curious

Interesting. It was Roundup and they haven't ruled out it being an error rather than vandalism. The neatness of the damaged area is consistent with that. Asked whether there is a correlation between the machinery used by the Gold Coast Turf Club and the size of the damaged area, Superintendent Jackson said there were some consistencies. "There is a correlation in the fact that the dimensions of the turf that was affected is 16 metres wide and a spray boom (used at the Turf Club) is around eight metres," he said. "So there is somewhat of a correlation, yes."

Thanks for the reports and pics. Engaging stuff.

Bigger crowd than Ellerslie Sunday too!

Pony scurry Kids from the Pony Club Champs preparing for the first heat of the scurries! By Foxton Racing Club_2025 01 14_17 49 58_1_110.mp4 Heat 2 of the scurry! The second heat of the scurries! By Foxton Racing Club_2025 01 14_17 50 44_1_787.mp4

Yep. https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/sc/make-a-submission/document/54SCGOA_SCF_5B1E49CE-798C-4466-E6FF-08DD18052784/racing-industry-amendment-bill Public submissions are now being called for the Racing Industry Amendment Bill The closing date for submissions is Wednesday, 22 January 2025 This bill would amend the Racing Industry Act 2020. It would extend TAB New Zealand’s monopoly for racing and sports betting to include online-provided gambling. It would make TAB New Zealand the sole legal domestic operator of online racing and sports betting. The bill would also strengthen the governance and oversight of TAB New Zealand. It would expand the harm prevention and minimisation regulation-making powers in the Racing Industry Act to include TAB New Zealand’s online operations.

Within these criteria, it is then entirely up to the Slot Holder on which horse they select for their slot. Horses can be trained in any location (including internationally) and it will be the responsibility of the Slot Holder/connections of the horse to arrange transportation for the race. So they surely do not have to take a horse nominated for this race, nor run a horse at all in their slot in the event of a scratching?

What I'm curious about here is where it leaves the slot holders. If a slot holder has their chosen horse scratched, does that mean they have to take a horse to fill that slot determined by NZTR and on terms set by NZTR? That wasn't the deal under which they bought the slot was it?

Not quite the esteemed fields of Matamata but Foxton also getting ready for trials today.

One week left for submissions if you want to have a say. https://www.parliament.nz/en/ECommitteeSubmission/54SCGOA_SCF_5B1E49CE-798C-4466-E6FF-08DD18052784/CreateSubmission

error

Don't think Savaglee is going there. Tackle the older horses here then off to OZ. Sensibly imo. Certainly wouldn't risk him in a ordinary Listed -R race myself.

YEAR: 1957 http://www.hof.co.nz/images/History/57Dominion.JPG 1957 DOMINION HANDICAP Only a five-year-old, Durban Chief returned a fine effort to win the Dominion Handicap, the premier event for trotters in New Zealand. His performance was marred to some extent however by two breaks during the running, but when balanced he showed his usual brilliance. Bred at Westport by Mr W A Craddock, he is raced in partnership by Mrs M F Collins, Mr E Walsh and J R Woodcock, who trains him at Westport. Durban Chief was driven by W P Walsh, who has been associated with him in all his races. One of the most brilliant displays of trotting seen at Addington for some time was returned by Recruit in the Dominion Handicap, and it was nothing short of a tragedy that he broke just short of the post when he had the race won. From 84yards Recruit began safely but soon became badly placed. He received a shocking run to the half mile and then had to race wide to make his run. His exhibition deserved a much better fate as he did not put a foot wrong until his lapse at the end. PHOTO - There was an exciting finish to the Dominion Trotting Handicap when the brilliant Recruit(M Holmes) outer, came home in sensational style to cross the line narrowly ahead of Durban Chief(W Walsh) and Barravey(J Litten). Unfortunately for his supporters Recruit broke just short of the post and was relegated to third place for galloping across the line. This was one of the finest performances ever put up by Recruit and it was unfortunate that he lost the decision through breaking Credit: 'Irvington' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 20Nov57

Not according to the stipes. Track: Soft 5, upgraded to Good 4 following Race 2

They had to put it up a few years back I think to cover the cost of extra security the council required for the BYO licence.

Hardly Good4 times all day. I'm surprised it hasn't been downgraded.

Yep. Me.

If it wasn't for the fact that horses and racing and the people involved have given me and my family a life time of enjoyment, I wouldn't be bothered. However, that's what drives me to continue making informed critical comment where I can, and interacting at all levels of the game to encourage positive change which will keep the game around for future generations to enjoy. Had it not been for Peters' taxpayer bailout and the subsequent Entain deal, it might well be gone already, at least as we knew and know it, and we'd be having a very different conversation here. The creeping loss of transparency wrt key metrics, data and reports is certainly not inspiring my confidence that won't happen anyway by the time the Entain guarantee period ends.

I'm not talking about one day's wagering. I'm talking about overall wagering revenue to costs including stakes. You ignore it when it's the primary metric for industry self-sufficiency and long term survival. I said that the one race day maybe a positive but that doesn't mean it goes anyway to addressing the issues which remain ignored after two decades of decline. It also doesn't mean that I can't enjoy what is left even though I hate to see the continued decline of something I have been involved in and passionate about for over half a century.

Have you heard of optimism bias TAB?

Not at all. It's more of the same. Perhaps a positive along with other things you have mentioned. I note that you make no mention of the wagering revenue geerated amongst those things. Yes, there's a plan but it's more of the same with no strategy to significantly address the things that have seen TR go from being essentially self-sufficient two decades ago to where it is today.

Just the one.

10,000 people don't hurt either!

I don't think doing more of what's already not working at an elevated level is likely to solve that problem, do you?

I wonder which will perform best business wise. Turnover to stakes ratio?

Do the TA reps not circulate these programming committee minutes to all regional trainers? Otherwise, how do the TA get representative trainer feedback?