Freda

Sad indeed...especially when legislation to enable such 'seizures' was passed with not a whimper from anyone of significance. I find that unbelievable in the 'democracy' we are supposed to live in. Whereas across the ditch, for the most part, closing tracks [ especially provincial tracks ] isn't part of the design. I read recently a snip about the latest plans for discussion from the BHA. They recognise a raft of issues to mull over - stakes and field sizes for starters - but closing tracks is not one of them. Thoughts, aired elsewhere, about running 5-6 day carnivals here as seen in the UK/Ireland, don't recognise or understand that those racecourses involved in such carnivals, have many tracks within their course. So the same stretch of ground doesn't get hammered day after day. That's one potent reason for retention of as many of our tracks as economically viable. Market forces should be the reason for closure, not an arbitrary plan from an office. If we look at the Coast [ because it is in my area, and has been topical ] the four tracks have been deemed unnecessary by the experts who completely fail to understand weather and overall topography. While Greymouth has obligingly - and successfully - managed to run the Hokitika day since that club's closure, in the event of more typical Coast weather, that just would not be possible. The same can be seen with recent abandonments, in the N.I, all blamed on the weather [ and that is fair enough up to a point ] which have been exacerbated by a lack of knowledge of possible weather patterns, and compounded by utter indifference to track upgrades and illogical programming. In my home patch, we have seen the closure of Amberley, Rangiora, Geraldine, Waimate, Motukarara - and a bit further afield, Marlborough, Nelson, Westport also. I can add Hororata although that is a fair while ago and probably not significant now. Has it helped? Is racing more vibrant in this area as a result? Some will say, you are looking back, that isn't progress. Maybe. But change for the sake of change isn't particularly clever. And history teaches us much, if we want to look and take lessons from mistakes of the past.

I thought you were taking the piss. You weren't..!

I'd be interested to compare betting revenue [ not turnover ] vs stakes paid.

Agree. As said by others, the problem areas would have been noticeable earlier than raceday. Just lazy and incompetent.

Thanks, C. Was fairly sure but didn't want to argue about it without the facts.

Thanks for your input, Thommo. I struggle to find anything offensive in that query. Lost the plot, you have.

I should know this, but I can't [ typically] find what I want to know, when I want to know it. Are there any black-type handicaps in the UK/ Ireland ?

I've been mulling this over since I read it. There are as many reasons for the decline [ and remedies to revitalise things ] as there are opinions on here and elsewhere..but after much thought, I reckon one very potent influence is the business model of Aus TAB's and corporates, against the monopoly of our TAB. Monopolies anywhere tend to be anti-competitive and can lead to complacency, poor business practice and - at worst - corruption. Heaps of other matters that could be discussed, but - IMO - the monopoly structure has, over time, allowed a series of average - or downright incompetent - Boards/Ceo's that would, in a competitive structure, been down the road in a trice. NZTR, now, that's another matter. I haven't given that august body so much thought.

Not exactly. Quite apart from the local history,which I won't go into; the forced closure/acquisition of land assets, now legal, I feel will be detrimental to racing generally. I know many feel this. If I'm wrong, and the industry turns itself around and becomes vibrant and successful, I'll live with that. We all want that, don't we? ( and I have been wrong once or twice before...🤣🤣 )

I have long felt that the closure of Rangiora is an own goal that didn't need to happen.

It's still very new, and doesn't need to be hammered in wet weather. And while I understand completely, I find it ironic that a track destined for closure provides the only realistic grass gallop at this point.

Shhh.

I've seen one.

No. It will be getting looked after UNTIL the meeting.

Unavailable

One well-known team took all their galloping horses out to Rangiora this morning.

Since when has that bothered a jockey? I saw him a few years back, at the track. A familiar face, but very stocky now...you remember me Pam? he said. I hate to admit I can't put a name to you, I said, but you sure look familiar. So he introduced himself, he was visiting his son in ChCh who had just become a father. I have been watching races, he announced, those riders, they're awful, would I be able to go to apprentice school ? He wondered ..would be great if you could, I said but they have their heads up their arse and wouldn't let you in the door probably.

Agree with above comments, the lack of sportmanship and grace a sad commentary on the sort of folk we have, collectively, become. How often is the ref lambasted, or the hapless defeated team rubbished for being 'useless ' ? yes, they may have not have played to the expectations of many, but they didn't go out to get beaten. They have done their best and deserve applause for so doing. And how often is the small trainer given an accolade for winning with their pride and joy? Inevitably, though, an indecent rush to shove the mike under the nose of one of the highflyers... great training feat, intones the commentator, for a 1000m win after a sort let-up. FFS.

No idea, don't care, no glamour in a humble highweight. IMO - although there are/were many other factors - the removal of highweights/welters from the southern scene was one very potent reason for the falling off [ sorry about the pun ] of jump rider numbers and the resultant lack of jumpers in training.

Digressing from topic - Magellan was ridden by Tito Poblete in many of his wins...I was at trainer Helen Preston's home watching the Kentucky Derby, and her husband unearthed a video of Magellan. Watch this, he said..so I did. Watch again, when I didn't make any comment. Watch Tito, he said. Tito was swapping the stick over every stride, and it was almost unnoticeable.

I'm sure he will find it comforting that you have an eagle eye on his efforts. He will know to the last cent how the exercise has gone, and how his options are best served in the coming months.

I agree, it's awful.

What indeed.

With the stakes levels at 15 - 30 k it doesn't have an 'industry day' look about it.