Chief Stipe

But can't they do all that without the TAB subsidising their bets?

How can it be great advertising when it alienates your core customer? Surely there are marketing options that don't do that and offer a better return on investment.

I don't think @Brodie understands that it is a syndicate that you buy $1.01 shares in. It all goes back to the individuals accounts if there are any winnings.

The length of the roots aren't the problem. It is the matting creating a sheer plane in the top layer. The grass is well irrigated and fertilised and is quite lush. The horses slip on the green lush grass and can't get their hooves into the top layer of matted roots. In my opinion the sand is the issue.

I just asked a question. How is it profitable for the industry? I know for a fact the approach ENTAIN takes with the BGP leaves a sour taste in the mouths of many average punters who have no desire to join the Boys. However I guess like the BGP as a group it's members don't win often and ENTAIN can see that on each individuals profile. Thinking about it they might strike it right one day and it's a no risk proposition if ENTAIN keeps giving their money back when they lose.

So how does the industry benefit by forgoing profit one day in the hope that they will make it back the next day? Ironically that investment goes back to individual punters who won't be topped up today and some will be limited in how much they can win. So if the BGP Betting Syndicate is topped up when they lose but paid out when they win how does that benefit the industry coffers?

Effectively the profit taken from a successful punter is being redistributed to an unsuccessful punter. Does it not follow that the price the successful punter bought at is less than it should of been? Therefore the smaller punter loses if they win AND when their punt is unsuccessful. I guess ENTAIN see it as a low risk way of bumping the pools up not that we can see the size of the book.

But correct me if I'm wrong (which I'm sure you will - borrowed that line from Scooby) my observation of Foxton was that it had built up a decent layer of organic matter in the top layer over many many years. That layer provides a buffer that retains moisture but excess drains through to the sand. You don't have that time with a $55m track that you expect to race on in less than 8 months. Sand has the lowest water and nutrient retention ability of any substrate. Attached is a paper comparing peat vs sand. I understood that StrathAyr had a mix in the top layer but artificial structure in the bottom layer that facilitated drainage. We are putting far too much sand in our tracks in an environment where we have high rainfall variability on a weekly basis thereby increasing the need for expensive irrigation and trying to apply that evenly. pdf-106790-37625.pdf

Call it a hybrid AWT. Reading between the lines it seems they didn't have the right machine equipment until recently. The remedial work they are doing should have been happening from the start. The issue seems to be that the horses hooves don't dig in because of the matted layer of fine roots in the top layer. Which is clear in this core photo:

Pure sand? Hint @curious you can't race on a spud paddock.

It's not a bloody farm it's a $55m race track!!! It's an absolute myth that a good dairy farmer from the wop wops could manage a high performance race track. There aren't any good farms built solely on sand dunes. They are great for links golf courses but not all that great for growing turf. There's 300mm of sand in the top layer at Ellerslie. Why don't you take an old feed bucket home, drill some holes in the bottom fill it full of sand and see what you can grow. Oh and don't forget to constantly water and fertilise the bucket.

I didn't realise he farmed cows on a beach.

Yes but in NZ we are selling out on tradition! We'll we kept all the shit parts of Ellerslie.

But why don't they come to the Southern Hemisphere? The stakes are better and you don't need to wear a Morning Suit and Top Hat to the party!

They seem to work in Hong Kong, Singapore and Moonee Valley.

Not my understanding. 300mm of sand in the top layer isn't standard. Why mesh sand? You only mesh to get structure and drainage.

