Special Agent

So, let's pretend everything is peachy then. How does Hastings go from a premiere surface to a skating rink? No human error involved? What has been done, and the advice sought has not fixed the problem so why would you not take a different approach? Awapuni needs further time, as simple as that. It's not that bloody complicated.

Job title needs reviewing then. Doesn't need manager attached.

Why would a Track Manager not decide to move the rail? What is the Track Manager paid to do? Manage the track I would have thought. Management of a racing club and racecourse includes CEO, Committee, Racing Manager and Track Manager. I think the buck stops with one of those.

Management should take the wrap for rushing back to race day. You can't blame this on trainers, jockeys or people of the past.

Isn't the obvious being overlooked? For some stupid reason there was a desire to get Awapuni racing in a hurry. Why was the track not given sufficient time to consolidate? Jumpouts and trials are not the same as races. I think more trialling is required, and now necessary from a confidence point of view.

So you know what happens behind the scenes do you?

What is that comment based on? What you see and hear in the media?

We are not in the told you so category. You are just looking for a fight. Stick up for track managers if you like. You are talking bullshit about how useless you think trainers and jockeys are. There are quite a few who maintain their own tracks, and properties. Awapuni has been renovated quite a few times in recent years, this is not an exclusive fix up after 100 years of neglect. Why would the CEO of NZTR not have all the information? I thought the Awapuni renovation was being closely monitored by NZTR. You continue to run trainers and jockeys down for the state of tracks and racing. You have a funny take on some aspects.

Some wondered if the safety limit of 12 was in place for that very reason. Who knows how many would have scratched if that option was put up? There would have been horses entered that would never have been on one.

Chief, some of us have said there were problems no one wanted to know about. Now the disastrous cancellation of races has resulted you seem to be demeaning our comments and saying we shouldn't blame track management. Who do you think should shoulder the blame then? You asked what could the CEO have said? The only decent thing to do is cancel a contract or two and then resign.

First-time rider on the track, Kate Hercock, was equally impressed. “The track is lovely, it’s very consistent all over.” Well, that blows my info out the window. If the riders can't tell it like it is every time and decide to tell the masses what they want to hear, they lose credibility when coming out at a later date with criticism. "reports from nameless trainers and Jockeys about the trials." It would be unfair to give names from conversations to have their words and character pulled to shreds on here.

You heard the murmurs close to the ground as did I. Without playing the blame game, where was any foresight?

Exactly, an appropriate interviewee. Maybe Kate doesn't say the right things all the time. How do you think she was feeling after that ride? Unsafe, frustrated, light in the pocket ... The fix might not be as difficult as you think. The Awapuni track may very well be the best surface in CD, so it should be with the amount of investment, but not right now. Forget about rushing to get racing on it again. Keep trialling on it until the track is perfect no matter where the rail is. I think the industry has dodged a bullet with only a slip. Please learn from it. I don't mean put words in a report, actually take action that reflects intelligence instead of arrogance.

The murmurings are weeks old Jess. No one wanted to see another race meeting canned. As I said earlier I think the decision to race the 2nd and 3rd legs of the HB triple crown at Awapuni should not have been announced prior to Anzac Day racing. This is a bad look on the international stage, especially when raved up by the club and NZTR. NZ racing folk are out of pocket and looking for alternatives which are thin on the ground. The track surface should not have been put under pressure until many more trials had been held. Despite what you read in the media, not every jockey and trackwork rider was completely happy with the surface at the latest trials and gallops. Trainers opinions echoed those of the riders. There are other industry participants close to the action who were adamant the race meeting would not run it's full course. The underlying fact is that only the rosy comments were those heard and heeded by officialdom. So, no it was not a surprise to stakeholders. The atmosphere oncourse went from shock and disbelief that this could be happening again, to anger that it was. I don't think there is any escaping the fact that errors have been made and someone needs to be held accountable.

Trainers are told these things all the time. As Freda indicated, what you choose to do with that information is up to you. One major change I can see with people over the years is how precious they have become. Even those who have a very small stake, or none at all, can become quite hostile and personal.

Thank goodness.

