TAB For Ever

And you one of the strangest IMO . You seem to enjoy posting strange stuff , posting on things you admit to knowing little about , fascinating over tote pools , race programming , the way meetings and clubs are run .....etc etc .Not just strange ,but very strange ! No indication you ever been to a meeting ! Then there is the abuse ...you excel at that and also the rascist anti- Asian lean in particular . An expert in good and bad places to live in NZ tho you never given any indication where you live....you must be proud of it. But we do know its in the deep south ,in a cave probably close to irregular internet and radio coverage. Ordinarily I wouldn't notice it but there are at least 2 x folk who are similar to you addicted to the internet and these sites and weekly when they see me they rush to tell me about your paranoia and how they would like to travel south , smoke you out of your cave and give you a jolly good talking to ! So you have two fans !

I wondered where Duncan Garner had gone . But I wasted 20 mins of my day listening to this attention seeking loser of a young woman who has decided to turn on the Horse Industry [ especially Harness] cos she obviously unable to take up and earn a living from her passion she developed as a kid ! Obviously she adored horses and developed an interest in re-homing horses. The idea of a charitable trust to fund her interest/passion had appeal ....but she obviously not a team player ,obviously ,cos others never really knew what they were doing ....cos she has been dedicated ,educated , invested in and worked with world class people ....certainly over-intoxicated in her own exuberance but had her nose put out of place when she couldnt get her own way and turned on HRNZ when they chose the HERO program as their official rehomer. This has festered away ! Most of her horrific dramatic story is nearly 3 yrs old...the terrible Donegal case in Kaikoura ,from which she seems to be seething from being pushed aside by the Police,Vets and Govt agencies . She admits to getting a lot of help ,a lot of funding[expected more] etc etc but now seeking revenge since her 3 page Document and informal chat with a vet friend was ignored 3 years ago....obviously she hasnt reconciled and got back on the horse ! Duncan let her talk...then said.....[sounds like widespread corruption ]....put the words into her mouth. Click bait ! What she talking about are isolated , exceptions ,and policies and conventional wisdom that has been developed over the years.More and more checks and balances have been introduced into the Industry over the year , but license holders etc need to play their role and play by the rules and look after the animals .She said the Kaikoura breeder was a troubled person ,ditto her earlier example when a family hit by tragedy ! Exceptions ! Most horses ,in my experience are treated extremely well definitely when racing, usually get happily rehomed when retired ,sadly some go to the dogs !

Great enthusiasm there Gamma , I'd go too ,but can't see it happening. He will be spelled now to try those top Aussie races again next year ,but will not be treated so well in weights in future ! Plus Aussie jumps races may not have much of future ! I gotta say Ive followed his career very closely and he one of my favourites ,especially as early on my old school/uni mate tasmanman gifted me a small share in him . He had a few setbacks and the odd foot issue but any horse than can win a Wellington Cup is unique and now an Aussie Grand National. Special !

At the time he was bought for 70,000 Guineas from Tattersalls Horses in Trading sale. He had a modest record of 1 win [ 2400m] from about 9 starts against mainly modest maiden fields in Ireland. Add $30 k travel, insurance and Synd admin costs and eventually GST and about $240k had been spent on him ! Then connections thought he could be better placed in Australia so he went to Sydney , disappointed in a couple of races way too short for him so back to NZ. It took a while to work out that he much preferred left hand tracks and he'd be best at distances between 2 and 4 miles ! He picked up a couple of early races at Riccarton but it was a while later that it was discovered he needed a wet track and was very effective in NZ Cup [3rd @50/1] and Wellington Cup[ 1st ] when heavy rain ruined the chances of many in field. Seems to retain @11 years old a real enthusiasm for racing which stands him in good stead !

In my trips overseas ,incl Europe I always been able to see the results replays /videos on HRNZ.

The big push is for a 'new' training establishment with all the mod cons ....thats the plan anyway ! There are a few rumours about possible re-location of it so existing trainers with own property can stay put while others who are at the track plus newcomers will be attracted and increase horse numbers !! Re the Dunn stable. FYI Rhys Fensom seems to be the boss there ! But RJ around a lot !

Well spoken Galah ......you know a bit of stuff , probably the reason The Chief seems to cut you a bit of slack !!

