Leaderboard

I have been surprised at the lack of political discussion on here with the election just over a month away. What are Race Cafers thoughts were on the NZ First racing policies? If they hold the balance of power following the election it could be an interesting time. I couldn't find the other parties policies on racing, NZF featured racing on their menu alongside the other big ticket topics. Their ten point plan: Return a greater proportion of industry taxation to the racing codes. Introduce a new (below Premier Meeting) category of meeting where every race will be for $15,000 minimum, with relativity across the codes. Enhance employment and export opportunities by working with the industry to improve the international status of New Zealand Group 1 races to attract greater international interest. Restore marque racing plans and prize money initiatives in line with New Zealand First policy implementation 2005 –2008 Return New Zealand racing to what it was good at. Racing needs breeding programmes to re-establish New Zealand as a first tier country in racing. That means policies assisting importation of quality mares, and properly using the sire cost write down. Urgently review the operations and costs of the New Zealand Racing Board Continue to support projects and initiatives, e.g. the Racing Safety Development Fund (a contestable fund of $1.5 million per annum, matching dollar for dollar contributions from racing clubs) that enhances safety and improves the quality of facilities in the racing industry, including the safety of riders, handlers, spectators, officials and others involved in racing codes, as well as the health and safety of animals. Direct IRD and Treasury to respect the spirit of the laws passed to assist racing so we do not have specious departmental interpretations of laws that are clear to the industry. Further improve the appeal of the racing industry to a wider audience by encouraging the promotion of “family-friendly” activities in conjunction with race meetings in all codes. Defend the historic, modest share of the racing industry, to lawful gambling proceeds, against unreasonable attacks. Thoughts?

I can't stand smoking! But I have to say I haven't experienced a problem with smokers on a race course or a pub for that matter for years. I can understand the alignment with the cancer foundation etc, but I simply do not have a problem with respectful smokers having their cigarette in a designated area it seems to have worked well for years. This appears to be a real beat up and is the beginning of pandering to social groups that will never stop and racing may pay a very dear price for it in the long run.

National/NZ First/ Maori Party would be my ideal government

You had a beer with Cubes' horse last Friday and he was on good form? Thanks for the invite . Dodecahedron , our third youngest of two , had football ( Formerly known as "soccer" ) practice after detention earlier today . Training was cut short due to the mud-ridden pitch being un-playable on here in tropical Christchurch . Good luck all... 10 race card on Saturday ...

No of course that isn't true either bloke - even though trump Jnr has admitted it I see news is breaking today that Trump snr is alleged to have rewritten what his own advisors wanted to say about the meeting - to try and cover it up. But no point trying to convince aqua - his mind is made up. As one of my fellow directors at work often says - "no point arguing with an idiot - they bring you down to their level and then beat you with experience"

I'm waiting for Platinum Command to get back to form Col. Been pretty ordinary thus far, although did win fifth up last year.. Myers will have another big Carnival...look out for Wazuzu..... Cubes fella looks ready to win the last.....and I'll chuck in St Andrews M and Ahyum.

As someone who smokes i never smoke in a public place around people. I don't even smoke at home if the Mrs is there because she hates it. In saying that i could do a day without no trouble but why make those that cannot not attend the races. A simple smoking area like workplaces have would solve this issue.

whilst Winston is NZ racings best friend, or could be. Truth is if you vote for him, you are also effectively voting for a Labour/Greens government. I say this because he will only work with whatever part offers him a cabinet position, and National definitely wont. Labour and Greens are desperate, and in spite of greens saying they wont work within an inch of Winston, im sure they would if they had a realisitic chance of forming a govt. This is my biggest worry with this election. Im normally a National voter, but in protest will not vote for them this year, but Winston is the only good opposition in my view we currently have in parliament. It scares me though that a vote for Winston, is potentially a vote for a labour/greens/nz first

I said in the past on this site that the racing industry needs a government that will support the industry. The best racing minister we have had over the past years has been Winston Peters, I believe that he would see through the phonies that are the current NZRB in 5 minutes and sort it out. The other parties haven't even considered a racing policy, they do not seem to understand that it is one of the largest employers in NZ and the amount of dollars it generates, although IRD, ACC, OSH, all seem understand ok. Go NZ First.

Good to see a political party that actually has a racing policy.

Now she says she is taking 72 hours to take stock of Labour policies.Translation i never agreed with Andrew,i was waiting for him to resign. These guys have been in opposition for 9 years and if they haven;t got policies that they can get voted in on by now can you trust them with new policies made up on a whim. What have they been doing for 9 years,it would appear to be not much.She has already mentioned changes to tax which when translated means those who have will be giving to those who don't have.

Thank you for your comments. I/We have "enjoyed the ride" but the time had come as Alyson, kennels official, and I have been heading to Addington now for over 130 meetings a year for quite a few seasons. A total of 25 years between us and it felt just right to bring it to an end while we were still able to enjoy it. That was my same philosophy when I retired from teaching. We had paid our dues, as the saying goes. Today was strange as we watched and listened. It was pleasing to see the greyhounds loving their work* for their owners, trainers and handlers. For the first time in a very long time I could not say that I had been to the races at Addington and made money. *Bad luck Danziger. Next time!

