brad steele latest question and answer

[the galah]

1 hour ago, Gammalite said:

Haha you're taking it all too personally now.  

you misjudge me gammalite. Nothing you say i ever take personally or get frustrated over. I think i may frustrate you with some of the opinions i express and personally think that occasionally shows in your replies. But i  never think you have any intent to make it personal or offend me.Thats not you sunshine.

 

1 hour ago, Gammalite said:

 

CeeMeNow is an absolute joke who just counts starters in a view to belittle the sport.   and has no interest in the participants well- being whatsoever, in any shape or form.  

i totally disagree with that. i think the opposite. And of course i would say that because i agree with the points he continues to make about the financial aspects of governance of the sport.

Edited 22 hours ago by the galah

[pete cook]

I have tried to resist responding to Gamma's ramblings, based, unlike Ceemenow's facts, on emotion and ignorance. However, when he accuses NZ trainers of being lazy, I can't hold back. I'll start by pointing out that the two trainers he praises for lining horses up (the Green/Delany and Telfers) are both backed by obviously passionate men who appear to have bottomless pockets. Sadly, the majority of local trainers have, for decades, had to rely on selling horses overseas to stay afloat. Where does he think the majority of his hero Mr. Grimson's horses come from? As a result, many trainers and indeed, owners are reluctant to over race their horses, in case they run poorly and devalue themselves, something the Australian trainers don't have to worry about, they just race them until they drop. 

Comparing Australia and New Zealand in the racing industry is nonsensical. Apart from the massive difference in population and wealthy people, Mr. Steele comes from an industry where, if it wasn't for a couple of passionate individuals and supportive State governments, it would be a cottage industry, if that. Yet still some places are on their knees financially!

In addition, where would harness racing across the ditch be without New Zealand bred horses. At one recent meeting at Menangle, every winner was bred in NZ. 

I'm not saying that, for numerous reasons, harness racing in this Country hadn't been mismanaged, what I am saying is that Mr. Steele was thrown a lifeline by the Entain deal, and has frittered much of it away on subsidising ridiculous slot races and two year old promotions.

As far as the HRNZ Board is concerned, I suspect that they are being given the same misleading spin that is being fed to the public, but seem to be reluctant to question it.

[Gammalite]

16 minutes ago, pete cook said:

I have tried to resist responding to Gamma's ramblings, based, unlike Ceemenow's facts, on emotion and ignorance. However, when he accuses NZ trainers of being lazy, I can't hold back. I'll start by pointing out that the two trainers he praises for lining horses up (the Green/Delany and Telfers) are both backed by obviously passionate men who appear to have bottomless pockets. Sadly, the majority of local trainers have, for decades, had to rely on selling horses overseas to stay afloat. Where does he think the majority of his hero Mr. Grimson's horses come from? As a result, many trainers and indeed, owners are reluctant to over race their horses, in case they run poorly and devalue themselves, something the Australian trainers don't have to worry about, they just race them until they drop. 

Comparing Australia and New Zealand in the racing industry is nonsensical. Apart from the massive difference in population and wealthy people, Mr. Steele comes from an industry where, if it wasn't for a couple of passionate individuals and supportive State governments, it would be a cottage industry, if that. Yet still some places are on their knees financially!

In addition, where would harness racing across the ditch be without New Zealand bred horses. At one recent meeting at Menangle, every winner was bred in NZ. 

I'm not saying that, for numerous reasons, harness racing in this Country hadn't been mismanaged, what I am saying is that Mr. Steele was thrown a lifeline by the Entain deal, and has frittered much of it away on subsidising ridiculous slot races and two year old promotions.

As far as the HRNZ Board is concerned, I suspect that they are being given the same misleading spin that is being fed to the public, but seem to be reluctant to question it.

this is a very good post. you make me feel bad actually for being a passionate supporter of both Aus and NZ harness and sounding critical of NZ trainers (whom I actually am very fond of ) 

You are indeed accurate that the major stables you indicated have the millionaires backing . We should add Dean Shannon to the Purdon/Phelan outfit as well as Stonewall and Green/Delaney. Mick Boots backs some there too like with his new Sensational horse Captain's Mistress , which is now with Grimson.  after Nathan got injured there.

