Awapuni Track Announcement

[Chief Stipe]

22 minutes ago, Huey said:

No it needs to get away from business cases & worry about how it impacts the training & development of the horse.

What's the point if there is no chance of making a profit?

22 minutes ago, Huey said:

Too many BS business cases have led to this dead end direction we are heading in at the minute.

What business cases?  It was clearly evident that NO business case was done for the Awapuni or Riccarton AWT's.  If they had done one they'd know that at the current levels of income for the two locations there was no chance of earning enough to maintain them correctly unless there was a substantial increase in the number of resident horses using the facilities.

I would suggest that the total lack of business planning and financial modelling has got us into the shyte we see ourselves in now.

25 minutes ago, Huey said:

Time racing worried about it's core product - the animal. 

I agree 100% but if no part of the industry can make enough money from racing thoroughbreds to maintain the tracks that they race on and provide training facilities and stabling that is safe then it is a lost cause.

[Wingman]

9 hours ago, Chief Stipe said:

If what you label a "cunning plan" is unacceptable then what is YOUR plan to address the fundamental issues?

My plan has always been an effective plan. 'Fire the NZTR executive'

NZTR press announcement 'There is still a target to return to RACE Awapuni in late August 2025, with a standardised  racing programme expected to follow across the upcoming 2025/26 season. However both organisations  (That is NZTR and RACE, if this is becoming too complicated for you CS) remain committed to proactive decision-making should the tracks progress warrant any adjustments to this plan'. Which I take to mean they are expecting to totally fuck this up as well.

OR/ WHAT FUCKING PLAN? They are incompetent  and if you cannot see that CS then you are part of the problem.

Then we move onto the announcement on behalf of Hawkes Bay Racing and NZTR where pending approval  by NZTR Board (Muppets, my description) partial recambering (Why only partial?, my question) of the bends will take place.

And now for final piece of incompetent  bullshit. "Not withstanding any unforseen circumstances this significant  EXPERT LED investment will allow for a safe and confident return to racing in Hawkes Bay for Spring 2026. YES you have read correctly, not this Spring. (NZTR have been putting this crap out re Hastings track for a decade. Why would any sensible person buy into this fairy tale.)

If anyone outside of those who compiled, wrote, or are associated with these announcements, be you breeders, owners or race track officials, believe a word of this nonsense, then you deserve what is coming your way.

 

[Chief Stipe]

1 hour ago, Wingman said:

My plan has always been an effective plan. 'Fire the NZTR executive'

Then what?

1 hour ago, Wingman said:

They are incompetent  and if you cannot see that CS then you are part of the problem.

The only incompetence I can see is a reluctance to once again commit enough funding to fix the fundamental track issues.  You WERE part of that problem.

1 hour ago, Wingman said:

Then we move onto the announcement on behalf of Hawkes Bay Racing and NZTR where pending approval  by NZTR Board (Muppets, my description) partial recambering (Why only partial?, my question) of the bends will take place.

Perhaps they have been hijacked by the rabble rouser Colin Wightman (aka @Transparency ) - he is on public record saying there is nothing wrong with the Hastings track that couldn't be fixed in a week!  Then you have Jockey's like Kate Hercock saying the problem last September was a lack of irrigation on the track.

Are you saying that more or less is needed to be done to the Hastings track?  Or are you just intent on scapegoating?

1 hour ago, Wingman said:

And now for final piece of incompetent  bullshit. "Not withstanding any unforseen circumstances this significant  EXPERT LED investment will allow for a safe and confident return to racing in Hawkes Bay for Spring 2026. YES you have read correctly, not this Spring. (NZTR have been putting this crap out re Hastings track for a decade. Why would any sensible person buy into this fairy tale.)

NZTR haven't been "putting this crap out for decade".  I gather from the tone of you post that you do honestly believe there is a problem with the track.  In your opinion what is that problem?  I find it hard to work out what camp you sit in other than the one that is angry and intent on blaming anyone they can find.

[Murray Fish]

On 20/05/2025 at 9:17 PM, Wingman said:

a total cleanout of the executive directed by the Minister

Winnie is just a lap dog to his financial backers... always has been, always will be!

[Murray Fish]

22 hours ago, Chief Stipe said:

The fundament problem is that very few if ANY clubs have the revenue or the proft or the spare capital to maintain their tracks to a level that is acceptable under today's laws and regulations.

Add in the reality of the % of disposable income available in the community that race get$!  track that stat over the last 50 years!  

Don't mention the aging punter problem,  the other day, I sat down with a senior racing person from there, showing him some people photos I took at a meeting of his club 10 years ago, I think there were 35 people shots,  23 now dead...

[Wingman]

12 hours ago, Chief Stipe said:

NZTR haven't been "putting this crap out for decade".

If you believe that then you are also in fairyland. The problems with the Hastings track have been well documented over the last decade with NZTR continually releasing press releases that 'processes are in place to ensure this does not happen again'' OH look, a flying pig. Your comment that I was part of the problem re funding for track redevelopment is also made up fairy dust. That sounds like you are baiting to see what else you can argue about. I have nothing to do with racing other than as a punter and that is on thin ice. Why study form for tracks that are dodgy and then have to pre guess suspect track ratings.

