hesi Posted August 22, 2018 Share Posted August 22, 2018 To be honest, I really don't think they know the difference, so all lumped into one, including Strathayr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hesi Posted August 22, 2018 Share Posted August 22, 2018 Michael Guerin seems to think they have resurfaced the Ellerslie track https://www.nzherald.co.nz/racing/news/article.cfm?c_id=53&objectid=12111074 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curious Posted August 22, 2018 Share Posted August 22, 2018 1 minute ago, hesi said: Michael Guerin seems to think they have resurfaced the Ellerslie track https://www.nzherald.co.nz/racing/news/article.cfm?c_id=53&objectid=12111074 Says it all really. "Ellerslie's track has passed a crucial test after its resurfacing without a horse even setting a hoof near it." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boxie Posted August 22, 2018 Share Posted August 22, 2018 3 minutes ago, curious said: Says it all really. "Ellerslie's track has passed a crucial test after its resurfacing without a horse even setting a hoof near it." What a load of bollocks the article is the next line is even worse. "...the track has been sorely missed over the winter months...." Doesn't Ellerslie close down in the Winter? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rowley Mile Posted August 22, 2018 Share Posted August 22, 2018 Says it all really, the only journo that does their homework/research is BDL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boxie Posted August 22, 2018 Share Posted August 22, 2018 Well done to Ellerslie for doing something but isn't it the same path Te Rapa went down? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curious Posted August 22, 2018 Share Posted August 22, 2018 2 minutes ago, Boxie said: Well done to Ellerslie for doing something but isn't it the same path Te Rapa went down? Hopefully it'll improve drainage for a year or two. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reefton Posted August 22, 2018 Share Posted August 22, 2018 26 minutes ago, curious said: Says it all really. "Ellerslie's track has passed a crucial test after its resurfacing without a horse even setting a hoof near it." lets just see eh? I am well known to be cynical in regards this type of work but a good Ellerslie track is absolutely critical in NZ racing and lets all hope they have got it right. God forbid they haven't given the other issues in the industry at present I am not really au fait on these all weather tracks - haven't got time to study them - but can you tell me Curious is Strathayr (which I assume you are in favour of) lower maintenance(that the polytracks or other all weathers I mean)? From where I sit it is a no brainer to get the best type of track with the lowest maintenance because NZ racing cannot afford huge maintenance cost for these things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reefton Posted August 22, 2018 Share Posted August 22, 2018 Is anyone else absolutely buzzing to see what Messara has to say? Whether we like the idea or hate it I reckon it is the most interesting document on racing in my lifetime(or at least my time in racing). Usually I am cynical about consultants and their reports but in this case I cannot wait! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curious Posted August 22, 2018 Share Posted August 22, 2018 This was Saundry's take on it Reefton. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=12096773 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boxie Posted August 22, 2018 Share Posted August 22, 2018 7 minutes ago, Reefton said: lets just see eh? I am well known to be cynical in regards this type of work but a good Ellerslie track is absolutely critical in NZ racing and lets all hope they have got it right. God forbid they haven't given the other issues in the industry at present I am not really au fait on these all weather tracks - haven't got time to study them - but can you tell me Curious is Strathayr (which I assume you are in favour of) lower maintenance(that the polytracks or other all weathers I mean)? From where I sit it is a no brainer to get the best type of track with the lowest maintenance because NZ racing cannot afford huge maintenance cost for these things. Unless they put one of our major tracks out of commission for close to two years it is going to cost tens of millions to create one new track. The extra costs being supporting infrastructure like stables, stands, etc. So a poly sand track is the most likely option inside an existing turf track. Not many candidates for that option and I don't think our NZ trainers will embrace that type of track. Strathayr would be best but I doubt we have the management skills and they don't last forever. Does any club actually return enough revenue to maintain them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reefton Posted August 22, 2018 Share Posted August 22, 2018 15 minutes ago, curious said: This was Saundry's take on it Reefton. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=12096773 He didn't really state a preference for the type of track Curious? Maybe he doesn't know or more likely doesn't want to say in case it is a cock up and he gets the blame(which is a characteristic of most people in public positions in NZ today - engage a consultant so I don't get the blame). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hesi Posted August 22, 2018 Share Posted August 22, 2018 (edited) I think Strathayr offer a maintenance contract as part of the cost???? Being an Aus company, if they went with 3 Strathayr tracks in NZ, then Strathayr would have to set up a NZ company to produce and lay the tracks, such as Turfgrass Specialists, who have produced Readylawn in NZ for many years. Used to be at Ormiston Rd, now down at Mangatawhiri Edited August 22, 2018 by hesi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reefton Posted August 22, 2018 Share Posted August 22, 2018 11 minutes ago, Boxie said: Unless they put one of our major tracks out of commission for close to two years it is going to cost tens of millions to create one new track. The extra costs being supporting infrastructure like stables, stands, etc. So a poly sand track is the most likely option inside an existing turf track. Not many candidates for that option and I don't think our NZ trainers will embrace that type of track. Strathayr would be best but I doubt we have the management