Ludwig

I have thought this for many years. As an old Palmy boy, not only are the fields poor, but the track, facilities all look so tired. The whole site needs to be bull dozed and allow for the growth of another slum suburb like Highbury and Takaro.

Has anyone heard any recent information? On the sale of the track, who to and for what sum? And most important, where is the money from whatever has been sold?

The current govt believes that the way forward is to centralise everything____schools, hospitals, water, polytechnics . So let's add track management to the list of "success".

Why attack the jockeys,? Safety must be paramount at all times . Heads must roll at the CJC

What alternatives/options are open to reverse this trend? Or are there none?

A happy side effect of the decision, however, was that we in the south didn't have to endure his expertise as host and tipster of southern racing. A sweet relief.

Timaru is so under utilised.

I read a few weeks ago that Ray Green was complaining that if Copy That stayed in NZ it would be racing for feeble stakes like $30,000 at Oamaru. I see that the total stakes this week for Oamaru are @$150,000. Now for a town of Oamaru's size and limited wealth, that's not too bad. About $10 per person in the town. Now if he thinks those stakes are feeble, then what do we say about a city of 1 and a half million? Do their stakes for a feature meeting reach @$10 per person, i.e. @$15 mill for a feature meeting.

My question concerns the amount of influence that Mr Ellis has. On another channel ( third rate) there is a discussion re Te Akau. That was, until Mr Ellis contacted the site owner and objected to a post, upon which it was immediately removed. I had seen the post, it wasn't complimentary but I've seen worse. Does Mr Ellis now think he can control internet forums.? The words, touchy little petal come to mind.

I wouldn't waste my breath on them. It's just another tiresome northern based nutter who thinks that a gimmick like the Race will solve everything,_ when it does nothing to address basic issues of lack of horse numbers, no new trainers and owners entering the industry, and solid, sustainable grassroots support.

What is the future of the NZ cup? Some, on another struggling lightweight channel are suggesting the Race will overtake it as NZs most popular race. Let's hope not.

They could have made a leap to recruit the inspirational Mallard. But instead the lucky Irish have got him.😀

That's the theme of this Friday's meeting at the Met. Once upon a time this was true. But times have changed, the season for the open class horses runs much later. Just 3nominations in the main trot, and the field likely for the main race is hardly inspiring. Maybe it's time to have a good overview of the scheduling of build up races, and get them to coincide with the time when suitable horses will be available?Or would that involve a degree of common sense and intelligence?

Sadly, Marshall is remembered as the Minister in charge of DOC at the time of the Cave Creek tragedy.

Very good. The high profile, dynamic ones that you are missing. Dennis Marshall for 6weeks, Mark Gosche, Craig Foss, and David Bennett.

Interesting trivia question. There have been 14 Ministers of Racing since the position was established in 1990. Name them, without resorting to the Wikipedia page.!!! Some interesting names, and collectively what have they achieved? Also, interesting to note the current chap gets paid $288,000 p.a. for holding the post.

Both sides play the endless blame game and it gets us nowhere. It's very childish. I just wanted to know, what the Racing Minister has done since being in the job.

Next thing you'll be telling me that Andrew Little should visit hospitals and talk to nurses and doctors.! Outrageous !

What an interesting day for the Racing Minister. An appearance at Riccarton on the same day as he is named as the alleged chief bully in the Labour caucus. But it raises the question, what exactly has he done as Racing Minister since he was given the job?

Just wanted to congratulate the person who puts together this site. Good range of articles and people interviewed. Very Informative. Well done.

That's a very poor post. One of Freda's themes is the poor quality of riding, particularly in the south. It is a constant theme, and she's not just jumping on the bandwagon because of what happened at Cambridge.

That's true, but it added a bit of bite to the days racing.

Just spotted the corgi racing from the USA on ESPN. Huge crowds,no stewards enquiries, no endless wait between races. Perhaps the CJC could boost attendance with this?

Bets on how many will start in the once great race?

I am curious to know how many people forked out for the $25 entry fee at Riccarton?