greyhounds

[the galah]

today and recently i've been watching the greyhounds run around and i feel a great deal of sadness when i watch them.

while i've always personally believed the closure was very forseeable due to so much bad publicity its own small % of licenceholders had created for their  industry and i always thought there incentivising the factory farming type approach was a big mistake.It led to such dominabce of the indutsry by a small number and the inevitable wastage of actual living dogs that creates when you mass farm and base what you do aroound the $. And even though few seem to admit it publically within that industry, i think there was a failure of many to push for greater accountablilty of those who brought the bad publicity upon everyone.

 I'm not a hypocrite,i view horse racing has the same problem when it comes to horse wastage after racing,but unlike greyhound racing,the horses have a much wider base of owners. Actually harness racing is currently rewarding and pushing policy that encourages and provides incentives for large scale breeders at the expense of the small scale breeders.i've always thought that is a very short sighted current policy,but thats another story.

anyways,back to the greyhounds,i like so many,fondly remember the days when a night at the greyhounds was an entertaining and  enjoyable way to spend time.I spent many a night doing so at qe2.Not now though,addington  the dogs are so far away and no atmosphere whatsover. Such a shame,but thats why no one goes,but i do assume tracks like manakau are still good to go to.

but  the dogs and all the people associated with the industry now are coming to an end. I've read and seen interviews where all the racing dogs rehomed will have to be desexed and that means the greyhound breed will disappear. I just find that so sad as their has always been something majestic about watching them run. Still is.Thats never changed. And on our daily walks wei pass people walking their greyhounds  and it just seems unfair that people won't get to appreciate them in the future. I feel quite unconfortable with thinking thats what our government has done.Then ,having watched as many dropped out of the horse racing industry due to differing reasons over the years and how sad they were when doing it voluntarily,you wonder how bad one would feel when being forced to do it due to a governmental decision.i really feel for them and their dogs. The fact i can still watch and bet on the aussie dogs i think is a good thing,although perplexing. Shame nz people can't take their dogs there unless they pay for a chartered plane themselves. I wonder how many will move to aussie.i watch r evans sometimes form here. He seems to be going fair enough,but not as good as he was when here. But thats just a casual observation based on watching his dogs run in queensland on trackside. Maybe its harder over there.

so the point of this post is,what is the harness industry doing to help everyone involved.I do get the previous lack of public support from the horse racing industry when the greyhounds got the hard word. Arguing against something that was to ones benefit wouldn't have made much sense,but then again was it the right thing to do nothing.Again that is something i never quite agreed with,even if i understood it.

lets hope tracks like addingtojn,who benefitted financially from the greyhound industry do something on a regular basis to show there appreciation and empathy for the greyhound industry and those within it.There must be a few ways the addington club can do that. lets hope they do something,as easing the pain for those within the greyhound industry who will feel lost and a little betrayed in some ways,will be something that the racing industry should at least try and help. After all,they are the same industry,albeit just a differecnt code. Only a little over 2 months to go for them.

Edited May 18 by the galah

[Shab]

26 minutes ago, the galah said:

Shame nz people can't take their dogs there unless they pay for a chartered plane

Why does it have to be a chartered plane?

[the galah]

46 minutes ago, Shab said:

Why does it have to be a chartered plane?

 

i understand transporting racing greyhounds on commercial airlines is prohibited. If you have a certificate the greyhound is just a pet then  thats ok apparently. i think it was a government rule linked to the closing down of the industry,although someone else may know the ins and outs of it all.

[Spatchcock]

Galah, while I generally appreciate the passionate and well thought out nature of your posts, I really struggle with their length.

Every post is war and peace. Why don't you challenge yourself to keep things a bit shorter? You may get more cut through as more people will be inclined to read it.

[the galah]

On 19/05/2026 at 10:18 AM, Spatchcock said:

Galah, while I generally appreciate the passionate and well thought out nature of your posts, I really struggle with their length.

Every post is war and peace. Why don't you challenge yourself to keep things a bit shorter? You may get more cut through as more people will be inclined to read it.

 

 

all jokes aside,your comment is the type of thing i would expect from a teacher or an editor of a newspaper,or someone from that type of background.

