Murray Fish

please spare some specifics then of what skills he will bring to the job?

and the punters a distance 3rd....

thank you. re me and CS, we know some of each others prior work history, perhaps, he saving things up for some future polemic brutal polemic! lol, I've been involved with sites like this for a long time, actually going back to the Bulletin boards of the early 90's, a rough frontier it was then, mainly made up of 'bright young nerd's', lots of Testosterone and not many critical thinking skills, jump today, perhaps for here, potentially more critical thinking skills shown, and perhaps more use of Viagra. But hey, in the end, shouldn't a site like this be enjoyable to log onto and use! That starts with each of us working out how to best present and share our views! All around the commonality of our share interest in things racing, maturity needed when we agree to disagree. I do Tip my hat towards CS, a thankless taste it can be running any site like this!

One thing I do know, yip, my journey has been anything but boring, phew, at times "hold on, rapids again approaching", and of course, I did actually forget to mention, was involved at a grassroots level at attempting to get a Stableshands Union up and running, sadly on the wrong side of the tide for that to happen, but working along side Bud Flavell (racecourse D, a top man in my view) we did manage to take some trainers to labour court, and won!.. Then there was effort put in trying to get Punters Assoc up and running, using lost ticket money, struggled to get traction, key staff inside HO left and that drifted off in history. Could mention the energy into trying to get a Racing Museum up and running! I dont know if you use to visit r...cafe, quite a few moons back, I use to run (via Abit Roughhouse), some popular Historical Quiz's, cunning ones where Prof Google was not helpful with! Some wonder why I be happy to share stories like this, happy to forewarn anyone about my 'racing interest's and history' if you ever meet up with me you find that all out quickly. Of course, the big advantage of ever meeting face to face, there are stories that can only be shared in person! after vetting has taken place! Like the G1 horse who was keen on the cannabis,... Oh for memories! important, but the presence into the future be way more Important! Happy to report! had all the needed blood and fitness test back recently, GP smiled and said, "well done for all the hard work!" test all as needed to be, and Vo2max Elite! I'll take that! Life has taught me a few things, one being, if you need to Talk up to Power! then being at your Fighting Weight be Important! Plenty of fight in this dog still!!! and You?

sigh, it seems like spring itself! I be lining up there with you.. 'We' keep meaning to get back on course someday! Some really top horses ran there in early 90's, a cool time to be on course! Talking those HB 3 G1's, they have seemed to have worked well historically, anyone up to date with how their strength have stacked up lately?

