Doomed

I know I am pretty much the odd one out, but I have always thought one of NZ Racing's greatest assets was the variety and number of tracks scattered around the country. Others have always considered the number of tracks to be one of our greatest problems and consider we would be better off if most of them were closed and all racing was moved to a few favoured tracks. I think it is good to be able to take races to the people, others think it is better to centralise away from the traditional racegoer. I am waiting with interest to see all the figures relating to the closing of Motukarara and Wakouaiti and the moving of their meetings to Riccarton and Wingatui. Stakes for their two meetings increased by about $320,000 so I assume the cost savings were enormous to fund that. There must be a detailed list of costs, savings, turnovers and attendances from those two tracks due pretty soon.

At least you have a ballot to sit on Bid. What about the poor South Islanders: no maiden race in the entire SI for 13 days at this time of year. In the NI they programme extra maidens at the drop of a hat and are happy to split them.

The place is a bloody mess from top to bottom. Look at the disgraceful fields at Tauranga yesterday for big money and they all come out of the woodwork to race for $12,000 at Mamata midweek.

But the Aussies have already moved the Rosehill card to Newcastle on Monday. They do anything to run the meetings. Didn't seem to be much effort to move Tauherenikau anywhere. Could have gone to Woodville, do they still use that track?

I see Tauherenikau is off. Perhaps they could have moved it to the AWT at Awapuni.

The name of the main Canty stipe for many years totally escapes me, but there was never much controversy regarding their decisions 20 or so years ago. Of course back in those days a horse could lose a race on the day and get it back on appeal, so could get messy.

We have got by without Wgtn for about 30 years and now Dunedin for a year of so, so Auckland is probably the next logical step. Let it consolidate in the SI.

Because clubs have found that stakes levels have virtually no impact on field sizes and punting within certain ranges. Increasing stakes by $2,000 a race would cost Westport $40,000+ over the two days with no impact on field sizes and turnover. A classic example is today's Pukekohe gallops. On a soft track and with reasonable weather they have increased stakes by $3,000 a race, a 25% increase, $24,000 over the 8 races. They have field sizes of 10,8,5,5,7,7,4,8. Almost as bad as the Auckland trots. Must be an Auckland thing. There is no incentiove for clubs to contribute any of their own money these days. They have all had the stuffing and any sense of enthusiasm kicked out of them. The only Southern club that makes much of an effort is Riverton who run for $15,000 on New Years day. The Invercargill gallops put an extra $20,000 into their Guineas race, but I doubt it attracted one extra horse.

Interesting case. I have some sympathy for Williams as the other chap went crazy outside him. Surely it sets a dangerous precedent if the leader must hand over if the parked horse shows intent. Just imagine telling Aussie drivers that they must hand over if the parked horse wants the lead. The parked horse eventually beat the other one home as well. Interesting too, that suspensions are determined on the number of drives rather than days.

The 3yo fillies race and the F&Ms race at Geraldine were both listed races that moved to Riccarton, so just like the Timaru Stakes. Although I think Timaru couldn't afford to hold their race anymore. It was originally the Timaru Herald Stakes and over 1,200m. Won by the northern filly Trotanoy once I think.

The Homeby was a ChCh Hunt Club race. The Koral replaced the Lincoln

Great article. I presume Shelby won't be going to Scone tomorrow.

That surely has to be the racing story of the year. Just shows what can happen if you keep sending them around.

Lionel of course trained Flying View

Grey Way was trained at Washdyke, won his 50th race I think at Orari. One of the better horses rained at Orari would have been Flying View, the Telegraph winner.

No way

It was always a cold spot whenever they raced at Opaki. Finished mid to late 80s from memory

Possibly about 400m, its a long time since I've been there. It was never really a back runners track though. It was never as long as the old Ashburton course, and certainly not as long as Opaki.

Ashburton used to be a very big track. I recall being there one day when they still held trots on the grass track. The fog came in when Hands Down won the last race and you only saw him for about the last 100 metres. It was basically felt that the track was too big and punters couldn't see what was happening over the back (no on course TVs in those days) so it was shortened, and if I recall correctly it became basically the same circumference as Ellerslie. I can't be certain, but possibly it may have been shortened when the all weather trotting track went in. I think both things happened around the same time. Early 80s perhaps.

No way.

Yes, a bit bizarre the old Bayer going to Trentham and Levin getting a Wgtn hand me down in return. Although we don't really need any more group 1s at Otaki, not a good look. The Geraldine fillies race was a big thing in its day, won by Powley I think amongst others. The Couplands took over from the Chruchill because that race was already a listed or group race and therefore able to be upgraded quickly.

Yes, that's what I meant about Riccarton inheriting their races. They also got the F/M race from Geraldine. But as Pam said, at least they named a race after Canterbury Belle. The Churchill was boosted and took on the sponsors name, and rightly so, after the 2,000 Guineas was moved to the first day and they needed a second day feature. And it has been quite successful.

I backed Heart of the Desert when it won paying over $100. Pretty sure it was at Waimate. Didn't rememeber it was a hurdle.

And the Haldon Stakes often used to be split as well. Doesn't even exist anymore I don't think. I don't object to change. Innovation is to be encouraged. But really, hardly any of the changes seem to have worked all that well. All they do is drop races like the SI Champion Stakes and replace it with nothing. Every "new" race at Riccarton over the last 30 years they have inherited from other clubs like Geraldine, Timaru and North Canterbury. Compare Riccarton to Sydney and Melbourne over the past 30 years. Where is our Everest, Kosciuszko, All Star Mile and numerous other races. Look at the way the Aussies name races after Winx, Makybe Diva, Kingston Town etc. The SI can't even be bothered naming a race after Grey Way, Show Gate or Phar Lap. It may be a minor thing, and I know I have mentioned it before, but it shows the industry is being run by people with no interest in Racing and its traditions, and no innovative ideas.

Apart from the fact they have no jumpers in the South. Seems a bit unfair to make all the owners travel all that way, bit like the Guineas races I suppose. Although to be fair, the Guineas races do seem to work well at Riccarton.