Someone who appreciates that there are situations where short and to the point is necessary.

i would say to that,well thats not necessary on this forum. I can waffle on and still post what i want. You noting that happens sometimes, is proof of that.

so you would say,people would read more of what i said if i didn't make long posts,that peoples concentration span is limited even for this type of forum.But,i would say,your telling me something i'm aware of. I guess you  have assumed that i'm aware of that.  So you knowing that and seeing i still make long posts sometimes,we give it some more thought and get to where you are aware our thought processes are just different and we express ourselves in our own different ways.i realise most prefer your my way,but i don't place the importance you do to that factor.

I find a lot of the short posts can be clever,but they don't really tell you much of what people actually are thinking..Often i think ,well that short post indicated what someone was thinking about someone elses post,but it gave no substance or depth as to what  and why they were thinking themselves.I prefer to see that.Each to their own.

 

Edited May 20 by the galah

[Gammalite]

1 hour ago, the galah said:

 

 

all jokes aside,your comment is the type of thing i would expect from a teacher or an editor of a newspaper,or someone from that type of background.

Someone who appreciates that there are situations where short and to the point is necessary.

i would say to that,well thats not necessary on this forum. I can waffle on and still post what i want. You noting that happens sometimes, is proof of that.

so you would say,people would read more of what i said if i didn't make long posts,that peoples concentration span is limited even for this type of forum.But,i would say,your telling me something i'm aware of. I guess you  have assumed that i'm aware of that.  So you knowing that and seeing i still make long posts sometimes,we give it some more thought and get to where you are aware our thought processes are just different and we express ourselves in our own different ways.i realise most prefer your my way,but i don't place the importance you do to that factor.

I find a lot of the short posts can be clever,but they don't really tell you much of what people actually are thinking..Often i think ,well that short post indicated what someone was thinking about someone elses post,but it gave no substance or depth as to what  and why they were thinking themselves.I prefer to see that.Each to their own.

 

Keep up the great work 🏆. Doesn't matter how long 👍 . you learn more sometimes. The Tough Times Ahead thread has some excellent work , on probably the most important current events on the planet, and debating with Chief on it has been quite good. you won't keep the concentration of many but anyway , as always they have the chance to learn more if want to take a few minutes.

Better than just the usual troll bashings of Forbury or Brodie or Thomass or others here,  of the great harness racing sport as soon as they spot any sort of controversy. it's a shame they have no faith in the participants and organisation that have put up some of the best sport ever seen , not only in NZ , but on the Planet for the past decades . The sky has been reached lately and you still can't see it for clouds in your eyes lol 😁.

Indeed, I Personally think that NZ has 5 Harness racing participants that could be in the TOP 30 NZ Sportspeople of All time , alongside Sir Mark Todd and Sir Richard Hadlee, and Sir John Walker amongst a few others. we should do a thread on NZ's best Sportspeople ever ?? do a survey of thoughts or something. ? 

(meanwhile Australia has ZERO harness horse people in it's Top 500 Sportsperson's of all time IMO) 🤣 but still do ok.

so NZ should be grateful for such a fine sports accomplishments?  (past , current and (future maybe) 😎😉)   a couple of Aus horses have caught up lately 🙄 (Mighty Queenslanders mainly lol 🤣 👍🏆) so LIFT your Game NZ . or a NZ Cup might be sitting in Queensland soon , like the Interdominion does frequently lately . 

[Brodie]

Brodie, is never a Troll!,

Tells it the way it actually is whether people like it or not!

On the money and trying to keep the industry going,

[Gammalite]

15 hours ago, Brodie said:

Brodie, is never a Troll!,

Tells it the way it actually is whether people like it or not!

On the money and trying to keep the industry going,

Grumpy buggers those trolls and live under bridges throwing mud at passers by  lol 😉 

If you're trying to say it as it is you need to expand your horizons and open your eyes. 

HRNZ put on NZ races. Good. They try new Incentives and schemes . good.  The HRNZ computer distributes the annual prizemoney allocated to it All around the country at calculated rates , which are still surprisingly generous. all very good . 

HRNZ saved money by not running the Interdominion anymore. bad IMO 😉. just to 'penny pinch' just as you guys demand for some reason. 🙄 This stops the amazing trans-tasman competition though, that is near 100 years old. 

NZ with some of the best Horses, some of the best Horsepeople on the planet, FACT.  Therefore , some of the Best racing ever. (Those 2 Cambridge races were Spectacular recently) all put on thanks to great organisations of NZ . and the BOAY mud still flies  at them lol. 

