hesi

They must have figured out that they could make a bigger margin on FO betting as they seem to want to phase our tote betting. Would be surprised though as tote betting had some decent takeouts. Win/place 15%, doubles, quinellas etc 20% and some of the exotics as high as 25%. Or is it a matter of sports is the future and that is all FO, so they are increasingly left with this white elephant that is the racing totalisator

Be interested to know what those restricted would be costing them each year. Surely it can't be that much, knowing the small percentage that win. You can almost deduce that it is a small amount based on the huge losses that punters incur. Enough to fund a racing industry. The no deductions policy gained them a lot of kudos. To have a no restrictions policy would be also win them a lot of kudos. As I said I don't know what it would cost them, so that is the proviso. Maybe a case of the pros outweighing the cons. I recall the TAB always used to advertise; you know the odds now beat them

More of their garbage, Stuff illustrates the reasons why many people have turned off mainstream media. For a start they only call NZ, Aotearoa. Not sure what decided they had the right to re-name this country. Maybe the contract they signed when the Labour Govt was in power, under the guise of the PIJF (Public Interest Journalism Fund), and got paid millions of dollars.

You might remember that the Racing Board ran the TAB, the broadcasts etc etc. Bit of a poke in the eye with a blunt stick, but they had huge overheads and costs, yet could not find the money to go through and put many of our best races onto digital. I corresponded at the time with a guy called Antony Corban at the RB who was looking after the videos and there was no appetite or money to get degrading celluloid transferred to digital

Pardon my ignorance and an indication of how long ago I took an all up, but they were discontinued in Dec 2024. But yes, they went on tote odds and a large all up could significantly affect the price on a horse

Yes the heritage of NZ racing is in the legacy that all those great horses have left. Some videos on YouTube but most look like they are lost forever, only to remembered in the minds of the slowly aging people who either saw the races in person or watched on TV. And they will be gone in time. A crime that NZ racing never looked after its heritage and made sure they were preserved. If not all races, then all the feature races over the years. Particularly disappointed that I cannot watch Zonda winning the 1997 Derby. I was there and it was a tremendous run, I even have some pics of him in the parade ring with Vinnie Colgan up, just before he went out and won

NZ Racing also, with all those videos on tape. I actually looked into this and apparently all of the tapes are in storage in Wellington, slowly degrading. The cost to convert to digital is apparently in the millions, but the tapes are probably too far gone by now

Navigator certainly had the stats for that race and blew out to 40/8. I don't bet much these days, but had a $10 Top 3 multi, Doctor Askar/La Dorada/Navigator for a nice collect that would have been over double had it been an all up!

Could be a good idea. A wall of horses in front of it on New Years Day, so not persevered with to finish last in a good field. The Railway on Jan 24 is going to be a great race with a couple of Aussie group winners, plus Alabama Lass, First Five and another up and comer in Sweynesday

Speak with data, no point, info only

And to prove me wrong First Five easily at WFA for the first time. Must be a good horse

Come on CS, the guy has the gift of the gab. Listen to him comment on the Warriors, he talks and talks and talks, very eloquently, but says very little. Unfortunately our much heralded All Black coach, who everyone thought would be our saviour, including me, is showing himself to be in the same camp.

You have to admit that Cameron George is very good at talking a lot and saying nothing.

It is impossible to say. In theory, yes But the decline overall in the quality of horses racing in NZ clouds it in practice. The list of winners going back pre-2016, contains many of the greatest sprinters ever to race in NZ

The Telegraph has been a true handicap race from its inception in 1890 through till 2014, then in 2015 run as set weights and penalties then from 2016 on as a WFA. As you know, with WFA, horses carry weight based on age and sex, not race record. The theory is it attracts the top horses. A horse like Crocetti would be carrying more weight under handicap conditions as would Grail Seeker, whereas a horse like First Five is poorly off at the same weight as Crocetti. I guess it also encourages 3-year-olds like To Cap It All to have a go

If you read the Wexford Facebook site, they had a fairly high opinion of her, which the odds setters must have taken note of, as she opened at 2.80. Unusual for such a large drift to take place on a promising Wexford horse. The big tightener was Pulsatilla, but that came to nothing

I don't think the jockey can take too much credit for Ohope Wins win, the horse did all the work

And that it did, even after drifting out to 3 times its opening price, what do punters know lol A bit of trainspotting. The last 2 yearlings out of Choux Mania, a full brother called Torrey Pines and half sister called Stilleto Falls, sold for $700 each

Yes Colin

I guess the conspiracy theorists must have got it wrong when it comes to racing being centralised in Auckland/Waikato. One of Ellerslie's big days, which now has no G1, effectively guzumped by Trentham and the G1 Telegraph and the same stake money, 2 days later. Yet another move for the Levin Classic

I know the Chief won't do it, because he doesn't really go for that warm fuzzy stuff, but best New Year wishes to all those that read and contribute to BOAY. It is after all what makes a chat site, a chat site. Personally, I have found this to be the best of the social media chat sites about racing. Why? I think a lot of it is to do with the Chiefs knowledge of racing and intelligence, something which I think appeals to a lot of people who read this site. Yes, he may give you a serve if you post stuff that in his mind does not stack up, but that should not deter people from having a say. There is a big difference between rampant negativity that seems to be the hallmark for social media, and rigorous, fact based, critical appraisal of the issues in racing

Maybe a sign of what you are talking about, but no horse racing people in the 2026 Honours list and only one last year, Terry Campbell, long time president at the Taupo RC

Maybe be nothing but have noted that the top TA horses, seem to put in a blinder of a race every so often, against top horses What You Wish For - Taupo Cup Qali Al Farrasha - Thoroughbred Breeders Quintessa - Proisir Plate

TA always name the strappers in write ups on winning horses