Happy Sunrise Posted June 3, 2020 Share Posted June 3, 2020 All the credible people are gone. A cold environment he says? Well, the TAB have wrecked any reason to be on course so he is quite correct in his statement. RITA and their blazing cost cutting to the raceday need to f**k off. Will be lights out soon. https://www.lincolnfarms.co.nz/stories/racing-loses-its-top-presenter-greg-oconnor-sitting-in-the-studio-just-doesnt-cut-it/ Racing loses its top presenter Greg O’Connor - sitting in the studio just doesn’t cut it By Barry Lichter • 3 June 2020 Every day for the last 10 years that he’s been at Trackside, Greg O’Connor says he’s never felt like he was going to work. New Zealand racing’s greatest presenter thought he was blessed to be doing what he loved, bringing the emotion-charged stories of racing to the viewers. But sitting in a studio, 250 metres from Addington raceway last week, the stark reality of his future struck home. And it wasn’t one that he liked. So today he became the latest victim of the TAB’s demolition of its broadcasting arm, opting to take redundancy. “It’s just not working for me now,” says O’Connor, 47. “It hit home that night when Blair (Orange) drove his 2000th winner and I wasn’t there to capture the moment. I was sitting in a cold environment thinking this is what it’s going to be like from now. “It’s never felt like work for me but it does now. I’ve loved getting out and about and telling the stories of the industry but all of the tools we’ve had are no longer available and none of the team are here any more.” With the Racing Industry Transition Agency having all but stopped presenters working on course and dismantled their production crews, O’Connor says he’s virtually a “Lone Ranger” now. Harness racing’s top three presenters, from left, Craig “The Whale” Thompson, Mick Guerin and now Greg O’Connor have all gone as a result of the TAB’s drastic cost-cutting. “Whale’s gone, and he was the biggest driver of turnover, Mick Guerin’s gone and so is Maryanne Twentyman who had vast experience in broadcasting and gave me the confidence to be able to do it.” Not for O’Connor the drudgery of reading out the dividends for the next race at some obscure venue in Australia. “When you’ve had what I’ve had, it’s a big drop and change. Some can accept it and keep taking the money but I’m not one of them. “I like helping people and am passionate about what I do -whether it’s interviewing a new driver and helping develop them or helping a racing club using the expertise I’ve picked up in the last 25 years.” O’Connor is sad that he won’t be able to tell heartfelt stories like Terrill Charles’ win in the 2019 New Zealand Cup with Dee And Gee, which came two years after she was diagnosed with cancer. He won’t miss the terrible day when he had to announce on air that jockey Ashlee Mundy had died. But he will miss the good times he’s shared with some of his friends - like covering Todd Mitchell’s fourth New Zealand Trotting Cup win, or Tony Shaw’s Cup win with Yulestar, or their Interdominion triumph. “Those are the moments that bring people to the races, rather than just those who want to back horses race to race. “But when we’re not on track and when all your tools aren’t there, how do you tell those stories and how do you increase turnover?” O’Connor says his own suggestions, and those of his colleagues fell on deaf ears during the consultation process, and nothing changed. “I’m hopeful the hierarchy might recognise how important that coverage is at some stage. Once it’s gone you can’t relive it. “Am I sad I won’t be part of that process any longer? Of course. I’ve tried to portray the image of harness racing as a great sport, and I genuinely believe it is. “But while the decision to go wasn’t an easy one, it’s the right one for me and the family and the timing is right. “My wife Karen has a team of 10 young horses and after my dad passed away a couple of years ago, she needs a hand. There’s a fair bit of shit to pick up every day. “And honestly another big part of my decision is that I don’t want to miss my kids growing up. Greg O’Connor in his most recognised role on track - interviewing winning driver Mark Jones after his Dominion Handicap win behind Master Lavros.“Every Friday night I was going to be stuck in the studio covering Addington and that’s when Flynn plays football. He’s nearly 15, is a pretty handy player and I want to watch his games.” O’Connor was absent, covering the Interdominion Finals last year when his daughter Maia, 15, was dancing in her end of year production. O’Connor says he’s lucky that he’s reasonably secure financially, and while he’ll definitely need a job, he doesn’t have to rush into one. “That’s what COVID’s done for all of us, we’ve been able to take a step back and reassess things. “I’d be keen to get back into administration and I know there’s a job coming up at Addington that hasn’t been listed yet and if that happened, I’d certainly be happy.” O’Connor has years of experience in marketing and promotion, spending the best part of the 1990s at Addington, before a three year stint at Harness Racing New Zealand and time at Jade Stadium as its commercial and marketing manager. “I would have been at Trackside 10 years in August and I’ve loved every minute of it. I’ve had a great run and there are no regrets.” It’s the racing industry that will regret O’Connor’s loss. His unflappable nature, knowledge of both harness and gallops and it’s players was unmatched. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rangatira Posted June 3, 2020 Share Posted June 3, 2020 poor jj 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trotsfan Posted June 3, 2020 Share Posted June 3, 2020 what about him becoming next CEO of HRNZ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Sunrise Posted June 3, 2020 Author Share Posted June 3, 2020 44 minutes ago, Happy Sunrise said: O’Connor says his own suggestions, and those of his colleagues fell on deaf ears during the consultation process, and nothing changed. If you don't listen to people like Greg O'Connor during the 'consultation' process then you never wanted to hear anything anyway. Yet again, it seems like the those who are truly invested in the game get beaten out by the bean counters and fat salary earners who only want to look after their own nest. