Good to see! - Committee being formed for TAB!

[Newmarket]

16 minutes ago, Westview said:

Betcha is approximately 6% of turnover which is pretty good for a targeted market. 

Only 6% of all NZ turnover? Wow, thought it would be more that. Do you know the breakdown sport vrs racing? 
 

I struggle with the targeted market…. as they offer everything the TAB has so targeting the same market. Only real difference, all deposits a withdrawels online only. 

[Chief Stipe]

2 minutes ago, Newmarket said:

Only 6% of all NZ turnover? Wow, thought it would be more that. Do you know the breakdown sport vrs racing? 
 

I struggle with the targeted market…. as they offer everything the TAB has so targeting the same market. Only real difference, all deposits a withdrawels online only. 

That's not entirely correct.  They offer different bonuses.  For example I can CHOOSE an ODDS boost on a race of my choice whereas on the other site they only offer ODDS boost on what they select. 

I'm surprised @Brodie hasn't sussed this out yet.

[Westview]

19 minutes ago, Newmarket said:

Only 6% of all NZ turnover? Wow, thought it would be more that. Do you know the breakdown sport vrs racing? 
 

I struggle with the targeted market…. as they offer everything the TAB has so targeting the same market. Only real difference, all deposits a withdrawels online only. 

[Newmarket]

2 hours ago, Chief Stipe said:

That's not entirely correct.  They offer different bonuses.  For example I can CHOOSE an ODDS boost on a race of my choice whereas on the other site they only offer ODDS boost on what they select. 

I'm surprised @Brodie hasn't sussed this out yet.

Yes I had mentioned that I get better offers from Betcha which is why I now use them over TAB. 
I am puzzled why would they offer better matched deposits, bonus bets for a punter like myself, around 70% horses & 30% sport? I thought it was targeting sports punters only. 
Yes they do offer different bet types, but mainly the same, even app same. 
I even had contact with my account manager from Betcha, asked me to let me know if I want tickets to events…. never had anyone ever contact me from TAB

[Newmarket]

2 hours ago, Westview said:

Big increase in Sports Betting, gallops turnover down even though more accounts opened. I assume majority of new accounts will be new Betcha accounts? 

[Doomed]

You will have to pardon my ignorance, I am an old traditionalist. What exactly is betcha? I have certainly seen it advertised but never taken any real notice of it.

[Newmarket]

6 hours ago, Doomed said:

You will have to pardon my ignorance, I am an old traditionalist. What exactly is betcha? I have certainly seen it advertised but never taken any real notice of it.

It’s another gambling site run by Entain and operated by Australians. Supposedly targeting younger punters  who want to gamble on sports, but you can bet on horses also. No agencies, all online depositing and withdrawals

[TAB For Ever]

6 hours ago, Doomed said:

You will have to pardon my ignorance, I am an old traditionalist. What exactly is betcha? I have certainly seen it advertised but never taken any real notice of it.

Get with program Doomed !

You old buggers are from a previous era and thru natural attrition , competition [from all sides ]and the realisation among us younger generation that Horse Racing is a dying industry pretty much all round the world but especially in NZ....Horse racing cannot sustain itself !

The younger generation finds racing boring ......very boring , and very expensive too! Why would we bother.

You old buggers enjoyed racing ,back in the day , when there was little else to do. It became part of our lifestyle our DNA !

But you went to sleep at the wheel and Clubs and Racing Admin didnt future proof their facilities and build up Reserves or a Trust bank. 

Most towns were given a Racetrack and facilities but run by volunteers most were only used a few times a year. 

People then learned to enjoy other things and put their time and money into travel , boats and buying property to protect their future.

Raceclubs boxed on , lay mainly dormant , didnt build reserves.

Lotto , Casinos ,Pokies came as did on line gambling and Sports betting.....all more fun and better than a few horses running around in a circle.

Clubs remained open ,doing their own things...Costs ,health and safety and governance exploded.

We all talked about Grey Way , Kiwi and Cardigan Bay ....great times !

