Rather Stupid? Opunake Cup

[The Centaur]

Rule One in Taranaki --You don't compete against Rugby. "I found that out when in a bar I cheered the Hamilton anti aparthied protesters when they occupied the Hamilton Rugby ground back in about 1982."

Ranfurly Shield is a big thing in Taranaki and on Saturday the challenge is held in Manaia near Opunake. So why the hell is the Opunake Cup held on the same day?

[Muzza]

32 minutes ago, The Centaur said:

Rule One in Taranaki --You don't compete against Rugby. "I found that out when in a bar I cheered the Hamilton anti aparthied protesters when they occupied the Hamilton Rugby ground back in about 1982."

Ranfurly Shield is a big thing in Taranaki and on Saturday the challenge is held in Manaia near Opunake. So why the hell is the Opunake Cup held on the same day?

The race date was probably finalised long before the rugby was. 

[PeterLambFan]

3 hours ago, Muzza said:

The race date was probably finalised long before the rugby was. 

Yip, rugby only announced in early March. 

[Huey]

Rather small field for the Cup and a few other races also.

[Chief Stipe]

20 minutes ago, Huey said:

Rather small field for the Cup and a few other races also.

Uh?!  11 horses and all with form.  A very very even field.  Good luck finding the winner!

[Doomed]

16 hours ago, The Centaur said:

Rule One in Taranaki --You don't compete against Rugby. "I found that out when in a bar I cheered the Hamilton anti aparthied protesters when they occupied the Hamilton Rugby ground back in about 1982."

Ranfurly Shield is a big thing in Taranaki and on Saturday the challenge is held in Manaia near Opunake. So why the hell is the Opunake Cup held on the same day?

To be honest I doubt that many people would even know the ranfurly shield is on, I certainly didn't. I didn't even know Taranaki held the shield. I presume it is Taranaki defending it? Who is challenging for it? Manaia sounds like a bit of a two horse hick town, so they can't be expecting a very big crowd.

[Chief Stipe]

1 hour ago, Doomed said:

To be honest I doubt that many people would even know the ranfurly shield is on, I certainly didn't. I didn't even know Taranaki held the shield. I presume it is Taranaki defending it? Who is challenging for it? Manaia sounds like a bit of a two horse hick town, so they can't be expecting a very big crowd.

It's still a Pre-season game against Thames Valley for the Ranfurly Shield.

Their first NPC game for 2025 is not until 2 August.

Last year for the NPC they averaged 4,000 a game.  

I doubt it will make much difference to the numbers going to the races.

 

[The Centaur]

4 hours ago, Doomed said:

To be honest I doubt that many people would even know the ranfurly shield is on, I certainly didn't. I didn't even know Taranaki held the shield. I presume it is Taranaki defending it? Who is challenging for it? Manaia sounds like a bit of a two horse hick town, so they can't be expecting a very big crowd.

Having spoken to locals tied up with Hawera and Opunake they are pissed off at the conflict. The trip over to New Plymouth would have been a highlight but now they are  choosing to go to Manaia. I would say the ground will be sold out.

[Chief Stipe]

32 minutes ago, The Centaur said:

Having spoken to locals tied up with Hawera and Opunake they are pissed off at the conflict. The trip over to New Plymouth would have been a highlight but now they are  choosing to go to Manaia. I would say the ground will be sold out.

It is sold out but seriously why would anyone go watch Taranki pummel Thames Valley?!

The Hawera and Opunake folk wouldn't turn up to Pukekura Park anyway!

[Huey]

5 hours ago, Chief Stipe said:

Uh?!  11 horses and all with form.  A very very even field.  Good luck finding the winner!

Patterson trifecta , one of the three of his runners, thank me later. 

[Chief Stipe]

23 minutes ago, Huey said:

Patterson trifecta , one of the three of his runners, thank me later. 

Right so I need to choose 1 of his 3 but then I get the Trifecta?  Do I box the three?  

Are you in the same rest home as @TAB For Ever ?

[TAB For Ever]

10 minutes ago, Chief Stipe said:

Right so I need to choose 1 of his 3 but then I get the Trifecta?  Do I box the three?  

Are you in the same rest home as @TAB For Ever ?

I guess Opunake is actually a place as Peter Snell ,my favourite Kiwi ,was apparently born there !

I'm in a home for the bewildered ,but Ducks are definitely not allowed here.

We do watch Trackside tho and I must say the synthetic racing is good watching  , I understand why so many big meetings around the world are held on all-weather tracks ! 

Our 'slow' syndicate horse ran a place today and it gives these plodders a chance to race and for the bettor IMO are easier to predict than the bog mud tracks !