Freda

just imagine, a 'country' circuit of NZ clubs, in control of their own destiny, administered and funded independently. Nah, would never get off the ground, if any research indicated that a] it might work and b] that a specific number of clubs might buy into the idea, NZTR would throw a spanner at the idea by de-registering horses that chose to race at those venues.

That got me looking at the setting up of the TAB [ courtesy of Mr Google ] and very interesting the old pictures are, indeed...imagine 40, 000 spectators at Ellerslie nowadays..the mind boggles. Interesting concept, Reefton. I can see [ possibly ] it appealing to country clubs - although costs, etc., are something you would have far more idea about than moi - but, the large clubs, which regularly spend far more than they earn might find the idea distasteful.

When you say ' the Clubs ' do you mean collectively ?

Put all his faith in Winston....

Mark Mac made them all look ordinary.

Shouldn't be any surprise, surely ? Anyone expecting a rise in stakemoney - as some still are - must be living in a chocolate box.

Marsh seems to have a few promising types based down here, his foreman ably assisted by 'stablehand' Sam Wynne. I've watched his team with interest as they walk past the tie-ups, one attractive little chap which took my eye was the Tavistock gelding Charlie Awesome - had a modest wager on him yesterday and he went a tidy race.

Sentiment, for me, says Argentina.

No offence intended, Peter...I just thought it was all a bit of an over-reaction, that's all. You're quite right, we're all entitled to our opinions.

I think many of Thommo's posts have value - and equally, some don't. - so I just don't bother looking at stuff that doesn't interest me.

Did you get any satisfaction ?

Actually, I fail to see what all the fuss is about too. ATA is being a smartass...but how that becomes a hanging offence I don't quite get. Don't respond if you don't like his comments. Simple.

You're right - my reference to the Coast is merely because I am more familiar with the area than others mentioned.

I will be interested to see how the altered circuit goes, Hokitika have raced at Kumara before, the results were woeful. I usually base my team at Hoki, but I feel it is unfair to expect accommodation to be provided when they dont have a meeting there.

For sure, years ago we knew were going to run on a swamp, the weather only decreed the extent of the sogginess. I recall once it was very firm, a very rare occasion, but there you are...! Now it is regularly firm, and can offer slippery conditions....such is progress.

Yeah, well, I'm as pleased as anyone to see him about to move on - but it is a big stretch to lay the industry's ills firmly at his feet alone. The whole operation has been trending downwards for far longer than his reign, adeptly assisted by NZTR in all its various clothes. And we still have officials and industry personnel who think NZTR are doing ' a great job ' .

Not flash, is it? Suggest you ring and talk to someone, you may be able to get some sense.

I think that the problem with Kumara, Reefton, was that they could shift the races, but they couldn't shift the party. The party has become more important than the races.

And haven't the critics come out of the woodwork..poor Shaune, hope he has a thick skin.

No, certainly not.

Agree.

I realise that this has become a bit of a pet topic for me, so I have to apologise if I repeat myself. Firstly, despite the push to do so, I cannot see any cost savings to ensue from a track closure - unless, of course, it requires a 'do - up ' needing funding. Costs of getting horses to a distant meeting, sure, but as long as horses are entered, and a club is solvent, why arbitrarily shut it down? The meeting payments that are given to a club for the purpose of running a meeting will still continue, as long as that club carries on racing activities at another track - so no savings there. The costs of providing TAB facilities and all the other paraphanalia, big and small, still will need to be met of course, wherever races are held. I accept that those costs will be reduced if meetings are held at city venues consistently, reducing the need for transport of equipment and personnel..however, I see on the Weigh-In programme, that Oamaru and Timaru are still down for closure. I attended a meeting at the CJC where Bernard Saundry was present, to discuss the allweather track option. Along with all the other topics, the one that appeared clear, was the fact that the allweather at Riccarton could only be justified by transferring meetings from those 'closed' tracks. So, if these tracks are still on the 'to close' roster, and the allweathers have been put on hold, where do those races get held? I may be thick, but I can't rationalise the two stances. Of course, once stakes drop [ how can they not?] it probably won't matter. The end of racing as we know it looks closer all the time.

The H & S matter I was thinking about was with respect to grandstands, etc. You are right about the horse aspect....and who needs a grandstand nowadays anyway ? The only requirement really is for jockeys/drivers to have somewhere appropriate to shower/change, etc,and some of the old buildings which incorporate viewing facilities as well would have to go.

B. d L is a close personal friend of Messara through his former breeding industry position - and also, very close to Winston - and played a big part of the involvement of the two. I think your opinion is bang on there.

....although just continuing on without changing anything is/was not an option, there hasn't emerged any significant change at all. Just more shuffling to squeeze more money to throw at a dysfunctional model. Modern H&S laws will lead to track rationalization without needing to wave a big stick - alienating communities in the process. There are plenty of examples of track closures with clubs racing elsewhere - I dont see buckets of dosh ensuing from those for the wider industry. Allweather? maybe quite reasonable for Cambridge, with its large horse population and outdated facilities....but elsewhere? Huge waste of money for mine, dont see any potential for increased revenue by closing ( say ) Timaru and running a borefest of a day at Riccarton - where no one goes except on Cup days.