Opinions divided on racing’s future roadmap - Dennis Ryan

[Chief Stipe]

LOL this coming race season is going to be a real laugh.  I see The Dog and others are still out to lunch.  Meanwhile we still wait for their legal action.  Yep all hat no cattle.

[curious]

30 minutes ago, Chief Stipe said:

The Brazen Affair affair against Te Akau.  

No wonder I'm confused. I thought we were discussing the Ryan article in this thread. No clue what Brazen Affair has to do with it.

Even then, I doubt I would have advocated it in the BA case either. Not sure what form it would take or whether there is a case for it. I wasn't an owner. 

[Chief Stipe]

12 hours ago, curious said:

No wonder I'm confused. I thought we were discussing the Ryan article in this thread. No clue what Brazen Affair has to do with it.

Even then, I doubt I would have advocated it in the BA case either. Not sure what form it would take or whether there is a case for it. I wasn't an owner. 

Confused you are.  Are you at times forgetting what you write?  What did the Ryan article have to do with betting on Betfair?

[Chief Stipe]

On 15/08/2026 at 9:03 PM, Shab said:

Exchange Win Market Volume = $72,176
Tote = $9,031
Monop Fixed Odds = sod all

But as usual you didn't answer the question.  How much could you have laid on the horse that you were wanting to have a bet on?  The answer is with what you call the Monop Fixed Odds you coud have bet a lot more except you couldn't have directly laid the horse if that was what you were seeking to do.  Easy to say the odds are better on Betfair without doing a fair comparison.

[The Centaur]

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/racing/racing-agrees-to-historic-changes-as-industry-set-on-right-path/RDZORM7X4VHXLJM2ROQB7HBMJU/

 

Creating a property vehicle for all clubs is something I proposed on racing forums over many years. Bringing in the likes of Dean Mackenzie is a backward step. He could have proposed these "changes" during his last well paid stint in the industry. He's had his chance at contributing and I don't see anything positive achieved from his involvement.

[Special Agent]

Talk is of change but, the same people are used.

[Chief Stipe]

4 hours ago, The Centaur said:

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/racing/racing-agrees-to-historic-changes-as-industry-set-on-right-path/RDZORM7X4VHXLJM2ROQB7HBMJU/

 

Creating a property vehicle for all clubs is something I proposed on racing forums over many years. Bringing in the likes of Dean Mackenzie is a backward step. He could have proposed these "changes" during his last well paid stint in the industry. He's had his chance at contributing and I don't see anything positive achieved from his involvement.

Mackenzie would be a huge backward step.  He played smoke and mirrors when setting up the sale to ENTAIN yet didn't have the balls to termimate the vendor contracts that made the TAB insolvent.

As for Bill Birnie - well can someone enlighten me on what he has done anywhere?

[Shab]

On 8/22/2026 at 9:09 AM, Chief Stipe said:

But as usual you didn't answer the question.  How much could you have laid on the horse that you were wanting to have a bet on?  The answer is with what you call the Monop Fixed Odds you coud have bet a lot more except you couldn't have directly laid the horse if that was what you were seeking to do.  Easy to say the odds are better on Betfair without doing a fair comparison.

You could get on to win 2k on exchange same as monop. You wouldn't take those odds unless you knew what the horse had for breakfast or were happy to end up with the homeless and hungry sitting outside the shops

[Chief Stipe]

14 hours ago, Shab said:

You could get on to win 2k on exchange same as monop. You wouldn't take those odds unless you knew what the horse had for breakfast or were happy to end up with the homeless and hungry sitting outside the shops

Whatever @Shab - you just keep complaining about 1st world problems.

[The Centaur]

20 hours ago, Chief Stipe said:

Mackenzie would be a huge backward step.  He played smoke and mirrors when setting up the sale to ENTAIN yet didn't have the balls to termimate the vendor contracts that made the TAB insolvent.

As for Bill Birnie - well can someone enlighten me on what he has done anywhere?

I can't figure this Birnie guy out. Made plenty money in investment banking, been on various sports governing bodies and Chairman of TAB. Involvement in grass roots of racing looks minimal. Quite frankly I would say a conflict of interest if he has any say in selling off racing assets. 

This "high powered" advisory group has been up and running for well over a year. It's a bit vague whether the merging of NZTR & HRNZ administration is their idea. The holding back of any recommendations till after the election seems a bit strange. 

If betting in NZ is now handled by Entain then could someone inform me why the TAB needs a CEO. i.e. Nick Roberts and what is his salary?

