TAB For Ever

I wondered about this too ,but I note there is a Te Aroha meeting down for 29 September with Open entry jumps races carded . The most recent jumps fields seems to be better supported than those earlier in season. The clear issue now is rider availability.... I see Rudy Leifting had to run his maiden against winners to get a rider and this in a 'ride this one and get the better ride too' deal. And double success for the UK jockey !

You've told us about your trainer 'contact' before Chief...and his views on Ruakaka. Plus you usually add the bus that comes from Whangarei and the Annual punters comp held where entries come from the various bars/pubs which sponsor the Club and the comp. Clearly you like Ruakaka. Probably a bad time to regurgitate this yarn cos the the last two meetings have been adversely affected by rain which belies the claim that it provides a good consistent surface when other tracks are often 'bogs'. Saturday conditions worsened as the day went on and jockeys noted a lot of kick back with many horses adversely affected. And last week top trainer Mark Walker was quoted in media saying the previous meeting presented a track up there that was the worst he had seen it after rain ! IMO since Cambridge synthetic opened considerably less Waikato trainers and horses travel north looking for good footing. Up to 4 x hours float each way and getting home at 10pm not as attractive as it was ,hence field size has taken a hit. Aligned with that the overall betting seems consistently less than other similar tracks in Northern area eg Matamata.Plus some friends of my mother-in-laws neighbours told her they don't like betting there !

Do it Jim, Send them your feedback . Must be in before 6 September . Email to........jumpsreview@nztr.co.nz OR Form available on line at NZTR......part of the original announcement in early August. Under NZTR News section. IMHO the feedback from the regular and bigger participants as in Trainers and Owners will be crucial...it on a slippery slope !

Make sure you send your submission in Jim , give em your views on Jumps racing because it surely on life support at moment. Personally I think it it can be saved but they will need to get good feedback about participants intentions as there seems to be dwindling owners ,dwindling horses and a serious shortage of riders. Hopefully all participants reply .....Last year 1 x trainer had 126 starts , 3 x trainers between 38 to 51 starters and 6 x trainers between 11 and 20. The previous season the top was 83 ,4 between 23 and 44 and 6 between 12 and 19. The number of NZ jockeys has been about 12 to 14 . And many of us love the jumping races , especially on TV in recent years ....but we don't go and watch live and we don't bet on them. The latter not good especially as the TAB could run 2 x other races or 5 x doggies in the duration of race. Back in the day many of NZ's biggest owners loved jumping races and many top trainers had many......Hazlett ,Hillis, Cochrane , Rogerson, Sanders, Anderton [2] , Temperton etc . As the flat opportunities increased during winter the jumpers became too hard ,required too much extra time and patience [and cost !] Two group one trainers told me that independently and they had trained winners in the main jumps races. When NZTR releasing the grim numbers ALL the excuses come out....races on too early in day etc and generally don't believe them and blame NZTR for the collapse in interest and lack of jockeys etc. I saw it happen in the south ....participants gave up and when older trainers/owners retired there was a she'll be right attitude.They even hired jumps enthusiast Andre Klein to revive it but no...only place he failed ,he doing very well in UK. I used to attend point-to-points in South ,most areas had very enthusiastic Hunt Clubs and Pony clubs etc. The South even continued on with jumps when most of the horses were coming from North ,even to Riverton and Washdyke and riders coming in from North and/or Aussie...the attitude is she'll be right ! NO wake up call ! Those races at weekend with mostly or all North horses were exciting and crowd seemed good for mid winter...the Steeples was the 149th , and Hurdles 134th running. That tells you something ! I see Australia [ Victoria ] supports NZ jumping continuing cos they have some good jumping carnivals with big crowds and some races have a significant number of recent NZ steeds.Plus some of the European Melbourne Cup rejects jumping too. They want their jumping to continue, and have many races over $60 - $100k and a couple $300 -$400k.We are their nursery ! Of course Australian jumping has shrunk in recent years ,now just in two states and none at major tracks Flemington and Valley as previous. So this big decision to be made..150 Grand Nationals ,where as Synthetics still very recent and certainly the Cambridge one has huge training base there. Some trainers still reluctant to race there much but the training and jumpouts very popular and it gives horses who don't like it wet many more opportunities...I in a couple who earn more than otherwise would. Top trainer Mark walker said recently all winter flat racing for two months should be on Synthetics with the jumps days seperate. He not a bad trainer ,and if he can run a few jumpers from his stable why can't others ? The Synthetic discussion gets done to death on here ,but those new to punting and younger ones looking for consistent surface and form must surely appreciate. i've certainly enjoyed watching a few meets of late and Riccarton and Cambridge....and a few bets ! But I'd like jumping to survive and even be reborn in South....IMO it could be done if 30 x jumpers could be developed in South and also Washdyke back ok on stream to host them with Riccarton. 30 x horses ,get around the Hunt Clubs etc ...Imo its up to the participants to train and attract jockeys. 30 x horses in South with Northern raiders would be a start , plus if the North serious ,they need another 30 x extra as well committed.Some of recent jumps trainers seemed to have given up. It easy to blame the admin..I don't buy this. And yes I in a couple of jumpers so hope to see it continue..Te A, Te R , Hastings , and the ones in CD should be enough to cope !