Imperatriz - 10x Group 1 Champion Retired | News www.teakauracing.com Imperatriz - 10x Group 1 Champion Retired Date: 11 Apr 2024 It is with very mixed emotions that Te Akau Racing announces the retirement of our star mare and champion, Imperatriz. Currently Imperatriz is rated as the No.1 sprinter in the world and No.2 overall on TRC Global Rankings. In 2023, Imperatriz won more Group 1 races (6) than any other horse in the world! Her 2023/24 season has also been nothing short of stellar … with five Group 1 victories in Australia, taking her career tally to ten elite titles. She also recorded a Group 2 win in Australia where she set a new track record, and at her next start broke the very record she had just set. Imperatriz also became the first horse to ever win the MVRC Group 1 Sprint Triple Crown - effectively twice - in both a calendar year (2023) and a racing season (2023/24). Winning both starts as a two-year-old, including the Group 2 Eclipse Stakes, Imperatriz won two Group 1’s over a mile at three to be named New Zealand’s Champion Three-Year-Old. She then added three Group 1’s as a four-year-old to claim the title of New Zealand’s Champion Sprinter/Miler, and in more recent times has made her mark trans-Tasman, lauded by many commentators as the best sprinter in Australia. She set track records at Moonee Valley, then conquered the Flemington straight with Group 1 wins in both the Champions’ Sprint and the Black Caviar Lightning Handicap, the second highest rated sprint race in the world (2023 IFHA). “Imperatriz has been a magnificent race mare, I loved her from the time I set eyes on her at the Magic Millions’ sale. What she has done since has firmly established her as one of the very best race mares Australasia has seen in recent times,” said David Ellis CNZM. “From a filly that was the last to sell as a yearling, she became a Champion racehorse and when Karyn and I saw her win her second Group 1 William Reid at Moonee Valley last month, we couldn’t believe the crowd’s adulation for her, The Valley was a sea of tangerine,” Te Akau’s David Ellis CNZM said. “Her tenacity, courage and sheer determination, combined with the sweetest nature you could imagine, have certainly won the hearts of fans worldwide. The joy she has brought to her owners is indescribable.” Imperatriz won 19 of her 27 starts, including 10 of 13 since 1 January last year, and nearly NZ$7.6 million in prize money. Last weekend, Imperatriz returned home to New Zealand, for a well-deserved break at Te Akau Stud. On her arrival, she underwent an in-depth veterinary ‘warrant of fitness’ to assess her well-being before spelling. Regrettably, these evaluations have led to the difficult but necessary decision to retire her from racing. “Te Akau always puts the well-being of our horses first. The indications are that another high-level racing preparation would not be in her best interests, so whilst sad, the decision is very straightforward. Her welfare is our top priority, and she will retire a happy and sound horse,” David Ellis CNZM said. Purchased by Ellis from the Magic Millions’ sale for A$360,000 (from the draft of Brim Thoroughbreds), Imperatriz is trained by Te Akau’s Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson, and has dominated the racing scene this season. “Imperatriz was simply an