Special Agent

Only to the "valued" ones as that is how it was addressed.

We don't know how many counting fingers TAB Man has on his hand? He is from Otago after all.

I submit. I am obviously not in the "old" category but, the "ancient" one. I could see signing up to a TAB site attached to your credit card or bank account being a real turn off to a young person looking to secure a mortgage any time soon. Banks frown upon a weekly takeaway purchase.

What are the wrong things? Wrong things according to whom? Did you agree with the survey question to reallocate prize money on technology and upgrading facilities?

Well you see, I don't think the main customer of NZTR should be the punter. I believe the site in particular should be first and foremost a working tool for trainers, jockeys, owners and stud masters. Afterall, that is where transactions are completed and information pertaining to their trades is sought. The TAB website is geared for punters.

FFS. To what? Working person? Working or non-working ... ?

Agreed. Has everyone completed the Kantar survey?

Yes. NZ Racing Conference is no longer just administration and governing body for racing and breeding. It has morphed into a branch of the TAB.

"Factors outside the NZPC’s control include on-going issues with significant venues, highlighted by the closure of Hastings until at least the spring of 2026, the indefinite timing around the closure of Trentham post the January carnival, and the hope shared by all in the industry that the Awapuni track will soon be able to host major racing." Even though I've heard conversations and interviews does the "indefinite timing around the closure of Trentham post the January carnival" as reported define permanent closure, as this is the first time I think I've seen this stated as fact in print?

Yes, we know this but, I can't be dismissive of the turnover figure as a tracking tool and % return to clubs. With the new appointments at NZTR the betting focus has certainly intensified. Charlotte Mills is an interesting one. She must be extremely good at her job to be consulting for just the 12-month term and be allowed to remain based in WA.

From one old person to another, I could see a definite drop in live customers in the TAB area. With no sheets on the board, only screens, I could visualise congestion at busy times i.e. Melbourne Cup day. I hope provision is in place for early betting on the Melbourne Cup, and extra easy bet options so as to no allienate the once a year punters. It's a pretty big turnover day.

I haven't been to a TAB for a while until recently. If you think what they are now providing is progress, good on you. It all is a turn off, especially if you are in a hurry.

I think turnover is a fairly key figure. Most can simply reflect on what the day's turnover is/was, and aren't clubs paid a percentage of the oncourse turnover?

I think when customers take the time to phone or write to a club praising their service or personnel that's a good place to start.

Yes, they are scared of the minority.

It looks like Waipukurau are giving it a go and providing enough on course to draw a crowd.

Nothing. Sitting on my hands.

We are not Australia and have a smaller and different population. I don't have much contact with Workingman Clubs but, the Hornby one used to be a wealthy and well patronised establishment.

To me racing has not valued the customers they have/had for a long time now. As far as Boys Get Paid is concerned I agree that the mainstream marketing was something money couldn't buy. Yes, the favouritism they received did annoy some but, there could have been some compromise rather than losing their custom completely. Marketing 101 - I know someone who went to one day of the National meeting at Riccarton, stating it was the most boring race meeting they have ever been to. The industry is running scared re animal welfare, instead of addressing the problem/perceived problem. RIB/RIU - There seems to be a lot of emphasis on the wrong things, with no consultation with those in the industry who might actually have some workable ideas.

I must point out that the Patterns Committee are not always right with their decisions about changing race conditions. The Levin Classic is a perfect example of this ... venue, distance, date ... now down to Group 2. It might have ended up there anyway but, it would make more sense if it was still run closer to home with the people and community who set up the Bayer Classic from nothing.

We are only seeing one side of it. Maybe the Boys Get Paid were being demanding. It seems strange to drop large turnovers like a hot potato. Love or hate whatever promos and groups that come into this sphere, we have been made well aware that we have to have very active punting to keep us all in a job, whether it's from a Lazy Boy, a Pub TAB or under the loud speaker at a racecourse. Every day I'm told by someone that racing is nearly finished. So many bad past decisions, so many looking to line their own pockets etc. You'd wonder how such an important and vibrant industry has come to this.

I didn't think that interview showed him in a very good light.

The winner won too well for there to be many excuses for the others

Everyone's take on this subject is interesting. Young participants are definitely needed and should be welcomed. It is a bit of a struggle financially for them starting out and unfortunately a lot rely on selling their best stock. What does State of the Art facilities mean? Does it mean flashy, or practical? The overseas photos look beautiful but, we have to have the money and staff for top notch maintenance. Russell Warwick said that a metropolitan track will bring the best horses and jockeys. Unless there is an influx we will still have the same pool of both. It is fantastic to look at other places and dream but, we don't have the same population as other countries. I wish we could come up with our own model instead of trying to copy others. As has been pointed out, sometimes it's quite an enjoyable experience under a simple umbrella. If Ellerslie is New Zealand's answer to State of the Art, it doesn't have training facilities which goes against the centralisation grain. I feel we are getting mixed messages from HQ. I think our State of the Art needs to be more simplistic i.e. safe consistent racing surfaces, horse areas with working components, viewing platforms aligned to the number of patrons, multi purpose facilities etc. We have every reason to become skeptical as we have seen Takanini sold, then sit unused for a long time and still no State of the Art facility at Puhinui or Whakanui or Greenfields or anywhere else. Rangiora is providing grass gallops Riccarton is not. Foxton and Levin continue to do their bit as trial and jumpout venues. Matt Ballesty made a point of CD needing to sort "racing and jumpout venues", a strange comment in the midst of it all. Has everyone forgotten Te Teko already. I have heard from a few in the industry that the Flaxmere property is not the perfect solution either. There are doubts concerning the soil make up. Please ensure due diligence is done before blundering into a poorly researched mistake. Everything is not as it seems at first glance. Serious industry investment will be required. It will not come from government, and Entain is a short term fix. Clubs need to step up with diverse ideas and action. I think we need to lower our expectations a touch and not dream of some pie in the sky ideal. There's a bloody lot to work on. Hearing the backslapping and comments about how terrific each board is offers no confidence to me as I feel that self praise is no recommendation. I think we probably have some brilliant young people right across the country who could do no worse than those who have let facilities run down, have sold the crown jewels and run up eye watering debt. After all, those young people will be here a lot longer than us and I often wonder what some oldies are hanging in for.

Matt Ballesty said they (I'm assuming NZTR as opposed to RACE) would not be footing the bill of 10's of $millions to upgrade the stand at Trentham. That being the case, without a viewing platform and jockeys' rooms and commentary box and judges box and officials and administration areas, I would think there would be no chance of any track renovation or horse area upgrade.