Mud at Brad Steele too. not a businessman you say ? the bloke was Chairman at Albion Park harness and did 16 years for Suncorp , and 6 years RACQ in a spectacular business career. an AAA+ businessman. good on him for having a go, a real go-getter trying to help out in NZ. like another Aussie Dean Shannon achieved too, getting funding . but unappreciated by the mud slingers of course. 🤣 

mind you BOAY could have had Nina Hope or Kim Butt as regular contributors to REally say 'The Way It is' Brodie, without the Mud,  but got scared off  altogether , by the negative energy from everyone here about everyone and everything , so there's No Hope in the world they will comment here now. not good. but that's the way it is lol . trolls win everytime. bad. 

speaking of trolling (an important item)  here's some vaccine stuff just for you Brodie

Just been to Dr too for annual flu and covid shot last week . She says the viruses are still around and best to be safe and save lives. thanks to vaccines the levels are in control.  and people live that would otherwise of died. Amazing stuff !! The paranoid 10% of the population who refuse to vaccinate for anything have seen some diseases come back . Diphtheria is even making a comeback in Australia now past couple of weeks and it was just had on todays news, a terrible thing. not seen at these levels for decades. people dodging vaccines . Fingers crossed it doesn't make it to NZ.   Vaccines probably the Greatest invention of ALL Time for mankind . saved millions upon millions to have a normal life. that would otherwise of died. so>  good. 👍 

 

[pete cook]

55 minutes ago, Gammalite said:

Grumpy buggers those trolls and live under bridges throwing mud at passers by  lol 😉 

If you're trying to say it as it is you need to expand your horizons and open your eyes. 

HRNZ put on NZ races. Good. They try new Incentives and schemes . good.  The HRNZ computer distributes the annual prizemoney allocated to it All around the country at calculated rates , which are still surprisingly generous. all very good . 

HRNZ saved money by not running the Interdominion anymore. bad IMO 😉. just to 'penny pinch' just as you guys demand for some reason. 🙄 This stops the amazing trans-tasman competition though, that is near 100 years old. 

NZ with some of the best Horses, some of the best Horsepeople on the planet, FACT.  Therefore , some of the Best racing ever. (Those 2 Cambridge races were Spectacular recently) all put on thanks to great organisations of NZ . and the BOAY mud still flies  at them lol. 

Mud at Brad Steele too. not a businessman you say ? the bloke was Chairman at Albion Park harness and did 16 years for Suncorp , and 6 years RACQ in a spectacular business career. an AAA+ businessman. good on him for having a go, a real go-getter trying to help out in NZ. like another Aussie Dean Shannon achieved too, getting funding . but unappreciated by the mud slingers of course. 🤣 

mind you BOAY could have had Nina Hope or Kim Butt as regular contributors to REally say 'The Way It is' Brodie, without the Mud,  but got scared off  altogether , by the negative energy from everyone here about everyone and everything , so there's No Hope in the world they will comment here now. not good. but that's the way it is lol . trolls win everytime. bad. 

speaking of trolling (an important item)  here's some vaccine stuff just for you Brodie

Just been to Dr too for annual flu and covid shot last week . She says the viruses are still around and best to be safe and save lives. thanks to vaccines the levels are in control.  and people live that would otherwise of died. Amazing stuff !! The paranoid 10% of the population who refuse to vaccinate for anything have seen some diseases come back . Diphtheria is even making a comeback in Australia now past couple of weeks and it was just had on todays news, a terrible thing. not seen at these levels for decades. people dodging vaccines . Fingers crossed it doesn't make it to NZ.   Vaccines probably the Greatest invention of ALL Time for mankind . saved millions upon millions to have a normal life. that would otherwise of died. so>  good. 👍 

 

I decided not to engage anymore with you, but it is so bloody frustrating to read your endless drivel.

Just the usual two questions: 

!: Do you imagine HRNZ has a money tree in the back yard. if not where do you think the money that you consider they distribute so efficiently comes from?

2: Why has the AAA+ businessman left in such a hurry that he couldn't wait until they could find a replacement?

