Chief Stipe

So you are quibbling.

This is the fight NZTR have been looking for to test the legislation.

How is Entain targeting the under 35's?

What you are quibbling over one year and 900 attendees?

Once again you miss the point. Oaks Day is the lowest attended day of the 4 day VRC carnival but is still higher than the Everest. V'landys still has more work to do to sabotage the Carnival.

Geez V'landys could talk up your mother-in-law! That's less than the attendance that the VRC have on Oaks Day! Most of whom will be under 35 women!

I'd love to see the report. I imagine Avondale won't roll over without a scrap.

Repole: `It's Time Now That the Owners Take Back This Game' Monday, October 9, 2023 at 8:28 am | Back to: Top News Updated: October 9, 2023 at 1:11 pm Mike Repole | Sarah Andrew photo By Sue Finley In an interview with Nick Luck on Sunday's Spinster broadcast on NBC, Mike Repole called for the creation of a national owners' association that would “take back this game,” from the entities that now control it. Repole indicated that he had started discussions with other interested owners and trainers, and expressed his discontent with the current state of the sport and how it is run, stressing that every other major sport is controlled at the ownership level. “The frustration level…” he said. “I mean, this year, even though our success has been amazing, there isn't anything in this sport that is good right now. We need to make this sport better, so I want to start an association with the biggest owners and the biggest trainers. I think it's our responsibility. People say, `whose fault is it? Why is racing this bad?' I blame myself. I blame the owners. In other sports, like the NFL or the NBA, the owners are very involved. They run the sport. and here, we let everyone else run it for us, so I think owners and trainers taking care of the horses, the jockeys, the fans, the bettors, the tracks, working with the tracks, working with the other groups–it's time now that the owners take back this game.” Luck pointed out that Repole had spent millions on yearlings at the Keeneland September sale just a few weeks prior. “You just said there's nothing good about this sport, but a couple of weeks ago, just down the hill, you spent $14 million,” Luck said. “Because I'm a big idiot, just like every owner in this game,” said Repole. “We take this. We take this from Churchill. We take this from other tracks. We take this from other associations. It can't happen any more.” Last week, in a TDN survey about the Kentucky purse, Is The Derby Purse Fair? Repole expressed a strong opinion that the $3 million Derby purse, largely funded by nomination, entry and starting fees, was not fair. “It's beyond embarrassing,” he said. “But not only do we put up a third of the purse with fees, but the way the owners get treated is an embarrassment. And the more I reflect, the more I'm starting to really realize that the blame of this lies with the owners and the trainers. As long as we keep letting tracks make the rules…and be ruled by the ineffective associations that represent owners, trainers, and jockeys in the sport without really having done them justice, the more we have to look ourselves in the mirror.” He expressed a similar sentiment to Luck on the telecast. “If we want to move forward, the only way is that the owners take over the control,” he said.” I spoke to a lot of owners. I spoke to a lot of trainers. We're going to work with the tracks, we're going to work with the other associations, we're going to work with HISA. We're going to work with horse rescue. We're going to work with vets. We're going to work with track surfaces. We're the ones that are putting money in this game. I spent $14 million dollars in this game (at Keeneland September) because I want (daughter) Gioia to be in it for a long, long time, and I care about this sport.” Watch the interview here. Monday afternoon, Repole added some details in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. The post, in its entirety, reads: “It's time!!!!! Racing needs change NOW. We need a NEW association led by the owners and trainers of this game that we all love and are passionate about. We need to turn selfish into SELFLESS and each do our part for the future of this great sport that is in poor health. The goal of this association will be to make all facets of racing better. We need to make it better and safer for horses, fans, gamblers, jockeys, trainers, owners, breeders, backstretch, tracks, etc, etc. This association will not just be focused on the top 10%, the goal is to make positive change for EVERYONE involved in the game. This seismic change doesn't happen overnight but it has to start now if it is ever going to happen. The plan is to unite and work together with the tracks, HISA, other racing associations, and the sales companies. We all want a better sport and it's about time we unite and leave the competition inside the racetrack not outside. Non cooperative tracks remember the owners and trainers control the entry box. I'm asking all owners and all trainers to help lead this mission!!!!! I'm asking you all to stop talking and let's unite for progress. Walk the talk!!!!! Here's a sneak peak into some of the focus items we will address: Working with HISA to improve horse safety with an advisory committee of the most experienced Thoroughbred Vets with the #1 goal to protect these amazing & loving equine athletes. Working with tracks on having three surfaces if possible, turf, dirt and synthetic. If not possible push for a synthetic training track. Stand up and back 99% of the trainers who devote their lives and work extremely hard. There are cheaters, crooks, in every industry and facet of life, they make up a small percentage. Significantly increase the purses for older horses. Having it make sense for owners and trainers to bring back these older horses. Long term this will lead to breeding older and more durable horses that will strengthen the breed. Have every consignment owner, bloodstock agent, jockey agent, veterinarian, etc. licensed with not only rules and regulations but fines, suspensions and penalties for everyone involved. Fix two year old sales. Horses will be tested when entered, weeks prior to the breeze and tested post breeze. We will also ban the stupidity of a 1 furlong 9.3 breeze. I would suggest they work go 3f or just gallop only before the auction. Promote ownership through reputable racing syndicates to get more owners in the game and at the same time educate them on horse ownership. Work with both Gen Z & Millennials with national programs focusing on the future of racing that includes future trainers, fans, grooms, gamblers, owners, media, etc. We need the next generation involved if racing has a future. Educate, upgrade and innovate the gambling of this sport. Be creative, let's think out of the box. Openly share your thoughts, comments and ideas with the industry and me. Do not hide or be afraid to speak up and share your true opinion to make the game better. If you get fired I will hire you for the new association!!!!! (Unless your name is Joe Drape) Are you willing to unite for progress??? #uniteforprogress LFG!!!!!” The post is signed, “Mike from Queens, Racing Fan”