Using a word everyone uses to explain their negativity toward NZ Harness these days.....subsidising ! Running these smaller fields is Entain subsidising the owners giving them/us a better chance at getting a win ! For years Harness in NZ has been trending down ,while costs trend up....the return to Owners had got unacceptably low.So weighing up this dire financial return with the thrill of owning a winner Entain have increased the number of races at lower end plus upped the high profile races in stakes to attract more at the high end in Cups/Derbies/Oaks/Slots etc. Thinking about either dims the grim return....many trainers don't want plodders either so are aggressive sellers to refresh stock ! Entain the the ultimate current main subsidiser ! They also obviously are trying with a surge in interest in Auckland by trying to take ATC off life support. It remains a DECENT venue...and I'm sure the other main players ,the big Breeders support that strategy. Their role is overlooked ,big breeders referred to as the RICH.....in reality it can't be easy with all the costs involved. Notably most of the big breeders are supported by other profitable businesses. So it easy to see how small breeders have largely given up. If you breed to a local or lesser known stallion you need to race it often or take a hit which soon kills the enthusiasm. Plus the big breeders are usually the main sponsors as Cash now hard to get out of other sponsors . Yes ,everyone subsidising Harness in North but Canterbury harness maybe not subsidising as much as is claimed. Unsure why Cambridge not rated higher in Harness circles and have been running miserable stakes for years.Yes they ran great Jewels and Slot nights well attended but maybe it surprising they hadn't built up more equity/cash .Maybe they should have built a new covered horsebarn in recent years when HRNZ was punishing ATC for poor performance. Too late now and they seem to drifting backwards! All this seems to be academic now ,but without Entain calling the shots Harness in North would be definitely on life support.Comparing any area with Hutt Park and Forbury Park quite telling !

I'd give my vote to WKennedy for both Awards... Obviously wins the Premiership....TICK Jockey of Year As well as most wins won the most G & L races in NZ.....Tick Won the most $ for owners in NZ...Tick Yes had 2nd most rides but that a plus , was keen available and travelled...Tick Had to make contacts and build relationships and earn trust ...Tick Achieved all above in only Year 2 in a new Country where largely unknown previous.....Tick Impressed with his assessment of horses and gave useful advice to trainers post race.....Tick Gave masterclass on New Years Day Group race day......6 x wins.......Tick Jockey of the Year....indeed ! JMO

One of many well used excuses by Horse trainers .....

Is David still attached to one of the big Canterbury stables ?

Yes ,brilliant horses at the Olympics........Kiwis doing very well and their interviews were great....very positive and gave a lot of credit to the magnificence of their horses. And they very bullish about their horses and their Showjumping ability. Currently 6th , but hopefully they can get into the medals as a team ! We need some reward cos the Aussie horses coming over to Cup week to take home our big stakes. Aussie owners been doing it a lot in recent times , but a repeat of Aussie trainers and drivers will be too much !

Hope you recovered from Leap To Fame , Gamma , he something special. Kevin Myers seems to condition his horses so well. Many of those that featured today for him ,including 4 x winners were competing in the Castle Point Beach races in late February . He had over 30 x horses at Castle Point from memory. Plus 3 of his winners have raced on the Synthetic in past 5 x weeks so varies their work ! Another interesting fact today was that after a fall there were only 9 x jumps jockeys available after 1 x stand down which resulted in a scratching from maiden chase.

But you explained the issue very well after saying it not about the money but about the chase.....so settle for a smaller WIN'. Win less more often ! When I said bet on the tote you said your big bet would ruin your divi cos the pools too small ! Pointless going $1k a place when only a few $k in pool. From TAB's side , same issue ,if fixed odd place pools not large , why should they ruin their take out $ on the race from a Canterbury winning punter . Why would they , they not a charity. In fact the Races won't continue if they can't make a profit !