[Gammalite]

38 minutes ago, pete cook said:

: Do you imagine HRNZ has a money tree in the back yard. if not where do you think the money that you consider they distribute so efficiently comes from?

if you guys can't work out the good work that goes in by a LOT of good people , that put the racing on for you for more than 100 years, ten I can't help you . There are 8 ways of raising funding that are done . Trees are NOT one of them Pete. I didn't mention Trees. you made up that BS . The funding obtained each year is allocated a year in advance to the annual racing program. As always.  the Amounts per race meeting are considered too. (To support all levels of the industry in the appropriate manner / amount) as done beautifully in QLD and NZ and all the Australian states actually.  it's simple as pie.  you just don't agree with the amounts so gone feral on me lol 😋

Just because you and Brodie think you can do it better , well YOU Cannot. a Computer beats you hands down. Stake money is Allocated each and Every year from the pool gathered from the 8 sources. so Drivel on that old mate. 

41 minutes ago, pete cook said:

2: Why has the AAA+ businessman left in such a hurry that he couldn't wait until they could find a replacement?

Probably had a good reason. Lots of people move on . Don't know him personally so haven't got a clue where he is now. Why would you think I know ? can't you ring HRNZ and ask ? he Might of gone a nice holiday ?  you need one Pete . Stop you worrying so much . 

You people really get cranky when someone actually appreciates the sport 😉. stab em' in the back when they leave too. e.g Dean Shannon is a terrifically successful man. did wonders for NZ harness for a little bit. good on him ! and Brad too.

BTW I don't feel like being engaged to you either lol 😁  but thanks for the kind words. They're a rarity around here lol. 

[pete cook]

8 minutes ago, Gammalite said:

if you guys can't work out the good work that goes in by a LOT of good people , that put the racing on for you for more than 100 years, ten I can't help you . There are 8 ways of raising funding that are done . Trees are NOT one of them Pete. I didn't mention Trees. you made up that BS . The funding obtained each year is allocated a year in advance to the annual racing program. As always.  the Amounts per race meeting are considered too. (To support all levels of the industry in the appropriate manner / amount) as done beautifully in QLD and NZ and all the Australian states actually.  it's simple as pie.  you just don't agree with the amounts so gone feral on me lol 😋

Just because you and Brodie think you can do it better , well YOU Cannot. a Computer beats you hands down. Stake money is Allocated each and Every year from the pool gathered from the 8 sources. so Drivel on that old mate. 

Probably had a good reason. Lots of people move on . Don't know him personally so haven't got a clue where he is now. Why would you think I know ? can't you ring HRNZ and ask ? he Might of gone a nice holiday ?  you need one Pete . Stop you worrying so much . 

You people really get cranky when someone actually appreciates the sport 😉. stab em' in the back when they leave too. e.g Dean Shannon is a terrifically successful man. did wonders for NZ harness for a little bit. good on him ! and Brad too.

BTW I don't feel like being engaged to you either lol 😁  but thanks for the kind words. They're a rarity around here lol. 

You're talking about where the money is allocated, that's fine, but the money has to be there to allocate. What on earth are these 8 sources you keep talking about? Please list them apart from the actual one which is wagering. (No trees) Even your mate Mr. Steele said that numerous times. Was he wrong?

I know the reason why Mr. Steele had to leave quickly, and I can assure you it wasn't for his wife or a holiday. Any AAA+ CEO would volunteer to stay on until a successor was found for the sake of the organisation..

[Gammalite]

26 minutes ago, pete cook said:

What on earth are these 8 sources you keep talking about? Please list them apart from the actual one which is wagering.

yes it's a complicated formula. I asked that exact question to David Brick (my interviewer)  when applying for a harness job at racing Queensland. He was the head 'Harness racing honcho' who did such an amazing job with the harness racing (pulling it out of the duldrums)  he was promoted to Queensland Racing general manager, and overseas all 3 codes now.  

How on Earth can you afford to put on a new $150,000 trot for unknown 3 and 4 year old trotters ? when trotters are pretty small fry. also a $1,500,000 million dollar Interdominion 4 x in 4 years. It's called Application Pete. 

KEAYANG Zahara won that trot last year , and at $1.05 the race attracted No Betting . so it wasn't that. 

