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How ever the final complete story ends out, racing's administration must fire those responsible for the Te Rapa debacle. As I understand it, this is the situation. As Elerslie was under reconstruction, some of the iconic races were to be run at Te Rapa. In an attempt to improve the Te Rapa track surface, advice was given to apply sand to the track. This begs the question as to who was involved in that consultation process because this is actually where the responsibility chain starts. My understanding is that there was an attempt to improve the track surface not that long ago so why was this latest action necessary? The decision was to sand slit. This is where slits are cut into the track and sand would be placed into the slits. The theory of this technique is that the sand in the slits drains the water through the slits much quicker as theoretically the water drains through the soil profile and into the nova flow drainage under the track. What of course they don't understand is if you don't do analysis of the soil type and grass types with the rooting profile, the slitting may in fact destroy the stability of the surface and the kick back can be like a Sahara sand storm. But when you've got mediocre management, from the top down, the best thing you could do to prove your mediocraty is have no one at the track to see the sand arrive, which means no-one was there to check the quality and type of sand (dimensions), and the sand was dumped at a spot that wasn't specified. The sand was spread. It was of poor quality. It's specifications weren't checked, it was spread incorrectly. The outcome.....all the drains got blocked, a sink hole appeared in the track and a lake that is the next "Noosa" of the Waikato formed that has got the ducks changing their winter plans. I have been told that the track may not be used for the next 6 months.What the cost to the industry/ jobs/ contracts/ sponsorship's? Put this together with the debacle of 6 months ago during summer, when on a major race day, the food and beverage ran out (which was substandard in the first place) and that the track has been progressively degraded during the reign of both the current chairman and CEO (who hides in his office during race days) and you've got the targets for the "You're Fired Stakes". If any member of the NZTR were involved in this debacle, then they should also be in the noms for the same race. Grow some balls leaders. This is simply not acceptable in terms of incompetence and mis management. Heads must Roll

Pretty ironic that all those preaching centralisation etc it’s a country club run by volunteers that’s come to the rescue of two so called big clubs with fully payed staff and CEO s.

I see Sky TV annouces the loss of another 57000 customers this past 12 months, so this will no doubt be another big chunk of viewers not viewing trackside. Maybe it is tme the racing board/Tab took it back over again and while doing so go back to the old format or at least have one channel soley for NZ races. I certainly dont watch it as much as I used to as I am not particularly interested in aussie racing and cannot abide the cutting short of NZ coverage to watch some obscure race in the back blocks of never never land.

What's the off time for this race, before or after the people running this track potentially get 10 mill of OUR taxpayer dollar to build and run an AWT there ? Problem with taking the taxpayer coin is opens door for taxpayer to have a word about it from kid working hard after school in part time job , family working hard to pay taxes while putting kids through school, person who's worked 50 plus years paying in and denied pharmac meds. And X amount of tons sand dumped willy nilly with minimal supervision raises so many questions it's open season time.

Picks for The Horseman today 25th. Hope he got plenty R1. # 5 Percy Mason R2. #6 Graff R3. #3 Danawi R 4. #9 Avilius

Rutherford was trying to set the pitch up to take some spin and then some bloody horses came galloping along!

Yep, if I were Chautauqua Id go next time, hose home in style in trial then come the big day stand still and stick one hoof up to the connections ( in place of finger) and walk the trip past the stands in own time and hopefully get the standing ovation he deserves. They cannot give him the champions send off do it yourself mate. Bloody dead set champion made a circus act. Sorry I think the connections are tossers ( don't know them just in this instance my opinion of this farce). . Nothing I wouldn't say to there greedy arse faces although I wouldn't cross a betting hall to say hi if they were giving money away.

The 5 year deal with Sky TV is up next April (no not April the 1st) and word is its back to Free To Air. It should have always been Free To Air but no doubt some bean counter knew more than what their customers really wanted. Now try and get back the lost customers that the change resulted in. TAB executive general manager Glenn Patrick said the organisation planned to revamp its coverage so it could show about 5000 more races, as well as magazine-style features."At the end of the day, this is not a money grab by the TAB," he said. "It's about giving customers what they want". At least this guy is since well gone as he obviously had no idea.

Should be easy to find, someone is in charge aren't they?

Didn't tune in to trackside today til 6pm, looked back at what I missed out, then had a crack at "Don't Give a Damn" in Race 8 at Rosehill ..... geez, could've been a great day had I've taken a multi !

Takes you back to his effort on Zed Leppelin earlier in year when he sat up and got beaten, makes you wonder if he's is on the job

I say let him start, if punters want to risk him either way, pay your money and take the chance, don't call it gambling for nothing, some of those trotters break week in and week out and get many chances before anything is done, but i guess they don't have the same profile of this champ. What a horse he has been.

