Chief Stipe

My research on the matter is probably not. But certainly not for owners. Although an owner may save on transport costs (if they are lucky to have their trainer training on the new AWT's) I'm picking that track fees will need to increase and/or more trainers relocating - the increase in track fees will be passed onto owners. As for relocation there are limitations at all three sites for trainer relocation. I would say so AND the Broadcasting contract to the NEP Group that they are hooked into in an equally long contract. Plus RITA has a $12m annual commitment to the RIU. You have to subtract $20m from the $72m as that is earmarked specifically for the AWT's and comes from the PGF. So that leaves $52m. Apparently $26m went straight out the door. They also have a BIG problem looming April 2021 (next year) where the $45m from the revolving credit facility is due for payment. Where the hell they are going to pull that from who knows! PS: Just another tidbit of information I picked up recently was that the reason the NRL in Australia doesn't have games occasionally in provincial areas is because of the studio centralisation of "The Bunker" and the HD broadcasting infrastructure required. Sound familiar? Should do because the company that provides that service in Australia is.......the NEP Group!

No - if you post something that I disagree with then I will respond. That is the basic tenet of what a Forum is. In terms of the financial situation of RITA I'm quoting the last annual report for the year ending 31 July 2019. The facts in that report are that RITA was trading beyond its means. It was behind on contract payments, was $21m short of cash, needed to use the remaining $10m in revolving credit to continue trading AND when intangible assets were ignored the Equity position was -$21m. That was BEFORE Covid-19. That position is not irrelevant - just follow your own advice and "ask any NZX listed company analyst." Any analyst worth their salt would assess a company's position BEFORE Covid-19 treating the impact of Covid-19 as an extraordinary event i.e. the analyst would look at the fundamentals of the business. If it wasn't solvent or profitable BEFORE Covid-19 then it sure as hell wasn't going to be afterwards unless of course they were in the business of PPE! As for RITA's half-yearly report for the year ending January 2020 it is important because it would have given the industry an insight into what steps had been taken to address the fundamental issues. BUT that aside it is apparent that it took Covid-19 and a call from its creditors BEFORE the RITA Board took any action. I'm guessing that they were winging it believing that the new wagering system and Racefields Legislation would be their saviour. Many astute industry commentators and posters on BOAY, including myself, were pointing out the above FACTS long before Covid-19. Then why did the Board sit on their hands for 10 months? Why didn't they address the issues that they were aware of 18 MONTHS ago (the RITA Board was the Ministerial Working Group)? Instead they continued to make promises about Stakes and essentially trade while insolvent. McKenzie told us all (and you quote him) that RITA wasn't insolvent yet less than a week later the Minister tells us all that RITA's creditors had said enough and wanted to be paid within 3 days! Haven't you been following anything concerning the industry over the last two years? The Ministerial Working Group and the commissioned Mesara Report came up with the Track closures scheme. Mesara even went as far as recommending which ones! RITA was tasked with implementing the Working Group/Messara Report recommendations! Don't shift the buck! You have unconsciously highlighted the biggest problem - NONE of the current RITA Board or Executive have ANY experience in corporate restructuring!!!!!!!! It didn't take Air New Zealand long to lay off 4,000 employees nor IMMEDIATELY restructure their business due to Covid-19. Even when they had a strong balance sheet!!!!

Unlike you JJ who can't see past the propaganda. I guess you are in the camp that says throwing $48m at AWT's and Racefields Legislation will save the industry!

They sat on their hands for TEN MONTHS before doing anything! Arguably 18 MONTHS! Covid-19 affected their revenue stream and probably reduced costs however with regard to costs RITA didn't address the costs for 10 months! Get your rose tinted glasses off JJ.

David Jewell recently "retired" as CEO of the Wyong Race Club in NSW.

Then why do they need such a huge subsidisation from the rest of the racing industry? You are correct of course that in terms of Revenue generated from racing versus stakes paid and racing costs they make a significant loss.

