Huey

Yep thats a bit long in the bow of them. As I say these guys have become very powerful and get their own way on a lot of things.

TAB no different to any of the other entities that bend over backwards for this group. The industry needs to be a bit more careful about managing groups like this , as an owner they appear to get very well treated no matter where they go. One would expect its their way of advertising the new product available soon.

This does explain a lot. What was most exciting about last night is that I think we saw 3 absolute bonafide stars last night in Levante,Aegon and Entriviere. Aegon performance in particular was something to behold imho.

The concern is what damage they will cause to the industry in the meantime, we are only a small industry in nz.

Automated billing, perhaps it integrates with the studbook or the Racing Bureau or something like that?

I'm surprised to hear that, as I'd have thought the jocks would kick up a stink. One area of the sport that has a considerable amount of power to alter things are the jocks. NZTR simply do not know what they are doing, they are a copy paste organisation at best. BS will cause considerable damage to the local industry before he goes back to Aus, unfortunately alot of it will be irreparable by then. Your line of thinking may be correct about the injured jocks fund, but I can see a time when certain stables argue that there isn't a suitable enough rider around to ride their horse , so they get to pay the fine and have the rider available. Today would have been a prime example of that I'm sure.

On top of that a trainer like yourself performances will be judged against those that buy millions of $s worth of new bloodstock every year and move them on at a whim. When in reality youre the very reason the industry retains some of its soul and its real horsemanship. Unfortunately going forward the way the industry is being run trainers/owners like yourself will find it very difficult to compete neigh on survive , but this is all by design unfortunately. The powers that be believe KM night is going to sustain the industry , it won't.

The real problem with the micro shares for mine is a commitment one, the owners who buy a share as part of a 100 persons syndicate don't have the same type of commitment to the animal as the owner who bought breed and raised the animal themselves or the 5 guys who bought one off Gavel for that matter and sent to a local trainer. As CS says its just another expensive cocktail to them, so if if the base of the industry is erased (particularly given the scenario you have explained Freda) usually the place these horses end up at for another probably fairer go then if the base isn't there where does this stock end up? I have a fair answer to that. You only have to listen to these people on their podcasts etc to understand they have absolutely no affection or bond (most haven't even touched them) with the horse unless they strike the jackpot and get a very good one. So on one hand we have the industry espousing the virtues of horse welfare and on the other we have the reality which is in effect a factory type atmosphere, horse doesn't do whats promised on the jar move it on get another one.

Of course you all know why this is happening? They (y"all know who they are) dont want another Opie KM situation .

I couldn't agree more.

No ,when your first go tat the sales is Savabeel weanling to me it is no wonder these guys have the perception they have of the industry.

Gee I wonder what the horse will be by & who will sell it to them?? Hmmm

Aegon 4 me!

That would be brilliant if they did, should be a Strathayr at any rate, many smart people in the industry have said that than me. But can you honestly see them having a plan B?

In case you haven't realised they get whatever they want, they are treated better at the races than owners, some trainers etc etc etc Cause they are the future of racing, you'll find them on local racing committees committing their time to improving the sport, working their butts off at working bees, spreading their love for the horse beyond one stable/trainer , spreading their love beyond one racing club and showing love for smaller clubs in the industry by supporting their days, they don't just do it to be in the limelight and don't only want to know about the big race days or the well bred horses or the large stud farms , no no they are here in the industry for everyone. They voice their opinions and demand to have a say for a reason, because they know they have been there and done that and told the guy at the local pub about it as well.- The future of NZ racing is one of glory and success with the BGP boys behind everyone in the industry!

Scary think is come hell or highwater , they are going to do all they can (races,Trials, training etc) to make the AWT look a success.

Levante into something? Good luck to them!

And yet in NZ racing land this is not an isolated scenario.

You said it Chief ,not me.

Will the 14 horses that line up in the "Final Touch & Camino Rocoso Chris Johnson Celebration" - R65 1600m have won more races and contributed more to the industry by the end of their racing careers than the 14 that line up in the Karaka Million 2yo "Best Ever" field on Saturday ?

Last year field had the Eclispe & Wakefield winners in it, not saying that race was vintage either. But where are you seeing the strengths in this best field ever? I think the 3yo race might be surpassing the 2yo race for strength mysefl an exciting field assembled.

I think Avonallo might be

Interesting only 3 fillies have really come out of the race, Probabeel, MB & Avantage , can't think of much else thats really next level , meaning Aus. Avantage yet to really get to the level of the other two over there as well. 2 of the 3 Aus breeds as well.

Exactly, interesting that one of the best performed in the race is a SI stakewinner and the other the Pukekohe winner.

Well I disagree back. Of course only time will tell. Great fields surrounding the over hyped race though.