The 8 sources are obviously what HRQ or HRNZ are busy doing all day mate. Allocating the Entain/Ladbroke 's money, amidst Sponsorships, Investmentors, Members, Sires Stakes schemes, Breeders Schemes, Benefactors, Government Subsidies, Tax Incentives and even more (including Slot race investors recent times that you all hate so far in NZ) . I'ts a bit complicated (like a balanced Superannuation scheme is , for want of a comparison ) but all in all they raise a heap of money , and all the Racing participants can enjoy some great racing , because of the WORK DONE by HRNZ and people like David Brick in QLD ( QLD is the same struggling industry as per NZ wagering wise in harness racing)  and then they put it all on for us. fantastic efforts really. I'm amazazed at what they achieved and am grateful anyway. 🏆

38 minutes ago, pete cook said:

I know the reason why Mr. Steele had to leave quickly, and I can assure you it wasn't for his wife or a holiday.

Not sure why you asked me then lol. Why did Brad leave then ? Hope nothing too bad .

in case you weren't knowing, His brother Scott Steele got to stay on  at Albion Park as CEO there in Brissie , on Sexual assault charges from 2015 incident . Finally got stood down in 2022 when commited to stand trial. ugly business. 

[pete cook]

39 minutes ago, Gammalite said:

yes it's a complicated formula. I asked that exact question to David Brick (my interviewer)  when applying for a harness job at racing Queensland. He was the head 'Harness racing honcho' who did such an amazing job with the harness racing (pulling it out of the duldrums)  he was promoted to Queensland Racing general manager, and overseas all 3 codes now.  

How on Earth can you afford to put on a new $150,000 trot for unknown 3 and 4 year old trotters ? when trotters are pretty small fry. also a $1,500,000 million dollar Interdominion 4 x in 4 years. It's called Application Pete. 

KEAYANG Zahara won that trot last year , and at $1.05 the race attracted No Betting . so it wasn't that. 

The 8 sources are obviously what HRQ or HRNZ are busy doing all day mate. Allocating the Entain/Ladbroke 's money, amidst Sponsorships, Investmentors, Members, Sires Stakes schemes, Breeders Schemes, Benefactors, Government Subsidies, Tax Incentives and even more (including Slot race investors recent times that you all hate so far in NZ) . I'ts a bit complicated (like a balanced Superannuation scheme is , for want of a comparison ) but all in all they raise a heap of money , and all the Racing participants can enjoy some great racing , because of the WORK DONE by HRNZ and people like David Brick in QLD ( QLD is the same struggling industry as per NZ wagering wise in harness racing)  and then they put it all on for us. fantastic efforts really. I'm amazazed at what they achieved and am grateful anyway. 🏆

Not sure why you asked me then lol. Why did Brad leave then ? Hope nothing too bad .

in case you weren't knowing, His brother Scott Steele got to stay on  at Albion Park as CEO there in Brissie , on Sexual assault charges from 2015 incident . Finally got stood down in 2022 when commited to stand trial. ugly business. 

 

Edited May 21 by pete cook
mistake

[pete cook]

40 minutes ago, Gammalite said:

yes it's a complicated formula. I asked that exact question to David Brick (my interviewer)  when applying for a harness job at racing Queensland. He was the head 'Harness racing honcho' who did such an amazing job with the harness racing (pulling it out of the duldrums)  he was promoted to Queensland Racing general manager, and overseas all 3 codes now.  

How on Earth can you afford to put on a new $150,000 trot for unknown 3 and 4 year old trotters ? when trotters are pretty small fry. also a $1,500,000 million dollar Interdominion 4 x in 4 years. It's called Application Pete. 

KEAYANG Zahara won that trot last year , and at $1.05 the race attracted No Betting . so it wasn't that. 

The 8 sources are obviously what HRQ or HRNZ are busy doing all day mate. Allocating the Entain/Ladbroke 's money, amidst Sponsorships, Investmentors, Members, Sires Stakes schemes, Breeders Schemes, Benefactors, Government Subsidies, Tax Incentives and even more (including Slot race investors recent times that you all hate so far in NZ) . I'ts a bit complicated (like a balanced Superannuation scheme is , for want of a comparison ) but all in all they raise a heap of money , and all the Racing participants can enjoy some great racing , because of the WORK DONE by HRNZ and people like David Brick in QLD ( QLD is the same struggling industry as per NZ wagering wise in harness racing)  and then they put it all on for us. fantastic efforts really. I'm amazazed at what they achieved and am grateful anyway. 🏆

Not sure why you asked me then lol. Why did Brad leave then ? Hope nothing too bad .

in case you weren't knowing, His brother Scott Steele got to stay on  at Albion Park as CEO there in Brissie , on Sexual assault charges from 2015 incident . Finally got stood down in 2022 when commited to stand trial. ugly business. 