NSW prizemoney announcements Brad Bishop@bradbishop12 1 June, 2020 , ( Racing New South Wales on Monday detailed its plans around prizemoney, including the restoration or pre-COVID-19 levels and feature-race stakes for the 2020 Spring Carnival. Russell Balding, chairman of Racing NSW, detailed the plans, which include maintaining prizemoney levels for the Sydney spring. The Everest, which will be run on October 17, will be run for a record $15 million and the October 31 Golden Eagle will again be worth $7.5 million. Balding also revealed that prizemoney levels would return to pre-COVID-19 levels from July 1 with the breakdown as follows: Metropolitan Saturdays – Restored from $100,000 to $125,000. Metropolitan Midweek – Restored from $45,000 to $50,000, Highway Races – Restored from $67,500 to $75,000 . Provincial Races - Restored from $31,500 to $35,000. Country Showcase Races – Restored from $27,000 to $30,000. Country TAB Races – Restored from $20,000 to $22,000 “Collectively, the industry has done a great job at ensuring that racing has continued during these uncertain times,” Balding said. “Industry participants across all sectors complied with the very strict and successful bio-security measures adopted by Racing NSW, which were critical to enabling racing to continue during COVID-19. “This in turn meant that wagering turnover, which is the main source of funding for prizemoney, was not as adversely impacted as initially feared, such that Racing NSW is in the financial position to be able to restore prizemoney levels much sooner than expected.” Racing NSW also confirmed its spring program would mirror that of 2019 with the Golden Rose to be run on September 26, the Epsom Handicap and The Metropolitan on October 3 and the Spring Champion Stakes on October 10. “The confirmation of racing dates enables industry participants to move forward with certainty,”

Check this radio station out: http://www.radio-australia.org/sky-sports-radio

So where are they going to get their share of the capital that they are now obliged to invest in the new Synthetic Track?

God forbid - NO HELMET! I guess the crop is in the other hand?

That is an observation I have made as well. No one has ever been able to answer this question - do the TAB bookies lay off on the Tote? The wild variation in final tote dividends displayed well after they start is another issue. I would have thought with the $50m they have spent on the new system that the dividends will update in real time.

Wrong again JJ or rather a simplistic view of the issue. The pool size can have an impact on the dividend. The smaller the pool size the more likely you are to get a smaller dividend. Especially with bets like Quinellas. Secondly the final dividend is affected by the takeout rate. The NZ TAB has a higher takeout rate than other parimutuel totes subsequently the final dividends can be less.

Racing: Champion of New Zealand racing David Ellis recognised in Queen's Birthday honours 1 Jun, 2020 5:00am 4 minutes to read Te Akau principal David Ellis. Photo / Trish Dunell NZ Herald By: Michael Guerin David Ellis Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit Winning $72 at the races changed David Ellis' life forever. Ellis has become one of the most important contributors to the Australasian horse racing industry, most particularly in New Zealand, and has been made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in today's honours list for his impact on the industry. He and wife Karyn run thoroughbred racing's syndication and training behemoth Te Akau, which has more than 800 active owners and is set to win the trainers' premiership in New Zealand and Singapore this season. Te Akau are always the perennial leading buyers at the annual yearling sales at Karaka, putting millions back into the breeding industry. But that all started with $12 back in 1971. "I had never been to the races but went to Ellerslie one day with $12 and went to town after with $84 from my winnings," says Ellis. "I remember thinking, 'how great is this? This has got to be the greatest game in the world'." Ellis was 18 then, with no family background in racing, a rarity for those who rise to the top in the sport. "I am the only person in my family growing up who had any interest in horse racing or farming. Now we have Te Akau with 100 full-time staff, well over 100 horses and a farm with 2200 steers and 3000 lambs on it." While his love of horse racing was born that afternoon at Ellerslie, Te Akau was born from a different racing experience a few years later. "I had one of the first horses I owned win a race at Matamata and the trainer had to go saddle a horse up for the next race, so I went to the winners' bar to have a drink after and I thought, 'hell, this is a bit boring by myself'. It made me realise the real fun in racing would be winning with your mates and enjoying it together. So I started to buy horses and race them with friends."

We're not all on unlimited data plans. Plus the video needs a lot of speed to function correctly because of the high definition they stream it in. Bloody thing stops and starts!

That information was freely available online and I believe was first reported on Stuff or the Herald before posting here. The only thing I would say regarding his parenting is that it wouldn't be nice for his children to see what their father was posting on Social Media.

