Special Agent

Nah. How will it effect you?

So was that the only dog to contact the rail today? He/she almost looked like he/she was grimacing. Has the lure being a little closer been a help? What will it now take to get these safety rails in at all venues as promised in 2014?

It is very expensive to feed horses, especially over winter, and it would not be unusual for some to lighten off in colder weather. SPCA investigate a number of complaints but, there may not be many prosecutions.

I'd say he's hiding.

As lay people I think we get it.

To my way of thinking both entities show a definite weakness. Both are supposed to be governing the industry and it's rules. The flippant manner in which decisions are reviewed and changed show this knee jerk reaction to comments from certain groups or individuals. If the original decisions were fair there would be no need to change. It's funny how authorities fold to outside influences yet can be so dogmatic when it comes to listening to those within their own industry who know a fair bit more than given credit for. Really it's not that hard. Everyone must work within the rules. The rules must be applied and administered fairly. Those in charge must have the knowledge and capability to do the job. There must be natural justice.

Like you say, how hard was that? I'd like to thank you Yankiwi for persisting despite dodging everything being hurled at you. I'd also like to thank Chief Stipe for giving the vehicle to get the point across. I know you were advocating formal channels but sometimes being hauled over the coals in public gets a quicker response. Listening with an open mind and applying some common sense can work wonders.

Anyone can access RIB reports from the internet. It sounds horrendous that there were three charges against Alysha Waretini. You can judge for yourself how serious her actions were. The fact remains Alysha has not acted in a manner befitting a licence holder. Not only has she brought greyhound racing into disrepute but, she has let her mother down, not surprising of today's youth however absolutely inexcusable.

You won't get any argument from me.

Look Yankiwi, I do not know what more you can put forward to convince that what is happening at Auckland and the apparent non-action of greyhound authorities is wrong!! (Maybe there is a master plan being generated behind closed doors as we speak). I don't know who was appointed as racing and infrastructure manager but, the buck must now stop with them surely. That person must be accountable and I look forward to their impending report and solution soon. Quite obviously you have rubbed officialdom up the wrong way. I think the GRNZ Board members need to put personality issues aside and attack greyhound problems head on. If a solution comes from an unpopular quarter the Board must "man up" and take information (and any resulting advice) from wherever and whomever is necessary for the good of the industry. I have heard many times over, generally from people from other fields, that racing is a twilight industry. I hate that phrase. Who would want to be on any of these racing boards if the industry they have been entrusted to govern actually ceases to exist? Come on, earn your place on the GRNZ board and do something about the problems greyhound racing face. The one aspect I cannot fathom is that there are enough trainers on the board who know what is wrong and have the power to correct. Your names are clearly listed and you are accountable.

It may also send the drivers broke. There is a job there for a retired legal person, or a budding lawyer. Imagine cutting your teeth on all of the appeals in the three codes on a legal aid type arrangement.

They have become very involved with animal welfare issues and take action at times akin to the SPCA i.e. uplifting horses.

When a country track like Otaki has Group and Listed races it must confuse an existing Australian system. As you point out New Zealand is different, unique even. I know there has to be some workable correlation so as to assess horses and riders but I will never understand why we don't embrace our uniqueness rather than try to conform with other countries.

So I don't need to scour the rule book, what is the distance the lure has to be from the leading dog? Do they still fine the Lure Driver when they err?

I would just like to say Yankiwi that I don't know who you are but, it seems you are a former licence holder who is pissed off at what has and is happening in greyhound racing. You obviously still care for the good of the industry or you wouldn't bother posting on here or putting together statistics you have personally gathered in which I can only assume has taken you much time. I'm a bit of a reader, researcher and always waving the flag for what is right. The fact that GRNZ has reneged on their promises of almost a decade ago goes against all that GRNZ stands for, their mission statement and constitution. The board has enough trainers "onboard" to fix this in a flash. I know what Chief is saying about putting your complaints and ideas in writing to GRNZ but, I agree with you that they well and truly know who you are, what you have written on here, and how to get in touch with you. To me your criticism is constructive and just. Please keep us in the loop. If the situation changes for the better in New Zealand Greyhound Racing you should be personally congratulated. When you know you are right however are shot down by others who only have half the facts but, you stick to your guns I can only commend you.

I think you answered your own question. Zed and Vance Hanover produced the goods. Remember Sam Williams talking to Radio Trackside week in and week out promoting Zed. So, low fees and marketing will get the foals on the ground but, the stallion must leave winners for the equation to work.

