TAB For Ever

Oh cheer up Chief .....your bitterness will turn into envy soon ! Get back to the tele and spend big on a horse , the losses there will hury you more cos it will be your money not the TAB's ! And aren't the Karaka races partly sweepstakes ,from money collected at the time ,or soon after a horse has been purchased at sale. Plus some Industry monies ........and didn't they get great value from that. Several mentions /video on mainstream TV ,even the main news ,plenty coverage in Australia and around the world as punters bet into NZ races via the World fund. The Entain boss at trots on Friday night couldn't celebrate his 3 x wins as owner at Trots in Auckland cos he was busy on overseas links spreading the NZ Racing 'word' around the punting globe. He has skin in the game here ! Fantastic !

Messara report stated when released in 2018.........NZ does NOT have ONE track with a high quality racing surface ! And NO ,Hastings would obviously be a track redeveloped......it well situated ,its facilities etc have an OK base and the area has a horse population. It's part of the future. Ongoing bemoaning the past does no body any good...crying about tracks that have closed is..." a Dynamic of an earlier era " JM

Firstly Chief I suspect you wiped one of my posts ...a reply to the small trainer/track rider re getting more recognition in the industry. Unsure why you would do this as I thought it a good post ,quite helpful ! I been reading your posts for well over 10 years but only felt the need to reply recently when I could see you were very biased and needed a bit of balance. Your main supporters are very regular and I guess you scare away anyone who disagrees. You and your tag team soon labelled me as a novice to racing then quickly moved on to veiled insults like Cost Accountant ,Christs College boy and now a patronising sense of superiority. You a funny man Chief , you admit to being a cynic....maybe a man who knows the price of everything , but the value of nothing. As I was raised on a diet of small Southern tracks pottering around with owner/trainers and hobby trainers we probably crossed paths a few times You stating your CV above was interesting ...battling with slow horses and non-commercial breeding and then into running and controlling Racing websites. Unsure if taking your daughter to the Kumara races is the ideal place for her to develop a love of horses but quite a warm fuzzy story. I think many have questioned whether the Entain thing can last ,but they certainly giving it their best shot . Racing certainly is having a huge amount of coverage on National news and Advertising wherever. With pokies likely to be phased out in future and greyhounds kicked to touch the NZ Racing industry sure needs more account holders wagering more at a decent profit. And you not the only one who thought stakes increases should have been spent elsewhere eg on tracks and infrastructure but NZ's stakes have been pathetic for decades and this ailment has been terminal so usually the most essential need at the time. THe chance of winning a $1m or even $2m race certainly had more appeal than racing for bag of kumaras. I have an article when Jim Gibbs retired in 2004. He was already sending his best horses eg Vinaka to Singapore to race. He said action was needed pronto on Stakes and Tracks His Auckland Cup win was worth $500k in 1989 with Spyglass. It was $350k in 2004 ! And he emphasised decent drainage and tracks. Few listened. Then when Racing started falling behind with its personal bias Amateur leadership while Professionalism took over rival entertainment sports/businesses Racing got Neilson to research NZ about the country's top 6 sports ,Racing received a big shock when it found it a long and lonely last ! 41% thought NZ racing was corrupt , ditto a problem with drugs. Only 25% thought NZ racing acted respnsponsibly and ethically. Only 16% had a positive overall impression of racing and wagering. Of course this led to the costly set up of the RIU . These $millions could have gone to better use......who do we blame for this ?

Messara stated in his report that no track in NZ was up to scratch.......since then this has been proven correct plus weather extremes have become worse. A few tracks have had quite major work which may now give them a pass mark. Why not act on what was obvious over 50 years ago ,but is more obvious now. NZ has too many tracks . Concentrate on complete renovation/replacement of 10[ yes 10 x tracks]. Close the rest and where possible sell the land to fund the new surfaces. Ellerslie cost $55 mil. A sale of Avondale would go a long way . Add the 3 x synthetics and allow the once a year tracks to continue should they meet standards ! In total there would be less than 20. For decades the track issue has competed with the pathetic stakes as the most urgent ailment of the industry ,and the well overdue recent stakes increase would not go far @ $50 mil a pop. At one time not so long ago it was estimated that transport costs in NZ racing was greater than the total stakes paid out . Do them once and do them properly...the past has gone ,concentrate on the future. Create don't cry and bemoan the past !

