Freda

No thoughts?

Actually, I don't know if we have a differential for country/provincial/metropolitan. We might THINK we do, but - I recall, when Wheels was pioneering the winter attack on Queensland, one of his difficulties was to adequately classify his horses. Then, there was a requirement that a country track was outside a distance of 100km from a GPO. Obviously, NZ's geography is very different from the vast distances seen in Aus, it is quite possible to make a case for many a 'country' track here to be classed as 'metropolitan' for that reason. Someone will correct me if necessary, I'm sure. But the stupid 'tiered' system we pay lip service to is only tiered stakes.

Is it freehold?

We'll have more idea about that on the 15th. For now, we just have to consider ourselves lucky we have the place at all, given their agendas.

I noticed Rogie announcing that young Ryan was the equal of J.Mac, and other high flyers.....hard to imagine James getting himself in such a tight situation.

Apparently not.

He's embarrassed. But did concede that 'bagging a jockey' is the quickest way to get egg on your face.

Of course it isn't. Euthanasia is the best option for many. A difficult horse can be a danger to a pleasure rider, who then loses interest in the new toy - if not frightened or hurt by the animal - which may be kept in unsuitable/unsafe surroundings, poorly cared for, and become yet another welfare statistic. I've mentioned this point before - that a dedicated equine abattoir where animals are treated humanely and with dignity - could make use of a valuable resource. But unfortunately, the policing of such a facility would be critical and looking at some of the horror examples often seen, unlikely to fly.

No-one as far as I am aware. Gareth moved himself on, citing a desire to progress.

Hmm....

Thanks Gamma, was good to follow your comments, and very satisfying to forward Wiremu's tally for the day to a naysayer who announced yesterday morning that he is an 'overrated piece of shit.' !

I've always been very careful about where my retirees go..sometimes it isn't possible of course, and yes, a bullet the best option. Even that isn't as easy as it used to be, and euthanasia by a vet is costly. Now we have a number of re-homers , registered with NZTR ; it is, I guess, an attempt to 'do the right thing' but plenty of holes in the system for all that. They get an admin fee for doing the paperwork, and a grant is available for outside practitioner fees, ie vet. But nothing to cover feed etc, and in the case of horses in poor shape, a costly exercise for the business. I can understand completely why they may refuse welfare cases, and also - although not ideal for either horse or new owner - why they are moved on in a matter of days sometimes. Nice pics of the animal jumping a fence and off they go as 'educated jumpers' .....not. And once the horse is moved on to its new home, it then drops out of the system and there is no way to keep tracking it, unless the goodwill of the new purchaser runs to contacting the former trainer/owner.

You got a prize ( or portion thereof ) today, Reefton, your perseverance does you credit in more ways than one ! Hope you had a celebratory drink!

Another legacy of Cameron George. The original RIU was his brainchild. Prior to that we had code allocated stipes. Not sure whether the Racecourse detectives in those days were code specific or oversaw the lot.

Oxymoron comes to mind.

Well, certainly a lifeline of some sort for 5 years. After that - we just have to hope that turnover/revenue has been improved by better professional management to make TAB's 50% at least on a par with now, if not more. Otherwise the ship can still sink. And that is only the funding. We as an industry still have to deal with the incumbent Code body management - and the RIB.

Buggered if I know....things look the same to me.

That's what concerns me.

Not disagreeing. But it is what it is - now.

Like it or not, we were toast in two years - possibly less. Facing a 20% drop in stakes for the new season. How well was that going to go down? We now have five to 'get our affairs sorted' as the saying goes. Because after 5 years the income is split 50/50 Entain - NZTAB. So to keep treading water the revenue from turnover has to double what it is now.

The figure-eight course is run around the inner portion of the track, with ground that is noticeably firmer than the course proper and particularly the home straight. Possibly The Grinner was outpaced on the better going but found itself able to take closer order on the heavier stuff ? Just a thought.

Thanks. Clearly I heard only a part of it

I'm with you on refraining from comment etc....however I have a dubious faith in those who brokered this deal. Generally, a 25 yr contract would certainly have clauses either way...but how can one have faith in our mob? It would be unusual to say the least to think all is squeaky and professional. But, as you said, we don't know the details. However, I thought McAnulty stated that the TAB now has the structure to enable it to be taken back AFTER 25 years, if need be ? but I may have misheard. No doubt Messara would have preferred Tabcorp as the partner..but the value of the 'asset' has been run down even more in the ensuing four years. Tabcorp have their own issues atm. The deal with Entain - in whatever shape it turns out to be - is the best we could hope for. The alternative doesn't bear thinking about.

And...here we go again ? All the reports, reviews, track manager intervention, assistance from NZ STI....wtf for? When is someone going to wake up that the current method of management just ISN'T fit for purpose?

I don't entirely agree that TAB is our 'biggest asset'. It possibly could have been, properly run, but as it is, it's a basket case. No wonder Tabcorp didn't want it, given the issues it is facing at the moment as well.