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He was hand picked by Glenda Hughes, shoulder tapped as they say in the trade. She's your problem because everything she touches turns to shit and it appears she has no idea how badly she's perceived to be performing.

Shut the dump down Mr BS. You can't run a decent meeting on it for eight months of the year due to the bog track and any time any other venue has the slightest hiccup you demand closure so source for the goose! Not to mention the bloody great hole they discovered halfway down the back straight, the lack of camera views for judicial proceedings or the halfwit patrons dismantling the running rail just before a race.

P'Gers .. start practicing those rope handling skills.. we need to be able to reel them back in if required ...

If he is incapable of managing anything he will make an ideal NZRB Board Member. And I hope he doesn't know anything about racing either because knowing anything about racing is a definite no no where that Board is concerned.

Whoa!! This has to be reined in. In the UK, some supermarkets have admitted that there is horse meat in their home cooked burgers. Even places like Burger King have had to admit that there are “small amounts” of horse meat in their burgers. Tesco is a big supermarket chain in the UK. Within hours of the news that Tesco's 'all beef hamburgers' contained 30% horse meat, these quips hit the internet … “I'm so hungry, I could eat a horse..... I guess Tesco has listened! Anyone want a burger from Tesco? Just say “Yay or neigh?” Not entirely sure how Tesco are going to get over this hurdle. Waitress in Tesco asked if I wanted anything on my Burger. So I had £5 each way! Had some burgers from Tesco for my tea last night ... I still have a bit between my teeth. A woman has been taken into hospital after eating horse meat burgers from Tesco. Her condition is said to be stable. Tesco are now testing all their vegetarian burgers for traces of unicorn. "I've just checked the Tesco burgers in my freezer ... AND THEY'RE OFF" Tesco now forced to deny presence of zebra in burgers, as shoppers confuse barcodes for serving suggestions. Said to the missus, These Tesco burgers give me the trots.... "To beef or not to beef, that is equestrian"..... A cow walks into a bar. Barman says, "Why the long face?" Cow says "Illegal ingredients, coming over here stealing our jobs!" I hear the smaller version of those Tesco burgers make great horse d'oeuvres. These Tesco burger jokes are going on a bit.... Talk about flogging a dead horse!

Surely it is time the industry joined together and made a stand against these no hopers that are being foisted upon us. Shows the incredible arrogance and total disinterest National has towards the racing industry.

How the hell can he get a job on the board.... what a faaaarking joke.No wonder the industry is rooted.!!!

PJ.....Thanks for finishing early on Saturday...there is a certain rugby match that needs "FULL FOCUS"