skills and they don't last forever. Does any club actually return enough revenue to maintain them? enough revenue to maintain them is the question. They simply will not generate enough revenue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curious Posted August 22, 2018 Share Posted August 22, 2018 They won't generate any more revenue and the argument about avoiding abandoned racedays is ridiculous because all racedays lose money currently, hence the Purcell quote that the most financially viable one is the one we don't have. There is also the safety, horse and rider health and well being issue. This is from a 2009 paper on that, but I'm not aware of anything more recent to overturn it. 6. Summary In summary, turf racing surfaces have historically provided the benchmark in terms of being the safest AAEP PROCEEDINGS Vol. 55 2009 185 LAMENESS—RACING racing surface for horses and jockeys alike. The initial results attained with the new generation of synthetic tracks indicate that these surfaces are in general terms less safe than a turf surface. I'm also not aware of any feasibility studies or costings to support the idea and in that article, it seems that Saundry is talking about synthetics, not Strathayrs, by the reference to and picture of Pakenham. The whole thing has me flummoxed and I'm not clear what or who the driver is. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reefton Posted August 22, 2018 Share Posted August 22, 2018 14 minutes ago, curious said: They won't generate any more revenue and the argument about avoiding abandoned racedays is ridiculous because all racedays lose money currently, hence the Purcell quote that the most financially viable one is the one we don't have. There is also the safety, horse and rider health and well being issue. This is from a 2009 paper on that, but I'm not aware of anything more recent to overturn it. 6. Summary In summary, turf racing surfaces have historically provided the benchmark in terms of being the safest AAEP PROCEEDINGS Vol. 55 2009 185 LAMENESS—RACING racing surface for horses and jockeys alike. The initial results attained with the new generation of synthetic tracks indicate that these surfaces are in general terms less safe than a turf surface. I'm also not aware of any feasibility studies or costings to support the idea and in that article, it seems that Saundry is talking about synthetics, not Strathayrs, by the reference to and picture of Pakenham. The whole thing has me flummoxed and I'm not clear what or who the driver is. Yes well it does not help the cost of abandoned meetings when NZTR pays clubs the majority of their costs when a day is abandoned on the day. In the old days you contributed to an insurance scheme whereby the club got $10k for compensating the costs. I hear for instance Westland got paid a lot of the various raceday payments NZTR comes up with because they waited till the raceday morning to cancel whereas Kumara who cancelled two days ahead got nought. Pretty hard to set up an alternative venue if clubs are encouraged to wait till the last minute to abandon(and that is purely selfish because it was pretty well known on the Wednesday Kumara would be doubtful and we could have run the (Saturdaay) meeting at Reefton - by Thursday it was too late to organise). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boxie Posted August 22, 2018 Share Posted August 22, 2018 Well Winston has been fed some BS from NZRB AND NZTR regarding the number of abandonments and the lost revenue to the industry. I recall someone else pointing out that if NZTR had not met their abandoned race meeting target they would have had a substantial deficit i.e. the paid out stakes would have been substantially more than NZRB revenue grant. The report focus should be on slashing NZRB costs and put them on notice that within a short time there will direct competition in the NZ market. Unfortunately the NZRB has no reserves left having squandered them on promised stake increases, failed IT projects and business partnerships that won't return any windfalls. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rowley Mile Posted August 22, 2018 Share Posted August 22, 2018 Listening to Jack Petley on racing radio here in Oz, he is quoting the over paid, under performing executives in Petone as being in John Messara's gun sights.......that was only one point, he was spot on with his analogy was Jack.....huge listening audience Australia wide, Jack also pointed out NZ Trainers flogging off their horses to Asia......some had to, some do through culture, but all this coverage is welcome as it exposes the problems. Jack mentioned the value Brian De Lore bought to the table also, and that's a fact.....where would racing be without him. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hesi Posted August 23, 2018 Share Posted August 23, 2018 (edited) As an aside I see the Rowley Mile is on today at Hawkesbury A 150k stake Make that 163k, that would put it in the top dozen stakewise in NZ Edited August 23, 2018 by hesi 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomass Posted August 23, 2018 Share Posted August 23, 2018 1 hour ago, Rowley Mile said: Listening to Jack Petley on racing radio here in Oz, he is quoting the over paid, under performing executives in Petone as being in John Messara's gun sights.......that was only one point, he was spot on with his analogy was Jack.....huge listening audience Australia wide, Jack also pointed out NZ Trainers flogging off their horses to Asia......some had to, some do through culture, but all this coverage is welcome as it exposes the problems. Jack mentioned the value Brian De Lore bought to the table also, and that's a fact.....where would racing be without him. And just on that... if De Lore doesn't get the Media Award this year something's rancid in the state of Denmark... Yes it's changed to Den Ryan's...and moi's...'Digital and Social Media' trifecta ...but that gets cancelled out when taking into account the effect Brain's journo skills have accomplished in getting his old boss back to the fray.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hesi Posted August 23, 2018 Share Posted August 23, 2018 Messara will have simply looked at the TAB's net betting revenue of 350 mil per annum and worked backwards from that Plenty of money around, just being used poorly 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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