The new normal for Manawatu harness racing.

[mikeynz]

6 races seems to be about as good as it's going to get, House has only 6 racing this week, still a good number of locals to keep them going, just as well, you do wonder if it's financially viable sending a trackside crew out to these places for 6 races, I think the dogs are on same day but they finish soon......Cambridge don't need 6 race cards, just one meet up north will mostly suffice, Gamma always says you need these small meetings for the small time trainers but you can easily schedule races to cater for them as well, even if only one day a week, 13 or so races ain't that awkward, it cuts down travel cost as well, when considering the one day a week scenario makes sense to have one track only, and I suggest Cambridge , going the right way around is at least a step in right direction.

[Newmarket]

Yeah, be interesting once dogs finished how these dual code meetings survive. 

[PeterLambFan]

2 hours ago, Newmarket said:

Yeah, be interesting once dogs finished how these dual code meetings survive. 

You’d suspect in the case of Manawatu it won’t survive. 

[Brodie]

Would be good to hear more from the CEO of HRNZ as to how harness is going financially at the moment!

Would also be good to hear from him about how he sees things in 2 years time when Entain pulls the plug on subsidising harness racing!

Watched a video at the weekend and a well known trainer saying how well things are going for harness since Entain got involved!

It is very hard to understand how so many believe that harness racing is going to continue to function the way it is?

These people clearly have very little financial literacy unless they can explain to us where the money is going to be coming from when the cash splash finishes?

The North Island racing is clearly stuffed and can not continue to prop it up the way they are doing, but hey everything is positive? 
 

[Nowornever]

3 hours ago, Brodie said:

Watched a video at the weekend and a well known trainer saying how well things are going for harness since Entain got involved!

Would have to be a trainer supported by some big owners to be saying that. Someone winning the bigger money races would be loving it.

Anyone at grass roots level or hobby trainers with no money behind them would not be saying that.

Edited 2 hours ago by Nowornever

[mikeynz]

6 minutes ago, Nowornever said:

Would have to be a trainer supported by some big owners to be saying that. Someone winning the bigger money races would be loving it.

Anyone at grass roots level or hobby trainers with no money behind them would not be saying that.

No doubt, some sitting at the top of the pyramid in harness will be doing  extremely well at present, never probably been so good,  great  stakes with tiny fields, get it while it's there, 

[Spatchcock]

4 hours ago, Brodie said:

Would be good to hear more from the CEO of HRNZ as to how harness is going financially at the moment!

Would also be good to hear from him about how he sees things in 2 years time when Entain pulls the plug on subsidising harness racing!

Watched a video at the weekend and a well known trainer saying how well things are going for harness since Entain got involved!

It is very hard to understand how so many believe that harness racing is going to continue to function the way it is?

These people clearly have very little financial literacy unless they can explain to us where the money is going to be coming from when the cash splash finishes?

The North Island racing is clearly stuffed and can not continue to prop it up the way they are doing, but hey everything is positive? 
 

Brodie,

Serious question... do you have any skin in the game? 

[the galah]

brodie,as far as trainers saying how well things are going.

Its people preferring to live in the present and judging things on how they,themselves are currently being impacted by how hrnz is  currently running things.

For example,if they are trying to get owners interested in yearlings they may have recently purchased at the sales,being a good saleman and highlighting the positive aspects of what your selling,is necessary,so they focus on the current high stakes a a positive and chose to ignore all the other indicators of the industries health.

Another factor is these high end,high profile trainers are dealing each day with a lot of stresses and worries that come with running bigger stables. So theres a degree of,i've got enough stresses running my stable as it is,i don't need to overcomplicate things further by taking on board the stresses of having to think about things outside their wheelhouse.

and even if they did take a look around them and conclude current hrnz leadership is squandering a once in a lifetime chance to ensure the future of the sport,well if they were to express those views publically, that would get them offside with the prople running the industry,the very same people who are currently prioritsing the self interests of the high end people,of which they are one. So in effect,these high end trainers are never going to advaocate for policies that will impact them and their client base. Its just the way human nature works. After all,its a cut throat world and people  have to fight for whats best for themselves,so thats also part of why the high end trainers and owners are happy to take a head in the sand approach.

so really its just self interest driving how some people who appear to ignoring reality.Its people with a stake in the game playing their cards to their own benefit.Its just the way the world and people work.Its understandable,its not because they aren't smart,but at the end these people who are supposed to be smart a playing a game that may see them negatively impacted most long term.And thats not that smart.

But life really is never black and white,its always shades of grey and the nz harness industry is no different.

 

Edited 1 hour ago by the galah

[the galah]

1 hour ago, Spatchcock said:

Brodie,

Serious question... do you have any skin in the game? 

that question implies you think that is relevant in a certain way.

well,yes i believe its relevant,but not in the way you imply.

ask yourself this

who's opinion should one listen to and value..

A)someone who understands how the industry works and is run ,who has no self interest at stake and who promotes what they belive is best for the overall industries health.

or

B)someone who understands how the industry works and is run,but who promotes policies that benefit their own self interests or prioritises the interests of certain groups within the industry .

clealy the answer is a no brainer. Its A.

so the point is,the having skin in the game argument is just a deflection.

 

Edited 46 minutes ago by the galah

[Gammalite]

5 hours ago, Brodie said:

Watched a video at the weekend and a well known trainer saying how well things are going for harness since Entain got involved!

It is very hard to understand how so many believe that harness racing is going to continue to function the way it is?

Absolutely Brodster. You are on the money having respect for Entain for a change. 

And yes Changes happen , and the function changes bit by bit as improvements made all the time.

HRNZ and harness racing participants can rejoice that Entain stepped in (when they didn't have to as is a poor betting product ) but wanted to help out . As their Subsidary LADBROKES has in queesland saving the day for us too . and allowing us to produce great horses like Leap To Fame and GUS that have been crushing it in NZ lately. 

As The Galah has told you ENTAIN/Ladbrokes make their most money from SPORTS Betting. and a bit on thoroughbreds , esp places like the crazy rich Asians on the Hong Kong races and things like that.

Chief has told you how many Billions ENTAIN have. they even have 100,000,000 set aside Chief has told me, to  Pay their Money laundering fine if it comes to that out of the courts. Water off a ducks back.

Their Contributuion is being lapped up by the NZ harness racing world (and QLD too via Ladbrokes) to have some of the best racing ever seen , by some of the fastest horses ever to wear a bridle, by the BEST Trainers on the Planet. 

North Island NOT STUFFED yet old sport. hang tuff mate. Barry still winning races after all these decades and been one of the best in the world , along with brother Mark and brother-in -law Tony. Clearly the best around lol 👍🏆😉

Rejoice and be grateful we can still see the marvelous horsemen go round , and try and match the Aussies . 

How good is NZ harness going? Fabulous . Cambridge on soon .. TAB trot and The race by BETCHA . how good ?? wait to you see the next Queenslander Brodster. Named THE JANITOR. he is gunna Blow your socks off old boy. 💪💰🏆😁

NZ harness never been better. The last 2 Cup weeks have been staggeringly good at Addington . with the Velocity and The Ascent. You got to see Leap To Fame and Keayang Zahara. 2 of the best ever. 

How Privaliged are we lately ?? just amazing what HRNZ are doing . What amazing people to put this entertainment on.