That would be a Yes and a NO I start with a short cv on me and racing... My family back ground, on Mums side, G Grandad win the 1926 Kumaru Nugget! Reon Murtha M 1st cussy, nearly ever race he commentated was listened too,, On Dads side, back in the 1930's he had a team of 30 Clydesdales, after the war, he was a foreman at GH Woods grain store in Chch, where the likes of Jack Litten of Caduceus fame brought their feed, 100% secrecy was locked in around what was put in by each trainer!!! Btw, Mr Litten was a interesting fella, he gave Dad a chromed horses shoe when that horse retired! sadly that went missing,, My first actual ventures On Track were early 1970's, starting with the home tracks of Addington and Riccarton. Addington back then really was Magic, the excitement started at the early August meetings, there was a wonderful easily marked out race program in the lead up to the Cup in Nov... Betting wise, minimum options, W&P Main Double of the Day, race to race doubles, where if you got the first leg ticket in, you got to exchange them in the next leg. jump to day, The don't even have to win 10 races to get to Open class, back then that was needed to get a start. Re the betting, It was exciting at the beginning of each race to see the Tapes being pulled up and down to see what odds you horses were at!! I still recall the massive groan that went up when Arapahos divvy ($2.70) when up for the year he won the cup! : ) Jump to the future, re betting, now a days a massive increase in the betting options, but as I have mentioned elsewhere, the Take Outs from all these increased options comes with a sting in the tail! the $ is not churned over, the 'average' (mug) punter loses there stake quicker! Tv coverage of course is way better in general ( I will comment later where it isn't), but there has been a slow negation of any interest I had/have in Harness, driven as much by when harness was more and more kicked over to Ch2. "we" use to go out to Forbury to take a few photos and cheer on a few trainers that we knew who raced there, (Partners family had/have a long term interest in Harness, owning a NZ Cup winner and Horse of the year along the way), with the demise of Forbury, my interest is now about 1.2% I would Struggle to watch even the Cup.... enough on the trots.. re the Gallops, Riccarton, gee, massive fields, in high sight, so hard to make money... Interestedly, while we Addington dished up The Best, at Ricc one learnt that betting on local loyalty was challenging! For the big races those bloody Northerners would come down and gallop away with the $$$$ Fury Order blew me away,.. thank goodness for Show Gate and Grey Way... Also, if there wasn't a local meeting then 'we' (I could drop a few names of our gang from back there, one went on to win multiple training premierships, another a harness prem.. I'm sure we have punted Many Many Millions through the tote and often back then with the local bookie) would then go to the closes meeting for that Saturday! where the beer was warm and the pies often cold! I think that what was better, was that we were all in employment and had recreational money to spend! One of the 'elephants in the room' re good old NZ is that since then, especially once the reality of the 'neo liberal' economic policy's kicked in, especially biting in the early 90's, the reality is 60% of kiwis have had a falling real income. Something that I recon that was better, though I didn't have the skills back then to use it to my advantage. Was the great coverage we got via TV covering a big race meeting, 100% live, Glen Tucker and co... sadly, racing never locked in copyright from that coverage so it is locked away in the faults on said company.. Back to my racing journey, time was right for me to leave the home town, (mid 70s) I knew a young golf pro (also a mad keen punter) working in Palm North, up I went, that lead to a job at local Billiards Room, where the owner was a keen racing man, he always had a horse in work with his mate the hotelier (gee, a lot of them owned back then, cash was king), a few jockeys were keen players! That led me to knowing Ken Lush, who owned Photopress, ken was a A Grade Snooker player) after I went overseas for a few years, back to PN, Ken suggested I give the camera a go, you can either do it! or Not! I could, that lead to me actually getting up close to the horses and the people that ride, strapped and trained them. A very long slow apprentice was under taken regarding the presentation of a horse on race day, btw, most can't win the race they are in! Slowly I learnt how to actual end up the year with a Profit, Based on 'my eye' seeing that Horse X has been presented in Peak Condition! And having some shared insight into the form for said race! Often knowing what can't win is very important! Something (making a profit!) I pride myself on actually doing! year on year! It really is based on minimising ones loses.. I think I am the antithesis of what the TAB actually wants/needs. I love small fields! I almost never bet into large fields, to much chaos, to much cognitive bias flows from 'unlucky runners' etc... Reflecting on the modern coverage via Tv, as mentioned, a lot of the digital coverage is cool to the eye to watch, but nothing compared to how the likes of MLB and NFL now use it.. And to be brutally honest! sometimes I find myself left rather frustrated with the pre race coverage, as in not seeing all the horses, missing out of seeing their prelims, or you are seeing a horses arse run into the distance.. that still happens for G1 races!!!! where, as the years have gone on I have more and more focused my betting dollars. lol, would you believe that I recon for the last ten meetings that I have been on course I can't recall having a bet, plenty of reddies in back pocket, but not my sort of races to bet into, hard to beat the tote and the local 'racing mafia', I do usually take 1000+ photos! and give most of them back to the battlers in the Industry.. To finish on betting, I hold No hope that the coverage I 'need/want' to bet is not going to be delivered! I also note, that previously I have been the catalyses ( I believe head office might use the halo effect!) for lost and lots of family, friends, etc having a bet, having a share in a horse, having any interest, as I fade away, so does those their interest fade with that! The next generation of my close relatives who are all living in households where they are entering their peak earning years, all way above average! In their 20's they were go to Cup day etc, for the piss up etc, throw away a hundie betting, now, they be in their 30's, they don't need the antics of the present day 20 year old's getting pissed on those day, they just stop going, they find no interest in a race every 4 minutes.. more sometimes actually leads to less in the long run... Note no mention of Sunset Industry! So, as that book started off "It was the best of times, it was the worse of times', I be healthy, fit and happy! though some many of the people I have share a life journeys with are crapping out and dying!!! A bit like the modern racing industry, we can follow the glitch and glamour of following the great exciting careers of a WINX or a J Mac! Or by following the caeers of young trainers who we watched going to the races as Kids! the likes of Chris W, young Baker and Marsh.. or that young trainer who after 10 years has there first win!!! But for some of us, we know of the struggles of the little battler at the coalface! sigh, and, as ever, I do share your goal of actually getting some enjoyment from racing! each has a different road to get there!!!! lol, I have had a few 'dummy spits' over the last few years! materially driven by certain name players in the game! most have since moved on to greener pastures! but the scars have remained!!! that's my story and I'm sticking to it!!!

