Freda

Think he's now got nine to go.

The trouble is, Pitty, that despite the stakeholders' support to retain Timaru, it does seem that it will be 'for the chop' once the AWT gets going. Ashburton is the preferred option.

That is a particular concern of mine.

Great post. But, although not specifically addressed to me, the Strathayr/AWT comparison is not entirely 'apples with apples' as, in this case. a Strathayr would be replacing the maligned course proper, and only be used as a racing surface. The AWT is intended for training as well, which is why many trainers are not opposed to it in a working sense. Finances don't occur to, or bother, most.

Don't think I've ever said, or thought, that I ' know everything '. I do have opinions, which is not the same thing at all. Marty knows far more about AWT'S than I do, so a much better option that he went instead of me. Try to debate the topic and not make things personal. And for the record, there were quite a few trainers who never received an email.

I believe so. No idea how that can be accessed, though.

My co-trainer attended the presentation. As a former UK lad, employed at both Lambourn and Newmarket at different times, and also by the Bart Cummings stable at Randwick, he has had more experience with AWT's than most around this region - apart from the engineers, that is. He was, after initially being very sceptical at the likely quality of management protocols, a little less anxious after listening; however, he isn't particularly au fait with funding matters, likely returns/costs, and those sort of things. There were promises that there will still be retained tracks in the middle during construction - a matter that has worried me greatly [ and my information came from the course manager whom I would expect to have all the facts.]. So, that is one concern eased a little. One interesting point - there will be no additional water required. [ ? ] Nature's efforts are all that is needed. I am aware that Martin Collins enterprises have a world-wide reach - but how a loose substance is to be retained in the right place in a howling nor-wester in drought conditions is intriguing, to say the least.

Yes, i think that would be the case.

As a matter of interest, I had a chat with one of the few trainers who attended the ' roadshow ' , he confirmed there was little information to share. No financial plan, and according to him, no means to cover the extra costs and/ or maintenance. One interesting point he made, as informed by an owner of his whom I think would know, apparently PGF funding has to be repaid in some cases....it is advanced as an interest-free loan, not a gift.

That option would seem a far better and fairer use of PGF funding than an effing white elephant in a city.

No idea.

He rides, pissed or stoned, better than most do straight. But that's not really the point, is it.

Don't forget Shreck and Compton's Mrs....or our own Head of ' Integrity' and his own motel acrobatics...as well as his henchman who helped him escape the scene....it goes on, Clinton, Profumo, your next door neighbour; and we do have 60 Minutes here too. But the millions pissed up a wall would never rate a mention, too commonplace, no-one cares, or notices, Govts change but the Civil Service run the show, to the man in the street nothing alters.

Don't forget this is the guy who had to ask ' do you gallop them every day ? ' ye gods... And, for me [ self-interest foremost here ] a huge concern is where we will work our horses, both during and after installation. To be fair, that is not Saundry's job to work out, nor is it the mandate of the engineers, but the CJC must provide some idea going forward. I gather the idea of an underpass to get access to the inside tracks without contaminating the AWT is considered too expensive, so the track layout will be, from outside in, course proper, allweather, another grass gallop,and the middle [which currently provides three smaller gallop grasses, a small sand, a reverse cinder track, a frost grass, as well as hurdle/steeple grasses ] . The middle tracks are reported to be going, to guard against contamination. Inside, will be created small lakes to hold the run-off from the water applied to the AWT, so, unless some innovative thinking comes about, there seems to be no provision for slow working horses other than on the allweather. The excellent plough, big and small trial gallops and the big sand will be swallowed up by the AWT.

No.

I'm afraid so. I'm staggered that road-shows up and down the country can be justified when there is nothing specific to say..? If that doesn't ring alarm bells for those who attended.....oh dear.

Petone.

I'm not negative either, nor against AWT's. But the cost, both initially and ongoing, the requirements of manpower, expertise and machinery and the reduction and/or elimination of pretty fair training facilities as they stand, is hard to justify against a background of dropping revenues and interest with absolutely no indication that returns will be increased significantly - as well a loading extra costs onto trainers/owners.

Not to mention the difficulty of getting permission to take as much water as is needed...and Chief mentioned 28 deg temperatures here in Canterbury...we have can week after week of more than 32 deg in the summer as well as howling nor'westers..ffs...how does the water permit look then?

My understanding is that RV is limiting the Aw's to just two.

Ngai Tahu are smart operators, they'd see that lot coming a mile away.

I also understand, that the then Housing Minister, Nick Smith, who was also the Minister of Conservation, was only able to swing the sale of the portion referred to by ensuring that Ngai Tahu were in the frame first...and that housing as opposed to commercial developments were specified. National needed housing. Of course, Ngai Tahu are under no such constraints, with the on-sale to Ryman Healthcare of a nice chunk of the property.

Racecourse Reserve Trustees administer it. I think [ but don't hang me if I'm wrong ] ownership is vested in that Trust, from the time that the Founding Fathers of Christchurch City donated the land for the recreational use by, and support of racing and breeding for, the people of Canterbury.

50k annually, with any top-up to be met by the club. That seems to me to be so far away from reality as to be mind-boggling.

Balanced comment, as we have come to expect, Reefton. A couple of trainers are very 'pro ' , a few others haven't considered ramifications of cost, provincial racetracks, availability of other surfaces both during and after construction, etc. going forward - but think that it will be great for trackwork. Most of the others don't want it, but for whatever reason, won't commit openly to being against it. So, if the money [ 10 mill ] appears, and doesn't get held up by being a political football as a result of Winston's lies and chicanery, it will go ahead. Where the additional funds will come from aren't clear, and there seems to be a huge disparity between the maintenance costs factored in by NZTR, and those published from other sources.