Semi Finals Saturday July 8 This is the second and penultimate round of the Finals for the remaining 4 teams. If you lose you are eliminated. The Stormers and the Warriors continue the Wooden Spoon playoff with the Mongol Stormers 1-0 up. Race 1 - Awapuni Race 3 - 12.35pm - New World Marton Hdcp - $20k - 1200m - R65 Race 2 - Ruakaka Race 4 - 1.20pm - Tavistock Owners Syndicate 2YO - $20k - 1000m - 2yos SW+Ps Race 3 - Ruakaka Race 5 - 1.55pm - Northpine Waipu Cup - $30k - 1600m - open hdcp Race 4 - Awapuni Race 6 - 2.16pm - Norwood Farm Machinery Centre Hdcp - $30k - 1400m - open hdcp Race 5 - Awapuni Race 7 - 2.49pm - Bonny Glen Landfill Hdcp - $25k - 2100m - R85 hdcp Race 6 - Flemington Race 4 - 3.30pm - Taj Rossi Series Final (LR) - $120k - 1600m - 2yo hdcp Race 7 - Flemington Race 5 - 4.10pm - A.R. Creswick Series Final (LR) - $120k - 1200m - 3yos SW+Ps Race 8 - Flemington Race 6 - 4.50pm - Banjo Patterson Series Final - $120k - 2600m - hdcp Race 9 - Flemington Race 7 - 5.30pm - VRC-CRV Winter Championship Series Final (LR) - $150k -1600m - hdcp Race 10 - Flemington Race 8 - 6.10pm - All Victorian Sprint Series Final (LR) - $150k - 1200m - hdcp DON'T FORGET - one BB allowed in each country (for the round). Please don't post subs with your original post as they will not be accepted. Only post subs if you have a scratching. Good luck everyone ! Game E - Wnrs Game A v Wnrs Game D THE REDS vs THE HABIBIES John (6/4-2837.20) v Pam (6/4-1880.00) Lloyd (5/5-2410.20) v Isaac (7/3-3023.60) Gordy (7/3-2378.40) v Brian (5/5-1605.20) The Crucible (7/3-2649.40) v Maureen (4/1-1176.60) Sarah (6/4-1723.40) v Graeme (4/6-2369.00) Game F - Wnrs Game B v Wnrs Game C THE ANZAC ARMADILLOS vs THE PRETEND GERS Cubes (5/5-2552.00) v Kay (5/5-2290.00) Viceroy (4/6-1691.20) v Casper (4/6-1775.00) Sharne (4/6-2213.80) v Maria (3/7-1939.60) PJ (8/2-2660.40) v Tom (5/5-4059.20) Richie (7/3-1931.00) v Ian (6/4-2904.20) Wooden Spoon Playoff Match 2 THE MONGOL STORMERS vs ZIG'S WARRIORS Rees (3/7-1393.20) v Craig (3/7-1743.60) Betty (7/3-2619.20) v Steve (4/6-2398.20) Jack (5/5-1861.20) v Steve P (7/3-3073.00) Sarah M (3/3-1317.60) v Wrinkles (5/5-1280.80) Luca (3/7-1564.00) v Tony (5/5-2196.00) THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN 4071.00 Cam (The Grim Reapers) 4059.20 Tom (The Pretend Gers) 3254.80 Alan (The Dream Team) 3073.00 Steve P (Zig's Warriors) 3023.60 Isaac (The Habibies) 2904.20 Ian (The Pretend Gers) 2837.20 John (The Reds)

Political patronage in this country knows no bounds. Proven business failures like Double B have no place on the New Zealand Racing Board. I have had a bit of time for David Bennett in the past but this appointment shows a lack of good judgement and doesn't bode well for the future of the Racing Industry.

As usual, nothing will happen, we will live with it, he will do his term, get a nice earn and walk away when the timing is right! Sound familiar, it should be, this is NZ Racing!

Away the weekend , in early. Go well team Stormers R1 5-9 BB R2 1-9 R3 1-4 R4 3-5 R5 1-9 R6 1-9 R7 1-2 R8 6-12 R9 2-8 R10 4-5 BB All the best Craig. Ninth place sounds good.

Glad they not collecting times for the Amazing Chase today!

The TAB have stooped to new lows lately...i see they are putting captions at the bottom of the screen stating big punts made on horses etc prior to the race. On the weekend they said a punter had put $5k on a horse at $3.50 fixed, i looked at that particular horse and it was still paying $3.50, you cant tell me a $5k bet wouldnt of dropped that quote to $2.50. Im tempted to ring the commerce comission because i believe this new "big bet" advertising is all piss and wind and nobodys placed these bets at all, its simply to entice mugs like me to think "fark if someones put $5k on it surely its gona win". All three i watched that were shown to have bih bets placed on them ran like a 3 leggered donkey. This practice should not be allowed unless the TAB is prepared to show prove that these bets even exsist, my belief is that they dont.

A friend of mine who is a major player in one if not THE biggest US facing sportsbook was surprisingly excited when I told him about the impending race fields legislation. His company want to offer horse racing from every jurisdiction on the planet, so much so he was happy to sign up BEFORE the legislation was even passed. One small problem - he didn't have John Allen's email address. So he did the logical thing, contacted customer services and asked them. This was their response.... Good morning xxxx, Thank you for your email. Unfortunately we aren't able to give out the email addresses of individual staff members within the organisation, however if you have any questions or feedback I would be happy to send it through to the right person. Kind regards, Paul TAB Customer Services Team New Zealand Racing Board ---------- I'm sure he will try again as he's a persistent chap, but talk about political correctness gone mad!! Why wouldn't you be willing to give out the email address of the CEO to someone who has been a client for 40 years? P.S. If any racecafers know John Allen's email pls send me a PM. I promise not to email him anthrax.

