Chief Stipe

So how WAS New Zealand built? We don't want a Teutonic plate explanation.

But you don't know when the decision was made to do the track remediation. I suggest it was a lot earlier than July. If that is the case then the only thing you can take credit for is the announcement NOT the decision. As it was it was @Mardy that raised the point first.

If that were even remotely true it would be better than giving it back to some Iwi to do nothing with.

Brodster they are trying every means possible to restrict your betting.

Brilliant - third hand gossip.

Te Akau's Aussie base taking shape www.racing.com Powerhouse New Zealand operation Te Akau Racing hopes to have its Australian arm up and running within weeks, ahead of the Spring Carnival. Principal David Ellis and head trainer Mark Walker have both visited the new facility at Cranbourne in recent months and the pair is delighted with how the Australian stable is evolving. "We've made really good progress," Ellis said. "Mark Walker has spent two of the last three weeks in Melbourne and we're pretty confident we'll be up and running mid-to-late August. "We think that the stables at Cranbourne will be ready on the first of September and we'll probably have some horses at Flemington mid-August, it's all pretty exciting. "I think it's the best training set-up I've ever seen, it's just incredible. The facilities and the quality of management there is something I haven't seen before, just top-class." Te Aukau's satellite stable in Australia will initially house 20 horses, with the hope to increase that number to 40 within 12 months. Ellis says the stable's arrival in Australia has been popular with prospective clients. "We've got terrific interest from people to have horses with us in Australia, it's certainly a significant move for Te Akau," Ellis said.

I suppose they are lucky to have the horse numbers waiting for a race to run in. Perhaps Entain could do their magic in Victoria as well as here.

Trainers call for shorter Saturday www.racing.com A shorter race-day experience is key to the success of Racing Victoria's trial of a 10th Saturday race in Melbourne, several leading trainers have claimed. From next month, an extra race will be added to all Saturday metropolitan fixtures, with RV attempting to make up some of the shortfall in revenue due to a downturn in wagering over the second half of the current season. Veteran horseman Pat Carey believes the addition of a 10th race is 'workable', as long as authorities attempt to reduce the overall race-day footprint on a Saturday. He urged Sky Channel, which currently sets the national race clock, to work collaboratively with Victoria and New South Wales on suitable Saturday race times. "We've had 10 races on and off at different stages in the country and in the city at carnival times," Carey said. "I think 10 races is workable, but you need to have the timeframe right. "Obviously the race times are dictated to by Sky Channel and we need good cohesion between New South Wales and Victoria to ensure we can get a better result. "That half-hour (between races) model runs very well, so I don't know why it can't work well here with New South Wales doing the same." Mick Kent also wants to reduce the times between races on a Saturday and even believes 25-minute gaps should be considered. He has concerns about how the additional race will affect track management, particularly during the colder, wetter months. "I think through summer (it will work), but the tracks won't cope in the winter," Kent said. "Sure enough, they'll bet more later in the afternoon but what is going to happen if the first race is run even earlier? "The only way I can see it working is if we can compress race times and have 25 minutes between each race. "Can you imagine, being there for 10 races that are 40 minutes apart, how boring it's going to be and do we want to put a boring product on? "We're trying to grow the fan base." Fellow Cranbourne-based trainer Greg Eurell isn't a fan of the trial. "I'd be happy for it to stay the way it is," Eurell said. "I know they (RV) are trying to improve things for a benefit of the industry, but I think at the end of the day it takes its toll."

SA to increase riding fees www.racing.com Racing SA and the South Australian Jockeys' Association have announced a new three-year agreement that will see riding fees increase from next season. The standard riding fee recently increased from $215 to $230 and will go up again to $240 at the beginning of the 2024/25 season, with a further increase in July 2025 to $250 (all excluding GST). SAJA President Eran Boyd released the following statement welcoming the agreement. "The South Australian Jockeys' Association takes pride in the excellent working relationship we share with Racing SA," Boyd said. "We were extremely pleased to hear that not only was our proposed riding fee increase agreed upon by the board, but they went one step better by adding a higher increase over the next three years, much more than what was originally put forward. "The agreed riding fee increase is a clear sign of respect for our jockeys here in SA and we are grateful that Racing SA has shown such high regard for the work ethic, professionalism and danger our riders face every day." Riding fees at barrier trials have also been raised, to $85 for next season, $87.50 in 2024/25 and $90 from July 2025. Racing SA CEO Vaughn Lynch said the deal highlights the industry's appreciation of South Australia's 'tremendous riding group'. "The increase was a deserved acknowledgement to the dedication our jockeys have and to the contribution they make to the success of the sport in this state," Lynch said. "It's another positive announcement after the increases to prizemoney and Racing Rewards SA, showcasing our commitment to delivering outcomes for our participants."

