Ludwig Posted October 5, 2021 Share Posted October 5, 2021 We keep hearing about the desperate times that racing is experiencing. People leaving the industry, horses being sold etc. But can someone please offer enlightenment as to why horse numbers in the South, as witnessed by the huge numbers going around at Timaru, seem very robust.? Where's the impetus coming from? Newbies having a go, or old timers going in strong? But from the outside, at least, it looks encouraging to see big fields Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freda Posted October 6, 2021 Share Posted October 6, 2021 (edited) I don't really know, L..but I speculate it is a combination of poor programming, and fewer meetings in the Canterbury district. As well, the influx of Pike/Te Akau and others which wouldn't normally be about which adds to the difficulty of getting starts with lower rated horses as well as the escalating costs associated with travel to Otago/Southland. And, the Timaru track is well presented and offers a fair surface, suiting most. Edited October 6, 2021 by Freda 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted October 6, 2021 Share Posted October 6, 2021 2 hours ago, Freda said: And, the Timaru track is well presented and offers a fair surface, suiting most. Isn't Timaru targeted to go? Talk about a paradox. Trainers looking for good safe fair tracks to race their charges on regardless of the Stakes. Avoiding poor tracks except when the big Stakes are on offer. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Bloggs Posted October 6, 2021 Share Posted October 6, 2021 You wouldn't want to be an owner in the SI in all reality, well, for the next 3 months, unless you've got super competitive horses, the AWT will be their salvation, but only if they handle it, I see so many horses trial the other day and finished so far back they were telling you something......the kickback will take no prisoners, it will provide some longevity to a small band of horses that would have faced a very uncertain future however, it's now up to the punters to work out who they are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ludwig Posted October 8, 2021 Author Share Posted October 8, 2021 The other side to the numbers seeking starts in Canterbury is the struggle for numbers in Otago/Southland. Several weeks ago with Gore and this time Winton. From an outsider's perspective it doesn't seem that Wingatui is producing the big numbers like it used to. Concerning times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freda Posted October 8, 2021 Share Posted October 8, 2021 Timaru track was superb. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nomates Posted October 8, 2021 Share Posted October 8, 2021 14 minutes ago, Freda said: Timaru track was superb. Bloody disgrace that they are binning this track , racing there today has been excellent . Bunch of numbnuts running our racing . 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ludwig Posted October 8, 2021 Author Share Posted October 8, 2021 42 minutes ago, Freda said: Timaru track was superb. Excellent equine vet at Timaru. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freda Posted October 8, 2021 Share Posted October 8, 2021 2 hours ago, Ludwig said: Excellent equine vet at Timaru. If you mean Donna, she's shifted to Kirwee. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ludwig Posted October 8, 2021 Author Share Posted October 8, 2021 1 hour ago, Freda said: If you mean Donna, she's shifted to Kirwee. I'm known for being slow. She was always good to me, unlike one or two trainers at the time.lol. I hope she's well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freda Posted October 8, 2021 Share Posted October 8, 2021 I think all is good, yes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doomed Posted October 8, 2021 Share Posted October 8, 2021 I take great interest in the Timaru situation as it is indicative of everything that is wrong with NZ racing. A really good meeting yesterday with horses going 1.09 and 1.10 for the 1,200m races. Winners coming from inside draws and wide draws. 11 races, but there should have been 12. 23 noms for the 65 mile, all six ballots scratched and others eliminated. Good luck any of them getting a start in the next few weeks. A perfect racing surface when the NI continues to race on bog tracks, and Riccarton is described as stuffed by prominent trainers. Talk about ignoring one of the industry's greatest assets. If NZTR had any integrity at all they would come out and say "Look, we stuffed up badly, we admit we were wrong. We should be supporting Timaru not trying to destroy it." Changes of that happening? Slim would be being very generous. They could also look at why Timaru had to run 11 races (and should have run 12) and Riccarton the week before 11 also. Bad programming perhaps? I stopped reading the Messara report when they said Timaru should go and Waikouaiti be retained. If that was the level of analysis that went into the whole report the rest of it wouldn't have been worth reading. If anyone was still interested in Racing in NZ this whole situation would be a laughing stock. Does Bernie know where Timaru is? Has he ever been there? 