Good to see! - Committee being formed for TAB!

[the galah]

2 hours ago, Gammalite said:

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. 

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. 

yes the dixons and the mcmullens are very talented.

But team driving is one of the main things which turns punters off the harness product.

Galloping trainers can have 3 or 4 in a race,but you never hear of team riding.

and its not just punters who are turned off by team driving. Those who are on the receiving end of team driving,whether they be owners or trainers  view it very negatively.

As to the southern racing. Yes,i like your training tips. Makes sense too me.

As to the topic of having more racing in winter in southland to keep things ticking over financially for all those involved.

Well,if we put to one side,whether its a good idea or not,what strikes me about HRNZ promoting this,is don't they realise how contradictory their decision making has been.

like,for southland,HRNZ are saying they want no canterbury horses to race in southland in the southern surge races and  have programmed race conditions to that effect. Yet when it comes to canterbury, they run some races with the opposite conditions. In other words races in canterbury that are for only horses trained south of the waitaki river.

And then you have hrnz consitently saying they want to see more canterbury horses racing in auckland.

But wait,theres mores HRNZ contradictions.

They want to keep southland harness racing ticking over all year around fior the good of the industry there,but when it comes to the central districts they have just compressed their racedays into a six month period,with nothing in the other half of the year.

its very confusing.And i think the reasion for the contradictory approaches ,depending on which region it is,is an indication that HRNZ policy makers really are confused and end up just placating groups who make the loudest noise or complain the most.Thats seems to be there approach to everything.

 

Edited Tuesday at 11:45 AM by the galah

[Rangatira]

On 1/06/2025 at 4:59 PM, Rangatira said:

I must say given his advancing age his mostly plant based diet The Brodster is looking remarkably well.

A slight departure from the standard diet for Birthday Boy Brodster.

Was it the Steak & Kidney pie that has King Brodie invigorated or is he off to the back of the tote after backing Always B Royal in the 7th at Invercargill

[Brodie]

3 hours ago, Rangatira said:

A slight departure from the standard diet for Birthday Boy Brodster.

Was it the Steak & Kidney pie that has King Brodie invigorated or is he off to the back of the tote after backing Always B Royal in the 7th at Invercargill

I think I must be only on muelied food nowadays Ranga, now that I am supposedly on the Plant based food!

 

[Nowornever]

14 hours ago, Brodie said:

I think I must be only on muelied food nowadays Ranga, now that I am supposedly on the Plant based food!

 

Dean Shannon is leaving Entain. Would you be leaving on your own accord if the company was in good shape and on the right path?

https://harnesslink.com/australia/dean-shannon-steps-down-as-entain-australia-boss/

[Brodie]

8 minutes ago, Nowornever said:

Dean Shannon is leaving Entain. Would you be leaving on your own accord if the company was in good shape and on the right path?

https://harnesslink.com/australia/dean-shannon-steps-down-as-entain-australia-boss/

Who wouldve thought that Entain would do that?

Well I did, there have been far too many financially stupid decisions made since Entain got involved with the NZ TAB!

Dean has been very quiet, in fact you never hear from him!

There is going to be some changes being made with this new CEO coming in, and hopefully he is someone that has better financial nous!

There are many things that they can do far better but it is certainly going to run by more Australians.

Watch this space.

 

[Nowornever]

I think the departure is related to Entain facing hundreds of millions of dollars in fines for alleged breaches of Australian anti-money laundering laws between 2018 and last year.

Either pushed or getting out before the shit hits the fan.

[Gammalite]

54 minutes ago, Brodie said:

Well I did, there have been far too many financially stupid decisions made since Entain got involved with the NZ TAB!

Dean has been very quiet, in fact you never hear from him!

Just not prepared to advance yourself Brodster. The Guy tried to help. 

He is a TOP bloke who loves Harness racing and races the NZ FFA and Grins Race winner  Merlin ( and about 15 other horses )with Barry P and Scott. Buying yearlings every year to support your industry. 

