Chief Stipe

But you have suggested that they are undetectable. They're not. Unless of course the testing lab is incompetent.

Are you really naive about the racing game? Do you know the attrition rate of horses out of the Gai Waterhouse stable for example? The harness horse is more durable but the top stables work their horses hard. If they don't they are not competitive.

Not true anymore @Gammalite. Anything and everything is detectable nowadays. For example I worked on a project that discovered in a very short space of time a unique identifier in Manuka Honey that had never been identified before. It took some more lab work to determine it's chemical structure but it was done. That chemical was subsequently called Leptosperin which is a derivative of the Latin name for the Manuka plant. I managed the project that helped isolate this chemical. Basically an unknown marker was found using Spectrophotometry and then further lab work was done to isolate the actual chemical. https://www.fera.co.uk/leptosperin-manuka-honey.html#:~:text=Leptosperin is a naturally occurring,Japanese researcher Kato in 2014.

I was being facetious however the explanation I gave is more plausible than yours. Not that either is particularly plausible. The top trainers do work their horses within an inch of too much. At the top level a 1 or 2% difference in performance can mean the difference between winning and being an also ran. Been like that forever. More evident in the Thoroughbred industry where the attrition rate is very high. Correct. There is no scientific/testing reason why PED's can't be picked up. But in NZ the Racing testing lab is only marginally more advanced than the one in the USA. That said if there was a hint or suspicion that a stable was using an unknown PED then there are ample labs in NZ or overseas that could identify a substance that was not "normal". Of course then the question is if that substance was a PED. Correct. Where are the positives? The charges and sentences were focused on fraud. But you didn't suggest that did you? You inferred that there was illegal activity happening. You never do. YOU just infer it. But there is never any evidence! Of course we then come back to your conspiracy bullshit that they must be using something that is undetectable.

Bullshit.

Who put the administrators where they are?

Trained too hard?

Wouldn't an additional $25m equate to an increase of $600m in turnover? Who are they going to take that from?

Horse racing: Queen Elizabeth II's abiding sporting passion Despite not having the budget of some of the giants of the sport such as Irish breeding powerhouse Coolmore Stud or the Maktoum family of Dubai, the British monarch celebrated more than 1,800 winners. In October 2021, she was recognised for her decades-long contribution to the sport by being inducted into the British Champions Series Hall of Fame, the first person to gain membership as a "special contributor". The queen's first victory on the turf was with Monaveen over jumps at Fontwell Park in 1949 and she was twice champion flat owner, in 1954 and 1957. She bred and owned the winner of every British Classic apart from the world-renowned Epsom Derby, triumphing in the 1,000 Guineas, 2,000 Guineas, the Oaks and the Saint Leger. #photo1 In a 1974 BBC documentary, the queen, who also rode horses for pleasure throughout her life as well as in ceremonial events, summed up her "simple" racing philosophy. "I enjoy breeding a horse that is faster than other people's," she said. "To me, that is a gamble from a long way back. I enjoy going racing but I suppose, basically, I love horses, and the thoroughbred epitomises a really good horse to me.” The late British monarch, whose mother was also an avid racing fan, came close to winning the Derby in 1953, the year of her coronation, when her horse, Aureole, was beaten by Pinza into second place. The notoriously highly strung Aureole compensated the following year by winning the race named after the queen's parents, the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. True to form, the racehorse sweated up and dumped his jockey on the turf prior to the start but went on to win. "Tremendously exciting. Wasn't it a wonderful performance?" the queen was overheard saying on leaving the winners' enclosure. #photo2 Her unbridled joy was such that she had a crate of champagne sent to the thirsty reporters in the press room. Another of her horses, Carlton House, was beaten by less than a length into third in the 2011 Derby. But while victory in the race remained tantalisingly out of reach, she triumphed at the Epsom Oaks -- a race for three-year-old fillies -- in 1957 with Carrozza and again 20 years later with Dunfermline in the year of her Silver Jubilee. Royal Ascot was a staple event in the queen's busy social calendar, though she was unable to attend this year. Racegoers and TV viewers witnessed her delight at the event in 2013 when her colours -- purple and scarlet jacket with gold braid and a black cap -- were carried to victory by her horse, Estimate, in the Gold Cup. "It was so lovely -- she said the grandchildren were behind her in the royal box and they were all shouting and screaming and she said, 'I couldn't hear what was happening'," Kerry Jones, assistant to Estimate's trainer Michael Stoute, told the Toronto Sun newspaper. #photo3 "That's when we realised how much she's passionate about her own horses," she said. "It was fascinating." Camilla, the wife of her eldest son, now King Charles, told ITV Racing in June 2021 that the sport was the queen's "passion in life". "She could tell you every horse she's bred and owned from the very beginning -- she doesn't forget anything. I can hardly remember what I bred a year ago but she's encyclopaedic about her knowledge." The queen's racing manager, John Warren, said winning trophies was not her main concern. "She is not in for the thrill of owning or winning," he told the Evening Standard. #photo4 "Competitive is a word I just never associate with the queen. She has never said to me, 'I want to win the Derby.' "Her majesty once told me: 'My gamble is the breeding'." © 2022 AFP

