The Centaur

Chief, What bad timing. Training is more than just getting winners.

I am shocked at the unprofessional manner NZherald publishes Michael Guerin pieces. He is employed by the TAB therefore the articles relevant to TAB should have a conflict of interest statement or disclosure. It is noticeable that Guerins articles are trying to hurry MacAnulty into approving the deal and the online articles also undergo changes after publishing.

This brings to mind a bit of history. Only a vitamin administered but a 3 year disqualification. extracted from https://www.kingsoftheturf.com/1975-no-sign-of-battlers/ ..... Walton had brought to Australia a strapping chestnut colt of his own breeding by Knight’s Romance, for the rich two-year-old races in Sydney. Both on the basis of appearance and performance the horse was appropriately named Commanding; and was the winner of five of his six starts and $7,490 in New Zealand, including the prestigious C.J.C. Welcome Stakes (6f) at Riccarton on January 14, 1961, when he ran a sensational 1 minute and 9 seconds to defeat a good field of two and three-year-olds. Considering that the Australian record for a two-year-old over the same distance then stood at 1 minute and 10 seconds, Walton’s confidence was understandable. Alas, Commanding injured his leg on the boat while crossing the Tasman, which interrupted his program. A cold contracted shortly after arrival didn’t help matters either. Nonetheless, Walton persisted in his quest for Sydney’s triple crown for juveniles. Commanding was the first New Zealand colt ever to contest the S.T.C. Golden Slipper and he went to the post in 1961 at 9/4 with Bill Longworth’s Young Brolga, trained by Maurice McCarten, as the 5/4 favourite. As it transpired, the little Star Kingdom filly, Magic Night, gave her sire his fifth win in five years when she came from the back of the field to swamp the favourites. At the post, she had a half-length to spare over Young Brolga, with Commanding four lengths away third. The same three horses then filled the placings in the A.J.C. Sires’ Produce Stakes, only this time Young Brolga was victorious with Commanding the runner-up as the 7/4 favourite – beaten two-and-a-half lengths in a time of 1 minute 22.8 seconds, which bettered the race record of 1 minute 23.5 seconds established by Ajax back in 1937. Two days later, Commanding completed his two-year-old season when he ran the minor placing in the A.J.C. Champagne Stakes behind the high-priced Columbia Star and Young Brolga. On the boat transporting both he and Commanding back to Wellington, New Zealand, in April 1961, Walton planned a spring Derby campaign for his prized racehorse. ....... As early-season three-year-olds, Commanding and Castlerae were nigh unbeatable. Although the pair were officially listed as being trained by L. M. Lewis, in reality, George Walton prepared them and they were only under Lewis’s name because George believed it would assist the younger man to establish a reputation. Kept apart by Walton, Castlerae won both the Wanganui Guineas and the Hawkes Bay Guineas (after losing lengths at the start), while Commanding won four races on the trot including the Great Northern Guineas and the Wellington Guineas, which saw the giant colt promoted to short-priced favouritism for the New Zealand Derby. However, it was after the Wellington Guineas that Commanding returned a positive urine sample to thiamine. Although not a prohibited drug according to the doping regulations, the New Zealand Racing Conference had cautioned that excessive use of it could lead to charges being laid. Thus began an interminable legal challenge. Given that Commanding became ineligible to run in the New Zealand Derby, George Walton switched Castlerae from his Stewards Handicap engagement to become the stable’s representative in the classic, a race and distance for which the horse had not been trained. As it transpired, Castlerae managed to run second to the favourite Burgos, a galloper that Commanding had easily beaten in the Wellington Guineas. Of course, it is impossible to know whether Commanding would have won that Derby, but Walton had no doubts, for he had tried Commanding to be a stone better racehorse than Castlerae, who nonetheless won the prestigious Jockey Club Handicap and Churchill Stakes later at the same Riccarton meeting. There was another measure of consolation when George Walton’s filly, Fair Symbol, impressively won the New Zealand Oaks at the same time. Soon after, however, New Zealand racing authorities disqualified Walton for three years. Commanding and Castlerae were subsequently sold to the Californian racing identity, Rex Ellsworth, for an undisclosed amount and never raced in New Zealand again. When this turbulent history is taken into account, was it any wonder that in 1975, Walton sought Derby salvation in his impressive chestnut colt by Battle-Wagon?