Bang on Gammalite......keep up the good fight !

Total agree..... having people spend big time at Sales helps everyone , the breeders ,the trainers the jockeys ,the thousands of stable wortkers ,admin staff ,gardeners , vets ,transporters etc etc The govt gets the tax , NZ gets a mention overseas other than via our yachties , sports stars ,honey and smiling PM's. Whats wrong with that ?.....the money keeps the world spinning. A small sector of NZ folk get great enjoyment out of NZ racing still........all those involved cover a huge cross section of society.Racing tomorrow will be a wide cross section of society. The horses owned by racing roylaty ,judges , ex jockeys , storemen ,cleaners and many ma and pas in the big tangerine syndicates which is being duplicated by many trainers now. And the big money owners started with nothing....the big chief PVela was a fisherman in a dinghy and hanger made widgets in a garage while living under a bridge. They now tall poppies. They create , we cry ! And as they battled away to survive ,you earned a good living off the industry they have maintained...you been in racing a lifetime ,doing stuff for bookmakers and others for a lifetime ! Why you bitter ?

Haha...FYI Christ's College has it's fair share of bad buggers , attending there doesn't guarantee anything ! I find it interesting that internet trolls who maybe give the impression they interested in NZ racing and have the ideas and passion to see it excel into the future , spend their time on line cynically putting the boot into it which flies in the face of what they setting out to achieve. Realistically what would you personally like to see in NZ racing ,given NZ's size , our closeness to Australia , current governance requirements and Racings relevance to the average Kiwis life ! If you suddenly thrust into an influential position , and could cast aside your bitterness, personal bias and 'me against the world' mentality .....how would you run NZ Racing ?

You a funny , and at times bitter ,man Chief.......there are plenty of ways to get a ticket especially if you think about it in advance .Ask your daughter she will be aware of how to get to the movies , concerts , on the bus etc in the organised world which runs civilised events ! A day at the beach or a picnic outing beside the Grey river or at the Kumara showgrounds not so much. Tho they have had to up their spend on security to add some decorum ! Impressively Kumara continue to 'justify' their 'iconic raceday' rating which keeps Coast circuit on Calendar and they can still find enough trainers to cart 75 horses over there to race. But I can't see any Group 1 days being diverted to the Coast anytime soon. Assuming you seriously want your daughter to develop a love of racing then what other meetings do you wish to take her to! The fun at Kumara will be hard to match , cant think of too many others which will impress.Possibly the tarted up boys at Karaka Day may take her fancy with a bit of Mumm champers to cheer her up further. Try her out ,it may not be too late for Saturday, ring your fellow coastie Leo , he in the know ! It is mean't to be the sport of Kings ,afterall ! Good to see you got the noble count from the gypies ticking your cynicism !

Come on guys ,I know its very hard to admit that this day is the best..... Of course the above factors I mention only tell part of the story ! A major plus for the modern generation is they dont want to spend the whole day on a racetrack. Official times out tomorrow but the days 6 races will only take some 4 hours ...4 to 8pm. Who on here is going to get amongst it ? NZ Racing is back and looks like it going to press on to better things next year !

Chief , please confirm how many attend Kumara races ? I did a quick google and there was mention of 3000 in a Stuff article 2019 .. Articles before raceday say that 5000 to 9000 will attend Articles after state that some 5000 attended and those stories often highlight things like the 'Fashions in the Field'. I was lead to believe those gimmicks were only for the posers and poofters in big city clubs. A cost accountant I know told me the accounts show $24 k in gatetakings in 2022 and $33k in 2023 . Apparently there was an increase in gate charge from $10 to $15 then again to $20 for walk up entrance this year. Using between $10 - $15 as a guide this would suggest around 2500 paying adults . Kids are free . Others may jump the fence which one year couldn't keep the pigs out from eating up the track ! I gotta go some time !

