Murray Fish

I sure a large amount of punters wouldn't even notice!

back in 74, I worked on the gumboot chain making those! great bunch of workers! strong Unionism!

pardon!

I have always been a fan, though he does have a big advantage over most in that he doesn't have to waste like so many.

I was privileged to see the 1980 race on course

cant recall the last time I had any bet this far out...

we were going to go, cancelled yesterday!

lol, depends weather you were a woman or a man.. lots of myths about him! he was rather big on eugenics, tried to make it a crime for unmarried woman who had kids...

a man with some rather strange ideas... https://www.dianebpaul.com/uploads/2/3/2/9/23295024/truby_king.pdf

I was asking you!

that happen once at Awapuni, late 80' early 90's

what you be laying it at?

Used also in 1000's of state house kitchens! sometimes referred to as "diarrhoea yellow"

I ponder how 'wasting' plays out in any race, especially at this time of the year with at times brutally cold weather. How many workers who have to work out side in the winter dress as if it is summer?

never a fan of him! got to see some of his work close up! Bud Flavell was 'best' by far...

slowly making some progress, he was seen alive recently.. and the ex editor of Stratford Press is trying to get a contact detail

I hope it does go to your head! or that you get to excited and be drinking to much of that propaganda loaded kool-aid! To much of that might give you a dose of the shits!

will you be getting ya big brother to deal with the Chief!!!

my late Dad would say "never bad mouth a mans horse! or kick his dog!"

I believe so, but Prof Google has not been helpful. I did drop them a note on their contact page, days later still no reply, sigh.. Jim Fleming was the one that ticked of me getting into the birdcage back in 82, later when I got involved with trying to set up a Stablehands Union, which we couldn't do sadly, I got to take a few cases to the Labour Court! Bud Flavill (sp) was the head d and we worked together well to win those cases!

I did spot that, and then found out that the Stratford Press has closed and the on the ground reporters email for SP bounced back... thanks for that number, I will forward it on..

Who do they directly answer to now a days?

(again trying) I've been asked with some help to track down a horse racing photographer Clayton Yaxley, he used to take photo in the early 2000's at the likes of WIngatui. They be keen to buy some photos off him? any suggestions?

Racing heavyweights to have greater role in its direction By Michael Guerin Sir Peter Vela will chair a new high-powered advisory committee on the future of the racing industry. Photo / Trish Dunell Some of New Zealand racing’s biggest players and a very special expat have joined together to help steer the future of the industry. New Zealand Bloodstock owner and internationally-renowned breeder and owner Sir Peter Vela will chair a new advisory committee to TAB NZ – the regulatory arm of the national betting agency – which works alongside Entain, the company charged with running the day-to-day operations of the TAB and its associate brand Betcha. With the enormous firepower assembled on the advisory committee, their influence looks set to be felt throughout the industry at a crucial stage in its history. The committee was the idea of Racing Minister Winston Peters and TAB NZ chairman Bill Birnie, so it seems certain to have the minister’s ear, as it includes many of the most powerful people in the industry. Vela is joined by Cambridge Stud owner Brendan Lindsay, Waikato Stud boss Mark Chittick, big-time investor and breeder Greg Tomlinson, Ken Breckon, who owns giant harness racing operation Breckon Farms, and in a huge coup, champion expat trainer Chris Waller. Waller lives in Sydney but took time out from a hectic week of sales and racing in Queensland to fly to New Zealand for the advisory committee’s first meeting in Auckland on Wednesday night. The committee is set to have at least one member added with both business expertise and detailed knowledge of the harness racing industry, to ensure the code is further represented. The group would be one of the most high-powered assembled in New Zealand racing history, with all having hugely successful business careers, many outside horse racing before all became enormous investors in the racing industry. The coming-together of the big six, soon to become big seven, comes at a time when New Zealand racing has made enormous advancements in the two years since Entain took over the running of the TAB, injecting expertise and much-needed investment into the struggling industry. Stakes have risen significantly and Entain has been able to grow turnover – but big questions remain around infrastructure and key drivers to ensure the growth continues. Among the most important issues will be tracks, particularly in thoroughbred racing, which continues to be plagued by abandonments, cancellations or unsatisfactory results after track renovations. They are proving enormously costly and are undercutting TAB/Entain’s forecasts as they can’t make money on race meetings that are cancelled. Another crucial factor in maximising turnover is the racing calendar, ensuring the most attractive product ends up in front of punters on the days they want to bet most. While both TAB NZ and Entain have input into that calendar, it is the codes that control and maintain the tracks and other infrastructure. Other key issues the committee will advise on include the breeding industry and how to stimulate the number of foals being bred in both codes, as more horses means bigger fields, which has a direct correlation to future turnover. Vela says although the industry has made enormous improvements since the TAB/Entain deal started, the advisory committee wants to ensure the best pathway forward, setting up the industry for long-term sustainability. Crucially, that includes when the five years of guaranteed returns under the TAB/Entain deal end and the codes have to be judged on their results and ability to implement key turnover drivers. “We have all been tremendously heartened by what has been achieved in the last two years and want to provide advice on the best way forward for the industry,” says Vela. “There are so many factors that go into making the racing industry sustainable, maximising its turnover and ensuring the momentum keeps going. “It was very encouraging having so much knowledge and expertise in that meeting on Wednesday and we hope we can help the minister, TAB NZ, Entain and the codes.” There will be no fees paid to the seven members of the advisory committee, all working pro bono for the future good of the industry. Birnie and TAB NZ chief executive Nick Roberts say the advisory committee will report back to their organisation in the first instance and recommendations can be passed on to the Racing Minister, Entain or the codes, or in some cases all three. “It is amazing to see so many of the industry’s genuine leaders wanting to give back their knowledge,” says Birnie. “To see Chris Waller fly in for 18 hours on Wednesday night to lend his knowledge is quite humbling when you think how busy he would be this week.”
 The formation of the advisory committee will also calm some of those who, while thrilled by racing’s renaissance, worry about its future sustainability as racing faces many of the same changes worldwide.