Recently Sports Betting has subsidised Racing , the Govt has given handouts galore and OWNERS have existed on meagre returns but on the verge of INSOLVENCY more recently an Independent Aussie Messara was asked to present some home truths.

Still inertia prevailed ...a fire sale [Kind of] saw Entain handed the reins with the promise of a huge Cash injection.

 Reading Messara They saw racing stuffed without Owners and Wagering. 
They started advertising ,like crazy and giving huge rewards to owners compared to previous.

They saw that looking ahead...not your generation.....they needed to attract young people , not only to attend racedays but to wager more and into the future.

So its music ,lollipops and candy and ballbits on course ,free horse ownership interests and plenty of wagering promotions.

Its called BETCHA , to distinguish young people from the others...the old stale pale males !

But its not that easy.....racing doesnt stack up beside the music ,entertainment ,fashion ,travel alternatives .

So now a group of 'high profile ' folk including Chris Waller and some knights and breeders are being brought together for a rap session to see if they can think up something that hasn't already tried....some thought starters !

Gotta give them points for trying !

Mentor memo ...2 June 2025

[Brodie]

41 minutes ago, TAB For Ever said:

Get with program Doomed !

You old buggers are from a previous era and thru natural attrition , competition [from all sides ]and the realisation among us younger generation that Horse Racing is a dying industry pretty much all round the world but especially in NZ....Horse racing cannot sustain itself !

The younger generation finds racing boring ......very boring , and very expensive too! Why would we bother.

You old buggers enjoyed racing ,back in the day , when there was little else to do. It became part of our lifestyle our DNA !

But you went to sleep at the wheel and Clubs and Racing Admin didnt future proof their facilities and build up Reserves or a Trust bank. 

Most towns were given a Racetrack and facilities but run by volunteers most were only used a few times a year. 

People then learned to enjoy other things and put their time and money into travel , boats and buying property to protect their future.

Raceclubs boxed on , lay mainly dormant , didnt build reserves.

Lotto , Casinos ,Pokies came as did on line gambling and Sports betting.....all more fun and better than a few horses running around in a circle.

Clubs remained open ,doing their own things...Costs ,health and safety and governance exploded.

We all talked about Grey Way , Kiwi and Cardigan Bay ....great times !

Recently Sports Betting has subsidised Racing , the Govt has given handouts galore and OWNERS have existed on meagre returns but on the verge of INSOLVENCY more recently an Independent Aussie Messara was asked to present some home truths.

Still inertia prevailed ...a fire sale [Kind of] saw Entain handed the reins with the promise of a huge Cash injection.

 Reading Messara They saw racing stuffed without Owners and Wagering. 
They started advertising ,like crazy and giving huge rewards to owners compared to previous.

They saw that looking ahead...not your generation.....they needed to attract young people , not only to attend racedays but to wager more and into the future.

So its music ,lollipops and candy and ballbits on course ,free horse ownership interests and plenty of wagering promotions.

Its called BETCHA , to distinguish young people from the others...the old stale pale males !

But its not that easy.....racing doesnt stack up beside the music ,entertainment ,fashion ,travel alternatives .

So now a group of 'high profile ' folk including Chris Waller and some knights and breeders are being brought together for a rap session to see if they can think up something that hasn't already tried....some thought starters !

Gotta give them points for trying !

Mentor memo ...2 June 2025

Bit confused TAB?

I thought you were with the play, as you thought the TAB was operating well since Entain bought into the TAB?

The truth of the matter is that mismanagement must have continued for the past 2 years if they are now needing this committee?

HRNZ CEO has been coming out every now and again stating that every thing was looking rosey with harness with what they were doing!

Now he is stating that this committee is now PIVOTAL to harness?

Which is it? Has he been telling porkies and why has he?

Some on Trackside etc. are saying that  there are some participants that are negative with what they are saying about how the industry is going rather than seeing the positives!

Maybe just maybe these people who are supposedly talking negative actually know what they are talking about, and actually care about harness racing and are actually “On the money”?
These to my mind are the ones that also need to be listened to!

