Special Agent

Trainers are told these things all the time. As Freda indicated, what you choose to do with that information is up to you. One major change I can see with people over the years is how precious they have become. Even those who have a very small stake, or none at all, can become quite hostile and personal.

Thank goodness.

As someone eluded to earlier not many are putting their hand up to be interviewed. Oncourse at Awapuni yesterday, Kate was not the only one suggesting more water.

So, just back to these Kate Hercock comments. Viewers of Trackside are always wanting more insight from the trainers and jockeys of the day as a form of entertainment. I don't know how many times you've been interviewed on Trackside Chief or how many times you may have been caught on the hop, or been asked that one question too many, especially on the back of an unlucky run or hair raising ride. I think Kate has been in the industry long enough to have valid opinions on all matters of racing. And that is what they are ... opinions. Just like your's or others on here. If Kate has said something totally wrong or offensive she will be dealt with under the NZ Rules of Racing. Until then Kate can voice her opinion as she is entitled. If anyone doesn't like what she says you can always "mute" her.

Yip.

Well I don't call that normal. How keen do you think that horse will be to lengthen stride next time it's asked? It doesn't take much to dent the confidence of some horses.

You have your sources and I have mine, who are also well respected not only in racing but in business circles internationally. As far as a good track management pedigree goes, plenty of blue bloods can't run and rock star's siblings can't sing. Any jockey who rides a track has more idea than us watching from the stand how it feels under foot. I suppose Kate has been elected or selected to speak on behalf of others. If I had been Kate today I would have been highly pissed off at my horse slipping. A horse should be able to get a bump in a race and not slip. If you go back to the glowing jockey reports from the trials, I couldn't be sure Kate's comments were complimentary. There seemed to be two schools of thought on the track. The kick back comments were ignored. I agree lack of investment has been a major contribution towards these disasters but, I couldn't attest to industry knowledge being used in the past. What jockey and trainer knowledge got the industry into the state it is in? All tracks should get the Flemington treatment. It brings tears to my eyes each time I think about the money wasted on the synthetics. I'm not talking farmers and sheep with regards Hastings, thank you very much. My conversations are not restricted to a small section of the population. I'm talking civil engineering work from good people with an interest in racing and not at rip off prices. NZTR want less tracks, Entain want more racing. There's a fault line in this marriage. One thing today has proved is that selling off venues to prop up others managed like today's example is a sure fire plan for failure.

Just read that too. More tripe. The more that comes out, the more rubbish is spouted. The two gentlemen quoted should both be let go. That's almost unanimous when chatting to all those oncourse today clasping their clean colours. That condescending drivvel after every cockup has to stop, and should not save either of their jobs.

I can't help thinking what happens now? There is now further confidence lost. Because Awapuni was touted as the saviour, Hastings has been completely ignored. Over the last week I've talked to a lot of trainers, owners and riders. It seems to me the caretaker at Hastings whom has been pushed from Pakenham, then pushed from Pukekohe to Hastings, is holding the club to ransom in that he says the entire Hastings circuit needs further renovation. This is not an opinion shared by better credentialed racing participants. This industry knowledge is being ignored. Just like at Awapuni the "experts" have come up short. I believe Hastings can be fixed fairly quickly in a different manner to that being insisted by the caretaker. I'd say Hastings needs to follow Moonee Valley's lead and find a new curator. The Racing Manager at Awapuni might be better served reverting to ground staff in an Aussie racing stable. NZTR need to listen to those who are deriving a living from racing, and who all want the best for racing. Start there. You've been paying "experts" for dud advice when the real experts are close at hand and free of charge.

If the NZTR Board have to sort this Paul Humphries must stand down from any decisions due to his affiliation with RACE. Was Matt Ballesty on course today? Maybe he shot down to talk to the Levin people whilst in the area.

I have had a short day out at Awapuni. Do you think Levin should go to support that infrastructure and inept administration? Not on your nelly!! Disgraceful for New Zealand racing. You can stick your new expensive fencing and drinking hole. Country tracks perform just fine without the hooplah. Word at the track suggests many did not agree with the rail being out. Apparently not all track work riders were entirely happy with the surface but no one was willing to listen. Heads at Awapuni must roll!! Jockeys must speak their mind and not be influenced by what everyone wants to hear. I don't believe trainers were properly consulted. I still believe the track has not been given sufficient time to consolodate. What a mess. Many should hang their heads in shame. Money has been squandered and stakeholders are out of pocket.

A headache not many would want. 10% drainage capacity once the track surface becomes "old" at 30. Diseased (x3) grass diagnosed post racing. A "product" required this week to balance predicted rainfall. Too much rain in the forecast. The top caretaker obviously blamed for the substandard track presented last time as he's been replaced. All adding up to lost confidence of stakeholders. So this is StrathAyr. I hope those tending Ellerslie look and learn. None of this needs repeating on this side of the Tasman.

Your posts are a confusing read.

Great news. An announcement after Anzac racing might have made more sense. First of the triple crown at Ellerslie?

There is no dispute that this is definitely true. Only a halfwit would contemplate selling a freehold venue with a guaranteed annual income from the adjoining lifestyle village, a sizeable amount in the bank, a profitable jumpout model which provides a valuable tool to central trainers and riders (and beyond). The racing club also currently runs three race meetings, comes up with a few innovative ideas, and has a committee which includes younger more energetic bodies than your average racing club. All this down the drain to prop up racing clubs with obvious poor management of both their business and infrastructure. NZTR has an amazing knack of finding CEO's who don't amount to much.

Anyone can contact members on the NZTR Board. You'd think the CEO would have received a directive from them.

Is anyone aware of other clubs newly in the firing line? Money from Levin would not be enough. There must be quite a few more.

As all prior CEO imports, he would look at a list of clubs and think Levin is easy meat.

It looked like Kevin Myers was having an indepth conversation with Horowhenua Star Editor, Paul Williams so the next edition could be juicy. The new CEO should have had a chat with former Board Chair Guy Sargent before taking the Levin Racing Club on. Those guys love a fight.

I believe the girl with the petition was acting on instructions from Shawn.

Not to my knowledge re link to petition. Trainers, owners and riders were hit with it today. Maybe President Shawn Hawkins 0275235355 can shed more light on it.

Meanwhile, huge numbers again at Levin jumpouts today. If you didn't get a chance to sign the petition against the track being sold by NZTR, contact the president. The lass collecting signatures was run off her feet. Contrary to the Messara Report, Levin is now deemed surplus by the new CEO despite two lots of jumpouts and a set of jumping trials this month at the self-funded, low valued venue. The few million dollars it's worth won't go far into the debt bucket of other CD clubs.

I've heard of reading between the lines. Maybe they are blurred lines on your computer screen as I have no idea what you are on about.

And?

As admitted by Bruce Sharrock the Messara Report is being partly used and partly not used by NZTR. What do you think the point of that report is, just to intrigue you maybe? How much do you think the standards have lifted due to the introduction of awards? What do you think clubs can do with the carrot? So tempting to list the places such carrot could be shoved. Which club can't get a quorum?