Wingman

On a brighter note Mr Grumpy, the racing was fantastic and the track due to perfect drying conditions after a lot of rain early in the week provided the best surface I have seen at Trentham for quite some time.

There has been a lot of push back from a few on this site, not the majority, when I get stuck into the performance and lack of transparency of NZTR executive. Contrary to what the few believe, I am not anti NZTR, rather anti their executives woeful track record, year after year. With that said, what I am going to quote is approximately the last third of a weekly update/newsletter sent to NZ Thoroughbred Breeders Association members from the current CEO Nick Johnson. I have not seen a stronger comment re executive performance in all of my 3 decades of being a member of NZTBA. That is all I have to say, the quote follows, but I do look forward to what you have to say. "Quote" Leadership in this industry is not about avoiding discomfort or keeping everyone happy. It is about showing you're working, making the call, and accepting accountability for it. When people can see the reasoning , even unpopular decisions earn respect. There has been a serious lack of accountability in the New Zealand racing industry over many years and it has often contributed to poor outcomes. There is no doubt about that. I know it is needed because every time I have pushed for it, the people I represent have backed me. Unfortunately, that expectation of accountability has not always been shared with some areas of the administration. So when, for example, in the Central Districts, sector groups ask for an explanation about the failure of the Awapuni track that cost $5million in industry funds to build, or why a parcel of land that includes the stabling boxes has been put on the market at Trentham, or what level of investment and liability is going into the proposed new racecourse in Hawkes Bay and what data has informed that decision, these are not witch hunts. They are legitimate questions asked for the greater good of the sport, aimed at improving decision making and strengthening the industry's future. Communication is key and it begins with respecting the nature of this industry. Yes some matters are commercially sensitive. But many are not and that phrase is too often used as a convenient shield. When communication is absent people will fill the void with their own conclusions and those conclusions are rarely positive. If we want this industry to grow, if we want confidence to build and if we want investment to rise, then accountability cannot be treated as optional. "Unquote"

Earlier this year, perhaps a year or so ago, Chief Stipe and I were, in a non combative way, 'chewing the fat' as to why on earth would Entain have bothered to get involved with such a small market, small by international standards. My recollection was that we both agreed we (NZ) were being used as a test site and that the ultimate goal was sports betting, not horse racing. NZ racing has three years to get its act together which based on all the lack of direction the industry is currently experiencing from its so called 'leaders' leaves me to say, optimistically, please make the most of the next 3 years...Enjoy.

I attended Otaki this afternoon, weather started off perfect and the racing was high class. Really enjoyable. The track tends to help those that are handy turning in, those finishing strong late often just coming up short. The sensation being the favourite in the 3yo G3 shying close to the finish line and losing his rider. Kudos to NZTR, they have not edited the fall and if you watch the replay to the end they show the head on where one can clearly see Masa had no chance of staying on the saddle. I had my binoculars on him after the fall. Looked in shock, then walked unassisted, tough, then had a bemused smile. No decent calibre jockey wants that happening to them. This meeting was what was once the Bayer Classic meeting which has been watered down and pushed from pillar to post by NZTR. Run at Otaki by the Levin RC it was good to see that they took a good dig at NZTR naming the 2yo race the 'Levin Jump Outs 2yo'. It really should be on a Saturday. A well run meeting but I would say less than 500 people from the public turning up, even with free entrance. You need numbers to create atmosphere and that was what was lacking.

Where there is will, there is potentially a way and the taxman is ALWAYS looking for the way.

Then you can guarantee there will be.

In England the racing industry lobbied hard to persuade the exchequer not to increase taxes in the budget released over there this week. They are delighted they have succeeded, no increases but sports betting is going to get a 60% hit, going up from 15% to 25% from April 2027. Betting on horse racing has been declining in England year on year so this will help in 18 months time but what will they, their industry leaders, do in the meantime to improve 'the racing product'? I pose the same question to our industry leaders. An increase to the takeout on sports betting in NZ is not a case of if, rather when? Decent tracks, calendar/pattern and fields are critical to making our industry look attractive to the casual punter.

Mr Vouris, as one would expect six months into his tenure, is upbeat and he had figures to defend his positive attitude. He has a background in gambling and comes across as being focused on selling bets to customers who want to be involved with an innovative operator. He is clear that growing the sports market and then getting new sports customers to get involved in major horse racing days such as Melbourne cup day etc is the key to achieving their growth goals. His gripe with NZ racing is the lack of consistency. He points out abandonments in the last 12 months are up ten percent. At no point did he criticize any one or any entity however read between the lines when Michael Guerin asks him "If you had a magic wand?' to which he replies; "Racing to be on our best tracks, at the right times, with the best fields we can possibly put together".

Curious and Chief Stipe, you are both out of order here. I have never been a member of a club and my saying I voted with my feet is referring to my not betting at Awapuni. That is what serious punters do. We do not waste money on tracks we cannot trust. There are many other venues that can be bet into, here and overseas. I repeat it is the governing body that ultimately decides the direction of an industry and if you think that what tracks are currently getting attention, where money is being put into stakes and how the calendar is being arranged/rearranged is not directly due to racings executive than you should both dance off into the woods together to collect fairy dust.