David Bennett 23 June, 2017 New Zealand Racing Board gets fresh eyes Minister for Racing David Bennett has appointed Bill Birnie to the New Zealand Racing Board (NZRB). “It’s a pleasure to welcome Bill Birnie to the NZRB. Mr Birnie brings a lot of corporate governance experience and will add value to the NZRB,” Mr Bennett says. The purpose of the NZRB is to oversee the racing industry and the TAB, which has a $2.7 billion turnover a year, and returns over $150 million to New Zealand racing and sports each year. The seven-member board is made up of four independent members, including the Chair, who are appointed by the Government, and three code representatives nominated by the Thoroughbred, Harness and Greyhound racing codes. Mr Birnie, an investment banker by trade and former solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand, has also held positions on several boards, including NZ Screen Commission, the Hilary Commission, High Performance Sport NZ, Sport New Zealand, NZ Film Commission, NZ Warriors Ltd and Play It Strange, amongst many others. Mr Birnie’s three year tenure begins on 23 June 2017. “I would like to thank outgoing board member Barry Brown for his contributions to the NZRB and industry over the past three years. Mr Brown is passionate about the industry and we thank him for his commitment to racing,” Mr Bennett says. ......but then you read this; http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/money/8056958/Birnies-Bergdorf-folds-owing-11m .....then this! ; https://www.nbr.co.nz/category/category/birnie-capital-property-partnership

