Special Agent Posted yesterday at 12:16 AM Posted yesterday at 12:16 AM 9 minutes ago, Chief Stipe said: Yet again you miss the point which was where once there were local volunteers to help with maintenance work and local businesses gave of their time or donated services/cash this no longer happens. So instead of the amateur club being subsidised they had to hire people and pay them at least the minimum wage. I remember 55 years ago my father and half his staff to shift the old and installing a new running rail. With his best mate who was an agricultural contracted we helped and create grade a dirt track for training. Very little of that happens today nor is it sustainable if you wish to race more than two or three times a year. I think you will find PD is used by a lot of clubs today. As far as moving a running rail is concerned these days, it's not such a daunting task and they are moved on a regular basis with track staff and casuals. 1 Quote
Special Agent Posted yesterday at 12:18 AM Posted yesterday at 12:18 AM Sorry Chief, some of your comments on various subjects show how out of touch you are. 1 1 Quote
Huey Posted yesterday at 02:09 AM Author Posted yesterday at 02:09 AM 4 hours ago, Chief Stipe said: Your argument falls down on one fundamental point. Not one of the successful or unsuccesful (by your determination) were accumulating enough savings from profits to maintain their assets. They got by for a long time with the assistance of donations and club member volunteer labour. Some Clubs ensured the inevitable came quicker than others by investing in the wrong assets and not the core racing assets e.g. tracks. Another reality is that Trainers, Owners and Jockeys were largely subsidised by the efforts of those Clubs, their business donors and their volunteers. Every time I hear someone say that a Training Centre runs at a loss the first thing I think is well those that train at it aren't paying enough. The volunteer based clubs weren't able to do it for various reasons - loss of race days by governing body - threat of sale of land and legal action - lack of support (see above also) The governing body did/does all it can to make life difficult for these smaller clubs , some of it out of incompetence, but most out of spite & club nepotism. What industry has its governing body take away successful race days from clubs that lift the local profile of the sport,support racing infrastructure & provide a desired product, you'll probably find only racing is that silly. 1 Quote
Chief Stipe Posted yesterday at 04:04 AM Posted yesterday at 04:04 AM 3 hours ago, Special Agent said: Sorry Chief, some of your comments on various subjects show how out of touch you are. Really? How condescending of you. Quite frankly your posts are negative and cynical. If stating the facts constitutes being "out of touch" then whatever you are "in touch with" I don't want a bar of. Quote
Chief Stipe Posted yesterday at 04:05 AM Posted yesterday at 04:05 AM 1 hour ago, Huey said: The volunteer based clubs weren't able to do it for various reasons - loss of race days by governing body - threat of sale of land and legal action - lack of support (see above also) The governing body did/does all it can to make life difficult for these smaller clubs , some of it out of incompetence, but most out of spite & club nepotism. What industry has its governing body take away successful race days from clubs that lift the local profile of the sport,support racing infrastructure & provide a desired product, you'll probably find only racing is that silly. None of that is correct @Huey and you know that. Quote
Huey Posted yesterday at 05:19 AM Author Posted yesterday at 05:19 AM 1 hour ago, Chief Stipe said: None of that is correct @Huey and you know that. SA has already pointed out how out of touch you are , its very apparent that is the case. You need to take time away from your TA syndicates and open you eyes @Chief Stipe Quote
Muzza Posted yesterday at 05:22 AM Posted yesterday at 05:22 AM 1 hour ago, Chief Stipe said: None of that is correct @Huey and you know that. I'm afraid it is actually all totally correct Chief. 2 Quote
Chief Stipe Posted yesterday at 05:35 AM Posted yesterday at 05:35 AM 11 minutes ago, Muzza said: I'm afraid it is actually all totally correct Chief. Why? Specifically? Or are you another nostalgic old dude remembering "when times were best"? Quote
Special Agent Posted 23 hours ago Posted 23 hours ago 4 hours ago, Chief Stipe said: Really? How condescending of you. Quite frankly your posts are negative and cynical. If stating the facts constitutes being "out of touch" then whatever you are "in touch with" I don't want a bar of. Maybe there's some negative and cynical things happening presently in racing outside of what you are involved in. Ask an Awapuni trainer maybe, they'd be more in touch. 1 Quote
curious Posted 16 hours ago Posted 16 hours ago 6 hours ago, Special Agent said: Maybe there's some negative and cynical things happening presently in racing outside of what you are involved in. Ask an Awapuni trainer maybe, they'd be more in touch. With the prospect of no racing there for at least another 18 months I expect those trainers and their owners are all happy as a sandboy. Quote
Chief Stipe Posted 12 hours ago Posted 12 hours ago 4 hours ago, curious said: With the prospect of no racing there for at least another 18 months I expect those trainers and their owners are all happy as a sandboy. Well at least everyone realises now that Awapuni needed extensive renovating. The fact is shifting everything to Foxton or Levin wouldn't have been the answer. The bitching, moaning and Club parochialism hasn't helped either - but a dose of reality has. Quote