Rest in Peace Queen Elizabeth the Second.

Assuming you are talking about Flemington? Victoria Racing has invested in the fundamentals of their core business ans are reaping the rewards. Can you honestly compare the Flemington track and facilities for horses with ANY track in New Zealand? The Flemington track is on a constant cycle of yearly maintenance longer cycles of renovation. The horses come first.

Doesn't matter how many turn up at the racecourse. Stuff all revenue and margin from oncourse hospitality. If the track is stuffed, the fields poor and a umcompetively priced punting product then the revenue that counts will continue to decline.

We are well past that stage now. Back to basics and get horses running on good tracks and increase revenue. No point building flash limited purpose edifices to be used a few times a year when the core business is going West (in more ways than one).

The point I was making was about other racecourses being put under pressure to rebuild facilities or close. They aren't needed to put on the show. As for Riccarton the Board and CEO have been asleep for the last 40 years. Aided and abetted by compliant stakeholders. The countdown to the Guineas going North has begun.

GRAND-stands are not required for a course to survive. It is a BS requirement from NZTR. The key are tracks. Remember NZTR and Harness used to have Marque's they shipped around? Regardless a good track, good facilities for the stakeholders who put on the show (the horses, the owners, trainers, stable staff and jockies) and the revenue comes (flows) from a good betting product.

I hear the comic dog has put Tasman Man on moderation.

Would you want to be tried twice? The second time by an industry judicial system that has lower standards and evidence thresholds? Not to mention the ongoing cost to the defendants and the industry.

Why call out Te Akau? They provide more information than any trainer. Who is the NZ exemplar? Dummy Myers? He says nothing before or after a race. Tony Pike? Less than Te Akau. Same as Steven Marsh The Pitmans? They're only slightly better than Myers. This is all you get from Chris Waller - https://cwallerracing.com/upcoming-runners/ Unless of course you are an owner paying the bills.

I'm surprised more people haven't commented on this financial result. The TAB doesn't have any reserves left nor do the codes. I would have thought given the fact they were essentially insolvent before the Government bailout that they're not in a position to borrow to fund budget shortfalls. Certainly neither NZTR nor the RIB have the capacity to borrow. Unless NZTR puts up the promise of a racecourse confiscation as collateral.

I'm sure @JJ Flash views this result with positividdy.

Note the $7.2m down on budget for gaming for the year. The sole source of funding for the RIB. The RIB (RIU) shortfall of about the same amount or more has to come from the codes distribution. We await NZTR's financials!!!

I hope this isn't a trend. July Profit down 37% on what was a weak budget.