A Jolly good prizemomey boost www.racing.com Adelaide’s leading trainer Richard Jolly has welcomed the impending prizemoney increase in South Australian racing and believes it will stimulate investment by owners and punters on the local product. On Monday, Racing SA announced an additional $7.4 million is being directed to prizemoney in the next 12 months, with boosts to Stakes races, Saturday metropolitan races, provincial races and country races all on the cards. The move comes off the back of a fruitful year for Racing SA and a recent announcement by the SA Government that it will double the amount of funding the industry receives from the POC tax. Jolly, who trains in partnership with his daughter Chantelle at Morphettville, said the increases will help strengthen the quality of racing in the state. “It’s probably more than we expected,” Jolly said. “It probably makes racing in our state more sustainable for the long run. “A lot the trainers here have made big investments in the industry – we’ve got our stables, our horses and lots of staff so the rise in prizemoney really is welcome. “Going to the yearling sales next year, it probably gives us a bit more confidence to spend the money and maybe buy horses a little bit dearer than we otherwise would.” The Jollys won last season’s Adelaide Trainers Premiership and hold a commanding lead in this season’s title race with several weeks remaining From Saturday, metropolitan races in South Australia will be run for a minimum of $50,000, while prizemoney for almost every Stakes race in the state will also climb.

Isn't that what your Marxism is all about? Now I know why Chippy was talking to Xi.

I'd argue they haven't been average. In general the campaigns have been slick and focussed. The issue in terms of racing has always been and still is the quality of our product, the price of that product and available access to purchase it. Buying a $1m+ slot in an OZ Sweepstake race doesn't alter any of those things. Basically it is an expensive "look at me" exercise. Of course the irony escapes many - essentially they are sponsoring an overseas race which from a NZ wagering perspective is an imported race with all its associated charges. If we had geo blocking you wouldn't be able to go find the best odds but take what Entain decide to give you. The other irony is it seems NZ Racing marketing is even more dependent on the OZ market. The Everest will be followed in quick order by the Melbourne Cup. Here's hoping any interest generated flows into Cup week. With the latter hopefully there are no abandonments assuming the Guineas haven't been moved North.

Which Entain? Entain NZ Ltd? So neither Trackside nor TABNZ are involved in the slot purchase?

Well I'm sure with some positividdy you and the team of 5 million will end child poviddy.

I meant as a "marketing initiative". I can't see how it benefits directly TABNZ punting revenue. They're already offering discounts on the I Wish I Wins price.

Isn't the biggest beneficiary of this "marketing initiative" Waikato Stud? Wasn't Chittick one of the biggest critics recently of the TABNZ?

Well that's how you lot work. Image rather than facts.

So you blame Governments from nearly 50 years ago? Yet largely left wing Governments since have done nothing? Well handing out large sums of cash to every aggrieved minority hasn't worked out too well has it? If there is any proof needed that socialism doesn't work then it is the Arden/Robertson Government. But then you'll blame everything else for their efforts. I suggest you just stick to reading Marx in your Government funded sinecure and not bother the rest of us with your ludicrous theories.

How do you know she was "partaking in illegal substances"?

But no knowledge of racing or control of providing the product for betting. In that regard we still have the same old same old but with more money to waste. Where that money comes from no one knows but it certainly isn't betting on New Zealand racing.

It wasn't Kah that posted on social media so I'm not sure how they can find her culpable for "participating in activity that brings racing onto disrepute".

Damn sight better looking than Cropp and arguably a better Jockey.

The Labour Muppets deserve every bit of blame that you can lay on then. The most arrogant bunch of racially divisive numpties in the history of New Zealand.

Now I know you are being sarcastic. Perhaps the TABNZ could spend a $1m and fix the updating issue they have with their app and pub system odds.

Get on.