I realize it's not worth referring to the cafe site but really the TeAkau/scooby postings are hilarious. Everyone who posts anything re Te Akau requires a terrorist vetting procedure from him. When Probabeel won the Epsom I brought up the fact Margaret Bull had won the Epsom & Turnbull on the same day. This resulted in a torrid of abuse from this scooby who believed I was downplaying Te Akau achievements.

Just like when the OpenBet/Paddy Power thing came in we had the same gullibles with the same lines. Amazing how in a short time they saw the so called "change" wasn't for the better. Like many I don't have the facts simply because there has been scant detail. Online casino/sports betting/racing will all be mixed up meaning Ladbrokes will have a monopoly on casino betting as the they will expect the government to get tough on geo blocking. Casino betting online is the elephant in the room.

This seems a back door entry into the online casino market. There are so many questions that NZTR needs to explore. Its written in the legislation NZTAB must consult with the codes who in turn need to have feed back from participants and stakeholders.

Just when a discussion is needed with all points of view they clam up. This whole scenario is rubbish. When the last great software system was introduced everything was going to be wonderful. WHAT!!! are they going to write off the whole $60 million's worth??? Just so they can send any profits overseas to Ladbrokes. Ridiculous.

Absolutely disaster for racing. This will just be one big promotion of sports betting. Racing would do far better going alone without any links to sports betting.

Another aspect of the TAB to consider with the divestment is Voice Technology. This could be a hugely popular with punters whereby their personal phone has all the options, voice words & commands stored. One could scan a QR Code which immediately sets up the phone for say Ellerslie quaddie. After being voiced in the bets are the reviewed and finally sent off. This could avoid duplicating TAB and NZTR websites in fact only need the NZTR website for raceform. Hopefully all these options are considered with respect the TAB selloff. Anyone had experience with it overseas? https://dontgetserious.com/the-rising-importance-of-voice-recognition-technology-in-gaming/

On the money there. Those running racing should be looking to future technology usage. Even the slavish compliance to AML regulations could be streamlined costing next to nothing. I would query whether corporate bookmaking has worked well as opposed to the old style bagmen. Bookmaking is open to disruptor technology i.e. as in the case of taxis being disrupted by Uber. In fact I'll make a prediction bookmakers as they operate now won't be around in 5 years time.

With NZTAB seemingly about to undergo huge operating changes by passing control offshore its worth noting the UK "THE TOTE" business model. UK Totalizator betting was sold off to bookmaker interests in 2011 but bought back by racing interests in 2019 https://www.racingpost.com/news/racing-consortium-completes-deal-to-take-over-the-tote-from-betfred-akebc8B7SL8z/ Thats important to note. Even with the proliferation of UK bookmakers it was deemed necessary for racing interests to control totalizator betting. I hope the lesson is learnt in NZ so that clubs who produce the product are able to run their own pools tying in with the marketing of racing. However I can see given the level of understanding by NZTR of the wagering industry a decision will be made resulting in the death of NZ racing.

Can't agree there. Media is the shop front to racing. I doubt racing would be viable without it. TAB is only interested in gambling turnover whereas media is integral in generating business enterprise. Selling off Radio was a disaster just proving TAB has no interest in business. Radio would have fitted in nicely into a standalone media company. Racing is over reliant on the gambling dollar. Far more effort must be made in utilizing for commercial purposes the rapidly diminishing racing assets. example.... Riccarton racecourse could have hosted an event such as Turfdays. https://www.turfdays.co.nz/ Regardless however hopefully racing reps learn something attending. There is a host of outfits would welcome business partnerships with racing clubs.