Just a small point, we live in New Zealand, not Queensland. Lets talk about the real world that HRNZ has to live in. Sponsorships, when Clubs can get them, which is very difficult and often impossible, cover at best 10% of the stakes of a race. I have no idea what an investmentor is, so you've got me there! Members of most clubs pay $30-40 each - hardly life changing when most Clubs have 100-200 members if they're lucky. The Sires Stakes fund their own races only, not most of the races on the calendar. Breeders Schemes do not contribute to stakes in any way. Benfactors? Who are they and how many are there? Government subisidies and tax incentives? Are you kidding, the Government get around 18 cents for every dollar wagered in tax! Yes they put in a bailout a while ago, but it was so they didn't lose money in taxes.

It's not complicated at all, as I said, Mr. Steele said on numerous occasions, wagering is the only source of income for HRNZ.

As far as Keyang Sahara is concerned, you've just confirmed my argument. Her dominance was a financial disaster for the race.

Not sure what Brad Steele's brother has to do with it, but all I'll say is that it wasn't that serious. Let's just say that the HRNZ Board decided he wasn't AAA+.

[Gammalite]

33 minutes ago, pete cook said:

Just a small point, we live in New Zealand, not Queensland. Lets talk about the real world that HRNZ has to live in. Sponsorships, when Clubs can get them, which is very difficult and often impossible, cover at best 10% of the stakes of a race. I have no idea what an investmentor is, so you've got me there! Members of most clubs pay $30-40 each - hardly life changing when most Clubs have 100-200 members if they're lucky. The Sires Stakes fund their own races only, not most of the races on the calendar. Breeders Schemes do not contribute to stakes in any way. Benfactors? Who are they and how many are there? Government subisidies and tax incentives? Are you kidding, the Government get around 18 cents for every dollar wagered in tax! Yes they put in a bailout a while ago, but it was so they didn't lose money in taxes.

It's not complicated at all, as I said, Mr. Steele said on numerous occasions, wagering is the only source of income for HRNZ.

As far as Keyang Sahara is concerned, you've just confirmed my argument. Her dominance was a financial disaster for the race.

Not sure what Brad Steele's brother has to do with it, but all I'll say is that it wasn't that serious. Let's just say that the HRNZ Board decided he wasn't AAA+.

well I was always on a hiding to nothing trying to be polite and answer your question . shouldn't of bothered trying.  I tried to put it in as few words as possible , and to show the efforts that many go to , to bring the racing to us. 

anyway if you want to Continue to Just   Rely on Wagering as the ONLY HRNZ income 🤣 for stakes money , as you are led to believe , you are way out of the loop . Never mind . BOAY argued against the fabulous new Ascent and Velocity and Cambridge races as well , that obviously gain funding from other sources for a start. you might not like them , as some people don't even like 2 yearold Sires Stakes racing , nor yearling Payment nomination schemes , But they happen . and they don't rely Just on Wagering as you (or Steele suggest) .

NZ not vastly different to Australia in harness racing ( Auckland does go the wrong way round though at Alex Park 😉) and our wonderful 3 year olds strutt their stuff tomorrow night, in 7 heats of Breeders , where we undoubtedly will uncover another Superstar , during the great racing , while NOT relying on wagering to do it. lol 😁

Benefactors are those like Enthusiasts/ Philanthropists that keep the industry going . a bit like e.g Seymour (who personally supports the SA harness industry with his own money to keep it going annually) . Stockman helps out there in NZ,  by paying Record prices at the yearlings Sales for example . Paid over $300,000 twice last year for 2 yearlings . A lot of this feeds back into the industry. and helps Provide the races.  But is nothing to do with wagering. 

Imagine running any sport and just relying on wagering? that would be futile Pete. It's a sport . People Pay to be involved, and race a horse for enjoyment. many don't return a profit. 

You  better Go get a Bet on then Pete???  . If you think that's ALL that keeps it going ? 😋. the 3200m stand tomorrow night is sure to 'flatten' a few more nice horses , as it has done the previous 4 years. (try and explain to Brodie why that is bad for horses compared to 1 mile racing and see how far you get 🤣😁) Get on that race,  and help the Boat stay afloat Pete,  before you sink from Lack of Innovation and Support .    and just relying on wagering lol .   

