Huey Posted October 15 Share Posted October 15 4 hours ago, Freda said: The bit that particularly interested me was the bit about 'providing more revenue for lower grade racing '. Our administration hasn't got to grips with that concept at all. Exactly right, but they have understood that in Aus for years. I just can't see it happening quick enough here , his best line was NZ racing is currently under a "sugar hit" that really sums it up well. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huey Posted October 15 Share Posted October 15 11 minutes ago, curious said: Correct. He did acknowledge however that there is a place and a rationale for these "aspirational" races. I agree. What was disappointing to me about the interview was when Messara said that some of the recommendations have not been implemented and mentioned the stakes distribution issue, Guerin didn't follow up with the standard interviewing question "what else?" hasn't been done. Instead he moved on to another topic. The recommendation to spend $90 million on infrastructure of the remaining tracks over the 6 years while other tracks were closed is certainly missing. Witness Hastings where they now are finally going to spend the money and do the job properly. Too scared to mention the forthcoming land grab to pay for these upgrades you speak of. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curious Posted October 15 Share Posted October 15 22 minutes ago, Huey said: Too scared to mention the forthcoming land grab to pay for these upgrades you speak of. That was his recommendation. To use some of the assets of the closed tracks to fund the upgrades. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curious Posted October 15 Share Posted October 15 28 minutes ago, Huey said: I've been told many many things won't happen in the racing game over the years, I've learned to never say never. Fair enough but this is not under NZ racing's control. The Asian Racing Federation lays down the rules and it's hard to see those changing in that direction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huey Posted October 15 Share Posted October 15 13 minutes ago, curious said: That was his recommendation. To use some of the assets of the closed tracks to fund the upgrades. I know , but no one wants to talk about, its coming in stealth form. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wingman Posted October 15 Share Posted October 15 Staying with the stealth theme, a really good comparison this season will be how the quality of one and two thousand guineas races stack up against KM. Some trainers are not going to CHCH so if they are not the strongest fields next month (I think 1000 guineas is under warning) there will be pressure to moving those two races north. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doomed Posted October 15 Share Posted October 15 1 hour ago, curious said: That was his recommendation. To use some of the assets of the closed tracks to fund the upgrades. I am quite certain that when he recommended some tracks be sold off that he didn't realise how bad some of the major tracks were. I'm sure he had no idea that Hastings, Awapuni, Te Aroha etc would have to be closed for long periods, and that Ellerslie didn't want to race during the winter months any more, and that the AWTs would prove relatively unpopular with trainers. In most industries they would take a break and reassess the situation if the original theories proved not to be working. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huey Posted October 16 Share Posted October 16 30 minutes ago, Doomed said: I am quite certain that when he recommended some tracks be sold off that he didn't realise how bad some of the major tracks were. I'm sure he had no idea that Hastings, Awapuni, Te Aroha etc would have to be closed for long periods, and that Ellerslie didn't want to race during the winter months any more, and that the AWTs would prove relatively unpopular with trainers. In most industries they would take a break and reassess the situation if the original theories proved not to be working. The worse part of it all is that despite the work being done at these venues there is no guarantee that these venues are up to coping with their agenda, I'm a broken record but we need all the tracks we can get! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curious Posted October 16 Share Posted October 16 1 hour ago, Huey said: The worse part of it all is that despite the work being done at these venues there is no guarantee that these venues are up to coping with their agenda, I'm a broken record but we need all the tracks we can get! I think that's a mistake he made. Those tracks will probably need a 12-18 month stand down again every 7-10 years. We need alternative tracks to allow for that. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted October 16 Share Posted October 16 1 hour ago, curious said: I think that's a mistake he made. Those tracks will probably need a 12-18 month stand down again every 7-10 years. We need alternative tracks to allow for that. Yes just like a farmer's rotation cycle. I've always said that having all these tracks was an advantage not a hindrance. Imagine if Avondale had been in full play when Ellerslie was being renovated? They wouldn't have stuffed Pukekohe AGAIN!! Not to mention that the powers that be have overlooked that the centralisation process is eliminating training venues. Hard to get a operatimg return on investment when you have sold your land and have eliminated other sources of revenue. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trojan Posted October 16 Share Posted October 16 3 hours ago, Wingman said: Staying with the stealth theme, a really good comparison this season will be how the quality of one and two thousand guineas races stack up against KM. Some trainers are not going to CHCH so if they are not the strongest fields next month (I think 1000 guineas is under warning) there will be pressure to moving those two races north. The Guineas will be under pressure to move North anyway as the track is stuffed. Ellerslie will initially be the winner but I'm guessing those with top 3yr olds will cross the ditch rather than race there. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doomed Posted October 16 Share Posted October 16 3 hours ago, Chief Stipe said: Yes just like a farmer's rotation cycle. I've always said that having all these tracks was an advantage not a hindrance. Imagine if Avondale had been in full play when Ellerslie was being renovated? They wouldn't have stuffed Pukekohe AGAIN!! Not to mention that the powers that be have overlooked that the centralisation process is eliminating training venues. Hard to get a operatimg return on investment when you have sold your land and have eliminated other sources of revenue. They never really thought through the training bit. They are desperate to get rid of Timaru, but there are a string of winners coming from there these days. I can't really imagine Leonard Stewart and several others wanting to move to Riccarton to train. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trojan Posted October 16 Share Posted October 16 33 minutes ago, Doomed said: They never really thought through the training bit. They are desperate to get rid of Timaru, but there are a string of winners coming from there these days. I can't really imagine Leonard Stewart and several others wanting to move to Riccarton to train. They haven't thought through the economics of it all. When you focus on Grandstands you forget what the core business is. I couldn't care less what the paint work or wall paper was like in the stand as long as my horse was racing and training on a decent track. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wingman Posted October 16 Share Posted October 16 Woodville is the classic example. NZTR have to eat humble pie and publicly admit the track will continue to race until the end of the decade. Why not admit their vision was blurred and revisit their venue plan? "Shan't, we know what is best for you". Great area (Woodville/Pahiatua) to put up a Tui billboard 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doomed Posted October 16 Share Posted October 16 51 minutes ago, Wingman said: Woodville is the classic example. NZTR have to eat humble pie and publicly admit the track will continue to race until the end of the decade. Why not admit their vision was blurred and revisit their venue plan? "Shan't, we know what is best for you". Great area (Woodville/Pahiatua) to put up a Tui billboard I was at the last Woodville meeting. Brilliant racecourse. Probably the best grandstand facilities of any course of its size with a similar number of meetings anywhere in NZ. Anyone who wanted to close down Woodville must be an absolute halfwit. I'm a bit surprised some of those homeless January meetings weren't redirected to Woodville rather than Trentham. I think everyone would be better off. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wingman Posted October 16 Share Posted October 16 Pleased to read that. Been a long while since I was there on track but unless the facility and track had been badly neglected I could never comprehend the NZTR anti sentiment. Today with the gorge closed and a new road now in place it makes it even more attractive. A natural go to to cover the inevitable meeting transfers in the future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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