Chimbu

I'm buggered if I could hear anything 'concrete' uttered. Lots of circular talk, IMO. I didn't hear one project mentioned. I did hear lots of "this is an action plan" stuff & lots to happen over the next 12 months. All of these wonderful plan points, once implemented, will provide the stakes increases required. Good stakes, tracks & facilities will also keep more horses in NZ. Who knew? The bit that really showed me how worrying this all is was CG's use of the words, "this IS simple and EFFECTIVE". Htf, do you know it is/will be effective? If you know what all the answers are, in terms of projects & changes etc., then tell us now. Then, once you've had measurable success (concrete stuff), you can justifiably use that word, but not while a lot of struggling grass-roots participants continue to see their future as something more akin to walking toward sinking sand. I really hope time will prove that I am just a Luddite on all this, but in the meantime, I won't be holding my breath.

Grant Searle also had multiple 2yro winners during some seasons. However, even during the Our Maizcay times 21 would still be unlikely.

Weigh In is on early this week (10am). I'm just about to watch the recording. CG is going to be interviewed, supposedly about 'concrete' ways we are going to move forward using this document. This'll be gripping.

More cringeworthy stuff. Why would you want to take any horse there, let alone a good one? Why would you want to punt there? This is from the Awapuni stipes report: GENERAL: Following the running of Races 1 and 2, senior riders commented on inconsistencies in today’s track surface with areas around the bend between the 800 and 400 metres in places providing significantly deeper footing than in the front and back straights. Conditions were further reassessed in consultation with senior riders following Race 3, and the track downgraded to Slow (9) retrospective to Race 3.

Those being cut off (or those have already been cut off) have been doing this for years. Couple these actions, along with hard work performed voluntarily, are the reasons why these clubs generally have healthy balance sheets.

New Plymouth racing club fights plans to build in the centre of its raceway Helen Harvey05:00, Apr 01 2021 Facebook Twitter Reddit Email ANDY JACKSON/STUFF Taranaki Racing Inc is prepared to take legal action to stop a proposed multi-sport stadium being built in the middle of the New Plymouth Raceway. Taranaki Racing Inc is preparing to put its lawyers under starters orders as it saddles up to fight plans for an indoor sports stadium in the middle of the New Plymouth Raceway. While Taranaki Racing Inc (TRI) supports sharing its site with a multi-sports hub, chairman Vaughan Watson has told New Plymouth District Council his members will not sit back and allow the building in the middle of the racecourse. SUPPLIED The master plan for a proposed multi sport hub in New Plymouth show the stadium, in white, in the centre. TRI says the hub would ruin view lines from the racecourse's main area and reflections from the building would be a hazard for jockeys and horses. It backs having sports fields in the centre of the track and the indoor stadium adjacent to the nearby TSB Stadium. Sport Taranaki, which is spearheading the proposed multi-sports hub, has plans for such an alternative design but will not release them. READ MORE: * Is a multi-purpose hub in central New Plymouth a game-changer for our kids? * Multi-sport hub plan throws up hurdles for New Plymouth Pony Club * New Plymouth Raceway's future still up in the air ‘’We wouldn’t have this level of anxiety if everyone out there had the option of seeing there are other options with the stadium adjacent to the (TSB) stadium,’’ TRI chief executive Carey Hobbs said. The issue has come to a head as the New Plymouth District Council (NPDC) is currently calling for submissions on whether $40million for the proposed multi-sports hub should be included in the Long Term Plan, and when during the 10-year cycle building should begin. NPDC’s website, where submissions are made, has a large picture of plans showing the indoor stadium in the centre of the racetrack. This has upset TRI, which says the multi-sport hub is being ‘’very poorly represented’’ by suggesting the current design is the only option. HELEN HARVEY/STUFF Taranaki Racing Inc chief executive Carey Hobbs, horse owner Cliff Erb, and TRI chairman Vaughan Watson are adamant there will be no large stadium built in the middle of the New Plymouth racecourse. To complicate matters TRI is in the middle of an 8-year wrangle with NPDC over its lease. NPDC wants to offer a lease for up to 33 years with rights to extend. But TRI maintains it has historical rights to occupy the land and should maintain a perpetual lease. Both parties have agreed to park the lease discussions until May 19. But Taranaki Racing chairman Vaughan Watson said they have told the council TRI will not have a building in the middle of the racecourse. ‘’We’ve served notice we will be contesting (the disputed lease agreement) legally if they go ahead with that building, but we are very open to consultation around a building being outside the bounds of the racecourse. ‘’There’s a lot of information going out from the councillors and council staff members that it’s basically a fait accompli that there’s going to be a sports hub building in the middle of the racecourse. “And we state that we absolutely don’t support that and that there are other options. People are being misled.’’ Horse owner Cliff Erb said owners and trainers were very concerned that people thought the design with the indoor stadium in the middle of the track was going to happen. ‘’It wouldn’t work in the centre. The less activity in middle the better. But they have to be realistic that the land has to be well utilised.’’ TRI believes there are at least six different sets of plans, two of which have the stadium outside the racecourse with sports fields inside. But Sport Taranaki boss Michael Carr would not make them available when Stuff (print: Daily News) spoke to him this week. The design that has been released is a master plan, Carr said. The number one thing is to make sure that all the components needed will fit on the site. ‘’The master plan is the preferred option. However, this is a community asset and through the submission process people can have their say. “The racing people can say they want it out of the centre and other people can say they like it in the centre.’’ As facilitators, Sport Taranaki have to take all stakeholders into consideration, he said. The most important thing is to get the hub into the long-term plan and then sort out the details later, he said. In an emailed statement NPDC Group Manager Community and Customer Services Teresa Turner said the design they are showing during the submission process is the draft plan submitted by Sport Taranaki. ‘’We are currently getting feedback on the role we should play in developing the hub as part of our draft 10-Year Plan. “No decisions have been made and the Mayor and councillors will make any decisions later this year.’’