Huey Posted 10 hours ago Author Posted 10 hours ago 1 hour ago, Chief Stipe said: Well at least everyone realises now that Awapuni needed extensive renovating. The fact is shifting everything to Foxton or Levin wouldn't have been the answer. The bitching, moaning and Club parochialism hasn't helped either - but a dose of reality has. A fellow with your lack of club parochialism, racing acumen , ownership deeds and undoubtable knowledge should dive into a committee role at a racing club @Chief Stipe perhaps a small country club could benefit from your input , probably turn things around in a couple of years or less with you on the local committee . The industry definitely needs more people like yourself to get involved! 1 Quote
Chief Stipe Posted 10 hours ago Posted 10 hours ago 24 minutes ago, Huey said: A fellow with your lack of club parochialism, racing acumen , ownership deeds and undoubtable knowledge should dive into a committee role at a racing club @Chief Stipe perhaps a small country club could benefit from your input , probably turn things around in a couple of years or less with you on the local committee . The industry definitely needs more people like yourself to get involved! Thanks @Huey for your vote of confidence. However I wouldn't go near a Club Committee of any kind even if I was paid. Most of them are dominated by old men such as yourself, bereft of new ideas and wallowing in the nostalgia of a bygone era when the trough was overflowing. Quote
Special Agent Posted 8 hours ago Posted 8 hours ago (edited) 4 hours ago, Chief Stipe said: The fact is shifting everything to Foxton or Levin wouldn't have been the answer. The bitching, moaning and Club parochialism hasn't helped either - but a dose of reality has. Who said moving everything to Foxton and Levin was the answer? Parochialism has nothing to do with it. A dose of common sense would work wonders. Edited 8 hours ago by Special Agent Quote
Special Agent Posted 8 hours ago Posted 8 hours ago 2 hours ago, Chief Stipe said: Most of them are dominated by old men such as yourself, bereft of new ideas and wallowing in the nostalgia of a bygone era when the trough was overflowing. Just another pointer to you being out of touch. 1 Quote
Murray Fish Posted 8 hours ago Posted 8 hours ago 2 hours ago, Chief Stipe said: However I wouldn't go near a Club Committee of any kind even if I was paid. Most of them are dominated by old men such as yourself, bereft of new ideas and wallowing in the nostalgia of a bygone era when the trough was overflowing. isn't that why you should! 2 Quote
Special Agent Posted 8 hours ago Posted 8 hours ago 8 hours ago, curious said: With the prospect of no racing there for at least another 18 months I expect those trainers and their owners are all happy as a sandboy. Owners have already voted with their feet curious. The club won't be able to pay wages, there will be redundancies. This is a sad and serious situation. Quote
Huey Posted 7 hours ago Author Posted 7 hours ago (edited) 2 hours ago, Chief Stipe said: Thanks @Huey for your vote of confidence. However I wouldn't go near a Club Committee of any kind even if I was paid. Most of them are dominated by old men such as yourself, bereft of new ideas and wallowing in the nostalgia of a bygone era when the trough was overflowing. Surely youre capable of changing that or bringing about the change the industry needs? Edited 7 hours ago by Huey Quote
Special Agent Posted 7 hours ago Posted 7 hours ago Here they come .... Project Stamina Advances with Appointment of Independent Advisor RCP New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) and Harness Racing New Zealand (HRNZ), with the support of TAB New Zealand (TAB NZ), have today confirmed the appointment of RCP as independent consultants to Project Stamina, a dual-code initiative focused on the future of New Zealand’s racing infrastructure. Project Stamina aims to produce a unified Master Plan for racing and training venues nationwide. It will provide a clear, long-term view of where and how the industry should invest across both Thoroughbred and Harness codes. In doing so, it links this investment to day-to-day outcomes: reliable tracks, a consistent racing product, stronger wagering performance, and more funding to reinvest back into the sport. Following a competitive process, RCP has been engaged to provide strategic advisory and programme management support to the codes. RCP is a leading provider of independent project management and strategic advisory services across New Zealand’s property and construction sectors, including major sporting infrastructure and recreation facilities. NZTR Chief Executive Officer, Matt Ballesty, said RCP’s appointment marked an important milestone in the project. “This is a critical piece of work for our industry. There have been a lot of assessments completed over the years at the Club, regional and code levels, but it hasn’t always been cohesive or aligned to a single national view,” he said. “We’ve taken the time to run a thorough process and are pleased to have RCP on board. Their experience in complex, multi-stakeholder infrastructure projects will help us bring real clarity to the options in front of us and give everyone greater confidence in the decisions we ultimately make,” Ballesty said. HRNZ Chief Executive Officer, Brad Steele, said the work now underway would support better decision-making for Clubs, participants and funders. “This Master Plan is an opportunity to make sure our infrastructure is fit for purpose, safe, and capable of supporting the growth we want to achieve as codes." “RCP’s independent expertise will help us get an honest assessment of the current state and build a clear picture of where investment will make the biggest difference. This work is essential to giving Clubs, participants and funders the confidence to plan for the future," Steele said. TAB NZ, which is supporting the initiative, views