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Bloggs Posted October 8, 2021 Share Posted October 8, 2021 The biggest problem was replacing Greg Purcell with Saundry, racing was a declining as a snowball with Greg at the helm, but he was being steered by a goose in AKL, in comes Saundry and the snowball became an avalanche. The Timaru scenario is farcical, it shows the ineptitude of Petone, if they were Men enough they would indeed put their hands up and say ''we got it wrong'', but that would mean taking ownership, and that's transparency, so that's never going to happen. The trainers association is a paper tiger, they need to do a Vox-populi with the racing industry and take the ultimatum to Petone, but like most things, too hard basket. It's just a travesty, I feel sorry for the good buggers of SI racing, but you needed to be more vociferous, militant even, it didn't happen, and the trainer who doesn't like to travel, well he must be kicking back and smirking. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doomed Posted October 8, 2021 Share Posted October 8, 2021 5 minutes ago, Joe Bloggs said: The biggest problem was replacing Greg Purcell with Saundry, racing was a declining as a snowball with Greg at the helm, but he was being steered by a goose in AKL, in comes Saundry and the snowball became an avalanche. The Timaru scenario is farcical, it shows the ineptitude of Petone, if they were Men enough they would indeed put their hands up and say ''we got it wrong'', but that would mean taking ownership, and that's transparency, so that's never going to happen. The trainers association is a paper tiger, they need to do a Vox-populi with the racing industry and take the ultimatum to Petone, but like most things, too hard basket. It's just a travesty, I feel sorry for the good buggers of SI racing, but you needed to be more vociferous, militant even, it didn't happen, and the trainer who doesn't like to travel, well he must be kicking back and smirking. With 3 winners yesterday from Matamata and one from Pukekohe obviously those trainers are happy to race at Timaru and appreciate the good track. Would they be equally as happy to race on the Riccarton AWT as a lead up to Cup Week in years to come? If they were, they would probably have all stayed up north and raced at Cambridge this week. It is time the Trainers Associations nationally had some input into this track fiasco. They need to stand up for themselves as there isn't much time left. The industry needs leadership. It looks like it is just as likely to come from a clever trainer than anyone else. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeynz Posted October 8, 2021 Share Posted October 8, 2021 (edited) 1 hour ago, Doomed said: I take great interest in the Timaru situation as it is indicative of everything that is wrong with NZ racing. A really good meeting yesterday with horses going 1.09 and 1.10 for the 1,200m races. Winners coming from inside draws and wide draws. 11 races, but there should have been 12. 23 noms for the 65 mile, all six ballots scratched and others eliminated. Good luck any of them getting a start in the next few weeks. A perfect racing surface when the NI continues to race on bog tracks, and Riccarton is described as stuffed by prominent trainers. Talk about ignoring one of the industry's greatest assets. If NZTR had any integrity at all they would come out and say "Look, we stuffed up badly, we admit we were wrong. We should be supporting Timaru not trying to destroy it." Changes of that happening? Slim would be being very generous. They could also look at why Timaru had to run 11 races (and should have run 12) and Riccarton the week before 11 also. Bad programming perhaps? I stopped reading the Messara report when they said Timaru should go and Waikouaiti be retained. If that was the level of analysis that went into the whole report the rest of it wouldn't have been worth reading. If anyone was still interested in Racing in NZ this whole situation would be a laughing stock. Does Bernie know where Timaru is? Has he ever been there? Good comments, I wouldn't worry too much about Washdyke, it will still be there, Riccarton needs a bit less racing,Timaru a bit more, the AWT will only suit some but Washdyke need some feature meetings, the best racing on the best tracks, we have discussed it a fair bit on here, it is a interesting subject but common sense surely will rule. It won't matter what upgrade you do to Riccarton, if you keep beating the shit out of it it will just keep getting hammered, simple fact, Washdyke and Ashburton both need to be better utilised, it's better for racing as a rule. Maybe Oamaru too, but Waikouiti, leave it be now. Edited October 8, 2021 by mikeynz 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freda Posted October 9, 2021 Share Posted October 9, 2021 4 hours ago, Doomed said: I take great interest in the Timaru situation as it is indicative of everything that is wrong with NZ racing. A really good meeting yesterday with horses going 1.09 and 1.10 for the 1,200m races. Winners coming from inside draws and wide draws. 11 races, but there should have been 12. 