curious

Yep. NZ rule: 653 A horse that has been subjected to any form of shock wave therapy shall be ineligible to Race or participate in any trial (including a jump- out or test for certification purposes) in the seven days immediately following such treatment.

Definitely a worry even if they do find the money for a Strathayr or two. I assume Reefton has managed to find a tractor and plough now and then?

More seriously, with Audible out, I like Hofburg and Gronkowski.

All of them.

Eden Park can do it, FMG Stadium as well. And look where the turf is grown - Karaka! As Mehrts said last night about AMI Stadium as the Crusaders thrashed the Canes, 25 years ago in those conditions, the jerseys would be unrecognisable after 20 minutes play, yet there was hardly a spec of mud on them and traction was excellent throughout. Yet, we are still racing on 30+ year old turf technology. Motz Stabilised Turf This patented system has natural grass grown in a synthetic mat. The roots system develops extra stability as it is grown in a tough plastic mesh, backed by a biodegradable fabric. The stability increases as the roots of the grass entwine with the synthetic matrix and root-zone below. Turf for the playing field is grown in a nursery at a turf farm in Karaka, Auckland, before it is used on the field. Being a multisport playing field, the No. 1 field needs to be changed out for each different type of sport whether it is cricket, rugby, league or football. In the summer cricket season the field has a portable wicket tray and for all other sports this is wicket is replaced with a StrathAyr portable sand tray to be similar to the rest of the playing surface. FMG Stadium

That's a pretty old document and there have been a few cancellations on Strathayr's since. However, two of the main advantages are longevity and drainage. The longevity alone should make them cost effective as a replacement for existing tracks. The mesh resists compaction. The table on page 6 is telling. It suggests that the estimated life of a standard turf track is 10-15 years cf. 25-30 years for a Strathayr. How many major (or minor for that matter) NZ tracks have been relaid in the last 10-15 years? That is why they are all stuffed along with the rest of the game. Yet we are still wasting money, including reserves, on stakes and not re-investing a cent relaying tracks. Do that for 30 years and you end up with what you've paid for. Infrastructure that can no longer either produce the revenue for reasonable stakes, or that to maintain itself.

It's a pity they didn't provide the rationale for these changes (other than the likes of "It is felt that the changes will encourage greater participation" which doesn't sound too robust to me). I can't make even an iota of sense of them. Perhaps someone with more handicapping nous can explain?

Quite agree. You're even allowed to bet on things like Blues' super rugby games, so why not amateur riders' races?

Is there any word on whether the RIU are following up with an investigation on this?

In many professions, doing so is an ethical obligation. Should racing be different? Watch or know someone's cheating and mum's the word? No wonder punters and funding are fleeing NZ racing.

Is Messara still continuing with the job, or have the NZRB cronies run him off?

Given I've met Moncur briefly on one occasion, I'm not sure why you would think he is my friend. I barely know him. You seem to have had a much stronger relationship with the man. Anyway, keep coming up with crazy ideas. Maybe move the Kentucky Derby from Louisville to New York. Seven times the population there you know.

Nah. Wasn't putting a person down, just a stupid idea or behaviour. Reefton needs to swallow those sour grapes. The Molloy boys can take a bit of light-hearted ribbing anyway and usually give it back with at least equal force.

Track was fast. http://www.drf.com/news/justify-comes-out-running-104-beyer-debut

And you'd recommend moving the Irish Derby from the Curragh (where the horses are) to Leopardstown, right?

Because they are proximal to where the Group One horses are trained?

Yeahh, well that's just a stupid knee jerk reaction imo. So, you didn't bother to reapply and make a stronger case, or explore other funding options. Lotteries, COGS, pokie funds etc.? You just decided unilaterally to expend industry funds without any effort to find other funding sources? And you claim to be concerned about wastage of industry funds?

Firstly, it's likely that the track will be ready for racing this year. Replacing the rail was a requirement for that. Renovating the stand, upgrading jockey rooms, providing stipes and JCA rooms, increasing public facilities, toilets etc. also required. Consent applications for that project are in process. Funding is there. The old tea room building has already been renovated and painted. The AGM was held there last year. The old tote building is being converted to an arts centre. Certainly nothing much had happened between the fires and a couple of years ago. The current committee is on the job. Have a look at the facebook page if you want to catch up or spend 20 bucks to join the club and receive the newsletter. On your first comment, the RSDF is NOT industry money. It's taxpayer money devoted to health and safety and animal welfare. If you want to target industry money being wasted, have a look at the depletion of RB reserves at a rate of $15-20m a year being wasted on stakes totally irresponsibly with the blessing of all the codes, not a 100k grant to a community club courtesy of the taxpayer.

You'd probably remove them from the tracks that are currently stuffed and can't cope with the increased load of race days they now have. This would allow resting of tracks for major refurbishments and in regions like the coast, say rest one track each season on a cyclical basis. Would that work?

Yep.

Chosen ones? By whom?