Freda

Thanks for confirming, E.

It was brought to my attention that the stakes for the above-mentioned races [ four ] to be held on the synthetic, were to be $40,000. The first Cambridge ones were run on 28th July, 2021, and the inference was that that would apply for the opening of each synthetic track, and for the years subsequent. The stakes for the Riccarton version have apparently been posted at only $17,000. It wasn't something that I had been particularly aware of, but I have been asked to see if anyone has any information - or opinions - on this?

This is similar to what I have heard; and I'm not taking sides or expressing an opinion either way. But the process I find confusing. If the charges are thrown out - as has been implied - why, then, the court dates? And, if the RIB are continuing with their actions, the court stuff wouldn't have any bearing, would it ?

I think the Erebus disaster was subject to something I thought was a Royal Commission..but not sure if my memory serves me correctly. I do remember Justice Mahon's 'orchestrated litany of lies' summation.

The bit about ' the big events' concerned me too. Doesn't look like the bottom feeders are going to get many scraps. I would have thought that with his sporting background, he would be well aware how important it is to have a strong base from where the elite performers can be developed.

🤥 the pension? Lol...

I can honestly say that I don't think any southern-based trainer would be anywhere near those rates - with the exception of the Marsh barn. I don't mean to infer that I know what they charge..but simply that I have no information to that effect.

An update x trainers association . WHAT THE MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE MEANS . With the introduction of the additional Public Holiday, Matariki, now ten days sick pay per year and an increase of the minimum wage effective 1st April 2022 Trainers need to increase their daily charge to recover this cost by $2.92 per day. This of course does not allow for any overhead and margin on the additional cost and is exclusive of gst. Other concerns Trainers should have is the increase in their supply costs because of rising fuel prices and supply constraints which in addition to their labour cost increases is fuelling the current inflationary and interest rate hikes, all will effect Trainers costs and bottom line. any Trainer charging under $95.00 per day would be losing money. Trainers should be charging no less than $125.00 per day. I Make that $875 a week , not sure if that includes gst .

Just - the best ever.

I do like the idea of a straight track for greyhounds. The injuries they must sustain from scrambling around tight turns doesn't bear thinking about.

But the track?

Makes sense. The stabling costs interest me, as they could hardly be limited to one code, surely ?

Hope you're right.

The new move by the TAB is one positive - and good on them for sure - but, it will be a while before any benefits are felt by the racing codes. And, when those benefits accrue, I have to wonder if there will be much of an industry left to support.

An interesting flow-on from the above discussion is the plan to build more stabling at Ashburton. Also in the discussion stage is the idea to build a dog track as well. Where is the funding coming from? Hardly likely to be from private sources, one wouldn't think. Ashburton racing don't have the dosh. So...NZTR? HRNZ? CJC ? given that Ashburton is their nominated 'secondary' Canterbury club with the intended demise of Timaru, Rangiora already lost to gallopers and the already completed deaths of Waimate, Geraldine and Motukarara venues.

I would assume ( rightly or otherwise) that said assets would go to the CJC given their 'assumption' of the ownership of Rangiora.

Reefton has been tossing this idea for Riccarton around for a fair while, it's not a new concept. The difficulty would lie in overturning the 'deed of gift' or whatever it is called, of the parcel of land that is now Riccarton Racecourse. This was given to the people of Canterbury by the founding fathers of Christchurch City for the purpose of ' the racing and breeding of thoroughbred racehorses '. The breeding concept has obviously disappeared, but the intention was that it was never to be sold. That, however, was shoved aside pretty effectively when a tract of that land was sold for the housing development now well on the way. I'm sure, given that actuality, that the rest could be flogged off if there was sufficient will. The property arm of Ngai Tahu will have done particularly well out of it so far, smart operators that they are. But, interestingly, John Austin [ former head of the TAB and CJC Chairman ] also had that idea, many years ago. It was tossed aside as cloud-cuckoo stuff...but the man who is more known for refusing to consider that 'internet stuff' for TAB customers certainly had at least that innovative notion.

You know how I love a verbal scrap....good to see you two back.

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.