pete cook

Galah, I don't know if you are aware, but John Mooney was appointed, prior to Mr. Steele's appearance, to chair a kind of think tank to sort out the problems. From what I hear he has pursued is own agendas and Steele has followed. Mr. Peden is simply a PR specialist.

Thanks for the compliment (I think), but I've been involved in too many controversies and shit fights in the past to want to get into it again. Sadly that is probably the case with most of the 'tragics' like me

Strong suspicion that most questions were actually answered by Mooney and Peden. That is likely to be true. In Mr. Steele's defence, he inherited a mess and, like the Board, has been poorly advised since.

Gamma, I have no doubt that you are a passionate supporter of our wonderful sport/industry, as am I, otherwise, why would you spend time writing on here. Just for your information, seeing you sort of questioned my participation, I have been involved in every aspect except breeding, only because I couldn't afford it, I have had numerous racehorses, most of which have been leased or come from other trainers. For 11 years my partner and I trained them ourselves and also drove in Amateur races. It cost us a lot of money because we didn't have good ones, although we did manage 14 wins, which we are very proud of, and we don't regret a moment of it. I have attended more than 50 NZ Cups and have been involved in administration for decades.....that's how I have some knowledge of the mistakes that have been made prior to Mr. Steele's appearance. I must dispute your comments about the financing of slot races. I was present at a meeting when the then HRNZ CEO first announced them. Twice that day, he stressed that the great thing about them was they would cost the Industry nothing to stage, because all the money would come from the slot holders. That was the case the first year, now HRNZ is subsidising them to the tune of hundreds of thousands of dollars, when some horses are winning races and earning a couple of months training fees. There is no question in my mind that that money should have been pumped into maiden races for 3 year old and older, because they are the contests that most horses are capable of winning. That may have encouraged people to stay in the game. As for the Auckland TC, if there is ever a case of mis-management they are a shining example. Two Club Presidents have told me in the past that the club want 'only the elite horses racing at Alex Park'. That's exactly what they have achieved- how's that working?

I have tried to resist responding to Gamma's ramblings, based, unlike Ceemenow's facts, on emotion and ignorance. However, when he accuses NZ trainers of being lazy, I can't hold back. I'll start by pointing out that the two trainers he praises for lining horses up (the Green/Delany and Telfers) are both backed by obviously passionate men who appear to have bottomless pockets. Sadly, the majority of local trainers have, for decades, had to rely on selling horses overseas to stay afloat. Where does he think the majority of his hero Mr. Grimson's horses come from? As a result, many trainers and indeed, owners are reluctant to over race their horses, in case they run poorly and devalue themselves, something the Australian trainers don't have to worry about, they just race them until they drop. Comparing Australia and New Zealand in the racing industry is nonsensical. Apart from the massive difference in population and wealthy people, Mr. Steele comes from an industry where, if it wasn't for a couple of passionate individuals and supportive State governments, it would be a cottage industry, if that. Yet still some places are on their knees financially! In addition, where would harness racing across the ditch be without New Zealand bred horses. At one recent meeting at Menangle, every winner was bred in NZ. I'm not saying that, for numerous reasons, harness racing in this Country hadn't been mismanaged, what I am saying is that Mr. Steele was thrown a lifeline by the Entain deal, and has frittered much of it away on subsidising ridiculous slot races and two year old promotions. As far as the HRNZ Board is concerned, I suspect that they are being given the same misleading spin that is being fed to the public, but seem to be reluctant to question it.

I'll make a prediction. Mr. Steele will stick around, talking things up until just before the Entain deal runs out, then he will say what a wonderful job he has done and go back to Australia, to leave some other poor sods to handle the fallout from the house of cards he has help create.

All Trackside staff have been instructed not to discuss the greyhound ban

Graig has had his contract terminated

Amount of information out of HRNZ is okay, it's the accuracy of it, and the omissions that are the concern.

Considering we are allowed to bet on Australian races on Good Friday and Easter Sunday, when it is not allowed here, I can't see the Aussie dogs being any different.

You can bet on fixed on-course. You have to ask for it and sometimes the operator will ask if you want it.

Gus