 

Edited Monday at 06:59 AM by Brodie

[Chief Stipe]

28 minutes ago, Brodie said:

Some on Trackside etc. are saying that  there are some participants that are negative with what they are saying about how the industry is going rather than seeing the positives!

Yeah well maybe they should be a bit nervous about their pay packets.  Do we really need the high paid ones like Guy Heveldt reading a cookie cutter script and a form guide as a segue to the next race?

[Special Agent]

There are a lot of presenters employed.

[TAB For Ever]

2 hours ago, Brodie said:

Bit confused TAB?

I thought you were with the play, as you thought the TAB was operating well since Entain bought into the TAB?

The truth of the matter is that mismanagement must have continued for the past 2 years if they are now needing this committee?

HRNZ CEO has been coming out every now and again stating that every thing was looking rosey with harness with what they were doing!

Now he is stating that this committee is now PIVOTAL to harness?

Which is it? Has he been telling porkies and why has he?

Some on Trackside etc. are saying that  there are some participants that are negative with what they are saying about how the industry is going rather than seeing the positives!

Maybe just maybe these people who are supposedly talking negative actually know what they are talking about, and actually care about harness racing and are actually “On the money”?
These to my mind are the ones that also need to be listened to!

 

Me thinks you the confused one cos the record is stuck and you on a continual loop !

You start this thread saying this Committee asked to  help steer the future is " GOOD TO SEE " and maybe it should have been set up two years ago !

Then when HRNZ boss comments on it being pivotal you do an about turn and revert to the same ole songsheet !

Then you link me with saying that I thought the TAB was operating well.....dunno where I said that .Entain have certainly lifted the profile ,poured millions into promotions and marketing ,brought racing back into most newspapers etc and hammered TV which has the best cut-thru !

Certainly its a great time to be involved in racing ,with extra races , stakes and incentives for owners ,Trainers etc

The TAB certainly provides many more betting options than in the past and the racing people I mix with are happy with the options etc. On Friday a punter at the trots showed me a $5 all up place bet which netted him $425 ...I asked 'Is your name Brodie '. Elite punters too seem happy with their relationship with TAB

In the past I have encouraged you to at least meet the TAB and HRNZ to ask questions and voice concerns.

Either you or Galah said you like to watch from a far......snipers , throw grenades and run.

These people are easy to talk to ,easy to recognise and approach. At Alex Park last Friday I was speaking with 2 x of the high-powered folk mentioned.....no big deal !

You are deluded if you think you will meet them for ideas sharing on Social media and/or they will engage in 'negative' nonsense !

Get with the program Brodie and get on the money !

TAB Forever Mentor Memo ...2 June 2025

 

[Brodie]

11 hours ago, TAB For Ever said:

Me thinks you the confused one cos the record is stuck and you on a continual loop !

You start this thread saying this Committee asked to  help steer the future is " GOOD TO SEE " and maybe it should have been set up two years ago !

Then when HRNZ boss comments on it being pivotal you do an about turn and revert to the same ole songsheet !

Then you link me with saying that I thought the TAB was operating well.....dunno where I said that .Entain have certainly lifted the profile ,poured millions into promotions and marketing ,brought racing back into most newspapers etc and hammered TV which has the best cut-thru !

Certainly its a great time to be involved in racing ,with extra races , stakes and incentives for owners ,Trainers etc

The TAB certainly provides many more betting options than in the past and the racing people I mix with are happy with the options etc. On Friday a punter at the trots showed me a $5 all up place bet which netted him $425 ...I asked 'Is your name Brodie '. Elite punters too seem happy with their relationship with TAB

In the past I have encouraged you to at least meet the TAB and HRNZ to ask questions and voice concerns.

Either you or Galah said you like to watch from a far......snipers , throw grenades and run.

These people are easy to talk to ,easy to recognise and approach. At Alex Park last Friday I was speaking with 2 x of the high-powered folk mentioned.....no big deal !

You are deluded if you think you will meet them for ideas sharing on Social media and/or they will engage in 'negative' nonsense !

Get with the program Brodie and get on the money !

TAB Forever Mentor Memo ...2 June 2025

 

Tab, thanks for reply.

all good if you believe I am confused, probably early dementia?

