Huey

Surely there can be a redistribution of stakes that at the very least allows racing to put something together to at least get one all weather facility off the ground? As an example what are we doing racing for $25k & $35k on a Friday at Riccarton or on a Sunday at Te Rapa for that matter and I do mean the flat events not the prestigious jumps events. This goes on all year and if those races were for $20k the fields wouldn't be any different or $15k in most cases. Saturday and Public holidays are showcase days for the time being and the rest are run at industry levels to get some sort of funding for infrastructure off the ground?

On blood he'd be more inclined to work with Aus/NZ mares than in the states. You've got to love his pedigree and good looker too.

I also love winter racing, it offers great divvies even if you take an easybet, listen to whatever the chat is on the radio in the morning and then take something else . Back the bloodlines , back the claimers, punt the trainers it's great fun!

I can't believe anyone would depend on the daily rag for punting info anymore, you can't hardly depend on it for news or weather least of all racing.

You are most definitely correct , the ownership model is absolutely screwed and totally unsustainable. Tomorrow we have 3 races on a Saturday for $10k in stakes whats that about? Isn't that supposed to be what the Industry day events are for and our rural tracks are used for? Not our showcase race day on Saturday. I do see however the need for infrastructure change at some level , however my concern is that the infrastructure $ goes in the same direction it's always gone the main venues that have imo let racing down badly and probably will get the opportunity to do so again. I sound like a broken record saying this , but there is constant out cries from those that purport to be in the know that we have too many tracks, I believe we don't utilise the existing number of tracks we have enough. The optimising the calendar project is a great example this has been used as a means of reducing costs from the NZRB standpoint that I think in the future will end up costing the industry from a revenue viewpoint because its not focused on the product in a long term manner and will thus have a detrimental impact on the delivery and production of the product in the future i.e. it ignores the base of the product and where it comes from.

When you say infrastructure , what do you specifically mean? A new all weather track , upgrading existing venues ?

Outstanding stallion , particularly of fillies.

I liked the stock of Complacent at the recent sales, I think he has thrown athletic types with a bit of leg under them, they look a durable breed to me. Contributor really appears to have stamped his stock they are very much in the mold of him, however looking at some of their reserves they seemed like they were only there for the experience. Although not a 1st Season Sire some of the stock of Sacred Falls were really impressive types, I really liked Lot 221 a Hallowed Crown filly and I'll watch her progress with interest.