harnesslink q & a with mr steele

[the galah]

Whar did people think of the harnesslink article.

my opinion.

well, seriously,bruce stewart from harnesslink,do you think anyone learnt anything form that article?

Perhaps next time do the interview in person,that way your article has some substance worth reading. 

One conclusion i did come to after readiing the harnesslink article,is even though i've knocked mr steeles comments about issues a few times in the past on this forum,i've come to the conclusion hes obviously quite a clever bloke>The way he can spin words is impressive.

being a very good wordsmith,is a skill that obviously is a huge help when seeking high powered positions like he has and its a skill that will impress many on the hrnz board.

But in my opinion,this article wasn't designed for the likes of the hrnz board was it,. Words can only buy time and disguise reality from the rest of us for so long,but not forever.Some already think they see past those words,how long before others come to the same realisation? 

anyways heres a couple of extracts from the harnesslink article.. 

Harnesslink-in your travels across nz,how would you describe the pulse of the nz harness racing industry?

mr steele "in my travels across the country i've felt a real heartbeat behind the nz harness racing industry-one thats steady,proud and pasionate. Everywhere i go,i encounter people who care. from smaller rural clubs to large metropolitan venues.But theres no denying the challenges we face.tightening economics,shifting demographics and a competitive entertainment landscape.But what strikes me the most is the gritty and determination of the people within this industry.I've met volunteers pouring their hearts into racedays,trainers mentoring the next genreation and owners still lighting up with excitement as their horse hits the track.

i'd describe the industry as hopeful and hungry for progress. Theres a growing sense that nows the time to modernise,to tell our story better and to open the gates wider to new fans and owners.people want to feel proud,not just of where we've come from,but where we are going.

Harnesslink-are there still pockets of resistance?

steele-as with any evolving industry,especially one with deep rooted traditions like harness racing,its natural to encounter varying perspectives.Yes there are still pockets of resistance in some areas ,often driven by uncertainty,or different views on the pace and direction of reform.

however i believe the important thing is that the industry is increasingly aligned around the need for revitalisation and stability. we're seeing a growing appetite for innovation,collaberation and new thinking across clubs,participants and stakeholders.

our approach is to engage respectfully with those who may be hesitant,understand their concerns and work together where possible.

Edited Wednesday at 10:37 AM by the galah

[Nowornever]

7 minutes ago, the galah said:

Harnesslink-are there still pockets of resistance?

What does that even mean? 

[Nowornever]

Those guys at the top never speak of the problems highlighted by so many and how they are going to fix them. It is all positive spin after positive spin.

 

[TAB For Ever]

Well Galah , how has Mr Steele responded to your approaches and /or concerns.

I've noticed he is only too happy to discuss Harness matters when out at the races or at Harness social occasions.

How has he offended you ?

IMO he still relatively new and settling in to the many issues facing NZ Harness  , and getting used to regions and individuals biases.

I'd guess he hasn't much time for the naysayers and quick sand set !

Have you spoken to him ?

[Gammalite]

6 minutes ago, TAB For Ever said:

I've noticed he is only too happy to discuss Harness matters when out at the races or at Harness social occasions.

sounds like that is what the article was trying to project.

I think NZ trotting is looking great. 

Is ahead of many Australian states with virtually double the prizemoney for races, so good for owners.

Cheaper training Fees , with a lot of trainers like Barry and AGH for example,  just taking a cut of the prizemoney to make it affordable still for their owners in these tougher financial times. 

new races being introduced that have been attracting even many Aussies to come over after a decade or 2 without that happening. The slots are great. New people buying in and sharing and caring lol 😆

Feature races run all through the year. Aus just tends to have annual month carnivals. 

Good betting product compared to Aussie races where the 10 horse fields are very often just so evenly matched with the ratings system , they are all a chance. and not really worth betting on. 

Good driving standard , and junior driver only races that Aus doesn't have.   helps improve the drivers (sometimes)

quality trainer teams like Dunns, Cullens , Regan Todds, Nathan Williamson and Barry and Scott have caught up and nearly passed the Allstar domination.  Aus has some current excellent training teams too that are hard to fault. That's why the racing is so good lately. Sugars, Jason Lee and Grimson all getting some Big NZ wins past 2 years.

