Ultra

Disqualification is/has always been available to RIB for any egregious breach of a rule. The advantage of the whip is impossible define, varying between horses and riders. And DQ for miscounting/timing is nonsense

Black-type race ratings are based on the international rating of the first 4 placegetters. International rating is determined by panel of international handicappers (1 from NZ).

Seriously people? Announced 27/3 https://www.afr.com/companies/games-and-wagering/entain-beats-tabcorp-to-emerge-as-preferred-partner-for-nz-tab-20230327-p5cvm3

The NZ TAB thru lack of scale, previous management decisions and current environment is heading south - as recent distribution cuts showed. Without this Entain partnership there will be a significant cut to prizemoney next season. Do you really want to stick with current TAB? or hand the running to a professional operator guaranteeing uplift for the next 5 years? Admittedly, the devil is in the detail.

Good question JB. I have asked the same previously and comfortable with answer. The NZ entertainment $ doesn't stretch well to Monday of a long weekend, hurting turnover and hospitality spend significantly. Australia is our main source of turnover these days and if the holiday doesn't coincide figures are through the floor from there. Also Race clubs, hospitality providers, on-track services - cameras, starters, clerks, farriers, vets etc, trainers, all have pay double time and time in lieu expenses.

Maybe I am wrong but looks like a major overkill? Appears to have fumbled the whip inside last 50m, regathered and the final strike is with upside down whip. It isn't even much of a hit. No malice, no intent. 3 months??? Seriously???

I agree, issue of 3yos paying up for both. It would have been better to call for noms for Maiden 1200m, and then split by 3yos, or F&M/C&G as conditions, so that opportunity to run was maximised.

Looked shocking, so checked the noms. There is actually already 2 Maiden 1200m races, one restricted to 3yo's. Of 28 noms, 10 are double acceptors for the 3yo Maiden. Total 33 horses for the 2 races.

BET365 are just absolute scum of the earth. Restricted my bets into submission and now refusing to release winnings on a "deposit technicality". I have instigated complaint proceedings with gambling commission. It appears they are just making things difficult to piss me off. They have succeeded.

In my experience - No. AWT trained horses actually raced significantly longer, and more regularly. But maybe sample size constraints and a different environment.

You cannot seriously compare the Open to the 3yo fillies to justify your argument. Race 1 had the best speed figure of the day - better than the Open Handicap, and Race 11 & 12 were the worst ratings of the day. And it is an extreme regression in track speed, comparable to a factor you would see on a Heavy track. Early use was a massive advantage on Saturday. I am not sure irrigation would have helped. The track clearly has some major issues.

Tricky one. I think you have to remove the prizemoney from this example. There is regular criticism of multiple race winners staying in 65. And it is an extremely congested grade. When the handicapper moves them out of the 65 grade almost invariably moves them to at least 67. Is there a better solution? Worth putting the thinking cap on. All-weather rating - Asia and Australia do not use separate ratings and doubt necessary here. We already have staggeringly wide variance in track conditions for flat racing.

His figures were ordinary in NZ. Well sold!

Our agistment farm now has horses stacked on horses, had to buy extra covers, and had to employ extra staff. The horses would have been infinitely better off in stables. Despicably, some of those making the most noise for tracks to close were the very people who stood to gain most from the closures.

A burden? Appalling facilities, poor attendances. Track maintenance looks questionable. No local participation - everyone has to travel. How about participants trying to get to and from the venue? Do yourselves a favour - sell and use the money to relocate, because at the moment you are a burden, and you are an embarrassment to our industry