Riccarton Racing.

[Arsenic]

On the 14th November I went out to Riccarton specifically to catch Te Akau Shark run , it didn’t disappoint one very very good animal.

Class with a capital C

But the one thing I need to comment on is how bad Riccarton Racecourse is at presenting itself to the betting public and the racing fraternity in general.

The only place to stand or find a seat was in front of the old wooden structure which in its day was a brilliant stand was all surrounded by fencing.

The seating available consisted of space for maybe at a squeeze 15 bums on seats.

The totalisator was some sought of tent structure ,  nowhere to buy food or drink .

In the public area I’m sure ther were more horses on track than the public itself.

No toilets or signs where they were but did notice a food stall for a hot dog and mobile toilets tucked out the back by the old building.

Obviously the betting public doesn’t count on the promotional side of Riccartons scheme of things.

There was a number of people in the members stand , I’m sure there facilities and food would have been first class.

But for joe public.

This club should be bloody ashamed of itself .

What this club has come too is pitiful.

 

[Freda]

There have been plenty of comments already about the facilities at Cup meeting,   but yes,  your dissatisfaction is just more of the same reaction.

Those in the corporate boxes,  or with access to the Committee room,  no doubt found things very nice..but unless you purchased a ticket and sported a wristband,  no entry to the members' area.

I was told the members area was an exercise in not getting squashed or having a drink spilt over you, I can't comment, didn't go near the place.  Out the back with the horses,  home when they were done,  suited me.

Probably fair enough,  what do members get as a point of difference anyway?  bugger all,  I am hearing from former members who are disenchanted with the privileges they have paid for...and as for the poor old public?  the young ones looking for the party,  were no doubt quite happy,  but many others were not.

The earthquake damage to the old stand is nobody's fault,  but the lack of disclosure to those who had pre-purchased tickets was not good enough IMO, and it seems little effort was made to adequately cater for genuine racefollowers who wanted a bet,  and to sit and actually watch a race.

[Huey]

IMO this is a huge issue for racing, the sport is now being totally over sold on Party and Booze (this may be because of the funding policy i.e. 8% for oncourse turnover why would a club focus on the punter and owner under that scenario).

I've been to several tracks lately to watch my horse race and have not enjoyed the experience from an owners perspective, mainly because you're an after thought. There are tents/marquees in the way of viewing horses/races, incredibly loud and inebriated young persons who have no interest/respect in racing even when a race is on, a total lack of respect for the animal before and after races i.e. loud music by viewing areas, more drunk folk to scare the animal, more objects that a thoroughbred can shy at than you can shake a stick at.

All in All are we beginning to cross the border of no return imo and forgetting the reason we are actually at the races and that is to watch these incredible animals perform athletic feats that make the mind boggle.

This same scenario goes for on course punters who are there for a punt or to watch the animal it feels like we are all being squeeze out , there is no balance anymore its swaying to one side more than the other and that side is a very fickle portion of racing that are seen as easy meat and drink for the clubs. I'm not sure how we do it but I'd like to see racing return to being a more family oriented event than party for boozers.

[barryb]

30 minutes ago, Huey said:

IMO this is a huge issue for racing, the sport is now being totally over sold on Party and Booze (this may be because of the funding policy i.e. 8% for oncourse turnover why would a club focus on the punter and owner under that scenario).

 

Probably becuase the racing is a yawn Huey, I find even an addicted racing person like myself gets bored at the track. Without the booze or party there is no one there, 35-40 mins between races is FAR FAR to long, it was ok 25yrs ago but now no way. At least at an Aussie race track there is other stuff worth looking at but here there is no life and its a huge yawn fest. The time between races needs to get down to 20-25mins.

Your last bit about racing returning for families will never happen again other than after Dec 25 & run till mid Jan,  other than that families are too busy to spend a day being bored silly at the races.

Racings dying on track because it doesnt have a heart beat, the on course information people are as boring as batshit & the other alternative is a constantly pissed looking Andre Neill.

[Arsenic]

I was unaware that there had been comment.

You are all correct in that this Clubs  “ Management “ have thrown the betting public Overboard without a life vest.

Yet we all see that they cuddle up to certain people who wouldn’t know one end of a horse from another ,  have no idea what there looking at in a throughbred athlete and the worst of all would not put $ 1 through the totalisator  yet these very same people turn up to the track with the added attraction of winning a trip to Paris or wherever.

Hey what about the very people who keep you in work , you know there called racing people ,not the flake’s who strut around   not doing a bloody thing for your industry yet your prepared lick there boots.

I believe the Management and the Board of this club only have one thing that they are concerned about and that is their own position and survival so they can put their hand out each week to take the pay check.

