Special Agent

Racing and breeding dogs (i.e. ALL greyhounds) cannot be exported to Australia RIGHT NOW. FFS. It's more than sad for the "participants" in the greyhound industry. Just because it's a bit of fun betting, or choosing not to bet, on greyhounds there are a whole lot of human beings who have lost their livelihood. Not only that but, the poor bastards can't recoup any dosh by selling any competitive or well bred ones to a greyhound racing country. Plus you must find suitable homes for your soon to be finished dogs, which must be desexed no matter the age. How legal (or sane) is any of that??!! Pick any other industry operating in New Zealand (i.e. freight companies, meat workers, forestry, electricians etc) and see how those families would cope if the breadwinner of the family was told he/she only had months to continue earning. I don't think On Track have enough personnel to cope with the fall out on this one. As for phrases like "tidy their act up" WTF does that mean? Too many are talking through a hole in their head. This isn't a game. It's an absolute disaster, even if it doesn't effect you. No one is looking at the big picture. I hate the word woke but, FFS open your eyes we are being ruled by a woke minority!!

Yes I agree. If there's not enough money to challenge it I hope trainers and owners are talking with their MP's who were obviously voting blind on closing the entire greyhound industry. If I was working my way towards a law degree this would be a fun project with a group of like minded students looking for a thesis subject.

What is your take on NZ dogs not being able to be exported to Australia to race or breed? If a NZ trainer can relocate to Australia to train do you think, when NZ government has already thwarted their livelihood, it is okay for them not to be able to take their competitive dogs too? Should those dogs just be added to the list of rehomers?

High density housing is a bad idea in any area. Clean green nothing in NZ any more. Looking at that photo can't you just see the sewer pipe problem in a few years clogging up the waterway out yonder. The traffic is diabolical now so, lets add some more. So would high density allow for extra water tanks like is compulsory in other councils? Doubt it!! Take away the green areas, nothing to do, and another stack of slums with undesirables jammed into this "affordable housing". Well done NZTR, Racing Minister, government and whoever else dares hold their hand up.

I think you will find clubs with a history of surviving controversity and adversity will be among the favoured runners to repeat the dose. Clubs, of course with owners and trainers as members. One thing for certain, those who have only come onboard with the stakes and novelty races will be long gone. None of this is unexpected. I have wondered all along how the Entain model was going to survive, hoping somehow it would. I'd hate to be in charge, holding the baby. I think a nappy change is nigh.

The way I look at it the owner selected a horse judging by the price that was not wanted by the experts. He has entrusted the training to Sam Wynne, a newbie in the training role, who has done a tremendous job fitting the horse for racing with the added bonus of being the raceday rider. As the horse has won it's last five why would you be looking for another jockey? As Mike Kneebone said "what a story". Sam is as competitive as any other jockey who will be riding at Ellerslie. With all the bullshit she endured from Bernard Saundry and co at NZTR and Tim Mills at the CJC during Covid I'd say she'd handle whatever criticism anyone is prepared to throw at her like water off a duck's back. I wouldn't know Colin Wightman if I fell over him but, if there is an inkling he's looking at replacing Sam in the saddle the big crowbar he'd require to prise his hoop off is likely to be wrapped around his head by Sam herself.

I think that release of pressure would only be short term.

Maybe he meant the winning slot holder. Who knows? It seems a lot of hype that will benefit a few. When Entain fizzles out I can only see it being the survival of the energetic clubs with money making ideas and not too many wages to pay.

Time will tell if the horse is of the quality required. One thing, it is in form. Brendan Lindsay said in an interview that the slot race is exciting because the winner could come from Hokitika so, if the Wynne/Wightman charge makes the field and performs well it should be the dream result for everyone involved.

I concur. Positivity will not pay the bills. Entain talked the big game regards their ideas to lift the racing industry. If 2yo bonuses are the best they can come up with it's hardly impressive nor confidence building.

Do you think the Purdon stable will include a few 2yo's? Otherwise, it's hard to imagine many are bred to be 2yo's.

What did they do with the old ones? There would be a few training tracks that may be interested in buying them for early morning trackwork at the right price.

Surely that's just the side salad.

Are you saying there is no disgraceful behaviour from the other codes? Maybe they just have a bigger carpet.

Great. Good on them and good luck.

I like the way you think on this issue. Shane Jones has been pretty strong of late, particularly against Maori on Maori issues but, that probably wasn't aired on mainstream TV. As Minister for Foreign Affairs how did Winston Peters let the Cook Islands sell out to China? What a disaster for the South Pacific. I am angry the way minority groups are scaring politicians shitless. NZ definitely seems a little low on real men these days. We are many steps behind the eight ball too. Just two genders in USA now. It's a shame Donald Trump thinks our country is a third world one on a par with Congo.

There are people amongst us who are quite selfish. I don't know why we let minority groups to have any effect though. Every year the protestors voice their opinions Melbourne Cup week but, I can't see the Spring Carnival ceasing any time soon.

Why did other people not raise objections? I can't answer for someone else but, I have seen correspondence by trainers on this very subject, ignored. It always irks me why some run against their knowledge and judgememt. There is always the option of not running on the synthetics if you don't agree with them.

Like the Marlborough Cup and Timaru Stakes running at Riccarton.

Out of his depth comes to mind. With the Herald photo showing him joined by two Warriors it looks obvious where the advice will come from.

Thoughts are with Jason. Let's hope it's not as bad as it looks and he has a speedy recovery. Trackwork riding can be a dangerous job, and poorly paid at times. Long ambulance waits seem to be common in these situations. I wonder if there is anything racing can do to alleviate this.

I wonder where they came from.

They are not cheap to go to, with no return. North Island trials and jumpouts are very full but, trainers know when and where they are running and can work out where their horses can progress afterwards. South Island programming looks like it's done with a dart board.

"Media personalities". That's a good one. We'll have another problem when Presenters filter through who have been subjected to compulsory Te Reo. How about honing English first. Then we'll truly have multi-lingual presenters because they are already fluent in text speak.

That is annoying.