Special Agent

It's all a bit tame compared to the harness scurries at the A & P Shows with a pair of ponies/horses hurtling through obstacles with a cart and driver in tow.

Some of the findings not unexpected. Higher injury rates, both fractures and soft tissue, on the synthetic compared to turf. Injuries more attributed to track make up than track maintenance. Race speed directly aligned to injury which is a result of track surfaces resembling a fast turf rating, raceday conditions to be altered to reflect a more forgiving surface. Turns and camber an obvious problem for limbs. I thought using the pacing and trotting gait an odd metric. The report said there was insufficient data available for training on synthetic. Of all the statistics for this study I would have though training numbers on synthetic, or other surfaces, would have been one of the easier figures to have sourced. How does this report make everyone feel about the three New Zealand synthetic tracks? Would it influence your decision to train or race on one?

What a selfish world we live in.

I am surprised there hasn't been more comment on this. The whole process was terrible. No support from the other codes selfish. I saw a quote somewhere, may have been from Rennell, saying Winston Peters has been the best Racing Minister, yet the greyhound demise was under his watch, and in the media release above there is thought the minister was unaware of what was going on. I have to wonder if some people are gullible. Is there really anyone out there who is concerned with the best interests of the entire industry?

A couple of points I'd like to make:- - Who makes a huge punt on a 4kg claimer? - There is a big difference of being proficient on a mechanical horse, and knowing how to get the best out of a real one. It takes time and practice.

I guess potential customers enter with open eyes. Maybe these syndicators use a "Starbucks" philosophy.

Why can't there be an overlap? Who would not acknowledge new technology? Who would be ignorant to not accept there could be farming practices that may assist? It may also be a foreign idea to listen to those at the coal face.

Untrustworthy isn't a good word to be associated with NZ racing, but unfortunately is.

Jamie will be missed by many far and wide.

If you put a 4kg claimer on, you must expect a 4kg ride. Riders can only improve with practice.

Or about to be.

But my point is if racing ceased in September and renovation work had started straight away eight months would not have been lost. Where as if there had not been a rush to get back racing at Awapuni .....

It has taken a long time to make any decision, time that can never be recovered. It's getting cold now, like you say seeding a month ago would have made more sense.

Possibly disappeared with Hokitika.

What does everyone think of the significant numbers in work at Rangiora?

As an accountant what do you think of Foxton's performance compared to that of RACE?

Yes, you have said that before. Whatever you do, don't tell him or any of his workers a joke though.

Thanks for the info. As you are the figures man can you do the same analysis for RACE so we can judge the comparison?

I find discussing/debating with you quite trying. Not all Taranaki or Hawkes Bay trained horses stay overnight, and some have been handy performers in the features at Trentham. What the article pointed out was that Matt Ballesty was considering trainers in that they should have "advanced" notice of where the races are being held with respect Awapuni meetings. He was talking Group 1 events for which detailed planning, working, travelling and staffing and increased entry fees is required. I am in no way demeaning Woodville or Hawera as they are very important to the racing calendar but, the BM65 you reference is a far cry from the Group 1's the CEO is referencing.

Track Manager.

Would the turf institute employed by NZTR have given them similar information to what you've explained, relating to each individual track?

All roads might lead to the Ellerslie gold but does that mean all stables have the quality to take those races on? Plenty of Waikato and Auckland based trainers compete in CD, even in mid-week $17K events.

Absolutely they do but, there may only be one or two at a centre who will take up an opportunity to race at Ellerslie rather than Awapuni or Trentham as an example.

Trentham has a long straight, Ellerslie is reverse, depending on where you train some tracks require an overnight stay. There are many factors which may or may not suit your particular horse and may influence you racing at a venue, or changing your planned programme.

I have referred before to the opinion the whole track needs remodelling as opposed to part renovating.