You people are an embarrassment and should be ashamed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Arsenic]

No further to that , the actual members of this club need show some intestinal fortitude and pass a vote of no confidence in this current CEO and Board as the longer these people hold there positions the deeper this hole is going to get.

I am not a thoroughbred person, my envolvment is with the Harness code.

But regardless of what code you follow this is one industry with 3 codes.

That Wednesday, it’s cup week there should have been many hundreds if not thousands. 

Nobody there , terrible vision of where CJC is heading.

As an outsider looking in you would suspect this club must be loosing money hand over fist , but all’s good we’re selling of all our land so what happens when there’s no more to sell.

Move on Tim Mills and his merry men before there nothing left.

Your used by date has expired .

[Freda]

To add a comment - from left field - I just opened an email indicating a 'synthetic track roadshow' presentation from representatives of NZTR,  all welcome to discuss the installation of same at Riccarton.

This is to be held on Dec 12th ,  Wednesday next....only problem is that there are trials on that day.

Who is the bright spark who decided the day...and why is it that NO ONE from either organisation - which run the blasted things - had any idea that there were trials?

Edited December 5, 2018 by Freda

[Newmarket]

13 hours ago, Arsenic said:

On the 14th November I went out to Riccarton specifically to catch Te Akau Shark run , it didn’t disappoint one very very good animal.

Class with a capital C

But the one thing I need to comment on is how bad Riccarton Racecourse is at presenting itself to the betting public and the racing fraternity in general.

The only place to stand or find a seat was in front of the old wooden structure which in its day was a brilliant stand was all surrounded by fencing.

The seating available consisted of space for maybe at a squeeze 15 bums on seats.

The totalisator was some sought of tent structure ,  nowhere to buy food or drink .

In the public area I’m sure ther were more horses on track than the public itself.

No toilets or signs where they were but did notice a food stall for a hot dog and mobile toilets tucked out the back by the old building.

Obviously the betting public doesn’t count on the promotional side of Riccartons scheme of things.

There was a number of people in the members stand , I’m sure there facilities and food would have been first class.

But for joe public.

This club should be bloody ashamed of itself .

What this club has come too is pitiful.

 

Yeah its piss poor. Luckily you were not in members area on the 14th, poor old kakama wished he had of been in public area, then he wouldnt have copped the abuse?. Where are you kak? 

[Arsenic]

1 hour ago, Newmarket said:

Yeah its piss poor. Luckily you were not in members area on the 14th, poor old kakama wished he had of been in public area, then he wouldnt have copped the abuse?. Where are you kak? 

I gather it would have been 10 or 12 years since I had spent some good days in the old stand ,  they used to make a mean roast beef and horseradish sauce washed down with a few jugs.  Couldn’t beat it 

I will never set foot on Riccarton again.

Very sad to see

[TIME FOR CHANGE]

4 hours ago, Freda said:

To add a comment - from left field - I just opened an email indicating a 'synthetic track roadshow' presentation from representatives of NZTR,  all welcome to discuss the installation of same at Riccarton.

This is to be held on Dec 12th ,  Wednesday next....only problem is that there are trials on that day.

Who is the bright spark who decided the day...and why is it that NO ONE from either organisation - which run the blasted things - had any idea that there were trials?

Pam I thought you were an intelligent person !!!!!

Tim would have known the trials were on and by having this at the same time would ensure that no one could question his decision making.

I've been told he HATES anyone having an opinion different from his.

[Turny]

Lost theie way at an Annual General Meeting a few years ago - don't go there any more - living in the 70s and dying - just a matter of time as it is gone for all money

Edited December 6, 2018 by Turny

[Huey]

11 hours ago, barryb said:

Probably becuase the racing is a yawn Huey, I find even an addicted racing person like myself gets bored at the track. Without the booze or party there is no one there, 35-40 mins between races is FAR FAR to long, it was ok 25yrs ago but now no way. At least at an Aussie race track there is other stuff worth looking at but here there is no life and its a huge yawn fest. The time between races needs to get down to 20-25mins.

Your last bit about racing returning for families will never happen again other than after Dec 25 & run till mid Jan,  other than that families are too busy to spend a day being bored silly at the races.

Racings dying on track because it doesnt have a heart beat, the on course information people are as boring as batshit & the other alternative is a constantly pissed looking Andre Neill.

No argument  from me on the racing  being a yawn,  it's got that way and I agree too time between  races, but the ownership  experience  at the races particularly around the fundamental point of ownership  that being watch your horse race is continuing  to get worse. 

 

[Freda]

2 hours ago, TIME FOR CHANGE said:

Pam I thought you were an intelligent person !!!!!

Tim would have known the trials were on and by having this at the same time would ensure that no one could question his decision making.

I've been told he HATES anyone having an opinion different from his.

Yeah, yeah....but it seems illogical in the extreme to organise experts from Australia to talk to no one.

