The Centaur

You pose a good question. Seems TAB, NZTR getting into outside endeavours they know little about. NZTR was never supposed to be a publishing business. What should have happened is three codes along with Trackside and the old radio network combine into a single media company allowing some real experts to be employed.

I suppose there has been things like the "TAB sponsored driver" which is a bit unfair on other drivers but the TAB doesn't in that case tell the driver how to drive the race or which horse to drive. This case means TAB employees getting involved and then having the CV to go out on their own competing against the "battlers" say as syndicators. There are plenty syndicators and trainers plus breeders willing to do business so why start competing against the "battlers" who don't have the billion dollar capital behind them. This is another hair brained scheme like the Grand Tour which doesn't compute. Who has the time to figure all the odds options the "grand tour" throws up.

So why is it called the TAB Racing Club? If Entain wants to start a totally independent club then do it without digging into TAB coffers with special betting offers. Its a bit like supporting the local grocer with TAB offers because the TAB boss's wife shops there.

The Racing Act spells out the functions of the TAB. Anything to do with racehorse ownership is NZTR function. Certainly deciding which trainers it will support is not a legal or fair use of TAB profits. As well has the ownership thing been in the business plan? RACING ACT 63TAB NZ must prepare business plan (1) Before the start of a racing year, TAB NZ must prepare a business plan relating to that racing year. (2) TAB NZ must consult each racing code in respect of its business plan. (3) However, subsection (2) applies in respect of a racing code only if there is no provision in any commercial agreement between TAB NZ and that racing code or all racing codes providing for consultation by TAB NZ with that racing code or all racing codes on the development of the business plan. (4) In carrying out consultation required under subsection (2) or by the commercial agreement referred to in subsection (3), TAB NZ must— (a) give each racing code a copy of the proposed business plan; and (b) provide each code with a reasonable period (not less than 15 working days) in which to provide comments to TAB NZ; and (c) meet with each code (or all the codes) to discuss any matters of disagreement. (5) TAB NZ must publish a copy of its business plan on an Internet site maintained by or on behalf of TAB NZ.

And well they should. He was basically saying Williams should have ridden to lose.

Lets start with the name. Some 50 Tarzino progeny have raced in NZ. Most of them hopeless. None won more than $70,000 and I doubt any have earned enough to pay for expenses here. At this time of year piling all the good horses into one race does nothing for racing. Far better having a series of races around the country where trainers can take their time getting them ready. Look at Imperatriz last year. Took a while to recover after. Wisely missing this time. Sure its a great field this Saturday but if all of them are in peak condition then that would really be "stupid".

Question of population, expert staff and linking to sponsors. Any rental charges to Auckland Racing keeps money in the system. Just imagine when broadcasting Trackside has the racetrack in the background. Prestige and image.

Here is what I don't get. Ellerslie is supposed to be or will be the showcase of NZ racing. Now there are other activities happening there all the time even a golfing facility. Its a great location intersecting all transport routes e.g. airport, road, rail etc. What better location than place racing offices e.g. NZTR head office and Trackside there which would save considerable funds. They get all these great achievers on these boards yet when it comes to translating their great successes to racing they are total failures. I haven't seen anywhere any reports or debates on that feasibility.

Maybe resurrecting Marton, Feilding, Foxton, Levin, Bulls, Masterton, Waipukurau, Napier Park, Wairoa, Gisborne, Stratford actually just getting started e.g. Carterton, Ashurst, Pihama etc.

Congrats! Freda.!! well I presume it is. Did you win the bag of chaff for highest priced winner 22/23 season? Perhaps better than chaff hope the horses enjoyed it.

https://www.racenet.com.au/news/darwinbased-jockey-bashed-with-rocks-by-group-of-men-in-random-attack-outside-her-own-home-20230801 Hope Sonja recovers. What gets me is the large group involved.

I just can't understand why corporates like to pile everything under the one DNS i.e. website. I have no idea how the NZTR website is set up but wouldn't it make sense to separate raceday videos or streaming service from the normal website just for raceday. All you would need is the race result and a video link hardly einstein material. I can view videos without problem when the loveracing.nz site crashes but the average punter would not be able to figure it out. Hence the complaints. According to NZTR release they expect the website to crash again tomorrow. What a pack of highly paid dumbo's.

The R in NZTR now stands for RUGBY and the T for TWO. i.e. Rugby and Rugby League. Councils will have option of putting housing on existing playing fields and creating new playing fields from the racecourses. That will please Mr Sharrock and Mr George.

And today the 8-10 show much better. Mick G seemed a much happier man doing it by himself without the crap humour from the other one. Maybe Mick had a win but at least he left the audience keen on the days racing ahead.

I have forced myself to listen to the Saturday 8.00am-10.00am show. A few times the extended interview has been excellent. However the rest mainly an insult to ones precious time. The Louis guy seems to have the idea he has to be "entertaining" no doubt per the SENZ directive. Sadly the humour is of a juvenile nature and so frustrating when trying to get info for the days racing. The combo of Guerin and Herman-Watt doesn't work they just talk over each other.

Are you serious?? Maybe you should join SENZ. They need jokesters.

I must be missing something. Of what possible interest is the Everest or the Trackside splashout on this side of the Tasman.

The geniuses at the TAB have not gone away. Today Jetbet 4 is Awapuni tomorrow Jetbet 4 is Awapuni. Meaning too confusing so TAB have barred betting on Awapuni tomorrow except for fixed.

We were promised all the details of the deal when the Minister "approved it". NZTR also promised us details June 15. So far NZTR idea of information on the deal is to get intoxicated with the cash and tell us where they a going to throw it about. So far the required information is shockingly lacking. With sport taking over Trackside NZTR have squandered millions by not getting in on the deal. All together a massive con. Yes good question about the company registrations. Answers are needed.

Chief, you should take up golf. With a few holes to play Daniel Hillier was $101 (thank you very much). Considering in an interview last week he reckoned he could win one soon not bad odds.

Thats what we need. Real enthusiasts!!

Switching Saturday meeting to All weather was something Michael Guerin was promoting. Now I appreciate Guerin has longstanding racing & harness knowledge but has been wrong so many times. e.g. When the TAB OpenBet system was about to launch Guerin the TAB employee came out strongly that after getting a sneek preview of the system it was going to be the greatest thing of all time.

For some unfathomable reason Wednesday Race 1 The Queen Mary Stakes has been abandoned by the TAB. No betting at all. Wanted to bet on Gaiden a 40:1 longshot. Must get a Betfair account or similar.

It was super impressive. They really rated the 2nd horse and there was daylight to third. The commentator started talking up the horse before the race and the things he was saying led me to believe he reads this forum. Well spotted.