Brad Steele must be licking his lips with delight. 

Some kiwis are Finally returning to the INTERDOMINION too !!! 😍. coming up soon. The ONE fine True Harness racing tradition that no other sport has. Bring it On .🏆🙂

 

[TAB For Ever]

3 minutes ago, Gammalite said:

sounds like that is what the article was trying to project.

I think NZ trotting is looking great. 

Is ahead of many Australian states with virtually double the prizemoney for races, so good for owners.

Cheaper training Fees , with a lot of trainers like Barry and AGH for example,  just taking a cut of the prizemoney to make it affordable still for their owners in these tougher financial times. 

new races being introduced that have been attracting even many Aussies to come over after a decade or 2 without that happening. The slots are great. New people buying in and sharing and caring lol 😆

Feature races run all through the year. Aus just tends to have annual month carnivals. 

Good betting product compared to Aussie races where the 10 horse fields are very often just so evenly matched with the ratings system , they are all a chance. and not really worth betting on. 

Good driving standard , and junior driver only races that Aus doesn't have.   helps improve the drivers (sometimes)

quality trainer teams like Dunns, Cullens , Regan Todds, Nathan Williamson and Barry and Scott have caught up and nearly passed the Allstar domination.  Aus has some current excellent training teams too that are hard to fault. That's why the racing is so good lately. Sugars, Jason Lee and Grimson all getting some Big NZ wins past 2 years.

Brad Steele must be licking his lips with delight. 

Some kiwis are Finally returning to the INTERDOMINION too !!! 😍. coming up soon. The ONE fine True Harness racing tradition that no other sport has. Bring it On .🏆🙂

 

Yep Gamma ,

Last Saturday was a group 1 night and two horses got wins on the night with mostly first time owners....Mean't to Be and Double Parked are both half owned by 'new owners'.

Your Mr Boots has a brilliant filly by Captain Treacherous...Captains Mistress.

Horse numbers still poor in North and running Thursday/ Friday back to back tomorrow night in North certainly stretches things !

[Gammalite]

12 minutes ago, TAB For Ever said:

Yep Gamma ,

Last Saturday was a group 1 night and two horses got wins on the night with mostly first time owners....Mean't to Be and Double Parked are both half owned by 'new owners'.

Your Mr Boots has a brilliant filly by Captain Treacherous...Captains Mistress.

Horse numbers still poor in North and running Thursday/ Friday back to back tomorrow night in North certainly stretches things !

The one hiccup I can see is that with the Big prizemoney Races the Aussie Millionaires are turning up to plunder it. 

Probably why I enjoy seeing the weekly smaller meetings at Cambridge/Manawatu/  and the like for the smaller money so the locals can still get some return for all their hard work.

so the big purchases of Dean Shannon , Bootsie , the Lee family , and now even millionaire Seymour turning up with Leap To Fame as well to win the Biggest NZ race . the Betcha.  Merv Butterworth raced Copy That too. 

Am delighted to see Boots has horses with Nathan Williamson (to support Nz trainers) like Shannon is doing a lot lately too, after looking after Darryl Graham here for many years. (TV presenter Brittany's dad) 

Boots actually isn't just Swayzee orientated lol 😂. yesterday his first start 2 year old won for local trainer here Gemma Hewitt , who tries hard and makes a good fist of training a few horses . Is GREAT he supports trainers like this.  TIMMYTEO  was a bit green but looks to have tons of ability , so Bootsie will be winning quite a few with it too. good blokes get good rewards lol. 😁💰🏆

[TAB For Ever]

8 hours ago, Gammalite said:

The one hiccup I can see is that with the Big prizemoney Races the Aussie Millionaires are turning up to plunder it. 

Probably why I enjoy seeing the weekly smaller meetings at Cambridge/Manawatu/  and the like for the smaller money so the locals can still get some return for all their hard work.

so the big purchases of Dean Shannon , Bootsie , the Lee family , and now even millionaire Seymour turning up with Leap To Fame as well to win the Biggest NZ race . the Betcha.  Merv Butterworth raced Copy That too. 

