Why all the moaning about yesterday's meeting at Hastings?

[Yogi]

I thought yesterdays return to racing at Hastings after 300 days was a positive yet social media has gone crazy complaining.  The negativity is depressing and pointless.

Sure the track was downgraded to a Heavy 9 but it was already advertised as a Heavy 8 prior to withdrawal time.  Seemingly the irrigation was unnecessary although no rain was forecast.  So what if the track manager and advisors erred on the side of caution.  Imagine the uproar if the meeting was abandoned because a horse slipped because of rain on a dry track.

People seem to forget that the work done on the track was limited to fixed the bends where previous incidents occurred and it wasn't a complete makeover.  Essentially the track is stuffed and that's why the Greenfields project is proposed.

By the by I thought all the critics would be expecting a soft to heavy track this time of year!

 

[mikeynz]

 Dont know anything about the Hastings  issue but one thing I'm learning as I get older about many people in NZ is they are only happy if they are moaning about something, whether it's the government, Sky TV, the Rugby and heaps of other things, it's becoming indoctrinated in our psychology, some like incompetent councils and the likes probably has some justification but negativity, I'm  not sure if there is a cure for it either.

Edited May 21 by mikeynz

[Chief Stipe]

1 hour ago, Yogi said:

I thought yesterdays return to racing at Hastings after 300 days was a positive yet social media has gone crazy complaining.  The negativity is depressing and pointless.

Sure the track was downgraded to a Heavy 9 but it was already advertised as a Heavy 8 prior to withdrawal time.  Seemingly the irrigation was unnecessary although no rain was forecast.  So what if the track manager and advisors erred on the side of caution.  Imagine the uproar if the meeting was abandoned because a horse slipped because of rain on a dry track.

People seem to forget that the work done on the track was limited to fixed the bends where previous incidents occurred and it wasn't a complete makeover.  Essentially the track is stuffed and that's why the Greenfields project is proposed.

By the by I thought all the critics would be expecting a soft to heavy track this time of year!

 

I agree @yogi.  Welcome onboard.  

 

[Yogi]

Thanks.  I signed up late last year.  Was on course when the HB Guineas meeting was abandoned in 2024 and have missed racing in the Bay especially the big race days.  Good to see the Club, NZTR and the Flemington adviser have worked to fix the longstanding bend issues at both ends.  Only time will tell if it works.  The whole track needs renovating but I doubt they will do that if the Greenfields Flaxmere site goes ahead.

[Yogi]

1 hour ago, mikeynz said:

 Dont know anything about the Hastings  issue but one thing I'm learning as I get older about many people in NZ is they are only happy if they are moaning about something, whether it's the government, Sky TV, the Rugby and heaps of other things, it's becoming indoctrinated in our psychology, some like incompetent councils and the likes probably has some justification but negativity, I'm  not sure if there is a cure for it either.

Being close to those who put in a lot of hard work to get racing back at HB I find the negativity is well off the mark.  But you are right about a general level of disquiet in the community.  Often from those who haven't done anything to fix things.

[hesi]

Putting things in perspective, prior to this the social media goons(you know who you are) where accusing NZTR of trying to close down Hawkes Bay racing because it had an agenda of centralising racing in Auckland/Waikato.  Prior to that it was Awapuni they were trying to shut down to centralise, now the halfwits are off again with the racecourse classification.  They are mainly just bitter under achievers who derive some sort of weird satisfaction from pulling everything to bits because they couldn’t make it in racing.  Surprised Chris Wood jumping in, but then again he thinks Molloy is a champion bloke so that puts his views in perspective lol.  Anyway Chris Wood has done alright out of racing in NZ.  Hasn’t he just sold a top 3 year old to Aus for huge money

[Chief Stipe]

2 minutes ago, hesi said:

Surprised Chris Wood jumping in, but then again he thinks Molloy is a champion bloke so that puts his views in perspective lol.  Anyway Chris Wood has done alright out of racing in NZ.  Hasn’t he just sold a top 3 year old to Aus for huge money

At least Chris Wood chose not to nominate based on the predeclared track condition of a Heavy 8.  

Eales, Gerard, Gray and Lowry were the trainers that scratched after the downgrade.   5 horses out of 58 accepted.  53 horses went round in 6 races.  50 of them picked up stake money.  Surely that is better than ZERO!  

[hesi]

21 minutes ago, hesi said:

Putting things in perspective, prior to this the social media goons(you know who you are) where accusing NZTR of trying to close down Hawkes Bay racing because it had an agenda of centralising racing in Auckland/Waikato.  Prior to that it was Awapuni they were trying to shut down to centralise, now the halfwits are off again with the racecourse classification.  They are mainly just bitter under achievers who derive some sort of weird satisfaction from pulling everything to bits because they couldn’t make it in racing.  Surprised Chris Wood jumping in, but then again he thinks Molloy is a champion bloke so that puts his views in perspective lol.  Anyway Chris Wood has done alright out of racing in NZ.  Hasn’t he just sold a top 3 year old to Aus for huge money

That’s Gold sold to Yulong no doubtedly for 7 figs 

[Huey]

1 hour ago, Yogi said:

Often from those who haven't done anything to fix things.

What have you done Yogi?

@Chief Stipe likes everyone to declare how successful they have or unsuccessful as it may occur ,so he can plan his negativity replies in advance.  

BTW he has done everything plus some , but you'll find that out in due course. 

If you want some extra brownie points tell him you've raced a horse with the "all saints of racing" aka the Tangerine army!

