Missing…. TAB For Ever?

[Newmarket]

Where has he gone, seems he has disappeared since he stated he worked for the TAB? 
 

Come back bro, lots of questions for you to answer….

[Brodie]

We need a representative from the TAB and HRNZ to provide info and support for their employer as to what they are doing and why!

personally believe that we get very little out of either organisation!

 

[Brodie]

1 minute ago, Brodie said:

We need a representative from the TAB and HRNZ to provide info and support for their employer as to what they are doing and why!

personally believe that we get very little out of either organisation!

 

We hear from trainers saying that they are looking forward to this day from HRNZ that has the $60k finals for  horses bred by stallions under $5k!

Of course if you win this then it is good for the owner and trainer obviously!

This is only able being run due to the cash being injected by Entain otherwise it wouldn't be run and it seems that HRNZ dont understand this somehow?

Anyway if they think they are going well then they are the ones in power  but Who would be wanting them to run their business if they were wanting to stay afloat!

[Nowornever]

How about those fields for Sunday at Motukarara.

Dive in Brodie there will be value everywhere. Can not see them pricing those fields accurately at all.

[Brodie]

2 hours ago, Nowornever said:

How about those fields for Sunday at Motukarara.

Dive in Brodie there will be value everywhere. Can not see them pricing those fields accurately at all.

Na I can’t get on!

Still overseas, raring to go when I am back!

[Gammalite]

13 hours ago, Nowornever said:

How about those fields for Sunday at Motukarara.

Dive in Brodie there will be value everywhere. Can not see them pricing those fields accurately at all.

Well when you have a Slug-fest like that, No one on  the planet could set a market for slow horses like these? with No barrier advantage , and in Overly inflated size fields that give most runners NO CHANCE at all. would be like putting a market on the NZ sheep heading in to the shearing shed 😉. impossible.  

Just a disgrace for harness racing that 56 horses have to go home with a ZERO next to their name, at the end of the days racing.  that's like a whole meeting of horses ? FIFTY SIX with ZEROES,  and with another 60 horses finishing between 5th and 9th as well , that's near 120 horses getting NOTHING.  NOTHing at all . 

over 120 horses with Punters dollars on with ZERO return. 120+  horses in one meeting ZERO for owners. after paying the larger training FEES they have to these days.  That's Far Far to many losers on one day to sustain the industry.  

Better to have 2 days of 8 horse fields where EVERYONE gets a chance to get something. and NO One at all gets a Zero next to their name. And gets a race start in the first place .  like Sensibly,  they do in Aus each week in every state that caters for their slow class horses so much better than this huge field crap from a by-gone era . 

No wonder people are giving up in NZ racing horses. you  worried they can't set a market ?? hahahaha🤣

These stupid meetings ( that  are so bad you can't price them as you say) just Stack up the Losers. 

p.s.  Only one good horse is in on the day (group 1 winner Oscar B 🏆 ) and there's 2 Junior driver races. Carter is excellent driver so should win both of those no matter what he's on lol 👍💰  so there's 3 wins for ya  🤣😂

what's the Value runners then  ?  or are you too scared  to name any ?  Brodster won't be diving in mate. He says he's a winner , so wouldn't be if betting on that racecard. Fools and their money . 

[Gammalite]

Here'sthe fast Menangle on the grass from a while back.

A NZ bred of course , by Garrison Hanover, and even though he carrying the number ONE Saddlecloth, Ian Henry had started off 20m after winning twice in the 4 days prior. and being re-handicapped accordingly.

So Ian Henry makes it 3 wins in five days as he powers to victory. 

Very little grass on Aus tracks as the summers long and hot in NSW/QLD

[Nowornever]

11 hours ago, Gammalite said:

what's the Value runners then  ?  or are you too scared  to name any ?

The main two at value I had a nibble on were Amendment at 10s and the horse Blair Orange is driving in the first. I see that starting shorter on the day the way it ran home last start.

Heavens Mark I think will start shorter than 8.50. Plenty of overs on horses paying 20+ too many to name. 

[Nowornever]

11 hours ago, Gammalite said:

Well when you have a Slug-fest like that, No one on  the planet could set a market for slow horses like these? with No barrier advantage , and in Overly inflated size fields that give most runners NO CHANCE at all. would be like putting a market on the NZ sheep heading in to the shearing shed 😉. impossible.  