incredible race horse - her determination and will to win was supreme. She has been remarkable flag bearer for Te Akau’s new Australian stable and we will be forever indebted to her. It has been such a privilege to train Berri, and she’s been an absolute pleasure by every measure,” said co-trainer Mark Walker. We extend our deepest gratitude to her whole ‘family’ that simply adores her: her owners, Te Akau’s Stable and Stud teams in New Zealand and Cranbourne, with special mention to Te Akau Australia assistant trainer Ben Gleeson, her devoted strapper Jason Levin and track work rider Laura Winks - also Te Akau stable rider Opie Bosson ONZM who forged such a successful partnership with Berri. As Imperatriz embarks on this new chapter, we reflect on her indelible legacy. We eagerly anticipate following her progeny and witnessing what the future holds. While her racing days have drawn to a close and the curtain has fallen, her spirit will continue to inspire and resonate with all who had the privilege of witnessing her greatness. “She's a Berri, Berri good mare, and one that will we forever treasure.”
 ENDS For further information contact: David Ellis CNZM Te Akau Racing +64 21 925151 david@teakauracing.com Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM Te Akau Racing +64 21 598161 karyn@teakauracing.com IMPERATRIZ - FACT SHEET In addition to her racing exploits, Imperatriz has an exemplary pedigree to match. Progeny by reigning Australian Champion Sire I Am Invincible (Invincible Spirit), who rose from an initial fee of $11,000 to now stand for $302,500, have been incredibly well sought after and, rightly, remain so. He leaves such athletic and sound horses, represented by over 100 individual stakes' winners. Her dam sire Shamardal (Giant’s Causeway) left over 40 Group One winners worldwide and a sire of the highest class (previously third in the TRC Global World Sire Rankings) that is having incredible success now as a broodmare sire, while grand-dam sire Encosta de Lago (Fairy King) is a multiple champion sire, with over 50 Group One winners worldwide, and Champion Broodmare Sire in Australia. He is regarded as one of the greatest Australian-bred sires of all time. Imperatriz carries a cross of immortal sire Northern Dancer, on the sire line of I Am Invincible and sire line of grand-dam Percussive (Encosta de Lago). 1st - A$3,000,000 GROUP 1 Darley Champions' Sprint WFA 1200m 1st - A$1,000,000 GROUP 1 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes WFA 1000m 1st - A$2,000,000 GROUP 1 Ladbrokes' Manikato Stakes WFA 1200m 1st - A$1,000,000 GROUP 1 William Reid Stakes 3YO+UP WFA 1200m (twice - 2023 & 2024) 1st - A$750,000 GROUP 1 Charter Keck Cramer Moir Stakes 3YO+ WFA 1000m (broke own track record) 1st - $300,000 GROUP 1 Sistema Railway Opn SW+P 1200m 1st - $300,000 GROUP 1 BCD Group Sprint WFA 1400m 1st - $260,000 GROUP 1 Levin Classic 3YO SW 1600m 1st - $220,000 GROUP 1 Fiber Fresh NZ Thoroughbred Breeders' Stakes WFA F&M 1600 1st - A$300,000 GROUP 2 McEwen Stakes WFA 1000m (track record) 1st - $180,000 GROUP 2 Westbury Classic F&M SW+P 1400m 1st - $120,000 GROUP 2 Waikato Stud Foxbridge Plate WFA 1200m 1st - $100,000 GROUP 2 Eclipse Stakes 2YO SW 1200m 1st - $80,000 GROUP 3 Northland Breeders' Stakes 3YO SW 1200m 1st - $80,000 GROUP 3 Soliloquy Stakes 3YOF SW 1400m

