Awapuni officially out of action for the rest of 2025

[curious]

12 hours ago, Chief Stipe said:

  Let's move on and fix it.

How do you suggest that we do that?

[Huey]

1 hour ago, curious said:

How do you suggest that we do that?

Yes @Chief Stipe how do you do that when 90% of the clubs don't trust and shouldn't trust NZTR?

[Chief Stipe]

5 hours ago, Huey said:

Yes @Chief Stipe how do you do that when 90% of the clubs don't trust and shouldn't trust NZTR?

So 90% of the Clubs don't trust NZTR and so dont want to fix their own problems that they themselves created?  Why keep looking for scapegoats?  

[curious]

NZTR is after all the clubs' association and all those with race days have a vote or votes.

That still begs the question though @Chief Stipe, how do you suggest it be fixed?

Edited October 30 by curious

[hesi]

25 minutes ago, Chief Stipe said:

So 90% of the Clubs don't trust NZTR and so dont want to fix their own problems that they themselves created?  Why keep looking for scapegoats?  

Social media hasn't helped matters in the last few years, with mostly wild speculation and innuendo about what NZTR is supposedly doing.  Wightman being the classic example of spreading, what can only be called gossip, without anything to back the claims.  And it is not just occasionally; it is full on every day.

The guy would have you believe that the issues at Hastings and Awapuni were purposely orchestrated to allow NZTR to centralise racing in Auckland/Waikato.

 

Trouble is that people start believing it after a while

 

[Muzza]

10 minutes ago, hesi said:

Social media hasn't helped matters in the last few years, with mostly wild speculation and innuendo about what NZTR is supposedly doing.  Wightman being the classic example of spreading, what can only be called gossip, without anything to back the claims.  And it is not just occasionally; it is full on every day.

The guy would have you believe that the issues at Hastings and Awapuni were purposely orchestrated to allow NZTR to centralise racing in Auckland/Waikato.

 

Trouble is that people start believing it after a while

 

Oh damm. Here's me thinking that's what they were trying to achieve. 

[curious]

26 minutes ago, Muzza said:

Oh damm. Here's me thinking that's what they were trying to achieve. 

It is isn't it? Expensive way of doing it though.

[hesi]

Maybe one of the wise guys with all the answers on these chat sites, and there are many, wise guys that is, could put up a credible business strategy about an industry that is concentrated in the Auckland/Waikato region.

 

[curious]

11 minutes ago, hesi said:

Maybe one of the wise guys with all the answers on these chat sites, and there are many, wise guys that is, could put up a credible business strategy about an industry that is concentrated in the Auckland/Waikato region.

 

You should ask NZTR since it seems to be their plan. Beats me.

[Chief Stipe]

6 hours ago, curious said:

You should ask NZTR since it seems to be their plan. Beats me.

Elucidate.  Please.

[Huey]

19 hours ago, Chief Stipe said:

So 90% of the Clubs don't trust NZTR and so dont want to fix their own problems that they themselves created?  Why keep looking for scapegoats?  

Go and spend some time on a committee @Chief Stipe they'll benefit from your insurmountable knowledge of the industry and how it works and you'll get some real world experience around how  it actually works!

[Chief Stipe]

7 hours ago, Huey said:

Go and spend some time on a committee @Chief Stipe they'll benefit from your insurmountable knowledge of the industry and how it works and you'll get some real world experience around how  it actually works!

I doubt it.  From what I've seen nearly all Committees havent a clue how the industry works let alone what is required to safely stable, train and race a horse.  Hence the cluster F we are in now.

[sarge]

Committees are for the patient.

A long time ago Ray Coupland got onto the CJC's committee.

It was too slow, in terms of "doing things now" for him, and he quickly exited.

[Special Agent]

4 hours ago, Chief Stipe said:

I doubt it.  From what I've seen nearly all Committees havent a clue how the industry works let alone what is required to safely stable, train and race a horse.  Hence the cluster F we are in now.

I do wonder what the motivation is for some getting on a racing club committee.

[muzenza365]

11 hours ago, Special Agent said:

I do wonder what the motivation is for some getting on a racing club committee.

