Freda

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.

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.