAB, which will work towards answering the infrastructure questions hanging over the industry. Some of the biggest questions will be around the Waikato Greenfields project, the almost certain closure and sale of Avondale and the troubled Central Districts, where Hastings and Awapuni have had serious track problems and Trentham may need a new grandstand that it cannot realistically afford. In harness racing, the Auckland region will need a new training track once Franklin Park at Pukekohe is sold and, with so many potential projects looming, the two codes are better working together, especially when applying for funding from the TAB or the Government. Project Stamina’s main purpose, according to NZTR chief executive Matt Ballesty, is to move from “reactive maintenance to long-term, future-focused investment”. That could mean no longer fixing tracks that don’t work or will eventually be closed, and instead spending money on those that make long-term financial sense. Working out which tracks are which, overcoming parochial bias and building a cohesive and affordable plan is a mammoth undertaking. Ballesty and HRNZ boss Brad Steele say they plan to use consultants initially, but are quick to emphasise that their boards will be making the final decisions, with input from TAB NZ and the new TAB Advisory Committee, which contains some of New Zealand racing’s biggest players. Working together makes sense for the two codes as it ensures a sharing of information and what each hopes to achieve, especially important as they already share some venues and could end up working together on others. “We have reached a critical point that calls for bold decision-making,” says Ballesty. Project Stamina is about making the necessary decisions to ensure our infrastructure supports a thriving future for horse racing in New Zealand. “Working alongside Harness Racing NZ and TAB NZ, we have a chance to build something enduring and unified.” Steele echoed those sentiments and saw the potential in code collaboration. “This is a chance to reshape our future. Collaboration is key to creating venues that serve our people and our sport for generations. It’s time to build infrastructure that matches our industry’s potential.” Project Stamina is supposed to have a “first draft” of what the future of racing infrastructure may look like by December this year.

You are confounding different issues but perhaps this is just a warning shot. What is Wightman saying on FB?

I don't think the letter is questioning the right to have an opinion just how that opinion is delivered. Yes sticks and stones hurt but so does repetitive harassment and name calling by the uninformed. Who in their right mind would want to be a track manager in NZ? Further on that I wonder if NZTR will reprimand those licenses and paid commentators that attacked the new HB track manager? Agreed. One owner in particular should get more than a slaps however the last thing we need is him being married a martyr. Yes and even then they are not doing accurately or consistently what they are tasked to do.

Maybe. I disagree. I think the letter is a timely reminder that there is a limit to what can be said online. Yes be highly critical but don't cross the line into personal abuse and name calling. As one forum owner who quotes his mother - "you can't put brains in statues" should reflect on his comments that labels some administrators as "tossers and muppets in suits". That would indicate he is a statue. So with regard to the letter I don't see it as poor leadership. Perhaps it could have been written differently to appeal to the sensitivities of the likes of @curious but it does highlight that certain behaviour won't be tolerated.

Perhaps but the projected year on year EBITDA for MGMBet is US$500m and ENTAIN have always paid dividends to shareholders even when they perhaps shouldn't have.

Yes but there is line that some individuals such as Wightman ( @Transparency ) frequently cross. Which only negates any opinion be it subjective or factually supported.

No point posting that link - many many decent people have been banned from that site. You would be better to screen shot/snip and post the image.

I've been saying for quite some time that the quality control protocols, rules and regulations are in place but there doesn't seem to be any Quality Assurance (QA) going on PRIOR to racemeetings commencing. I thought that the QA role belongs to the RIB. For example reported track ratings. Surely their accuracy is a good guide to the safety of a track or at least a starting point. If those ratings and the underlying measurements are being fudged which they clearly are at Trentham and Riccarton (Turf and AWT) (Ellerslie?) then how can you proactively address track safety? I don't recall ever seeing Stewards walk a whole track BEFORE the races start and a horse slips.

The title consultant doesn't worry me as much as the selection process of the consultant. Both NZTR and HRNZ have serious IT infrastructure issues to deal with. NZTR wasted at least $2m to deliver nothing much.