Am delighted to see Boots has horses with Nathan Williamson (to support Nz trainers) like Shannon is doing a lot lately too, after looking after Darryl Graham here for many years. (TV presenter Brittany's dad) 

Boots actually isn't just Swayzee orientated lol 😂. yesterday his first start 2 year old won for local trainer here Gemma Hewitt , who tries hard and makes a good fist of training a few horses . Is GREAT he supports trainers like this.  TIMMYTEO  was a bit green but looks to have tons of ability , so Bootsie will be winning quite a few with it too. good blokes get good rewards lol. 😁💰🏆

And don't forget June Feiss who has been a hugely successful owner for years !

And the Alderbaron/ Yabby Farms  guys having horses trained here and getting involved with their breeding stallions !

[Brodie]

Good to see Brad Steele actually say something as we hear absolutely nothing from  the TAB/ Entain!

Good that Mr Steel thinks things are going well for harness despite the fact that they dont appear to be, going by what we are seeing!

We have many races with 5 horses races for good stake money and most races and meetings that are actually not profitable!

Could Mr Steele or TAB/ Entain actually advise us when the 5 years is up,what Entain/TAB  plan is in regards to stake money?

Are they going to continue to heavily subsidise every stake for every race, of course they wont and stakes are going to drop massively!

Too many have got their heads in the sand and unfortunately the Entain money being chucked at stake money at the moment is purely a band aid, and is not doing anything whatsoever to enable the industry to expand!

Too difficult for young people in the industry to start up training without training centres etc.

You just can not financially operate any business like they are at the moment and expect it to be able to survive in the future.

Hopefully I am wrong, but then again I am not on the payroll needing to say that everything is going well!

Not holding my breath expecting anything to come from Entain/TAB about future funding for the harness industry.

 

[the galah]

13 hours ago, TAB For Ever said:

Well Galah , how has Mr Steele responded to your approaches and /or concerns.

I've noticed he is only too happy to discuss Harness matters when out at the races or at Harness social occasions.

How has he offended you ?

IMO he still relatively new and settling in to the many issues facing NZ Harness  , and getting used to regions and individuals biases.

I'd guess he hasn't much time for the naysayers and quick sand set !

Have you spoken to him ?

just watched him from afar.

Not sure why you think i've ever been offended by anything he has said.Besides, why would i think anything he says is said with an intention to offend.

i just think hes out of touch with reality. The stats and data say indicate that to me.

sure,the sales prices of the top lots were a positive,but really using the sales as a barometer to judge where the industry is at,is like ignoring the most significant part of the picture. 

that may be the perception from the boardrooms at hrnz, that may be the perception.

But i would say people who think like that are out of touch with reality.

13 hours ago, Gammalite said:

 

I think NZ trotting is looking great. 

 

Brad Steele must be licking his lips with delight. 

 

 

 

last week i watched an after race unhinged interview .

Unhinged asked the owners of the winner,are you breeding or training anymore. The reply was"this will most likely be our last horse". to which unhinged replied "ive been hearing that a lot lately".

Gammalite you listed many positives,nearly all of which have always existed.

but i could list many more negatives if i wanted to,and they are things that were never at the scale of negativity as they are now.

 

 

[Gammalite]

1 hour ago, the galah said:

Gammalite you listed many positives,nearly all of which have always existed.

but i could list many more negatives if i wanted to,and they are things that were never at the scale of negativity as they are now.

Well you can find plenty on the scale of negativity on the standard of living at present as well. When in reality NZ and OZ are still in the top notch countries to live in (after the scandanavian countries )  services, health and education possibilities , law and order, all very high. They just said on the radio news a minute ago Unemployment in Oz is at 4% which is an All time low in history.  alas real estate 'escaped' the Inflation rate control it was under for decades and finally exploded making a house purchase out of reach for a lot of people now. The product of prosperity I spose? with every man and his dog wanting to live here (and there) 

Back to the trotting , well post your list of negatives then?? .

It's only a sport. For people to enjoy. And a few make a living off it.  What do you need? probably a love of horses is important. a horse, a track to race/train at. HRNZ to put a prizemoney, someone to pay the bills . (feed and vet and even shoeing are getting up there in rice these days. In the early 90's I charged $150 per week per horse ,( so each owner could have 2 horses comfortably and always have one in work/racing at all times =Important ) and $30 bucks to shoe one lol 🤣  buggered if would shoe one for 30 bucks these days.😂 .