Off The Pace: how our industry must change July 3, 2017 Ask anyone in horse racing how the Australian horse racing industry is going and they would answer ‘pretty darn well’. Our prizemoney is relatively sustainable across all levels, our bloodstock prices are among the highest in the world and our racehorse quality is now appropriately recognised by international standards. We have Winx, Chautauqua and a national treasure called the Melbourne Cup. However, the startling reality is that the majority of Australians wouldn’t know that Winx is a horse - let alone what a Chautauqua is, and have a waning interest (at best) in the Melbourne Cup. The most concerning thing? Not only are we not addressing it, those of us immersed in horse racing don’t actually realise how irrelevant the industry is, especially to young Australians. Horse racing is my life. I spend my weekends at Randwick or Rosehill (or at the pub watching Randwick or Rosehill); my Twitter feed is filled with racing journalists, my Instagram with horse photographers and Longines, and I’ve culled any anti-racing commentators from my Facebook page. However around nine months ago, about the time of Premier Baird’s incredible (since reverted) decision to suddenly ban Greyhound Racing in NSW, I was forced into a fairly depressing realisation. I’m currently studying part-time and in class we were asked to discuss our jobs. Everyone was at first surprised, then very interested, when I said I work for a horse stud – not being a lawyer, engineer or project manager like the rest of my 40 classmates, it was rather exotic, especially for a 30 year old female. At first the questions they asked seemed innocent enough, but then things got a bit heated. ‘What do you do with the slow horses?’ ‘How long do you think until thoroughbred horse racing is banned like greyhound racing?’ ‘ How many horses die racing each year?’ At first I was annoyed, so I went on the defensive. I couldn’t understand their ignorance. But their questions stemmed from genuine perplexity about why I would work in such a “controversial, antiquated industry”. My classmates, comprised of a well-educated, gender and culturally diverse mix of under-35’s, simply had little to no knowledge of horse racing. When pressed on their reasons why, it was because they had limited interaction with the sport; it rarely hit their radar. When it did, the content was so negative they didn’t like what they saw. Their perception of horse racing was that it either challenged their moral compass on social issues, or they thought it was outdated: a sport for old men in dingy pubs. I left that class rather dejected, but still hopeful that perhaps my classmates were not representative of the typical young Australian. So I went on a fact-finding mission. First stop iSentia, a media monitoring company who have detailed access to traditional and social media content. iSentia completed an analysis to determine the attitude of young Australians toward horse racing, during the 2016 Spring Carnival when maximum attention was on the sport. iSentia found that Australia’s horse racing industry is in perception crisis and its future is under threat. We’re losing our audience. Our supporter base is getting older every year, and the number of Australians who percieve racing negatively is increasing. Young Australians – up to 35 years old – either have no opinion about the sport, or if they do, it’s more likely to be negative than positive. A lot of their concerns relate to animal welfare. Despite being the biggest Facebook users, 18 to 34 year olds were the least engaged least on horse racing topics. 47.5% of horse racing social media content during the period was unfavourable in tone, while 28.7% was favourable and 23.8% neutral. In total there were 248,000 mentions of horse racing in association with animal cruelty. Users aged 18–24 had the highest proportion of interactions on negative posts about animal cruelty. When Roy Morgan Research published its annual analysis of Melbourne Cup viewership and wagering, the findings were equally concerning: The Melbourne Cup audience has declined by 39%, almost 1 million Australians, over the last decade. Ten years ago, one in four Australians placed a bet on the cup; today it is one in six. Audience age of the Melbourne Cup flipped from majority under 50 in 2006 to a majority over 50 in 2016. Fewer than one-quarter (22%) of 14 – 49 year olds are ‘occasional’ Cup viewers, down from more than one-third (34%) in 2006. Finally, a scan of NUVI Social Media Intelligence metrics revealed that in January 2017 alone, there were more than 9,495 negative mentions online in association with horse racing. The horse racing industry hasn’t changed much over the years – if anything it has become better regulated, and there have been positive animal welfare initiatives of late. For example, Racing NSW and Racing Victoria have been proactive in their rehoming initatives, dedicating significant resources to addressing this issue. But positive efforts like these aren’t shared with the right audiences beyond the industry choir. Expectations of society have changed, whether we choose to accept that or not, it will guide our future progress. Social media is killing us. iSentia found that as an industry, we’re good at ensuring messages are favourable (or at least neutral) when they’re promoted through traditional media outlets such as newspapers, television and radio, because historically we have been able to control the narrative. The problem is that traditional media coverage does not reach young Australians, who are unlikely to engage with it, and are sceptical about any messaging from it. Young people are most active on social media, where content is often inflammatory and not scrutinised for factual accuracy. It’s where animal welfare groups recruit ambassadors for their cause through emotionally shocking material and largely fabricated statistics. It’s a given that our industry will be vulnerable to criticism from certain sectors of the population. We’re unlikely to convert animal rights activists into race-goers, punters or owners. But there are 10 million Australians who feel neutral about the industry – we just need to give them the right information to become supporters. Those who have a strong positive opinion of horse racing can influence their own social media communities if they’re given the right tools and information. We need a new plan. The horse racing industry needs to show Australians how wonderful it is. Tell the stories of the horses, and the people who dedicate their lives lovingly tending to them. Share accurate statistics on thoroughbreds being rehomed post racing. Show the farms where the horses are raised, the high level of care and attention they are given, and explain the regulation and integrity processes that protect them. Teach people about the incredible biomechanics of the thoroughbred and how they are trained like high performance athletes. Our goal should be to give those who are indifferent to horse racing a reason to care, and to respond well to positive messages about the sport. Negative messages are currently dominating the discussion – especially where it occurs online. We need to work together as an industry to create a shared vision that will safeguard the future of horse racing. We must achieve nothing less than a radical shift in the perception of horse racing in modern society, and we must focus our efforts on young Australians. If you work in the racing industry and feel as I do about the horses, the racing community and the sport, then you are sick of defending racing against fabricated statistics and slanderous innuendo. It's time we did something proactive about it. Vicky Leonard

Can anyone clarify whether the dogs who are choosing to solo trial in order to qualify for the Amazing Chase are subject to swabbing? I would like to think that since these are almost like races in terms of the fastest times qualifying for the head to head races that they are being swabbed but I'm sure someone will know.