Project Stamina as a key enabler of a reliable racing product and sustainable wagering returns for the industry. Broader industry engagement will be a core part of the process, and NZTR and HRNZ will outline how stakeholders can be involved as Project Stamina moves through its key phases. As Project Stamina progresses, both codes will continue to provide key updates to the industry, with TAB NZ contributing strategic input throughout. ENDS About Project Stamina Project Stamina is a joint initiative between New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) and Harness Racing New Zealand (HRNZ), supported by TAB NZ. Announced in 2025, the project aims to deliver a unified Master Plan for New Zealand’s racing infrastructure, enabling better-informed, long-term decisions on the future use, investment and configuration of racing and training venues across both codes. About RCP RCP is a leading provider of independent project management and strategic advisory services to New Zealand’s property and construction industry. With a multidisciplinary team and experience across sectors including sports and recreation, RCP supports clients to shape, organise and deliver complex projects nationwide. Quote
Chief Stipe Posted 4 hours ago Posted 4 hours ago 3 hours ago, Huey said: Surely youre capable of changing that or bringing about the change the industry needs? I can't change your mind what hope have I of changing your peers minds?!!!!! Quote
Huey Posted 1 hour ago Author Posted 1 hour ago 5 hours ago, Special Agent said: Here they come .... Project Stamina Advances with Appointment of Independent Advisor RCP New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) and Harness Racing New Zealand (HRNZ), with the support of TAB New Zealand (TAB NZ), have today confirmed the appointment of RCP as independent consultants to Project Stamina, a dual-code initiative focused on the future of New Zealand’s racing infrastructure. Project Stamina aims to produce a unified Master Plan for racing and training venues nationwide. It will provide a clear, long-term view of where and how the industry should invest across both Thoroughbred and Harness codes. In doing so, it links this investment to day-to-day outcomes: reliable tracks, a consistent racing product, stronger wagering performance, and more funding to reinvest back into the sport. Following a competitive process, RCP has been engaged to provide strategic advisory and programme management support to the codes. RCP is a leading provider of independent project management and strategic advisory services across New Zealand’s property and construction sectors, including major sporting infrastructure and recreation facilities. NZTR Chief Executive Officer, Matt Ballesty, said RCP’s appointment marked an important milestone in the project. “This is a critical piece of work for our industry. There have been a lot of assessments completed over the years at the Club, regional and code levels, but it hasn’t always been cohesive or aligned to a single national view,” he said. “We’ve taken the time to run a thorough process and are pleased to have RCP on board. Their experience in complex, multi-stakeholder infrastructure projects will help us bring real clarity to the options in front of us and give everyone greater confidence in the decisions we ultimately make,” Ballesty said. HRNZ Chief Executive Officer, Brad Steele, said the work now underway would support better decision-making for Clubs, participants and funders. “This Master Plan is an opportunity to make sure our infrastructure is fit for purpose, safe, and capable of supporting the growth we want to achieve as codes." “RCP’s independent expertise will help us get an honest assessment of the current state and build a clear picture of where investment will make the biggest difference. This work is essential to giving Clubs, participants and funders the confidence to plan for the future," Steele said. TAB NZ, which is supporting the initiative, views Project Stamina as a key enabler of a reliable racing product and sustainable wagering returns for the industry. Broader industry engagement will be a core part of the process, and NZTR and HRNZ will outline how stakeholders can be involved as Project Stamina moves through its key phases. As Project Stamina progresses, both codes will continue to provide key updates to the industry, with TAB NZ contributing strategic input throughout. ENDS About Project Stamina Project Stamina is a joint initiative between New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) and Harness Racing New Zealand (HRNZ), supported by TAB NZ. Announced in 2025, the project aims to deliver a unified Master Plan for New Zealand’s racing infrastructure, enabling better-informed, long-term decisions on the future use, investment and configuration of racing and training venues across both codes. About RCP RCP is a leading provider of independent project management and strategic advisory services to New Zealand’s property and construction industry. With a multidisciplinary team and experience across sectors including sports and recreation, RCP supports clients to shape, organise and deliver complex projects nationwide. More $$ and industry resources set to be wasted! What do they think they can achieve given their performance regarding venues to date? Quote
Chief Stipe Posted 1 hour ago Posted 1 hour ago 18 minutes ago, Huey said: More $$ and industry resources set to be wasted! What do they think they can achieve given their performance regarding venues to date? Can't do any worse than you did when you were at the helm!!! Quote
Huey Posted 1 hour ago Author Posted 1 hour ago 10 minutes ago, Chief Stipe said: Can't do any worse than you did when you were at the helm!!! I never wasted a $ Quote
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