Here are a few reasons, Free Admission, Free Lunch, Free drinks ,The best seats in the house and the best one was some years ago, The President, ie D Gould, thought he would inspect the Track riding his 800kg Clydedale at full gallop,this was after Trainers were told the course proper was closed for final gallops.

Where would you like your nomination form sent to Agent?

[curious]

1 hour ago, muzenza365 said:

Here are a few reasons, Free Admission, Free Lunch, Free drinks ,The best seats in the house and the best one was some years ago, The President, ie D Gould, thought he would inspect the Track riding his 800kg Clydedale at full gallop,this was after Trainers were told the course proper was closed for final gallops.

Where would you like your nomination form sent to Agent?

I think you'll find that @Special Agent has done more service to club committees than most.

[Huey]

13 hours ago, Special Agent said:

I do wonder what the motivation is for some getting on a racing club committee.

I wonder why people who know so much like @Chief Stipe deprive racing club committees of their immaculate knowledge and expertise ? 

Should be first on the list to get on board a racing club committee.

[Chief Stipe]

3 hours ago, Huey said:

I wonder why people who know so much like @Chief Stipe deprive racing club committees of their immaculate knowledge and expertise ? 

 

There is far too many likey you @Huey on these committees and unfortunately haven't retired to that row of Lazy Boys you are lined up in.

3 hours ago, Huey said:

Should be first on the list to get on board a racing club committee.

From what I can see it would be a waste of time.  The die has been caste and there appears to be no willingness to change or adapt.  Bowling Clubs, RSA's, Rugby Clubs - only a few looked after their assets and invested wisely.  

[mikeynz]

Good old Waverley, Trentham and Otaki taking up the slack again until new year, at least.

[Freda]

On 31/10/2025 at 6:32 PM, sarge said:

Committees are for the patient.

A long time ago Ray Coupland got onto the CJC's committee.

It was too slow, in terms of "doing things now" for him, and he quickly exited.

As did Roger Findlay - both highly motivated men with entrepreneurial skills.  What a loss.

[Huey]

On 31/10/2025 at 6:32 PM, sarge said:

Committees are for the patient.

A long time ago Ray Coupland got onto the CJC's committee.

It was too slow, in terms of "doing things now" for him, and he quickly exited.

Patience is a necessity in all forms of the sport.  Especially Administration imagine having to deal with NZTR , trainers & having to coach people like @Chief Stipe through the committee process.

[Extra Dollars]

On 10/31/2025 at 8:35 PM, Special Agent said:

I do wonder what the motivation is for some getting on a racing club committee.

I agree

[Freda]

On 1/11/2025 at 7:56 AM, muzenza365 said:

Here are a few reasons, Free Admission, Free Lunch, Free drinks ,The best seats in the house and the best one was some years ago, The President, ie D Gould, thought he would inspect the Track riding his 800kg Clydedale at full gallop,this was after Trainers were told the course proper was closed for final gallops.

Where would you like your nomination form sent to Agent?

Dont think S.A needs any advice on that score.       I recall the morning when Mr Gould went around the course proper on his hunter, jumped some fences too as I remember.   For all the angst that caused among trainers, at least silver spooners like the Goulds and their ilk - Hutton,  Montgomery,  Rutherford, Greenwood - were farmers.  Privileged,  yes, but had an understanding of stock, land, and did at least race and breed a horse or two.  Richard Rutherford still doing so in a significant manner I believe. 

Not like the current incumbents,  most of whom have no familiarity at all with the very animals and people they administer.

[Chief Stipe]

2 hours ago, Freda said:

Goulds and their ilk - Hutton,  Montgomery,  Rutherford, Greenwood - were farmers.  Privileged,  yes, but had an understanding of stock, land, and did at least race and breed a horse or two.

Farmers for their time perhaps but methods improved and not many of the old school moved with the times hence the lack of track maintenance.

[curious]

1 hour ago, Chief Stipe said:

Farmers for their time perhaps but methods improved and not many of the old school moved with the times hence the lack of track maintenance.

I don't agree. Another generation from those mentioned, but I think the successful farmers today are way ahead of our racetrack practices in terms of soil management, renovation, grass types for climate and soil types, irrigation etc., allowing for the fact that they are producing grass for a different purpose. To date, the sports field experts engaged don't seem to have done a great job on any of that and the leadership teams generally have no clue.

Edited November 2 by curious