Tim do you approve of this type of post directed at SLB: He’s lost his job ... a victim of the virus, a virus that clearly kills germs Of course he never actually had a job as such, he just lied about being an ex jockey and sold tips to losers, until he sent them broke which of course meant his client base was forever diminishing .. and now it’s diminished completely .... like his bank balance.. it’s zero Still, he’s a human being, well sort of, so if anyone has an opportunity that involves absolutely no skill other than lying about your past, and being able to stand upright, he’s your man ( well sort of a man ) Note he can do his own shoe laces up, as long as they’re slip ons, and he can feed himself although his strength is, and always has been, sucking off someone else’s tit If you have an opportunity please contact him on 0800fuckimaloser Thanks

Na. I can drive the car, mow the lawns, fish on the boat, even watch the kids playing sport while listening to the radio.

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Singapore has 3,000 tonnes of spare polytrack sand which is used for maintenance.

Plus they'll have to water it and/or compact it when NOT in use during strong warm winds. E.g. a Canterbury Nor-wester.

A Polytrack is by no means maintenance free - 6.5 Maintenance The methods used to maintain a synthetic surface are very similar to those used for a conventional dirt surface, with a few primary differences. Not only is less water needed to manage moisture levels, but also the manpower needed to keep the surface conditioned is not as high. It is known that the wind and rain carry material particles away from the surface but new synthetic material is added to the racetrack as needed to maintain an adequate top cushion. It is clear that this type of racing surface allows for a reduction in overall methods of maintenance. The typical maintenance of a synthetic surface involves the harrowing of the surface to approximately 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 inches deep, depending on how the horses are performing and what their needs are. 6.5.1 Equipment In addition to the equipment common to the maintenance of a conventional racetrack surface, there are three primary pieces necessary for the proper conditioning of a synthetic surface. See Figure 6-7 for an image of the following pieces of equipment: Tractor. This is a standard piece of equipment that a racetrack facility needs for the pulling of equipment. Floatation tires are commonly used to reduce potential surface compaction. Gallop Master. This piece of equipment is used to provide a finish condition before or after the use of the surface. The depth of the rake can be adjusted according to preference. Track Harrow. This piece of equipment is necessary for a surface to be properly loosened and maintain an adequate depth of cushion. The steel teeth provide a deep conditioning of the surface as it is dragged over the surface by a tractor. Rotavator: This piece of equipment is used to refresh the synthetic mixture in the top cushion and maintain an adequate depth of cushion. Water Truck or Wagon. This piece of equipment is used to provide moisture to a surface. This method is preferred over other common methods used by the industry because the amount of water is able to be controlled. The holding capacity of the water tank ranges but is typically around 2,000 – 3,000 gallons. 6.5.2 Schedule The maintenance of a racing surface must coincide with the training and racing of horses. It must be performed before the day begins, in-between fields of horses, and after the surface is finished being used. It is important to note that variations in maintenance schedules do occur depending on the event. If a racing competition is taking place, the surface must be reconditioned between starts in order to provide the field a quality surface. The following is a general schedule that could be applied throughout the course of a day at a training facility that operates most intensely during the morning hours. 5:00 a.m. The surface is power harrowed before it is used by any horses. 6:00 – 11:00 a.m. The surface is open for training with no maintenance performed. 11:00 – 11:30 a.m. Labor is spent removing organic waste from the surface. 11:30 – 12:30 a.m. The surface is power harrowed to a depth of approximately four inches, followed by a gallop master to condition and finish the surface to a depth of approximately 2 1/2 inches deep.