TAB NZ Trading Performance Update - July 2022 www.tabnz.org TAB New Zealand (TAB NZ) provides the twelfth and final monthly trading update for the 2021/2022 financial year, with the results and highlights for July 2022. The TAB continued to operate through its online and retail channels throughout July. While the current Omicron outbreak continued to be a presence and factor through June, New Zealand remained at the Orange setting in the Covid-19 Protection Framework with retail and hospitality operating through the month. Turnover was down against budget in July, as was gross betting revenue (GBR), although the gross betting margin was up on expectations. A combination of factors contributed to the result. These included softening economic conditions continuing to have an impact on discretionary spend for New Zealanders in line with the rising cost of living, ongoing mask restrictions in retail venues continue to deter a section of customers from visiting, race meetings being abandoned due to weather and a drop in starter numbers in two of the three racing codes in July; continuing on from a trend that began in April. Operating expenses were up on budget in July due to restructuring costs, and investments in customer retention and acquisition. The TAB NZ Board has been able to maintain betting profit distributions at budgeted levels throughout the entire financial year. With funding from Betting Information Use Charges and the Betting Levy tracking above budget, this has meant that total distributions have been above budgeted expectations. The Board will continue to factor in potential developments in New Zealand’s response to Covid-19, the ongoing impact of masks in retail venues, the current domestic and global financial climate, and the potential impact of any further ongoing trend of a drop in starter numbers as it assesses future distributions. Wagering Performance Summary In July, the key performance results for TAB NZ were slightly down on the overall positive trends of the 2021/22 financial year. Turnover of $203.5m was 5.7% ($12.3m) below budget. Gross betting revenue (GBR) of $32.6m was down on budget by 4.8% ($1.6m). The gross betting margin (GBM) of 16.0% was 0.2 percentage points above budget. Racing Average NZ thoroughbred starters per race in July was 10.2, slightly below the FY22 average of 10.6, while the peak turnover for a domestic meeting was $2.6m on 30 July for the Taumarunui Raceday at Te Rapa. The average starters per harness race in July was 10.3, slightly above the FY22 average of 10.2, while the peak meeting turnover of $1.1m was on 22 July at Addington. For greyhound racing, the average starters per race in July was 7.5, slightly below the YTD average of 7.6, while the peak turnover for a domestic meeting was $493k on 14 July at Addington. Sport The top 3 sporting events by turnover for July were the three All Blacks tests against Ireland with a combined turnover of $5.0m. Basketball was the leading in-play sporting code accounting for 20% of in-play turnover while Rugby League was the top pre-match singles sporting code accounting for 34% of pre-match turnover. July Operational Performance Reported Profit for the month was $8.7m, which was $5.2m below Budget. Operating Expenses were $11.9m for the month, which was $1.7m above Budget. Full Year (1 Aug 2021 to 31 July 2022) Reported Profit was $154.8m, which was $8.5m below Budget and $23.5m below last year. Full Year (1 Aug 2021 to 31 July 2022) Operating Expenses were $119.0m, which was $1.7m below Budget and $5.4m above last year. July Distributions Racing Codes were paid $14.6m in distributions and other payments for July, versus $14.3m budgeted. This consisted of TAB NZ Betting Profit (listed as Fixed Distribution in the table below), offshore bookmaker commission fees, which are based on actual turnover (termed Betting Information Use Charges (BIUC) in the table below), and Betting Duty/Levy repeal. Top 10 Racing events by turnover Date Venue Race No. Race description Turnover 23-Jul New Plymouth R5 Powerworx Opunake Cup $562K 30-Jul Te Rapa R8 Taumarunui RSA Gold Cup $398K 2-Jul Ruakaka R8 Northbeam Strong Stuff $396K 30-Jul Te Rapa R11 Woods Contracting 1400 $367K 30-Jul Te Rapa R9 NZ Farmers Livestock 1200 $346K 23-Jul New Plymouth R8 Seaton Park 1600 $344K 16-Jul Ruakaka R8 ITM/GIB Progressive Winter Champs Series Final $335K 23-Jul New Plymouth R3 UBP Ltd 1800 $335K 30-Jul Te Rapa R10 Bob & Colleen Donaldson Memorial 1400 $334K 30-Jul Te Rapa R6 Courtesy Ford Ryder Stakes $322K Top 10 Sporting events by turnover Date Code Event Turnover 16-Jul Rugby Union New Zealand v Ireland $1.9M 9-Jul Rugby Union New Zealand v Ireland $1.6M 2-Jul Rugby Union New Zealand v Ireland $1.5M 13-Jul Rugby League Queensland v New South Wales $950K 3-Jul Rugby League New Zealand Warriors v Wests Tigers $596K 29-Jul Rugby League New Zealand Warriors v Melbourne Storm $584K 12-Jul Rugby Union Maori All Blacks v Ireland $536K 28-Jul Rugby League Manly Sea Eagles v Sydney Roosters $487K 23-Jul Rugby League Canberra Raiders v New Zealand Warriors $469K 7-Jul Rugby League Cronulla Sharks v Melbourne Storm $444K Q

It's official in Hong Kong because it is a closed system and everything is measured. I'd be fascinated to hear how you use horse weight in your punting selections.

Cool. So it's ready to race on.