 

 

 

[pete cook]

How many of the thousands of races do the Sires Stakes Board run? 1% maybe, if that. So hardly making a massive difference to 'rank and file' racing. Stockman is a businessman not a benefactor. He doesn't give money away like Kevin Seymour. How would harness racing in Queensland and S.A look without his generosity - would it exist at all? Probably not.

There's is an old saying " there is none so blind as those who will not see'! It's obviously a waste of time pointing out facts to you, they seem to go straight over your head which seems to be full of dreams.

[pete cook]

Just my last word on the subject. I don't think that wagering is all that keeps racing going, I know it. As far as me having a bet, I opened an account with the TAB 53 years ago, and have owned about 30 horses, so I reckon I've done my bit! Maybe that makes me a benefactor🤣

[Gammalite]

22 minutes ago, pete cook said:

Just my last word on the subject. I don't think that wagering is all that keeps racing going, I know it. As far as me having a bet, I opened an account with the TAB 53 years ago, and have owned about 30 horses, so I reckon I've done my bit! Maybe that makes me a benefactor🤣

Absolutely Pete. you've donated a lot of time and money by the sound of it. and sincerely I hope you enjoyed the sport and had a winner or 2 along the way. and back another winner tomorrow too . Jumal looks a chance in your Sires Stakes Final ? 🤣💰 

 

33 minutes ago, pete cook said:

It's obviously a waste of time pointing out facts to you, they seem to go straight over your head which seems to be full of dreams.

i've got by fine mate and dreams have been made and completed well before trying to improve your outlook on the great sport  .  but once again thank you for recognition of where my dreams are at. 👍

  I'm glad that HRNZ and racing QLD are doing a fine job keeping the great sport going. Great innovations ,like the slot racing way above your blokes heads but a dream come true for me. Seeing some QLD winners in NZ like Gus and Larry are well beyond My Wildest dreams even.

QLD usually the 'backwater state of harness. Now it's the Foremost. old kiwi's here too like Tim Butt and Graeme Harris enjoying the sunshine. and racing a few horses too.

I did go to Addington once with a horse, and it won the Interdominion . so i'm not complaining . Leave that to you old boys at BOAY.😉 Enjoy your racing day and Go Jumal 😁🍻  

[Brodie]

6 hours ago, Gammalite said:

Grumpy buggers those trolls and live under bridges throwing mud at passers by  lol 😉 

If you're trying to say it as it is you need to expand your horizons and open your eyes. 

HRNZ put on NZ races. Good. They try new Incentives and schemes . good.  The HRNZ computer distributes the annual prizemoney allocated to it All around the country at calculated rates , which are still surprisingly generous. all very good . 

HRNZ saved money by not running the Interdominion anymore. bad IMO 😉. just to 'penny pinch' just as you guys demand for some reason. 🙄 This stops the amazing trans-tasman competition though, that is near 100 years old. 

NZ with some of the best Horses, some of the best Horsepeople on the planet, FACT.  Therefore , some of the Best racing ever. (Those 2 Cambridge races were Spectacular recently) all put on thanks to great organisations of NZ . and the BOAY mud still flies  at them lol. 

Mud at Brad Steele too. not a businessman you say ? the bloke was Chairman at Albion Park harness and did 16 years for Suncorp , and 6 years RACQ in a spectacular business career. an AAA+ businessman. good on him for having a go, a real go-getter trying to help out in NZ. like another Aussie Dean Shannon achieved too, getting funding . but unappreciated by the mud slingers of course. 🤣 

mind you BOAY could have had Nina Hope or Kim Butt as regular contributors to REally say 'The Way It is' Brodie, without the Mud,  but got scared off  altogether , by the negative energy from everyone here about everyone and everything , so there's No Hope in the world they will comment here now. not good. but that's the way it is lol . trolls win everytime. bad. 

speaking of trolling (an important item)  here's some vaccine stuff just for you Brodie

Just been to Dr too for annual flu and covid shot last week . She says the viruses are still around and best to be safe and save lives. thanks to vaccines the levels are in control.  and people live that would otherwise of died. Amazing stuff !! The paranoid 10% of the population who refuse to vaccinate for anything have seen some diseases come back . Diphtheria is even making a comeback in Australia now past couple of weeks and it was just had on todays news, a terrible thing. not seen at these levels for decades. people dodging vaccines . Fingers crossed it doesn't make it to NZ.   Vaccines probably the Greatest invention of ALL Time for mankind . saved millions upon millions to have a normal life. that would otherwise of died. so>  good. 👍 

 

Gamma, luv your enthusiasm but you are living with your head in the sand.

