Special Agent

"Each New Zealand Racing Club was assessed against a performance framework across four categories: Financial, Racing, Marketing and Compliance and Innovation." That looks untrue going by the finalists. The southern clubs must be in with a show in the Provincial and Country categories. Auckland looks the predetermined winner with it's own font. It would be nice if all clubs got a ribbon for competing.

Haha. I wonder how many jumpouts you have been to across the country and seen the differing people "helping out". Good luck on that one Chief. It's a bit like riding a gallop and knowing what times you have run from each furlong peg (and pretty much anyone can learn to count using a Hyland track timer) but the person who clocks them might add or take off a second depending on which ones they are backing next start. As jumpouts are not official trials sometimes the results are incorrect and the wrong riders listed. The horses are learning, probationary riders are feeling their way. Some of the heats are better left in the dark.

I don't think we should lose sight of the fact that jumpouts are a training tool and it's not always about results. The quality of jumpouts across the country differs.

Would you run a R65 horse in a R80 Benchmark staying race? That way you could also cater for the horses not quite up to a strong open cup field (at the stage of it's prep even). Jo Rathbone won the extreme race at New Plymouth with a maiden which went on to finish second in the Jericho.

Lower grade staying races is also a CD problem according to trainers I've talked to. An easy fix, I think, if addressed properly. You just need the right people to listen.

The Aussies don't do things by half. What happens if the members vote "no"?

You must have missed the back up plan.

That's a very good point about the Incorporated Societies requirements. All racing clubs will be in the same boat. Like you say "interesting". it beats me how racing clubs say that no training centres can make money. Cambridge and Matamata must prove differently. I also wonder why the facilities are not more fully utilised. What about their catering and venue hire parts of the business between race meetings? is it true horses can't be worked at Hastings for a week because of a camper van convention? If so, that's taking things to the other extreme.

Bad jockey judgement aside, you may have hit the nail on the head Shad. The quality of horse flesh may be poor.

If you are going to make a mistake, that wasn't the race to do it in.

There definitely are horses that have changed stables. Te Akau sell some on Gavelhouse which go on and trial up or race well. It happens with other stables too where a transfer to another environment works.

"this track could develop into a classic 'horses for courses' track" Some horses definitely do not like the tracks with sand in them. It is disappointing lessons are not learned from other track developments including mistakes and pitfalls.

By whom?

Next time it will be easier to borrow her eftpos card and withdraw from her bank account.

Trials fixtures are not set in stone. They are a training tool and sometimes safety rules. Sometimes they change to accommodate jumpouts. Grass trials and races are definitely preferred by trainers. I went to the all weather series final at Awapuni with the big stake attached. It wasn't hard to find a seat in the stand.

I think most of their marketing is aimed at Wellington, which they would do based on historical statistics.

Never knock an idea. At least you have some.

What I don't like about the big clubs is these Flash Harry CEO's start with a great gig that has been set up by a team over time but, instead of embellishing what is already in place they turn it on it's head and shake the guts out of it. The country clubs seem to follow a tried and true system in methodical fashion that works for their group. Maybe the crowd was a good one at Ellerslie but, it is difficult getting excited about a crowd which has gaps in the stand and not a packed out infield.

Did these people not get their own toys as kids?

I guess the word recommendation sats it all. It's not a rule or regulation. The jumps panel was only ever there for effect.

With what is happening in the greyhound industry I wouldn't have been surprised if he'd changed his name to Toni.

Sicko's

Holy shit! Is it time to not have amateur races at all? There are so few spread too far across the country. They went hand in hand with jumping races. Now that the south island racing scene is no longer it all seems disjointed to me. I would have thought with champions days and elite riding ranks amateurs are not the right look for what is trying to be achieved, or perceived.

Sorry Curious, should have read right down to the bottom first.

Is the percentage covered in the default agreement?