Special Agent

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.

A whole training centre might have to cater for reverse galloping for starters.

Ellerslie vs Awapuni ?

There would be a lot members and staff of clubs who would love to be in the position of breaking even.

Writing is an art that not everyone has grasped.

Oh dear, what a read. There has been 8 months lost on rectifying Hastings. The decision announced by Matt Ballesty is contrary to the opinion of the resident caretaker. Now getting Awapuni back is not going to be rushed. It's a shame that approach wasn't taken before. Trainers need to know in advance where the races are going to be held. No shit Sherlock. The experts who fixed Ellerslie are being brought in for Awapuni. So what other experts were utilised at Awapuni till now? Organic matter will be created at Awapuni to provide a more natural surface. Is this a joke? A more natural surface is required for a turf track, and the NZ racing industry needed overseas experts to express that little gem. If Stephen Nickalls horse had not slipped in Race 1 at Awapuni on Anzac Day when would the known "rocks under the track surface" have been revealed? The flash tracks, the flash equipment, the flash personnel are being shown up by the country bumpkin committees with their shoe string budget and non-flash stuff.

That is one hell of a lot of life members. Hard to create a vibrant vibe with a stuffy sect.

Let's face it, if a track is good enough for jumpouts or trials the track surface must be okay. There must be sufficient tie up stalls. Some of the stands at these places are sub-standard but, I think that is irrelevant as the industry really needs to look at some of these venues running race meetings with minimal crowds for now so we at least have racing. Does anyone know how many courses are not funded by NZTR? Can anyone work out why the racing industry isn't self funded?

It would be nice to think increased activity has been taken into account. Training would not include regular unlimited use on the course proper of course.

Foxton has other revenue streams though. Event centres and hospitality venues aren't the only way to bring some cash in.

Is that what Trentham, Awapuni and Hastings have been doing?

There might be some tweaking to come. Waipukurau at Hastings, and Hawkes Bay at Waipukurau. Interesting none-the-less.

And that is why you are the accountant. Wages are definitely a huge expense.

Sounds like a case of blind them with science. Maybe it's science fiction.

Are wages not overheads?

One thing I think about costs to run a rural outfit as opposed to a city one appears to me to be a corporate expectation of the city employees. I feel the overheads are lower in the country areas because of the roll up your sleeves mentality. In my opinion people who live in suits seem a bit more precious, they don't take a cut lunch to work, don't source multiple quotes, can't wait for a better deal and quite like looking out over the empire. There are some very knowledgeable and practical people out a bit.

Take it as a compliment. I am.

Or pretty much any club, to be fair.

All other clubs and trainers will be drooling. How fantastic to see a racing club expanding when others have driven their assets into the ground. Then there's those clubs not in debt and minding their own business expected to give up what they do have to the failures. Well done Matamata.