MaltedMilkshake

Sorry but I disagree with all of you. Trainers have ample ways & means to fund their lifestyles ... this is just taking the piss. I feel exactly,the same about the Mooney Valley 55Sec Challenge.... Racing is struggling to maintain owners....and this is just thumbing in their face. Poor look Ellerslie...what about the people who put their hands in their effing pocket every month to put this measly show on ? What about the exhorbitant pay ups required to run in a $50k race? Its not going to make one iota of difference to whether a trainer will run a horse in a certain race or not...because there are no bloody choices. That’s the final straw for me....

Like a broken record, I will keep posting the need for the RIU to be disbanded. The sooner our industry is rid of these oxygen thieves and replaced with people who are capable of reviewing races and personnel with an analytical eye, the better. As I said to my trainer a little while ago when on the receipt of a ride which was totally contrary to the riding instructions, follow the money....it ain’t difficult.

That seems to be the overwhelming issue with NZ racing.....forget Messara Report, forget the TAB overhaul and new platforms.....this is the greatest issue facing the industry...accountability or should I say, lack of accountability. if there was accountability do you think the industry would be in the irrecoverable mess it finds it self in?

The appalling behaviour by the RIU is laughable if it wasn’t so serious. Selective or non tC02 testing, questionable status of P positive horses, extremely lenient jockey warnings ....what a joke...why is Tony Allan not suing them for providing an unsafe workplace. As an owner I have no confidence and feel they are bringing the industry into disrepute. Who is policing the police?

I read with interest the recent announcement by Peter V’Landys of the next round of prize money increases in NSW. Included is the creation of a multi million dollars races for 4year olds. These races are partly to encourage owners to keep their valuable colts in work and to also slow the export of potential superstars to Hong Kong. V’Landys states “the loss of horses, either retiring to stud or being sold to Asia, is having a significant and detrimental effect on betting turnover”.....HELLO EVERYONE..... now for the final nail in the NZ racing coffin....so this news from V’Landys will have the hands of trainers, syndicators and bloodstock agents wringing with absolute delight, as Willy Leung states they will now have to source more horses from NZ to fill the void... There you go folks...Winston’s export focussed strategy is working...exporting the crap out of the local domestic racing population is certainly helping the tote turnover....which is what is supposed to be sustaining the industry... You’re whinging now about the races being a boring day out...well things just got more boring....and the tote will,give up the ghost....

From what I have experienced, I think the point M is making is perfectly legit. Now if DE is running a business, he is minimising his tax because all the GST is claimable....so there’s no immediate benefit to the government there. All his expenses including wages are also deducted from the business income. And is it a fair question to ask if some of DE’s owners are minimising their tax, which is perfectly legal, through investment in his stallion syndicates...? The NZ tax law is slightly more lenient in comparison to Australia and perhaps a reason why he didn’t expand the business to Australia? In addition, they have a significant capital gains tax there.

What this whole case highlights is the complete lack of accountability and professionalism of both industry administration and participants. How can Club owned stable facility be left in such a state? As the Landlord, it’s their responsibility to ensure the facility is clean, safe and provides visiting licensed trainers with a good, clean working environment for their staff and horses. Mr Mills and the CJC should be held accountable for offering trainers a second rate facility without the necessary security arrangements the industry requires. However the training partnership is accountable as well. This partnership has 3 licensed people and yet from accounts given to the RIU, no licensed person from the partnership was with the horse during its time at Riccarton. Why would you leave a horse at a facility with no apparent security and a questionable state of cleanliness? And because you’re not there, you leave that decision to stable staff? Mr Rae admitted to the RIU he left 5horses in the care of his staff to take to the CJC race meeting. And the RIU - have used evidence from overseas cases to assist them with their findings - interesting. In addition, Why did they not sanction the CJC for their inadequate premises or remind the Rae Partnership of their obligations regarding security and horse welfare. But in the big scheme of things, the professionalism of the racing industry needs to come up a notch (or 3).

Absolutely....sometimes you need to read between the lines...

As much as we like to think that horses do best ina country environment, with long days out in a paddock or big yard, there are many examples of horses who have thrived when changed to a more controlled environment (I won’t use the expression “factory”). I believe it’s routine that horses (and children) appreciate...it gives them confidence. So this could be the case with Bisou Bisou...just a more structured routine.

Actually, this is a very frustrating issue for many in the industry. I was browsing Inglis Digital at the latest offerings and noticed all Lindsay Park offerings have the following noted. ”All horses sold under the rules of Public Auction and the veterinary records remain the property of Lindsay Park Racing” However not sure what rules Gavelhouse (NZB) asks Vendors to adhere to?

