Riccarton Turf Club?

[Chief Stipe]

24 minutes ago, Doomed said:

I don't think the recently appointed head of NZTR had ever held a racing job previously.

Doesn't mean he doesn't have "an interest in racing".  

26 minutes ago, Doomed said:

Didn't we have a TAB or racing board head a few years ago who said he had never set foot in a TAB?

Probably a lawyer or such but had an interest in racing.  For quite some time now you don't need to walk into a TAB to have an account.  

28 minutes ago, Doomed said:

People may well argue that a CEO's job is to manage people with the requisite skills. That may well be true, but at the same time they can't claim they have an affinity for racing at the grass roots level.

Define the "grass roots level"?  Imagine the uproar if they hired someone for the top job whose only experience was as a Stablehand. 
"Grassroots", "The Coalface" and even "Battler" are just metaphors to describe something that is often very fluid in definition.  It seems more and more we categorise and label individuals as a means to create virtual tribes which are then pitted against each other. 

[curious]

57 minutes ago, Doomed said:

 Didn't we have a TAB or racing board head a few years ago who said he had never set foot in a TAB?

Can't say I've been in a TAB myself since the 70s but I wouldn't consider that to mean I don't have an interest or active involvement in racing.

[Doomed]

6 hours ago, curious said:

Can't say I've been in a TAB myself since the 70s but I wouldn't consider that to mean I don't have an interest or active involvement in racing.

I probably should have phrased it as never having had a bet. I think it may have been John Allen.

[Huey]

22 hours ago, Chief Stipe said:

Define the "grass roots level"?  Imagine the uproar if they hired someone for the top job whose only experience was as a Stablehand. 
"Grassroots", "The Coalface" and even "Battler" are just metaphors to describe something that is often very fluid in definition.  It seems more and more we categorise and label individuals as a means to create virtual tribes which are then pitted against each other. 

I don't see it that way , a grass roots person nowadays would simply be someone who has some empathy for those battling away at the coalface and understood the necessity and relevance of that and had some influence.

That has not occurred for many many years here in NZ.

[Chief Stipe]

3 hours ago, Huey said:

I don't see it that way , a grass roots person nowadays would simply be someone who has some empathy for those battling away at the coalface and understood the necessity and relevance of that and had some influence.

That has not occurred for many many years here in NZ.

Well based on that description some of the very people you openly deride would fit the bill.  Yet it seems being successful excludes them from your list.

 

[Freda]

1 hour ago, Huey said:

I don't see it that way , a grass roots person nowadays would simply be someone who has some empathy for those battling away at the coalface and understood the necessity and relevance of that and had some influence.

That has not occurred for many many years here in NZ.

I agree, and it is possible to be. both, surely?

I refer specifically to former CJC CEO Dave Lloyd,  an office-bearer at Te Aroha, Ellerslie, I think Macau ( stand to be corrected on that ) and the infamous Wuhan in China.

As well, a former owner-breeder- trainer and with heavy involvement still with family interests in several horses .

I'm sure not everyone agreed with him all the time but  grassroots empathy was certainly not lacking.

On a completely different tack, another former CEO, Lindsay Crocker attracted some criticism because he was NOT a horseman.

But as far as I was concerned he was great,  he was courteous, listened and took the time to be advised and act accordingly.  I couldn't fault him.

Edited yesterday at 12:46 AM by Freda

[Huey]

6 hours ago, Chief Stipe said:

Well based on that description some of the very people you openly deride would fit the bill.  Yet it seems being successful excludes them from your list.

 

Do tell I'm all ears 👂... who?

[Chief Stipe]

21 minutes ago, Huey said:

Do tell I'm all ears 👂... who?

Are you blind?

[Huey]

12 hours ago, Chief Stipe said:

Are you blind?

No not yet, fingers crossed never .

Do tell me of these people I'm more than intrigued to know!

[Chief Stipe]

3 hours ago, Huey said:

No not yet, fingers crossed never .

Do tell me of these people I'm more than intrigued to know!

Peter Vela for one.  Started from the  "grass roots" for literally everything that he's achieved.  

[curious]

32 minutes ago, Chief Stipe said:

Peter Vela for one.  Started from the  "grass roots" for literally everything that he's achieved.  

Yep. A go to bloke to get grass roots issues sorted.