Racing Codes Unite to Shape the Future of NZ Racing Infrastructure 11 July 2025 , Media Release https://bitofayarn.com New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) and Harness Racing New Zealand (HRNZ), supported by TAB NZ have today announced the launch of Project Stamina, a landmark collaboration to develop a unified Master Plan for the future of New Zealand’s racing infrastructure. This joint initiative marks a strategic shift from reactive maintenance to long-term, future-focused investment across both Thoroughbred and Harness racing codes. “We have reached a critical point that calls for bold decision making. Project Stamina is about making the necessary decisions to ensure our infrastructure supports a thriving future for horse racing in New Zealand.” said Matt Ballesty, CEO of NZTR. “I’m genuinely excited about the opportunity Project Stamina presents, not just for Thoroughbred racing, but for the entire racing industry. Working alongside Harness Racing NZ and TAB NZ, we have a chance to build something enduring and unified. HRNZ CEO Brad Steele echoed Ballesty’s sentiments and sees the potential in code collaboration. “This is a chance to reshape our future. Collaboration is key to creating venues that serve our people and our sport for generations. It’s time to build infrastructure that matches our industry’s potential, this unified approach is important given the ownership and use profile of many of our venues” Steele added. A key priority now is the engagement of independent consultants who will be central to the delivery of Project Stamina. The selected consultant will work closely with industry leaders and advisors with a target completion date prior of December 2025.

I see Morgan Stanley give ENTAIN their highest rating i.e. AAA.

As ENTAIN are a shareholder in an online Casino what are the chances they will get one of the licenses here? https://www.betmgminc.com/who-we-are/

I'm not sure either. The person I recommended buy to is very happy. At the price a 50% increase is a decent wad of dosh. Enough for you to buy a decent horse and train it with Waller.

I think it is timely to remember the RIU vs Kevin Moreton case where it was clearly established that a license holder can make public comments critiquing the actions of the RIB and NZTR within clear boundaries. I can't find that judgement as it was prior to the period the RIB "upgraded" their website (they should bring those older decisions back online). @curious do you have the Judgement to post?

Correct. BTW have you looked at some of the abusive stuff you have written lately?

Why do you think that the Letter is aiming at the likes of House and Jones? Their opinions were not abusive or personally denigrating.

The one I saw came from NZTR. Regardless it is an Open Letter. That is your perception however I have seen numerous instances of where a line has been crossed. Colin Wightman aka @Transparency for example does it frequently. I've even seen examples of licensed individuals crossing the line. You can critique actions, decisions or lack thereof without denigration or abuse.

So much for the doom and gloom aka @JJ Flash. Time to sell @curious after buying at the low?

Entain shares jump 13% as US sports betting powers growth www.ft.com Https://bitofayarn.com Shares in troubled gambling group Entain jumped 13 per cent on Monday after its US sports betting business upgraded its annual forecasts, in an early boost for new chief executive Stella David. Second-quarter trading at BetMGM, Entain’s US joint venture with New York-listed MGM Resorts International, has been “broadly consistent” with the 34 per cent growth seen in the first quarter, the company said on Monday. BetMGM now expects to report annual group revenues of at least $2.6bn and earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation of at least $100mn. It had earlier forecast revenue of between $2.4bn and $2.5bn, and “positive” ebitda. David, Entain’s former chair, was appointed permanent chief executive of the FTSE 100 company in April after performing the role in an interim capacity since February. Today’s upgrade showed she had been able to deliver ahead of expectations, said Barclays analyst Pravin Gondhale. “This is a good sign for them . . . the strategy is working,” he said. David plans to revive the group’s fortunes by growing its share in US online gaming and sports betting — a market that was only legalised in 2018 — as well as tapping into the fast-growing sports betting market in Brazil, another new market. In the first three months of the year, BetMGM, which was formed in 2018, reported earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation of $22mn, its first quarterly profit. Last quarter’s strong performance was driven by growth in sports betting and online gaming, the company said. Entain, which owns Ladbrokes and Coral, provides the technology that sits behind BetMGM, while MGM Resorts International handles the venture’s customer-facing activities. Shore Capital analyst Greg Johnson said Entain’s valuation was “failing to reflect the improving trends” both at the group level and in the US. David is striving to rebuild investor confidence in Entain after a turbulent period characterised by corporate governance concerns and a series of executive departures. The company signed a deferred prosecution agreement in the UK over allegations it failed to prevent bribery in Turkey, while Australia’s financial crimes watchdog launched legal proceedings against Entain, citing breaches of anti-money laundering rules. Entain said previously that it took the allegations “extremely seriously” and that it was enhancing its compliance arrangements. The company’s languishing share price frustrated investors and left the UK-headquartered group vulnerable to a takeover. The US’s second-largest gaming company, DraftKings, made a £16.2bn bid for Entain in 2021, before walking away. Activist investors, including US hedge funds Eminence Capital and Sachem Head Capital Management, have also circled the company.

That's your best post to date.