He has an excellent record in Australia running Betting companies. His sale to Ladbrokes included a deal where they run my local QLD harness virtually, and we would of Collapsed with out them. 

NZ harness was about to collapse as Many have/do point out on these forums constantly over the years , yet you want blemish a man who has tried to step in and help. 

here's some of his fine record of establishing /selling companies that helped himself (and Entain to Millions in revenue and earnings) 

Quote from the article Chief posted . Space>

The exit of Shannon from the business draws the curtain on a 13-year association with the Ladbrokes brand.

Back in 2012, Shannon launched startup corporate bookmaker Bookmaker.com.au before selling it a year later to Ladbrokes which served as the international brand's entry point into the robust Australian market.

Five years later, Shannon then founded Neds.com.au which found a niche market in sports and racing betting, before it was also sold to the owners of Ladbrokes, consolidating its place in the Australian market.

Part of the Neds transaction in 2017 saw Shannon take the reins as boss of the Australian business for Entain where it has enjoyed significant market growth during that time.

[Brodie]

37 minutes ago, Gammalite said:

Just not prepared to advance yourself Brodster. The Guy tried to help. 

He is a TOP bloke who loves Harness racing and races the NZ FFA and Grins Race winner  Merlin ( and about 15 other horses )with Barry P and Scott. Buying yearlings every year to support your industry. 

He has an excellent record in Australia running Betting companies. His sale to Ladbrokes included a deal where they run my local QLD harness virtually, and we would of Collapsed with out them. 

NZ harness was about to collapse as Many have/do point out on these forums constantly over the years , yet you want blemish a man who has tried to step in and help. 

here's some of his fine record of establishing /selling companies that helped himself (and Entain to Millions in revenue and earnings) 

Quote from the article Chief posted . Space>

The exit of Shannon from the business draws the curtain on a 13-year association with the Ladbrokes brand.

Back in 2012, Shannon launched startup corporate bookmaker Bookmaker.com.au before selling it a year later to Ladbrokes which served as the international brand's entry point into the robust Australian market.

Five years later, Shannon then founded Neds.com.au which found a niche market in sports and racing betting, before it was also sold to the owners of Ladbrokes, consolidating its place in the Australian market.

Part of the Neds transaction in 2017 saw Shannon take the reins as boss of the Australian business for Entain where it has enjoyed significant market growth during that time.

Gamma, well aware things were not great with the NZ TAB  when Entain bought into it!

He may well have had good intentions of making the NZ TAB successful once again.

He may well be a great guy, but from where I stand, I have heard nothing from him being the CEO for Entain in NZ.

Despite what he may have done in Queensland harness to help them out, from the outside looking in here, it is disappointing what has happened!

There is a difference in starting up betting agencies and selling them off, to getting an existing one improved upon!

Entain clearly have had enough and want  things improved, for their investment in the NZ TAB.

Yes they will say he stood down just like the other two executives, but we both know that if you do not perform you can be sent packing.

Dean probably is looking forward to stepping down anyway?

Very interesting times indeed.

Hopefully the new CEO will see that they need to encourage their clients to wager, rather than trying to stop them!

Edited 19 hours ago by Brodie

[the galah]

2 hours ago, Nowornever said:

I think the departure is related to Entain facing hundreds of millions of dollars in fines for alleged breaches of Australian anti-money laundering laws between 2018 and last year.

Either pushed or getting out before the shit hits the fan.

Its interesting just how much some people spend at these betting agencies isn't it.

in one article it says the australian agency in charge of oversight of betting found enatin allowed 17 high risk customers to spend $152 million. it didn't say over what timeframe,but seems to have been in the last 5 years.

And some criminals where funnelling "dirty" money through accounts.what a surprise. Seems some drug dealers like to have a bet as well as to money launder..Maybe they could use my account,i don't mind.

