RaceCafe..#1...Tipsters Thread.... Share Your Fancies For Fun...Lets See Who The Best Tipsters Here Are.

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  1. Robert Best

    Stables staff

    Hey Booby Bec, I am a baby boomer who made lots out of our family home and now have a nicer family home. We were the generation that got screwed with mortgage interest rates at 19% for first and 25% for 2nd, plus we were on low wages. We went out and got 2nd jobs, no compulsory big annual holidays, flash coffees 4 times a day etc etc like the young ones demand now. I am enjoying my money like many of our generation and couldnt give a flying f**k about the moaning millenials.
    6 points
  2. Hard to get a handle on this really - they talk about Ashburton losing personnel and not being able to run it. Well that is fixable and they are 14 months away from the event. So last time had a few problems it seems. I get the impression one of them was the facilities weren't up to normal corporate quality (ie reference to gas heaters etc etc). I went last year and paid to get into one of the marquees with a bunch of people - yeah it was all temporary, etc etc - but I knew I was going to Ashburton not Ellerslie and it added to the day rather than detracted. Mind you I wasn't wearing a suit and was drinking cans of beer so perhaps I'm not the segment of the market complaining or expecting more. And the racing was bloody good all day - which is kind of the point isnt it. I love Addington - BUT 1950m as others have mentioned lacks the uniqueness of the mile. And for your ordinary punter/racegoer Addington can be a pretty average place as well in terms of where you can access etc...
    2 points
  3. badger

    Ashburton abandoned

    This not the first time this has happened , it has been an ongoing issue for sometime now possibly caused by financial restraints. I believe the club had work done on the drainage as recently as last week to try and rectify the problem, obviously it was not successful. If clubs want to survive nowadays then they need to get their act together, the last thing they need is losing a meeting because of pore track maintenance. They lost boxing day and now the Jewels , if they are not careful the flying stakes could go as well NZMET would no doubt love to get that as well. Personally I find this sad, I love the rural meetings the families, the friends, the relaxed atmosphere, no traffic problems and not a bloody concrete jungle.
    2 points
  4. globederby12

    Auckland Fields

    Hey mate, glad to see yah fav bought you some excitement. I have to say though had Monty been in the trail and not 3 back we may have caught you. A perfect trip for him nonetheless and a delight to watch. The Jewels will be interesting with MM. I think that Winterfell will have to cop a bad draw to be beaten to be honest. Louby Lou may start as well so we will be hoping for a good draw. We know he is a good stayer and still on the up, heres hoping we can stop the AS juggernaut. Miracles do happen.
    2 points
  5. Belinda