This is my final post. I have no interest in having any post that you disagree with, being continually dissected not once but over and over again. It becomes tedious.

Bye all, WIngman signing off.

[Chief Stipe]

37 minutes ago, Wingman said:

If you believe that then you are also in fairyland. The problems with the Hastings track have been well documented over the last decade with NZTR continually releasing press releases that 'processes are in place to ensure this does not happen again'' OH look, a flying pig.

Perhaps however nothing was done primarily because there was no money.  Whose fault is that?  Past participants including Club management?  Easy to blame NZTR.

38 minutes ago, Wingman said:

Your comment that I was part of the problem re funding for track redevelopment is also made up fairy dust. That sounds like you are baiting to see what else you can argue about. I have nothing to do with racing other than as a punter and that is on thin ice. Why study form for tracks that are dodgy and then have to pre guess suspect track ratings.

Track ratings are a different subject altogether.  As you know I've been arguing about those for a long time.  The track ratings from Riccarton, Trentham and CD locations have been a farce for a long time.  Trentham the worst followed a close second by Riccarton.

BUT that as I said is a different subject to the lack of maintenance of the track.  The BS ratings are in my opinion quality control issues with regard to their measurement and what borders on a cover up.  Although the reason for that is the fundamental issue that the tracks concerned are in desperate need of substantial maintenance.

41 minutes ago, Wingman said:

This is my final post. I have no interest in having any post that you disagree with, being continually dissected not once but over and over again. It becomes tedious.

Bye all, WIngman signing off.

Cool.  Happy punting.  I'm sure you can find a FB page or another site or even an NZTR Lynch Mob where there is an echo chamber supporting your views.  

[Freda]

Well done, Chief, you've done it again.

[jess]

My response to this terrible piece of spin-doctoring.  If anyone can answer any of the questions - I'd love to hear it - sure as hell won't be holding my breath for answers from Corporate Communications, NZTR. RACE Awapuni Remediation Progressing Under Specialist Oversight New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) and RACE Inc. are continuing the maintenance and remediation work on the RACE Awapuni course proper, with weekly management meetings underway between RACE, NZTR and international racecourse specialists, Callum Brown and Liam O’Keefe.  Were these specialists "experts" involved in the development of the track (including the decision it was ready to race on @Anzac) - or have they just been brought in subsequently?  As part of this process, alternative machinery is being trialled to address compaction issues identified within the track profile. Why is a brand new track - barely galloped on - experiencing compaction problems? This is particularly important given the presence of stones beneath the surface, which limits the use of certain tines on the verti-drain machine. Are they stones or rocks? Where did they come from? - was the new track laid  on top of them - or were they imported with the material used to make the new track?  I assume it is the longer tines that now can't be used? - if so - will verti-draining with other tines still be effective?  What's being done about the rest of the rocks still lurking under the surface? The course proper at RACE Awapuni requires decompaction through intensive remediation work to ensure it is safe for racing in the long term. As organic material begins to build beneath the surface, the track will become easier to manage, with less frequent and intensive maintenance required. Excuse my ignorance - Chief maybe you can help here - what's the process by which organic matter builds below the surface of this type of track? - a track that apparently we are going to dump more sand onto?  This approach is similar to the work at Ellerslie Racecourse, where an extensive verti-drain process is routinely carried out prior to raceday to support surface performance. Similar to Ellerslie" - only Ellerslie presumably doesn't have rogue rocks like Awapuni?  NZTR CEO Matt Ballesty commented, “We are treating the RACE Awapuni situation with the seriousness it warrants and working closely with the right people to get the best outcome for our participants, punters and for the future of racing in the Central Districts,” he said.  (Corporate  Communications wahwah) - and how many of these experts and "right people" are the same ones who helped get us in this mess in the first place? NZTR and RACE Inc. are completing the scheduled work programme and continuing to test different decompaction techniques and machinery, in accordance with advice from Liam O’Keefe and Callum Brown.  At this stage, there is still a target to return to RACE Awapuni in late August 2025, with a standardised racing programme expected to follow across the upcoming 2025/26 season. However, both organisations remain committed to proactive decision-making should the track’s progress warrant any adjustments to this plan. “A safe return to racing is our number one priority,” added Ballesty. “We’re closely monitoring how the track responds to the remediation work and will make an early call on the RACE Awapuni programme if any material issues arise before the beginning of the new season.” “Clear communication with participants and Clubs is a priority as we work through this,” Ballesty said.  Liam O’Keefe will return to RACE Awapuni on Monday 9 June to carry out further testing and surface assessments. A revised work programme will be agreed upon following this visit and we will inform the next phase of remediation activity. As above - Corporate Comms  doing their thing.  It leaves me with little confidence - provides few answers - & certainly not the slightest whiff of accountability.  And before you jump down my throat Chief - without accountability & an honest analysis of the facts - a genuine understanding  of our predicament & how we got here - how on earth can we have faith in the people & plans engaged to get us out of it.  Jess   Corporate Communications New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Contact: Emma Thompson +64 21 071 2929 nztrcommunications@nztr.co.nz

 

 

Edited 8 hours ago by jess