Special Agent

Waipukurau is back on Sunday and I'd imagine it will be a huge oncourse event as a one off on a good day to attract the public. The trick is to replicate that at every meeting for the club. Who knows what a good oncourse experience might produce, owners, workers etc. NZTR should never underestimate the community event. The carnivals at the metropolitan venues are all well and good but, not the be all and end all of NZ Racing, despite what those who are knighted might tell us.

Over 36 million video views across VRC’s digital channels, up 63% year-on-year. Isn't that a stat! In contrast, did I see where TVNZ didn't show the NZ Trotting Cup? Awareness must come from many avenues. No Trackside Radio is a huge loss, in my eyes.

The customer experience is so important so, I expect club officials to work tirelessly to achieve a high standard every time. Has anyone seen results of the NZTR survey yet?

"Struan’s background as a global executive and Board Chair, coupled with his experience leading digital and marketing-focused enterprises, adds considerable commercial insight." I listened to an interview with Heather du Plessis-Allen. I can only reflect on previous appointments and concur with others making comment on here. You meet these people with optimism and enthusiasm, then they ultimately disappoint. Time will tell but, I feel we are going down a track that has some familiarity. Does anyone else think a lot of the people racing administration attracts are professional board directors? The idea seems to be no matter the industry the same rules apply and you get well paid to cut and paste? Innovation and a fresh perspective seems to be too much to expect. If the crowd at Riccarton is as Chief described some areas of racing may be picking up. I'd hate to think it's all just a well dressed piss up. The next objective will be to extend the young people's stay in the industry.

"Louise has proven leadership across major regeneration and property development projects, holding both Chair and Director roles. Her strong record will be invaluable as we continue to advance the long-term sustainability of New Zealand racing and its infrastructure.” Had a look at Louise's work history and photo. Her role to develop the surplus race tracks will be watched with interest.

I found it interesting that through David Seymour's Regulatory Standards Bill, even though to quote Chris Finlayson the greyhounds are as "dead as a dodo" he reckons at the very least there should be compensation for breeders. He didn't mention trainers who have lost their livelihoods though.

Any thoughts on the two new NZTR Board Members?

You can't knock clubs that give a few things a go. There's no future without young people getting involved. Does anyone know how the Tauherenikau after race concert went?

Another thought about the land being sold at Trentham. Currently the school access the land they own in the middle of the track via the horse crossing. One would assume with that parcel of land gone the school will need to create a new pathway across the track which is going to be at a terrible place from an active racecourse point of view. It's like cutting out cancer from a body, piece by piece but, unfortunately this looks nothing short of turbo cancer.

I can't see how any work at Awapuni or Trentham can be funded without selling the likes of Levin. Then what? Whatever is realised from the sale of the horse area at Trentham will go into a deep pit at RACE. Horse practicality and safety at Trentham will be even more woeful than it is without the 2 hectares that is being flogged off.

Is Opie Bosson the first jockey not to be able to ride due to a failed concussion test?

I've just been to the TAB. As I thought the self serve machines are causing mayhem. Queues out the door for the remaining terminal. I can't think of a juvenile or sprint race that attracts so much attention.

More geared for the internationals I suppose. It's disappointing there are no Kiwi trained runners. I see the Frampton colours are on the Ghibillines veteran and there is a Tarzino.

It was a race over 2500m. One year it was the Saab. 2023 Ladies Man raced in the Lexus Archer Stakes it may have been called. Not sure if it ran last year.

What has happened to today's staying test as a last ditch effort to gain entry to the Melbourne Cup? Maybe it's been gone for years and I haven't been paying attention.

I do wonder what the motivation is for some getting on a racing club committee.

I wonder how far the straight can be angled outwards when all of the carparking outside the Otaki track has been sold. Likewise with adding stabling, would they be going in between the 400-600 affordable homes that are going to take up just a tick under 150 acres space currently being used for stabling?

What an amazing story if the bet comes to fruition. Advertising any gambling agency would be proud of.

"Following recent trials and gallops at Awapuni, it’s evident that further, more aggressive renovation work is required to bring the surface up to the standard the industry needs. At the same time, we’re progressing a wider investigation into the track’s long-term suitability,” O’Keeffe said. Jess, I think the second sentence from Liam O'Keefe raises even more serious questions.

Just as I thought. Hindsight confirms what some in the industry already knew, and due diligence definitely lacking. "Fair location" - pretty close to the major CD horse population now. "No licences from 2021/22" - no contingency plan should the Awapuni synthetic fail, let's not even mention any problems with the Awapuni course proper because we have experts on the job. Oh that's right, don't bother listening to the experts we've paid for. "Freehold" - there's the magic word because we can cash it up no matter it's worth.

I wouldn't class the Woodville horse facilities inferior to Trentham or Awapuni but, welcome comments from anyone who regularly races or trials or jumps out there.

I agree with the dinosaur. Take a look at what NZ has done with traditional races. Tinkering and tampering by those who have come and gone has done us no favours.

NZTR didn't say it per se. I don't have the Messara report handy but, I think you'll find Woodville was on the not required list. Whatever is happening at Awapuni is not working. Horses and riders cannot be continually put at risk. Throwing money at something is not always the answer. Looking at the location of the RACE racecourses they would fetch more than the little CD tracks combined. If a business person from outside the industry looked at the situation, the land, the debt, the wages, the balance sheet etc they would surely laugh.

Just like Winton which is mentioned on one of these threads, Woodville was gone burger too yet NZTR tell us today there will be trials at Woodville on Monday after their Sunday racemeeting. I wonder when NZTR and the industry will refrain from throwing money at Awapuni, when the tracks without this luxury are almost carrying the workload.

I hadn't seen that term used before for this circumstance, just assumed the track was back on the roster. I think the issue of a temporary licence has two points of interest. Firstly, what a kick in the guts for any club with the initiative and energy to want to take on three meetings at a time the industry is in obvious need of an extra venue. If they do it well, why would it need to be temporary? Secondly, does temporary infer the use of the track is only due to desperate measures?