Special Agent

As long as you train like Gai.

The "aftermath" would be interesting.

From the conversations I've had, I think so.

Perception.

"The move to ban greyhound racing will be subject to a select committee process where public submissions on the plan will be considered." This is from the latest NZ Herald report. Who is submitting?

That being the case maybe he won't be in NZ long. As far as the interview goes I thought, what will he say that I don't already know so didn't bother watching it.

Anyone who wants to bring 20 people to the races should be embraced.

Wales are going to ban greyhound racing too. I can only see one greyhound track there. An interesting snippet is that in a survey conducted in 2016 in NSW 80% wanted greyhound racing banned. GRNSW said they have no intention banning the sport that came to Australia in the early 1900's.

Chief, methinks you are just picking to argue now. Many tracks and clubs have picked up extra meetings in Central to accommodate abandoned meetings and tracks closed for remedial work.

Well who wants to clock up $500+ on a float from Cambridge to Otaki for example. FFS, northern horses travel south for trials because they are eliminated from grass track trials.

Wouldn't know about every track but, have been early enough to some lower north island meetings to see Stipes on the track. I couldn't guarantee they walk right around because I haven't watched them for long enough.

I think admin people just like the sound of centralisation because they can't even make it work on a small scale.

That depends on the dates you get. Kumara, Cromwell and Tauherenikau have good days with good turnovers. A club could be financially viable with just 1, 2 or 3 days with the right circumstances. If your track is also accommodating training or you have full time all year round staff and mainly industry days with poor crowds likelihood is you go broke. The number of meetings is the same, dependent on what days you are allocated. Three meetings close together, or in the winter might not work but if your track is picking up the slack from the abandoned meetings it is definitely going to suffer.

Trainers shouldn't be forced out of their area to get a run, nor should they have to run on tracks they don't want to. It depends upon how many starts you give each horse in a campaign too. Like beating the old familiar drum, a lot of this could be solved by decent programming.

I think you are skirting around the point. With tracks closed or not available due to maintenance, there are definitely not enough tracks to provide decent racing surfaces on a regular basis.

I've listened to an interview on ZB, Leighton Smith talking to former Act MP Dr Muriel Newman. Her views on the China invasion into the South Pacific, the law changes on NZ seabed ownership and climate change were the most sense I've heard in this mad world lately. If there is anyone capable of adding a link to it I think it's well worth a listen.

Who would ever think these systems would be cheap? I guess the question is what is the value of keeping horse and rider safe so racing can be a competitive enjoyable sport for all?

I can't argue with statistics but, if I think about some areas where tracks are not being used it's hard for my brain to make sense of them. On the West Coast and in Marlborough there are four tracks less with the non-use of Westport, Hokitika, Nelson and Blenheim. In Canterbury there's no Rangiora, Motukarara or Orari and infrequent use of Washdyke and/or Ashburton (whichever one, sorry I've been out in the sun and a bit hot and giddy). Otago/Southland has lost Waimate, Waikouaiti, Oamakau, Winton I think is only trots, and there will be more. Central has had some tracks only open for some of the months in each year like Trentham, Hastings, Wanganui, Awapuni, New Plymouth and tracks not being raced on include Foxton, Levin, Feilding, Wairoa, Gisborne, Waipukurau, Bulls, Marton, Stratford (some of these may be more than 30 years ago). In the north I can think of Dargaville, Paeroa, Waipa, Avondale, Thames, Te Teko but, there may be others including Te Aroha that was out for ages. So, please excuse me but I still think that's less tracks taking the racing load.

I heard all these great comments about Ellerslie from jockeys interviewed in the media. All the stuff we all wanted to hear. However, I know that not every jockey who rode at trials on the Ellerslie surface were asked. Some in that group were not so brimming with compliments and had some helpful critiques. Everyone who is licensed to ride by NZTR must have some form of experience so, to be excluded from any discussion is short sighted. In hindsight the rush to get back racing at Ellerslie should have been tempered by further trialling to take any hint of imperfection out of the equation.

I don't think you can cut corners and I think Flemington set a pretty good standard with how they maintain and rejuvenate the track after every Spring Carnival. All tracks should be looked after in the same manner.

Checks and balances need to be stringent and opinions need to be sought from all, not a selection.

There's an example of any amount of walking the track, jumpouts and trials being quite different to race day. The track had the clean bill of health from all concerned before a disastrous return to racing.

Ask Gary Vile what not being quiet does for your business and life.

I'm all about having my say if I think things are wrong but, I don't think every aspect of the industry needs a grandstanding approach. For instance, I agree with you that yesterday's interview should not have aired. Had the Wanganui running rail problems been addressed the public would be none the wiser. I don't know what or if the Jockeys' Association have submitted on this issue. If it's just a moan that has not been through correct procedure that's a perfect situation where "quickly and quietly" would have been preferred.

Just to clarify, I think the synthetic tracks are an absolute waste of money and impossible for the industry to fund the upkeep of, and I do not believe the Awapuni surface is of a sufficient quality to be racing and working horses safely on. However, of the three artificial tracks currently in operation Awapuni appears to get the tick from the jockeys to ride on. It's like a greyhound track but, maybe the camber is okay. The field size should never be increased as a safety imperative and apprentice jockeys should be mindful of everything and everyone around them.