The Centaur

I saw what Newmarket has posted. The bet was on Orchestral for a win. Why has Talisker then been added at seemingly no advantage odds wise. When one is talking about $1.2M thats serious.

Avondale still without power after the fire. Sunday markets however seem to manage. Telephone out of order also.

I am sure most owner trainers with one or two horses have heard a licensed trainer say "if you want your horse ridden in trackwork then put my apprentice on for raceday". Similarly owners will tell the trainer "you want my horses then put the best jockey on." Racing PR people love to promote the overseas angle. So it goes on meaning new participants e.g. jockeys or owner/trainers are discouraged from the industry. Its not a level playing field. I guess it never was.

I suggest a new jockey fee structure for any race above $499,000 in stakes. Half the jockey percentage with the other half going to the regular rider if that jockey not riding in that race and able to do so. This will still enable overseas riders but won't upset locals.

What a load of twaddle!! Its a day setup up to hype up spenders at the yearling sales. Anyway it will rain so heavily flooding out the place. Make sure you get your COVID booster.

Thats immaterial. Denying any chance of horses competing sold by competitors is illegal.

The Slot Race is ILLEGAL. Although with a slight change then would make it OK. The conditions restricts competitive behaviour in that any potential competitor to NZB is discouraged. Thats against the Commerce Act. If NZB puts up the whole stake then perhaps they can be OK but since the money is coming from the TAB funds its not OK. It's like the Auckland Racing Club running a race just for horses that are fed Dunstan products and Auckland putting up the stake. Given the number of industry resources now going into the Karaka Millions and not just NZB funding I feel The Karaka Millions are now also illegal.

The max oncourse Ellerslie crowd is 10,000. Already booked out this week. The question is how much revenue comes from the big racing days. Also why overkilling a few days with all these goodies when there is no extra return unless the attendance charges are upped. The same hype existed at Ellerslie in 1990 when the million dollar international race was inaugurated. That I don't think lasted more than two years.

TAB has gone all in on sport. They are right into scoring own goals. No need to retire Tony at all. Also old time racing punters would have been bewildered not having a tote double on the Thorndon and cup. Options on all other stupid eventualities but the one option likely to attract once a year punters deleted.

SENZ Radio - Total rubbish. Didn't hear a mention this morning of Tony Lee. The second hour of the show total rubbish. Mostly talk on Karaka Millions and sales. Not a word about Wellington Cup. There must be some way of suing whoever owns the station for wasting listeners time. Why waste 10 minutes talking about delayed barrier draws for Karaka Million just baffling. Any humour on the show puerile and pathetic. At least Stephen Marsh who is experienced in media gave the first hour some plusses. The rest of the show just pathetic.

H'mm you bring back bad memories. Had Suttle relatively for me a huge bet then all the way up the straight "knew" Suttle would get past Simon De Montfort. If you listen to the Peter Kelly replays you would note SDM ran a great 4th the year before. So in hindsight the $180 unexplainable.

My memory of 1963 is vivid. My father not on any high paid job got a free service to the stallion Copenhagen simply because Mr Alexander of Wynthorpe stud was so taken by the appearance of the mare. We spent that summer preparing the yearling for the sales and arrived at Trentham with horse mid afternoon driving past the main gates. Then over the fence to watch the next race which so happened to be the Wellington Cup. Couldn't find any vantage point but I remember the grey Blue Blade which was from our neighbourhood 10L clear before turning for home. Ran 3rd paying 66 for a place. Seeing it was the first time ever at Trentham I thought the giant reception for Great Sensation occurred for every winner. https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19630121.2.19

In case you missed this link. Peter Kelly just made the race. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xA6nfXJkAsc&t=1031s

These are just names to me but the horse Ribaldo links up with the name Murfitt. Seems part and parcel of the Riccarton scene.

What real world? There are several NZ players in Singapore & Macau e,g Stephen Gray Donna Logan etc each who have established their own client base. Bringing them back to NZ would be positive for here so NZTR should look at ways to attract them.

With Macau and Singapore going one has to ask what New Zealand Racing authorities are doing to gather up the remnants of infrastructure, participants, customers etc. For example set up a low cost travel tourism business for racing fans from those areas. Computer and IT systems may be useful. At least ensure the NZ racing wagering product gets into those areas.

I remember when living in the South Is. a striking black called Every Post which kind of links with Gary Lee. Probably wrong though. If right then would have been the horse to get Lee started?

I note that exactly 50 years ago Timaru held a 2 day meeting after Christmas. Also that the Timaru cup was run over 2100m won by Mister Pompous ridden by one L. J. Molloy. Seems the rider never learnt from upsetting officials as the ride earned a suspension. The second leg of TAB double was won by Grey Way beating Condor a horse I had a bit to do with.

With the rail out seems 1600m has to revert to 1500m. That a negative. Hope the golf driving range is still there.

Actually Aiden Rodley might appear dry but sense of humour good. When interviewing Robbie Patterson. "More celebrations.... that's the last thing you need !"

Some would find it ok but as management is responsible to directors or shareholders most companies would steer clear of supporting gambling. Not so supporting racing clubs or racing in general. Conclusion: as I have said a standalone company.

Race calling was never in the brief of the TAB. They got into it by default firstly investing in Radio Pacific then setting up Trackside TV. All along if the racing codes had any real entrepreneurial nous they should have set up a standalone media company covering all forms of media e.g. internet. Rounding up advertisers is the backbone of media. I fail to see how most companies would reconcile with advertising in a gambling organisation.

Helps also having the right financial backing. Have you seen the facilities Noble has to operate with?

Patterson versus Sharrock should be good contest for rest of year.

I wonder if commentators listen to constructive criticism. Tony Lee used to have a problem of screaming at the finish of races and unfortunately his successor is far worse. Contrast this with Peter Kelly who would concentrate on style. Fluency during the running is key and the best once again was Peter Kelly and until recent times Tony Lee was great. Current assessment of Justin Evans is "must tone it down" and stop being a compulsive talker.