Just what the NZRB needs. Another failed corporate banker - going down that path has reaped huge dividends for the industry so far. God forbid getting someone who actually knows racing or the betting industry involved. Fucking HORRIBLE HORRIBLE appointment to start David Bennett's tenure as Racing Minister. WTF Mr Bennett??

There are a lot of influential people racing horses however i think you will find that the majority didn't make their original money from racing horses. Racing horses for them is just a benefit of being successful in other areas so the passion isn't there.

Probably has no idea because I doubt she talks much to anyone actually involved in Racing.

How many kiwis invested millions in finance companies run by bullshitters. We are dumb asses.

With his record, how did he get past the interview stage? Something doesn't seem right does it?

Globe Derby 12 , looks to have headed off early to the " ACE IN THE HOLE " Stable to seek some positive guidance and seek some Solace into his poor effort's in PJ's latest Trans Tasman Tipping Competition . Don't worry , you will come good old man . Cheers. Race 1 # 2 ~ 5 Race 2 # 2 ~ 5 Race 3 # 4 ~ 6 Race 4 # 4 ~ 6 Race 5 # 4 ~ 7 Best Bet Race 6 # 1~ 3 Race 7 # 4 ~ 7 Race 8 # 2 ~ 8 Race 9 # 3 ~ 6 Race 10 # 4 ~ 7 Best Bet Good luck Sarah M ! Young lady , have a fantastic tipping day ! PJ, cheers !

Races 4 and 6 were hand timed (obviously very poorly) and were officially recorded as NTT Race 3 is obviously a typo as it was 21.29.

Shows you how stupid and out of touch, call it arrogant, the current government has become. If I am wrong tell me why.

oh dear.....

Agree Shad.... Even the best stallions only produce a Group One winner about 1 in 30 runners. O'Reilly was more like 1 in every 90 so tough for brood-mare owners too. Zabeel was a champion stallion but could sire a plodder as well. Much of my research today is focused around mares that can produce two Group ONE winners. Line breeding appears to be a big factor. I think there is much to be gained and very little to loose by using line breeding to achieve better results. Volksraad mares should prove a great match with Wrote. With that in mind I think a second pattern involving the mares lower in the pedigree is essential.

Officially there was NTT for both races which is the correct decision under the circumstances.

Thanks Eclipsed. Why does the NZRB think these damaged goods are our salvation? Let's get Donna Awatare Huata, Doug Graham and Mark Hotchin on the gravy train!

Too true Hesi--I know dozens of previously dedicated racing supporters and punters who give Ellerslie the swerve after that crazy decision!

Bad hand timing unfortunately, no time taken would be more useful than these ludicrous times.

product nearly the word Phantom - but try old produce

$108 paid in today Jason

What do the cafe experts think? I see the the Golden Slipper has only been won by four geldings in the past 40 years! I read this - Many owners delay gelding their colts until after puberty (around two years), when they have been broken in and perhaps had their first preparation, in the belief that gelding before puberty stunts the growth and hinders development. In fact, the opposite is true! A rush of testosterone in the colt during puberty is responsible for triggering the closure of the growth plates in the long leg bones. Without this hormonal rush, the early gelded horse’s growth plates stay open longer and he therefore may continue to grow taller and develop more than his ‘entire’ or late gelded peers. Thoughts?

Some Midgets should be gelded

Not that good on the punt either!

Has 25 seconds ever been broken before at Cambridge for 457m? (acknowledging that 24.96 for Bigtime Coffee is very hard to believe)

I doubt the time is correct for either of those races. The first split run in both 457 would be near records. The second one for sure a record

That is quite correct. I guess it comes down to which outcome is deemed to be in the horse's best interests....and of course temperament will have a say in any decision made.

