mikeynz

Less than 5000 on the late Quaddie, almost more bet on the last treble, there in lies another issue, is there room for picking the last 4 races as well as the last 3, but judging by those figures fuck all were watching anyway.

Don't ask me a hard question like that, leave that to the experts at ATC and NZHR.

I hate to be negative, just been switching trackside channels in last half hour, it's crap. I don't normally watch on days like today, just seeing what it's like. Maybe the presentation of our own racing may be better, their is no time, no place, no selections, only half the results, change is good if it's positive, this ain't. I got a idea that as we sided with Entain we ain't going to get as good coverage from oz, hence the music then race then music, it's a hard watch. Maybe that's why they may channel energy into NZ.

Seems Entain are wanting a 10 % increase in Harness meetings, as in all these Monday Tuesday low grade stuff, so expect a big rise in days like today, we don't need more volume, just more quality.

Ascot Park fields are surprisingly good, mostly, 40 minute intervals, that's a drag, the price you pay being on trackside 1 with two other NZ meetings. Doubt the 40 minutes has anything to do with long lines at the tote lol.

I have often wondered if the winner of the lesser race gets the same penalty as the better field winner and if they do should they ?

I do like the idea that 3 from the Southern mile and 3 winners of other races are guaranteed a start, that Southern mile should have guaranteed all 10 heat winners a start, that was anomoly of that concept, something maybe for next time perhaps.

Don't think it hurts to have a fresh look but nothings changed for the better, I noticed no place odds , the old outdated one had them, also moving to freeview, it's only on UHF, not Satellite freeview but it is now or the freeview app you get on TVs, so probably its just giving the same people who watch different options as to what way they watch, they are still having the premiere channel on Sky, that's where they will increase coverage on big days so they havnt divorced from Sky at all.

Based on numbers nominated how have they managed 11 races ?

Good nominations for Ashburton , Thursday, Ascot Park Sunday noms out tomorrow, i suspect they will be a bit light, 3 weeks after Sunday until next Southern meet at Wingatui.

Interesting how apart from the main gallops meetings in oz Entain don't have doubles and ttrebles any more, some of the quaddies today at the low key meetings had Quaddie pools less than a thousand dollars, I'm not sure if commingling is happening anymore, maybe the only commingling might be Entains aussie sites with ours, Someone must know. There isn't as much interest in a lot of the aussie stuff as we think, the big meetings yes but other than that, it can be rather sparce.

I guess if they close-up greyhound racing that would change things, we could easily basically have 5 days a week.only, no need for trackside presenters 7 days a week. As for Addington was once 2nd best day of the year at Easter, being a day meet and on trackside 2 will be pushed nto background, add in the fact their are other sport/ attractions, if not at night then maybe race Easter Monday instead, just a thought, maybe Motukarara race Saturday instead or just have a holiday instead. Do we need racing everyday, we'll Easter is 2 days off, it's not the end of the world. No real reason even if greyhounds keep going could easily still race 5 days a week, it must cost a lot to send a tv crew to cover some of these meetings which produce small turnovers. Sky are cutting back, maybe Trackside would be more profitable not sending a tv crew for some of these meetings.

Don't think the present lot in power will be much better, they blame the last 6 years for the problems faced today, Labour blamed the 9 years of National when they were in power. Each generation seems to be a step backward despite supposedly us all being a smarter, better informed society. Times are changing , not for the better.

In what way ?

Looks like our lot are gunna lose again. And yoh can bet on that, online. Do we need racing everyday ?

I guess with Riccarton last week and Ashburton next week, it's not the most attractive idea going all that way south. In many ways its almost the last big gig for the South, often after Easter numbers thin out, interestingly Ascot Park race Sunday week then nothing for 3 weeks, that seems a fair gap, interestingly last 2 Southern meetings in May offering travel subsidys to try and bolster numbers. That Riverton track is going to get a bit of a hammering, then maybe another on May 10, such is life.

Not too many Cantabrians at Riverton this year, be a good payday for the locals.

You might find if they don't get paid for finishing 6th and beyond and maybe also slow down the descent in the ratings they may all go a bit better, sometimes they are just going through the motions.

I note Addington had programmed a rating 70 and faster handicap but only had 3 noms but have altered it to 68 + FFA, maybe as a Xtra incentive they could boost the appearance fees for finishing 5th and below, I think the most important thing here is every horse that wants a start should get one.

I'm still perplexed how Justin Evans took Lee's place yet Craig Rail has effectively taken exactly the same position as Lee by being employed purely as a commentator, in a different area sure but simply same capacity.

Interesting is Entain will inject more funds if geo blocking goes through, Luxon and his mob are wanting to tax overseas Gambling sites to operate, which ones it going to be ?

A southland horse at Alexandra Park, that's been a long since the last one.

May 10 1996, a wee while after Lotto but Besse Scott, the pick 6 handicap, 15/15 in the betting, that syndicate covered all but Bessie Scott, I think they even made the headlines, probably still licking their wounds.

That must have been back in the 80s, I think it was Oaks night, not sure of the horse but probably can look back, million dollars then was massive, I'm pretty sure it was a mill, maybe, maybe not, that would have been before lotto.

I recall when Addington had a million dollar pick six a large syndicate backed 13 in race 1 , and the rank outsider won, the one they didn't back. It had its place but was rarely promoted so slowly died, it did use to create a lot of hype, even though it probably still has a place. Question is what new idea have they got, if any.