[hesi]

14 hours ago, Huey said:

No argument  from me on the racing  being a yawn,  it's got that way and I agree too time between  races, but the ownership  experience  at the races particularly around the fundamental point of ownership  that being watch your horse race is continuing  to get worse. 

 

Test cricket is a yawn for many, so they got a bit creative and came up with ODI, and then 20/20 and all the associated add ons.

Racing has exactly the same format it had 50 years ago.  I don't know what they could be for racing, but where there is a will there is a way

[Arsenic]

22 hours ago, Freda said:

- I just opened an email indicating a 'synthetic track roadshow' 

Freda 

        I would be more concerned about who should be in charge when the synthetic track does go in.

Its no use at all having a Rolls Royce and you have a blind man driving it.

If you want this to work then ” Tim is not your man “

 

[Freda]

So the ' road show' will go ahead on trials day.

Silly me, why would trainers have been considered anyway, getting ideas above their station now, they are.

 I was about to head out to leg my jockey up today to be intercepted by Timmy who was trying to explain that there were other people than just trainers who had to be considered.  Of  course these important people had schedules that had to be adhered  to.

What was I thinking?

Fancy the idea of getting as many trainers together to have a discussion..we and our owners are  going to be directly affected....but hey, no worries.

[Arsenic]

Freda

      What a surprise..

Like I said , you’ve got a Rolls Royce and you let the blind man drive it.

   He wouldn’t have a clue

[Turny]

It's the way CJC work - had the opportunity to get a racing man on board but the Lawyers ganged up and said no - shithole 

[TIME FOR CHANGE]

3 hours ago, Freda said:

So the ' road show' will go ahead on trials day.

Silly me, why would trainers have been considered anyway, getting ideas above their station now, they are.

 I was about to head out to leg my jockey up today to be intercepted by Timmy who was trying to explain that there were other people than just trainers who had to be considered.  Of  course these important people had schedules that had to be adhered  to.

What was I thinking?

Fancy the idea of getting as many trainers together to have a discussion..we and our owners are  going to be directly affected....but hey, no worries.

Pam how dare you think that Trainers and Jockeys are important in the decision making at the CJC.

In Tim and his Board you are 2nd class citizens who do not deserve an input into your future.

Sh*t I forgot, the CEO is an expert at everything

 

[Kihikihi Kid]

15 hours ago, Freda said:

So the ' road show' will go ahead on trials day.

Silly me, why would trainers have been considered anyway, getting ideas above their station now, they are.

 I was about to head out to leg my jockey up today to be intercepted by Timmy who was trying to explain that there were other people than just trainers who had to be considered.  Of  course these important people had schedules that had to be adhered  to.

What was I thinking?

Fancy the idea of getting as many trainers together to have a discussion..we and our owners are  going to be directly affected....but hey, no worries.

Hi Freda , what a sad sick attitude from mills.

Trials aren't a bad little earner for Clubs so why not get all the Trainers to boycott the trial meeting , don't nominate , force a rescheduling.

Get as many Trainers as possible along to the track meeting, it is imperative you do this.

I have one down to trial so it will impact me in a way , but if no-one noms hopefully a reschedule on the cards. I'm willing to make a sacrifice , hope a few more are

[Freda]

Nope,  no one will make an effort or stick together,  that is why we are [ collectively ]  in the strife we are in,  self -interested,  narrow-focused individuals who won't stand up for anything.

Starting the trials early seems to be the solution,  the fact that those with the bigger teams will struggle to get them all worked is,  of course,  irrelevant.

[Arsenic]

Freda. 

          You’ll have to act to get a result , don’t  know how many members ther are at the CJC but someone needs to start working them towards overthrowing him and his lackies.

Its like going to the cemetery at Riccarton now .

Its dead and if you let it run as then they will bury it regardless weather you put the synthetic track in or not

[Freda]

Agree...but nothing I can do.

And before you call me as gutless as those I criticise for doing nothing, remember that my place depends upon the goodwill of those I wish could be replaced....I am not ready to be unemployed just yet.

[Arsenic]

I’m sure your not the only person who fears for the CJC , I don’t think you need to put your head in the guillotine .

I don’t know the in’s and outs of the club but going by what I saw that club has to be bleeding money big time ,  they just couldn’t be make money going by the crowds or lack of them.

The members need too come to their senses.

[Newmarket]

1 hour ago, Freda said:

Agree...but nothing I can do.

And before you call me as gutless as those I criticise for doing nothing, remember that my place depends upon the goodwill of those I wish could be replaced....I am not ready to be unemployed just yet.

We have heard all this before, even on other site, trainers gonna strike, do this and that. But really they are all piss n wind types, just tells the general public that racing is doing ok. Just look around the country at the moment, people striking left right and centre, but not racing. Just complain and sit on their hands.