I agree with you. I initially bought into the hype but I think that was because I knew someone who owned a share in Nature Strip. Now it doesn't interest me much at all although it doesn't help having gone sour on the Randwick and Rosehill tracks. I too haven't heard any non-racing people talking about. Is it a big deal? How do you measure that?

So Avondale had 50mm (2 inches) of rain in the 48hrs prior to racing. 7 out of 9 races were run on a Heavy 10. What actually was wrong? Doesn't add up and you don't need to be a know-it-all to know that.

Interesting - it was safe enough to run 7 races and only races 8 and 9 were abandoned. GENERAL The 1400 metre starts were reduced to approximately 1330 metres due to overnight rain making the 1400 metre start water-logged and it was established during the track inspection prior to race 1 that it was unsafe to jump away from the barriers. Stewards convened a meeting with senior riders who after inspecting the track, were satisfied the 1200 and 1330 metre races could be run safely. Stewards agreed to review the track on a race-by-race basis. Following the running of Race 4, a number of riders expressed concern regarding the safety of the track, in particular the footing near the 1400 metres. A track safety review panel consisting of Stipendiary Stewards, Club Officials, Jockeys and an NZTR Representative was convened and following a further inspection, Races 8 and 9 which were scheduled to be run over 2100 metres were abandoned due to the unsafe nature of the track from the crossing leaving the home straight to the 1400 metres.

Avondale JC | Wednesday 6 September RACE DAY Race Day Weather: Overcast Track: Heavy 10 Moisture Meter: 50.2% Rail: Out 4m Rainfall: 6.5mm Rain Last 24 Hours | 49.5mm Rain Last 7 days Irrigation: Nil Weather and Track updated at 6.49am Wednesday 6 September Tuesday Afternoon Weather: Cloudy/Fine Track: Heavy 10 Moisture Meter: 48% Rail: Out 4m Rainfall: 26.5mm Rain Last 24 Hours | 44.5mm Rain Last 7 days Irrigation: Nil Weather and Track updated at 4.00pm Tuesday 5 September Tuesday Morning Weather: Fine Track: Heavy 10 Moisture Meter: 46% Rail: Out 4m Rainfall: 26mm Rain Last 24 Hours | 44mm Rain Last 7 days Irrigation: Nil Weather and Track updated at 9.15am Tuesday 5 September Monday Afternoon Weather: Showery Track: Heavy 10 Moisture Meter: 44.8% Rail: Out 4m Rainfall: 15mm Rain Last 24 Hours | 22mm Rain Last 7 days Irrigation: Nil Weather and Track updated at 3.55pm Monday 4 September

