curious

No. By TABNZ as I said including the dates.

Agree with that except they can't withhold licences. Betting licences are issued to clubs by TABNZ, not NZTR.

Stipes are not employed by NZTR.

Clubs are not licensed to NZTR. NZTR is their at there behest and does license trainers and jockeys.

No. Not the same. Clubs have not bought a franchise. They are the members of NZTR and together control it.

Sharrock can't roll heads at clubs, only at NZTR. What heads at NZTR do you think should roll?

Don't agree. The responsibility for track presentation lies squarely with clubs. Their boards, appointed management and staff.

Maybe the crowd went because it wasn't a dragged out borefest?

48 hours before and again on race morning.

They also pay GST to NZ on all profit from NZ based customers.

October Operational Performance Reported Profit for the month was $12.0m, which was $3.1m below Budget. Operating Expenses were $11.1m for the month, which was $1.1m above Budget. Year to Date Reported Profit is $33.6m, which was $5.6m below Budget Year to Date Operating Expenses were $32.1m, which was $1.6m above budget.

Not much. I noted the other day, an industry leader (breeder) who was a key player in getting the 2003 Act in place is now lamenting the lack of quality horses racing in New Zealand and the loss/downgrading of group races.

Maybe not many that are left but the likes of Chris Waller managed to find one 20 years ago.

They might have noticed but if they were going to do something they would have done so a decade or so ago. They all seem to just be resigned to going down with the ship or they are taking to the lifeboats.

I agree. The acting surprised is bizarre.

What would they get if they put those "investments" up for sale?

Don't really see how they could claim the likes of Feilding as a success story. Total assets are $2.1m investment in RACE which is basically broke. Marton has $228 in cash and an $805,000 investment in RACE.

True. If that spend stays with NZ racing, it might help. I've been arguing for less races and race days for 15 years or more.

That's only sustainable if the less race days generate the same revenue. Don't think that's likely. The wagering spend will just go to other codes and other jurisdictions. Why have a goal of higher stakes anyway? The goal should be a more attractive wagering product that generates sufficient revenue for whatever stakes. Anyway all this is a decade or so too late and while restructuring the stakes distribution like CS suggests makes sense, it is way too late.

It is like they are expecting the golden goose to land in the interim. But if that's it (geo), and I doubt it, it won't be here in the next 8 months. If the rest of us were faced with revenue cuts of that magnitude with further cuts almost certain, we'd be immediately cutting expenditures to match or we'd be out of business.

That strategy is bizarre. They are going to use up the last of their reserves to maintain stakes for the next 8 months in the context of an $8m cut in revenue. What are they thinking. It is almost certain there will be further distribution cuts for next certain. If so, there will be no option but to reduce stakes for FY24 to align with that on top of the current reduction. They seem to just bury their heads in the sand and hope the golden goose is going to revive. Any other business would be making immediate cuts. It just doesn't make sense.

Certainly not the first cracks. They've been there for some time but the water is now flowing in faster than anyone can bail it out.

Awapuni Reconstruction has now been delayed until October 2023 start date due to availability of contractors.

Not much point having more tracks open if the likes of NZTR and the CJC won't utilise them in these circumstances.

While I agree with that as already noted, Pitty is the National Vice President, South Island of the Trainers' Association. Shouldn't that be the vehicle for taking forward a proposed solution to this. From that role, it seems he could be building support for same and taking a plan to NZTR. While I fully support the right to protest, individually or collectively, if you want change, you have to be for something rather than against something. “I was once asked why I don't participate in anti-war demonstrations. I said that I will never do that, but as soon as you have a pro-peace rally, I'll be there.” —Mother Teresa