23 noms for the 65 mile, all six ballots scratched and others eliminated. Good luck any of them getting a start in the next few weeks. A perfect racing surface when the NI continues to race on bog tracks, and Riccarton is described as stuffed by prominent trainers. Talk about ignoring one of the industry's greatest assets. If NZTR had any integrity at all they would come out and say "Look, we stuffed up badly, we admit we were wrong. We should be supporting Timaru not trying to destroy it." Changes of that happening? Slim would be being very generous. They could also look at why Timaru had to run 11 races (and should have run 12) and Riccarton the week before 11 also. Bad programming perhaps? I stopped reading the Messara report when they said Timaru should go and Waikouaiti be retained. If that was the level of analysis that went into the whole report the rest of it wouldn't have been worth reading. If anyone was still interested in Racing in NZ this whole situation would be a laughing stock. Does Bernie know where Timaru is? Has he ever been there? Messara was advised by locals wrt tracks, with a pro bono report done in double quick time he had to be advised, or he would never have covered the distance. Our local hierarchy was very positive about Waikouaiti, telling me when I queried, that it got good attendance from holidaymakers and it had a 'lovely view'. Ffs. 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ludwig Posted October 9, 2021 Author Share Posted October 9, 2021 15 minutes ago, Freda said: Messara was advised by locals wrt tracks, with a pro bono report done in double quick time he had to be advised, or he would never have covered the distance. Our local hierarchy was very positive about Waikouaiti, telling me when I queried, that it got good attendance from holidaymakers and it had a 'lovely view'. Ffs. When I was a kid growing up, Awapuni course was located next to the old style Council tip. That was a great view, fortunately now gone. The Waikouaiti thing was a shambles. It should all have been about the safest tracks which provide fair even racing. And as a bonus, I always enjoyed viewing at Timaru...easy viewing and plenty of room for the kids to play. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freda Posted October 9, 2021 Share Posted October 9, 2021 (edited) 20 minutes ago, Ludwig said: When I was a kid growing up, Awapuni course was located next to the old style Council tip. That was a great view, fortunately now gone. The Waikouaiti thing was a shambles. It should all have been about the safest tracks which provide fair even racing. And as a bonus, I always enjoyed viewing at Timaru...easy viewing and plenty of room for the kids to I was trying to illustrate the quality of advice Messara received. I'm sure he will be, by now, very well aware that most of his efforts were an utter waste of time. Edited October 9, 2021 by Freda 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doomed Posted October 9, 2021 Share Posted October 9, 2021 2 minutes ago, Freda said: I was trying to illustrate the quality of advice Messara received. I'm sure he will be, by now, very well aware that most of his efforts were an utter waste of time. What sort of people were advising him Freda? Hopefully no one with vested interests? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Bloggs Posted October 9, 2021 Share Posted October 9, 2021 Some of those advising him were expats who really didn't have a handle on how things were, they lived in a bubble, Messara is a clever bugger, I'm sure he didn't do what he did out of the goodness of his heart, but in all reality it's become the greatest tragedy in NZ racing history........and you know it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted October 9, 2021 Share Posted October 9, 2021 1 hour ago, Freda said: Our local hierarchy was very positive about Waikouaiti, telling me when I queried, that it got good attendance from holidaymakers and it had a 'lovely view'. Ffs. That's exactly the wrong reason for selecting which tracks to retain. The prime reason and only reason is those tracks that provide a safe good consistent surface for horses to gallop on. The problem with that criteria is that Ellerslie, Te Rapa, Awapuni, Trentham and Riccarton would be well down the list. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Bloggs Posted October 9, 2021 Share Posted October 9, 2021 1 minute ago, Chief Stipe said: That's exactly the wrong reason for selecting which tracks to retain. The prime reason and only reason is those tracks that provide a safe good consistent surface for horses to gallop on. The problem with that criteria is that Ellerslie, Te Rapa, Awapuni, Trentham and Riccarton would be well down the list. Ah, but they have lovely committee rooms with top nosh! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doomed Posted October 9, 2021 Share Posted October 9, 2021 21 minutes ago, Chief Stipe said: That's exactly the wrong reason for selecting which tracks to retain. The prime reason and only reason is those tracks that provide a safe good consistent surface for horses to gallop on. The problem with that criteria is that Ellerslie, Te Rapa, Awapuni, Trentham and Riccarton would be well down the list. Sadly, they all used to be good tracks back in the 80s. Bloody mess now. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted October 9, 2021 Share Posted October 9, 2021 5 minutes ago, Doomed said: Sadly, they all used to be good tracks back in the 80s. Bloody mess now. They poured more money into stands and neglected looking after their very reason for being. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nomates Posted October 9, 2021 Share Posted October 9, 2021 (edited) 5 hours ago, Chief Stipe said: They poured more money into stands and neglected looking after their very reason for being. Yeah but the committee men didn't drink their g and it's on the tracks . Priorities, priorities ffs. Edited October 9, 2021 by nomates Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.