Freda

Riccarton?

Indirectly, pokies have to be subsiding tracks/clubs/stakes...because the 14 mill that is swallowed up by the RIB would otherwise be going in their direction.

I don't think public opinion would accept it again, surely?

I just had another recollection..one of the points in the Messara report was that punter confidence [ and therefore revenue as a result ] would improve with consistent, safe tracks instead of a hotch-potch of wet, soggy, inconsistent, rough, hard, biased - and in some cases, downright unsafe - racing surfaces, and I'm pretty sure the AWT's were seen to provide that. Early days yet, but - as Huey says - it would be good to see some comparative figures.

What he said. In addition, the previous Minister was sold the idea of AWT'S on the basis that abandoned race meetings cost the industry significant income. Apart from the costs and inconvenience to stakeholders, abandoned racedays likely save money ( no stakes to pay, no tea lady required) so he was duped there.

An astute observer of betting trends / statistics has the opinion that punters are not likely to lose any more as a result of the presence of AWT'S. However, he doesn't feel they will necessarily lose less, either. Which, given the current betting data ( which we don't see without a bit of digging) indicates that ( lack of ) profitability isn't likely to alter.

...and, obviously, some horses will be suited, others not. That fact ain't rocket science.

I'd like to correct a misapprehension. There seems to be a notion in some quarters that I am against AWT's. I have said repeatedly that I have nothing against them in a general sense...that fact seems to escape some. An alternative work surface is part and parcel of a modern, quality training facility - along with uphill gallops, tracks with turns of both directions, water treadmills, hyperbaric chambers, areas for walking/trotting away from the general hubbub of faster work...just look at the facilities in many quality establishments elsewhere ; Lindsay Park, Ciaron Maher, just a couple to highlight; we can but dream. What I was, and still am, critical of, was the use of taxpayer funds for a training track. The notion that, somehow, this option will 'revitalise' N.Z racing. Locally- the difficulties faced by trainers during the installation of said track, with little understanding of day to day concerns. Safety matters seemingly ignored. The removal of many good training tracks [ 13 in all, not counting the course proper of course ] to leave us with three plus the poly. The biggie - for me - is, however, the plan to scuttle many provincial venues to justify the AWT. As an optional extra - fine. But, as has been said by others, whether or not a club is viable is up to market forces, not some preconceived plan with self-interests running high.

Unfortunately, Brian is another who - although he has real passion for the industry, and is not scared to speak - is blinkered about much of how it really works, and shifts his allegiance as well. He and I used to have much dialogue about the wisdom of pinning racing's fortunes on Winston. Even the former Hokitika president, who was a NZ First member and had worked with Winston quite a bit, was positive that the old bugger would step up and 'save' Hokitika. Winston has always been about the regions, he used to say. We know how that turned out. After the Messara report [ which Winston did get initiated ] we used to argue about track closures. He would dismiss my concerns, airily. That's just a red herring, he would say. You're hung up on that and it isn't important. Now he's hammering the immorality of just such actions.

I think Robert has a position with the Chamber of Commerce in Invercargill...someone may know more details. Certainly beats sloshing around in the mud seven days a week.

Interesting. Yes, that makes sense. Also Interesting, the oft - maligned Colin Wightman predicted just this and more, from his figures on foal crops back in 2011 at a Purcell roadshow. The switch from the club-based Racing Conference to a 'professional ' management model in NZTR....the swelling numbers of salaried personnel as a result ....the abolition of the old district committee model...the RB's notions of 'driving turnover ' flawed, as also predicted by a few smart cookies and chickens have well and truly come to roost as a result. So much more, nearly all predictable, back to NZTR and the handicapping/programming issues ....all pretty much resulting from the changes inherent with the 2003 Act.

Hasn't done too bad so far.

You are no doubt more eloquent and forceful, and have argued for the 'whole' circuit as well...JMO.

Yep.

Speaking specifically about the S.I...as well as the above-mentioned Taplin, Tyler, Dennis...we have Jo Gordon and Jo Dalton, capable and hard-working women, but doing most if not all the riding themselves. Along with Sally McKay, who has already had more accidents than she needs, they are only a decent head-knock from being unable to carry on, as staff is, apparently, next to impossible to find in those regions. Tommy Beckett another, Steve Blair-Edie no riding staff either, Lee Callaway has been commuting from Waikouaiti to help him, but that can't continue indefinitely. The possibility of Terry Kennedy moving on has to be considered, given the rapid housing development in and around his region, and he has a large team. Would be a huge loss. Timaru, on the other hand, hosts good-size and successful operations with both Len Stewart and Bruce Tapper lining up plenty. The thought of eliminating Timaru [ apart from the loss of a good facility ] removes both those teams from the district, the brains trust hasn't thought of the implications there either, because neither is likely to relocate to ChCh. Further north - Coulbeck winding down and the Parsons partnership, both getting on and not in good health, takes another very big chunk of horseflesh out of the mix. Kenny Moore, downsized already, Steven Woodsford, another who gets excellent results with a team not large and based at Rangiora which is also gone-burger; the only ones who are both young and have their own property in that region are Ashley Frye [ along with father Danny ] and Centaine Spittles. But, hey, Te Akau , Pike, Marsh, and Forsman are going well and plenty in work in the Waikato. Bright prospects for Mr Greenshoots to enthuse about.

Craig Thornton Possibly, Tylers - although just on holiday with some ponies at the moment. Placings yesterday I see.

Definitely leaving...property sold. Obviously they'll be making decisions as to the futures of those horses still here.

I'm sure it is fake news. I would like to think a genuine release wouldn't contain spelling mistakes or out-of-date terminology.

For what its worth, it sort of aligns with some if the barrier dramas we have had. The barrier staff/starter can't and shouldn't be blamed for uneducated horses [ that is a topic for another thread ]. But, irrespective of the cause, there aren't enough staff to consistently deal with some of the issues that present..if there are several horses down for a delay and a man up, how many are left to deal with anything else? not enough. In this 'number' case, Reefton makes a good point about the volunteers at their races not making an error. Good on them - but, I'm assuming that they weren't barrier staff as well. These guys aren't volunteers. They are paid staff, one of which [ who, a friend of mine] put his hand up and copped the blame. But, he was also the starter's 2 .I.C, with other matters to deal with on the day. Surely someone can be found to deal solely with this matter?

Freda's staying maiden was ready for a holiday after her last run....but due to issues I won't discuss here, we decided to have a shy at the stumps and hope that a) she could manage another run and b) would handle the track. So, while I'm not blaming the track specifically, I won't be keen to run her again on one.

It is.

Don't be silly. Not every horse - or dog - can be suitably rehomed; some end up worse off than before. But euthanasia, the only suitable choice for many, MUST be done humanely. Standing an injured horse on a truck to 'the doggers' is not acceptable, nor is the wait, sometimes for weeks, with little to eat and no shelter, for the outcome.

...or Orana Park.. good point. Mine hogs the couch all day. Racing comes on trackside, complete with barking/ yelping....the old chap doesn't even flick an ear. No acknowledgement that it ever had anything to do with him!

It does make one wonder why dogs in such poor shape would be 'dropped off at a re-homing kennel ' rather than being knocked on the head and tossed in the pit. Does the man not take any notice of the state of his charges? Regardless of the large numbers of animals, you'd have to be blind not to see. And what about the staff?