To help the Cave dwellers and tight five who live in the South , maybe you should point out that this basically cos of Interest on Debt and the drop in Valuations of land etc. Anyway ,answer a few questions , like What do you think should happen to the ATC and what Crusaders Hall of Famers [ add legendary AB Captains RMcCaw,KRead and SBarrett ] learned their early rugby [say Sec school] in Canterbury ?

Yes ,it probably /may be down a little but must be in the ball park ! I just pointing out something that is overlooked in discussions re ATC. Yes these big numbers dip and dive a bit...the original offer for Pukekohe was for $100m including a $10mill deposit. The buyer didn't front up and left the $10 mil behind. Now the offer $70 mil with some doubts too. July 2024 are the last published accounts . Net assets in July 2022 were $113 mil ! Whatever the equity is it still well up there in total equity !! This smoke and mirrors gives some hope ! HRNZ should consider assistance with a training centre.....not necessarily a bail out , more a heads up to assist the Industry into the future. What do you think should happen ?

No need for a bail out but a hands up would be nice and well justified to try and future - proof a struggling industry ! Clearly the ATC has a proven track record of running a profitable and successful club in Harness. Up to last 10 years ! Clearly it among the top two tracks in NZ , and is one of only 4 x tracks that operate with lights at night.Its facilities/infrastructure clearly in the top two. In the past it has hosted Australasia's top event many times.....the Interdominions and it regularly still hosts many of NZ's top races. The Infrastructure is overall quite sound ,and the track with recent changes can cope with heavy rain.. People visiting for first time and/or Australians are very impressed. Close to International Airport and close to ample accommodation [for horses and people] and to the CBD. The region currently has several of NZ's best Studs /breeders ,trainers and drivers who are currently reluctant to relocate. The Club houses NZ's busiest TAB and other businesses which bring in revenue. Pokies earn approx $2 mil pa. What it does need is an energetic marketing/promotions team to create more regular attendees and attract younger members cos current ones mostly 60 yrs plus . And investment into horse ownership to help increase horse numbers. And the most POSITIVE figure in their handbag is the overall Equity situation. A 31 July 2024 it was $93 million.....so net assets of $93m , and it compares with $46 mil in 2013 when the Club members agreed to build the apartments so every race would be a minimum of $30k. Obviously in the top two [with NZ Met ] but probably #1. , so the 'wealthiest ' club in NZ.I haven't checked this. Believe it or not ,what Industry would even consider kneecapping its wealthiest club . ?

Hahaha......you really are a doozy , its widely accepted/proven that the 10 cities in NZ with the worst Air Quality/pollution are in the South Island with the southern cities among the very worst ! And I've lived in 3 of them ! Conversely ,Auckland is among the best !.......its on the water with excellent sea breezes . Rated #1. So back to the Cave champ ,or is it under a rock ?

Well you'd better watch out......the deep south has always had great dairy farms but that didn't stop them from nearly slipping off the map. Had to bring in Tim Shadbolt from West Auckland to save the deep south ! And instead of spending your time checking out the tote-pools you should go outside and check around. Highly likely that the lovely farms at least partly owned [ and growing] by multi-national firms/funds including most Asian countries. And why are Dairy sales booming........these neighbouring farms have huge imports to most Asian countries ! China ,the biggest but Thailand ,Malaysia ,Indonesia and Phillipines too ! And little old you , on-line , feeling smug and making rascist comments !

That a bit rude Chief........it can't be BS if it true and reasonable . Robbie Deans and Carter and a few others were true born , bred and developed Cantabs but vital imports came from all over. Q,...Check the Crusaders Hall Of Fame and pick out the non-imports ! Hall of Fame.......Todd Blackadder , JMarshall , W.Smith , NMaxwell, LMacDonald , RThorne , C.Ralph , MHammett , GSomerville. No doubt soon to be joined by CTaylor, Scott Robertson and the legends RMcCaw , KRead , BThorne , Sonny Bill ,Scott Barrett and a few Fijian game winners. Answer the question correctly and I'll send an unworn pair of BGP sox , and maybe my unworn BGP polo shirt !

My reference was to your comment that the HRNZ Chair was on NZRFU Board.....no......he linked to Crusaders !

Yes , the Crusaders have been my team in the Professional area so I attended many of their games , even coached and refereed some of their players when they were younger !