    christen me n

    Ah yes, But Cardigan Bay was returned to NZ to live out his retirement. Going by a post further up, no such provision has been made for Christian Me?
    2 points
  6. https://theinformant.co.nz/website/News/single_news/Staffing-issues-cost-Ashburton-the-Jewels/SX9287 Staffing issues cost Ashburton the Jewels Sun, 29 Apr 2018 Garrick Knight Concerns around personnel and the ability of an under-manned Ashburton Trotting Club to run the event have seen it lose next year’s Harness Jewels to Addington. Ken Spicer, Chairman of the Harness Racing New Zealand Board that made the decision yesterday, said the staffing issues at Ashburton was the biggest of a number of concerns that became apparent when weighing the two proposals. “Our biggest concern was not just around the venue itself, but the ability of the Ashburton club, through their management and committee, to plan and execute the event,” he said. Longtime employees Fiona Stuart and Gareth Murfitt, Manager and Secretary respectively, have both recently departed the club, taking a wealth of Jewels Day planning experience with them. “The club is going through a real transition at the moment and they’ve lost two key people; they’ve actually shut their office during the week. “As well as that, the Club President and Vice President have both resigned from their roles, too. “They’re in a bit of a no-man’s land and they didn’t really install confidence in us that they would be able to run the event to a high standard. “The last Jewels day they ran had a number of issues and that has prompted us to consider an alternative option. “Addington have come to the party and are pretty keen to run it.” Spicer noted that the TAB, too, had raised concerns about certain aspects of their ability to function appropriately on the day given the location of the course. Protracted discussions between the members of the Executive led up to the anonymous vote, which was done on ballot forms. Spicer confirmed, too, that Barry Dent, a board member of both Addington and HRNZ, participated in the vote. “The whole board voted and the exact result will be kept confidential but it was reasonably clear cut, it is safe to say. “This wasn’t done on a whim; we spent two or three hours pouring over data and information and discussing how any potential decision could affect things.” Spicer sympathised with those who were disappointed with the decision and said that there were going to be upset industry participants whatever way they went. “Already we’ve had calls and correspondence in support and against the decision, which was always going to happen. “We understand it is a big deal, but it is only a venue. “The money will stay the same and the best horses will still race for it. “It’s Harness Racing New Zealand’s event at the end of the day, not the club’s. “They originally chose Ashburton as a point of difference but that was then and this is now. “People’s expectations of race days have changed and perhaps sitting on damp ground in a marquee with a gas heater going isn’t for everybody. “If you don’t change, you’ll never know if it could be better. “This may work, this may not, but at least we will know.” Spicer said the accepted view of the Trainers and Drivers Association was that Addington was probably preferable. “There is no problem there; Rob Lawson is on the board and is the Chairman of the horsemen’s group and the says the feedback has certainly been that Addington would be better. “A covered barn and beautiful track are advantageous and they aren’t too hung up on the distance changing from a mile.” Spicer said the decision was contingent on Addington agreeing to maintain the festival atmosphere of the Jewels and not to operate it under the same somewhat elitist structure that it does on New Zealand Cup and other days. “That was one concern around the table; we don’t want it to be just another day at ‘the Met’, at a bit of a concrete jungle. “But they have assured us they will make it work well.” Cambridge will host the Jewels this year and Spicer says the 2020 running will be open to a submission from the Auckland Trotting Club, as has always been the case. “There seems to be a conspiracy that the big clubs are trying to steal the Jewels but it has nothing to do with that at all. “This decision is in no way linked to Cambridge’s hosting of the Jewels moving forward. “They are making a real go of it this year and I will hazard a guess that they’re going to pull off a good edition. “But, at the end of the day, they will get reviewed the same as Ashburton.”
    1 point
  7. GOM

    He's sure got some wheels

    I have only ever seen one instance worse than this and it was a dog called Hostile Kiwi.
    1 point
  8. HRNZ have never had an original or creative idea Richie, and won't have while Rennell and his "family" stays there. It does say this is only for a year, so maybe not all is lost, but that could probably go either way. I'd be getting the people there to put some sort of plan together, with supporting stats re betting, new initiatives etc to highlight the positives of staying with Ashburton. I'd also keep a very close watch on the success or otherwise of the Addington move ( particularly comparing betting turnover ) as it might prove significant.
    1 point
  9. Hard times ?? Depends what your definition of "hard times" is.... Someone that has trained over 1000 winners in NZ ( including 5 Derbies ), over 45 in Australia and 28 Group wins...? Has 20 winners this season and some decent quality in the current team including a potential topliner in Sheriff, Hanger, Rondinella and Concert Hall among others....? As for bad yearling purchases,, who gets it right every time ? That Savabeel filly he bought at Karaka was something special and it will be interesting to see her when she does step out.
    1 point
  10. the exccecutive spent the day at invercargill trots,ken spicer was presented with the invercargill cup which his horse won in february but he wasnt on course for,otherwise threy were unseen spending their time in the free food and water entertainment section (practising for jewels day)
    1 point
  11. How are dogs going to get to Levin? From auckland and waikato...why change a system that is working in the north?.....silly me I know one of the board members who lives up here will be doing it...but hold on that wont get him frequent flyer points....unless he flys them.....
    1 point
  12. Robert Best