Saw him go round today, jesus he still has a turn off foot coming down the home straight, wasn't even pushed (obviously no need), but even more obvious is that he clearly doesn't want to be there. Very slow away again today. Dead right Redrum re: connections of horse. They bloody know they will wait a very long time before they get another one with half his ability and raw speed, so they are being disgracefully greedy here. They're making themselves look like a joke and aren't making too many friends over this debacle I wouldn't think. But they just wanna make more money. Hopefully the stewards make the call for them.

1-1 The Big Opal 2-8 Neutrality 3-13 Mizzy 4-9 Avilius

Picks 1.Te Aroha R7....#5 Perry Mason 2. Rosehill R5....#7 Tchaikovsky 3. Rosehill R6...#4 Exceltic 4. Rosehill R7....#16 Salsonic Thanks

1. Te Aroha R7 - No 7 Our Jackson 2. Rosehill R5 - No 1 Preformer 3. Rosehill R6 - No 5 Aramayo 4. Rosehill R7 - No 9 Avilius Thanks and good luck all. Double checked my numbers this week

Te Aroha: R7: 5 # Perry Mason Rosehill: R5: 7 #Tchaikovsky Rosehill: R6: 1 # Outrageous Rosehill: R7: 5 # First Crush Cheers

1- 1 - The Big Opal 2- 8 - Neutrality 3- 4 - Exceltic 4- 9 - Avilus

1, Te Aroha R7 - #5 Perry Mason 2. Rosehill R5 - #1 Performer 3. Rosehill R6 - #2 Toulouse 4. Rosehill R7 - #13 I Am Serious

Sorry guys, Gave an incorrect horse number in my original post (i.e., 2, Rosehill R5). correct number now shown. 1. Te Aroha R7 - 9 Venerate 2. Rosehill R5 - 3 Jonker 3. Rosehill R6 - 2 Toulouse 4. Rosehill R7 - 4 Testashadow

Te Aroha R7- 2 TheNamesBond Randwick R5- 1 Performer Randwick R6- 2 Toulouse Randwick R7 9 Avilius

1-1 2-5 3-1 4-5

Te Aroha R7- 5 Perry Mason Randwick R5- 8 Neutrality Randwick R6- 1 Outrageous Randwick R7- 9 Avilius Good luck all....

1 Te Aroha R7 - #7 2 Rosehill R5- #6 3 Rosehill R6- #5 R Rosehill R7- #5

R1#5 R2#8 R3#11 R4#13 Thanks all

1-1 THE BIG OPAL 2- 3 JONKER 3-DANAWI 4- 9 AVILIUS

1. Te Aroha R7 - 5 2. Rosehill R5 - 8 3. Rosehill R6 - 8 4. Rosehill R7 - 8 Thanks

1. Te Aroha R7 - 1 The Big Opal 2. Rosehill R5 - 5 Plague Stone 3. Rosehill R6 - 2 Toulouse 4. Rosehill R7 - 2 Destiny's Kiss

1. Te Aroha R7 5 Perry Mason 2. Rosehill R5 8 Neutrality 3. Rosehill R6 11 Onthetake 4. Rosehill R7 13 I Am Serious

R 1. #5 R 2. #9 R 3. #13 R 4. #7

1. Te Aroha R7-10 Zamora 2. Rosehill R5-1 Performer 3. Rosehill R6-1 Outrageous 4. Rosehill R7-13 I Am Serious Thanks Guys, cheers R

thanks Shad for kind words. Not just the races run and won and nearly won lol. but certainly the characters met along the way.

R1-05 Perry Mason R2-09 Ringerdingding R3-04 Exceltic R4-13 I am Serious Thanks PJ/Leigh

1. Te Aroha R7 - 9 Venerate 2. Rosehill R5 - 2 Jonker 3. Rosehill R6 - 2 Toulouse 4. Rosehill R7 - 4 Testashadow

1. Te Aroha R7 - 3.28pm - Bridges Insurance Services Pakuranga Hunt Cup (PJR) - $50k, 4800m, open stpl 6-Old Countess 2. Rosehill R5 - 4.30pm - Singapore Airlines San Domenico Stks (Gr3) - $150k, 1100m, 3yos SW+Ps (x 2) 7-Tchaikovsky 3. Rosehill R6 - 5.05pm - Visit Monaco Ming Dynasty (Gr3) - $150k, 1400m, 3yos qlty hdcp (x 2)5 -Aramayo 4. Rosehill R7 - 5.45pm - New Caledonia Travel Connection Premier's Cup (Gr3) - $150k, 1900m, qlty hcp (x 2)3-Emperor's Way

R1#1 The big opal R2#5 Plague stone R3#9 Signore fox R4#9 Avilius Thanks very much

It’s alwats tough posting after cubes but here goes....... Te Rapa r7 no 7 our jackson Rosehill r5 no 5 Plauge Stone Rosehill r6 no 5 Aramayo Rosehill r7 no 9 Avilius Many thanks to pj and Scooby (sorry if I missed anyone) for there efforts with the comp.