MEETING NEWS Avondale/Northern Race Additions NZTR are continuing to work through the “return to racing” protocols at Avondale. As a consequence the meeting scheduled for that venue on Friday 13 October has been removed from the calendar. NZTR have added the following races to meetings and will divide other races where possible. R65 1400m added to Taupo 11 October - $18.5k Mdn F@M 1215m added to Rotorua 15 October - $25k Mdn 2100m added to Tauranga 18 October - $18.5k Mdn 3YO 1400m added to Tauranga 18 October - $18.5k

Coincidence: MEETING NEWS Completion of Return to Racing Policy at Te Aroha NZTR is pleased to announce the successful completion of the last phase of the 'Return to Racing' Policy for Te Aroha Racecourse. This was achieved after a successful running of trials on the surface yesterday (Thursday 12 October). All feedback received regarding the track surface on that day has been overwhelmingly positive and participants can now look forward to a long-awaited raceday at the venue, scheduled for Wednesday 1 November. Racing Integrity Board senior Steward, Brady Jones, reported the track was in good condition and ready for a return. Comments from senior Trainers present on the day also noted the track was in great condition and the consensus is that they are all looking forward to racing back there in the near future. Senior Jockeys Bridget Grylls, Ryan Elliot, and Vinnie Colgan all agreed that the Te Aroha track was beautiful to ride on, with no negatives about the surface. NZTR appreciates its participants' ongoing support regarding Te Aroha. For questions or more information, please do not hesitate to contact NZTR COO, Darin Balcombe, or Head of Tracks and Infrastructure, Tim Lambert.

How can it be a "partial sweepstake race"? It either is or it isn't. It isn't open to all comers based on merit.

Says who? If it does it is only because of the World Betting Pool. It can't because it isn't open to all comers. It is a sweepstake race basically a glorified calcutta. In my opinion it does nothing for the longevity of horse racing. Sends all the wrong signals.

Well do you agree with it or not? @holy ravioli reckons it does. I think the Caulfield Guineas with 13 colts running today has more upside for a stallion!

LOL - you've got to be kidding!!! Did you forget the sarcasm font? LOL......yep Coolmore are good at marketing!!!!

Doesn't matter what GRNZ do or don't do. Greyhounds are an easy target then the so called animal activists will go for harness then thoroughbreds. The other factor with Greyhounds is that many more people have owned a pet dog than a pet horse.

Yes Yes Yes didn't win a Group 1. I think his best Group win was the Grp 2 Todman.

Geez you have really drunk the Everest Coolaid.

Must be hard to place a horse as a Trainer. But what do you expect when NZTR is run by a sports manager. Same old same old. Those with real skin in the game are either too scared to rock the boat or they've bought into the hype of nirvana is coming.

Take a lucky dip.

https://www.racing.com/from-the-vault Racing.com has cracked open its video vault to allow punters to relive some of the best Melbourne Cups, Caulfield Cups and Cox Plates throughout history. On Wednesday Racing.com made its first release from The Vault, featuring every single Caulfield Cup run since 1980. In the coming weeks it will continue to release video content with Melbourne Cups from the 1960s and Cox Plates from the 1970s all set to feature. The Vault is the biggest release of race footage on Racing.com's digital platform ever, housing some of our greatest ever races in one location and on demand, giving punters unrivalled access to our great races. "The Vault is the ultimate archive for any racing fan. You can relive some of the best moments in racing history on demand and in one spot," Racing.com's editor-in-chief & GM - Content Paul Tatnell said. "From black and white Melbourne Cups to Winx's incredible Cox Plate domination, The Vault gives unprecedented access to decades of incredible racing. “We are about to embark on a massive spring carnival, starting this weekend with the Caulfield Cup Carnival. It’s the perfect time to sit back and watch some champions of the turf win the Caulfield Cup." CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE VAULT CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE CAULFIELD CUP VAULT VAULT RELEASE DATES Cox Plate: Wednesday, October 18 Melbourne Cup: Wednesday, October 25

479,001,600 different combinations.