No problem with people having differing views, at the end of the day all of us want harness racing to thrive.

Hopefully this committee will have ideas that no one has ever thought about, and things will come right!

At the end of the day if they don’t then the industry is going to be battling.

I still maintain that they have not acted financially responsibly with the  cash splash from Entain.

Time will tell, TAB For Ever!

 

 

[Gammalite]

The Entain group use their sub- branch  LADBROKES to run in partnership with Queensland harness. (and SA and probably others)

Harness racing would of dropped off the map without their support. They have only 2 nights of Trotting per year put on National TV on the Free to air 24 hour per day racing channel. (Vic Cup and Hunter Cup nights) That is how SMALL it has become. Almost Non-existant to the home TV punter. trotting runs at a huge loss revenue wise. 

I'm sure it would be the same in NZ. 

Brodie is blaming Entain for the demise of the sport , when in fact they are rolling the Last Dice to Save it. 

BOAY has that many threads with everyone tearing the sport to Piece's that it's not hard to see the REAL Reasons the Sport is collapsing in NZ  . Bean counters galore calling out the anything from small fields to Feature races they still put on as a 'waste of money'  'no interest tin them as can't bet' and endless criticism.

The TAB branches closing everywhere is a Main contributing factor. I used to go down to my local branches all the time and place bets. (and chat with mates there)  they closed the branches so past 3 years it's just on-line. ALL the betting companies WANT you on-line SO THEY CAN TRACK your activity. Seems logical in these days and times.

The TAB taking your Huge ANONymous Bets each week are RELIC of the PAST Brodster.  I know you would like to go back to those 'good old days' of doing that . BUT you can't . you're 'not on the Money' anymore old mate.

TABman  has it worked out better 😋😁😉

Meanwhile HRNZ and Racing QLD are still putting on as Many Big (and small regular) races , as Humanly possible,  to support the great harness folk who still partake as participants in the industry. good on em'!!💰 .  

 

[Brodie]

1 hour ago, Gammalite said:

The Entain group use their sub- branch  LADBROKES to run in partnership with Queensland harness. (and SA and probably others)

Harness racing would of dropped off the map without their support. They have only 2 nights of Trotting per year put on National TV on the Free to air 24 hour per day racing channel. (Vic Cup and Hunter Cup nights) That is how SMALL it has become. Almost Non-existant to the home TV punter. trotting runs at a huge loss revenue wise. 

I'm sure it would be the same in NZ. 

Brodie is blaming Entain for the demise of the sport , when in fact they are rolling the Last Dice to Save it. 

BOAY has that many threads with everyone tearing the sport to Piece's that it's not hard to see the REAL Reasons the Sport is collapsing in NZ  . Bean counters galore calling out the anything from small fields to Feature races they still put on as a 'waste of money'  'no interest tin them as can't bet' and endless criticism.

The TAB branches closing everywhere is a Main contributing factor. I used to go down to my local branches all the time and place bets. (and chat with mates there)  they closed the branches so past 3 years it's just on-line. ALL the betting companies WANT you on-line SO THEY CAN TRACK your activity. Seems logical in these days and times.

The TAB taking your Huge ANONymous Bets each week are RELIC of the PAST Brodster.  I know you would like to go back to those 'good old days' of doing that . BUT you can't . you're 'not on the Money' anymore old mate.

TABman  has it worked out better 😋😁😉

Meanwhile HRNZ and Racing QLD are still putting on as Many Big (and small regular) races , as Humanly possible,  to support the great harness folk who still partake as participants in the industry. good on em'!!💰 .  

 

Gamma, firstly I have never blamed Entain for any demise if racing in NZ,

Great that they have put up money to help the TAB.

It is just the way they are using the $900m, wasteful spending and not being used  the best way possible.

At the end of the 5 years where are they going go be?

I believe that I am totally on the money, but if I am not right then that us great fir the industry!

Still believe that they should be encouraging wagering from their existing loyal customers as they could increase turnover significantly.

They are too risk averse in my humble opinion and trying go buy heaps of smaller punters  with bonus bets etc. is only falsifying true turnover.

