Some of the scheduling stuffups..

[mikeynz]

26 minutes ago, Murray Fish said:

No Anderton horses in at Kurow.

 

5 minutes ago, curious said:

For twilight level stakes not surprising. You'd need to think you had a 2/1 shot to make the travel a reasonable bet and there's 3 days coming up on the coast.

One poster keeps referring to the lack of meetings in Canterbury at this time of year, Ashburton on Dec 24 which probably should have been a few days earlier then Washdyke and Kurow which are basically Canterbury, Riccarton next Jan 14 after the 3 Coast days so really it's just the way it is, you need to protect the Coast circuit, recently we see in harness the effects on the Coast circuit with Motukarara running tomorrow, even though harness numbers are strong......even Addington has a month off for the summer holiday racing.

[mikeynz]

Before Riverton got Jan 1 Waikouiti and then Omakau raced but they struggled for numbers in the last few years so change was needed but if you look at the likes of the Andertons if they miss Kurow, probably/ possibly Riverton then they will be more than 3 weeks at home, the travelling all the time must get tedious, that has to be another factor, the guy Forde from Riverton seems to clock up some kms, went to the Coast last year but it's probably not always sustainable over a long period of time.

[curious]

11 minutes ago, mikeynz said:

 

One poster keeps referring to the lack of meetings in Canterbury at this time of year, Ashburton on Dec 24 which probably should have been a few days earlier then Washdyke and Kurow which are basically Canterbury, Riccarton next Jan 14 after the 3 Coast days so really it's just the way it is, you need to protect the Coast circuit, recently we see in harness the effects on the Coast circuit with Motukarara running tomorrow, even though harness numbers are strong......even Addington has a month off for the summer holiday racing.

What I am referring to as Canterbury is actually the northern SI programming region. Actually defined as 'north of the Waitaki'. Programming for that is supposed to be treated separately from the 'south of Waitaki' region. So, yes, it includes Timaru and the Coast. 

Let me know if I've missed a feature grass meeting there between cup week and late January.

[mikeynz]

6 minutes ago, curious said:

What I am referring to as Canterbury is actually the northern SI programming region. Actually defined as 'north of the Waitaki'. Programming for that is supposed to be treated separately from the 'south of Waitaki' region. So, yes, it includes Timaru and the Coast. 

Let me know if I've missed a feature grass meeting there between cup week and late January.

Regarding a feature grass meeting from Cup Week until January 25 in Canterbury what do you suggest?

[curious]

1 minute ago, mikeynz said:

Regarding a feature grass meeting from Cup Week until January 25 in Canterbury what do you suggest?

Today's Timaru Cup meeting might be a good start?

[mikeynz]

16 minutes ago, curious said:

Today's Timaru Cup meeting might be a good start?

And Wingatui 2 days earlier, only so much talent available.

[curious]

I'd also probably switch the December poly feature meeting to grass and elevate Kumara to feature.

[curious]

6 minutes ago, mikeynz said:

And Wingatui 2 days earlier, only so much talent available.

Enough for reasonable fields at Timaru today, despite industry stakes, and arguably a stronger Timaru Cup field than the Rich Hill Mile. As I said, it's in a different programming region to Wingatui and that region should be catered for.

Edited 12 hours ago by curious

[Chief Stipe]

On 26/12/2025 at 10:26 PM, Special Agent said:

No, who benefits is anyone's guess.  If everything racing was as black and white as the Chief thinks dates and committees would be a piece of cake.

Then who is driving things and benefitting?  Some have argued that one South Island trainer has held the programme to ransom for a very long time.  Has that changed?

[Chief Stipe]

On 26/12/2025 at 10:26 PM, Special Agent said:

If dates are not working, like the Ashburton example, stronger submissions will be required with backing from every group.  Someone with time on their hands needs to co-ordinate a different approach with an improved turnover plan top of the agenda.

How much time do you need?  It isn't exactly rocket science as the variables are known and measureable.

On 26/12/2025 at 10:26 PM, Special Agent said:

I think online meetings take away the importance and provide dismissive attitudes.  You can't beat looking at the whites of your opponents eyes.

Why do you call them "opponents"?  Perhaps therein lies the answer to my question - who is benefitting!

[Special Agent]

6 hours ago, Chief Stipe said:

Then who is driving things and benefitting?  Some have argued that one South Island trainer has held the programme to ransom for a very long time.  Has that changed?

I don't know the dynamics of the southern programming committee.  Is there only one trainer on it?  That can be corrected at Trainers Assn level.  Several trainers have a voice in CD and are usually prepared with what hasn't worked, what might not work and new ideas to be discussed.

[Special Agent]

6 hours ago, Chief Stipe said:

How much time do you need?  It isn't exactly rocket science as the variables are known and measureable.

Why do you call them "opponents"?  Perhaps therein lies the answer to my question - who is benefitting!

You are talking about an ideal world.  Are you telling me you have never sat through meetings where no one gets it?  Three or four meetings in and the rest of "the team" finally twig.

Opposing view = opponents in my book.  Some cannot look at the situation from everyone's perspective, the bigger picture.  Trainers are pretty good at talking through lead up race options and any pitfalls with points allocation with the ratings system, the logistics of travelling and campaigning, which group of horses struggle to get consistent starts etc.  Clubs are looking at it from a more selfish angle, what's best for their day and turnover.

[mikeynz]

I know it's a bit off topic, maybe maybe nor but but around scheduling, the betting figures someone produced showed a significant turnover  drop last December for both Kurow and Taupo who raced Monday last year as opposed  to the Sunday the year before, noting that Taupo has moved forward a couple of days this year, to get a non week day, tomorrow many will be back to work for a couple of days, guess it's the luck of the draw and the way the days fall, not much you can do sometimes but it suggest to me on course turnover is significant at holiday time, so losing the non working day does make a big difference.

Edited 16 minutes ago by mikeynz