barryb

Yes as you say its spans the whole society we live in. However it appears on the face of it to be rampant in the rural community, I know Dairy Farmers have massive issues with farm workers on the stuff. The relative cheapness and easy accessibility of it makes it very easy for those on lower incomes to afford.

More to the point, who funds those facilities? Certainly isn't the Rugby union.

A bucket of money was on it as well, plenty would have been pissed off.

I actually love them as betting propositions, the few jocks you know can ride well are a key to finding great bets.

Bang on Porky, its the sole reason why I have dropped from 5 horses to now 2, its absolutely impossible to find more than 1 or 2 to take shares in a horse. Its also a self full filling situation from many in the industry moaning about there plight discourages people from investing. I for one would love to own a few more but just cannot now be bothered with the hassle of chasing prospective owners. I bought a lovely filly at the yearling sales this year and I am holding 70% of her myself, I have found 2 people to take 15% each & that's without really trying I might add. 1 or 2 more taking shares would be great but its a tough road finding them today.

Seriously mate he gets me into shit loads of trouble, I am in bed due to him bringing in one tonight and dumping it under someone’s bed and it’s run off. Somehow it’s all my fault as is normal for anyone in a Sheila dominated house.

I sat through it as well Newmarket due to similar reasons. However I was mildly entertained and distracted chasing 2 mice around the house that the cat had bought in for our evening snack & I thought the girls in my lounge were screaming at the wedding.

Yes looked hard at it myself and looks logical, however I am going to back She’s Payback in that race. Due a winning turn and no better chance.

Bang on.

Whilst at the in-laws this weekend for Mother’s Day I came across 2 Racing books that were 30yrs old. The 16th NZ Racing Annual from 1987, featuring Bonecrusher. It was an entertaining read covering the whole year and really did highlight the plight of NZ Racing as some of the races mentioned today race for the same or even less prize money. Wellington Cup $250k, Cox Plate $750k. The other book is Stallions and Studs of NZ in 1987, 250 Stallions across a huge number of Studs. There are some fantastic names listed in it which really does show how successful NZ Racing was back then. How things have gone so badly wrong in the short time of 30yrs. ps: The books have left the in-laws library.

I have found a niche and are happy to play away on NZ mud racing, Aussie stuff I just cant find any real avenue. arp R01 4 Lala Land arp R02 1 Admiral Winner $6.00 arp R04 9 Divine Duke arp R05 12 Peso arp R06 1 Temple Tiger pkk R03 9 Magicella Winner $10.00 pkk R04 1 Grinner pkk R06 9 Kitaya pkk R07 8 Mangaroa Flo Jo

Now this is where the average punter falls down and just doesn't do enough homework. There are various types of Heavy 11's as you well know, Raining, loose, holding. I am not trying to be a smart arse, just highlighting when you say Wet Track form as it covers a raft of possibilities. Do the homework in winter and you will be hugely rewarded.

Not even had a bet with it yet. Although I am taking The Kraken in the last today.

Yes I got $100 about a week ago, first time ever I have won anything.

I agree Curious & based on his statement then a through investigation should take place here.

Come on be fair guys, first heavy tracks of the year and it’s mid May. Plenty of unseasonal track horses who will have had last runs today this prep.

So in Aus having the flash tracks and facilities has halted the decline? The reports suggest otherwise. There are no simple solutions, its multi dimenional the issues & sure as hell includes stakes along with other things mentioned.

How are thing in Australia? Racing is on a steep decline there also, just has further to fall. https://www.smh.com.au/sport/racing/hits-just-keep-on-coming-for-a-racing-industry-in-decline-20150717-gif2hw.html http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/superracing/vic-racing/blinkers-off-spring-carnival-crowds-on-the-decline-in-worrying-trend/news-story/e762cb9e7f10a1cee565a8e60209a0d1 http://www.thoroughbredvillage.com.au/?p=2262 https://horsebetting.com.au/is-the-racing-industry-self-sustainable-in-australia/44464/ https://www.ibisworld.com.au/industry-trends/market-research-reports/arts-recreation-services/horse-dog-racing.html If you cant be bothered reading any of the others, read the last one to get some perspective.

They are not mutually exclusive, most on course today are owners, many of the biggest punters are owners. i have owned 20 in the last 10 yrs and during that time have done the vast majority of my betting (which is well in excess of $1m a year) on NZ racing but with Australian operators. Why? Because the NZ Tab was not and is still not customer focused despite what John Allen says. The heart of why racing is in decline is not tracks/infrastructure/stakes , it’s societal change & the tab have failed to re invent itself to progress with the changing fabric. Ask yourself why bgp is so popular, they have made the same average struggling product exciting under a different approach, which is something the TAB & NZ Racing have failed at. Re invent the ownership model, make it fair,exciting,entertaining and many ills will disappear. I recall 2 yrs ago being at an after race presentation at New Plymouth and having only a boiled egg to eat, really? WTF. i was at Te Rapa punting comp last Sat and there would have been 150 in the room spending mega $, now despite there being 3-4 board members and Ken Rutherford there not a 1 of them was doing the rounds at tables smooching etc. What business do they think they are in? Race Tracks, Racing Horses, or people? It’s basic 101 marketing completely ignored. They will claim they love racing, horses, & love Te Rapa and they do, but as Molloy says they are pale stale males who represent racing in the past.

Curious I am certainly not advocating it all goes to stakes, what you are suggesting though is that fixing tracks and infrastructure now and stakes later, how much later? 3, 5, 10 yrs what? The biggest player in this industry getting screwed is the poor owner, they are departing in droves, they cannot be ignored. A whole raft of things need money quite urgently we agree there, but asking the guy getting shafted the most to suck it up for a few more years is only going to hasten the decline.

When you say wasted on stakes Curious that to me is the talk of someone who doesn’t own horses. I had only a couple of years ago major ownership in 5 horses, I am now down to 2 & will be down to zero soon enough unless stakes take a major move upwards. You can spend all the money you want on improving tracks as there won’t be any f—king thing to race on them. Surfaces and infrastructure need serious work yes but there is no way that can take place and leave stakes where they are currently. You buy a horse off Gavel on Monday night and try and find 5-7 people to take a share in it, people are not stupid and know it’s most likely money down a hole at current stake levels even if it wins a race in the first 12 months. Stakes just cannot be ignored.

Porty, rebates started as a % of turnover on exotics as the pools here were to small to survive without big money going into it.

Following the running of Race 9 several riders approached Stewards with concerns regarding the field heading to the outside fence in search of better footing when there is insufficient room for all horses to do so safely and asked for consideration to be given that an outside rail be placed between the 500 metres and 350 metres at future meetings.

& Prawn Star, it coped the worst of it and finished only 2 lengths from the winner.