You too clever for me Chief ! Many of the food areas used on non-raceday events which total close to 1000 a year are in the Events Centre/ Public Stand but on raceday they are all over . Some 22 venues/rooms for food ,all going at once so it a bit unique. Of course the popular Birdcage bar where many trainers watch the screens is still closed for revamp so may throw a few out. I thought they may bring some of the Coast staff up from the Hokitika Food Festival.

I think it a wise decision for the recommencement of racing there. Two years ago I mostly sat among the BGP crowd and that day I remember the total was 9000 and it very comfortable both there above the Public seating and also in the Ascot stand where members and owners tend to congregate there.The place has been closed for a couple of years so getting up to speed won't be that easy. A lot of the hospitality and security staff will be new ,parking will be a bit tight etc etc. There will be a bit to 'moan' about , some have already started I hear it whisping over the strait from the South Island ! A green cloud ! These days I think 10,000 is an ideal number, very busy but comfortable. The halcyon days of being packed to the gills , no thanks. I remember how uncomfortable the big days were ..the Wellington Cup , NZ Cup , NZ Trotting cup. Often near impossible to get a bet on , get to a bar[ now limits !] and worst of all difficult to see the actual races. The huge 'old days'New years Day crowd at Ellerslie was hugely boosted by BYO [food and drink] in the infield ,froze to death there one year just before I was bored to death. A friend got the Railway trifecta [easybet] and it took them 30mins to bring in the money cos the thousands in there hadn't bet enuff ,too busy playing cricket with their bored kids ! Even NZ Cup day has huge crowds just out the back at "boot parties" or at dance party at top of straight . NZ Trot cup day many claim on here about the temporary tents blocking some of view !! Big crowds really bring out the glass half empty lot ! These racedays have gotten huge because like Kumara they are the place to be.....FOMO sets in .....gotta be part of it ! So this Saturday some will be disappointed ,will still probably watch it on TV and bet...racing is afterall a TV activity.....and many more will want to go next year and/or the next meeting and the facilities will be extended to fit them in eg..grass area along the straight . Who knows ,may even boost membership...it has dropped a little [20%] since Covid . Of interest is todays NZ Herald already advertising next years big day on 8 March 2025 ....Front page via a sleeve ,2 full pages which connect to Sports page...these guys are serious about gettin NZ Racing back !

Chill out folks.....this new raft of high stake races just been announced today and within minutes we are looking at the possible pitfalls and shortcomings. The glass half-full team will looking at getting involved behind the whole stradegy. Our racing in NZ needs more foals , more owners and more punting to flourish into the future....already todays announcement has made mainstream media and already they have closed the doors at 12,000 people this week. Personally after giving up on taking shares in NZ horses cos of the low return on stakes.....these now boosted across the board and there appears to be a ton of opportunities across all regions to race for decent money than previous....I'm tempted again ! And many will feel the same way....maybe more foals born , higher returns for breeders and higher returns for owners and trainers.And hopefully better and bigger fields to encourage betting. At least they giving it a crack , I think it fair they be given the chance .They have shown the courage and a few dollars to change things around a bit and I'm confident this will continue for a while yet. Get on the bus ,don't go against the tide ,avoid the quicksand crowd !

