Special Agent

That was a trick. I thought you were going to talk about the recent passing of Lex Nicholls.

Yes, don't forget options were non-existent until Entain came along. Things look rosey with innovation races and big stakes (unless you have a winter galloper) but, I still have reservations about the end result. When NZTR remain hell bent on selling up tracks it shows little initiative to me. Is there anyone out there with some original ideas?

NZTR's address to trainers at recent AGM's.

Jumps racing was on the way out. Now NZTR and Entain are surprised and happy with turnovers. Reports tell us there are less injuries too. Well done to everyone responsible.

Funny.

Looking at Sunday's card at Te Aroha you'd think there had never been a problem around jumping fields.

Good to see a new trainer out of Wingatui, and his reasons for doing so.

Like none of us saw any of this coming. Who estimated 1500 dogs would need to be rehomed at the conclusion of greyhound racing, and is it accurate? SPCA say they rehomed thousands of animals in quick time during Covid. As it is SPCA's policy to kill unwanted animals after a short time I wonder how many of those rehomed are still where they originally went. It is mindblowing how expensive it has become to keep a large volume eating dog considering escalating living costs.

Would a free drink for anyone with grey hair be too much?

Any record turnover says the club is doing something right. We all know the racing crowds of the distant past were something to behold. It's unlikely crowds at a race meeting are going to be like that again. As many on here have said, even Ellerslie is a sad and sorry sight these days. In this different world some innovative concepts are required to encourage a walk up crowd. It sounds like South Canterbury are giving it a good go. I look forward to your marketing ideas Billy.

I think the smaller clubs are more in touch and more innovative. Can also work with a small budget, because they've had practice.

Maybe a free racebook and a punters club ticket. Although should an easy bet be successful it could be reinvested early whereas the punters club ticket doesn't get a return till the end of the day. A bit to weigh up for the best result for the club.

If you wear a combination of Grey Way's colours you should gain free entry and get an easy bet.

I love this article. It has elements of what I can remember of racing in my youth, not the multi-million dollar prize money I must point out. I think there are some in racing who forget about the community from which they come, and how important it is. To me the last paragraph says it all. South Australian racing was always considered the poor relation, I guess not now.

Yip. The open letter I don't rate but, Sam Wynne I do. Like I said, two ends of the spectrum.