MY local idols in Brisbane Grant Dixon (with 80 horses) and Pete McMullen (with 50)  are not lazy and work every moment of every day to get where they are , and are backed by 4 Millionaire owners each .  including Mike Tanev from Canada with his mass of fast horses all over the world. Of course this allowed them to progress to getting the best pacer and best trotter around in the champ Leap To Fame and GUS (trotter)  , respectively. 

This leaves all my friends and colleagues racing for the Fish and Chips at Redcliffe twice a week (the country racing) where they send 'Frail' horses around each week to get by. yes this is a slightly different set-up to NZ racing , but they're not outrageously different . just Not Fast enough to compete with the Big Boys. Afterall , your 2 Top NZ barns of Telfers and Dunn's have very few Open Class runners (after the lofty days of Allstars dominating for a decade with their several Millionaire owners including Aussies like Mrs Feiss and the Butterworths ) 

In my ramblings I noted the similarities in VICTORIA to NZ harness racing , where they race in debt ( a recent government bail out helps them for 2 years) with the same horse population and participant numbers as NZ.   

Anyway In Summary I'm glad Mr Steele , and indeed Mr Shannon and Mr Boots have all tried to help in NZ at some stage racing horses, when they could easily do so just in Australia. (It supports the yearlings sales and trainers .

I do hope you get a horse Mr Cook . Mine just bashes around at Redcliffe unable to cope with the unbelievable pace they race at these days .  such is life. It's still a sport . and it's still a lot of fun. (which seems missing at BOAY these days) I did try and have fun NZ harness racing contests here over the years to cheer up the locals , but not much success in that unfortunately. kiwis seem to have a lot of the fun sucked out of them these days lol 😋🍋

BTW the slot races have resulted in fantastic contest , and the Perth one is on very soon. I believe DON HUGO going to that one. The Betcha race, the TAB trot at Cambridge, The Eureka at Menangle , the Protostar Brisbane , the Ascent and Velocity now on at Addington have resulted in Some of the Greatest Racing and horses assembled EVER seen over the past 5 years. Is a real PLUS for the Industry and big and small players alike , and yet you criticise these sensational Incentives for the Harness racing ??  waste of money ? hahahaha

One good thing Mr Cook is,  i'm not ignorant to that fine concept and Fabulous contest Slot racing. being embraced all around Australia and New Zealand . owners put up nearly the whole Purse !! how good is that . excellent stuff. 

Best of luck to you and thanks for your constructive criticism.  and apologies for me being so ignorant. thought that was one thing I wasn't being by contributing , but there you go. 🙄

I'll repost your post after this one , with some respect as you covered a fair few things in it with some good insight  . thanks for your input. 

[Gammalite]

Mr Cook has posted some good stuff above , so will post back here a 2nd time.

Gamma will have to be renamed 'Rambling Willie'  lol. (you won't know who that is but he was a fine pacer in America who raced through the 70's for a world record 128 wins from 305 starts and $2,000,000 . bit better than Gammalite even lol 🤣😂😎  

from Mr Cook . Space. Space>>

I have tried to resist responding to Gamma's ramblings, based, unlike Ceemenow's facts, on emotion and ignorance. However, when he accuses NZ trainers of being lazy, I can't hold back. I'll start by pointing out that the two trainers he praises for lining horses up (the Green/Delany and Telfers) are both backed by obviously passionate men who appear to have bottomless pockets. Sadly, the majority of local trainers have, for decades, had to rely on selling horses overseas to stay afloat. Where does he think the majority of his hero Mr. Grimson's horses come from? As a result, many trainers and indeed, owners are reluctant to over race their horses, in case they run poorly and devalue themselves, something the Australian trainers don't have to worry about, they just race them until they drop. 

