Special Agent

I think no on the first point. And yes on the second point. I think this has not been well thought out to the end. It's a "let's grab a lifeline and worry about the details later" mentality.

I skimmed over the Stipe's Report last night and I think it was this horse that put in a rough jump at the 800m on the first round which can take the stuffing out of any horse, and I think that was where Emily dropped her whip. You might just need to confirm those details relate to this horse.

This is disgusting the way we are treated like idiots. Indirectly we are paying their wages. I am sick of their words that say nothing ... approval, intend, confirm, framework, test, priorities, formal, initiatives ... they are talking teletubby.

A Royal Commission. The codes do not work together, the decisions across the codes are inconsistent. An independent inquiry is called for.

What is the connection between Jason and Nicole? Just wondering why Jason would care about Nicole's presenting style.

Walt, did your unvaccinated children survive? I'm assuming yes. Good on you for reading up on the vaccines of the time and making your own informed decision. As parents that is our duty until our offspring are old enough to make their own choices. Were the deaths around the world worse than any yearly flu? It depends where you source your information. The mainstream propaganda suggested the numbers were multiplied many times over and showed stacked up body bags for effect. The New Zealand figures of Covid deaths were miniscule in comparison to the 500 influenza deaths per annum. Locking the country up would account for that. Personally I do not know anyone who died from Covid, however I do know and know of vaccine related deaths and injuries to previously healthy fit beings. There are copious articles on this very subject and I believe there are huge numbers who regret being vaccinated against Covid. Funny that I have not heard anyone come forward to apologise for bad mouthing of those who chose not to have the jab. Today I saw one lady at the supermarket wearing a mask. I don't even want to comment on how ridiculous that is. Our country is going to take a long time not to recover from a pandemic but, to recover from the bad decisions made by an inept group in charge of our well being, when most of us have been doing a pretty okay job of looking after our family's well being until now. Racing followed suit administrating in a manner that made no sense when unnecessarily mandating vaccine passes. All those at the top had to do was read the Covid Response Act correctly to see the errors of their ways. Walt, I could go on and on and on about this subject as I had so much time every day to think, read, watch and write about nothing else. I am longing for a new focus and a new Government.

I would like to know if the validity of these complaints was properly investigated. In the world of cancel culture it would be easy for someone to manipulate the system. The Rules of Harness Racing should not only penalise licence holders; they should also protect them.

Aren't people of today very sensitive. The reason the fine was so high when the likes of Allan Sharrock and Jim Pender were $500 a piece is because Jason was charged with four breaches of the rules. Hollie Wynyard was fined $1,200 as it was her second offence within 12 months. So, they are all relative. All Jason had to do was change the wording on his tweets slightly. I'm not sure if he'd find synonyms in the thesaurus to his liking but, it would only have taken a little toning down to get the same effect, minus the fine. I wonder if any word replacement for corrupt would have sufficed though. I find that charge suspect. The authorities are not only saying you are a licence holder therefore have given up your freedom of speech but, you have also relinquished your right to an opinion, certainly sharing it. How many were offended by Jason's comments? As there were only two complaints you would assume the outrageous Teaz comments were offensive to just two people, who were probably related. What is the general rule with complaints in the wider world? Would two single complaints be sufficient to open a full blown inquiry and the equivalent of a court hearing?

I suppose it comes down to how much you want a bet. If the new regime start squeezing the odds punters will find other ways to bet elsewhere or spend their money on something else. As far as geo blocking is concerned, all I can say is good luck!!

Why do we need facial recognition? Harm minimisation ... what nonsense.

I can't see a big deal with most of this and think it is hyped. It seems to me the same problems occur with track standards and maintenance as with the thoroughbreds. Employ the right people and follow due process, keep the standards up and injury rates will improve, as they already have. If NSW can turnaround an order to close greyhound racing after just three months that has to be a positive for New Zealand. Does anyone know the reason for the recommendation to drop the ear branding? It appears GRNZ communication with licence holders has improved. I think GRNZ and licence holders should be congratulated for the work done to date. This is a work in progress and should be treated as such.

As for the pokies, the income from these is so important for funding our industry and community groups. I know there are problem gamblers who waste away their much needed money on these machines. (Some of us waste away our much needed money on racehorses.) The number of problem gamblers in this country is very small, and some of these problem gamblers visit casinos and buy Lotto products too. What about those who are not problem gamblers and enjoy a flutter, including the odd spin on a pokie machine? Why this toadying to minority groups. Where do the experts envisage this lost pokie revenue coming from?