Just a disgrace for harness racing that 56 horses have to go home with a ZERO next to their name, at the end of the days racing.  that's like a whole meeting of horses ? FIFTY SIX with ZEROES,  and with another 60 horses finishing between 5th and 9th as well , that's near 120 horses getting NOTHING.  NOTHing at all . 

over 120 horses with Punters dollars on with ZERO return. 120+  horses in one meeting ZERO for owners. after paying the larger training FEES they have to these days.  That's Far Far to many losers on one day to sustain the industry.  

Better to have 2 days of 8 horse fields where EVERYONE gets a chance to get something. and NO One at all gets a Zero next to their name. And gets a race start in the first place .  like Sensibly,  they do in Aus each week in every state that caters for their slow class horses so much better than this huge field crap from a by-gone era . 

No wonder people are giving up in NZ racing horses. you  worried they can't set a market ?? hahahaha🤣

These stupid meetings ( that  are so bad you can't price them as you say) just Stack up the Losers. 

Oh absolutely let’s scrap those awful big fields and go all-in on 8-horse processions where everyone gets a pat on the back and a ribbon for participation. Because clearly, what punters really crave is less value, fewer betting options, and $1.30 favourites jogging home in single-file.

Forget turnover, forget trifectas that actually pay more than a loaf of bread, and forget any kind of liquidity in the pools. Who needs proper markets or real competition when we can stage glorified trials with field sizes so small you need binoculars just to spot a quinella?

And yes — we should absolutely ensure no horse finishes with a "0" next to its name. Maybe we can throw in appearance money, a warm cocoa, and a voucher for emotional support. Because clearly the goal here isn’t competitive sport or sustainable wagering — it’s morale preservation for slow horses.

Let’s also ignore the well-established fact that larger fields = more turnover = more stake money = more sustainability.

Truth is the betting public doesn’t tune in for soft draws and walkovers. They want depth and a chance to find value all of which come from, you guessed it, bigger fields.

So sure, we could run two days of cuddly 8-horse fields where everyone finishes 4th or better… or we could accept that racing is a competitive sport, not a community raffle. Some horses will finish last. That’s the game. But punters will still bet — and when they do, the industry survives.

If what you say is the best option for harness racing, why is it that all the owners trainers absolutely flock to meetings like these and punters open their wallets to create the bigger pools. 

11 hours ago, Gammalite said:

Brodster won't be diving in mate. He says he's a winner , so wouldn't be if betting on that racecard

Actually the complete opposite! Give him a BK Dawn at $5.00 a place at Mot and Brodie would have been straight in to take the bookies to the cleaners back in the days when he could get on.

[Brodie]

1 hour ago, Nowornever said:

Oh absolutely let’s scrap those awful big fields and go all-in on 8-horse processions where everyone gets a pat on the back and a ribbon for participation. Because clearly, what punters really crave is less value, fewer betting options, and $1.30 favourites jogging home in single-file.

Forget turnover, forget trifectas that actually pay more than a loaf of bread, and forget any kind of liquidity in the pools. Who needs proper markets or real competition when we can stage glorified trials with field sizes so small you need binoculars just to spot a quinella?

And yes — we should absolutely ensure no horse finishes with a "0" next to its name. Maybe we can throw in appearance money, a warm cocoa, and a voucher for emotional support. Because clearly the goal here isn’t competitive sport or sustainable wagering — it’s morale preservation for slow horses.

Let’s also ignore the well-established fact that larger fields = more turnover = more stake money = more sustainability.

Truth is the betting public doesn’t tune in for soft draws and walkovers. They want depth and a chance to find value all of which come from, you guessed it, bigger fields.

So sure, we could run two days of cuddly 8-horse fields where everyone finishes 4th or better… or we could accept that racing is a competitive sport, not a community raffle. Some horses will finish last. That’s the game. But punters will still bet — and when they do, the industry survives.

If what you say is the best option for harness racing, why is it that all the owners trainers absolutely flock to meetings like these and punters open their wallets to create the bigger pools. 

Actually the complete opposite! Give him a BK Dawn at $5.00 a place at Mot and Brodie would have been straight in to take the bookies to the cleaners back in the days when he could get on.

Correct that I prefer to get value but You also have to do the homework as you well know!

still overseas but coming to an end, and csn trll you that looking forward to my decent bed rather than the hard slabs they give you in Europe and call beds!

Might be ok if you're 20 stone but not when you aren’t lol!

Just had a squizz of the fields at Mot for the first time and  geez they look very difficult and even.