Comparing Australia and New Zealand in the racing industry is nonsensical. Apart from the massive difference in population and wealthy people, Mr. Steele comes from an industry where, if it wasn't for a couple of passionate individuals and supportive State governments, it would be a cottage industry, if that. Yet still some places are on their knees financially!

In addition, where would harness racing across the ditch be without New Zealand bred horses. At one recent meeting at Menangle, every winner was bred in NZ. 

I'm not saying that, for numerous reasons, harness racing in this Country hadn't been mismanaged, what I am saying is that Mr. Steele was thrown a lifeline by the Entain deal, and has frittered much of it away on subsidising ridiculous slot races and two year old promotions.

As far as the HRNZ Board is concerned, I suspect that they are being given the same misleading spin that is being fed to the public, but seem to be reluctant to question it.

[pete cook]

Gamma, I have no doubt that you are a passionate supporter of our wonderful sport/industry, as am I, otherwise, why would you spend time writing on here. Just for your information, seeing you sort of questioned my participation, I have been involved in every aspect except breeding, only because I couldn't afford it, I have had numerous racehorses, most of which have been leased or come from other trainers. For 11 years my partner and I trained them ourselves and also drove in Amateur races. It cost us a lot of money because we didn't have good ones, although we did manage 14 wins, which we are very proud of, and we don't regret a moment of it. I have attended more than 50 NZ Cups and have been involved in administration for decades.....that's how I have some knowledge of the mistakes that have been made prior to Mr. Steele's appearance.

I must dispute your comments about the financing of slot races. I was present at a meeting when the then HRNZ CEO first announced them. Twice that day, he stressed that the great thing about them was they would cost the Industry nothing to stage, because all the money would come from the slot holders. That was the case the first year, now HRNZ is subsidising them to the tune of hundreds of thousands of dollars, when some horses are winning races and earning a couple of months training fees. There is no question in my mind that that money should have been pumped into maiden races for 3 year old and older, because they are the contests that most horses are capable of winning. That may have encouraged people to stay in the game.

As for the Auckland TC, if there is ever a case of mis-management they are a shining example. Two Club Presidents have told me in the past that the club want 'only the elite horses racing at Alex Park'. That's exactly what they have achieved- how's that working?

 

[Spatchcock]

On 30/01/2026 at 1:35 PM, the galah said:

harnesslink haa an article regarding mr steeles answers to questions posed by b stewart an harnesslink.

maybe its an annual thing.

anyways,whenever i read what mr steele says,and this latest is another example,i have to admire his abilty to not answer questions,but  in a way that still comes across as sounding positive.

mr steele ability to word answers in the way he does, is quite skillful.

for example, when asked if number of mares being bred the past season were up,he said .."a survey showed they were going in the right direction...conversations with studmasters were generally positive....we remain optimistic we will deliver on a much improved result on the prior year...

I mean,a simple yes or no would have been better. Wouldn't hrnz have enough information by now to just give the numbers.

personally i think he gave the answer in the final comment..optimistic for a better result than last year. My guess that means about the same or only just above last year,which of course had been a really bad year.

anyways,that man sure knows how put a good spin on whatever he wants to.

Strong suspicion that most questions were actually answered by Mooney and Peden.

[pete cook]

Strong suspicion that most questions were actually answered by Mooney and Peden.

That is likely to be true. In Mr. Steele's defence, he inherited a mess and, like the Board, has been poorly advised since.

[the galah]

i thinl we need throw mr cook into the mix for consideration on the hrnz board.

Shouldn't the Hrnz board have people who live and breath harness racing like mr cook who also has administrative experience..

only thing mr cook,when gamma said the leading northern trainers were getting lazy as they didn't have many starters this week,i'm sure he was just meaning to take the piss,so to speak.

As to gamma and mr steele always saying. they need big stakes to attract the best horses and thats why they over inflate the industries big races.

we all know thats a load of rubbish and the proof has been i watching who lines up where. Its been the same for years.

as i pointed out last year,the victorian cup had the best field in australiasia and it was the first time they had slashed the stake to $250,000.

the sames going to happen this year.republican party's going to run against swayzee,kingman and leap to fame again.

last night they had a $175,000 race and the best 3 ran again.