    Stables staff

    You wont be pissing the inheritance away, this government will be taking it away from you to give to the no hopers. Then Coke, P Dealers, McDonalds, corner liquor stores etc etc will get it.
    1 point
  13. Not to mention the parade ring.
    1 point
  14. Why would the NZMTC want to do that ??
    1 point
  15. Iraklis

    Auckland Fields

    Fartoomuch, thanks for that, it was great night out and some of the performances were summit else.... Globe, nah don't think so The Spur was low flyin headin in, actually once I got over me panic mo, I realised Enghein goin round and givin The Boy some cover gave him a breather, and a sit (where he's most dangerous, he loves to take that gap) when he hit the gap and kicked at top of the straight my mate was slappin me shoutin 'here he comes, here he comes, go go go go' right, like I couldn't see him, cheez I was black n blue yesterday walkin lopsided one shoulder decidedly lower than the other, ahh but it was worth it.....as for Winterfell, Globe he is summit else, put together real nice and he's effortless, be interesting to see if n when he is tested what could he do, fingers crossed for you guys tho hope your boy gets good draw in all for the Jewels, as much as I love the AllStars and their guns, I reckon us Northerners gotta start puttin up a fight, hey could start with your boy yup...... Cheers Iraklis
    1 point
  16. I can’t agree with you Joe, I thought cyborg was a very progressive run for its second ever 700m run,I thought the heat run might knock it but it went better in the final, making ground on the winner. Auckland is its home track and the track where it has gone some slashers! I think the collar is right up its alley !!
    1 point
  17. Hound Fan

    Stripes report auckland

    In the stripes report today the stripes report says opawa silver fractured her leg......this is totally incorrect the dog fractured a seasomoid...massive difference......
    1 point
  18. eljay