As someone eluded to earlier not many are putting their hand up to be interviewed. Oncourse at Awapuni yesterday, Kate was not the only one suggesting more water.

So, just back to these Kate Hercock comments. Viewers of Trackside are always wanting more insight from the trainers and jockeys of the day as a form of entertainment. I don't know how many times you've been interviewed on Trackside Chief or how many times you may have been caught on the hop, or been asked that one question too many, especially on the back of an unlucky run or hair raising ride. I think Kate has been in the industry long enough to have valid opinions on all matters of racing. And that is what they are ... opinions. Just like your's or others on here. If Kate has said something totally wrong or offensive she will be dealt with under the NZ Rules of Racing. Until then Kate can voice her opinion as she is entitled. If anyone doesn't like what she says you can always "mute" her.

Yip.

Well I don't call that normal. How keen do you think that horse will be to lengthen stride next time it's asked? It doesn't take much to dent the confidence of some horses.

You have your sources and I have mine, who are also well respected not only in racing but in business circles internationally. As far as a good track management pedigree goes, plenty of blue bloods can't run and rock star's siblings can't sing. Any jockey who rides a track has more idea than us watching from the stand how it feels under foot. I suppose Kate has been elected or selected to speak on behalf of others. If I had been Kate today I would have been highly pissed off at my horse slipping. A horse should be able to get a bump in a race and not slip. If you go back to the glowing jockey reports from the trials, I couldn't be sure Kate's comments were complimentary. There seemed to be two schools of thought on the track. The kick back comments were ignored. I agree lack of investment has been a major contribution towards these disasters but, I couldn't attest to industry knowledge being used in the past. What jockey and trainer knowledge got the industry into the state it is in? All tracks should get the Flemington treatment. It brings tears to my eyes each time I think about the money wasted on the synthetics. I'm not talking farmers and sheep with regards Hastings, thank you very much. My conversations are not restricted to a small section of the population. I'm talking civil engineering work from good people with an interest in racing and not at rip off prices. NZTR want less tracks, Entain want more racing. There's a fault line in this marriage. One thing today has proved is that selling off venues to prop up others managed like today's example is a sure fire plan for failure.

Just read that too. More tripe. The more that comes out, the more rubbish is spouted. The two gentlemen quoted should both be let go. That's almost unanimous when chatting to all those oncourse today clasping their clean colours. That condescending drivvel after every cockup has to stop, and should not save either of their jobs.

I can't help thinking what happens now? There is now further confidence lost. Because Awapuni was touted as the saviour, Hastings has been completely ignored. Over the last week I've talked to a lot of trainers, owners and riders. It seems to me the caretaker at Hastings whom has been pushed from Pakenham, then pushed from Pukekohe to Hastings, is holding the club to ransom in that he says the entire Hastings circuit needs further renovation. This is not an opinion shared by better credentialed racing participants. This industry knowledge is being ignored. Just like at Awapuni the "experts" have come up short. I believe Hastings can be fixed fairly quickly in a different manner to that being insisted by the caretaker. I'd say Hastings needs to follow Moonee Valley's lead and find a new curator. The Racing Manager at Awapuni might be better served reverting to ground staff in an Aussie racing stable. NZTR need to listen to those who are deriving a living from racing, and who all want the best for racing. Start there. You've been paying "experts" for dud advice when the real experts are close at hand and free of charge.

If the NZTR Board have to sort this Paul Humphries must stand down from any decisions due to his affiliation with RACE. Was Matt Ballesty on course today? Maybe he shot down to talk to the Levin people whilst in the area.

I have had a short day out at Awapuni. Do you think Levin should go to support that infrastructure and inept administration? Not on your nelly!! Disgraceful for New Zealand racing. You can stick your new expensive fencing and drinking hole. Country tracks perform just fine without the hooplah. Word at the track suggests many did not agree with the rail being out. Apparently not all track work riders were entirely happy with the surface but no one was willing to listen. Heads at Awapuni must roll!! Jockeys must speak their mind and not be influenced by what everyone wants to hear. I don't believe trainers were properly consulted. I still believe the track has not been given sufficient time to consolodate. What a mess. Many should hang their heads in shame. Money has been squandered and stakeholders are out of pocket.