Yeah,the mega ,mega rich who own the likes of leap to fame,swayzee,kingman. The difference between them coming to nz is primarily based on just how high the stake is.If it was,why do they never actuallyn say that. Have you ever heard one of those owners moan about the victorian stake being slashed last year. No,you haven't.But administrators here seem to think thats how they think,for unknown reasons.

[the galah]

48 minutes ago, Spatchcock said:

Strong suspicion that most questions were actually answered by Mooney and Peden.

So you think mr steele can't answer his own questions. thats funny anyone would think that..

besides,those people have differenr styles.Both confident,but different.You should read more of their press releases.

unless of course,if peden is answering steeles questions like you suggest,then maybe steele is answering pedens questioins,hence theres the answer. for their different styles. Sounds like you think mr peden sneaks in while mr steels out of town,sits in the bosses chair,feet up,smoking a cigar answering his mail.

Edited 9 hours ago by the galah

[pete cook]

Thanks for the compliment (I think), but I've been involved in too many controversies and shit fights in the past to want to get into it again. Sadly that is probably the case with most of the 'tragics' like me

[pete cook]

Galah, I don't know if you are aware, but John Mooney was appointed, prior to Mr. Steele's appearance, to chair a kind of think tank to sort out the problems. From what I hear he has pursued is own agendas and Steele has followed. Mr. Peden is simply a PR specialist.

[Brodie]

Not too sure why we want horses like Leap To Fame, Swayzee, Kingman and the Ozzie trotters racing in NZ.

Yes many enthusiasts do like to watch the fast class racing, however is it really in the best interests for NZ harness?

The biggest stake money is not staying in NZ at the moment when we actually need it staying in NZ!

We used to have the NZ horses going to Oz and plundering many of the big race stake money, and do you think the Ozzies liked it?

Gamma states that several of the Ozzie states racing is basically bankrupt and being held together by Individuals and the state governments!

And here we have these ozzies making the financial decisions that affect our racing??

Anyway, at least we have started to have a Summer finally!

 

Edited 9 hours ago by Brodie

[the galah]

26 minutes ago, pete cook said:

Strong suspicion that most questions were actually answered by Mooney and Peden.

That is likely to be true. In Mr. Steele's defence, he inherited a mess and, like the Board, has been poorly advised since.

so mr steeles been here about 18 months and people are guessing he can't even answer his own questions and hasn't worked out hes being poorly advised.Gee,if that were the case,then harness racing really is screwed it that i the calibre of the perosn in charge.pPerosnally i give him  much more credit than that,efven if i don't agree with him.

As to the board being ill advised. do people think they're that stupid they can't work things out themselves. Well bugga me.

[the galah]

30 minutes ago, pete cook said:

Galah, I don't know if you are aware, but John Mooney was appointed, prior to Mr. Steele's appearance, to chair a kind of think tank to sort out the problems. From what I hear he has pursued is own agendas and Steele has followed. Mr. Peden is simply a PR specialist.

i have read lots of what you have written over the years. Cleary you have a deep undertsanding of the whole indutsry.Knowledge of the nz  industry and knowledge and understanding of its history and the drivers of where it is at today,are vitally important. 

As to mr peden and mr steele . I think your above comments too easily make excuses for poor decuision making.From what i have seen,both peden and steele are intelligent men who can think for themselves,even if i don't agree with much of what they say.If they are following someones agenda,then thats their  decision to do so,no need to say its someone else driving it..

what they lack,is what i said in my first paragraph of this post,and thats the essential knowledge needed to guide the industry going forward,in my opnion.peden and steele seem detached from the real nz people,its not there fault in a way,as thats not there background.

as to mr mooney.I may well have a previous interaction with him where i wasn't impressed in his response,,but certainly i think his work on that handicapping committee which he chaired produced work that made an awful lot of common sense. I think he too has valuable knowledge to contribute, as long forms  of a team of people where people with other backgrounds and knowledge,who don't allow him or anyone person to push self indulgant agendas.The prioritising of the overall good of the indutrsy as a whole must always be first,not certain  sectors given greater importance than others. Everyone within the indutsry should be made to feel part of the same team.In particular Grass roots up is how any organisation needs to be focussed.