Well done Chris !!

I disagree mate, he's probably more likely to work with National than anything involving the Greens. If current polling is correct ( and it's normally a bit understated for NZ first compared to election day) then he is going to have between 15-20mps. National will defiantly offer cabinet posts ( or roles as a minister outside cabinet) if it's the difference between keeping power or giving it up. Of course National may not need him to form a majority or he may chose not to work with either party and sit on the cross benches.

General rule of thumb, unlikely from what I know!

I find a number of the Showcasing stock seem to throw a bit of leg. Might be just the ones I've seen but they mostly seem leggy types to me.

Good afternoon, What an exciting time for the racing industry as we embark on the beginning of the 2017/18 season, while celebrating the successes of the previous one. This week I’ll be in Christchurch attending the Harness Racing New Zealand conference and awards - what an incredible year for Dexter Dunn reaching a milestone 2,000 wins at the age of just 27. I wish him all the best for the upcoming World Drivers Championship in Canada. Congratulations also to Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman and Chris Johnson for taking out the Trainer and Jockey premierships respectively. I’m pleased to advise that the Statement of Intent for the years 2018-2020 has been published and is available for viewing on the NZRB website. The SOI sets out NZRB’s strategy, priorities and financial forecast through to 2019/20. Significant change is underway at NZRB that actively addresses long term fundamental issues that have limited the racing industry’s performance over the past few decades. Our key strategic initiatives - fixed odds betting platform, customer and channel improvements, racefields legislation and the optimise the calendar programme - will deliver a significant lift to net profit, taking it close to $200 million per year once fully implemented. We know we can deliver this future through the delivery of the key projects, which is why we have signalled our confidence by committing to provide some of the projected funding increase early, lifting distributions by $12 million per year in 2017/18 and a further $12 million subject to Board approval in 2018/19. Distributions to the Codes for 2019/20 are estimated to increase to $172.2 million as the benefits of the key initiatives are realised. Our primary focus first and foremost is on racing and delivering a sustainable future for the New Zealand racing industry. However if we are to achieve this future, more widespread measures through the entire industry, particularly around venue use and infrastructure, are necessary and the Board will lead from the front in working with the industry to formulate and implement what has to be done. Clearly there needs to be action taken by the industry over the issue of tracks and the impact of the weather, particularly during these winter months. We’ve run some numbers on the 2016/17 season and they’re pretty stark reading. This year has been exceptional for abandonments - over the last ten years, there has been an average of nine abandonments per season - this year we’ve had three times this, with 34 meetings abandoned, 25 of which have been Thoroughbred. Not only is this costly to all of the trainers, jockeys, club staff etc who have invested in attending meetings that have been abandoned, it’s having a much bigger impact on the overall industry as we lose turnover and net profit from the lack of betting. You can hear more about my thoughts on racetracks and all weather tracks on ‘The Home Straight’ - a new monthly segment on Trackside 1, on air tomorrow morning at 11am and repeated weekly. I’m looking forward to some robust, frank and honest discussions about NZRB and the issues affecting the racing industry. Feel free to send me your questions or feedback to news.industry@nzrb.co.nz. Regards, John

Great post, Dopey ! There may be a few entires yet to be notified as possibles for the Breeding barn. Moving forward....Can you Imagine the 13 new Sires notified for this season 2017 evr becoming a dominant Sire ? If the NZ based mares available are (say ) just 6,000, what chance are any of The them in 2020 of out performing the Current established Sires ?? If we go back to the Taxation credit days of the 1980's etc, I can not remember so many first season Resident Sires ever to stand at stud in NZ . John Richardson, Steve Lindsay, John Thompson and Russell Warwick and others will probably probably correct me.

Iffraaj is likely to add leg and height but wouldn't count on him fining anything down as far as bone/type....

I don't understand why we should feel so guilty? Why should we have to justify to others that we like a punt and a pint? On the welfare side fair enough .

Backed it last year Ohoka with some confidence Been terrible this time in for mine - although step up to 1600 helps. Think I would just go place to be honest. Love those big wide open R65 races to finish the day. Think we would all love Cubes to get his one up - I had a quiet beer with him last Friday and he was on good form. I suspect you have the winner with your other two though - probably in the order you put them down

Jakkalberry Is one. Rip van winkle might suit

I've watched a couple of races since ive been home from work and haven't had an issue,tho i did notice that there was a message saying that they are having issues.Considering that i watch the majority of the races thru the laptop it does get to be a pain when the Watch and Bet is having a meltdown.And to anyone wondering....yes there is Sky where i live...but my flatmates aren't into racing,and i'm not going to shove it down their throats.

