Huey

That's a perfect way of putting it and I've heard a number reason along those lines recently. I feel the only way to put the fun back in it is for their to be a revolution, but in NZracing that will never happen.

Agree, there isn't really a standout colt yet for the Derby , could emerge in the Avondale Guineas. Seems like this years race could be won be anything.

Yes , I'm trying to find one, its a real challenge.

Feels like its getting to the bottom of the barrel.

Abandonment after Abandonment Rising fuel costs Feed prices on the increase Owners/trainers/breeders beginning to leave the sport in droves or going across the Tasman Stuffed tracks Incompetence in Racing Administration Staff shortages Jockey shortages Abysmal Programming non existent and irrelevant handicapping an ill thought out calendar Crazy Covid mandates in the sport A venue plan that is achieving exactly the opposite of what it was supposed to Declining foal crop A new licensing process that looks set to do more harm than good Another TAB CEO from the corporate world with no wagering experience Greater involvement of sports in the TAB These are just a few, but apart from Dave E. saying this is the best crop of yearlings he has ever seen are there any other positives in the industry anyone can think of?

Good post, my pick is we will be doing a lot more of this in the future than actually watching local racing.

One is plenty, shifted out of the CD district.

As NM says is there any point racing outside of the Northern region ? Meeting News Taranaki Features Re-Scheduled The three black-type races that were unable to be run at Taranaki yesterday have been re-scheduled as follows: Taranaki Cup (Group 3 $85,000) – This will replace the Open Hcp at Awapuni on Friday 11 February. Conditions will remain the same as at Taranaki with the exception that it will now be run over 2000m. 2YO (Group 3 $80,000) – This has been added to the Waikato RC programme to be held at Te Rapa on Saturday 12 February. 3YOF (Listed Race $60,000) – This race will be run at Taranaki on Friday 18 February

True, in Taranaki case that was their 2nd abandonment in 2-3 months.

I don't think you can blame the weather when you choose to send horses around, certainly when called off like Tauherenikau you'd have to say its weather based.

Wouldn't want to upset his mates in the industry and therein lies the problem with opinions like these.

Exactly and it appears they haven't let pity little squabbles and self interest rule their decisions around which tracks/clubs get utilised, they've recognised that racing itself is important, whereas we have had regimes whose agendas have been so infexible they have led us to this.

The problem has also been fly by nighters entering the industry making decisions based on little or no input from the grass roots in the industry or having next to know actual industry knowledge or experience , not even what its like to be a small owner or trainer or strapper for that matter. Anyone could see Venue Plan was never going to work and now the fruits of the plan are ready for harvest!

Exactly , whilst I applaud them for making the Wairap. decision early enough to save persons in the industry travel , trouble of going etc. why is the extra meeting being put on that really gives CD owners/trainers a race day on the other side of the North Island? (i.e. New Pymouth was abandoned first, yes I realise Awapuni on Friday but it was always on) . BS Venue Plan is certainly working wonders for the NZ racing industry, if they (NZTR) really had a clue they'd know this sort of stuff happens regularly in NZ and thus the industry needs every track it can get , especially the provincial volunteer ones. Also if the stakes races from New Plymouth are to be run somewhere else, what happens to the Prizemoney for the other 5 races that were on offer at that meeting est. $150k?

The M Report, the Racing Act - "The Status Quo is not an Option" - did anyone realise they were intending on making it worse?

Exactly , its a complete and utter clown show. What happens to these iconic races now , do they get run at Wairap on Monday? NZTR will see it as a savings for themselves -what a shambles the sport is!

People employed within the industry on big money to make the industry worse much worse than what it was, could have achieved that without any body needed to be employed for that.

It's so bad now would anyone notice if we just stopped racing all together - the industry is a Joke !

It's all started heading downhill at an accelerating rate when these governing bodies start hammering away at the provincials and the base of the industry, it'll won't last let alone return to anything like it has been unless someone can come in grab the industry by the neck and virtually change the approach to the opposite of what it is now!

I'd target the Oaks then hop it to Sydney if she were mine, she is good enough to win there and she could win the derby if she so chooses.

Unusual ride indeed given how the track was playing, perhaps they wanted to see her settle better its a hardwork to work out. From what I saw if La Crique stays (likely on pedigree) I can't see a 3yo in the country challenging her.

Yes the Single System of Destruction is managing the Single System of Truth.

But VE went over and took out Aussie citizenship, Elephant was OK and is about to do the same which should hopefully see him Trunk his opposition.

They don't care...

I believe the time is also a World Record for 2400m !