Special Agent

I must point out that the Patterns Committee are not always right with their decisions about changing race conditions. The Levin Classic is a perfect example of this ... venue, distance, date ... now down to Group 2. It might have ended up there anyway but, it would make more sense if it was still run closer to home with the people and community who set up the Bayer Classic from nothing.

We are only seeing one side of it. Maybe the Boys Get Paid were being demanding. It seems strange to drop large turnovers like a hot potato. Love or hate whatever promos and groups that come into this sphere, we have been made well aware that we have to have very active punting to keep us all in a job, whether it's from a Lazy Boy, a Pub TAB or under the loud speaker at a racecourse. Every day I'm told by someone that racing is nearly finished. So many bad past decisions, so many looking to line their own pockets etc. You'd wonder how such an important and vibrant industry has come to this.

I didn't think that interview showed him in a very good light.

The winner won too well for there to be many excuses for the others

Everyone's take on this subject is interesting. Young participants are definitely needed and should be welcomed. It is a bit of a struggle financially for them starting out and unfortunately a lot rely on selling their best stock. What does State of the Art facilities mean? Does it mean flashy, or practical? The overseas photos look beautiful but, we have to have the money and staff for top notch maintenance. Russell Warwick said that a metropolitan track will bring the best horses and jockeys. Unless there is an influx we will still have the same pool of both. It is fantastic to look at other places and dream but, we don't have the same population as other countries. I wish we could come up with our own model instead of trying to copy others. As has been pointed out, sometimes it's quite an enjoyable experience under a simple umbrella. If Ellerslie is New Zealand's answer to State of the Art, it doesn't have training facilities which goes against the centralisation grain. I feel we are getting mixed messages from HQ. I think our State of the Art needs to be more simplistic i.e. safe consistent racing surfaces, horse areas with working components, viewing platforms aligned to the number of patrons, multi purpose facilities etc. We have every reason to become skeptical as we have seen Takanini sold, then sit unused for a long time and still no State of the Art facility at Puhinui or Whakanui or Greenfields or anywhere else. Rangiora is providing grass gallops Riccarton is not. Foxton and Levin continue to do their bit as trial and jumpout venues. Matt Ballesty made a point of CD needing to sort "racing and jumpout venues", a strange comment in the midst of it all. Has everyone forgotten Te Teko already. I have heard from a few in the industry that the Flaxmere property is not the perfect solution either. There are doubts concerning the soil make up. Please ensure due diligence is done before blundering into a poorly researched mistake. Everything is not as it seems at first glance. Serious industry investment will be required. It will not come from government, and Entain is a short term fix. Clubs need to step up with diverse ideas and action. I think we need to lower our expectations a touch and not dream of some pie in the sky ideal. There's a bloody lot to work on. Hearing the backslapping and comments about how terrific each board is offers no confidence to me as I feel that self praise is no recommendation. I think we probably have some brilliant young people right across the country who could do no worse than those who have let facilities run down, have sold the crown jewels and run up eye watering debt. After all, those young people will be here a lot longer than us and I often wonder what some oldies are hanging in for.

Matt Ballesty said they (I'm assuming NZTR as opposed to RACE) would not be footing the bill of 10's of $millions to upgrade the stand at Trentham. That being the case, without a viewing platform and jockeys' rooms and commentary box and judges box and officials and administration areas, I would think there would be no chance of any track renovation or horse area upgrade.

I wonder what they think is going to be achieved in one year.

Have I read the NZ Herald article correctly? Is it suggesting a lengthy road trip "played a part in the Oaks not meeting the required ratings to satisfy the Asian Pattern Committee"? Would this apply in America or Europe, where quality horses seem to hop from country to country on a regular basis. Maybe the NZ Oaks being demoted to Group 2 would be embarrassing but, maybe NZ racing is actually substandard on the world stage.

I think that came from the official report from NZTR.

Would it be too much to ask for a committee to come up with fresh ideas, rather than the usual close and sell tracks to prop up others?

I don't know Colin, only of him. He sure does have his critics and possibly more negative feedback than positive. I'll listen to anyone's opinion but, that doesn't mean I won't have a contrary opinion. On this occasion I think he gets the bouquet. I didn't see NZTR or the CJC coming up trumps to assist Canterbury trainers "for the good of the industry".