I agree, it seems a bit silly to me and will only deter people from going.

however it is good to see an actual detail policy on Racing

From my experience breeding to him I agree with your premise that he does not suit big mares

Good memories there Robert, Jape & We're Doomed - and I do recall the meeting and those races mentioned. Funny how the race names can give a sense of nostalgia.

The Haldon was for 2yos, and despite it being for maidens and an ordinary stake it was considered a prestigious race to win. The feature jump was the Homeby. That meeting and those races now sadly seem to have disappeared. Very sad that the industry no longer appreciates the value of tradition. Next week is now the only jumps races of the season at Riccarton.

44 behind

I am pretty sure the Hunt day started with the Westenra Cup. Amateur riders I think. Possibly non-tote? In the early 1960s we never missed this last day of the season at Riccarton. A decent bike ride from Avonside/Dallington but a hearty breakfast in Suva St kept us going for the day. Gentleman Jim, ridden by Willie Harnett, comes to mind as a winner. Maybe. Probably in the late 70s. Willie was from a well-known racing family and followed his older brother, Nick, into the professional riding game. They later went to Australia for many years. I don't trust the memory so much these days but I doubt the Haldon Plate was for 2 year-olds. Maidens perhaps. Divisions yes. Cloudy Joe from the late Barry Taggart's stable comes up as I type. The Brabazon and the Camla Hack were the two main flat races. Am open to correction.

Hi Col, I remember years ago the Christchurch Hunt Club would race the week before the National Meeting, and hold the Brabazan ( I know the spelling is not correct) over 1400 metres, as a lead up for the Winter Cup. They also held the Haldon Plate for 2 year olds, and it was normally run in divisions. They may well have held an open steeple chase as a lead up for the Grand National. Someone might be able to recall better than me. Cheers. Robert.

I remember those days so well and how great it is that we no longer have to go into a pub, club and go home smelling like an ash tray. I was a smoker many moons ago and smoked on the bus on the plane, oh how things have turned around. I find 99% of smokers are very aware of non smokers and go away to a quite area to have a fag. My post was a quick response to how those people in authority or in positions to make these decisions believe they know how people should live there lives. As leighton Smith will tell you, little by little before we know it we won't be allowed out our front door.

More like swamp swaps.

Be great to get the inside word on the track, just be careful getting over that fence, last thing you want is a late scratching due to injury on winter cup day.

Thank god I'm too ignorant to get involved in this conversation.

Yes I think GG Cullect has a done a good job, considering he was at the lower end on Alabars Sires List. Most of the good mares would have gone to the more higher priced sires with better credentials.

Very sad news to hear the pocket rocket has died at 21. Remember him well in the late 90's winning Derbies in a row...saw him many times at Alex Park. Having him and Christian Cullen on the programme was a marketers dream. RIP fella. https://www.racenet.com.au/news/136167/Courage-Under-Fire-dies-aged-21#CommentsView

As smoking isn't Illegal are they able to enforce this. The world has gone fucking mad now racing has as well.

He was an excitement machine as he took on all the best 2 and 3 year-olds and simply kept on winning and winning ... 24 in a row. Remarkable. Very well named.

We have spare kennels available. We are looking for race dogs to buy, lease or train that may be suited to Auckland or Cambridge. Please contact Glennis or Geoff Farrell 0272824847 or 021486254

Too right!, well done Chris..just carry on regardless

Eating junk/fried food is apparently a recipe for bowel cancer, so I'm presuming that there will be no catering? Unless of course they have planned to set up salad bars around the course? On the serious side, fewer people smoke these days so the crowd will be normal - less the annual 5% drop in numbers.

I think this is a great idea, but why stop at telling punters they can't go outside and have a smoke at the races? I think racing clubs should start limiting punters to a maximum bet of $5 or so to show they also support gambling responsibly and within limits.

Moola is better than mullar

Will Livermol day support an Alochol free day to support the liver ? Opening a can of worms I reckon.

Interesting to see the amount of new stallions come in this season. Full credit to the studmasters on bringing these horses in, but you would have to think with the horse population in NZ that some might struggle for numbers given that I feel that these will be popular with 90+ mares. Nothing concrete on my thoughts here but just think they will be the popular stallions this year Iffraaj (full) Reliable Man (full) Savabeel Tavistock Power Turn Me Loose Charm Spirit Tivaci Sacred Falls Ocean Park Vadamos Belardo Preferment Darci B Per Incanto Swiss Ace Zacinto Contributor Showcasing Tarzino I maybe missing a few which I apologise for, but If they all get 100 + mares, where does it leave the rest of the mares that will be bred in NZ? Not sure of the population but can't imagine it would be over 4000 mares. A lot of variety out there for breeders and maybe a few others that will have foal hype and 2yo hype that might get a few numbers as well..

You make a good point and a lot of the stallions who may struggle would be 2nd and 3rd season sires. Perhaps there will be some good deals out there this season.

Oh well John McCain got his sweet revenge dealing to the fool.