Special Agent

Thank you for putting those interviews up. The take from others on what was said differs from my own. Kate was talking about the running rail at Wanganui, not using senior riders in assessing the track at Hastings, and jockeys' decisions overall when deciding if tracks are safe enough to race on. I haven't heard anyone in person bagging jockeys for not riding. I think most jockeys would agree about running rails being in the true position and most who visit this site would agree there are not enough tracks. None of it is rocket science. Administration just needs to listen to the people of the industry who live and breathe it.

As they have a track that is used for racing, are they not subsidised by NZTR to provide a good racing surface? I await the Stipes Report. Jockeys were not riding as if the track was slippery or felt unsafe under them. There was tightening and bumping that didn't result in slipping or falling.

Thanks for the alternate view of the race which showed no clipping of heels. Could you be absolutely sure the horse hasn't struck itself as a cause to fall? Evidently riders reported to Jonathan Riddell they felt no problems with the track. No surface or running rail problems were detected prior to racing, and a different situation to the day before at Wanganui where there were heavy downpours at intervals.

Some good news then. A bloody disaster otherwise.

I've only watched a replay. Did a report come through on Chris Dell at all? I'm wondering if the races were abandoned due to the state of the rider, rather than the track as it didn't look like a slip to me.

Looks like the horse in blue clipped heels to me.

Perhaps it takes one to know one. I wouldn't think you'd do much riding now, old grey mares included. It would also be a while since you bowled a maiden over. Do you still roll out for that old people's game?

How do you know he owns half? Two owners in the book don't have to own equal shares.

Could it have something to do with the irrigation system they now have? Other than that, no idea.

Hawera has been moved to Waverley too due to the state of the track. Not enough tracks to spread the load I'd say. Does anyone know when the synthetic track report will be out?

Okay people, go away and do a bit of research. Come back and tell us how to get around the "duty of care" regulation that forbids you to dogtucker any slow or nasty ex-racehorse, or one that you can no longer afford to feed. While you are at it give us a list of how many, and locations, of operations where you can offload your horse for petfood. Apparently in Auckland it's about $800 to end the life of a sick, old or injured horse ($300 for the vet and $500 to dispose of the body). Next assignment is to enlighten us as to what areas in NZ allow horses to be buried. I might need "happy to see the greyhounds go" and "pushing back" defined too because I am at a loss as to explanations of some of the ill informed comments on this subject.

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.