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 !

Doubt if you see too many Asians lurking around your cave area down in the deep south ! They prefer cities where there are things to do and opportunities to create businesses and money making ventures !

You making stuff up again Galah ! The guy you refer to is a Crusaders man.....Canterbury , red and black ! The most one-eyed bunch in the land ! And Rugby certainly been thru the wringer at times , spending more than they earn ! Racing often spoken in the same breathe as racing , as it once was when there were no alternatives. Auckland actually were so unbeatable a while back they took the Shield on the road to show the rest of Country, then when Canterbury decided to improve and get out of the cellar ,what did they do........starting importing dozens of great players from Auckland, Northland and Taranaki in particular and sent others to their feeder team Tasman to add even more depth. Maybe this should be reversed now and Canterbury can send say 80-100 horses North now. Any horses cos Auckland has the top Stallions ,top trainers and drivers to make their own luck , and become great again ! So send horses and $$$$ North and be a little generous !

And Gamma , you probably have read that NZ Cup winning diver[ Yulestar ] has been given 10% of Akuta for his work in the rehab of Akuta. Tony suffered a near-fatal race mishap , plus later a personal family tragedy , and has been transporting horses in recent times PLUS he harnessed up both Akuta with Mark P plus one in his own name Whatsonyamind at ATC tonight !

I think folk on here expect it of you......a pain in the rissole !

Interesting that both the above mentioned trainers have in recent years been in positions where they could influence the HRNZ administrators ,yet they now reduced to 'social media' barbs. Why is this ? Methinks their views / influences/ ideas could not get support from a majority of other horsemen ! Can the trainers and other groups ever get a joint collaborative view to make progress ?

Don't tell me positiiiviitty is catching on and not such a bad thing ? Well, well ,well !

Indeed they do train for other owners ........but the BRAND is very strong and very important hence they predictably keep it to the forefront of any publicity.I feel the article re the South Island win gets the brand up front and then deflects much credit to the Christchurch foreman / Asst trainer HDurrant who oversees that stable. And it an advert to let people know the Southern stable is currently there to stay and not just a motel for their Northern based horses. I liken the strong brand recognition similar to Harness kingpin Mark Purdon who has been in partnership with various folk ,most recently his son Nathan. They often referred to as the Allstars....a strong brand ! Then the mighty All Blacks brand , they represent and play against mainly other countries who are known by Ireland ,France ,England etc . All Blacks not a country ,ditto the Springboks. Back to Te Akau , I see where they have bought 72 young horses this year........quite extraordinary really ,so they need strong brand recognition to syndicate all those .

Isn't Winton a track that produces fast times .....this looks good on a horses CV and maybe increases sales value ! Re Christchurch trainers getting around the rules that intend all horses to be genuine Southern trained horses isn't this typical of Harness folk in general.....study the 'rules/conditions' then quickly look at loopholes or ways of 'getting in the back door' ! THis comment was made by a recent CEO of HRNZ ,after a breeding bonus was announced ! But as noted earlier in thread this is a promotion that has worked well. Many will remember the good ole days when South Island harness closed for all of July and most of June , and Southland for a bit longer . So dare i say ' well done HRNZ ( and Entain ).

And I thought it was arthritis in the neck. I really can't fathom why something from 'left field' hasnt been done to increase horses ,with urgency in North ! All Stars were somehow lured back and RDunn [on Board] maintains a few in his stable but breeding bonus' and next Gen stuff and TAB Racing Club is bit of a slow burn ! And the Club not really pushing it...Golden Gait sounds good ,and is for the few horses that benefit by winning the final .....no real push to attract more owners etc or attendees to races with the fewer races and tiny fields poor for turnover. I don't think the Club even has a Marketing/Promotions person and has a 'temporary ' CEO........just hanging on while selling up things to reduce the debt which grows by the day. The facility in the City has a lot going for it and the population continues to grow but it seems less and less people care ! It would be totally irresponsible of HRNZ to give up on the region for Harness Racing. BSteele has really only been in the job for 5 x mins and he is employed by a Board who surely do not want to give up on Auckland ! Then Entain have been a huge influence since saving Harness and racing in General in NZ. They made it very clear they saw the future prospects of resuscitating Auckland ,any hope on that would seem reliant on the various key outfits working together and this just not evident at moment. I notice Aussie harness runs many ,many meetings with very low stakes ...eg $6000 and lower ! And I see the young energetic CEO of Cambridge is leaving ......maybe he going back to Auckland to start the revival , branching out ?

Fair comment..........but realistically anything less than 40 horses extra ready to race each week isn't going to make much difference. And Northern horses have been drifting South in recent years and the Sale of horses from the North hasn't really stalled even with the extra stakes and Golden Gait carrots. It still bloody expensive to own a horse and very hard in North for them to earn their keep. And the active Auckland membership ,who surely must average close to 70 can't see any future for them moving to cambridge . It would limit their outings to races, a few hundred still attend and ownership would decrease. All the way through this Group have had plenty to say about the future of the Club but few if any have spoken up on matters nor voted the current out and new folk in. Most realise there aint a lot of 'ideal' solutions. And the big players /trainers/ breeders do OK as things are .They don't want to move everything to Cambridge. It only a glimmer of hope ,but the easiest current option and the best chance of a revival is a to battle on as at present and hope the Government and Funding/Grants organisations just GIFT the money to allow a reset and a 'new birth' for Harness in the North. Protects jobs etc etc ps....The current leadership was not the same that created this mess , but the ones who supported the mistakes are the same . Go figure ! We now suggesting solutions !