Brodie already expressed opinion any times so not going to continue to debate it.

 

[Gammalite]

19 minutes ago, Brodie said:

Gamma, luv your enthusiasm but you are living with your head in the sand.

Brodie already expressed opinion any times so not going to continue to debate it.

 

well it's a tough life mate, as long as you don't weaken lol. Pete not believing me in our debate above about several points , And is obviously wrong if he believes wagering is the Be All and END All of our great sport.

If that was the case , you would of ceased to exist long long ago already..

But great sponsorship efforts, like from QLD Garrards for example , who Internationally give 100s of 1000's dollars to our great sport, to keep it going along with many other methods the amazing teams of HRNZ and several State governing bodies calculate and implement daily (and completely unappreciated by some 😅) that makes QLD and NZ harness racing the ABSOLUTE BEST on the planet . whose head is in the sand ? 

Mind you Brodster , I did get dunked by a breaker at the Gold Coast holiday last month on Annivesary holiday, and may of well bounced off the sand with my head I spose.  🤣 my head To full of dreams to stick mate ? 😂🏴‍☠️  live happy I say . dream big. Love large. Enjoy much !! 

[the galah]

3 hours ago, pete cook said:

 Are you kidding, the Government get around 18 cents for every dollar wagered in tax! Yes they put in a bailout a while ago, but it was so they didn't lose money in taxes.

 

i had thought the same until someone pointed out a few months ago that the government now collects zero from totalisator levies or betting levies. 

in 2006 they cut the government take to 4% of betting profits,the equivalent of 1c in every betting dollar,then in 2021 they went to zero.

the take out of each tote btting dollar now all goes back to the tab to run their business and hopefully return as much as possible to the racing industry.Thats why,as you point out,wagering is so important as a source of industry income.

i think thats how it works now.

the government gets tax from those emplyed in the industry who pay income tax and gst .

really,the government in nz has really helped the racing industry out big time in the last 2-3 decades.

the nz racing industry has always had one huge benefactor. As you can see from the above,its the nz government. And its nz first and winston peters who have contiually stepped up and helped the racing industry the most.

there was an article about 3 weeks ago in the nz herald about the donations nz first get. And thats how the wealthy in nz help the racing industry. They donate to nz first ,because nz first has the policies which value the nz racing industry more than the other parties. Thats not to say the racing industry hasn't been helped out by the other parties,they have,just nz first and winston have done more. They tend to be the galloping people that donate to nz first.

gamma talks about seymour. Seymours worth around $800 million.

but i'm with you on 

Edited May 21 by the galah

[the galah]

6 minutes ago, the galah said:

.

really,the government in nz has really helped the racing industry out big time in the last 2-3 decades.

 

of course even nz first didn't save the greyhounds.

[Gammalite]

19 minutes ago, the galah said:

gamma talks about seymour. Seymours worth around $800 million.

Developing company . Solid Earth. The listed owner of Leap To Fame. 

We would of collapsed in Brisbane with out Mr Seymour . He is gold . 

Funny yarn for you is I've got a couple of photos of Leap To Fame I took,  from his win in a minor Albion Park FFA just before going to NZ , and coming back in to the birdcage after the very easy win  , they were practising the Presentation of this years Interdominion trophy to him lol . The WIN  seems such a formality , that they can practice the Celebration in Advance  ? . Have never seen anything like that before 😁. was quite amusing. it was like You stand here . I'll stand there. There's his grumpy pony side-kick there playing up a bit too at the side . Mrs Seymour keeping well away from that one lol.  so funny they can plan a Win Celebration so far in advance. 

( although Keayang Zahara could probably have some advance celebration rituals before she races anywhere these days I spose as well. 🙄 Quite amazing winning animals they are)    

[pete cook]

Apologies Gamma, I'd fortgotten about the tax changes also

[pete cook]

29 minutes ago, pete cook said:

Apologies Gamma, I'd fortgotten about the tax changes also

That should be apologies Galah