[the galah]

On 15/05/2025 at 3:02 PM, Gammalite said:

 

Back to the trotting , well post your list of negatives then?? .

 

my main problem is the lack of realism being expressed by industry leaders like brad steele.

i was hoping hrnz had employed someone who could come in ,assess the state of the industry,oversee creating a fresh workable vision for 5 year/10 year plans.

Someone who could create an industry where everyone involved felt they were all being treated fairly and were all pulling in the same direction.

Someone who was aware the prioritisation of specific special interest groups would have negative consequential responses from those who would view such prioritisation as unfair and undervaluing their contribution.

someone who understood the importance of fiscal viabilty.

I don't see any of the above from mr steele or the hrnz board.

That  interview with harnesslink.

i mean,i read the whole thing and thought the person from harnesslink asked many questions that were of no interest whatsoever to the average person who owns/trains or punts on harness racing.

the first 2/3 of that interview ,the questions were..

....the timing of the big races,how many races will be carded at the world drivers champs,what activiites the world drivers would do ,future exposure to the world of nz harness racing,will the interdomnions ever return to nz,how are they going to get more aussies to race in the big races in nz,reshaping show day,how would you describe the pulse of the nz industry,are their still pockets of resistance in nz.

Seriously,who on earth at the grass roots level gives a toss about any of the above.

whoever from harnesslink came up with those questions,give yourself two uppercuts.

then,when most readers would have moved onto something more interesting, like watching the pendulum on their grandfather clock swinging,harnesslink asked 6 relevant questions,but mr steele gave answers mainly that were vague and were not informative..

the questions,what is message to stake holders,possible incentives for breeders of middle to low market priced stallions,horse utilisation,the warriors racenight,plans to use racecourse land to set up training facilities and hrnz plans for the Auckland club.

we learnt that mr steele considers digital transformation plus a strong international connection are  key pillars of our growth strateg,ythis is our time to lead and the best is to come.

He never mentioned the comprehensive utilisation report as a go to for details of horse utilsation when asked about horse utilsation..

he told us the turnover on the night the warriors played,but then went on to tell us there were 12,600 ATC punters that night. I mean,wtf,did they have someone counting them and is he talking about individual wagers or persons or what and why would any of that mean anything to anyone ,as no one has ever talked about punter numbers before and how could anyone know whether that is good or bad when they have nothing to compare it to.

Then the racecourse utilsation thing. mr steele didn't refer to one specific thing other than hrnz had expressions of interest that they were now working on......i mean i've discussed this topic a few times and,look around ,racecourses are often on leasehold land and oftyen run by special interest groups in conjunction with other groups who use thise facilities and run by people who would rather lease the middle of their racecourse to the local farmer they know or have had a history of legal issues between disgruntled licenceholders about treatment.

then the atc thing,mr steele again says nothing other than we are working with the atc.

so other than thinking the article showed mr steele is obviously clever enough,its just he doesn't seem to be willing to just tell it as it is. And again i say,thats a sign of someone who will appease the vocal interest groups who push their agenda,then will move on with the industry worse off than it is now.

i would like to see just someone telling it as it is,both the positive and the negative.

Edited 3 hours ago by the galah

[Nowornever]

1 hour ago, the galah said:

i would like to see just someone telling it as it is,both the positive and the negative

Not very often you get a CEO saying anything negative unfortunately. As you said earlier they can all spin a positive even it is not going well. 

At least they might be trying to get harness racing on Sky One in Australia a bit more but not convinced that will happen either. Whats in it for Sky unless they pay for it?

 

[the galah]

10 minutes ago, Nowornever said:

Not very often you get a CEO saying anything negative unfortunately. As you said earlier they can all spin a positive even it is not going well. 

At least they might be trying to get harness racing on Sky One in Australia a bit more but not convinced that will happen either. Whats in it for Sky unless they pay for it?

 

I just reread the q & a with mr steele,and it seems i didn't pick that sky 1 thing up.

while its a wagering issue,it came in the answer to the question about getting more australian horses racing here.

lets hope they are successful in some way in getting more nz product on sky 1 in australia.

the fact that they are trying is an indication they recognise the importance of that issue.

good on those in charge for doing that .

thats the type of topic i want to see them talking more about.