    Good Draws

    This weeks statement from All Stars (Web Site) We had better news about Princess Tiffany.We did an xray to check if the infection had spread to the pedal bone which is what we have been afraid of. We have had it happen before and it isn't good at all. Luckily it hasn't so that was more good news for Caroline and Braeden Well that's good news, isn't it! Hope she back on track very soon.
    1 point
  19. Racing Minister Winston Peters is determined to get it right, starting with the Messara Report. MESSARA REPORT WILL BE THE JOB ONLY HALF DONE 27 April 2018 Story by Brian de Lore / The Informant Benjamin Franklin once said nothing is certain in this life except death and taxes, but in view of events in New Zealand racing over the past couple of weeks a major overhaul of our industry also looms large as an over-the-line certainty. Arrowfield Stud boss and former chairman of Racing NSW and Racing Australia John Messara is more than a week into compiling his report ahead of forming recommendations that will be delivered to and then adopted by Minister for Racing Winston Peters. After conducting his due diligence on Messara and then making the appointment, it is unlikely to be followed by debate over the recommendations. Peters knows that Messara has the track record, the experience and know-how to do the job, and it would be naïve to believe the Minister would do anything outside the Messara recommendations. But once the report has been handed to Peters, the involvement of Messara realistically cannot end at that point in time. The fix will have to be put into practice and who better to do it than Messara himself, which is what happened at Racing NSW in collaboration with CEO Peter V’landys. Completion of the report is a job only half done; implementation is the second phase. Messara said recently: “In the end, it’s all about personnel. You can have all the right structures for governance, but you need the right personnel in key places or it won’t work.” And for that reason Peters should appoint Messara as the new Chairman of the NZRB, at least for an interim period as the new board is installed and the industry is reshaped. Let’s be realistic, the current board members will be gone by the back half of July so the Messara blank sheet of paper strategy, which obviously appealed to Peters and had something to do with the Messara appointment, can be carried through to a satisfactory conclusion. The Minister has that power and it would be delusional to believe otherwise – the way forward has to begin with a completely new board at the NZRB. Peters wants to leave a legacy for racing and as previously stated; what he is putting in place now will be there to survive succeeding governments and be functional in 10 years’ time and beyond. Messara is unfamiliar with failure and between the two it’s very hard to believe either will consider the job complete until the agenda is not only finalised but set in concrete. Already NZRB board member Alistair Ryan of Sky City Entertainment has resigned. Greg McCarthy has stated he will not be seeking re-election after serving five years and it will be nothing but a major surprise if chair Glenda Hughes doesn’t tender her resignation before July. The Messara report and its findings will be wasted if the wrong people are seconded onto the board and a new management team is not up to an unprecedented standard for better governance – a state of industry position we have been sadly lacking. We have a history that chronicles numerous failures and this might be our last chance to get it right. Messara’s impartiality offers the perfect opportunity to eliminate some of the cronyism in racing that has been prevalent here for years. He is coming in from the outside and therefore will not have preconceived notions or bias about finding the right person/s, and we need a CEO that possesses racing savvy and an uncompromising approach to the task – in the mould of Messara and V’landys themselves. What we don’t want to hear anymore is that narrow-minded parochialism about Australians; we just want the best person for the job and if that means the best candidate comes from Timbuktu then so be it. Imported CEOs have a poor record but that’s more a symptom of the selection process rather than the origin of the incumbent. Some years ago when outsourcing of the TAB was first mooted, then Racing Minister Nathan Guy said it would never happen under his watch – for what reason other than a reluctance to be part of an Australian institution is unknown. Outsourcing the FOB platform to Tabcorp might be achieved for the $6 million to $7 million per annum that RWWA’s is said to be paying instead of the $30 million plus $17 million a year commitment we are tied to under the