All of this was sticking out a mile before the announcement was made. I was starting to think I was the only one who heard all this disaster uttered by our Racing Minister, thanks for the quotes Curious. I am a bit sick of listening to all of these so called intelligent people making announcements and NOBODY challenging anything on the day at the time. It seems to me that all in attendance at these events sit there like Noddy just nodding away in apparent agreement. I also don't buy into the thought that this was the best deal going. How the hell can we deduce that when we are totally unaware of what other offers were on the table??!! Go back and look at quotes Centaur and co have regurgitated and, if staying in the industry is important to you, Google the happenings when John Allen was changing our world. It is clear that John Allen was not challenged and the reports are almost identical in whatever year it was (maybe 2015) to those of today. Shit along the lines of our new strategic partnership with Paddy Power or whoever will benefit our industry by way of technology and revenue will increase exponentially. For goodness sake wake up - history is repeating!! New Zealand is unique and overseas ideas are not our way forward. As for those in charge of our destiny now ... where will they be in five years time? In the next high paying job with the NZ Racing Industry funding the rentals, farm or pending retirement. Just because you love this industry it doesn't stop the people who make decisions on our behalf NOT GIVING A FUCK!!

It really is a joke!! These people in charge appear to be playing. And the money spent is appalling. At what stage does the Chairman of the Board take full responsibility for what is going on in the industry he is supposed to be leading? The firing of track staff at Awapuni is not the answer. How about starting at the top?

I agree. Don't sit on your hands. Attend the Entain Road Shows if you can. Knowledge is power. Those are good questions that need answering. If there is anything positive about Entain for greyhound racing I see that they are quite proactive as far as the hounds go. I suppose the quick fire nature of greyhound racing appeals to this type of entity and fits right into their wheelhouse. Entain are big on dog welfare and own a number of greyhound race tracks. Even though I am not in favour of what I understand of this partnership so far, I think of the three codes greyhounds may be the best off, and whatever GRNZ can work through with Entain may be the greyhound industry's saving grace.

You probably heard it too Freda when Bruce Sharrock said at the last Road Show that racing's "biggest asset" is it's people. The industry would be pretty much stuffed without the people who provide the show. Can we go and listen to Entain with an open mind? With all we have heard and read so far I think that may be difficult. It may be standing room only. One thing I do note is there is ONLY one hour allotted to each sitting, of which there are three, which includes a presentation followed by questions. This speaks volumes. I wonder if security has been factored in. This announcement is more than words to racing participants. They are tinkering with our livelihoods.

Who is Nick Roberts? Apparently Nick is a long standing employee of TAB NZ. Where was the job advertised? I'd say nowhere as it appears this was just an inside and possibly prearranged appointment. I note the $150million lost overseas in the form of Kiwi wagering is no longer an estimate but now quoted as fact by Nick Roberts and a figure they will be returning to the NZ racing industry. A big promise that may prove difficult to fulfill. Was it Centaur who trotted out past unkept promises from past CEO's such as John Allen? Nobody could be blamed for being skeptical.

It seems the Racing Minister spoke to SAFE and SPCA but not Problem Gambling, yet his speech was quite big on harm minimisation. So is his focus really to get rid of greyhound racing, are there no intentions to reduce or fund problem gambling and what other hidden gems are there still to discover in the agreement with Entain that remain secret until in operation from 1st June?

Yes I think that is a biggie. Part of me thinks the threat of closing greyhound racing is a political joust as a bluff but, the more practical part of my brain thinks greyhound racing is still hanging in there for the soul purpose of holding the three code requirement together. The fallout for greyhounds if three codes become two will be huge. And then harness and galloping should be very afraid. There are plenty out there who despise racing and the treatment of animals.

They are probably top choices to be running Entain in this neck of the woods. Oh and Cameron George, no show without punch.

You could see it coming like a steam train.

The pokies also fund community groups and the RIU/RIB. We are living in Labour Party la la land.

More back patting. If so many wonderful transformations and money multiplying ideas have come to light since Mike Tod has been at the helm for only 12 months and he has assembled the best leadership team in racing why couldn't he have taken us to a greater sphere rather than be sent off and replaced by a UK partner? After listening to the announcement there are many pitfalls. Who would have thought leadership could be so naive?

Chief, re-reading this (like you do) with submissions closing tomorrow how many submissions, and from whom, do you think there will be? And as there is still a chance the Commerce Commission will not approve, what happens then?

Can't help thinking if business brains are dragging the NZ racing industry into this deal, we would be better off with cow cockies and horse trainers making the decisions.