A very sensible approach. My background drives any actual 'worries' that I have might have. Talking H&S Those worries this century, have been 100% around the presentation of tracks, often driven by 'the need' to having said track at X ratings. Please remember, watering to x is very much a modern doing (early 90's?), .. fact behind this weree that for instance horse numbers had started to drop off etc... One of the privileges that I got from being the photographer was that I got to know a lots of jockeys on a personal level, Be they 'the guns' the journeymen/women, the battlers, the apprentices! What has scared me deeply is the fact that some of those 'workers' have gone to work and bam! life changed forever, be it via tragic chaos of a event within the race, or??? etc.. You will recall, there was a series of race days, where the 'little people' were being sent around in the first! To Prove that the track was not safe, for Todays standards. I 'know' 'old school' the old toughen up would have been played! Enough was enough, I proudly wear a Union Cap! I used those skills to bring about change! <---(that be the sort version), The Stipes now Know they will be liable, I respect the improvement in the way they now deal with these tracks. Gee, it was interesting to observe how certain named players thought about my actions! For them, I use the old, you will move on.. one day I will piss on your grave! they be welcome to to the same! So there you go TABey, ps. note I didn't share my long list of banalities' around the many frustrations that I have re the modern presentation of racing as it its now a days... especially if one has a actual betting focus! I note the at times exciting use if modern digital cameras etc, my banes are driven by the choices of the directors and produces..

NO I bet to Make a Profit, unlike the majority whom bet. To do that (profit) I might watch 500 races without having a bet. Re the horse and race that I mentioned, I have a 'golden rule', I Need to see my horse properly before the race, I had the watch set for 6 mins before the off, log on, to find the split screen up. Oh, the dog race has not been run! The boxes not working! the split screen jumps between the two venues, dog race continues to not run, we see about half the gallops field, including mates horse, which has presented the best yet of this campaign. Back to Dogs, race is run, back to gallops, Not all horses have been shown! Race jumps, KW rides the race/track well. Horse runs up to her good looks, wins well!! Horse really enjoys the run, comes back in with a new found confidence. Brief mention by the talking heads about 1st win for young trainer, not sure if any more text on the story was produced! sigh, just another day with race/race/race following on... I be lucky though, I don't need to bet to get enjoyment! Knowing how the horse was bred and then that long journey of being nurtured to get to the stage of finding out if it will actually get to have a race. Owner thinks this will be his last one (he has been doing it for decades), mainly around he less and less enjoys how he is treated, as in, on any raceday, none of the staff seems to know his long involvement in the game, never made to feel appreciated etc...

"My previous roles have given me the chance to tell some amazing stories" he should be a good fit then!!! Having said that! If I was ever going to be making a trip to Auck for a race meeting then this would be the one! Can someone ask young Andrew what the likely cost of a ticket of admission and what is the selling out number going to be? Would hate to turn up and not being able to get in?

Stable hands are just as important too... by chance, I was one of the first to start linking up enquires (gee, 12 years ago? I was getting via my MF facebook acc, first to a few trainers and then to Trainers Assoc. In that recent report published? Did it happen to post figures tracking that sort of data?

Gerry, has anybody seen, has anyone talked to Gerry? "The stud is owned by leading Australian identity Mr Gerry Harvey whose business acumen and passion for thoroughbreds has been invaluable to New Zealand’s racing and breeding industry."

Back at one of those meetings that John Allan presented around the country a few years back, about the encouragement to bet, I had to actually stand Up and Interrupt him! I suggested that with 'awareness', then, the key education to any, old or new, is around How much the Take Out$ for the different types of bets on offer! Explaining how for all other bets the take kicks in around 25% and then gallops quickly into the 30+%. Very hard to bet against a house like that! I'm not sure if that is what was meant with "you know the odds, now beat them" YEAH RIGHT ps, "At least when Ned Kelly robbed you! You knew it!" 😎

two parts to that... I will have to plead guilty to a few spill overs, often not big enough to actually notice when its happening, 'other half, will sometimes be kind and point that sort of thing out! Sometimes I happen to look down! thankful to know, not much is gained from moaning about split milk... re TABe.. not to sure if he would have me in their play pit to play in the first place!

personally, my glass is at least 3/4's Full, often if I be getting excited I have to be careful not to spill some all over the place... very thankful for my supergold card and the great paddock I find myself in... I'll drink to that!

