curious

That's why they have to be re-waxed and then fully replenished every few years. The worst part about it though is that when subjected to higher temperatures they generally become slower, their consistency changes, and injury rates increase from what I've read. I really don't understand where the bright idea to install three of them emerged from.

I think they might be a useful option for training and possibly jumpouts. Shouldn't be used for anything else though. Virtually all the ones installed in the US have been ripped out.

That's a fair point. I was trying to sustain interest in the regions further than a couple of hours from the 3 central tracks though by having racing events closer to home but more sustainable by having a chance for horses to have a couple of runs if they go to the expense of the travel.

Not sure why racing should get the CGT on horse sales. Every other industry would claim the same treatment wouldn't they?

I'd focus on moving Mohammed to the mountain, not the other way around.

Ruakaka...Well, my aim is to keep racing strong in the regions, but make them more cost effective for owners and trainers by running 3 day events there, not one dayers. Matamata and Cambridge. No unnecessary and part of the reason for having both a Strathayr and synthetic at the new Waikato and other two new venues so they can also act as the major training centres in the area.

And there's little hope of his fantasies being taken seriously either. There's no effing horses in Auckland. Why keep a racetrack there?

Did Bernie and Winnie write the report? The only mention of consultation in it is with the codes except that it says the venue planning working group plans to consult with all participants once they complete their draft plan in August. Is that happening?

Yep. All of those but primarily the latter.

Both an hour's drive from the Waikato track and very few horses there is my thinking ....

If you want to do the track closure thing, off the top of my head, this is roughly what I'd do. NI. Sell all Auckland and Waikato tracks and build a new facility in the Waikato with a Strathayr, synthetic, and probably a trotting track, most likely in the Waikato Greenfields development. Same in the CD. Probably in the coastal Kapiti/Horowhenua area. Sell the rest. In the regions, retain and upgrade Ruakaka, Hastings and New Plymouth. Those tracks to have perhaps two 3 day carnivals a year - say, Saturday, Wednesday, Saturday. Scrap the rest. SI. Similar. Build one new facility same as Waikato /CD. Possibly Darfield/West Melton area. Retain and upgrade/ fix Blenheim, one coast track (probably Omoto), Wingatui, one Southland track (possibly Ascot Park), and maybe one in Central Otago (Kurow?). Same as the NI regions these all to have one or two 3 day, 1 week carnivals a year. Clubs no longer racing on their home tracks to decide their own destiny, have the option to revert the useage to other community activities, retain the harness racing if they are shared facilities, sell-up and decide usage of funds. The latter could be to invest in and race at the nearest new or upgraded facility. Objectives are to consolidate tracks, retain strong racing presence in the regions, similar overall cost of around $200 million, allow access to RDF $s for all new facilities, have the 3 main tracks proximal to existing horse populations, reduce total tracks to round a dozen. 2-3 year full implementation.

I did think it was a bit odd to open the report with a quote from a nearly 50 year old Royal Commission report into racing, especially to then come up with recommendations that were similar. Are we really stuck with people still trying to implement ideas from 5 decades ago. Don't we need some 21st century vision? The context is not remotely similar.

That struck me too. Who the hell is "we"?

Feels like history repeating itself here in little ol' Aotearoa. The term colonisation comes to mind, and the actual tracks chosen to stay and go don't make an iota of sense to me in many cases.

Guerin ... "the abstract failure"? Is that a new colloquialism that has passed me by?

It may be important,,,,

Always thought it was Sah- va beel. Never heard otherwise. Definitely never heard sav as in saveloy.

Nice work Emily Margaret at that price. Started at 7's. I did have a rare bet on NZ racing on Morse Code though, but for other reasons than it was mentioned on here.

They could if the members agree. Rotorua has in their rules that s 27 of the Racing Act applies and that NZTR has the approval rights on distribution of assets in the event of dissolution. If the club continues but sells up it would presumably be at the discretion of their board or members what happens to that money. NZ Racing as far as I can see could only grab it by using that as a condition of the club continuing to race at another venue. If they walk away, giving up their dates and licence it seems to me that there would be no power to second their assets.

lol.....told ya... Thommo'll still probably tip it out tomorrow.

Agree. I have that at 10/1.

Don't rely on that. I'm still working on betting in OZ and don't yet fully trust my own assessments!

I make it a 14/1 chance

You should just add 20% I think and back it tomorrow if it wins.

It also has a name with two words barryb, is over 3yo after Christmas and has sidewinkers on. Should bolt in. And I don't see why you have too much trouble deciphering Thommo's selections. If you can get your head around the primary criterion which is that they won the day before you'll master it.