Freda

The NZTR venue plan ? I have seen it in print, but can't seem to locate it. When I tried the NZTR website, the only 'venue plan' that came up was for 2013....

And that's it in a nutshell.

Of course.

The excellent cruwd there yesterday didn't look too bothered about birdshit.

The grandstand is awful at Oamaru, have to agree, but the tie-ups and stabling areas are pretty good for a country area. Never fear, you won't have to endure the conditions much longer to watch the gallops as I gather it's down for closure [ don't know how that affects the harness folk though.] I'm very critical of the facilities for horses at Ashburton, they're terrible, but have to concur that the grandstand there is very comfortable, with it's glassed-in front offering a great view out of the weather. The one that confounds me though, is Rangiora...a nice, tidy course, pleasant surroundings, close to Christchurch....a shared facility , a part-interest in which was 'acquired' by the CJC some time ago, for the purpose, it would seem, of being flogged off for huge money. That doesn't look likely now, so we have a silly scenario with a viable course sitting idle [ from a galloping point ] with other courses needing funds spent to bring them up to scratch. I imagine the harness people will be quite happy to utilise this excellent venue; galloping's loss , through the all- pervading lack of vision inherent.

Great news - for the locals and the circuit as a whole.

I'm sick of my page being completely covered with Knobby Underwear....

Oh. I see. I took the rather snide comment to be directed at Andrew Carston - as the mare had been based at Latta's for a week or more [ I believe].

Thanks, Reefton. Good to have your local knowledge, and rational discourse. Welcome back.

Yes, I got that...but this is about a galloper....? I struggled to find any link to , well, anything.....

I must be missing something...but why is a comment from Macca about a galloping matter creating a furore on a harness forum..?

She could have had a couple of sandwiches. Just saying.

Burgundy had laminitis, Chief....don't think Tavistock did.

Quite right, IMO, Rusty and Jess. I see on the other channel, a poster maintaining that there is a ' moral obligation to break the law if it is wrong or unjust ' to force society to debate that law - with the purpose of putting it right, I assume. I don't disagree entirely with the sentiment that made that comment - however, that same poster has denigrated [ fiercely ] people who DO break the law, with the comment that the rule of law must be upheld, if you don't like it, lobby to change the law. Can't have it both ways. There is a reason, as stated, for name suppression and we just have to accept that.

All of the above...and, notwithstanding the awful economics of our industry now, another 'own goal' was scored when studs started using second-rate Aussie sprinters and/or unremarkable European two and three year old performers to try and ' compete ' with the fast and early Australian horse. Our strength, as it was once, was the classic and staying horse and we pissed that in the sea - for a while. There are signs with some recent importations that that tide has turned, but the flow of U.K. stayers hasn't stopped yet.

Merry Christmas everyone. .. ?

What a horror year for the Lindsays....it couldn't get any worse, could it? Hopefully some successes on the track with their own stock might brighten things up for them, and all the stud workers/employees too.

Same. Especially on the Android. I get a complete page blocking everything, I can't remove it and have to turn everything off and start again.

He's an incredibly focused young man, his success is very deserved indeed.

Thanks....she certainly deserved a decent trip - and, courtesy of Tina, she got one.

I'm no apologist for Saundry - but the notion that closing tracks would somehow bring us back from the brink has been the idea beloved of Allan Jackson for ages, long before Saundry appeared. Even Purcell went on record as stating ' we will NOT forcibly close tracks, but will work with clubs and support them if they wish to relocate.'.....or words to that effect...so Jackson's wish didn't get much traction at that point.

I don't think I put my thoughts very well..! I meant that, given the astronomical stakes in Australia, any downturn there will still [ to us ] be insignificant to the differential. They will still be considered the utopia for racing from our point of view. Given that our managing personnel haven't managed to comprehend that higher takeouts stifle betting, any correlation is likely to be missed.

Thick is the word...but, even when revenue is impacted, it will still be light years ahead of ours, so the problem won't be recognised as a 'problem' here, for quite some time I should think.

Pro punter Dr Nick exits Australian racing, says bookmaker Rob Waterhouse. Waterhouse blames increased taxes on bookmakers, for the decision. 'The flow-on effect for the industry could be a disaster ', he says, ' I suspect he accounts for about six per cent of Aus racig turnover, so that will be lost immediately. Sean Bartholomew has been a huge punter, but now concentrates on England and America. Zelijko still bets big, but nowhere near as big as he once did. It's all in response to taxes.' The concern is that the increased taxes of recent times could see many big punters abandon racing and turn to other sports. I think Mardi and Curious, in particular, have been indicating the likelihood of this result for quite some time.

Hope so too. Good to see the Riding for the Disabled given priority ongoing, too. Sad, though. Will be interesting to see who and how quickly follow suit.