Which side of the fence does one find oneself? glass half full or half empty? As a punter, a breeder, a trainer, a jockey, a stable hand? as a administer? what is the best option? "The Pollyanna Principle (or positivity bias) describes the human tendency to focus on good things over bad." ADVICE: We all know people who live on the bright side of the road. Even when life is falling to pieces, they can find the positives, the gains, the learnings. They are more than “glass half full” people — their cup is brimming over. So far, so good. Research indicates optimism is linked to better physical and mental health outcomes. It can also promote a sense of well-being during difficult times. It’s also part of the work of therapy to help people to reframe their beliefs and thoughts, to see them in a more positive light. But, at the extreme end, positivity can be a form of denial, a “head in the sand” approach to the reality of life’s problems. It can also suffocate real feelings. And that may spell trouble. What’s the Pollyanna Principle? The Pollyanna Principle (or positivity bias) describes the human tendency to focus on good things over bad. “Pollyannas” remember positive things more accurately than negative ones, and also tend to use more positive language. The Pollyanna Principle (a pop psychology term) was named after the central character in the 1913 book Pollyanna, by Eleanor Porter. Pollyanna played the “Glad Game” in which no matter how dire the situation she tried to find at least one good thing. She gets all the villagers to play along, which spreads positivity through the town. While Pollyanna might have her cynics in 2024, there’s no denying an optimistic outlook is better for our health. And optimistic people are easier to be around. But when people leap into positive mode every time things go wrong it can restrict their emotional range and negatively impact their relationships. I recall working with a man whose optimism was killing his marriage. He came into my office bouncing on his sneakers, big smile, warm handshake. “Life’s good,” he said, describing a great job, wonderful kids, good mates, a passion for surfing. After 10 minutes he got around to the reason he’d booked some therapy sessions. “My partner says I don’t listen to her, I don’t understand her.” Then the kicker: “She says I’m too positive about everything and it drives her crazy.” He shook his head. “I don’t get it. I’m an upbeat guy. I always see the bright side of life. I don’t do negative — I just don’t think it helps anything.” And with that sentence, he’d described the problem — and that of those who refuse to look at life through anything other than a rose-tinted lens. From his Pollyanna perspective, he couldn’t see the depth of his wife’s struggles; he couldn’t empathise with her feelings. He just kept trying to “jolly” her along, making suggestions for how to turn things around. There were a lot of tears. He was a well-intentioned man and responded well to some suggestions but it was a good example of extreme positivity over-riding — in this case dismissing — someone’s real feelings. That he never allowed himself the space to be sad or angry — or anything negative — had potential implications for his own mental health too. Sound emotional health is about being able to recognise, name, feel and express a range of feelings without becoming stuck on any of them. Pollyannas — or hyper-positive people — often feel uncomfortable with difficult emotions. They avoid or ignore them, which can have unhealthy repercussions. I’ve had many clients present with physical health issues for which their GPs can find no organic cause. It’s possible these are the result of stifled mental distress — trauma, conflict, anxiety, rage. So if you’re an extremely positive person, it’s important to check how you deal with negative emotions. Do you give them a “healthy” outlet? Optimism is a good thing, it can uplift and inspire. It can nurture hope in others. And in a world that keeps throwing down challenges, it’s becoming increasingly rare. So hold onto your positivity. But don’t leak it all over everyone else. Yours is one view of the world. Theirs is another. And your success as a partner, friend, co-worker, parent, sibling — whatever — depends on your ability to look at the world through a different set of eyes. ng able to recognise, name, feel and express a range of feelings without becoming stuck on any of them. https://www.stuff.co.nz/wellbeing/350310452/pollyanna-principle-are-you-too-happy-your-own-good

Not the sort of meeting that I choose to bet into! I did manage to find some excitement when a mates 5 year old mare that he bred won! via a inspired ride by KW! A serious question, how does the actually betting on these meetings stack up?

tick and tick

No it didn't win, That be Kim Treweek, a rather chill lay back person at the best of times! A very good rider on the flat before he turned to the jumps riding.

tick

ONCE, retired now.. though still shoot at the very odd meeting..

you wager on them here? your style of betting? in general! a + or - arrived at after doing so?

Speaking from a photographers point of few, from the inside of the track out, not actually what one wants. Very much helped out by the smarts of the modern digital camera!

(Not HK) Talking weight and size, Who was the horse and small time trainer that was gently goaded about "Did you by him by the kilo X", the horse went on to win them in a row, including a G1

My take as well, 'the purists' are entitled to their views, but gee, it would be interesting for TAB to have a focus group done on the views of the New Punters that they are targeting to see what they think? Talking economic realism. It is easy to track the falling numbers or jumps jockeys and jumping horses in training, what would be the betting re prizemoney?

Best if you start with overseas G1's in a season! I do know that we should Tip our Hats his way, for the professional way that he has gone about his riding career. He has this ability to seemly make it look easy in the way he place and rides out a finish! In my ratings, he is a HoF all the way!