Good luck to everyone that has a go on them on Sunday, you deserve big payouts lol.😂 

[JJ Flash]

On 17/09/2025 at 2:29 PM, Newmarket said:

Where has he gone, seems he has disappeared since he stated he worked for the TAB? 
 

Come back bro, lots of questions for you to answer….

Fairly sure he does not work for TAB these days. Had plenty of top line TBs in his days though.

Edited Friday at 02:50 AM by JJ Flash

[Newmarket]

7 hours ago, JJ Flash said:

Fairly sure he does not work for TAB these days. Had plenty of top line TBs in his days though.

He said on one of his posts he worked at TAB…. seems he has left the building

[TAB For Ever]

9 hours ago, JJ Flash said:

Fairly sure he does not work for TAB these days. Had plenty of top line TBs in his days though.

He's had a long couple of weeks doing special projects for at least a month !

Still clocked attendance at a few meetings even tho the Air NZ flights caused him travel issues and then tonight struck more problems with motorway issues.

Despite all these challenges still managed to post a few interesting pieces of gold ,.

What more can the man/person do ??

I was led to believe he considered a pariah on here !

[Newmarket]

15 hours ago, TAB For Ever said:

He's had a long couple of weeks doing special projects for at least a month !

Still clocked attendance at a few meetings even tho the Air NZ flights caused him travel issues and then tonight struck more problems with motorway issues.

Despite all these challenges still managed to post a few interesting pieces of gold ,.

What more can the man/person do ??

I was led to believe he considered a pariah on here !

What a load of BS…. The way you talk confirms you work for TAB. 
 

Anyway, things not going too well are they, TAB struggling indeed, even sent me deposit match today, first since i was banned betting in Aus… nah stuff them. 
I also see an advert on TV today….. Exclusive odds are now being offered at terminals only…🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣, FFS, i thought they dont give a shit about terminal punters…. 

[the galah]

15 minutes ago, Newmarket said:

 

TAB struggling indeed, even sent me deposit match today, first since i was banned betting in Aus… nah stuff them. . 

your a hard man to please sometimes newmarket. Not impressed when your not getting a deposit match and not impressed when you are...lol

[the galah]

23 minutes ago, Newmarket said:

 
I also see an advert on TV today….. Exclusive odds are now being offered at terminals only…🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣, FFS, i thought they dont give a shit about terminal punters…. 

maybe they are working on the theory that punters may head to the pub for the increased odds,,have a couple of beers ,then be more likely to spend more due to intoxication.Only problem with that is someone needs to tell the tab that the punters may just decide to spend their betting money having an extra beer, then pay for a taxi on the way home,ending up spending less than they would have had they stayed home.

seriously,it does make you wonder what the tab people who make up these promotions,are trying to achieve and who it is they are targeting. Its a bit like everyone getting a text today saying you will get bonus bets if you lose  up to $25 on one of the aussie races today. I thought we lived in nz and the nz tab would be about promoting nz rtacing.

[Nowornever]

Maybe they are working on the theory that terminals are the only option for restricted punters since they stopped them betting on account and also overseas. Terminals are probably quite well frequented by a lot of these banned people.

Pretty sure I saw Brodie down the local last week.

 

[Newmarket]

3 hours ago, the galah said:

your a hard man to please sometimes newmarket. Not impressed when your not getting a deposit match and not impressed when you are...lol

Haha, yes true. 
If they had offered earlier on i would have accepted…but just not a fan of TAB anymore…

[Newmarket]

2 hours ago, the galah said:

maybe they are working on the theory that punters may head to the pub for the increased odds,,have a couple of beers ,then be more likely to spend more due to intoxication.Only problem with that is someone needs to tell the tab that the punters may just decide to spend their betting money having an extra beer, then pay for a taxi on the way home,ending up spending less than they would have had they stayed home.

seriously,it does make you wonder what the tab people who make up these promotions,are trying to achieve and who it is they are targeting. Its a bit like everyone getting a text today saying you will get bonus bets if you lose  up to $25 on one of the aussie races today. I thought we lived in nz and the nz tab would be about promoting nz rtacing.

Yes, they have done everything they can to get everyone punting online…. then oooops, i think we need the other punters after all…. how do we get them back knowing they have closed most TAB outlets…. Wow

[the galah]

On 18/09/2025 at 9:33 PM, Nowornever said:

The main two at value I had a nibble on were Amendment at 10s and the horse Blair Orange is driving in the first. I see that starting shorter on the day the way it ran home last start.