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newmarket Posted June 3, 2020 Share Posted June 3, 2020 Greg will be a loss, he is well liked . All the best to him, as for Mick, looking at his socks in that picture, he should have been fired on the spot. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KickintheKods Posted June 3, 2020 Share Posted June 3, 2020 How lucky are we? The hugely popular and wildly exciting Magnificent Mark Cookson is ready to step up. And most of us are still throwing up. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the galah Posted June 3, 2020 Share Posted June 3, 2020 59 minutes ago, KickintheKods said: How lucky are we? The hugely popular and wildly exciting Magnificent Mark Cookson is ready to step up. And most of us are still throwing up. Mark Cookson i think is very good. O'Connor i always enjoyed watching. Rusty actually posted on here how good the coverage of the recent addington meeting was on trackside with o'connor in the studio and matt cross on track. O'connor was a big part of that,so his will be big shoes to fill,. Like has been said earlier on this topic,he deserves thanks for the enjoyment he brought us and deserves all the best in the future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trotsfan Posted June 3, 2020 Share Posted June 3, 2020 apparently there is a new job going at addington [racing manager] advertised on their website and/or facebook yesterday.the word is he already the hot favorite to get it so not lot to industry. watch this space 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted June 3, 2020 Share Posted June 3, 2020 13 minutes ago, Trotsfan said: apparently there is a new job going at addington [racing manager] advertised on their website and/or facebook yesterday.the word is he already the hot favorite to get it so not lot to industry. watch this space Well they need someone to manage 77 race meetings Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Sunrise Posted June 3, 2020 Author Share Posted June 3, 2020 30 minutes ago, Trotsfan said: apparently there is a new job going at addington [racing manager] advertised on their website and/or facebook yesterday.the word is he already the hot favorite to get it so not lot to industry. watch this space Be paying $1.01 on the final field. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hunterthepunter Posted June 3, 2020 Share Posted June 3, 2020 will enchantee be going for Gregs old job 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newmarket Posted June 3, 2020 Share Posted June 3, 2020 Hope it gets it. Think in the future, once things settle down, and top class harness racing starts again, he will be missed bigtime. I would have sacked all the northern guys before sticking this guy in a studio Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rangatira Posted June 3, 2020 Share Posted June 3, 2020 33 minutes ago, hunterthepunter said: will enchantee be going for Gregs old job will penelope pitstop throw his hat in the ring 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trotsfan Posted June 3, 2020 Share Posted June 3, 2020 31 minutes ago, Rangatira said: will penelope pitstop throw his hat in the ring What a quinella justie and sheldon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brodie Posted June 3, 2020 Share Posted June 3, 2020 36 minutes ago, Trotsfan said: What a quinella justie and sheldon Wouldn’t think they would get it, as they were both good presenters! They will be in the also fans Someone Inexperienced and cheap will prob be brought in Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJ Flash Posted June 3, 2020 Share Posted June 3, 2020 14 hours ago, Rangatira said: poor jj Yep , the funds are being depleted by the day! Greg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aquaman Posted June 3, 2020 Share Posted June 3, 2020 14 hours ago, KickintheKods said: How lucky are we? The hugely popular and wildly exciting Magnificent Mark Cookson is ready to step up. And most of us are still throwing up. Please no, tell me its not true, not Mark the talk talk talk talk talk Cookson. Ah well suppose thats what the mute buttons for. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rangatira Posted June 3, 2020 Share Posted June 3, 2020 3 hours ago, JJ Flash said: Yep , the funds are being depleted by the day! Greg always be a job for you as a courier Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rangatira Posted June 3, 2020 Share Posted June 3, 2020 18 hours ago, Happy Sunrise said: “It’s just not working for me now,” says O’Connor, 47. “It hit home that night when Blair (Orange) drove his 2000th winner and I wasn’t there to capture the moment. I was sitting in a cold environment thinking this is what it’s going to be like from now. trackside working hard to trim costs https://www.trademe.co.nz/home-living/heating-cooling/heaters/other/listing-2648508652.htm?rsqid=397b96cc9d2c44409a99aa2aabe0ad97-001 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJ Flash Posted June 4, 2020 Share Posted June 4, 2020 54 minutes ago, Rangatira said: always be a job for you as a courier I think i can do better than that but thanks for the offer. Greg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eljay Posted June 4, 2020 Share Posted June 4, 2020 5 hours ago, aquaman said: Please no, tell me its not true, not Mark the talk talk talk talk talk Cookson. Ah well suppose thats what the mute buttons for. At least he won't be in the back of the winning owners photo with that huge padded mike. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whiplash smile Posted June 4, 2020 Share Posted June 4, 2020 HRNZ IS FUCKED! look at the dunn crooks trip over themselves! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whiplash smile Posted June 4, 2020 Share Posted June 4, 2020 Even keith richards doesnt take as much blood enticement as ultimate sniper! and their it is!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whiplash smile Posted June 4, 2020 Share Posted June 4, 2020 Over and out boyz , Thanks for the giggles! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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