Going early crow popeye. I will wait until tomorrow afternoon once have seen what the track is, not what at present it might be

I feel your frustration however logically it cannot be every one who is interested or passionate about thoroughbred racing to be responsible for the woeful lack of infrastructure maintenance. I was both a punter and owner in the nineties. I backed a horse(I think it was the month of June )at Awapuni on a heavy track. 200m out it wins for fun then inexplicitly falters, picks itself up but runs 2nd. Turns out it put its leg into a hole. I voted with my feet and whilst we cannot bet into an Awapuni meeting at the moment, for the last 25 years I have never bet on that track unless the condition is fast/firm or easy on a good weather day. Last decade at Awapuni on a summer track I had my biggest single win bet which won but there is no way I would be betting large into that track this decade. As a customer I am looking elsewhere. Many of us were complaining, even insisting that money must be set aside for maintenance. As you know those cries fell on uncaring ears. Ultimately the the responsibility and hence the blame lies with those that govern the industry.

I would still like to see this track getting some decent TLC. Would take it out of commission for a couple of seasons but you would then have a premier track with a decent stand in CD. In its better days it was described as well banked and drained. An interesting fact, the Otaki Maori Racing Club voted to join RACE in 2007 and very wisely withdrew from that partnership in 2018.

Back and refreshed..Squaarrk The Awapuni saga is a diabolical mistake created by two incompetent entities, RACE and NZTR. In announcing the decision to not use the track this year the latest import CEO from Australia prattles on about "Our team, The RIB and the Club, with the support of independent experts." The CEO then conveniently leaves the following critical statement to the Melbourne track specialist, Mr O'Keeffe who says "More aggressive renovation work is required. At the same time we are progressing a wider investigation into the tracks long term suitability." That statement must come from the top and to defer that to a specialist is weak leadership. I therefore agree 100% with JESS who stated in one of her posts under 'Awapuni officially out of action' that "Nothing will change until we operate with some accountability". CS is 100% correct that a massive problem has been created by "Over reliance on sand, to fix tracks". He then unfortunately stumbles towards dopey land by stating "I have a great deal of sympathy for central management". NZTR have by and large created the problematic tracks we have today. Previous CEO's procrastinated re remedial work, a convenient ploy perhaps to let the track 'fade away'. When that did not work the work agreed upon was a cheap fix, akin to replacing bald tyres on a car with better 2nd hand tyres. Worse, whilst they were being cheap skates they insisted that all tracks must be presented the same, good 4, on race day. A track managers nightmare! No longer a manager of turf, now a watering manager. Should you still feel the need to rebut CS, which you will, look at Hastings as irrefutable proof as to NZTR culpability. Ten years ago - problems. Five years ago - problems. In that period the same person was responsible and the same words were uttered, "We have put in place protocols and processes to ensure this will not happen again". Happen again and again they did. Words changed, manager did not! Accountability; Zilch. When they next meet around a board table, NZTR executive will be fervently fixated on a fantasy greenfield build in Flaxmere whilst the problematic Hastings track gets a 'partial' reconstruction. In closing, the Industry does have one not so small door open. Walk away from the door of large stake increases for a few select races and agree on going through the alternative door which is a golden ticket for a few tracks to have comprehensive remedial work. Specifically, one track in the North, one in CD and the other in the South Is. In the CD my vote would be for Otaki. Relay the track, no sand apart from what lies there naturally, bowl both stands and build one new stand. Angle the straight outwards effectively widening the bend out of the straight. Totally change the parade rind, birdcage and add stables. Central Districts will then have it's new Trentham.

If you believe that then you are also in fairyland. The problems with the Hastings track have been well documented over the last decade with NZTR continually releasing press releases that 'processes are in place to ensure this does not happen again'' OH look, a flying pig. Your comment that I was part of the problem re funding for track redevelopment is also made up fairy dust. That sounds like you are baiting to see what else you can argue about. I have nothing to do with racing other than as a punter and that is on thin ice. Why study form for tracks that are dodgy and then have to pre guess suspect track ratings. This is my final post. I have no interest in having any post that you disagree with, being continually dissected not once but over and over again. It becomes tedious. Bye all, WIngman signing off.

My plan has always been an effective plan. 'Fire the NZTR executive' NZTR press announcement 'There is still a target to return to RACE Awapuni in late August 2025, with a standardised racing programme expected to follow across the upcoming 2025/26 season. However both organisations (That is NZTR and RACE, if this is becoming too complicated for you CS) remain committed to proactive decision-making should the tracks progress warrant any adjustments to this plan'. Which I take to mean they are expecting to totally fuck this up as well. OR/ WHAT FUCKING PLAN? They are incompetent and if you cannot see that CS then you are part of the problem. Then we move onto the announcement on behalf of Hawkes Bay Racing and NZTR where pending approval by NZTR Board (Muppets, my description) partial recambering (Why only partial?, my question) of the bends will take place. And now for final piece of incompetent bullshit. "Not withstanding any unforseen circumstances this significant EXPERT LED investment will allow for a safe and confident return to racing in Hawkes Bay for Spring 2026. YES you have read correctly, not this Spring. (NZTR have been putting this crap out re Hastings track for a decade. Why would any sensible person buy into this fairy tale.) If anyone outside of those who compiled, wrote, or are associated with these announcements, be you breeders, owners or race track officials, believe a word of this nonsense, then you deserve what is coming your way.