billy connolly

His Majesty...

It was tired before they built it, Mill's predecessor (whom Mills worked under at the time) was largely responsible for that members stand... an aberration. Yet a place like Ashburton (who no doubt were on a tight budget) can revamp their entire track satisfactorily as well as build a very nice 'covered' grandstand overlooking the track, whereas the goons at CJC/Riccarton Park with bigger tickets and a bigger budgets can decimate their track and erect a second-rate, inferior grandstand.

You're missing the point somewhat, the half baked CEO, Mills (with the backing of the CJC board) wants to trash an iconic grandstand which has stood the test of time for 100 years and will stand for another 100 years (earthquake or no earthquake) and replace it with sweet fuck-all. Instead of old Millsey sitting on his arse all day thinking of his next drink at the Racecourse Pub, why can't he and his assistant (Rowe I think his name is) go out cap in hand and raise funds in an attempt to salvage this amazing building. I'm with the Civic Trust/Historic Places, retain and redevelop the stand to become a heritage centre, holiday apartments, museum, casino etc, etc, etc

Seems odd that this structure suffered irreparable damage yet others in the vicinity did not, the majority of earthquake damage occurred at the eastern corner of Christchurch City, few buildings north of Hagley Park were destroyed and even less so north west of Church Corner. To a degree but Metropolitan tracks in Australia, Hong Kong, England and USA have substantial facilities available to cater for their patrons, Riccarton Racecourse is a cold godforsaken place at the best of times and without adequate shelter from Canterbury's howling easterly wind it is a prick of a place.

Any comments regards the claptrap from CEO Mills in the link below? If my memory is correct Mills was the previous CEO's understudy whilst the current useless (white elephant) members grandstand was constructed approx 30 years ago. Although the condemned public grandstand is antiquated and dated, it was by far the best viewpoint on-course and the top level of this stand provided excellent race viewing. Mills has lived the life of Riley (probably rent free) in a club residence on club property for the majority of his tenure at CJC/Riccarton Park, all the while accumulating investment property of his own ! https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/129736430/fixing-100yearold-grandstand-will-financially-cripple-racecourse

30 years a politician, Muldoon must have been doing something right. A great television PM, also raced a horse or two. How does Muldoon compare to the current Minister of Finance, the bloke they call "The Ambulance"... likes to enter from the rear ?

Another example of how far from reality Mills actually is, incredible that he still has the backing of the CJC Board.

Are his (Pinn's) earnings comparable to the multitude of JCA/RIU leeches?

Yes, wouldn't be hard to set up a green on course, get a pro like Fox along, pay an entry fee and have a "beat the pro" chip/wedge competition. The golf tournaments were once a highlight of yesteryear's racing circuits.

The band still plays but it's a long way from the dance floor. In his 25/30 years as CJC/Riccarton Park CEO (and a few more under the previous CEO) how many victories has old Millsey actually had ? Even allowing for the fact that the Riccarton Park Board/Committee have the final say, it is my opinion that Mills hasn't achieved a great deal whilst at the wheelhouse of the CJC and has used the place to feather his own nest. Even the recent housing development on Yaldhurst Road leaves much to be desired.

Thornley knew a bit about paddling in ponds, paddled in plenty himself !

Wouldn't blow smoke up Piggotts arse, but has "the gift of the gab" which people fall for !

Yes and in contract law verbal agreements carry as much (if not more) weight than written agreements. Doesn't RACE Board Chairman, Humphries occupy one of those flash houses behind Awapuni's course proper? His father, Greg Humphries was a former head Stipendiary Steward in the Central Districts back in the 80's.

Could be Dunstan Racecourse, more info here.

Turned socialists into capitalists, more bent than a ram's horn.

I stand to be corrected but doubt a beach surface is comparable to an AW polytrack. A beach surface provides excellent firm going with sufficient give to suit most horses and IMO is a lot easier to gallop/run on than synthetic or turf. With a few exceptions most horses adept on wet tracks aren't fast enough on good/firm surfaces and no horse relishes a heavy bog track, just some (breeds) go through it better than others. Comparing times posted at Timaru today (June 12th) to those at Riccarton's synthetic (June 3rd) - the polytrack was approx six seconds quicker over 1200m/1600m.

Five months for a couple of slaps on the neck with a feather duster is preposterous. McCutcheon is well past his use-by date, note that both him and the other half-baked adjudicator McKechnie were also responsible for rubbing out D. Walker for six years which effectively has been a life disqualification.

I'm guessing payment within 30 days would require a substantial overdraft facility, 30 weeks seems more likely. Maher, is he/she a relative of one Brian James Maher, the disgraced former Queensland car salesman come billionaire entrepreneur who spent millions of his ill-gotten gains on bloodstock both here and Australia during the late 1970's early 80's ?

If it's Ellis you're referring to, he's a businessman playing with other peoples money and no doubt NZ Bloodstock will be carrying him (to a degree) also. If Ellis was using his own money he'd be buying tried horses with ability, not untried yearlings who may never be able to gallop. Ellis also has an agistment farm doesn't he, so will be clipping the ticket at every turn but he's been good for racing.

No one (past or present) did more for the game than Piggott. R.I.P

What is the problem with synthetic surfaces, these are modern well designed tracks? With a few exceptions most of our current turf tracks are antiquated, poorly designed and dangerous. IMO a horse who has won on a modern synthetic surface has won on its merits, a horse who has won at a bull ring like Reefton or a swamp like Kumara needs as much luck as ability.

Polytrack seems reasonable racing thus far, can't see why punters view it with trepidation. A decent (cambered) surface in Winter makes for better racing for mine. Maintenance through Canterbury's Summer months may be an issue.

Isn't it ironic that the applicant on the charge sheet a Ms G. Morrow is a nobody, an irrelevant non achiever of no consequence yet one B. Herd is/was a former multiple Group 1 winning jockey and one of a select few to have ridden in excess of 1000 winners in NZ. IMO the RIB have fuck-all to do when they go after someone like Herd... riding track work.

Stormy Seas, originally Southland trained but Australian trained when 5th in 1972 MC.

With regards to the youtube video , it's the usual pretentious claptrap from Mills. Old Millsey waxes lyrical on how the Polytrack will cater for greater participation but he fails to see that when John Parsons and Michael Pitman are gone there will be insufficient horse numbers to hold an 8 race card! And why didn't old Millsey make an effort to fix Riccarton's atrocious asphalt roads whilst Fulton Hogan had their heavy machinery on course???