Edited 8 hours ago by the galah

[Brodie]

Not going to get personal as it achieves nothing, however I firmly believe that we need people at HRNZ with business success.

I know from experience that there are some people that get appointed to positions not for their ability but because of being mates or because it suits there agenda!

There is just so much wrong coming out of HRNZ that it is really going to have a bad result for harness racing in the future, but hey HRNZ PR thinks it is all good?
Personally think it is long overdue for a review of what HRNZ is currently doing for the good of the industry, if things dont change there is not going to be an industry!!!!!

 

[the galah]

31 minutes ago, Brodie said:

Not going to get personal as it achieves nothing, however I firmly believe that we need people at HRNZ with business success.

I know from experience that there are some people that get appointed to positions not for their ability but because of being mates or because it suits there agenda!

There is just so much wrong coming out of HRNZ that it is really going to have a bad result for harness racing in the future, but hey HRNZ PR thinks it is all good?
Personally think it is long overdue for a review of what HRNZ is currently doing for the good of the industry, if things dont change there is not going to be an industry!!!!!

 

the thing is brodie,the people on the hrnz are all very successful,well qualified and have been part of governance in other areas that has proven successful,same as mr steele and mr peden. They too have good qualifications.

So the industry has the people with the qualifications you said are needed,yet most aren't happy with the decision making.

i don't agree with who you think should be in charge.

I believe thats where hrnz have gone wrong.

i believe they need people with a better understanding of nz harness racing,those who have lived and breathed the sport and who have in the past risen to positions of governance and have shown the capabilities to be in leadership roles. 

 

Edited 8 hours ago by the galah

[Brodie]

4 hours ago, the galah said:

the thing is brodie,the people on the hrnz are all very successful,well qualified and have been part of governance in other areas that has proven successful,same as mr steele and mr peden. They too have good qualifications.

So the industry has the people with the qualifications you said are needed,yet most aren't happy with the decision making.

i don't agree with who you think should be in charge.

I believe thats where hrnz have gone wrong.

i believe they need people with a better understanding of nz harness racing,those who have lived and breathed the sport and who have in the past risen to positions of governance and have shown the capabilities to be in leadership roles. 

 

Agree to disagree Galah!

Personably believe it has to be run as a business and not the way it currently is!

No way would any successful business ever be able to spend more money than they are receiving and survive.

A struggling business that received money like the TAB has should always utilise it to better the company!

The problem with the TAB as a business is that the ones who are making these decisions are on big salaries and have no financial interest in it!

If they did have their own money in it, they would not be making these poor decision!

Apart from Gamma, does anyone have any confidence that harness is going go be able to be more than a shell in 5  years time?

 

 

[the galah]

41 minutes ago, Brodie said:

Agree to disagree Galah!

Personably believe it has to be run as a business and not the way it currently is!

No way would any successful business ever be able to spend more money than they are receiving and survive.

A struggling business that received money like the TAB has should always utilise it to better the company!

The problem with the TAB as a business is that the ones who are making these decisions are on big salaries and have no financial interest in it!

If they did have their own money in it, they would not be making these poor decision!

Apart from Gamma, does anyone have any confidence that harness is going go be able to be more than a shell in 5  years time?

 

 

what i'm saying is you have all these people with really good business qualifications running things already. Have a look at the profiles on the hrnz website.They are some very well qualified poeple if you want successful business people.

so you;'ve already got the type of person youv'e described you want running things.

So is the answer not obvious, other capabilities and knowledge are also required to run harness racing. Harness racing is an industry unique to itself.

Edited 2 hours ago by the galah