Love the quotes Chief...been a while since the Fiddler playing while Rome burned ! No way can I match your knowledge but I honestly question if you actually like Horses and Horse racing. You admit to spending decades tryng to improve decision making and halt the decline ! Do you seriously think anyone reading your threads/comments would guess that you are trying to achieve thataim. I watched in for 2 years and never thought that. To use a fav Marketing term I think you are 'winking in the dark'...you know what you doing but no-one else does. If I had your motivation...and you say you done it for decades...it would make more sense to join a club or committee or an Owners association and get noticed that way.Maybe start up , NZ Racetrack Surfaces Action group and grow a membership and get a voice in discussions. To use another Marketing lesson...Easier on the inside pissing out ,than the outside pissing in !

Sorry Chief ,wrong again ,no points scored here I'm afraid. Did you come across the Neilson Research which sped up the establishment of the RIU...more suits brought in.More self inflicted misery ! Racing one of 6x major NZ sports graded by public against 13 Attributes. Racing came last in 11 of them ! 41% of people thought racing had a problem with corruption. Only 22% thought racing did business with honesty and Integrity . Most damning ,only 16% of NZ had a positive impression of racing and wagering ! While checking out the NZTR loans etc did you also look at the Govt's Racing Safety Development Fund[ Foxton and South Cant got a bit in the latest] and the previous reliance by many Clubs on Pokie Grants. Don't just be selective !

In previous discussions with the Chief my angle has included these various types of surfaces under the group heading of AWT. ie Non-turf tracks. Chief seemed happy with this comparison . I much prefer turf tracks , but just making the Chief aware of the numbers. I'm sure he appreciates your support ,as the tight-five seem to be deserting him. But he probably not so enamoured by the fact you OK racing on the Synthetic ! And no willy contest for me ,got shot off in the war. Plus I'd never prove a match for the Chief...he knows a lot of stuff !

Messara's excellent piece of work was an overall strategic plan and given as a suggestion ,and it was largely accepted by those at the coalface in NZ so obviously largely endorsed. The local guys running NZ no doubt took into consideration the collaboration of neighbouring clubs and their interest in working in .One recent year the Coast Clubs were poorly represented in discussions ,some had obviously spat the dummy. Messara report ...from a previous era !

But have you spoken to their bosses directly yet as advised ! They keen to engage. Or will you be like Chief and in 30 years time post "I have been pushing for changes for decades now and nothing happens" ?

Nah ,everybody in NZ knew there were way too many tracks in NZ and had been talking about it since 1970's. His cut from 48 to 28 or whatever was never going to be perfect and possibly wasn't but NOT always easy to switch from a once a year track to another once a year track , especially when neighbour may not be on speaking terms. Sad but true....and the Clubs taking longer than expected to organise a quick transfer....I read recently where you surprised at the importance and difficulty in moving the 4 x TAB Vans....get with the program.....now that would have been a bit interesting.. Many tiring of your need to start threads and lure comments from mugs like me so you can prove your superior knowledge and pump out your own theories.......I think you actually don't like horses or horse racing , you like whinging and moaning and winning debates and use the NZ Horse racing theme as a front....and stuck in the past too !🙂 Old NZTR reports poured thru.... Messara report ......the 2018 classic ! Loans in 1977 ,and 2007 You stuck in the past Chief !

Agree re Auckland Motorway slower than normal at times during big events like Ellerslie 's Sistema stakes day .Everybody wants to go there ,its that great entertainment. One learns to be patient and add travel time.Same Karaka Day. And when Pink and Warriors were on same night the Trots were put back an hour cos many horses stuck on motorway ! Ever been to Group days at York or even Melbourne in a car ? Of course you have ,you've been everywhere man ! As for Northern detour I've done that one a couple of times this year in car...Kaiwaka to Waipu . Difference last Saturday would have been the Horse Float detour annoyingly much longer and the slips actually caused several delays too .And the forecast was talking 'weather bombs' so your plan to switch to Ruakaka at short notice pure BS. Messara report was 6 years ago so don't live in the past , its annoying. Most don't want to hear about Lord Module , Grey Way and Copperbelt

Nah no hole digging....its a public site so just pointing out there appears to be more AWT than turf. And weather interests me little , but it on record that 21 areas of NZ experienced their wettest ever [ on record] Januuary- June 2023. That followed on 2022 Winter which was NZ's wettest ever. Those are facts ! Maybe that suggests weather getting wetter...Wairoa certainly think so ,in 2024. As is the fact that your beloved Westland which you highlight so often is near NZ's top in rainfall.

