Huey

Could not agree more Mikey, I know of many who just don't bother with it without the radio. The disconnection that has occurred without it has been enormously detrimental. But apparently according to some it was a good idea, when in fact it will prove to be one of the worst decisions ever made in nzracing = and that is saying something!

Some great points made about the NZTR witch hunt, just proves to the industry their ineptitude and lack of focus on the real issues surrounding the industry. I am more and more convinced by the day , that racing cannot survive in this country unless there is a significant clean out at the governing body soon!

Going to be such a mess : http://www.theoptimist.site/?fbclid=IwAR2soao7W4hKNKAG8g_eQt2XPK461zOUM1OGROrBxaLD4hl87P82yrjYcRY

Whilst I dont disagree its days are numbered. What do people expect they are jumping races after all, they have taken away the jumps on the corners to stop the falls there, if you take anymore away they are just going to go faster and become glorified flat races. The 5 falls were in the mdn hurdle at HB where they do go a bit quicker. What happens to the horses that are proper jumpers that can jump? What is the point of having them in work, more wastage. I think the game will more likely be up via a lack of interest. What do people think of the NZTR initiative to have one venue like a Warnambool & where do you think it should be?

What's of real concern here is that no one outside of the racing industry appears to have noticed this (when nowadays this sort of thing is usually pounced on from a great height) once again showing just how irrelevant the racing industry has become to the common man or even media in general .

Most that win here, can win over there. Because there is just so many different levels of racing going on. I guess a lot of people like to stay involved and watch their horse in the flesh , grow etc and thats something that keeps them in the sport here in NZ. But who ever said it is right - you have to be a little crazy (delusional helps also) to be involved here , especially outside of the those that take small shares in horses.

Grammalite has made some excellent points. But if you really want to know whats wrong with thoroughbred racing in this country look no further than our governing body NZTR.

You don't think these people think they actually have to justify anything do you?

Only 3 full fields there yesterday assuming they start 12? A 6 horse field in the R65 grade.

Seems like most of us have been completely wrong about the AWT at Cambridge, according to many yesterday its a massive success. Still just so I can be right royally put in my place , has anyone seen any wagering figures on these race days yet? I assume they are already profitable for the industry at this early stage? Anyone???

Certainly for thoroughbred racing imo one of the area's we need big change in was the governing body, unfortunately we never got that with all of these reports coming and going. Imo it needed as much of a revamp as the NZRB got. It all beginning to feel a bit late for that.

Unfortunately Aus gave us someone with little understanding of racing and in particular Provincial/Country racing , we will see the fruits of such recruitment over the next few years is my prediction.

I'd be disappointed to see any increase go into top level stakes, been there done that before, The bottom end is bleeding & is in desperate need of something (having said that a lot of it the bleeding has been assisted or created by the likes of NZTR) . Does this then beg the question, when do they start trying to sell up the family silver?

3. Is a very good point and I guess somewhat part of the semantics of it all.

Interesting to see which way the stakes go. From an Industry day perspective I'd say they would need to increase by at least 50% (I mean is 2k - 2.5k going to make any material impact at the bottom end) to have any reasonable impact , perhaps at the top level by another 7.5k -10k outside of Group racing , NZTR seem in a bit of a rock and a hard place with this one in that it does not appear they have enough funds to make any significant impact? Table from the optimist website.

From the Optimist : “Horse numbers are good. Synthetic tracks are a game-changer for the industry and once the new TAB NZ Board is appointed, we will be advocating for all revitalising options to be considered. As you are aware, investment by TAB NZ in the acquisition and retention of customers, especially through technology, is required to drive customer growth.” - BS (literally) Horse numbers look good because they (NZTR) have shrunk the industry to reflect that, if the AWT is that good - anyone seen any wagering figures?? The rest I realise just corporate BS that BS himself specializes in.

Only JJ "Fairy" Flash could put a positive spin on it. It's all become such a joke of an industry!

This is hilarious!!

Agree they are totally incapable of even getting the basics right.

Got to agree , it's an absolute farce. Great track in the summer , but its comedy in the winter. If they are happy to race on that what is the point of the AWT?

Amazing all these positives that are just idle mistakes all of a sudden isn't it?

I was particularly impressed with the win of LOVE, the way she pushed herself out to the line and the trainer expects further improvement in her was impressive. Tonights racing looks interesting with a Carravagio going around in the Albany Stakes, a Belardo in the King Edward, the Commonwealth Cup looks a great race, as does the Coronation.

Anyone seen any betting figures for the Cambridge meetings? Be interesting to see how AWT compares to say the Wanganui meeting yesterday or Oamaru today for example. I think we have had 3 or 4 meetings so far , so surely we are starting to see some improvement in wagering on this new surface, particularly comparing it to Winter gallops ?

That is most certainly the case, couple that with racings desire to look for quick fixes in this country and you have a recipe for decline.

Mikey , that occurs throughout the industry not just in the SI. One of the reason we are in such a mess imh "negative" opinion!