Freda

I take it you are referring to the paddocks shared with the cattle......

Thommo won't have to be 'bored" any more....but what a privilege it has been for the rest of us to have seen her perform - and what an amazing job Chris Waller and his staff have done. There have been criticisms of him/his methods but the sheer weight of responsibility for the team shouldn't be underestimated. Now the next phase of her career can begin...and we can follow her progress - and hope that, unlike Sunline, Black Caviar, Show Gate, Zenyatta and many other great mares, that she might produce a star too.

It is my opinion - just my opinion - that turnover generated on the majority of races wouldn't produce as much as many believe. How does that need explanation? you are quite entitled to disagree...!

Shit...I thought things were poor enough in the galloping code...but never could I imagine such depths of cruelty and corruption in a governing body. There was a local TB stud which had well publicised issues regarding the condition of its animals....SPCA were useless, Thoroughbred Breeders were equally useless, even the local Racecourse 'D' claimed he could take no action because the perpetrators weren't - at that time - licensed with NZTR. I tried to bring up with the main branch of NZTBA some form of accreditation which might go some way to ensuring an acceptable code of practice on studs/agistment farms....nah, too hard. But I think those bodies/personnel stopped short of being 'corrupt'. Lazy, yes. Useless, gutless, all of that..but nothing to equal what I've read on here.

Are you effing serious?

Seems logical and obvious to me as well....as are the handicapping/programming matters that have been allowed to deteriorate - probably at the behest of various trainer/breeder groups.

Under the Messara report, yes....but this is an NZTR plan that was on notice long before that report saw the light of day. It would seem that there is no [ or bugger all ] cash coming from that source however. Club committees will dig in their toes to prevent that happening.

Exactly..and it is clear who shows the biggest ' lack of understanding' ......dear oh dear, and these are our managers.

methinks not as well. The figure of $37,500.00 paid to a club to conduct a meeting goes with the club regardless of which track it races at..so is not saved at all. I don't know why that figure was even mentioned as it is completely irrelevant from the 'savings' context....and as well, is a drop in the bucket to the amounts really needed.

...and the extra stabling....

Stakes are provided by NZTR so it is up to that august body whether they choose to fund...not the club. As for 'doing well' out of the extra turnover, my guess is that any extra generated would not go anywhere near the the money provided.

Good point.

Frustrating in the extreme, happens down here too but not so much, I don't think. Trouble is, stakes are bulk-funded -so, while a club may be more than happy to split races to accomodate horses, that will cost more money than has been allocated and a smaller club won't be able to afford it. [ please excuse the italics, don't know what the hell I did to achieve those ] Ok, sorted...ffs ...gremlins..

I'm not a bloke...but no, you're not....but I will have to be sick first.

Just taking notice of all this only now....so, given that allegations have been made two years ago [ apparently ] what, exactly, have the RIU done about it all?

No fecking way is it.

What a surprise.

Just out of interest - have you attempted to contact Greg Kerr? I have to wonder what obstacles you might face there....well done for your queries to date, keep it up.

Gross. Whatever the allegedly live animal may be, the perpetrators are beyond contempt.....as is the administration that condones such behavior by NOT stamping it out.

I'm not a dog racing fan - although I love dogs, and have my own pets...but can someone elaborate what is meant by ' the white poodle ' ? The inference is sickening..but I don't want to jump to conclusions.

...one of those being me, obviously...but if what you say is correct [ and I'm sure it is ] I'll have to remove a tick from that box.

FFs....Thomass brings critique to the 'feds' and highlights many failings of the heirarchy we are all obliged to work under. Good on him for that. The Princess - well, no, she does nothing for me or most others. So I don't read about her. Yes, he goes off at a tangent - so ignore those posts. His punting ideas [ b/s] drive some to distraction - so ignore , or block him. Now, let's discuss what we all think about Saint Cindy wearing the hijab....or something else of moderate interest.

I think you have missed the point that there is little - if any - money to be gleaned from track closures as it seems that forcing sales and grabbing the money is not likely to happen. Yes they can force clubs to race elsewhere [ or not at all if committees dig their toes in ] but there won't BE any funds released as a result.

So do I...! But it doesn't sit right with me either. We are [ probably pointlessly ] waiting for a ray of hope from the MAC recommendations - which, given the antipathy towards Winston from so many in the House may never see the light of day - and at the same time, Saundry sails along pushing the Alan Jackson mantra for NZTR of track closures..it just doesn't make sense. Messara pushed track closures with the idea of garnering funds for redevelopment. He was poorly advised and legal ramifications make that look highly unlikely to happen, so therefore no point in following that line...but they are still pushing it..for what purpose? They have been given figures - by Reefton and no doubt others - which conclusively show that country clubs are NOT the drain on the industry that so many rave on about.....but clearly they can't follow logical arguments. I recall a few years ago some very good work was done by a couple of smart guys on handicapping, mares' allowances, etc - pro bono - and submitted to the then heirarchy of Purcell / Goodson. I don't think either of them understood a bit of the study. I forwarded a copy of the same to Saundry at his request, but as is the operating practice of the outfit, haven't had so much as an acknowledgement of receipt. Great office staff they have there.

It was depressing to watch....we've been given plenty of blarney about Deano's acumen and ability....but oh dear, incisive and positive he certainly wasn't.