current NZRB strategy. Outsourcing is simply about sharing the Tabcorp technology already in place and taking full advantage of the $120 million/year that organisation spends on IT development rather than doing it ourselves. The NZRB this month relented and with NZTR has now formed a steering committee to investigate outsourcing – too little too late. It should have happened years ago. The horse has bolted with the stable door wide open. The business model that the NZRB has been pursuing has been out of date ever since globalisation took hold in the betting world a decade or more ago. We ultra-conservative Kiwis have been too slow to recognise and embrace the global picture just as we were in the early 1990s when some leaders in our breeding industry decried the then new practice of shuttling stallions. We were soon left behind and our speed out of the barrier is still in catch-up mode. And today, thinking that we could afford to build our own FOB betting platform at massive cost and then compete with the big, powerful global players just to secure the domestic market alone borders on lunacy. That thinking could only be the product of the insular minds of people with no understanding of the meaning of the word scale. But while it’s not hard to find evidence in the smorgasbord of NZRB faults and excesses that Messara will be currently examining, don’t forget that the erosion of our industry over the past dozen years or so has also taken place under the watch of thoroughbred code governing body NZTR. Under the NZTR Statutory Role, Section 23 of the Racing Act 2003, clause four which is headed ‘Participate in the Racing Board’s Governance and Decision Making,’ (b) (1) says ‘consult with the Racing Board about the Board’s business plan’ while (b) (iii) says ‘consult with the Racing Board on the terms of reference for performance and efficiency audits of the Racing Board.’ NZTR has simply not been strong enough. Over the said period of time they have watched passively rather than objected loudly, and allowed themselves to be bullied by the NZRB which has taken full advantage of the wording of the Act. Instead of marshalling the Trainers’ Association, the Breeders’ Association and what’s now left of the Owners’ Association into some type of action, they adopted the ‘look-on’ approach and now we’ve had to hire a trouble-shooter. Henceforth, how exactly the Messara rejig of this business will be shaped is something no-one really knows at this time. While his head is no doubt buried in annual reports, submissions, etc., he won’t be making statements and will remain silent until his completed report is delivered to the Minister. But we do know from previous discussions that he believes we are overburdened with one level of administration too many, we are far too expensive to run, management of the finances should revert back to the codes and that in the end it comes back to the quality of the personnel. That was an overview from Karaka Sales time but whether or not all these beliefs will still hold true through to the completion of the report is the burning question. Personnel has been a sticky issue in the past but New Zealanders who could be part of the future of our racing include lawyer Mark Freeman who is chairman of the NZTR Pattern Committee and the son of one of our most successful administrators in Bill Freeman, and Dean McKenzie, who has an impressive record of success where ever he’s been. McKenzie is now something of a wasted talent to racing employed in the food industry, but previously he was CEO of the Metropolitan Trotting Club at Addington for six years, that despite his background from an early age in thoroughbreds in Southland, where he qualified as an accountant. He became racing manager of the Southland Racing Club at an early age, moved to Avondale a week before the club went into receivership but nevertheless made a sound contribution, and then did four years as CEO of the Wellington Racing Club, another four years as CEO of Christchurch’s Jade Stadium, and another four years as Executive Director of Esportif International. McKenzie is the most recent appointee to the Board of NZTR, but he is someone racing needs to get back full-time. Likewise, Freeman understands racing and should at least be utilised at Board level. These are just two suggestions to enhance the future of New Zealand racing. My knowledge of them is limited but it demonstrates that New Zealand does have the expertise to make a significant contribution to the industry’s future and get our best people into governance. Others are certain to be on the periphery, and Messara must be made aware of them all. To read this and other important industry stories in The Informant each week
    1 point
  20. Booby Bec