And Craig Grylls closing in on the top 'two mile' Cups jockey Bob Skelton. RJS won 5 x Wellington Cups on 3 x horses , numerous other 2 milers including the Melbourne Cup. His brother WDS did similar while another brother Frank won NZ cup on showy chestnut Royal Bid. Another brother Errol trained Rose Mellay to win Auckland Cup from memory while Max [ MJ] the baby robably got close too , I saw him at Riccarton races recently. See people still go to the races these days ! The top Wellington Cup trainer with 4 x wins is Mike Moroney who I note won 2 x races at Flemington yesterday. Mark Walker also got one at Flemington ,and another Wellington Cup winner Donna Logan won in Singapore ! Another great memory popped up when Humbucker won the Gore Cup carrying the colours of Hazlett /Hillis...white jacket ,green sleeves ,yellow cap who won Wellington Cup with Eiffel Tower and a ton of big jumps races there. And BJ Anderton still winning races at Gore...he featured in many Cups and features ,along with his family...Princess Mellay ,Trelay , Powley ,Mellseur, Kumai along with their many sires runners ...Mellay, Trelay , Noble Bijou ,Personal Escort et al. Oh the memories........ The magic of Trentham was created because the best horses and trainers came from all over...North ,Central and South ...often the only time they clashed. It was that that made it the top betting [ gallops ] meeting in NZ . It should hold on to that cos it was a long way ahead mostly , especially since ARC carnival split into 2 or 3 ! It should still head off the West Coast !

Great effort by these two to nab the two most of the most Iconic races on same day ! Craig Grylls now has 3 x Wellington Cups ...Graphic [2400m] and Lincoln King. And carries on a great family tradition. His dad Gary won the Cup on Oarsman in 1985....a very good rider too ! Grand dad JF [ John] Grylls won the Auckland Cup on Kia Maia in 1960's and I think Gary did likewise. As for Thorndon ,I think Tara's Pride from Taranaki won that for JFG. So all 3 have quite a collection of big wins. Definitely all three have won the Easter Handicap which early on was the main Group 1 mile in NZ , Craig on Pasta Post in 2008 when only 15 years old. Top family of people as well !

Bluey's Chance went a huge race in Wellington Cup today...a huge 5th ,been placed in it previously. What other horses have travelled so extensively around NZ since Grey Way ? Blueys Chance has raced in many Group races including the big Cups even Auckland and raced in most South Island provinces[ possibly all of them ] plus several in North . What a trooper...he contested in inter-provincial race in Taranaki ,and his next race will be his 100th ! One achievement he has on Grey Way is he has raced , and won on a NZ Synthetic track. Well done to connections for having a crack !

Please stick to the topic Chief. The finances of WRC are of little interest to me ...not my concern ! Why are you so besotted by them ? I notice houses on either side of the shute ....and one of their Board was bit of a fiddler I seem to recall and I'm sure the Club has been the usual mixture of politics ,personal bias , bad feelings and bad decisions. A shame for such an iconic Club with great memories for my village ,my family and me !

Phone a friend , get them to put the phone by the tranny ! Or watch/ listen to it on your phone.....but keep your eyes on the road and obey all traffic signals. For a man who frequently says he has given up on Racing ,you still seem pretty keen and enthusiastic !

It's been well documented for years....Trentham track has been very inconsistent in a bad way ,usually too hard but sometimes faulty irrigated affected by wind has been a factor. Plenty of excuses given , but that of little consolation. One year half the horses who contested an iconic stakes race ,never raced again ! Plus Racing now is very much a TV sport/business.

I read where the Riccarton synthetic was a big factor in Lady Telena's turnaround in form. After some 25 starts as a maiden in the North Island she went South and picked up a couple of lowkey wins at Ashburton. She then raced on the Synthetic ,placed and won then went on to win 3 of her next 5 starts in South A new horse...appreciated the kind and consistent surface.

Welcome back Michael from the Top Of The South ! Did you pop out to the trots yesterday ? Does the flame still burn ?

Only a few more days then attention will turn to the PRESENT ! Karaka Million....please if you not booked to go ,then make an effort. Gonna be memorable. Best race day in NZ by a country mile......the only meeting better than NZ Trotting Cup day. A bit ahead of Kumara , Kurow , Kaikoura , Reefton , Nelson ....beats them all. The best Horses [ some Aussie ] ,the best jockeys [ some Aussie ,if Air Nz can process them qick enough and they get thru the traffic around the Malls ] the best track , and best facilities and BGP kicking up a storm. Young people punting big , the fillies looking gorgeous , the roses are out , new railings ! Just great !