At the end if the day we both hope that things improve as I do not believe things can not continue the ay they are with running so many loss making meetings!

 

[the galah]

33 minutes ago, Brodie said:

 

At the end if the day we both hope that things improve as I do not believe things can not continue the ay they are with running so many loss making meetings!

 

i agree with you brodie.

being fiscally responsible is such a simple concept to understand.

But when you say it,people criticise you for being negative.

And on top of that,why is it people like tabforever come down on the side of no accountabilty for hrnz spending, that doesn't produce results.

e.g. the 2 year old bonuses.

how did the breeding numbers go this year tabforever?.

by the way tabman,hows imperial command going in aussie.Do you think i was right about that one or has he just been having a long spell.lol.

[Gammalite]

1 hour ago, Brodie said:

Great that they have put up money to help the TAB.

It is just the way they are using the $900m, wasteful spending and not being used  the best way possible.

At the end of the 5 years where are they going go be?

They will still be taking someones bets on some things somewhere. (probably less harness ? 🙄)

Harness racing is just not that great to bet on. The excitement and prestige factor are gone. People (even tradition harness supporters like yourself and Harness forum posters don't even comment on the Interdominion anymore, and the comments made on the NZ Cup and The Betcha Race and things like that that are the pinnacle of our sport are talked about in a very unflattering manner. ) these things are/were important for the exposure of the sport to attract the new participants and Punters you were talking about.

I Know No-one here who looks at NZ harness, even though still chat to racing folk. None of the galloping guys have even heard of Leap To Fame . the greatest horse ever racing just up the road. Harness NEVER gets on the news. It's gone from the public view. 

we are down to 8 horses fields I noticed this week from our usual 9 on our weekly Redcliffe Thursday meeting for slow horses,  so things are slowing up participation wise as well. will be none left in a few years. 

I could save NZ harness with a few good idea's as there's still an underlying support there (just) with participants . and  Nigel for example is trying hard with syndicates.  and even Brodie and The Galah who sound like they have concern for the sport and maybe still an investment here and there. good on em' !! 

 

The Galah doesn't even like 2 year old bonuses (Things like that are actually IMPORTANT to the participants)  , or racing in the South during Winter as he said on the new Southern Surge scheme. Imagine if they did stop for winter? 😆 you'd never start up again. Can't run a business with your horses in the paddock. might as well do something else all together. 

Anyway GET Your Bets On !! and keep em' going. I chip in with a couple of 50's each week 😉👍💰😂

[Nowornever]

10 minutes ago, Gammalite said:

Harness racing is just not that great to bet on

I disagree! The last few years have been some of my best ever for profit, due mainly to poor pricing by the bookies. Lets hope it continues. 

[Rangatira]

18 minutes ago, Nowornever said:

I disagree! The last few years have been some of my best ever for profit, due mainly to poor pricing by the bookies. Lets hope it continues. 

If it continues you are a decent chance to end up in The Brodsters corner.

 

[Gammalite]

45 minutes ago, Nowornever said:

I disagree! The last few years have been some of my best ever for profit, due mainly to poor pricing by the bookies. Lets hope it continues. 

yeah , but you have a brain. (for the sport) and can follow the form in races that meet your selection criteria. 

I think most BOAY posters are the few around that can turn a profit from Harness racing as they follow the sport closely. But only 10% of investors win race gambling on any given day. BOAY characters likely to be in the 10% as have a intricate knowledge of the sport.

The 90 % are losers and the ones that Entain and ALL betting companies enjoy to look after  😁💰

 but when you walk into a pub or club occasionally (i'm sure NZ close to same as Aus)  you will see the crazy people transfixed and hypnotised by bells and whistles and flashing lights pumping megabucks through Pokies, and the TAB area is nearly abandoned. I find this in most towns pubs and clubs I have seen. The Crazies don't study horse form , and their numbers are large too, no way will they waste 'time'  betting on harness 😂.

Good money for the Government though in gambling taxes. Hope they do something good with it , but probably recycling to the same pensioners fortnightly,  to put in the machines again 🤣😂 a vicious cycle.  