Fairview Polytrack Matching Expectations PE's Polytrack is nearly a year old and performing to expectation, says Phumelela Updated 15th May 2014 Fairview Polytrack Fairview Racecourse’s Polytrack is well along the path to its first anniversary and to date the synthetic surface has matched all expectations. Installation of the surface was completed last September and the track was then opened for training purposes. The first two races on Polytrack took place on the opening day of the Algoa Cup Festival on Friday 25 October with the first full race meeting only scheduled for a few weeks later. But heavy rain on the Saturday forced a change of plans and the entire meeting on Sunday 27 October, including the Algoa Cup, had to be switched from turf to Polytrack to save the fixture. The meeting went off smoothly and compliments flowed freely from riders afterwards. Jockey Greg Cheyne said: “It was absolutely fantastic. The horses held their ground nicely and no one was slipping around the turn. It may look tight, but it is as good as any Polytrack anywhere in the world.” Since then the Polytrack has saved another four turf race meetings from being lost due to rain and Phumelela Horseracing Executive Patrick Davis said to date the surface had delivered what was envisaged when it was installed. “Polytrack’s ability to significantly reduce the number of meetings lost due to inclement weather and the resultant loss of income to horsemen, while simultaneously providing a sound racing surface, was one of the primary reasons for installing it in the first instance. Also, it does not require copious amounts of water, a key factor in an area where water shortages are commonplace,” Davis said. Patrick Davis – Phumelela Racing Executive “Predictably, there have been teething problems and trainers, jockeys and the track management team have all gone through a steep learning curve. Fortunately, champion trainer Mike de Kock agreed to share his insights into synthetic surfaces with horsemen in Port Elizabeth before we opened the track and that was invaluable. “As was said at the outset, Polytrack is not a wonder surface and De Kock warned that certain horses should be kept well away from training or racing on the track. And like any racing surface, Polytrack is impacted by the weather with the surface tighter and faster when it’s cool, and looser and slower in warm weather. In very hot temperatures, we found that the track became too loose and generated excessive kickback, but that seems to have been resolved by watering when necessary,” Davis continued. he added that as always the safety of horses and riders on the surface is an ongoing major concern and to that end complaints about the track were investigated and statistics of fatal breakdowns both in work and races are maintained and monitored. “As Martin Collins, the inventor of Polytrack, has pointed out, trainers and horses have differing requirements from the surface, so it’s impossible to keep everybody happy. But in maintaining and preparing the surface, track staff strive for safety and to satisfy the majority of trainers.” To 12 May there have been 1,929 runners on the Polytrack and on average about 2,500 horses train on it every month. There have been three fatal breakdowns – one in training and two in races (0.104%). There have been six fatalities on turf at Fairview in the same period – two in races and four in work. Claims that kickback from the Polytrack was causing coughing were investigated by course veterinarian Charles Hayward. He scoped 13 horses, selecting those with one or more symptoms of fatigue, respiratory distress and facial kickback or making abnormal respiratory sounds or coughing. He found that all 13 horses had dirt in their nasal passages, seven were completely clean in the trachea, six were bleeders, two had dirt in the pharynx and only one had singular grains of sand in the trachea. He concluded that nasal contamination did pose a small problem, but haemorrhaging rather than particle contamination, was the cause of coughing and not the Polytrack. Some of the Fairview synthetic track’s detractors have referred to Keeneland Racecourse in the USA deciding to lift its Polytrack and revert to dirt racing from Autumn this year as proof of the surface’s shortcomings. The reality is that Keeneland’s decision has little to do with the capabilities of Polytrack and much more to do with the end of the USA’s brief flirtation with synthetic surfaces. A few years back it seemed that many dirt tracks in the USA were set to be replaced by synthetic surfaces. But in a land where dirt racing is king, a wholesale switch to synthetic surfaces became unviable once it emerged that many more turf horses were effective on synthetic tracks than dirt horses. That, in turn, has left USA racecourses with synthetic surfaces little option but to revert to dirt if they wish to attract the leading lights of American horseracing because the majority of owners and trainers favour dirt racing. For the record, over the past five years the Keeneland Polytrack had 11 fatalities in 11,367 starts – less than one death (0.97) for every 1,000 starters. The figure for all synthetic surfaces in the USA during the same period was 1.22, significantly lower than the 2.08 fatalities per 1,000 starters on dirt and the 1.63 on turf. “There’s no doubt Polytrack is a proven alternative surface to turf, but as with all racing surfaces the key to the continued success of the Fairview Polytrack will lie in the maintenance of the surface and trainers using the track responsibly,” Davis concluded. (source: Phumelela Gaming and Leisure Ltd)

Perhaps this is the model?

Finally.....

I suppose they have done a site survey for Awapuni. As Curious points out Awapuni is build in a hole in a swamp. When a new Polytrack was installed at Fairview in South Africa on similar it was found after construction was begun that considerable ground stability work would need to be done at a cost of an extra couple of million. Not that that is a good example as the company that owns it Phumelela filed this month for essentially what is SA's Chapter 11. In that regard reading the CEO's report pages 19-21 is sobering and familiar. South African racing is probably stuffed. PHUMELELA_ir_19.pdf