I don't think NZTR have any idea what they should be doing. There needs to be a separate media organisation combining racing, harness, dogs & sport taking away Trackside from TAB. NZTR needs to concentrate on the admin and business side of racing. Having form analysts just plain stupid.

Well this is a look at NZTR. Its difficult to accept that each job requires a 40 hour week. NZTR Board of Directors Cameron George (Chairman) Mike Clarke Jason Fleming Andrew Fairgray Bruce Sherwin Andrew Flexman Dean Lawrence _________________________________ Bruce Sharrock - Chief Executive Officer Darin Balcombe - Chief Operating Officer Amy Carter - Internal Operations Manager Mark Freeman - Special Projects Dan Smith - Head of Marketing, Communications & Wagering Partnerships Tim Aldridge - Head of Racing Operations Tharsha Adamstein - Head of People & Culture & Infrastructure Tracy Tutty - Head of Finance Tony Severinsen - Head of Funding and Analytics Tim Lambert - Head of Tracks and Infrastructure & Sustainability Amy Johnson - Head of Education, Training and Recruitment Matthew Williamson - Head of Licensing and Stakeholder Relationships & Infrastructure Julie Walker - Head of Registrations and Keeper of the Studbook Pete Siolo - Head of IT Jess Meech - Advisor Allan Pollitt - National Racing Bureau Team Leader Alicia Bowie - National Racing Assistant Chance Hausman - National Racing Assistant Jo Bull - National Racing Assistant Billy McGown - National Racing Assistant Julie Walker - Head of Registrations and Keeper of the Studbook Kirstie Lang - Stud Book / Imports & Exports Vaine Strickland - Registrations Donna Cameron Horse - Traceability Liaison Amelia Brown - Registrations/Licensing Amy Johnson - Head of Education, Training and Recruitment David Walsh - Riding Master Training, Safety and Welfare Advisor - Southern Noel Harris Riding Master - Central & Northern Kim Clapperton - Riding Master - Central Jonathan Riddell - Jumps Jockey Mentor Kelly Myers - Apprentice School Tutor Matthew Williamson - Head of Licensing and Stakeholder Engagement Abby Robinson - Licensing / Health & Safety Officer Alice Riggins - Thoroughbred Welfare Colin Hall - Racing Compliance Manager Robert Logan - Racing Business Associate Mitchell Davis - Racing Business Associate Neil Jennings - Senior Handicapper Tyler Tane - Handicapper Paul Claridge - National Jumps Coordinator Tracy Tutty - Head of Finance Tyler McRobie - Finance Team Manager Christine Young - Accounts Administrator - Racing Accounts Zalak Patel - Accounts Administrator - Racing Accounts Janine Simonson - Accounts Administrator - Racing Accounts Sameer Vayalam - Systems Accountant Tony Severinsen - Funding and Analytics Ollie Goodall - Business Intelligence Analyst Tharsha Adamstein - Head of People & Culture Pete Siolo - Technology Chris Fischer - IT Manager (Consultant) Marketing, Communications and Wagering Partnerships Dan Smith - Head of Marketing, Communications and Wagering Partnerships Leanne Meredith - Marketing and Ownership Lead Caitlin O'Sullivan - Digital Marketing Specialist Emma Thompson - Communications and Public Relations Lead Chris Fischer - SNS Project Manager Sam Fursdon - SNS Product Owner Harrison Bramwell - SNS Business Analyst Dhatri Motupalli - SNS Test Analyst Pavani Gorrepati - SNS Test Analyst

As far as history goes the NZ Racing Conference was set up by the clubs. Over the years different forms of governance e.g. District Committees, Metropolitan representation etc occurred. However it allowed individuals to bring up matters at club meetings and these would be sent along with delegates to the Racing Conference AGM. At least a semblance of democracy. What you are saying now therefore is that NZTR is a completely different organisation to the old Racing Conference. Perhaps now is a time to look at all options e.g. a TAB/NZTR merger.