Edited 18 hours ago by the galah

[the galah]

1 hour ago, Brodie said:

Gamma, well aware things were not great with the NZ TAB  when Entain bought into it!

He may well have had good intentions of making the NZ TAB successful once again.

He may well be a great guy, but from where I stand, I have heard nothing from him being the CEO for Entain in NZ.

 

Yes,not much was reported about anything he said as entain ceo,about nz harness racing,in nz.At least that was my impression as well.

maybe that was just the way it worked. 

one of the few things we did get media coverage about what he had said,was how he pushed the 2 year old bonuses and  guaranteeing running races,despite small field sizes .

Wel,that was a self serving policy,that could be argued created a perception that contributed to less people breeding their mares.

But entain has done many good things,better trackside coverage,more racing which means more income .

its hrnz who are spending the money like theres no tommorow.

Edited 18 hours ago by the galah

[Brodie]

33 minutes ago, the galah said:

Yes,not much was reported about anything he said as entain ceo,about nz harness racing,in nz.At least that was my impression as well.

maybe that was just the way it worked. 

one of the few things we did get media coverage about what he had said,was how he pushed the 2 year old bonuses and  guaranteeing running races,despite small field sizes .

Wel,that was a self serving policy,that could be argued created a perception that contributed to less people breeding their mares.

But entain has done many good things,better trackside coverage,more racing which means more income .

its hrnz who are spending the money like theres no tommorow.

Yes Friday Night Lights is very good, but have we had better Trackside Coverage on NZ racing?

Believe the Trackside website being provided by this Racing and Sports Australia trusted for 20plus years is very poor with just shocking comments that are just laughable.

The showing of only win dividends  on Trackside is just a very poor innovation.

The way the money that Entain has been providing for harness has been extremely poorly used, and hopefully this new Entain CEO actually now pays attention to this wastage and earns his massive salary for the betterment of racing in NZ.

You can just not run any single business like they have been and expect success!

 

 

Edited 17 hours ago by Brodie

[Chief Stipe]

49 minutes ago, the galah said:

in one article it says the australian agency in charge of oversight of betting found enatin allowed 17 high risk customers to spend $152 million. it didn't say over what timeframe,but seems to have been in the last 5 years.

FFS look up the other OZ cases which I've posted detail on BOAY.  WESTPAC was done for individuals turning over heaps more than that.  One Casino was done with a punter doing a Billion dollars.  In fact his turnover was more than the NZ TAB.  Entain's issues are small change by comparison.

[the galah]

1 hour ago, Chief Stipe said:

FFS look up the other OZ cases which I've posted detail on BOAY.  WESTPAC was done for individuals turning over heaps more than that.  One Casino was done with a punter doing a Billion dollars.  In fact his turnover was more than the NZ TAB.  Entain's issues are small change by comparison.

whats with the ffs?.

so you think entain losing hundreds of millions in penalties,as predicted,  because of the austrac prosecution is a small change issue.

tell entain shareholders that. I'm sure they would be pleased to know.

One of your strangest and biggest over reaction replies you've made..

Are you having a bad hair day?

Edited 16 hours ago by the galah

[Chief Stipe]

53 minutes ago, the galah said:

so you think entain losing hundreds of millions in penalties,as predicted,  because of the austrac prosecution is a small change issue.

They haven't lost hundreds of millions yet.

Going on precedent they shouldn't lose hundreds of millions.

54 minutes ago, the galah said:

tell entain shareholders that. I'm sure they would be pleased to know.

Is that why the share price has increased since the announcement?

55 minutes ago, the galah said:

One of your strangest and biggest over reaction replies you've made..

Not really but it would be your worst post in terms of doing your homework.

[curious]

2 hours ago, Brodie said:

The way the money that Entain has been providing for harness has been extremely poorly used, and hopefully this new Entain CEO actually now pays attention to this wastage and earns his massive salary for the betterment of racing in NZ.

What do you mean? Entain have no control over how HRNZ use the funding that TABNZ provide the code do they? That's at the sole discretion of HRNZ.

