Special Agent

Are greyhound licence holders just taking the closure of their industry and livelihood in their stride? Unless I am not looking in the right places, there doesn't seem to be much being said. It's puzzling to me, first the decision, then the reaction. New Zealanders have become real pushovers, as proven by how many conformed during Covid.

Absolutely. Front up and let everyone know what's going on. Improvements for everyone across the board should be the goal.

Found this for human heads but worth a go. If you are worried about trying something different on your dog try it on yourself first. DIY Honey Shampoo Want to ditch the chemicals in regular shampoo and renew your scalp? Try this simple two-ingredient Honey Shampoo. Mix it up on a per serving basis to prevent spoilage. Ingredients Raw honey also called "unpasteurized" honey, I recommend this one Filtered water see Instructions for measurements, I use and recommend this filter A few drops of essential oils such as carrot seed oil, optional Instructions Make the shampoo "single serving" basis to prevent spoilage. Here's the basic ratio, but you can adjust it as desired: 1 Tbs. raw honey and 3 Tbs. filtered water. If necessary, slightly heat the mixture over very low heat to help dissolve the honey. Yes, this is really watery... that is how it is supposed to be. If desired, add a few drops of essential oil. I like adding two drops of lavender essential oils and two drops of carrot seed oil. The essential oils add a light fragrance and also help with any flaky scalp issues. The carrot seed oil (found here) is very nourishing to the hair. Wet hair, then massage a few tablespoons of the honey shampoo on the scalp. Massage well to distribute over the scalp. Don't worry about getting the mixture on the ends of the hair, just the scalp area. Rinse well. No need to follow with any conditioner. If desired, you can follow with a DIY apple cider vinegar rise, recipe and instructions found here.

Find a horse or dog trainer who was around 30 years ago and find something natural. Most of the oldtimers grew aloe vera and all would have a tub of honey on hand. Dock leaves, rosemary etc etc. The vet saw you coming.

I think the dogs going. The other two codes will remain propped up so they are happy.

Is there only one agency New Zealanders can now bet with?

Good and bad in all professions, including vets. Those dog death rates in Auckland are staggering. So the animal rights people must think that is okay. Why then has our Racing Minister decided that greyhounds must be kept alive at all costs? A greyhound is a dog so, let's get the SPCA involved because they are really happy that greyhound racing has gone and they are willing to assist by putting them all to sleep. It's strange that greyhound and horse trainers are not considered animal lovers. It's time our Racing Minister and all political parties had another proper think instead of being blinded by the geo blocking trade off.

Who is going to bother collecting fines once the industry is closed? Really, who cares? Just like who cares about what happens to the people in the industry. There's more fuss about the fate of the dogs. Trainers are going to keep a few and rehome the rest. How will they pay to feed those retired greyhounds without an income?

The Levin Classic at least has lost Group 1 status, not sure of the others.

An arrogant and uncaring attitude.

Double standards. SPCA can put greyhounds down but, owners or trainers can't. How long do you think these dogs are going to sit at the rehoming agencies? What happens when the money from GRNZ that fund these runs out? Who has been advising the Racing Minister/s? This Racing Minister looks no better than anyone else profitting from greyhound racing when you consider what the entire industry has been sacrificed for. I do not buy into the welfare of the dogs being the catalyst for an industry closure when lobbied by a minority group. What a country of weak minded people we have become.

I think GRNZ have let the industry down. The questions to me about this incident are how did two unlicensed people gain entry, and I thought New Zealand law allowed for self defence and protection of property so, why do the unlicensed in a licensed area have the upper hand? Too many weak people involved.

3yo's have been good to him.

With all the races, trials, jumpouts and travel who would be in the mood for interviews? Well done Lily for five wins on the card, a big effort. In light of some comments on here about riding skills, or lack there of, I recommend a couple of items I have watched over the last couple of days. One has a duration of an hour and the other is two hours long so you'll need to have put the kids to bed and made the milo before settling down. The first is called something like ... Damien Oliver, The Home Straight. The other is a History Channel doco titled The Spirit of Australian Sport: Horse Racing. I've always thought Australian jockeys are the best in the world but, had forgotten what brilliant overseas records jockeys like Neville Sellwood, Edgar Britt, Bill Williamson, Tago Johnstone, George Moore and Scobie Breasley had back in the days of less racing and tougher opposition.

As mentioned, this is definitely not a new concept. Some horses just click in a new environment. Good luck to everyone who gives a north island cast off a go, I hope you pick up a heap of money and enjoy the ride. These horses get a second chance in this world of finding them all a home. It's a bit of a bugger though that the extra avenue of jumps racing is no longer available in the south.

I hate to say it but, I too think the future for Trentham is grim. Interesting comment as it appears a lot think any money from Avondale will go into a "racing fund", however I thought I read that the Avondale club are keen to reinvest into a new complex north of Auckland, thus relocate.

Does it not matter that the death rate attributed to race injury is down to almost zero? It's difficult when it seems all the misconducts in greyhounds are highlighted. The other codes are not squeaky clean. I am not only disappointed at the decision to discontinue greyhound racing but also the disrespect to anyone involved in the industry. The legislation put through under urgency is a farce in my opinion. Trainers should dump all the dogs off at the Beehive as it seems to me that politicians have no idea or care about the consequences of that legislation, particularly when the SPCA euthanises dogs very regularly. Just like retired racehorses, sometimes they would be better off shot upon retirement. The first home might be great but, that is not always a forever home.

The NZ Trainers Assn have had this information for a while, don't know if it's exactly the same study. You'd think differences in diet and supplements would have some effect. There was a time when English yearlings were sent to spell in the limestone areas of Ireland to give them every nutritional opportunity when bones, muscles, organs etc were developing. I wonder how much galloping in large expanses young thoroughbreds get these days.

In the instant world and the fact we are now into 2025 it seems unreal that such delays exist.

Didn't Omakau used to be the same day as a coast meeting and jockeys had to choose which meeting they would ride at?

Maybe it's on the script (running sheet) that everyone working at or for Trackside on any particular broadcast day.

I've had a look at the video and think it's a case of toe in the iron. The horse definitely went down on it's nose but, I can't help think if the feet were fully in the irons the horse would have had more chance of competing.

Agreed. I've noticed how the time and energy put into some of these trackwork riders has been a waste of time as they have dropped off quickly. I think this may be due to the new system. You have to have a licence to go on the track whereas in the past you would just slip into the system and learn as you go. I think akin to everyone looking out for the L plates on the road. Was there much wrong with the old system? You have to learn somewhere and somehow. The people teaching must be trainers who know how and have suitable horses and trackwork riding mates.

It's probably like a lot of things where everything is hunky dory with a quick, or no, check until something goes wrong.

I think it might have been Kim Clapperton (someone will know) who broke her arm riding a mechanical bull. My point is you can be injured so easily at times, I wouldn't want to increase those odds unduly. I agree though that there has to be more training than plodding around a track. Riding skills are honed over time. The rush to raceday intrigues me.