Points taken Steve and Em. Often when people have made worthwhile changes the situation looked bleak when they began . What did chairman Mao say, 'the longest journey starts with the smallest step". I am at the stage where I have little to win or lose whatever happens but I do know that doing nothing will result in nothing changing so I will consider it as taking the smallest step. Trouble is, with my record at meetings, Winnie will probably have me expelled

Totally agree Jackman and I think that not too many people that have a slight interest in the racing game would disagree with you. Of course the actual decision maker(s) disagrees, but they are that far removed from reality they wouldn't know what day it is. I'm bloody hoping that whoever made this ludicrous decision has now left the organisation and someone else can reverse one of the most stupid decisions ever made in the racing industry.

I think some of the comments re Messara are a bit off track. The guy is one of Aust most successful breeders via Arrowfield. He’s a successful racehorse Owner. His son is a successful racehorse Trainer. Himself is a very capable Racing Administrator and single handedly, pushed Racing NSW and Australian in the right direction, working “with” the Govt to bring it out of the doldrums. As a result, Racing in Aust is far better off for his direct involvement. So, when he was invited to do a report on NZ Racing, There’s no doubt in my opinion, that the right person was chosen. Sure, some in NZ (eg, BArryB ) might say, “but he’s an Aussie and us kiwis don’t need another Ozzie blah blah blah etc”. The biggest worry for NZ (imho) is “ “What is activated from the Report - if anything?”. Going on past performances, NZR doesn’t do itself any favours and no Govt has ever looked upon it as an Industry that contributes to the NZ Economy and also the social fabric of Society. So much can be done to invigorate it but whether or not the Govt and Racing Authorities have the will to apply the paddles to the patient is another story. But don’t blame Messara - he has the broad knowledge of Racing and he has the runs on the Board - something many on this site don’t have.

Cheers Varro. I’ve always found it more fun tabling your thoughts before the race. Makes the race itself a lot more interesting when you know someone has a wager on a particular horse. You’ll always get people like Brent and short stuff though just hoping and waiting for you to fail. It’s human nature and says more about them than it does about me. Good to see the Tall Poppy syndrome still alive and kicking back in NZ. P.S. You don’t have to worry about Brent tabling his thoughts as he is not a “tipster” apparently (not that that has anything to do with it ). Ditto short stuff as you actually need $$ to place a bet (something that has been very foreign to him his whole life). Headquarters vouchers and sponsored Moët on the other hand. Well that’s a totally different story.

