Special Agent

Based on "we rely on data and analysis to help lead informed decisions, data-led decisions" Levin is safe. Count up how many horses gain Barrier Certificates at Levin and are educated there. No emotion, just fact.

Why would you paint the modern running rail that comes in white?

Where are the chicky babes? The headline sums the advertising up, yet that is not the only demograph represented on course.

The new inside track at Awapuni was being seeded 10 years ago, and now gone. The cost of $280,000 not insignificant. They appear to be consistent in poor due diligence, talking up their current project like it's the next best thing, treating cost as irrelevant, using the surface before properly consolidated and discarding and moving onto the next bigger and better project with even more experts onboard.

It hasn't been. Let's hope the only way is up.

So this group of people don't have confidence in NZ thoroughbred racing. It's a diverse chunk of the industry. One fix is not going to fit everybody. CD Racing, well that's easily assessed, how could anyone in CD make a living from recent seasons in the worst region in the country for "non-racing"? The first three categories will always remain in the industry in some shape or form but, the young people having no confidence is a worry. Many of these have been enticed in through various promotions, the trick is now how to retain them.

I wonder how many track gallop and raceday divots could be put back for the price of that survey and unimpressive report?

Results have been posted. When 40% of stakeholders have no confidence in a particular aspect of racing, be it leadership, vision or financial, yet that percentage is described as a positive baseline, I wonder how the other 60% surveyed feel about that comment. Statistics can be made to say anything, and this report does that in spades, even if the stats say one thing and the comments another. In this report racing isn't going well for trainers, breeders, those with experience in the industry, young people and anyone in the CD. The racing industry is going to rattle once those low confidence groups come out.

Are you sure the 2007 and 2008 sponsorship deal didn't?

You may have to do a fact check on that sponsorship comment with reference to the 2007 and 2008 runnings. I doubt the Otaki Maori Racing Club ever supplied sponsors for the Levin Classic.

A few things stick out to me. Depending on what clubs or committee members are selling off or developing their land surrounding the racecourse dictates the asthetics and value of the dwellings. Ellerslie and Awapuni are vastly different to Riccarton, the latter being used for affordable housing. The Trustees managing the capital providing regular revenue, I assume through investment. Have any clubs built their own houses or commercial buildings as rentals, also a form of ongoing revenue? I question whether committees make the right decisions for the future of their clubs. As far as club constitutions are concerned, these come up for review on a regular basis usually discussed in detail at an SGM. I don't know why this important process is brushed off as insignificant by many. It's a bit late after the event trying to change what's been voted on.

The RCP reports on all areas are going to be interesting. One track remaining on the West Coast seems ridiculous. No circuit, and one or two days at the one course? Where are Wairoa and Gisborne now?

There are clubs where members would sooner give their asset back to the community than to NZTR.

I was under the impression working together was a balanced regional exercise.

I believe no New Zealand racecourses have been sold since Hokitika. The racecourse selling process under the Act is lengthy and we may have a new Racing Minister to rubber stamp any facility transaction by the time Avondale or Levin is sold, notwithstanding the fact that there is an additional step with RCP's involvement. If the sale of three Waikato racecourses is not enough to fund the new venture, I can't see it happening in my lifetime. As Warren Buffett would say, don't buy anything until you have the cash to do so.