Chief Stipe

Actually it is a soil compaction tester. Not sure it has any value particularly if track has been prepared correctly on raceday morning. I assume they do that. Any correlation to temperature is probably related to the older style waxes used 15 years ago where they "melted" as temperatures rose during the day. My understanding is that this "problem" has been addressed with better waxes and fibre/sand ratios. Of course water was used on the older style tracks to adjust firmness and limit wax breakdown but I recall reading that these new AWT's are supposed to not need that.

That's nonsense piece of research. Effect of temperature on race times on a synthetic surface M. L. PETERSON, R. F. REISER II, P.-H. KUO, D. W. RADFORD, C. W. Mc ilwraith

This policy:

Which Clubs pushed back on that policy?

YES they have been landed with the problem. RACE doesn't have any money to fix the problem that the Manawatu Racing Club created! Arguably nor does NZTR unless they take millions out of stakes! The Awapuni track was stuffed a long time before NZTR got involved. No they haven't. That's blatantly false. The problems at Awapuni have been ongoing for more than 20 years. The RIU issue with Kevin Morton started over the corner issues in January 2015!!!! He was referencing the corner issues at Awapuni that had been ongoing for ages. The fix at the time was underfunded because no one wanted to address the elephant in the room - the Club included.' Hastings is going the exact same way and NZTR have only stepped in there after last years debacle in September. It isn't a "cunning plan" even if the likes of Colin Wightman aka @Transparency and company want to label it a conspiracy. The fundament problem is that very few if ANY clubs have the revenue or the proft or the spare capital to maintain their tracks to a level that is acceptable under today's laws and regulations. Not to mention Jockey skill levels. If what you label a "cunning plan" is unacceptable then what is YOUR plan to address the fundamental issues? Don't say re-open Levin or Foxton as arguably they wouldn't be able to take too many race meetings before they have the same issues as everyone else has! By all means use them while getting the main tracks up to speed but you can't rely on them. Foxton barely makes ends meet as it is without adding the pressure of race meetings. Matamata are expanding their revenue opportunities by providing more stabling BUT I'd bee keen to know how they will maintain the track with the increased activity and no resting. I suspect Te Aroha is part of the plan.

No they are not. Overheads are expenses that are not directly linked to the cost of producing a service or product. Overhead costs vary by industry. Common examples include the following: Insurance Rent Utilities Office supplies Taxes Depreciation on fixed assets Advertising expenses Permits and licenses Accounting and legal fees. What I think you are referring to are the costs of Club management. Sure some of the bigger Clubs such as ATR and CJC have executives but then they also have event centres that smaller clubs don't have. But ALL clubs have similar direct costs of track and facility maintenance. A small club that might have one or two meetings a year might get by with less work but the track still needs to be verti-drained, mown, fertilised etc. I can't imagine many tracks DON'T employ someone to do this. For example in the last financial year Foxton Racing Club spent over $100k on a Track Manager, Casual Labour and other wages. Foxton Racing Club EOY 2024_Final.pdf

But these problems have been a long time in the making. In the first instance those that ran the Clubs created the problem. Now it seems everyone is expecting NZTR to fix the problem. Yes they have responsibilities in terms of the racing calendar, handicapping, licensing, animal safety and welfare and revenue distribution but the track problem has been developing for decades. A lack of investment on infrastructure for decades by Clubs has created the problems we see manifested today. The only defence is the Clubs weren't profitable enough to put capital aside to do maintenance when required. If NZTR added anything to the problem is was not directing Clubs to invest in track infrastructure and their focus on increasing stakes. BTW did NZTR have much involvement with Ellerslie? Did NZTR tell Trentham to spend up large on irrelevant stuff and neglect their core infrastructure? Many of you may remember what some call the "golden days" of a "once great industry". We all took the Stakes when we could and thought that we could hammer our racetracks forever. The farming industry thought the same and adapted their farming practices to provide sustainable pasture. Racing didn't.

Nothing to do with the grass type. Fundamentally the problem is the amount and depth of pure sand. But yes they have made the same mistake as Ellerslie. (I see the same people that think Ellerslie is OK are going all out on criticising Awapuni). What more do you want to know? It isn't an intellectual exercise. Don't most trainers say they know SFA about tracks and just expect them to be safe. Or do you want to join those irrational types looking for scapegoats and baying for blood?

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!!

Nothing to do with you personally as far as I know. I assure you I didn't delete your posts.

Valachi Downs property in relation to the Matamata Course. I think this property was called Valachi Racing. Valachi Downs was bought by Elsdon Park about three years. I might be wrong but I'm sure someone will correct me! I also thought the Matamata Club bought this property 3 years ago.