The Auckland Cup result was the highlight of the Ellerslie carnival for me.

Vigor Winner's formline showed him winning that race at Hawkes Bay during the week as well

I would imagine a few studs, particularly in Australia, might be somewhat more conservative with their practices in the upcoming breeding season whether or not this accusation is proven. I bet there are a few jangled nerves on both sides of the Tasman atm.

If, as many believe, that there will be injuries and fatalities directly relating to the AWT's how will they be able to balance their blinkered belief in their AWT's and their requirement to uphold their horse welfare considerations?

Knocked down to Phil Cataldo for $90K 2019 National Yearling Sales Series Lot 746

Yes, this issue frustrates me, too. I am equally frustrated that I cannot access a list of early scratchings for the next days races. Sure, I can find them by clicking race after race but that is very time consuming. IMO, if a race is open for betting then a current scratching list should be available to punters.

It would be interesting to know whether anyone knows whether it is common or uncommon

Perhaps they might do so now a precedent has been set? Or, if it isn't a precedent, then it is an uncommon occurrence that is more likely to happen again now it has been highlighted.

I have no issues with David Ellis being present and him giving some invited commentary so long as others are afforded the same opportunity in a similar situation

Calling them bookies at all really does the true professionals a disservice.

The only thing that was missing from that advert was a begging bowl. Seriously, I found it pathetic. To me they appear to be 'grasping at straws'. If they ever manage to run a sharp business then they will lessen the leakage. Until then they are reliant on any residual customer loyalty & whatever Racefields rakes in.

I'm not sure if it was his last winner but he did train a chestnut horse, from memory owned by his long time client Alec McKay, to win a race in the depths of a Wellington winter. Stable name of this horse was 'Tiger' and I think it in winning that race, he might have become the holder the slowest time ever seen at Trentham over a mile.

Surely, it is the best portfolio for the Finance Minister to hold to be truly able to scrutinize whether or not racing is utilising the recent handout appropriately, and whether further financial support in the future is warranted and truly justifiable?

WTF does his sexuality have to do with his capability to do/not do the job?

I stand to be corrected, but I believe that one person on the arrears list (for a small amount) was tragically killed less than a month after the debt was placed on the list. Given that so much industry money has been frittered away needlessly year in, year out, I'd like to think that this small amount could be forgiven as an act of kindness.

There might be another track with issues around continuing with the status quo. I'm not sure that Taranaki Racing continuing at the current venue for more than the next few years is feasible if this project goes ahead (see below). If this does happen will NPDC give them anything but a very short term lease? Racedays might be possible, but I can't see how training is given the impact of the construction then the huge increase in vehicular & people movements. Even if it was to be deemed possible it would no longer be an environment I would want any horse of mine to live in if I was with a trainer based on-course. https://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/122615524/the-91m-plan-to-give-taranaki-a-new-place-to-play?fbclid=IwAR37-9nGHqHWZY7ft5tRVfUBql2T9zr9nEc0lgM8VrRa_ThvfEdUxz2np5c

In regard to the interviews with TAB bookies - I find them painful. I just roll my eyes and shake my head when I hear them making a big thing out of $500-$1000 bets. Talk about small fry!

Can you please relay the comments. Can't hear them here even with laptop and video volume up to max. TIA