Some horses have repeatedly tried to win the Cup ......Waisake is one who has won race and ditto Leaderboard who won on heavy track last year. I think outsider Bluey's Chance has placed before. A while back in the halcyon days the top Canterbury horse Magnet Bay was 3 x times placed in race .As was the McKee horse Ebony Honour 3 x times placed. Close but no cigar ! Ahhhh the memories !

Stick to the topic Chief and start a new thread....I just did......the Wellington Cup just excites me so much. Great Sensation used to be ridden past our house by Mick Brown after he finished work at the Scour Mill in afternoon. I knew his son and the village was just so wrapped up in his journey as an older horse . One year they scratched him at Trentham as a barrier 'rogue'...bastards. Listened to his 3rd win by transister by a Canterbury river [ intro by Wayne Andrews or Murray King for NZBC racing service] and my Dad then decided we had to go every year after that. As an older person I tried to carry on that trend until one day the crowd made it impossible to move [ maybe Rod Stewart's fault] I couldnt even thrust my Southern Chest out when Ed won ! Then when my old mate Neil Purvis's [RIP] Cluden Creek ,who went by an alias , won it was chaos.Then I went early one day and my horse was caught up by an accident on the pathetic road north and only just made the Course and I wasn't allowed to go and see it cos the RULES changed for H & S and dont think I been back ,bar once on Anniversay day when the place like Chernobyl. Tough now I don't go but can hardly afford to buy my lunch ,but that another issue. Or maybe I really feel for the horses I seen break down on the Champagne Turf....usually cos it too hard...and have their last race there ! Ahhhh the memories ! Of course Neil Purvis RIP ,not the only All Black to win the Cup. Joe Karem did too and WE Hazlett ....probably others !

Maybe not the crowds of the good ole days but still one of the biggest days on NZ's punting calendar ! And some here will remember some of the big upsets over the years ! Some here will have noticed the horse at bottom of field , a 9 start non-win maiden who to date has run 2 x thirds. But Trentham has earned it's reputation as the Punters graveyard and the Cup has produced some real upsets. In 1972 Simon De Montford stunned many when he won and paid $180. He was ridden by Brian Dobbs who started his apprenticeship in Christchurch [from Timaru family].It was quite a 'hot ' field particularly cos Silver Knight had recently won the Melbourne cup ridden by RB Marsh and was expected to win. KIWI is the only horse who has won the Melbourne /Wellington double. Then in 1999 Miss Bailey upset and paid $143. A 7 year old mare who had virtually been retired the year before and offered for sale for $400 , had been trained by Bruce Marsh ,joined the Lowry stable [I think] at Hastings and had a new lease and won the Cup as a 2 x race winner [$15k stakes]. The next season she raced 5 x times for 4 x lasts and had 7 x foals from which one won but one progeny sold for big money ] $180 k at Karaka. Miss Bailey ridden by Jim Walker ?? and I remember wondering why it had paid up to race ! In 1987 Rastes was rank outsider and paid $50 . It ridden by Lofty Taylor @ 49kg for trainer Danny Walker who now at Byerley Park but I think was CD back then. So it doesn't pay to disregard any horses chances at Trentham. Ive been in a few who have tried to win the race....one year the track was like concrete and the other year the irrigation went haywire and half the track was concrete and the other half was soft and cutting out ! Another historic race is the NZ Oaks...In 1980 a filly called Supreme Glory won as a maiden ridden ,I think ,by Jim Waker .She finished her race career of 38 starts with just this one win and a couple of placings. She didnt click on any other day and she had various great riders ,Peake , Childs, Cooksley and O'Sullivan but generally like to follow the other horses around. Will there be some big upsets there tomorrow ?