Heavens Mark I think will start shorter than 8.50. Plenty of overs on horses paying 20+ too many to name. 

you've got more followers than the whale by the looks of it nowornever.

The tab may run out of ink,they've changed the  price of your selection, amendment, that often and its now only paying $3.20,after opening at $10

I see the original favorite in that race,grettymac has gone from $3.70 out to $4.50. Grettymac to be driven by harness racings equivalent of sleepy joe. .What will r mcilwrick do tactically.Will he put the ,wake me when the race is over sign on the back of his helmet, or will he pull a rabbit out of the hat with grettymac. Just depends whether he gets enough sleep on the couch tonigh i suppose. His form reminds me of the southland riugby team recently.. .That race.being part of the invited drivers format where i guess they pick their provinces top drivers.. interesting .. 

one of your other selections,the b orange drive has shortened into $6.50 from an opening of $8.50.

did you see they said on trackside matt cross tipped flyaway at $26 in race 9 on friday. I could be wrong but i seemed to hear them say that withiin a couple of hours of matt cross tipping it,the horse had become a $75,000 liabilty for the tab.Gee,he must have a few followers as well.iif their liabilty was that big,how come its still paying $8. 

 

[Nowornever]

11 minutes ago, the galah said:

you've got more followers than the whale by the looks of it nowornever.

Well it does not take a lot of early money to move a market these days but the main reason is the opening price was wrong, so naturally the market will gravitate towards the correct price once the public start betting.

Bookies also get an advantage early as most of these markets opened at 135% a couple of the bigger fields with the emergencies even opened at 155 - 165% so yes they are pretty average with their opening odds sometimes.

[Brodie]

The reality of it is that the NZ TAB have people in charge that I consider are too conservative like accountants.

They have been worrying about yield rather than turnover and if you turn over less but have a higher yield then you are probably be in trouble.

This is a sure fire way of losing the existing punters and I have maintained this for so long.

They now have to resurrect things as they must by now be aware that the cash splash from Entain will quickly stop and they will have very little to show for it
Still away but has the CEO of HRNZ yet realised that they are struggling or is he still very positive?

[the galah]

15 hours ago, Newmarket said:

Yes, they have done everything they can to get everyone punting online…. then oooops, i think we need the other punters after all…. how do we get them back knowing they have closed most TAB outlets…. Wow

i personally think a significant part of the decline in not only turnover but the exposure horse racing  gets,has been a result of policies enacted by the tab themselves.

And one significant  part of that has been the neglect the tab have shown towards the services provided at pub outlets.

anyone who goes into pub outlets these days,compared to 20,10 and even 5 years ago can see the massive decline.

I've started threads on it and given the cause,whcih i believe has largely beeen a result of tab policies.

i could go over them again,but whats the point.

The tab over the years knowingly neglected that aspect of their business,screwed the publicans who ran the pub outlets with terminals where you got served by a person and foisted the use of these terminals on to customers who don't like using machines,taking for granted their continued participation at the same levels,knowing many customers thought the machines  took forever to put a bet on even if you understand how they work.

And the tab knew some of the pubs who had these outlets had staff who had no idea how to help people if they were having trouble with placing a bet on a machine,and the same staff would tell you that, if you asked them.

I remember going into one,just 2 years ago,asking about how to fill in a form,being told i don't know i'll get someone,waiting 10 minutes while no one else was in the bar at all but the staff chatted,then when that person turned up being told,i don't know and they they ahd no interest in wanting to know how their machine worked as they weren't silly enough to bet.,or words to that effect.And that was at a pub that they mention a bit when they run races in canterbury.

you have to remember who your customers are as well. 

whos kidding who. The tab was shockingly run in many ways and has accelerated the decline in customer particpation on horse racing.

the horse racing footprint in society has been reduced by poiicies of the betting agency that said they were there to promote horse racing. Its like all they did was cut services to make more money ,ignoring that cutting the services would undermine their customer paticipatiojn levels. its been flawed thinking all ther way through. But thas what happens when you just look at one thing,i.e. the profit/loss without factoring in the consequences of your actions on customer particaption.

The HRNZ survey of not that long ago said 50% of the people surveyed never used facebook. Well i think ikts safe to say,those same 50% won't like using self service machines.

so this promotion of giving bigger odds on selected races on thise self service machines is odd.

like you say newmarket,hey ntai/nztab,don't try to make out you care about a certain segment of your customer base when for the last 20 years you have shown you don't.

Edited 1 hour ago by the galah