    Stables staff

    Fair comments there Leo, cant argue with what you say, but there seems to be an alarmingly big disparity between the haves and have nots. I guess this is the way everywhere. Why should people who get off their arse have to fund losers who don't want to work.
    1 point
  21. von Smallhaussen

    Cinematic

    and even then - wait for another 6 months
    1 point
  22. Shad

    Cinematic

    You can't beat that buzz of winning race, and you will be on cloud nine winning 3 on the bounce, a wise man told me years ago, never condemn a horse till its dead.
    1 point
  23. Blue

    pronunciation guide

    An Irish woman I know (Graigne) calls herself Gran-ya so I think if the owner can find an "ish" in Aigne, with all due respect, he's making a Foe Par.
    1 point
  24. That "we" already have is telling Em
    1 point
  25. Rusty

    christen me n

    If I was his owner, I'd have him tucked up in a box every night and have him enjoying his retirement. YEARS ago. How often do we hear trainers say; "he'll tell us when he is ready (insert: for a spell, to come back into work, for more ground etc)? I think Christen Me is talking now. Unfortunately his "connections" are choosing not to listen. Bloody shame.
    1 point
  26. ROUND 14 Race 10 - Morphettville R8 1st - 16 Exalted Adam W-$9.80 2nd - 6 Manuel Q-$11.40 Scr: 1,7,12,15,17,19 Sub: #6 then #3 2 FIVE NO TRUMPS (3rd) $1370.60 2 points 3 THE AD AUGUSTAS (1st) $1170.60 2 points Magic Boy never yelped so the Ad Augustas held on but all missed in the last. The final collects for the Five No Trumps came from Steve and Ian which got them across the team profit line for a bonus point to add to the one for a higher aggregate. Wrinkles just pipped Casper for AA MVP while Rob's two wuffies earned him Man of the Match honours. 202.00 Ian 269.00 Casper 104.60 Ray 257.00 Catalano 122.00 Steve 276.60 Wrinkles 696.00 Rob 157.00 Tom 246.00 Redrum 211.00 Howie 5 THE BETZA GRANDS (2nd) $1013.60 4 points 0 LAY DOWN MISERE (6th) $444.80 0 points This match was decided before the last in favour of the Betza Grands with their final collects coming from their Captain Betty while Tony took MVP honours for the Lay Down Misere with a sweet quinella in the last. The Betzas took a couple of bonus points for the margin while PJ was Man of the Match. 186.00 Betty 64.80 Gordy 200.80 Graeme 64.80 Rees 197.80 Robert 64.80 John 243.00 PJ 185.60 Tony 186.00 Dave 64.80 Steve P 2 MAINLY DOLLARZ (7th) $1328.40 1 point 3 THE DARK HORSES (4th) $1519.80 3 points The Dollarz were beaten before the last but went out with a beaut BB quinella from Jack while TC got up to preserve his impressive unbeaten record by pipping Sam in the last. Moose stamped his Man of the Match status with a BB in the final event. The Dark Horses took a valuable bonus point for a team profit while the Mainly Dollarz did likewise in a high scoring match. 272.80 The Crucible 187.00 Skelly 400.00 Jill 295.00 Korio 196.00 Richie 287.80 Rosina 82.00 Brian 122.00 Sarah 377.60 Jack 628.00 Moose 3 THE RUBIKS* (5th) $1041.60 2 (x 2 Joker Play) = 4 points 2 THE ROYLE FAMILY (8th) $1514.80 2 points Some serious late drama here with Roland's scratching taking him on to the sub - runner-up Manuel - completing the quinella which he doubled with a BB enabling him to get up and pip Heather cancelling out Pete's last race triumph over Geoff with a BB. So The Rubiks snatched the win and with their Joker play harvested 4 points. The Royle Family took two bonus points in a return to form - one for a higher aggregate and the other for a team profit. Roland was the Rubiks MVP but his better half Jen was Match Star with a mammoth total. Thank goodness they didn't draw each other..... 276.00 Kloppite 117.80 Sharne 133.00 Hesi 110.00 Pam 146.00 Geoff 226.00 Pete 186.00 Cubes 780.80 Jen 300.60 Roland 280.20 Heather The Final Round-Robin Table 1st 31 Ad Augusta $15,275.20 2nd 31 Betza Grands $14,958.80 4th 25 The Dark Horses $15,468.60 5th 25 The Rubiks $15,437.00 -------- finals qualification mark--------------- 5th 24 Five No Trumps $15,604.80 6th 21 Mainly Dollarz $15,543.60 7th 20 Lay Down Misere $15,129.40 8th 19 The Royle Family $13,695.80 The Ad Augusta's narrow win enabled them to cling on to the Minor Premiership title from a fast-finishing Betza Grand by just aggregate score. The Dark Horses bonus point from their team profit proved just enough to get them into the Finals while The Rubiks thrilling last race success eased them past the Five No Trumps who needed a win as it turned out to secure Finals action. The Mainly Dollarz lost and missed out but gained a small consolation climbing over the Lay Down Miseres whose cunning strategy didn't work like last week. The Royles lost and ended the comp in the cellar but put up a spirited performance today. Special mention of TC who has created a record going 14 comp matches unbeaten. A real pity he won't get the chance to extend that streak next week. Thanks a million to the 4 sides who leave us this week. In what I think has been one of the closest comps ever you can all count yourselves a little unlucky not to make the Finals.
    1 point
  27. Ditto to that John, loads of fun and male commaradirie. Thanks to Steve P, Gordy, and Tony, we shall meet again I have no doubt . Somewhere
    1 point
  28. Patiti

    Ashburton abandoned

    Possible drainage issue. Lack of maintenance?????????????//
    1 point
  29. drewandjo

    New Track

    P4P - you will get no argument from me re the lack of leadership/forward thinking at the NZTR historically, leading to a thoroughbred industry that is facing....lets just say hard times. However you have to admit that they have no control over the major things which provide the green stuff that keeps it all rolling.....the TAB, broadcasting agreements, the current shambles over the FOB platform, industry strategic plans (or lack of), etc. While your lack of criticism of the RB may be personal it seems the jumping off the ship recently of some board members is a sign that positive action is happening. I didn't vote for the grey fox and in fact I voted well left and I don't despise racing!!....and its not a policy of those parties either...... so I'm almost as sure as you are in your rant above that the Messara report will bring about major change....major positive change....
    1 point
  30. kdt

    pronunciation guide

    Get Richard Bromley from Radio Trackside to do some work with the boys, that should correct things
    1 point