Pitman

If you are referring to me Who said I don’t want to travel he who hides I enjoy travelling as much as anyone, but I also enjoy racing at Riccarton - home base where hopefully 35 to 40 meetings a year will be held in the future England, Japan, USA, Qatar, Australia (East and West) Bali, Langkawi, Penang, Hong Kong, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur are some destinations I have been to in last 18 months no I don’t like traveling! Even been to Cambridge, Auckland, Hamilton, Queenstown, Wanaka, Invercargill, Gore, Bluff, Timaru, Ashburton, Kurow, Riverton, Waikouaiti, Cromwell, Dunedin, Hanmer, Wellington, etc no I don’t want to travel

They are still awaiting answers, to the very same questions that people keep asking. The meeting was so the engineers could give their presentation and people were better informed. Disappointing that more of the antagonist didn’t attend

We have worked horses on polytrack and I have witnessed plenty of horses that have.

I agree and I wish that happened here We are well down the pecking order locally Our main training base is our own property not Riccarton I certainly am not a mate of Tim Mills nor have I ever trained for him that’s his prerogative

As I have said before I had a good talk with Jon Gosden when at Royal Ascot. He supports polytrack racing and training and he is one of the best When we had Enzo’s Lad at Hong Kong and Newmarket I saw first hand the use of various tracks. Something most who comment on AWT’s here have not been able to do. Chief can you put up Gosden’s record on AWT and Turf again then we can see his support for both

I agree with most of what you say that is why I have attended the various meetings roadshows etc when others are either too busy, not interested or can’t be bothered I believe we as a family are and have shown how truly passionate we are. In regard to costings I understand these are not yet finalised and the green light has not been activated I believe an AWT is a must for winter racing in this area We need some consistency of presentation of our racing Riccarton is the logical place I don’t agree that Timaru should be the big loser, their track is very popular, fair and consistent The problem there is they have never encouraged trainers to set up base in recent years - Ashburton probably has. I would prefer an AWT that will be available for racing training and trials than a Strathayr which would only be a racing surface

Humour me. What is your investment in this industry Do you own or rent a training property Do you own transporters Do you employ staff, how many Do you own any racing stock Do you put syndicates together Do you own any stallions/mares Do you sit on any committees Do you educate young people Do you do anything but criticize those that have skin in this game

It’s not for one year nor is it just for 5 months it’s being built, if confirmed, for racing training and trials I understand part of the contract includes a 15 year warranty I THINK THAT IS CORRECT

Ring Tim and ask him the questions I am sure he will know the answers I certainly don’t

Apart from training At Riccarton, when and if (it has not been confirmed as yet) the AWT is put in the intention from NZTR is to have 12 mid week industry days spread over the months of May to September. No Saturday race days no feature days. Personally I hate winter racing in South Island because of the traveling required, often cold and wet conditions and inconsistent track conditions. I am very much in favour of AWT being put at Riccarton for many reasons including the above

Emails went to 120 industry participants, they were invited to listen watch and express their opinion, many chose not to

Hey RING TIM MILLS and ask him

Come on, stop stirring. every local license holder and others were invited by email to attend, listen and have their say, they chose not to. A staged meeting FFS how else would you do it. I don't think they have the final costings yet that is why the project is not yet confirmed. So bit hard without all analysis and costings Have you ever bothered asking Tim Mills direct or are you intent on stirring which you have constantly done for weeks F you even thought you could train a winner after lock down before me, have you had a runner? Also Freda's partner Martin Dunne attended,(my apologies Martin) ask Freda about the meeting I'm sure she knows everything

why would you survey all trainers. There are plenty in Canterbury who have licenses that hardly ever race a horse let alone have any successs. yet they have plenty to say about various subjects they have never experienced. The AWT being one of them. Geez they can't even go to a meeting arranged to discuss said track, if they had gone they would be much wiser and informed. I believe Tim Mills sent out close to 120 emails inviting people to attend, shows how few are interested in the future of local racing Amanda Pascoe, Anna furlong, Kevin Hughes, Danny Frye, Brian Court, Ross Beckett, Lance Robinson, Matthew Pitman and I, along with a couple of owner/trainers were license holders that attended. Kavish Chowdhoory being the only jockey

What a load of crap!!

You are right maintenance is $50 to $60 k that’s an average wage for one person that’s all don't think your other figures and time frame are correct

THATS A POSSIBILITY BUT THE $10.5MILLION BEING ADVANCED IS ONLY FOR AWT AT RICCARTON, Govt directive

I won’t be reporting anything If people are interested they will attend

Yes Riccarton this arvo 1.00pm It will be interesting who turns up, those that have other appointments, etc, yes right! Make sure you advise CJC, I'd hate to see you turned away, limit 100 and all Chief you'll be there along with all of the rest of the negative mob, no excuse cheap airfares! THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO HEAR ALL ABOUT THE AWT Don't stay away, you can have your say!

I understand the full amount is $10.5 million the $500,000 is for research, consents, etc.

Only if it doesn’t go ahead,

I have never said how many race meetings on AWT track I understand it may be 12

Who’s talking 40 meetings on the AWT you’re delusional

I think the timing is right - they now get the updated version and knowledge