Change of Tune

[Huey]

Wasn't this the guy who wanted every single recommendation of the Messara Report adopted?

 

https://trackside.co.nz/article/george-simon-must-all-our-major-races-be-in-major-cities

[hesi]

All the big races in the main centres was not a recommendation of the Messara Report though.

All they have to do is open up the infield (if there is any left) and cater for the average punter who enjoys a beer and a bet and they might get a lot more at Ellerslie.  For all the meetings, not just BD/NYD/KM.

If they really wanted to they could do this.  Most punters or keen thoroughbred followers would not be seen dead at Ellerslie the way it is.  They might as well put a sign up at the gates, racing enthusiasts not welcome.  Poor strategy, no one will come to an event if they see the place is almost empty.  A bit like going to a party, not many people there, you are probably going to leave and not come back

[Huey]

11 minutes ago, hesi said:

All the big races in the main centres was not a recommendation of the Messara Report though.

 

No but closing down Country racing venues certainly was!

[Chief Stipe]

20 minutes ago, Huey said:

No but closing down Country racing venues certainly was!

Not all of them.  Not that many live in the country nowadays.

[Muzza]

2 hours ago, Huey said:

Wasn't this the guy who wanted every single recommendation of the Messara Report adopted?

 

https://trackside.co.nz/article/george-simon-must-all-our-major-races-be-in-major-cities

Yes it was

[Huey]

10 hours ago, Chief Stipe said:

Not all of them.  Not that many live in the country nowadays.

You've lost me ...what?

[Chief Stipe]

4 hours ago, Huey said:

You've lost me ...what?

Where are the "thousands" going to come from to attend country tracks?  Certainly not the country.

[Special Agent]

23 hours ago, Chief Stipe said:

Not all of them.  Not that many live in the country nowadays.

I don't get your argument.  Tauherenikau patrons mostly come from Wellington.  Isn't that the attraction for a townie, a trip to a country race meeting?

Why don't the Messara Report lovers all stand up and admit they were wrong??!!  Hard working members, committees and volunteers from country clubs across the nation do themselves proud on a shoe string budget, yet are still expected to throw their hands in the air and relinquish not only their race dates, but their assets too.

Kumara, Motukarara, Kurow, Omakau, Cromwell, Stratford, Thames, Te Teko etc have all had regular bigger crowds than Waipukurau which seems to have gone unnoticed by George, yet wouldn't he have called at the latter two?  Have Woodville, Waipukurau, Waverley, Otaki and Hawera been thanked for stepping up when the "best" tracks in CD have under performed, and not been able to perform at all?

[mikeynz]

2 hours ago, Special Agent said:

 Have Woodville, Waipukurau, Waverley, Otaki and Hawera been thanked for stepping up when the "best" tracks in CD have under performed, and not been able to perform at all?

Well just imagine the landscape if they had closed those tracks by 24 25 as was the theory.

[Chief Stipe]

33 minutes ago, mikeynz said:

Well just imagine the landscape if they had closed those tracks by 24 25 as was the theory.

Probably would have been better off.  However the flaw in the plan was not enough capital was released to fix the issues.  As it is there isn't enough to fund operational costs.

As us evident from thw comments of many the industry still runs as an amateur hobby rather than as a self sustaining business.

[Special Agent]

47 minutes ago, Chief Stipe said:

Probably would have been better off. 

I don't think so.  How far do you think the funds from the sale of the tracks that could be sold would have gone?  And more importantly, what do you think the money would have been spent on?  I doubt there would be pristine surfaces and decent safe horse facilities at the remaining courses.

Then have a little count up of what is spent in wages at some of these clubs.  The sale of one CD racecourse heading for the chopping block would only cover the wages of another club for up to two years.

Would the industry be better off ... the answer is a definite no.

[Special Agent]

1 hour ago, Chief Stipe said:

As us evident from thw comments of many the industry still runs as an amateur hobby rather than as a self sustaining business.

That's an interesting comment.  The racecourses that are deemed to be surplus and thus judged in the amateur hobby category and should be sold will be the freehold ones.  To me that would make those debt free clubs self sustaining businesses.  Yet those which have been managed with some professionalism need to be sold to prop up the dysfunctional and poorly managed clubs.  The sad thing about these decisions is that someone is getting paid good money to make them.

[Special Agent]

I see Winton JC is racing at Ascot Park on Sunday.  Someone on here can correct me if I am wrong but, I thought thoroughbreds were still trained there, and harness race there.  Why on earth do the gallopers not race there too?