Change of Tune

[hesi]

Then work out an innovative way of promoting racing in this country

[Chief Stipe]

32 minutes ago, Huey said:

Rubbish , ignore this important demographic in racing will result in its ultimate demise.

What specific demographic are you referring to?  The Corporate sponsors that held customer events at the races?  Well they are normally catered for at Hastings.  The family picnic group?  Yes Waipuk catered to them but they don't actually punt much!  You could just as easily catered for them on the lawn at Hastings.  In the rest of the country they are well catered for over the summer months.

The Hawkes Bay hanger-on's and racing elite?  

Which demographic?

36 minutes ago, Huey said:

You can stick to your Grand Tours and your crowd of 20 on G1 days

Misinformation - I've been to a few Grp 1's in the last 18 months and I assure you there was enough in attendance that I had to queue for a beer!  You're so out of touch.

37 minutes ago, Huey said:

ignoring the foundation of racing will result in a similar outcome to what rugby in this country is now experiencing.

Yes I agree "ignoring the foundation of racing" will result in its demise.  But you and I disagree with what the foundation is.  My view of the foundation is providing good, safe and fair surfaces for horses to run on.  Also providing well maintained core racing infrastructure.  I'm sorry but a picnic meeting at Waipukurau or Kumara isn't the foundation of NZ Racing.  

[Chief Stipe]

7 minutes ago, hesi said:

I think this point has some merit, but NZ racing having a 'cottage industry' approach is a strategy for failure.

Despite the technical issues at Ellerslie, Awapuni, Hawkes Bay and wherever else, people in the industry need to move on and get in behind and support the establishment of top class facilities at these key main racing centres

The only thing I would add is that the top class facilities should be focussed on the horses first!  

[Chief Stipe]

6 minutes ago, hesi said:

Then work out an innovative way of promoting racing in this country

I think there are some solid green shoots emerging (just not on renovated tracks) with ENTAIN efforts.  The 20 to 30 demographic are where the money is now.  I wouldn't spend a dollar on the perpetually cynical age group.

[hesi]

Remember though, Entain's focus is on promoting wagering, not racing

[Chief Stipe]

6 minutes ago, hesi said:

Remember though, Entain's focus is on promoting wagering, not racing

Yes however one begets the other.  I imagine ENTAIN are frustrated with the lack of quality product being produced in NZ.  NZTR need to focus their resources on improving that.

[Huey]

38 minutes ago, hesi said:

I think this point has some merit, but NZ racing having a 'cottage industry' approach is a strategy for failure.

 

Not true! Every sport needs an entry point (localised, country racing etc) , why do you think it works so well in Australia? 

[Huey]

32 minutes ago, Chief Stipe said:

The only thing I would add is that the top class facilities should be focussed on the horses first!  

I agree entirely with that, so what is considered a focus on the horses first?

[Huey]

35 minutes ago, Chief Stipe said:

 

Yes I agree "ignoring the foundation of racing" will result in its demise.  But you and I disagree with what the foundation is.  My view of the foundation is providing good, safe and fair surfaces for horses to run on.  Also providing well maintained core racing infrastructure.  I'm sorry but a picnic meeting at Waipukurau or Kumara isn't the foundation of NZ Racing.  

Oh yes it is , if its providing the safe and fair surfaces you speak of! 

Youre confusing flash decked out Flemington type facilities with what the industry really needs.

[Chief Stipe]

27 minutes ago, Huey said:

Not true! Every sport needs an entry point (localised, country racing etc) , why do you think it works so well in Australia? 

Does it work that well?  Or is it something else?

You can still have a centralised racecourse as an entry point - i.e. you mix your racedays aiming at different demographics.  

Waipukurau has a population of 4,700 people and is only 35min from Hastings.  Put some free buses on like they do in Whangarei for Ruakaka which is roughly the same distance.

[Chief Stipe]

31 minutes ago, Huey said:

Oh yes it is , if its providing the safe and fair surfaces you speak of! 

Waipukurau didn't provide a fair surface.  

31 minutes ago, Huey said:

Youre confusing flash decked out Flemington type facilities with what the industry really needs.

The track and facilities for horses - yes.  Not the grandstands.  You might want to race your horse on what are virtually paddocks that have inconsistent surfaces.  But the majority of owners I know who have invested a considerable amount into purchasing and training theirs don't!

[hesi]

36 minutes ago, Huey said:

Not true! Every sport needs an entry point (localised, country racing etc) , why do you think it works so well in Australia? 

Not disputing that, but it must have the next levels, as per Aus.

There is a very loud anti chorus on these social media sites towards racing in Auck/Waikato.

In fact there seems to be a very loud chorus towards any initiatives that are made, much of it based on idle speculation.

Does anyone really know the reasons for, the mistakes made in laying a new track at Awapuni, why nothing happened at HB for so long, why the Ellerslie track has its early problems

I don't mean idle speculation but facts, 

[curious]

15 minutes ago, Chief Stipe said:

Waipukurau didn't provide a fair surface.  

What was wrong with it?

[Chief Stipe]

6 minutes ago, hesi said:

Does anyone really know the reasons for, the mistakes made in laying a new track at Awapuni, why nothing happened at HB for so long, why the Ellerslie track has its early problems

I don't mean idle speculation but facts, 

Ellerslie - too much pure sand, grass root matting (due to the sand and irrigation) and insufficient camber on the home bend.

Awapuni - too much pure sand - same issues with the grass as Ellerslie.

 

[Chief Stipe]

2 minutes ago, curious said:

What was wrong with it?

Are you serious?

[curious]

1 minute ago, Chief Stipe said:

Are you serious?

Of course. I wasn't there and haven't watched any races so I don't know but hadn't heard any complaints.

[Chief Stipe]

16 minutes ago, curious said:

Of course. I wasn't there and haven't watched any races so I don't know but hadn't heard any complaints.

If you weren't near the pace and in the inside two lanes you had no chance.  Even Bevan Sweeney had to hold back his enthusiasm for the day and commented on it.  

The helicopter drying part of the track out earlier in the week wasn't a good sign either.

[hesi]

1 hour ago, Chief Stipe said:

Ellerslie - too much pure sand, grass root matting (due to the sand and irrigation) and insufficient camber on the home bend.

Awapuni - too much pure sand - same issues with the grass as Ellerslie.

 

Do you know that for sure?

Why did HB sit on their hands for so long

[Murray Fish]

3 hours ago, Huey said:

Not true! Every sport needs an entry point (localised, country racing etc) , why do you think it works so well in Australia? 

Actually, 'nowadays' most live in urban areas!  Myself, the entry was the 'local clubs',  Addington and Riccarton.  Back then, early 70's,  lots of crowds and excitement was to be had almost weekly! Of course another big difference back then was that the working class man had a spare $ in their back pockets.   What with this current 'cost of living crisis' I'm surprised that many punting numbers would be up?