Is the Safety Fund available for Greyhound Racing as in galloping? If money is the hold up there is always a way around that. If, as suggested under the J Cox harness thread, animal welfare is paramount and bad publicity of same must cease why are these fixable problems being ignored? This is not rocket science!!

Wow. I can't believe Brodie is the only one thinking the sale was a poor one. The spiel comes out after any horse auction but, sales figures do not lie and it would be hard to line up those sales prices and crow about them. I'm not sure what part of the Zed and Vance Hanover stories had flaws in them however the gist of both is the same; get numbers on the ground so a higher number of progeny are tried. Some top race horses by both stallions have been produced. Declining breeding numbers is not sudden and new. And let's face it anyone breeding, or involved in race horse ownership to be fair, are the world's biggest dreamers. Nothing wrong with dreaming. The Stable of Stars evolved concept is quite an inspirational story, concentrating on a quality product.

That's one way to deal with it. Cox is possibly in enough strife already to use those tactics though. RIB highlighting this to the world is uncalled for.

Exactly. Thoroughbred and harness racing is supposed to be professional so why are we allowing a small number some fun? They look terrible in both codes and are doing racing no favours. I agree, either make them non-tote penalty free races or send the amateurs back to trial efforts only until competent to gain a proper licence. Has anyone checked betting figures on amateur races in both codes? I couldn't imagine turnover being very strong.

It goes worse down Casino, Gaming, TAB, Lotteries Commission. NZTR, HRNZ and GRNZ do nothing to counteract mainstream media articles which are only ever negative. As an example Wiremu Pinn's immediate Australian should be highlighted showing where a career in racing can take you. We live in such a minority driven country where every minority group has the right to rule. Any mention in writing and a ton of bricks will be cast upon me describing me racist, sexist, ageist, discriminative etc etc. Now the Green Party want to bring in a wealth tax which apparently is going to fix child poverty, affordable housing, climate change and create world peace. Animal activists are still protesting. They've had little traction and you'd think might be on the cusp of giving up when the RIB is quoted backing these do gooders actions. Members of the RIB are paid by the industry to keep law and order in the industry, not kowtow to those nobodies outside of it. Another ridiculous situation brought on by those within.

Sounds like Timaru might also be safe and Phar Lap can stay put, after all donations from right around the country made it possible. He's an important part of New Zealand racing history. Pity we didn't all put in to save the Ellerslie hill too.

I didn't realise the Waimate track came under the Reserves Act but knew some were and wondered at an earlier time in my life if we could sneak a few more into that category. The Dargaville racecourse is another example of where NZTR thought they were in for a windfall. WRONG!!! That's an intriguing read. The club and legal team get a thumbs up from me. One thing I found annoying was when the talk turned to Oamaru at the recent NZTR Roadshow. Somehow members of the committee thought it was a good idea to sell their track and take a little bit of the pool going to fund all the broke tracks in NZ, and put it into the local swimming pool. The upshot is I really want to congratulate the forward thinking Waimate committee all those years ago when they safe guarded their community assets from potential land and money grabbers of the 21st century.

So it appears to me GRNZ have dropped the ball. In May 2014 the Steriline safety rail was installed at Hattrick with GRNZ stating these safety rails would be installed at all other venues by the end of June 2014. From what I can gather the same principle as the galloping running rail applies in that they are flexible and give the dog a better eye line causing less collisions (particularly on the bends) and fewer injuries. Safety rails in greyhound racing are proving successful in both Australia and the United Kingdom. I am comparing again with galloping but, each code should be able to share successful ideas and thus avoid any pitfalls. Running rails come under the Safety Fund and applications can be made to this fund by racing clubs. Is this also available in greyhound racing? If not, why not?

In order to get foals on the ground Sam Williams of Little Avondale Stud stood galloping sire ZED in his initial season for just $500. Broodmare owners booked mares into Zed which hadn't been to stud in seasons as the stud fees were prohibitive. He served 131 mares with his first crop producing amongst others New Zealand Cup winner Jimmy Mac. All those winners later, including VERRY ELLEEGANT, Zed still only stands at $6,000. I remember when Dave Jessop did that with Vance Hanover. It was definitely outside the box thinking, as was the Zed concept. With so few foals on the ground and even those numbers declining each season we need another Dave Jessop or Sam Williams to offer a carrot to the "on the fence" breeders so mares are not left in the paddock empty. Then the next step is important to make sure the resultant progeny are tried.