Thats a surprise and a long time between drinks. Hard to know why that suburb even existed , as Burnside and Abbotsford surrounded it . It had the stench of Burnside at one end and when the Abbotsford hillside slipped away it could have been buried in soil., I think their Rugby ground was. Lucky some locals had shops there eg Moyles Supermarket and it had a Movie theatre and had a Mayor[ ? Crimp] ..I think he may have been shot in the Aramoana tragedy ! But it had no high school ! Its sports teams were generally lower grades battlers then two local boys Lyn and Merv Jaffray emerged as top players[ and All Blacks]. A weedy wing [Ex Taieri ] Jack MCLaughlan , from memory his son was a sprint champion and useful winger too ,emerged as good coach. And two local twins the Mitchells were small but solid backs and suddenly they were a senior team in tough Dunedin Comp. Then a couple of Southland University students with transport ,put off by the extreme competition of trying the make University teams went there ...a good halfback Chris Moreland , from memory and big lock [now kingpin Surgeon ]Dick Bunton . All these players played some games for Otago and they attracted other Southland students and Medical students eg Brian McKechnie the double All Black and Dr Peter Chapman Smith who for years had been a second string University player. Harness trainer Stu Campbell was part of this group ,he most likely a local lad. It was this era they became serious contenders....of course since then they probably had many Otago reps the most famous being All Black Ben Smith. Their cricket team were always battlers but their locals must have won their way thru the grades and achieved the difficult promotion up to Senior grade ,where the bottom team each year was relegated automatically unless the OBHS school team won second grade !Maybe a merger of two Clubs gave Green island the opening. From memory i think they got champion cricketer Glenn Turner to play by giving him free groceries and free meat...the only professional in a Amateur era ! Also they got NZ spinner Peter Petherick from Central Otago and veteran coach and Pakistan player Billy Ibadulla [RIP] who i believe died last week aged 92 ! They also had a new ground which was the Suunyview rubbish dump so the ground had all sorts of weird stuff on it ,and the pitch was a shocker . But I digress ! Back to their Rugby win ...last year at a wedding in Dunedin I met the Green Island Rugby coach who seemed very young ,so well done to him. He was a great dancer when the music started up. Another vivid memory from their glory days , back in the day, was GreenIsland had a scrary rep [ ? Harvey] on the Otago Rugby Union.He was small and wore a big coat [ a la Colombo TV ]. One of his jobs was to go to the minor Rugby League games ,played at a hidden ground in Kaikorai on a Sunday and try and spot any Rugby players who were playing...if identified those rugby players were banned for life ...yes for life .I had a couple of Uni friends who risked this by playing league and another friend who reported the games for the Evening Star paper. He was constantly asked by this rugby sneak for the names ...of course they played under different names and some were quite original eg Joe Ninety and Fred Dagg.In those days the papers ,both ODT and Star reported all sports reults with the names of scorers etc.Not like today ! Ahh the memories.........

Well Chief , when you announcing the winner of your Comp ,I am sure your Sponsor expects you to have an Official announcement . FYI there were 86 horses running at Pukekohe today . I mentioned to the Salvation Army that a small cash donation should be coming their way ! Keep the receipt and I'll get a tax rebate of 30%.

My Foxton area friend tells me Foxton has had a flooding problem for years and not so long ago it was up to the roof of houses in some areas. Flood protection has been provided out of the Provincial growth Fund . Its positioned where there is a very high watertable so the threat is constantly there. To double check these facts anyone can google Foxton Floods and several articles confirm the area is flood prone and a number of Trials since Covid have been postponed cos of water. So it not BS. Then there is the mystery fire threat .

Explain your weather theories to the Wairoa and Gisborne people as well as the many other folk in areas which constantly hit by extreme weather . Several Areas have received there annual rainfall in less than a week ! And your explanation why around the world there are more AWT than turf...USA,Japan <Korea ,South Africa, Chile ,Equador Argentina ,Mexico , parts of Europe ,Scandinavia and OH NO , even parts of Australia and Asia.

Puke less than an hour from Ellerslie and not much more to Te Rapa. Riccarton , Matamata , Cambridge , Te Awamutu best and Awapuni and Wanganui all good too ! Your latest fav Ruakaka not always available either as another weather bomb hit the area yesterday , more slips on the Bryderwyns and road closures during the day...that would have been fun for the Waikato horses travelling north. And many of the tracks you randomly spew out to sound knowledgable don't meet yor criteria.....How many horses trained at Westland ?

Polemics...thats a flash word, it hadn't reached Christ's College when I was there !