[curious]

3 hours ago, The Centaur said:

 This "high powered" advisory group has been up and running for well over a year. It's a bit vague whether the merging of NZTR & HRNZ administration is their idea. The holding back of any recommendations till after the election seems a bit strange. 

Huh? It's their primary recommendation.

The Committee’s five recommendations will enable a right-sized and efficient industry that
delivers both sustainability and a platform for growth through self-funding investments.

The Committee recommends:
1. Unified Governance – a single entity responsible for industry strategy, funding, calendar and
marketing. This will maximise returns to participants by improving efficiency and accountability across
the industry’s administrative bodies. Each sport – thoroughbred racing and harness racing – will retain
their individual identities but the removal of duplicated administrative functions will enable savings
that can be reinvested in the foundations of the industry.

Edited August 24 by curious

[curious]

The last time I remember the codes merging to reduce administrative costs was 5 years ago when the RIB was set up with a less than $15m annual budget. It is now  ~$20m for this year and the codes are going to have their share taken off their distribution from here on.

Edited August 24 by curious

[curious]

On 21/08/2026 at 7:50 PM, Chief Stipe said:

LOL this coming race season is going to be a real laugh.  I see The Dog and others are still out to lunch.  Meanwhile we still wait for their legal action.  Yep all hat no cattle.

I'll ask again. What legal action if you mean about BA?

[The Centaur]

16 minutes ago, curious said:

The last time I remember the codes merging to reduce administrative costs was 5 years ago when the RIB was set up with a less than $15m annual budget. It is now  ~$20m for this year and the codes are going to have their share taken off their distribution from here on.

Anyone with half a brain could have realized that there is no point duplicating costs. I would have thought that had already occurred but apparently not. The RIB costs are outrageous almost a case of fraud.

I would go a step further and include Auckland Racing Club in the merger  transferring the NZTR office from Cambridge to Ellerslie racecourse. Similarly HRNZ and Addington. 

Why NZTR got holed up in Cambridge heavens knows almost as bad as being stuck in Lower Hutt. 

Auckland for a starter has an extensive database but I don't know if NZTR has access to it. A national marketing office should be housed both at Ellerslie and Alexandra Park the two being in close proximity. Ellerslie should be open to racing visitors seven days a week with bar, TAB, museum etc. and sponsors showroom. Failing that make Alexandra Park more hospitable.

 

[mikeynz]

On 8/11/2026 at 1:38 PM, mikeynz said:

I think if they are thinking of rationalizing racetracks, and with foal numbers falling you would think it would be smart if they rationalize race days as well, 4 meetings in the North in 4 days, 3 in the CD in 3 days, could easily drop one in each area, looks like New Plymouth and Ruakaka are least desired going by nomination numbers and only one in the south at Oamaru, a track that is very strategic in the Southern landscape, always a go to if too wet n Southland or Wingatui, harness racing is rationalizing racedays to bolster numbers, working up north, we no longer need more racedays mostly, just better ones, small fields, small turnover.

More ain't always best.

2 meetings in the CD at the weekend, well  2 at present, Sundays Awt looks like a non event, logic would suggest those nominated would be given the option of Whanganui, if not already.

[Bloke]

On 24/08/2026 at 6:56 PM, The Centaur said:

Anyone with half a brain could have realized that there is no point duplicating costs. I would have thought that had already occurred but apparently not. The RIB costs are outrageous almost a case of fraud.

I would go a step further and include Auckland Racing Club in the merger  transferring the NZTR office from Cambridge to Ellerslie racecourse. Similarly HRNZ and Addington. 

Why NZTR got holed up in Cambridge heavens knows almost as bad as being stuck in Lower Hutt. 

Auckland for a starter has an extensive database but I don't know if NZTR has access to it. A national marketing office should be housed both at Ellerslie and Alexandra Park the two being in close proximity. Ellerslie should be open to racing visitors seven days a week with bar, TAB, museum etc. and sponsors showroom. Failing that make Alexandra Park more hospitable.

 

You may remember that NZ Thoroughbred Breeders were based at Ellerslie and they were kicked out at short notice. 

[The Centaur]

2 hours ago, Bloke said:

You may remember that NZ Thoroughbred Breeders were based at Ellerslie and they were kicked out at short notice. 

That seemed a strange one. Don't know the reasons. Although Breeders Assoc. based in Waikato seems reasonable logic. Not so when actual racing requires all sorts of technical & professional expertise and specialist staff that would only exist in a greater pool.

Racing Victoria and Racing Australia are housed at Flemington which seems a natural fit.

One aspect of Ellerslie is that it is handy for international visitors straight of the plane. All sorts of projects can be developed within Ellerslie which would not be economically possible in Cambridge.