I think you'll find the most difficult ones aren't seen raceday. The public have no idea how valuable jumpouts and trials are for education and preparing for racing in a less stressful and safe environment. I know people love to put the boot into Colin Wightman but, his donation here should be welcomed with open arms.

Firstly they load in two halves. 90 seconds would relate to any troublesome horse. Some may walk straight in within 5 seconds for example.

They look great and will be a valuable asset. All the best to whoever runs the Rangiora jumpouts. These are a much needed training tool for Canterbury trainers, especially now that each horse is allotted just 90 seconds to load on raceday.

Gamma, listening to that clip I don't think Chris Waller is calling the shots. He was giving his opinion. Some people will agree and some will disagree.

With all the required signs on gates, and health and safety measures I would say it would not be okay. If you are talking landlords I wonder what is in a lease agreement that could supercede rules and laws. How do house rentals deal with a landlord inspection? I don't think they would be without an appointment.

Hardly a surprise that more time is required. Thank goodness they didn't press on with upcoming trials and races.

How much training and racing would you get for $40,000 for one dog? If you factored in food, shelter, vet work, retraining, desensitising etc and staffing for one retired dog at one of the GRNZ approved kennels to be $40 per day (which it wouldn't be) that's about 3 years of care. A bit like owning a Rest Home, there's a fairly secure job there for a while. If trainers are losing their jobs surely it makes sense to leave the dogs where they are until rehomed, afterall trainers have the facilities and handlers, and come 1/8/2026 nothing better to do.

Did anyone else read the article which I don't think was from the UK, rather Scandanavia or Europe, about the mother who donated her daughter's pony to the zoo to feed the lions? That particular animal park sourced various horse meat for the big cats via donations through public means. I think slow ones in Singapore used to feed the lions and tigers in their zoo. When you think about it, Orana Park could be a good avenue for unwanted, old or injured South Island horses, and Wellington and Auckland zoos have a whole North Island to supply food for a lot of hungry mouths.

Yes, she definitely likes to be the centre of attention, and not cast aside for better options. More than a few comments don't add up. What was wrong with the best three from Kaikoura ending up in training? If she selected the most appropriate rehomers at the trainers properties how good is she at her job to still have to put down 30% of those horses as finally deemed unsuitable? As she went on it was clear she'd forgotten her earlier comments with contradictions filtering in. I'm guessing most viewers would have switched off part way through. She was well off the mark with numbers she was quoting and authority practices re traceability etc. I hope she isn't related to the harness trainer of the same name. I think she may have saturated her brain with a bit much Silent Witness in her formative years as she'd have to be the only Horse Post Mortem Technician on the latest Census. Any sanity questions for me were answered quite early in the interview when she explained how one of her horse related injuries was a blow to the head.

I get the sentiment but, not all retired people are equal. Property sales in my eyes should be a last resort. You can't tell me all revenue has been wisely invested back into the industry. "Change — or get out of the way." I love this quote. Evolve even. To hang onto a job merely for the salary is not acceptable. You'd think the top roles would have performance based remuneration, KPI's or whatever.

Fantastic, Winston acknowledges the impact on those who will be effected by the closure of their industry. Also stating "The bottom line is too many dogs continue to die and be seriously injured, and it is time to do the right thing." How many is he talking about? I wonder if he's done a tot up on how much the TAB will be funding. If the rehoming system does not take the same stance as the SPCA in putting dogs down after a certain period, the expenditure is going to get out of hand. You'd also have to wonder what form the support of industry members is going to take. I'm with Chief on this one. I can't believe minorities have not been stood up to, and racing bods are naive to think they won't suffer a similar fate.

Just apprentlces at fault with their whips at New Plymouth today according to the Stipes Report.

57kg

Ellerslie had the advantage of having no trackworkers whilst upgrading the track but, still didn't get it right first time despite employing experts. For me it's hard to fathom a final rush with these massive projects. Does this happen in other industries? As for Awapuni, I can't be drawn into comments given for whatever reason as a back up for actions already undertaken. Somebody must be responsible for what transpires. All the industry wants is for the track to be usable and safe, however long that takes.