Special Agent

I think they should contact Dean and his team at Entain. Greyhound racing is important to Entain and I am sure they could sponsor any alterations. Or maybe buy the track and renovate it to a safe standard.

Our racing exports, horse and human, are pretty good.

Let us assume the problem with the rail has been addressed. The meeting is the best showcase greyhound racing could have, apart from the ones protesting. Do none of them have jobs?

What was the race worth when you won it Aqua?

I note the levies on these are graded differently for casino, gaming, Lotteries Commission and TAB. I suppose available figures would have determined that the likes of Lotto is the least addictive and TAB racing and sports betting the next least so have the smaller levies attributed to them. I have to wonder if the change in online emphasis to both of these betting mediums will increase the chance of harm and thus the amount levied in the future. I note too that the role of any workers in a TAB/Bar with gaming machines is going to involve a whole lot more involving the monitoring of betting habits and harm minimisation. No doubt with the extra responsibility those roles may be harder to fill and require an increase in remuneration.

Only negative comments re protest towards the major staying event today when the racing should be an industry highlight. Does anyone have some positive stuff to share? The stake is juicy.

Actually, you should take people as you find them. Never had a problem with Wiremu, always polite and have had many a good conversation with him. I bet the person from yesterday morning is now hard to find.

That person is an idiot!!

I'm at a loss as to what is going on in all three codes. When you think about it the people within those three codes are going to cause their own demise. We can all bitch and moan about personalities, rule breaking, poor administration and programming to name a few points of conjecture but if we all don't pull our socks up, think outside the square and work together there is not going to be an industry to work in and enjoy. Yes, there have been some shitty decisions made but, we have to look forward and move on with some new ideas, personnel and energy. For goodness sake get out of this bitter and harming mindset. While we still have an industry to be involved in take it for what it is, it seems we are never going to repeat those experiences from the "good old days" so let's embark on some "good new days". Keep thinking and giving, none of us will get it completely right alone. Think of a new approach to get the pigheaded at the top to at least listen because we won't get change without at least that for a start. I think some people need to wake up to themselves, take a look in the mirror and think about how you can make a difference and make it better for us all. Start looking at all the problems in racing from more points of view than your own and don't be afraid to share your opinion and discuss with an open mind.

It has become a sad world where a right to have an opinion and the freedom of choice and speech no longer seems to be applicable. What makes matters worse is we appear to have the all time worst leaders in every category you can think of. Not everyone is strong enough to voice an opinion if it is different to the masses. History shows though that change for the better only happens after debate and protest.

I'm not sure that Johnny Cox has been fairly treated here. Were his actions clearly visible by anyone watching Trackside? Some are saying it is difficult to confirm off tape if Cox made contact with the trailling horse, which would make his action only a deterrent for the horse for safety reasons. The following driver Holmes said he did not hear Cox call out and had he heard he would have taken evasive action and pulled his horse off the cart and driver and gone out and forward in the running. This was a potentially dangerous situation. I may be wrong but, I thought Shane Renault had been a harness driver and, from his recorded comments I would have thought should have had a better practical understanding of safety issues compromised by the trailling horse almost climbing into the sulky as well as inconveniencing the driver ahead. I also find it strange Stipendiary Steward Renault quoting a Code of Welfare for horses and donkeys under the Animal Welfare Act where you are not permitted to hit an equid over the head. This would suggest there is no provision under the NZ Rules of Harness Racing. To use the term equid seems bizzare unless, like in the movie Racing Stripes, there are hopes of a fast zebra being broken in to harness. Judging solely from comments in this thread maybe Johhny Cox should join forces with Chris Johnson and Wiremu Pinn to unofficially discuss discrimination by officialdom.

Gammalite, it looks like you were playing Solitaire watching the races alone and commenting on here solo.

Some of our Group races are hardly quality as the Pattern Committee outcomes will show. If Australian country premium R64's have dropped to $35K we are holding our own for now. NZ racing clubs might have to step up and stump up with some local fundraising to bolster races across the board, and of course cut admin and other costs where applicable. It is not that bloody hard is it, no matter what scale you are working to. After all most racing clubs in New Zealand are not for profit and there should be very few within each club drawing a wage.

I agree with Brodie on this. I think it is poor form for a commercial stud to quit the young stock at bargain prices at an international auction when the stallion has a stud fee many times that value. That must surely prove the advertised stud fee is inflated for whatever financial reason. We are not talking about a hobby breeder but, the integrity of one of the industry leaders. Good luck to the successful purchasers as they may have found some amazing bargains. As a show of good faith you would like to think the stud reassesses the upcoming stud fee as the market has spoken, and offer a free service to any breeder who has paid the advertised fee.

116 points seems excessive. One thing that jumps off the page is the disparity of penalty compared with others, no comparable Group or Listed cases for Meloxicam cited. Mark Walker's $7,000 fine plus costs vs O'Sullivan/Scott's $17,250 per case, Cummings $10,000AUD, Lucock/Gillespie's $2,800 at the trials, and Pertab $3,000 at the trials.

Chief, there is already a serious struggle. If NZTR set up a Great Mates equivalent for horses I will put my hand up to run it because there would be a job for life. From what I can see the rehomers already approved by NZTR are quite fussy in what they take. Horses that need extensive training to make the grade as show horses, showjumpers or eventers need not apply. Horses are required to be shod, of good body weight and transported to the rehoming venue. I don't think NZTR's equation is quite right yet. There are paddocks and yards full of unwanted horses.

Lost it's identity.

I feel sad too. The top of that stand was a beaut vantage point. The band used to play from the designated spot, and Queen Elizabeth II sat in the "Royal Box" which I think was designed for her specifically. Then remember when the new stand was being built that stand housed everything including weighing room and jockeys' quarters underneath, birdcage directly out in front. We live in a disposal society despite the cry to recycle. Such a waste brought on by people who weren't even involved in the history of the place.

That's called progress. Is the whole stand not being demolished now? I thought they said it was unsafe. Is that a cost saving measure?

It is hard to believe this was not a joke. I love the line that you are unable to use "an audible device that mimics an animal". What animal does a squeaker toy mimic??!!

Was this when there were greyhound trainers on the board?

And looking at the number of views and replies greyhound participants are either extremely happy with affairs in their code, or are asleep. Chief Stipe, and others, often talk of how people in racing only have themselves to blame because they say and do nothing to enable change, then moan after the event.

I'm not so sure the wand is big enough either. The Christchurch Cup and Show Week was where people (including the young) wanted to be seen. Then they moved the showgrounds. Then the CJC had the track disaster on their biggest day of the year. We've seen attempts like the Whips 'n' Spurs and the Grand Tour. They all look like piss ups to me. On the harness cafe contributers talk about what got them hooked on racing. Most of it is parental influence leading to the love of the horse and the marvel of the competition. I haven't seen fashion or alcohol as the incentive yet, that is what the heads of racing think we need to push.

I am quite surprised no one from the greyhound side of the industry is talking up a storm on here about what expectations the greyhound sect have of Entain.

Trackside is going to be interesting to see what emphasis Dean and his boys put on it.