[the galah]

2 hours ago, Gammalite said:

 

I Know No-one here who looks at NZ harness, even though still chat to racing folk. None of the galloping guys have even heard of Leap To Fame . the greatest horse ever racing just up the road. Harness NEVER gets on the news. It's gone from the public view. 

 

Surely queensland galloping people have heard of leap to fame. It used to be horse racing people everywhere were well aware of great horses,no matter what the code.But maybe times have changed.Personally i know of no one in harness,including myself, who knows much about australian gallops horses.I'm sure there are some that do,but i just don't know them. Having said that i still bet on them some days for something to do. Just as i'm sure some australian punters do on nz harness.

Anyways,NZ harness would get some sky racing channell 1 coverage,between australian gallops meetings sometimes,and especially around your late afternoon.so people would see it sometimes,even if not many bet on it.

And i just had a look at the tabcorp pools for today.A midweek meeting at Dalby gallops had win pools of $7,000 in their first couple of races and $10,000 in their third. Tthats the only queensland gallops meeting on today. I would assume it gets a wee bit more pre race coverage,so going on what you say,i guess even queensland gallops gets little interest from queensland people if mid week.

you mention leap to fame. He won at the weekend. But they had a group 3, 2 year old race earlier that night. i watched it. grant dixon had a horse that was heavily backed into $1.60. the 2nd favorite was in front and the 3rd favorite,the only other horse given any chance by punters was another dixon trained runner,at the back on the outside. So what did g dixon do,he came out of the 1/1,kept applying pressure so they ended up running the first half faster than the final half,and hey it worked,the dixon trained runner at the back swept past the leaders and won easily,with g dixon on the hot favorite,stopping late for fourth.. Now i don't know whether g dixon deliberately sacrificed his own chance or simply over estimated his horses ablity,but anyone who watched that race would have come to the conclusion, the race was obvious team driving.

so what i'm saying there,is if you watch queensland harness,punters seem to be taken for fools by some participants and ,quite bluntly,would not trust they were getting a fair go, so would quickly lose interest.

why cant people just drive to get the best possible placing instead of sacrificing their own chances for another stable runner.Don't they realise the harm they are doing to how the sport is perceived.

thats whats going to be nz harness racings biggest issue in years to come. Only the big stables are doing ok and will continue participating and people will see more and more team driving and punters will disengage.

 

2 hours ago, Gammalite said:

 

 

The Galah doesn't even like 2 year old bonuses (Things like that are actually IMPORTANT to the participants)  , or racing in the South during Winter as he said on the new Southern Surge scheme. Imagine if they did stop for winter? 😆 you'd never start up again. Can't run a business with your horses in the paddock. might as well do something else all together. 

 

Gammalite,if you follow the form in southland,you would see theres a lot of tired horses  who look like they badly need a spell. look at the a hunter trained horses,he lines them up every week but evry one is racing well below their best in recent weeks. Theres lots of them/ Xerion a kirk larsen trained trotter,why its still racing i'm not sure as every week it goes a bit worse. They lots and lots like that down there i could name.

remember southland harness racing used to close down for2-3 months and when they did that they had probably 300-500 more horses trained in the province. It was only 30 years ago they would have 240 at some trials meetings down there.  They would come up to canterbury if they wanted to race over winter.

yet now they want them to race all year around when they have about 1/4 to 1/3 of the number of horses. That makes no sense to me.

Edited 21 hours ago by the galah

[the galah]

1 hour ago, Gammalite said:

 

 but when you walk into a pub or club occasionally (i'm sure NZ close to same as Aus)  you will see the crazy people transfixed and hypnotised by bells and whistles and flashing lights pumping megabucks through Pokies, and the TAB area is nearly abandoned. I find this in most towns pubs and clubs I have seen. The Crazies don't study horse form , and their numbers are large too, no way will they waste 'time'  betting on harness 😂.