[Brodie]

18 minutes ago, curious said:

What do you mean? Entain have no control over how HRNZ use the funding that TABNZ provide the code do they? That's at the sole discretion of HRNZ.

Yes I have been informed that it is HRNZ that is making the decisions in regard to how they are blowing the funding from Entain!

However Dean Shannon being the CEO of Entain and also a harness enthusiast is surely  well aware with how the Entain  money is being used?

The CEO of Entain and the CEO of HRNZ are both from Queensland and would know each other extremely well!!

Anyway those that are making these poor financial decisions will more than likely be looking over their shoulders now?

Edited 15 hours ago by Brodie

[Gammalite]

3 hours ago, Chief Stipe said:

One Casino was done with a punter doing a Billion dollars.  In fact his turnover was more than the NZ TAB.  Entain's issues are small change by comparison.

Pretty huge over here Chief. The Star in Sydney gave so much leeway to known Chinese Money laundering that they face a Fine of $400,000,000. they are on the cusp of going out of business. quite sad really. 

A Macau based operator was 'turning over' over $70,000,000 PER WEEK for over a four year period recently. The Star in Sydney were caught eventually and are currently crying for leniency. 

No Doubt ENTAIN is Very Careful how the Chinese try and launder through their books , and have control over the bets going through.  

35 minutes ago, Brodie said:

Anyway those that are making these poor financial decisions will more than likely be looking over their shoulders now?

Why is it poor Brodster ? Dean Shannon arranged for Entain to sponsor NZ harness in a big way and you keep saying they are just wasting the money ? How are they wasting it ?

He got Ladbrokes to sponsor QLD harness in a very Big way and saved the day . How is this bad ?  

What is the poor Financial decision you keep saying ENTAIN made ??  helping prop up HRNZ is surely a GOOD thing?  

[Gammalite]

3 hours ago, the galah said:

one of the few things we did get media coverage about what he had said,was how he pushed the 2 year old bonuses and  guaranteeing running races,despite small field sizes .

Wel,that was a self serving policy

You are close to the money there Mr Galah. Dean Shannon has raced horses for a lot of years . Belle of Montana won 4 Group 1's racing out of Barry Purdons and Lanercost won 4 Group 1's as well for Darryl Graham. He was purchased out of a NZ ready to run sale as well fairly cheap , and won the Chariots of Fire I think. 

Anyway , any policy he was 'encouraging' would come across as if he was trying to get races for his horses, so best he say nothing and Not get people worked up about this sort of thing. (He doesn't need the money, he just loves the sport and racing horses, the bonuses and small fields are OPEN for ALL to contest anyway , that can be bothered .

Seymour was accused of this once in Brisbane . He has a stud (like Dean does) as you have to spend your millions on something. and a lot of his moves/sponsorships, etc a while back, were 'perceived' as being favourable to his 100's of foals he breeds. He gives some to Trent Dawson now , who is winning plenty of races for 'Solid Earth ' as well.

But he gets no criticism now as he saved Albion Park , and now gets the best horse of all time LEAP TO FAME as his reward. note : Was good to see Dean get MERLIN (nearly the best NZer) as his reward too. 

great Karma to the absolute TOP Stalwarts of the Sport !! 

[TAB For Ever]

2 hours ago, Gammalite said:

You are close to the money there Mr Galah. Dean Shannon has raced horses for a lot of years . Belle of Montana won 4 Group 1's racing out of Barry Purdons and Lanercost won 4 Group 1's as well for Darryl Graham. He was purchased out of a NZ ready to run sale as well fairly cheap , and won the Chariots of Fire I think. 

Anyway , any policy he was 'encouraging' would come across as if he was trying to get races for his horses, so best he say nothing and Not get people worked up about this sort of thing. (He doesn't need the money, he just loves the sport and racing horses, the bonuses and small fields are OPEN for ALL to contest anyway , that can be bothered .

