Special Agent

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.

Looks like it, engaged for Marieke's horse at Woodville. Why not, if riding work and fit? I see Erin's current listed riding weight is 56.5kg.

It really is a ridiculous situation where no jumpers are trained in the south island as there are no jumping races. Then for one week north island jumpers head south at considerable expense to race in small fields for very good money. Only horses considered capable of winning are loaded onto trucks and floats so you'd expect the jumping to be of a high standard.

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.