Doomed

Gets them further away from the SI and closer to the breeders. Probably consolidating for one last stand. Probably more of Custer's last stand rather than Dunkirk, as from Dunkirk they actually got to escape and come again. There won't be any escaping with this lot, except for individuals who get the golden handshake. I suppose they are desperately hoping that Winston gets in again and funds another 5 AWTs.

Beautifully written Galah. And very accurate.

We could certainly teach NSW a thing or two. Just wait until they start poaching some of our top administrators.

It happens regularly in Canterbury and often at Ashburton. I have no idea why. It just seems strange that 2 days earlier the trots will hold 11 races at the same venue.

Certainly not criticising the on course staff, who actually do some work, but it is amazing that absolutely no one knows why they can only handle 9 races regardless of how many horses have to be eliminated, but in the NI and at the trots there is no problem running several extra races.

This has always intrigued me. Some enlightened soul may be able to explain how it works. I note that they have added an extra rating 65 at Ashburton next week, which is hardly surprising as they had 28 noms for a 65 mile and 25 for a 65 1,400m at Wingatui this weekend. So lots of horses missed a start, but no worries about that, it's only the SI. The bit that interests me though is that there will be no splitting of races at Ashburton as the TAB can only service 9 races. Why is this? Is it part of a union agreement or what? If they have to finish by a certain time so workers can get back to chch for a piss up why not just start 25 minutes earlier or reduce the gap by 5 minutes between some of the races. I note the trots race at Ashburton 2 days earlier and they are running 11 races, potentially. I also note there is no problem splitting races to run 11 at Te Rapa next Wednesday, despite 6 and 7 horse fields today at Tauranga for big stakes. This has happened several times in Canterbury recently with never an explanation as to why. If the TAB can manage 11 trots at Ashburton why can they only manage 9 gallops?

It will all be neatly filed away somewhere.

Surely there were no committee members there?

I happened to watch the trots from Cromwell and Motukarara last weekend, big fields and massive crowds at both events. I have always said Racing's ability to take the events to the people is one of its greatest strengths, but they are hell bent on centralisation. Much more excitement about a multi million dollar AWT at Riccarton than massive on course crowds at the "despised" tracks.

It was a Saturday so none of them would have been working.

With that sized crowd at Trentham you do have to wonder why the meeting wasn't transferred to Woodville. They would have almost certainly been able to do just as much turnover with much less cost to the industry and shorter travelling distances for almost all concerned. And it is the old Woodville date anyhow. Perhaps there could be a prize draw for every member of the public who attends every Trentham meeting this month. There would only be about 10 of them. You could gather them all together in the birdcage on Cup Day and one lucky (hardy) soul could win a car or something, or life membership of the Wgtn RC, their choice.

$35,000! That is beyond embarrassing. And yet there is never any mention about concern for on course performances at some of our bigger tracks. Is it of no concern to NZTR? 30 odd years ago the club would have been getting a letter from NZTR asking them to please explain. At $100 per head that is about 350 people on course. Half of them would have come from Marton one presumes, so only about 175 people from all of Wgtn. 83 horses raced at the meeting, if each of them had one owner present that means not much over 200 of the general public in attendance, and that assumes no trainers betting. The worst thing about that is the total lack of atmosphere on course. If someone had travelled a couple of hours to get there, at some expense, they arrive and find no one else there. They must think what a fool am I , I won't be going to that trouble again.

I think most of us on here these days, if we are being honest, would have to agree we have no idea how to fix the current debacle. But then again none of us were responsible for creating the mess in the first place. All of those who created the mess have long since pissed off without a care in the world and quite probably a golden handshake. At the same time, while we may not have the perfect solution we can all see that the current lot have absolutely no idea.

I agree with your general sentiment, but I don't think the bais towards the Metropolitan clubs was quite that bad. Yes, they did get quite a lot of facilities built for them, largely because they were usually the bigger clubs in bigger population centres, but some smaller clubs also got stands built etc, such as new grandstands at Ashburton and Banks Peninsula. There was never a real desire to have everyone race at Omoto, as of course that isn't an ideal location being built in a riverbed. The proposal during the 80s, if I recall correctly, was to build a brand new, centrally located racetrack on the coast to service all three clubs. Unfortunately the clubs couldn't agree on the concept or a location so the money was reluctantly spent on Omoto instead. Given Kumara's current success perhaps it has it has worked out ok, but they still do need the other two clubs to form a viable circuit.

That's unbelievable really. No wonder they are trying to stop other clubs making Wgtn look bad. What were the respective on and off course turnovers at both clubs? It is a great pity they aren't available for all to see these days. I think the feeling is that clubs like Kumara might do well as an on course novelty, but to top Trentham off course as well is staggering. And Trentham had the advantage of being able to access the Wgtn market while also attracting thousands of people from Marton.

I think you have answered your own question. Reefton would fall at the first hurdle. Talentless is the number one criteria.

I think of the Race as a nice thing to have for an industry that is booming, but something quite bizarre for an industry struggling badly.

Looked like a good meeting at Cromwell today with good fields and a good sized crowd. Good to see Phil Williamson take out three of the trot races.

Surely it would be an absolute scandal if Kumara starts and has to be abandoned after one race with Greymouth only 15 minuutes down the road. There must be contingency plans to move the meeting swiftly if necessary, otherwise it is hard to imagine Myers being prepared to turn up next year.

I can certainly see that point. It did look more like the horse being urged to make a sudden sideways movement rather than anything to do with the track.

As I understand it the Reefton Cup is likely to be transferred to Karaka Millions day at Pukekohe. Yet to be confirmed.

Perhaps we should be sending them some of our administrators rather than our trainers to help them get through the tough times?

Surely not a NZ TAB do? Perhaps they were all spending their annual bonuses.

Ideally yes.

If off course turnover is such an important criteria surely you would hold as many meetings as possible at Timaru since it is the most suitable central track in the SI? Several of the winners on Boxing Day came from Timaru and Riccarton. There is no real point holding a meeting in a major City if it isn't to attract a large on course attendance. The Riccarton track isn't up to it and the locals in Dunedin aren't interested, so surely Timaru is the most strategically important track in the SI?