As with every Grp1 horse Te Akau races they do a full vet check including full x-rays before spelling. Unfortunately Imperatriz has issues and therefore will not race again. Too valuable to risk.

Bullshit. He doesn't understand turf culture and is being fed BS from someone. If that happened as he suggests prior to the KM why wasn't it fixed? Mr Wilcox please tell us all who advised to customise the StrathAyr implementation and why? Basically you've laid a 300mm beach on the track and expect to grow strong grass!! Really?

Yep worth a dollar next start. Didn't need blinkers, tongue tie...

Plan of Action Formulated Following Investigation Into Ellerslie Racecourse Meeting Abandonment Sent on behalf of Auckland Thoroughbred Racing and New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing In the wake of the abandonment of yesterday’s race meeting at Ellerslie Racecourse, Auckland Thoroughbred Racing (ATR), in conjunction with New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) advises a comprehensive investigation has been undertaken, resulting in an agreed plan of action that will be implemented to address safety concerns and ensure future racing success. Yesterday’s race meeting was abandoned after Race 3 due to safety concerns arising from a slip on the newly-installed StrathAyr track. ATR chief executive, Paul Wilcox, expresses his displeasure in what happened by saying, "We are disappointed in relation to having an abandonment. In upholding our commitment to excellence, instances like these are regrettable as they fall short of our standards." He further emphasises, "We also understand the disappointment yesterday's abandonment would have caused to participants, stakeholders, and fans; however, also want to emphasise that the safety and well-being of horses and jockeys is paramount and accept that this was the right decision under the circumstances." Wilcox notes similarities between this incident and the one encountered at the TAB Karaka Millions in January, acknowledging that yesterday’s issues stemmed from the interface between the root matting and the sand profile. “This incident bears resemblance to the issue presented at the TAB Karaka Millions earlier this year. We acknowledge that the root layer at the 10m rail position was not broken up to the extent of other used areas of the track - something that effectively formed a sponge that then held moisture near the surface. That’s what caused the issues. “Addressing this issue effectively is paramount to ensuring the safety and integrity of our racing surfaces moving forward.” Wilcox assures that following a meeting this morning between the Club, NZTR and RIB representatives, along with Frank Casimaty of StrathAyr and Chris Hay from Elwick Racecourse which has a StrathAyr track, an immediate plan of action is being implemented to address the issues created by the root mass and to also utilise the sand in the track to dust the surface and reduce any surface greasiness. "The Club, along with NZTR, are grateful for the advice received – particularly that from Chris Hay – as we continue to find the best process for preparing the track for raceday. From installation through to the return to racing at Ellerslie, we have worked closely with StrathAyr to ensure the highest standards. Our next steps will help restore confidence of our jockeys, owners, trainers, and punters in our racing surface at Ellerslie," he says. ATR commenced vertidraining the track earlier this week and will continue this process with additional coring of the track to a depth of at least 100mm. This action is aimed at bringing the sand from these cores to the track's surface. Subsequently, machinery will be utilised to break up these cores and spread them over the track's surface, with any remaining grass tufts to be removed. This work will be undertaken over the remainder of the week and into the weekend. NZTR chief operating officer, Darin Balcombe, is pleased about the steps being taken in saying “After our discussions with Chris Hay this morning, we are confident that the additional coring and breaking up of those cores will alleviate the issues with the surface. “We will continue to work closely with ATR to ensure the track continues to improve with racing.” Furthermore, ATR has ordered a corer machine to help ensure the ongoing track surface will continue to improve with further racing and, after the conclusion of the season on May 25, will undertake a heavy renovation on the track to include removing the matting to prevent similar issues in the future. Wilcox is confident things will look much different in the future saying, "As we move forward, our focus remains unwaveringly fixed on ensuring the highest standards of safety and excellence. We are fully committed to implementing comprehensive measures to address the issue swiftly and effectively. “Looking ahead, we are optimistic that with the planned renovations and diligent maintenance efforts, our track at Ellerslie will not only be stabilised but also optimised to deliver impeccable racing conditions and an exceptional racing experience for all participants and enthusiasts alike.” Prior to returning to racing, trials will take place this coming Monday 15 April. These will need to be completed satisfactorily with the rail in the raceday position for racing to resume as scheduled on Easter Handicap Day, next Saturday 20 April. NZTR have instigated the Abandonment Review Protocol and will review all events and track preparation leading up to the partial abandonment of Wednesday’s raceday. ATR extends its sincere apologies for any inconveniences caused and appreciates the public's understanding and support as it prioritises the safety and welfare of the racing community. The Club remains committed to working diligently with relevant parties to address the issue at hand and retains confidence in its decision to install a StrathAyr racing surface at Ellerslie. For further information, please contact: New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Darin Balcombe, Chief Operating Officer darin.balcombe@nztr.co.nz | 021 407 593 Auckland Thoroughbred Racing Craig Baker, Executive General Manager– Racing and Operations craigb@ellerslie.co.nz | 027 441 2920 Corporate Communications New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Contact: Catlyn Calder +64 27 263 0276 nztrcommunications@nztr.co.nz

Do you really think this post helps your cause?

Interesting the types of reactions from various stakeholders. Those that forewarned and are labelled negative - should get the award for I told you so; Those that are supposedly positive - "rejoice in the fact we spent $50m+ and it will come right eventually"; (how many times have we heard that before?) Trainers that know there are problems (they've seen their casualty wards!) but keep quiet because they don't want to add any negativity to an industry struggling for participants; Trainers that know there are problems but are prepared to give it time because they don't really have any option; Frustrated owners who get the vet bills and lose races because of poor track conditions; Multi-horse owners who say "oh I've seen all this before. You just have to take it on the chin as it's part of racing in NZ''; Any other types? Seems to me the only ones with a real passion for the industry and have ideas to rise above mediocrity are those labelled negative!!!! Meanwhile the migration to OZ continues. Won't be long before horse bought at yearling sales in OZ won't be getting a flight to NZ.

They're not being restricted. Just moderated. I thought I'd help you out with punctuation.