Bloke

It was a good day's racing but if the crowd was, so "O for Awesome" why was there large empty seating in the two main stands? For a city of 1.5M, the crowd was 10k max, so it is still a poor crowd given all the effort that has gone into the day. Until ATR learns how to market to and attract a cross section of the community to the races, I can see it getting no better. ATR used to have a magnificent Cup Day, but it was screwed and now they are trying to re-invent the wheel. TAB are you involved with The ATR? If you are then good on you for looking to improve the industry.

I was alluding to the whole day's racing. There are some massive stakes apart from the raffle race. No problem with marketing but at least they can be honest ("14 Champions" is just more hyperbole). Reminds me of Weaver, The Auckland Cup run on a Wednesday according to him was going to be "The Race That Stopped Two Nations"

It sounds like a good day but how many champions will be there? I cannot think of any. The TV Ad says there will be 14 in the The Raffle Race which is clearly a false claim and makes our industry look stupid. Also, will the cost of this be worth it?

Just imagine what the cost to income will be for the so-called Champions' Day.

I saw a TV Ad earlier this evening stating that 14 Champions will be lining up in the race! Really?

Fury's Order

The three largest crowds that I have witnessed are Cup Day at Christchurch, Kumara and Tauherenikau. I have not been to Kumara for over 10 years and the last time I attended NZ Cup Day was two years ago when it was abandoned. Tauherenikau is my favourite course and I attend most meetings. These three have one thing in common they have not significantly changed the way they present the day for as long as I can remember. Cup Day is part of a longstanding tradition known as Cup Week. Trentham and Ellerslie have constantly moved the dates of key race meetings resulting in dwindling crowds. In addition, Ellerslie has screwed up the racing calendar by moving the Auckland Cup to a Wednesday in March which was a major disaster. Then they screwed things again for Trentham with the Karaka piss up day for which I am reliably informed turnover was down 26% on last year. The biggest factor in my opinion is that Kumara and Tauherenikau attract a cross section of the community. If need be, go to the Tauherenikau Face book page and witness the large crowds that turned up for two meetings within a few weeks of one another. Many of those attending Tuaherenikau would have travelled past Trentham on the way. Auckland and Trentham when they get half a crowd consist of mainly "A Listers", "Posers" and young people turning up to get pissed. Most of the advertising shows a dolly bird and a likely lad holding onto wine glasses. Remember Weaver when he moved the Auckland Cup to a Wednesday say that he did not want punters with best bets in their pockets he wanted to sell grog for a greater income. So, they weren't wanted by Weaver and they pissed off along with others who were actually going to Ellerslie to punt. So, there is a major task ahead to attract back the general public back to Ellerslie. I doubt if they have any idea how to effect this given that they recently advertised that for $30 you could have the honour of rubbing shoulders with ATR members.

The Marketers should just look at the clubs that attract the large crowds, and the turnover they generate on course. I do not include Auckland in those because without TBGP they would have tiny attendances such as last Saturday. My experience with marketing people is that they usually only last in a job for 18 months or so as they run out of ideas which have hardly ever worked. The Grand Tour is one of many with the current lot.

Fit And Rodger remind me of the "Seagull Theory". Fly in, settle, shit, then fly away and leave the mess for others to clean up.

Bob Charles was born and grew up in the Wairarapa.

He seems the sort who would thrive in turning up and remind them of their cock ups

This is the old Wairoa meeting which was switched to Hastings when they closed Wairoa and switched to Tauherenikau now that Hastings is out of action. When it comes to promoting racing Tauherenikau is one of the best. Look at their attendances for the January 2 and February 6 meetings. They do not have a fortune spent on them by Entain and NZTR promoting the annual piss up at Ellerslie and the Wellington (disaster) Cup.

Truss created in a few days a major financial meltdown. She was as dumb as bat shit.

If anyone tanked the Uk economy, it was Liz Truss

I am a believer in free speech, but even free speech has boundaries such as defamation. Also, we have the Broadcasting Standards Authority which Hoskings and his Mrs found out about when they each spread false stories. Chief runs the forums so he can choose who wishes to ban or otherwise.

The committee room is still in pristine condition which is absolutely vital so that the Old Boys of The Committee can gather around during and after the day's racing to pat each other in the back and reflect on what a successful day they have run.

I see that Lib Petagna owns Tardelli (in the Levin Classic) named after the Italian footballer who scored the goal that clinched the 1982 World Cup Final against West Germany. Lib being an Italian boy from Island Bay would no doubt be a big fan.

Good to see you posting again Tab. I don't agree much with you, but you have an interesting way of presenting your case. When you get a Club advertising by showing Posers and A Listers holding onto wine glasses you put 95% of potential race goers out of their comfort zone so all you are going to get on course are mainly The Posers and A Listers

Ligeiro winning the Auckland Cup always comes to mind. How Lance got to keep that one will always be a mystery to me.

The other parties have had their share of weirdos. We had the recent clown Minister who went as a guest to a factory in Marlborough and called a worker a loser and mocked him with the L sign on his forehead.

Yes, and with Opie being on Ladies Man, it was the omen bet

Judged on history I do not see much in the way of evidence of NZ Rugby taking action given the history of the said winger and for that matter many others. Rugby has a history of giving character references for players so that they are not convicted.

I have heard that the Masterton Racing Club held a vote to join "Race" which members rejected. Gee, why would anyone even contemplate joining that disaster?

I don't know but the commentator was saying that the driver was in the bike and then he was talking about the pegs so I did not know if he was talking about hanging out the washing or watching the Tour De France.

Well, I watched two chariot races yesterday and there were several that broke at the start ruining any chance of winning.