This is a serious subject. Just who is responsible for attracting sponsors? I note the Auckland Racing Club no longer have a sponsorship manager. The best way to get sponsors must be a joint effort so that the final person dealing with the sponsor has all the information, material and links to racing promotion outlets. My proposal is that before Auckland employ a sponsorship manager NZTR set up a NATIONAL SPONSORSHIP OFFICE based at Ellerslie racecourse. THis would have access to all the material, digital forms etc. allowing paid or non paid club reps to go out in confidence. Sponsors need far more exposure than they are currently getting. It needs a coordinated effort not just an Auckland effort.

NZTR policy seems to make clubs just ground caretakers of racetracks and have nothing to do with running racing. Currently changes to legislation will make it impossible for clubs to offer separate gambling options. Thats another disincentive for sponsors. Racing can boom but not in the current environment of legislation, ridiculous salaries and illogical business structure.

H'mm its a tricky one. Maybe 20 years ago no problem with the promotion. But its like most causes the activists don't know when to stop. As a result the pendulum swings the other way. e.g the anti semitism activism, Maori activism, anti Russian activism. Its a case of knowing when to stop.

Both RNZ and Newstalk ZB have a Monday summary of outstanding weekend sport performances. On RNZ Legarto never got amention whilst on Newstalk the correspondent Andrew Saville or someone got cutoff by Mike Hosking after being keen outlining the effort. Didn't get chance to mention Mick Dee the NZ jockey afterall jockeys are professional sports people. Clearly Mike Hosking is anti racing. Racing businesses should steer clear advertising on that station.

If by chance the TAB undergoes some governance changes my suggestion would be... Split out the media resources into a separate standalone media company. Partner with an Australian wagering agency keeping a separation to NZ betting Partner with local organisations i.e NZTR, HRNZ, GRC & Sports concentrating on local content and allow for clubs to run their own pools.

New Bet Types require more marketing resources. The point I make is that those assets should be employed to attract new players and not switching customers from one type to another. Furthermore betting has become far too complicated which is another turn off. Added to that over compliance is far more serious impediment than racing chiefs realize. There is one thing racing is good at and that is kicking own goals. Racing does not need bookmakers. Hong Kong is the envy of other racing jurisdictions and they get along fine without bookies. Furthermore racing clubs do not need the TAB. With new technology and media they can offer betting direct to the public without the middle man.

I see some betting outfit has collapsed in Australia with millions of high roller funds down the drain. Article under a paywall. Perhaps someone has more info.

Agree with Doomed last post but de Lore's belief that an outside betting agency should step in is a backward step. Its like Uber, AirBNB etc where laws prevent New Zealander's undertaking certain businesses but they get swept away when an overseas biz wants in. I can see NZTR/Clubs signing away exclusive rights and not accepting that new technology could make the TAB and overseas agencies obsolete.

true.. but the pick six for midweek gallops is missing. I still make the point that the TAB is creating far too many promotions often very hard to understand. A bonfire is needed. Another factor is... OVER-COMPLIANCE Any employee usually wants to do a good job. Therefore purely for own reasons they go overboard with compliance and are not interested in the wider picture. It happens in many other organisations not just TAB. On top of that you have higher management too gutless or inexperienced to reign in the behaviour.

Marketing all the different bet types and half witted promotions is probably why Mike Tod was put in by equally clueless TAB board. He was heralded this way "deeply customer-centric leader with extensive experience in key areas of focus for our organisation, including product and service innovation, marketing, brand and consumer engagement. His appointment and those areas of focus will allow us to drive further revenue growth for our racing and sporting stakeholders" Racing can no longer afford massive salaries paid to about 10 people atop the TAB gravy train. All salaries must be maxed out at $200,000 and scaled back from there. Many racetracks and horse farms probably have flood damage, participants are departing, there is a cost of living crises, a third world war about to start, climate change, COVID pandemic, supply problems... the list goes on. Put simply RACING CAN'T AFFORD THE SALARIES and no amount of hair brained schemes switching punters from tote to fixed odds will change things.