Freda

Curious warrants a big thanks from all of us - not just on this issue either - for his ability to analyse material and explain concisely what [ to me, anyway ] is often jargon that is very hard to comprehend. I' ve learned heaps as a result, so, cheers to you, Curious, for your work and the fact that you are prepared to share some of it with us.

Well...actually, no...tax laws haven't 'changed overnight' ....nothing has changed...that's the point.

Isn't Bill Thurlow having a trot?

Thanks.

So..now that your very adept analysis skills have had a chance to digest the initial news - what do you take out of it that is positive? if anything? I note that a PoC tax has slaughtered South Australian racing, and would have seriously impacted on Queensland too if the stakeholders hadn't protested.

from Winston Peters' office...I don't know how to put up the link but I'm sure someone will.

...all of which makes me even more pissed off at the 'empire building' behaviour of our two Boards - one, sailing on its merry way while the turnover plummets, the other, in the guise of 'doing something' is retrenching the product [ hate that word ] by removing it from the very people who will NEVER go to Ellerslie, Trentham or Riccarton, but will go to their community day out. The huge entries at Riverton just go to show how successful good country racing can be. As an aside, I had a phonecall yesterday from a nice young man from the TAB. We notice you haven't used the TAB for a while...is there a reason for this? To chase up someone who would be flat putting 2 each way on once a week...desperation? Pity they weren't so helpful in the beginning when I was trying to contact helpline and helpdesk - to no avail - about being 'locked out' of my account. Explained this to the nice young man, and pointed out that there was no problem with Bet365. Nice young man decided that my email address was incorrect. Ok, I don't know my own email address. Was told to go and login in and follow the 'reset password' option, then a new one would be emailed to me. Did so. Access denied. FFs. Tried to ring back. No answer.

Slightly off topic....but have a look at the Riverton entries....massive. They'll have an awesome meeting, wish I was going . I love Riverton.

Therein lies the rub...the only ones who can are his Board....and the only one who can deal with the Board [ as I understand things ] is the Minister.

An English lad who works for me has told me that ' Speakers' Corner' in Hyde Park is now the province of Moslems having their say. Now I don't begrudge anyone the right to speak, nor would I ever denigrate someone on the grounds of their faith, colour, ethnicity or sexual orientation...ffs ..but when a bible-holding Christian tries to speak in public and gets himself arrested, where are we heading? For the record, I don't hold any particular faith...but believe all deserve respect. That then behoves their adherents to practice respect also.

Same...and although I've tried to be the voice of reason, with the idea that due parliamentary process must take place to change the Racing Act [ if that happens ] I still don't know why Winston didn't get rid of most of them [ the Board, that is ]. All bar Bill Birnie finished their elected terms recently, he could have easily replaced them, surely? As it is we watch helplessly as the turnover plummets and more and more disenchanted punters leave the NZTAB - probably forever given that, as well as the website, the product is largely woeful as well. I am told that duty relief is likely - not justified in my humble opinion - especially to hand to this lot to piss away even more.

Eff all....but many of the country venues that our management team are so hell-bent on closing do a great job within their communities and with their limited funds for the purpose.

Sadly, yes...they can't be bothered either. I only live across the road...but preferred to watch on TV, have a few [ small ] bets and await the Aus coverage. When, after the earthquakes, the Crusaders had their first 'home' game' for ages - I thought some traction could have been made from that. Tickets for both venues perhaps, on course promotions/comps giving free entry to game, buses to stadium.....anything, ffs, apart from the nothing that eventuated.

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.