Good money for the Government though in gambling taxes. Hope they do something good with it , but probably recycling to the same pensioners fortnightly,  to put in the machines again 🤣😂 a vicious cycle.  

i used to watch the people that bet at one particular busy pub tab that had the most pokies.

the best way to sum up the difference, was the people who bet on the horses would have a drink,sometimes a meal and would get a taxi home.

the people that bet on the pokies mostly would not have meals,sometimes would have a drink and if they didn't have their own car,would rather spend their last few dollars on the pokies,then walk home in the rain in the middle of winter.

also i got to know some who had compulsions when it came to the polkies. they said how the pokies is all about you and the machine and their is no social interaction like you get from betting on the horses.

also,young people today do a lot of on line betting. thats how they get started and sometimes addicted.

Currently the nz government is going through  the process of allowing up to 15  companies,most of which are expected to be from overseas,to operate on line casino licencesd.the government is saying they need to regulate what is currently not regulated,that way they will have greater control.They come in to play from next year

But quite rightly you would think,that has concerned nz community groups who get grants from gambling profits at the likes of pubs,as they believe that the on line competition will result in their funds providers not capturing their current market share ,therefore having less to give away in grants.

then you have sky casino and the tab also saying that people will gamble on these on line casinos instead of products they provide and that it will impact them. Therein  is another possible unwanted curve ball that may impact racing as thats more competition for the gambling dollar.

Edited 21 hours ago by the galah

[Gammalite]

4 hours ago, the galah said:

,kept applying pressure so they ended up running the first half faster than the final half,and hey it worked,the dixon trained runner at the back swept past the leaders and won easily,with g dixon on the hot favorite,stopping late for fourth.. Now i don't know whether g dixon deliberately sacrificed his own chance or simply over estimated his horses ablity,but anyone who watched that race would have come to the conclusion, the race was obvious team driving.

A lot of Big races now in Australia the second last quarter is faster than the last. The driving style has changed a bit from sitting up and just making one run at them. 

The 4 races Group 3's on Saturday night ( 2 x 2yearold and 2 x 3 year old Breeders Finals ) were dominated by our 2 Giant stables of Dixon's and Pete McMullen who qualified 22 of the 40 Finalists between them . Dixon won one of them , and McMullen won 3 .  His stable Junior driver getting one of the wins which was neat ! 👍😊 of course there are going to be driving instructions with so many runners. It would be FOLLY to go out there in those Big $50k races without some sort of plan. I'm just impressed they qualified so many. I already know they are tremendous drivers, but are training through the roof too. Leap To Fame only 'just' beat McMullen in the FFA even. what fine horsemen they are. Nearly the best I have seen anywhere. 

4 hours ago, the galah said:

remember southland harness racing used to close down for2-3 months and when they did that they had probably 300-500 more horses trained in the province. It was only 30 years ago they would have 240 at some trials meetings down there.  They would come up to canterbury if they wanted to race over winter.

Am just saying in these days and times, to close your racing with the cost of living and that , and the cost of racetrack up-keep and paying staff there too, best to keep them Going at all times.?? 

I raced a number of horses with a member of the Cox family from Winton who came up to Auckland and had heaps of horses he had bred, and even in Auckland I would Spell them in Winter (and do another job with Mr Cox) and work them up through the Spring and just race them through the Summer . much more pleasant that way in the harsh NZ training weather conditions. 🤣 So yeah , i like the idea for comfort for closing the 2 -3 months winter, but Money-wise a lot of people would be struggling these days ? track staff ,stable staff ? gotta look after them as much as the horses. 

If they are tired ? just hopple them race day only,  and canter and jog during the week to keep them happier between races might be an option? or as I told Brodie several times . BEST to race them over SHORTER DISTANCES. one mile to 2000m ONLY. horse's do much better with simple speed racing compared to the Very 'draining' Staying tests you often give them there at 2600 and that. 

[Brodie]

Gamma, most of the decent racing is at Addington!

Wouldnt think it a great idea racing over a mile or 1800m on that track lol

They generally go much faster mile rates over the 1980m so it would be just as hard on a horse over that distance as 2600m!

 

[Rangatira]

14 minutes ago, Brodie said:

Wouldnt think it a great idea racing over a mile or 1800m on that track lol

1725 be real interesting