This area of NZ racing needs complete root and branch reform...inconsistent, unprofessional, unable to read races or even ask for betting information...sorry but if you think it’s prize money (or lack of) that’s driving people away from ownership, you’re off target....the RIU has a lot to answer for.

You’re only giving him oxygen....best policy is to let it go through to the keeper

I’m certainly not bagging the horse...as you correctly said, he can only beat what’s in front of him....and therein lies the problem....1.36.37 with the first 1000 in 1.04...so regardless of how well he finished the race, so if he is a horse of considered potential, he was entitled to fly home. Kiwi Ida ran 1.22.9, home in 33.6.... The only issue I’ve got with TA is we’ve been there before......they’ve got a track record with over hyping horses ...Xtravagant, Embellish, Age of Fire... but then again they were colts...and they have a market share to grow and protect in a difficult environment.

Oh please...I admire your support of this horse (do you have a share in him?) but let’s see if he can measure up in the big smoke. To date this stable hasn’t actually fired any live ammunition over there with the lastest lot of hyped offerings.....although their social media machine works overtime spinning out Reems of info... Love Rip Van Winkle and would love to see him get a superstar... but please you are all placing too much pressure on a lightly raced animal.

This lack of competence, the lack of judicious review and the ability to lay down the law is half the problem with NZ racing. To learn from the forums there was no TC02 testing in the NI, sends shivers down my spine. This problem organisation is at the core when it comes to the integrity of NZ racing. Forget the Messara Report, for the NZTR Calender updates....this is the major problem with NZ racing... Owners, trainers and punters are being taken for ride...and it’s about time owners stood up to the RIU and demanded action.

And of course Freda, the insulting piece of KUK issued earlier last week by that bastion of integrity and fairness, the NZTR re their stance on harassment and bullying. They will regret issuing this piece of hypocrisy.....especially as a senior official who was embroiled in the Kate Goodrich v Kilmore Race Club bullying allegations and subsequently surfaced in the shaky isles a few years ago to take up a senior position in the racing industry.

One question for NZTR...where are all the quality horses coming from? With the ever decreasing decline in the foal crop and the propensity of trainers, owners and agents to export everything that walks and talks....where are the horses coming from? thats the first area that must be addressed, I said 4 years ago there wouldn’t be enough horses bred to sustain a local racing industry...

Absolutely concur...as the owner of a lovely horse who was trapped 3 wide the entire journey (and I don’t know why as we drew close to the fence?) and the rail out 6m, the sooner they close this goat track the better. You just can’t make any ground from anywhere. here is a perfect example of a once terrific track let go to custard. Questionable administration is yet the fly in the ointment - again?

I really hate to post a negative but in reality nothing is going to happen. It’s just been a complete charade ( or politicking) to show that he, WP, started something but the Industry can’t agree so can’t help you any further.... I give you the Manawatu Gorge scenario as a blue print of NZ racing. Nothing will ever be resolved because the industry can’t agree...

Well, if I was the head of AusHorse (and they’re lucky I’m not,) I would have been banging on Waller’s door until it broke to urge him and those connections to take her to the World. She is the best advertisement for the type of horse we breed in this part of the world. Over there They believe the Ozzie’s only breed sprinters, well shy defies that belief. i think they’ve been very inward looking and now I read where Mr Waller regrets the decision to not take her overseas.....what an opportunity lost for the Australasian breeding industry...

Wee thing..she tried her little heart out. I’ve owned a few MV winners and you shouldn’t get caught on the fence. in saying that, I hope they leave her in OZ...they’ll be a nice race for her in the Autumn. Is she as good as Lucia Valentina? Not sure, But she deserves a crack at a good mares race. She really can’t enhance her value in NZ...

Yep, it’s not rocket science but it’s not surprising it doesn’t happen in NZ. I found that lack of customer empathy to be across the board in NZ...people just don’t seem to get it...hello PETONE.... on the whole(I’m talking retail, real estate, travel, etc) it seems customers are just a necessary evil...and thoroughbred racing is no different.....unless of course, they want to bleed you!

Few trainers like that, he’s not on his lonesome there...

Yep MD...thats correct. Many trainers keep horses in work for training fees...so how mad are things when that happens. Punters and Owners pay the price ....

Well I guess they’ve sold the better ones.... but they must know what has ability and what doesn’t .....after all, there are countless trials to work out what’s worth starting...and you don’t want to keep horses for the sake of training fees...?