[Chief Stipe]

1 hour ago, hesi said:

Molloy is a champion bloke so that puts his views in perspective lol.

I found Leo much easier to deal with the @Comic Dog .  Leo always paid my invoices.  But just drifting off topic a tad - Molloy wasn't too bad a trainer and certainly streets ahead of some "Online Virtual Trainers".  The combination of being a reasonable Jockey and a trained Vet gave him an advantage over many.

[hesi]

Interesting question, does the mood in the industry that we see ad nauseum on social media represent what the mood is like in the industry at large.

Very easy for a small number with some sort of weird axe to grind to make a lot of noise and give the impression they are representative of what the mood is like in the industry

[Chief Stipe]

44 minutes ago, hesi said:

Interesting question, does the mood in the industry that we see ad nauseum on social media represent what the mood is like in the industry at large.

No.  I would say the industry is in neutral mode.  

45 minutes ago, hesi said:

Very easy for a small number with some sort of weird axe to grind to make a lot of noise and give the impression they are representative of what the mood is like in the industry

Well on BOAY we will soon hear from someone who has had a wonderful first time experience with her first horse.  I will add though she came face to face with the envious and that upset her.

 

[hesi]

What does 'neutral mode' mean

[Bill]

7 hours ago, hesi said:

That’s Gold sold to Yulong no doubtedly for 7 figs 

You’re a moron and probably a Jacinda voter too

Edited May 22 by Bill

[Bill]

4 minutes ago, Bill said:

You’re a moron and probably a Jacinda voter too

Look how deep it is!!

[Chief Stipe]

15 hours ago, Bill said:

Look how deep it is!!

Where? Wingatui?

[Chief Stipe]

So why would anyone attempt to compare track times as equivalent when the track rating at Hasting was a H9 and Wingatui a H8?

Can you imagine the negativity that would have been generated if Hastings had been abandoned due to a slip?  I bet most of those whingeing and moaning find it hard to get off their seats let know anything about racetrack management.

[Yogi]

I was talking to a local in Havelock North last night at the local and got some more information.  There was 10mm of irrigation on top of nearly 3mm of rain on Sunday so basically half an inch of water.  The track needed it with the dry weather and the idea was to bring it back a bit as no rain was forecast and they expected the track would improve.  It was Soft 7 nomination morning.  15mm rain fell leading up to race day with the track coming back to a Heavy 8 on Withdrawal morning.  Between the the 13mm on Sunday another 12mm fell taking the track to a Heavy 8.  So an inch of irrigation and rain turned the track heavy.  The rain wasn't forecast leading up to raceday and if it hadn't rained the track would have been better than a Soft 7.

One comment I thought was interesting was the discussion round the table felt that the penetrometer and moisture meter weren't fit for purpose.  The penetrometer is a dog to use and the process is laborious and inaccurate.  You can see that in the reading from Wingatui where the track started out as a Heavy 9 and ended up a Heavy 8 after 2mm of rain!  With the moisture reading improving!!!  

Looking on the bright side it is all go now for the August 22 meeting.  With 14 weeks to further improve things.  Most of locals are really looking forward to it.

[Chief Stipe]

I see @Yogi that another online "expert" is challenging your figures.  I believe the Hastings Track manager as per protocols has a rain gauge on the track.  Is that correct?

[Bloke]

1 hour ago, Yogi said:

I was talking to a local in Havelock North last night at the local and got some more information.  There was 10mm of irrigation on top of nearly 3mm of rain on Sunday so basically half an inch of water.  The track needed it with the dry weather and the idea was to bring it back a bit as no rain was forecast and they expected the track would improve.  It was Soft 7 nomination morning.  15mm rain fell leading up to race day with the track coming back to a Heavy 8 on Withdrawal morning.  Between the the 13mm on Sunday another 12mm fell taking the track to a Heavy 8.  So an inch of irrigation and rain turned the track heavy.  The rain wasn't forecast leading up to raceday and if it hadn't rained the track would have been better than a Soft 7.

One comment I thought was interesting was the discussion round the table felt that the penetrometer and moisture meter weren't fit for purpose.  The penetrometer is a dog to use and the process is laborious and inaccurate.  You can see that in the reading from Wingatui where the track started out as a Heavy 9 and ended up a Heavy 8 after 2mm of rain!  With the moisture reading improving!!!  

Looking on the bright side it is all go now for the August 22 meeting.  With 14 weeks to further improve things.  Most of locals are really looking forward to it.

What local was that?

[Yogi]

Loading Ramp.

[Yogi]

1 hour ago, Chief Stipe said:

I see @Yogi that another online "expert" is challenging your figures.  I believe the Hastings Track manager as per protocols has a rain gauge on the track.  Is that correct?

Don't know but I'll ask.

[Bloke]

Turks Bar has a Tab and has wall to wall racing; I would have thought that you would go there seeing that you are a racing enthusiast?

[Murray Fish]

On 23/05/2026 at 3:15 PM, Yogi said:

Most of locals are really looking forward to it.

Back in a day, I used to get excited about Spring Racing in The Bay!  Especially late 80's into 90's, when most of our best WFA horses where there to Win!

 

[Chief Stipe]

1 hour ago, Murray Fish said:

Back in a day, I used to get excited about Spring Racing in The Bay!  Especially late 80's into 90's, when most of our best WFA horses where there to Win!

 

Great Spring track as well.  My experience though was the track started to deteriorate from 2000 onwards.