Special Agent

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.

Tony Allan said she was quite a difficult ride in trackwork early on so, took a bit of training to get her to those cup victories.

A Racing Minister should be aware of this. If not he will be now. MP's will be wary of not rocking the boat election year.

I'll have to agree to disagree on this one. If "lots" of things in training cause pain and discomfort to the horse, you need to change part or all of your training. To knowingly mask pain using a drug which, when used inside the withholding period produces a positive, you are contravening the New Zealand Rules of Racing. Using modern aids is not restricted to the elite level. Some of the best training efforts are witnessed down in the grades, getting a lesser horse to lift it's performance is no mean feat. You might find too that the aids used are tried and true ones from a past era. In this case Mark Walker has admitted culpability and will be penalised accordingly. And one more point, just because something is allowed doesn't mean it is right.

Those are great statistics nod. Peter trained some good ones, he was a Frank Roberts protege I think. The skills of those good old conditioners well lost. The horses trained by those types of guys looked out of this world in terms of fitness and muscle definition, especially when they didn't have trials and raced much more sparingly.

I find both of these comments silly. There are many high energy feeds that do not solely cause ulcers. I think you will find training methods and daily regimes would account for many more ulcers than what the horse eats. Who would try to race a horse only on grass? How many horses currently in training in New Zealand get an acceptable level of grass?

I'd be looking at the cause of the stomach ulcers, not the treatment.

If under 15.1 of the Standard Regulations for Race Meeting Regulations the Reefton club raised the stakes of each race by $5-$10K through sponsorship, community or trust funding you would be more than happy enough from the on flow of benefits.

I think what nod may be inferring is that bute to take away pain from an injured horse is humane but, bute as an aid to get to the races is a different topic.

So, what acute or chronic symptoms do not involve a severity of pain? If you are talking human symptoms that come under the acute or chronic banner they include asthma, broken bones and osteoporosis. Pretty sure those involve severe pain. Why is bute dangerous? I would think the same reason nerve blocking is dangerous. I suppose anything that has a withholding period by authorities is deemed to have some danger.

Because Fact #13 in the report of the inquiry said the anti-flammatory is for acute and chronic problems. He sure did win the race easily, obviously pain free.

Nod, I think a young horse being treated for severe pain prior to a race is a very good question?

In galloping I remember Anna Jones telling me once how she couldn't win. One week she was pinged for excessive use of the whip. The next week she was in for not trying all the way to the line.

I try to stay positive in everything I do which has been a hard task over the last 3-4 years. I find the idea of Socialism, Communism, a Social Credit System etc scary. I think you will find generally those who like these ideas will not include anyone who has worked hard for what they have. If I get some spare time I might give Davos Man a go with an open mind. I would take some convincing to change my mind on such matters but, on the flip side we must not be ignorant to what others think, otherwise how can we argue.

Don't you find NZ racing administrators have knee jerk reactions on a regular basis