Doomed

The big thing is that 40 years ago in the CD, just as an example, they had tracks at Opaki, Levin, Fielding, Waipuk, Foxton, even Bulls, Marton, Ashhurst etc a few years before that, Now most of that racing has been concentrated on Awapuni and Trentham, and those two tracks just aren't up to it. Even Hastings has inherited meetings from all over. I see it is intended to use Awapuni only sparingly next summer, so god knows what will happen then. And bizarrely those smaller tracks have been partially replaced with a tight little AWT. A similar thing has happened in Canty.

You seem fascinated by me TAB. I'm not gay. Not even ambidextrous. Mikey does have a good point. I was surprised trackside kept showing video of the totally empty stands. I would have thought they would have instructions to try and show there was someone there somewhere.

I'm fascinated by Wingatui turnovers. They get given feature meeting after feature meeting. There hardly seemed to be anyone there today despite massive stakes. It wouldn't surprise me if Reefton's oncourse turnover topped today at Wingatui.

Also, there is only one gallops day during a five day period. Punters were promised four days off after the excitement of Karaka.

Taupo?

Yes, great pity about Master Fay, looked quite impressive. When they do the two racedays next year will it be two six race cards? Be interesting to compare the costs and returns of two days with Cup Day at Riccarton when they hold 12 races on the one day.

I did find it interesting that they keep saying they didn't change a thing just laid a new surface. I'm certainly not an expert on Ellerslie, I've only been there about a dozen times, but surely there must have been something they could have fixed while they were spending all that money with the track closed. I'm a big fan of Corbould Park, it seems to be a brilliantly laid out track and winners came from everywhere there yesterday

There is a difference between being up on the pace and actually leading. I think most of the winners raced handy, that was my impression anyhow.

I think that's a bit of over reaction. The $30 was based on the average amount each participant invested in the syndicate. $60 in, $30 back. Better than many on course punters clubs. Back in the days when I used to be a regular racegoer and often spent my days in the members area I would see the members going up to the tote for their dollar each way bet whereas the sponsors guests, on their annual day out at the races, would turn up with their $200 betting money for the day and bet accordingly, because they thought that was what you did. These days that would be like turning up with $2,000 for betting. On the big days at Trentham the only tote window you could get to without a queue was the minimum $10 window. Once a year punters spend a lot more on the day than regulars, so I wouldn't let it worry you too much.

Bit bizarre posting a near $600,000 bet on the winner of the last and then saying "no, we didn't actually do that, changed our mind" Can you change a fixed odds bet like that?

We can sometimes be a bit critical, there were actually heaps of positives out of that abandonment: 1. At least it wasn't Wgtn Cup day 2. It happened just before the 5 horse race so saved the industry $50,000. 3. At least there were no public there so saved them being pissed off. 4. We still have a $1m sweepstake to look forward to.

This thread wasn't actually about jockeys, it was discussing dates and programming. The jockeys all have to learn somewhere and without proper tiered racing it makes it pretty tricky for them.

A bit of competition for that claim surely?

And there is no proof that closing tracks actually saves money. There has never been a single fact presented to show how much better off the industry is having abandoned Motukarara and Waikouaiti. Sure, stakes have increased by almost $200,000 for each of those two meetings, but has that been funded by increased turnover and the massive savings from racing at Riccarton and Wingatui? How hard would it be to present a cost saving breakdown for those two meetings? Surely it would help to convince a lot of people that the rationalisation is well justified and a no brainer.

I had been going to make mention of similar things myself. This weekend a long weekend for many people and no gallops Friday, Sunday or Monday. Bit of a contrast to Aussie who had Caulfield, Eagle Farm etc yesterday. They seem to have largely given up on Fridays and Sundays. I can almost understand Sundays, although don't agree with it, as they apparently have given up on oncourse attendance. Apparently oncourse is only important on the 6 race card day, which is bizarre in itself. Abandoning Fridays does seem very strange as that should be a good off course turnover day. It will be interesting to see the turnovers for the midweek "twilight" meeting which are getting extra funding of about $50,000 - $60,000 per meeting. Presumably they are supposed to attract oncourse attendance. I would have thought a Friday twilight would have been the ideal timeslot for such meetings. January has 2 Sundays and 2 Fridays with no gallops; February has 1 Sunday and 2 Fridays; March 1 Sunday and 3 Fridays. Seems really bizarre to me. There are people who think the industry is going great guns because stakes have increased, but none of the stakes increases are related to increased turnover or income. So I am still a bit dubious about the upturn myself. I have seen today's twilight go described as NZ's greatest race-day! A six race card with no group 1 race, and two rich, listed, age group races without the country's top 2 and 3yos. Talk about smoke and mirrors.

Pam! I'm shocked. How could you forget Orari? I think Methven was once a galloping track as well. I seem to recall mention Grey Way won there.

The Marlborough Cup at Riccarton tomorrow must be just about the best justification ever for leaving noms open. 6 noms originally, which was very disappointing for a $70,000 race, then suddenly a very decent looking field of 11 after leaving noms open. And the extras mostly very promising types retuning from Trentham. By contrast, 6 noms for an open class race at Trentham with no extras forthcoming after leaving noms open, and now down to only 5 starters. You do wonder how long they can continue with 5 horse $50,000 races in the CD. There is obviously a dates and programming problem in that region. Also a dates and programming problem in the SI of course with the 2yo race scrapped, but that is a story for another day.

Wash your mouth out.

I see others have already commented on this, and I do tend to agree with them. Every year there are a few 3yos that have a bit of a lash at the Derby despite suspect breeding and stamina credentials. If you look at last year's Derby field I suspect Waitak may not have gone down the Derby route if a rich 1,500m race was available. Probably 4 or 5 others in that field might be similar.

The four clubs have to pay the going rate for their slot. Of course any other club could bid for one as well. We may well see a Reefton RC slot.

I'm sure someone will tell us on here eventually what has been announced if I find myself just too overcome with excitement to sit down in front of my TV.

I'm an optimist before every race.

Track didn't look all that flash on TV.

Excuse my total ignorance. I haven't listened to racing on the radio for many, many years and I understand it was discontinued some years ago when times were tough for the TAB. I may well be driving later today when some of the decent racing is on. Is there any way of listening to races from NZ and Australia while you are driving along?

You do wonder whether there would be many better candidates about these days. It probably isn't a sought after job and there is the potential to get public ridicule if you get something wrong.