Seymour was accused of this once in Brisbane . He has a stud (like Dean does) as you have to spend your millions on something. and a lot of his moves/sponsorships, etc a while back, were 'perceived' as being favourable to his 100's of foals he breeds. He gives some to Trent Dawson now , who is winning plenty of races for 'Solid Earth ' as well.

But he gets no criticism now as he saved Albion Park , and now gets the best horse of all time LEAP TO FAME as his reward. note : Was good to see Dean get MERLIN (nearly the best NZer) as his reward too. 

great Karma to the absolute TOP Stalwarts of the Sport !! 

As you say Gamma, Dean has been a positive influence in Harness racing and certainly likes to spend his own dosh on some nice horses.

But I'd say he is naturally quite a shy character who in company prefers to sit quietly in the corner. One night at Alex Park his horses won 3 x races and he quietly slipped away and avoided the high fiveing and back-slapping often involved in the Winners room.

And he was visibly moved when his horse won a big one on Show Day last November....he wrote 'leadership' columns when Entain got involved in NZTAB and set out some of the intended strategies.Noticeably he left the top NZ Administrators to release statements and get themselves a 'profile'.

[Brodie]

12 hours ago, Gammalite said:

Pretty huge over here Chief. The Star in Sydney gave so much leeway to known Chinese Money laundering that they face a Fine of $400,000,000. they are on the cusp of going out of business. quite sad really. 

A Macau based operator was 'turning over' over $70,000,000 PER WEEK for over a four year period recently. The Star in Sydney were caught eventually and are currently crying for leniency. 

No Doubt ENTAIN is Very Careful how the Chinese try and launder through their books , and have control over the bets going through.  

Why is it poor Brodster ? Dean Shannon arranged for Entain to sponsor NZ harness in a big way and you keep saying they are just wasting the money ? How are they wasting it ?

He got Ladbrokes to sponsor QLD harness in a very Big way and saved the day . How is this bad ?  

What is the poor Financial decision you keep saying ENTAIN made ??  helping prop up HRNZ is surely a GOOD thing?  

Gamma, Propping up stake money for 5 years from the Entain money is a temporary band aid.

Running races for big money when there are only a few starters is a recipe for disaster.

Brad Steele stated that this new committee being formed is PIVOTAL for harness racing going forward?

So what he is saying is what they have done over the last couple of years with Entain. money is not working!

Dean Shannon stated that he was stepping down “to allow Entain Australia and NZ the chance to enter a new phase, declaring it was the right time for change”.

So clearly Entain sees things as being done badly over the past couple of years!
We have Auckland Trotting haemorrhaging big time financially each and every week and yet they continue to pay out good stake money  to often very small fields.

Many meetings are losing money every week but they think that chucking increased stake money is the answer?

Gamma you state that Queensland harness was saved by Dean Shannon and Kevin Seymour!

Thing is Entain funding is going go stop and then what?

The funding shouldve bought the Franklin training at least!

[Gammalite]

3 minutes ago, Brodie said:

Thing is Entain funding is going go stop and then what?

The funding shouldve bought the Franklin training at least!

I know you are concerned about the small time frame of 5 years Mr Brodie . But The Entain money helped for another 5 years ( way better than no years 😉) so the harness folk are lapping it up while the going is good. 

Yes , other things will have to be done if the funding drops. HRNZ are Already starting to introduce Slot races (there were 2 new Big ones on Showday last year) where the PARTICIPANTS pay a huge chunk of the large prizemoney on offer for these races. A way of the future. We have some big ones in Brissie coming up soon including a 2 year old one. I think they help us have big prize races like the gallopers do with the EVEREST and now the KIWI.

At the other end of the scale you will have to drop the race prizemoney. QLD and Victoria run at a turnover loss too, but supporters of the sport keep it going, as It is a SPORT , not just a business. where many participants are still spending money to participate,  rather than just wanting to 'take it out 💰' like a lot of folk on forums 😁🤣.