This is a very good article, well written. There are numerous forces at play which have influenced why less people are interested in racing. Some of them are the same reason clubs like golf clubs, bowling clubs etc are also struggling with new members, ie too many other options, both partners need to work to pay the mortgage, computers, social media etc etc. Horse racing is also suffering because we are now two generations removed from the generation that used horses to work the land, and these people often also had an interest in thoroughbred racing, either as local committee club members, small time breeders, or owner trainers. These "horse" people are now (mostly) gone. There isn't much we can do about all the above. However, one thing that can be done, is to provide enough incentive for younger people to want to go to a racecourse (outside the one day a year picnic meeting they may attend), and in that regard, we are still on a down-ward spiral of deteriorating facilities and crumbling infrastructure. I don't have an issue if local areas want to retain their traditional "picnic" meetings, but in reality most of the attendees at these meetings are there for the social occasion (nothing wrong with that of course) and nothing else. Sure the odd one might get enthusiastic toward regular punting or ownership, but the one thing that is sure to put people off going to the races and showing an interest in the industry is the out dated and tattered nature of facilities at 90% of our racecourses. I have mentioned this before n Racecafe, but I would like to see in the Waikato, a new racecourse constructed which not only caters for the majority of Waikato horse racing, but is also an equestrian facility for showjumping, dressage, eventing, equine retail, apprentice jockey school etc, plus be a desirable venue for large non horse functions.

The only goose is poogoo, thinking like an IDOIT that nadull could beat off Roger and win the SW19 this year one minute he says frederer next he says nadull artha or Martha ? idoit 100%

Donald Trump arrives in Poland to a very warm welcome, the Poles love Trump. This G20 meeting will be very interesting. I expect Trump will dominate it, and carve out a new world order, especially where Nth Korea and China are concerned. Expect to see China being told, rein in Nth Korea, or you will be shut out of doing business with the USA. I expect Trump and Putin to work out a formula for the Middle East. What ever happens, it will be very interesting.

Correct Admin. Arrowfield is pleased to announce that Victoria (Vicky) Leonard has joined the Sydney Office to focus on special projects and work with the Stud's bloodstock and marketing teams. Vicky has just completed a two-year traineeship with the Darley Flying Start programme and was acknowledged as the top trainee of the 2011 class, with an overall grade of 88%, during the graduation ceremony held at Kildnagan House, Ireland on 2 July. New Zealand-born Vicky was educated at Roncalli College, Timaru, and graduated from the Univerity of Otago with a Bachelor of Science degree in Ecology and Zoology. Stints at White Robe Lodge and Cambridge Stud were followed by 18 months on the Graduate Development Programme of the New Zealand Racing Board. Her Darley Flying Start traineeship included work placements with Arrowfield, US-based pedigree consultant Byron Rogers, Ascot racecourse in England, and Dubai trainer Erwan Charpy. There are now 82 graduates of the Darley Flying Start programme working in thoroughbred breeding & racing around the world - already a tremendous legacy of Sheikh Mohammed's vision to recruit and develop the industry's future leaders.

Maybe racing clubs need to diversify their on-course options. Thanks for the heads-up RTD.

Hookers and blow like all the cool kids

Lawyers should never ask a Georgia grandma a question if they aren't prepared for the answer. In a trial, a Southern small-town prosecuting attorney called his first witness, a grandmotherly, elderly woman to the stand. He approached her and asked, 'Mrs. Jones, do you know me?' She responded, 'Why, yes, I do know you, Mr. Williams. I've known you since you were a boy, and frankly, you've been a big disappointment to me. You lie, you cheat on your wife, and you manipulate people and talk about them behind their backs. You think you're a big shot when you haven't the brains to realise you'll never amount to anything more than a two-bit paper pusher. Yes, I know you.' The lawyer was stunned. Not knowing what else to do, he pointed across the room and asked, 'Mrs. Jones, do you know the defence attorney?' She again replied, 'Why yes, I do. I've known Mr. Bradley since he was a youngster, too. He's lazy, bigoted, and he has a drinking problem. He can't build a normal relationship with anyone, and his law practice is one of the worst in the entire state. Not to mention he cheated on his wife with three different women. One of them was your wife. Yes, I know him.' The defence attorney nearly died. The judge asked both counsellors to approach the bench and, in a very quiet voice, said, 'If either of you idiots asks her if she knows me, I'll send you both to the electric chair.'