Doomed Posted October 8, 2021 Share Posted October 8, 2021 I do wonder about the thought processes of some of the trainers from Otago and Southland. The Tylers apart, they seem to be pretty switched on. Six races tomorrow for Winton Cup day. Two races scrapped; 65 2,200m and maiden 1,600m. I don't know how many nominated and accepted for those races, but presumably 5 or 6. Does it occur to those trainers that if they had put another couple of horses into each of those races and then scratched on race morning that would have been almost $24,000 extra spread amongst industry participants in the South. Have they noticed that is what happens all the time in the North? Two 5 horse $30,000 races at Matamata today. A couple of weeks ago at Matamata a couple of 4 horse fields, one for $40,000, and a 3 horse field for $30,000. Awapuni during the week started with 6, 7 and 6 horse fields. A harness race in the north yesterday, one trainer had the whole field. Last season Rogerson had the whole field in a galloping race and scratched half of them on race day. The South is missing out on a lot of stakes money due to poor programming in the first place and then this lack of awareness from trainers. One problem is the central control of everything. In past times the club would have tried to attract extra starters, now no one seems to care as everything is centrally funded and controlled. And now the real elephant in the room. Two horses from Wingatui at Invercargill. There are more from Oamaku. And that is the total Otago representation. It is less than 2.5 hours travel. Wingatui is a very favoured club with numerous prime dates: Melbourne Cup day, Boxing day, a feature Saturday in February. Probably 6 or 7 days during the year with feature stakes (compared to Timaru with none) and yet they really don't contribute much to racing in the South. Do the trainers associations down there ever get together and say "look we really need to support these meetings or else we will lose them"? If the Tylers suddenly decided they really loved the idea of AWT racing and upped sticks and moved to Riccarton (which NZTR would love to see happen) racing in Otago and Southland would be stuffed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freda Posted October 9, 2021 Share Posted October 9, 2021 Pretty sure they won't. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ludwig Posted October 9, 2021 Share Posted October 9, 2021 I suspect the word dopey may be a bit harsh. Most trainers I have met have been decent very hard working people, who are trying to look after horses, owners, staff, put a roof over their heads and food on the tables. They are just people caught up in the system and like most people, wish things were different. But where to start, who's going to take the lead etc it's discouraging, and I find the Otago /Southland situation particularly dismal. I certainly don't have the answers. I'm having enough trouble trying to work out why I keep singing the soprano role in Verdi's Rigoletto! 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chimbu Posted October 9, 2021 Share Posted October 9, 2021 Why aren't the local administrators being proactive? OR are they, but their voices are not being heard or acted upon by southern trainers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doomed Posted October 9, 2021 Author Share Posted October 9, 2021 59 minutes ago, Chimbu said: Why aren't the local administrators being proactive? OR are they, but their voices are not being heard or acted upon by southern trainers? I suspect no one cares anymore. Doesn't matter to the club what their fields are like as all funding comes centrally regardless of results, so no incentive to strive for a great raceday. Trainers should make better use of the system as they do up north. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeynz Posted October 9, 2021 Share Posted October 9, 2021 8 hours ago, Doomed said: I do wonder about the thought processes of some of the trainers from Otago and Southland. The Tylers apart, they seem to be pretty switched on. Six races tomorrow for Winton Cup day. Two races scrapped; 65 2,200m and maiden 1,600m. I don't know how many nominated and accepted for those races, but presumably 5 or 6. Does it occur to those trainers that if they had put another couple of horses into each of those races and then scratched on race morning that would have been almost $24,000 extra spread amongst industry participants in the South. Have they noticed that is what happens all the time in the North? Two 5 horse $30,000 races at Matamata today. A couple of weeks ago at Matamata a couple of 4 horse fields, one for $40,000, and a 3 horse field for $30,000. Awapuni during the week started with 6, 7 and 6 horse fields. A harness race in the north yesterday, one trainer had the whole field. Last season Rogerson had the whole field in a galloping race and scratched half of them on race day. The South is missing out on a lot of stakes money due to poor programming in the first place and then this lack of awareness from trainers. One problem is the central control of everything. In past times the club would have tried to attract extra starters, now no one seems to care as everything is centrally funded and controlled. And now the real elephant in the room. Two horses from Wingatui at Invercargill. There are more from Oamaku. And that is the total Otago representation. It is less than 2.5 hours travel. Wingatui is a very favoured club with numerous prime dates: Melbourne Cup day, Boxing day, a feature Saturday in February. Probably 6 or 7 days during the year with feature stakes (compared to Timaru with none) and yet they really don't contribute much to racing in the South. Do the trainers associations down there ever get together and say "look we really need to support these meetings or else we will lose them"? If the Tylers suddenly decided they really loved the idea of AWT racing and upped sticks and moved to Riccarton (which NZTR would love to see happen) racing in Otago and Southland would be stuffed. I always look at the noms and there were actually good numbers for Ascot Park so I was surprised when they carded only 6 races, as for Wingatui there are hardly any trainers left Andertons are the ones who supply the numbers, but they went to Washdyke one or two others are the two and three horse ones, it's the way it is now, more horses coming out of Riverton now, its only when you pay more attention to things you actually only then realise the state of affairs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billy connolly Posted October 9, 2021 Share Posted October 9, 2021 9 hours ago, Doomed said: A harness race in the north yesterday, one trainer had the whole field. Last season Rogerson had the whole field in a galloping race and scratched half of them on race day. The powers that be are dopey for allowing this scenario. Imagine if someone like the Mafias former private trainer George Way had the field carded ! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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