Addington running $15,000k maidens a bit too much mate. they'll just have to drop the slow horses back to 4 -6 k races like that we have all through the week in Country Victoria, NSW and QLD. 

If less you have less Funding = You race for less prizemoney . common sense .  

As for FRANKLIN , there are many issues involved there . It needs to stay though,  so the 200 horses that use it can keep in work. without it North Island harness really hitting the basement of survival.

[Brodie]

18 minutes ago, Gammalite said:

I know you are concerned about the small time frame of 5 years Mr Brodie . But The Entain money helped for another 5 years ( way better than no years 😉) so the harness folk are lapping it up while the going is good. 

Yes , other things will have to be done if the funding drops. HRNZ are Already starting to introduce Slot races (there were 2 new Big ones on Showday last year) where the PARTICIPANTS pay a huge chunk of the large prizemoney on offer for these races. A way of the future. We have some big ones in Brissie coming up soon including a 2 year old one. I think they help us have big prize races like the gallopers do with the EVEREST and now the KIWI.

At the other end of the scale you will have to drop the race prizemoney. QLD and Victoria run at a turnover loss too, but supporters of the sport keep it going, as It is a SPORT , not just a business. where many participants are still spending money to participate,  rather than just wanting to 'take it out 💰' like a lot of folk on forums 😁🤣.

Addington running $15,000k maidens a bit too much mate. they'll just have to drop the slow horses back to 4 -6 k races like that we have all through the week in Country Victoria, NSW and QLD. 

If less you have less Funding = You race for less prizemoney . common sense .  

As for FRANKLIN , there are many issues involved there . It needs to stay though,  so the 200 horses that use it can keep in work. without it North Island harness really hitting the basement of survival.

Spending other peoples money when you havent done anything yourself to earn it, is vey easy to do!

Yes it is 5 years and then BANG!

They should be not blowing it the way they are doing it, shockingly bad financisl mismanagement.

There is going to be a major upheaval when the funding is stopped and Entain then get 50% of the profit annually!

I highly doubt there would be a single person in NZ that would be prepared to put nega millions into NZ racing just to keep it going.

The occasional slot race is not going to keep NZ harnessing afloat unfortunately Gamma lol.

Do love your positivity Gamma,  but Brodie just telling it the way it is, and hopefully they wake up before it is too late?

 

 

[Gammalite]

9 minutes ago, Brodie said:

I highly doubt there would be a single person in NZ that would be prepared to put nega millions into NZ racing just to keep it going.

The occasional slot race is not going to keep NZ harnessing afloat unfortunately Gamma

Maybe not but it helps. I think the NZ Cup itself , should be a slot race. 50k to enter 12 starters . $600k purse . easy.

HRNZ puts in no Prize money, since you say they don't have any 😆) but is supplying trophy's and many prizes to all the connections drivers  slot holders and even the general public attending. make it a real Carnival for everyone.

Hey mate , there are MORE SPONSORS than just ENtain.

you say not a single person ? I know a friend of mine Chris Garrard already Puts in Mega Bucks to sponsor racing all around Aus and NZ . You will have to go back to good old Sponsorship mate.

Races traditionally sponsored by Feed companies and the like. Vic Cup night in Victoria has PRYDE's Easyfeed sponsoring the whole Group 1 program , and it is broadcast on National TV.

Big Breweries make a squillion dollars a year from all the alco's around the place. Get them on board.? XXXX sponsor a heap of gallops here , and the footy and what not.

what's DB and Lion doing these days ? get them on board. tell em' you'll drink their beer at the track if they put up a few 100 thousand sponsorship for a few races lol.   KFC do all the cricket here. Maybe they could eat at the TROTS too ? 

you kiwi's will just have to get off your arses and start sponsoring some races with some good dollars again ?? Ever sponsored a race Brodster ? Bit of fun. Albion Park often names the races after the members of the club. a nice touch.