Abbott: Well Costello, I'm going to New York with you. You know Bucky Harris, the Yankee's manager, gave me a job as coach for as long as you're on the team. Costello: Look Abbott, if you're the coach, you must know all the players. Abbott: I certainly do. Costello: Well you know I've never met the guys. So you'll have to tell me their names, and then I'll know who's playing on the team. Abbott: Oh, I'll tell you their names, but you know it seems to me they give these ball players now-a-days very peculiar names. Costello: You mean funny names? Abbott: Strange names, pet names...like Dizzy Dean... Costello: His brother Daffy. Abbott: Daffy Dean... Costello: And their French cousin. Abbott: French? Costello: Goofè. Abbott: Goofè Dean. Well, let's see, we have on the bags, Who's on first, What's on second, I Don't Know is on third... Costello: That's what I want to find out. Abbott: I say Who's on first, What's on second, I Don't Know's on third. Costello: Are you the manager? Abbott: Yes. Costello: You gonna be the coach too? Abbott: Yes. Costello: And you don't know the fellows' names? Abbott: Well I should. Costello: Well then who's on first? Abbott: Yes. Costello: I mean the fellow's name. Abbott: Who. Costello: The guy on first. Abbott: Who. Costello: The first baseman. Abbott: Who. Costello: The guy playing... Abbott: Who is on first! Costello: I'm asking YOU who's on first. Abbott: That's the man's name. Costello: That's who's name? Abbott: Yes. Costello: Well go ahead and tell me. Abbott: That's it. Costello: That's who? Abbott: Yes. PAUSE Costello: Look, you gotta first baseman? Abbott: Certainly. Costello: Who's playing first? Abbott: That's right. Costello: When you pay off the first baseman every month, who gets the money? Abbott: Every dollar of it. Costello: All I'm trying to find out is the fellow's name on first base. Abbott: Who. Costello: The guy that gets... Abbott: That's it. Costello: Who gets the money... Abbott: He does, every dollar. Sometimes his wife comes down and collects it. Costello: Who's wife? Abbott: Yes. PAUSE Abbott: What's wrong with that? Costello: Look, all I wanna know is when you sign up the first baseman, how does he sign his name? Abbott: Who. Costello: The guy. Abbott: Who. Costello: How does he sign... Abbott: That's how he signs it. Costello: Who? Abbott: Yes. PAUSE Costello: All I'm trying to find out is what's the guy's name on first base. Abbott: No. What is on second base. Costello: I'm not asking you who's on second. Abbott: Who's on first. Costello: One base at a time! Abbott: Well, don't change the players around. Costello: I'm not changing nobody! Abbott: Take it easy, buddy. Costello: I'm only asking you, who's the guy on first base? Abbott: That's right. Costello: Ok. Abbott: All right. PAUSE Costello: What's the guy's name on first base? Abbott: No. What is on second. Costello: I'm not asking you who's on second. Abbott: Who's on first. Costello: I don't know. Abbott: He's on third, we're not talking about him. Costello: Now how did I get on third base? Abbott: Why you mentioned his name. Costello: If I mentioned the third baseman's name, who did I say is playing third? Abbott: No. Who's playing first. Costello: What's on first? Abbott: What's on second. Costello: I don't know. Abbott: He's on third. Costello: There I go, back on third again! PAUSE Costello: Would you just stay on third base and don't go off it. Abbott: All right, what do you want to know? Costello: Now who's playing third base? Abbott: Why do you insist on putting Who on third base? Costello: What am I putting on third. Abbott: No. What is on second. Costello: You don't want who on second? Abbott: Who is on first. Costello: I don't know. Abbott & Costello Together:Third base! PAUSE Costello: Look, you gotta outfield? Abbott: Sure. Costello: The left fielder's name? Abbott: Why. Costello: I just thought I'd ask you. Abbott: Well, I just thought I'd tell ya. Costello: Then tell me who's playing left field. Abbott: Who's playing first. Costello: I'm not... stay out of the infield! I want to know what's the guy's name in left field? Abbott: No, What is on second. Costello: I'm not asking you who's on second. Abbott: Who's on first! Costello: I don't know. Abbott & Costello Together: Third base! PAUSE Costello: The left fielder's name? Abbott: Why. Costello: Because! Abbott: Oh, he's centerfield. PAUSE Costello: Look, You gotta pitcher on this team? Abbott: Sure. Costello: The pitcher's name? Abbott: Tomorrow. Costello: You don't want to tell me today? Abbott: I'm telling you now. Costello: Then go ahead. Abbott: Tomorrow! Costello: What time? Abbott: What time what? Costello: What time tomorrow are you gonna tell me who's pitching? Abbott: Now listen. Who is not pitching. Costello: I'll break your arm, you say who's on first! I want to know what's the pitcher's name? Abbott: What's on second. Costello: I don't know. Abbott & Costello Together: Third base! PAUSE Costello: Gotta a catcher? Abbott: Certainly. Costello: The catcher's name? Abbott: Today. Costello: Today, and tomorrow's pitching. Abbott: Now you've got it. Costello: All we got is a couple of days on the team. PAUSE Costello: You know I'm a catcher too. Abbott: So they tell me. Costello: I get behind the plate to do some fancy catching, Tomorrow's pitching on my team and a heavy hitter gets up. Now the heavy hitter bunts the ball. When he bunts the ball, me, being a good catcher, I'm gonna throw the guy out at first base. So I pick up the ball and throw it to who? Abbott: Now that's the first thing you've said right. Costello: I don't even know what I'm talking about! PAUSE Abbott: That's all you have to do. Costello: Is to throw the ball to first base. Abbott: Yes! Costello: Now who's got it? Abbott: Naturally. PAUSE Costello: Look, if I throw the ball to first base, somebody's gotta get it. Now who has it? Abbott: Naturally. Costello: Who? Abbott: Naturally. Costello: Naturally? Abbott: Naturally. Costello: So I pick up the ball and I throw it to Naturally. Abbott: No you don't, you throw the ball to Who. Costello: Naturally. Abbott: That's different. Costello: That's what I said. Abbott: You're not saying it... Costello: I throw the ball to Naturally. Abbott: You throw it to Who. Costello: Naturally. Abbott: That's it. Costello: That's what I said! Abbott: You ask me. Costello: I throw the ball to who? Abbott: Naturally. Costello: Now you ask me. Abbott: You throw the ball to Who? Costello: Naturally. Abbott: That's it. Costello: Same as you! Same as YOU! I throw the ball to who. Whoever it is drops the ball and the guy runs to second. Who picks up the ball and throws it to What. What throws it to I Don't Know. I Don't Know throws it back to Tomorrow, Triple play. Another guy gets up and hits a long fly ball to Because. Why? I don't know! He's on third and I don't give a darn! Abbott: What? Costello: I said I don't give a darn! Abbott: Oh, that's our shortstop.