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Remember the good old days about six months ago when on a Saturday morning you sprung out of bed and skipped down the hall to the kitchen giving the missus a cuddle and a kiss .Sitting down at the table opening your laptop and spending a couple of hours going thru all the fields . You get your bacon and eggs while you put your bets together ew bets done multis done doubles done pick6 done ahh life was easy.Outside the kitchen window the birds are cherping in your favorite bottle brush tree boy they sound great .Giving the missus a little kiss goodbye you wonder down to the pub to compare and discuss your bets with your mates .Happy hour is on so a nice jug of Speights and a few bets life it doesnt get much better for an old digger. Fast forward six months Saturday morning you wake up knowing you have a mission you look down the hall it seems longer and narrower you finally reach the kitchen giving the missus a knowing nod. You circle the table and open laptop to tab,yeap click on buffering click buffering scratching click scroll,scroll on to feilds ,network down please click to restart.Click buffering scroll on and on . Breakfast arrives, it is muesli, seems that recently my blood pressure has risen sharply and wife says its good for me I can hear those f##*en birds squawking in the bottle brush tree must get the chainsaw out and chop that tree down.Not sure what bets I"ve on decide to watch an episode of Chernobyl to put me into a happier frame of mind to go to pub. Walking into pub which has changed hands two nice young chaps who have turned it into a craft beer bar,the tab is gone as takings were down and a Kiosk was put in which doesnt work because of technical problems, Im no technician but I think the axe sticking out of the screen after Bluey couldnt get his money out might be the problem.I walk over to the boys table with my handle that looks like horse piss and whiskey chaser.No one is saying much just mumbling about dont think their bets are on ,network down click on and try again .Its not good seeing grown men crying so decide to go home to watch big races from Wellington..Wife is watching boxset of Married and the First one in the sack on the big tv so watch on small tv in kitchen the big race was so close but no photo finish what were the numbers ?Waiting for judges call ,noooo Sweeeeenys burbling on no call Ahhhhh were did it all go wrong I sit with my head in my hands. Thats all I've got to say about that.

The question has to be asked if the Auckland Trotting Club can survive in the wake of the mammoth losses incurred in the property development venture? There's also the "elephant in the room" of the pending court cases that could double the losses again! Will they end up having to sell Alexandra Park and move out of Auckland altogether? Where are the property development guru's now that they brought onto the board to oversee this disaster? How the hell did the recently departed CEO win awards for her "brilliant management" of the development? Who in their right mind would bring the guy that designed the CTV building in Christchurch onto the project team? Are the current stakemoney levels just an "ego trip" for the board given that the club could be insolvent within 12 months? Is it time for a Cambridge based contingency plan should the ATC be forced to sell up and move out of Auckland? Is taking pot shots at Garrick Knight for reporting the truth the best the ATC board has got to avoid admitting incompetence?

It's better to do the kiss and cuddle before you get up BH....and I've got a spare rope if you need it.....

Few things about Thatz David . TAB has him both 3rd and last 7 of 7 last week. Odd stuff really .He ran last . More importantly not quite sure why he's being risked again 159 runs , no form nowdays , 13 years old , no chance , deserves to get out alive , giving reasonably hard ride last week , will get no doubt another one this week. Not my idea of sport but up to owner . Someone could say oh well horses die in fields but a lot die over the sticks , is there any need to risk him. I will eat some humble pie if he wins , he won't though .

We have a choice as to whether we drive cars. Do horses have a choice as to whether they go over the jumps at 13 years of age?

She looks pretty good too....decisions to be made on which stallion she goes to shortly. I am Invincible, Snitzel and Exceed and Excel seem to be the front runners.

http://www.theoptimist.co.nz/ Manure will hit the fan in two weeks! by Brian de Lore Published 13 June 2019 We all should know what happens when manure hits a fan? The euphemistic definition goes something like this: ‘an action takes place bringing about a number of undesirable consequences;’ or if you prefer, ‘you reach the point at which an already unstable situation devolves into utter chaos.’ Another definition says, ‘a riot takes place, and it’s the best way to solve problems.’ The Optimist prefers the latter, but the racing industry has hardly been through times of riot. Quite the opposite, racing has been a benign whinger for many-a-year with little or no organised action other than individual complainants like myself who wield no power but can only provoke thought. All things considered, we are a manure of an industry. Manure because that’s what horses produce and manure because that’s the level of effort the racing industry has made to get itself organised and demand a better deal for itself – it still hasn’t happened. In this blog last week I quoted our now Minister Winston Peters from a 35-minute phone chat I had with him in 2017, 22 months ago, when he was on the campaign trail. It was one of our first phone calls, and much of the conversation hasn’t been written – but there comes a time. That time is now. And while NZRB is endemically ravaged with denialism, the disease seems to have been contained to Petone. The Dept of Agriculture must have got in quick, thinking we had received another Queensland fruit-fly via NZ-Post and erected a ring fence. When I complained bitterly to Peters that day about the direction NZRB CEO John Allen was taking the racing industry, and questioned why a person of his background was ever appointed to run racing, the NZ-First leader didn’t hold back. “John Allen came from the Post Office (NZ-Post), and we all know what happened there, and then he went to Foreign Affairs (MFAT),” said Peters, “and 42 diplomats signed a paper against him, and then he ends up heading the racing industry, and I’m sitting there thinking ‘what on earth is wrong with the racing industry.’ “He comes along and treats racing as a motivational exercise and thinks the industry needs some motivation, and the industry doesn’t need that – they need someone who knows what the hell he’s talking about. “The first thing you need is someone who knows one end of the horse from the other. Employing people on $900,000 a year (probably a reference to what the NZ-Post CEO is paid) is just ridiculous. Racing has suffered from a lack of leadership – at the top. But the CEO is only symptomatic of the problem; start with the people that appointed him – you have to get rid of them.” Nearly two years later, we still haven’t got rid of those people – they have two weeks left to run – the board of NZRB. The industry is incredulous they have been allowed to survive for so long, but when Peters became Minister 18 months ago he chose to deal with the racing problem in a slower bureaucratic fashion than was recommended in the Messara Report; probably on advice to achieve the best long-term result. A year ago while Messara was in the middle of compiling his report, and all but one member of the NZRB board was due for replacement in July 2018, it was leaked to The Optimist that CEO Allen successfully negotiated a new three-year extension to his employment contract. If the board thought they were about to go, and they agreed to keep Allen in racing for a further three years just as they were expecting to depart, would that not be deemed a breach of their fiduciary duty, or more plainly an irresponsible act of governance, not just to an incoming board, but for all stakeholders. It should be stressed, however, this information comes from a third party and is unlikely to be confirmed by either Allen or NZRB. So it can only be described as a rumour; albeit a strong rumour from a good source – RITA will find out soon enough when the manure hits the fan. That was a year ago, so if correct, he will still have two years still to run on his contract. At recent Industry Conversation Meetings, Allen has been openly stating he isn’t going anywhere, is looking forward to RITA and will be in the job for some time. But logic tells you that simply cannot be an option. When RITA steps into the breach on July 1st how can they keep on a CEO on who has belligerently defied industry opinion, is running a TAB which to all intents and purposes is broke, has built a $50 million FOB (Fixed Odds Betting platform) against all industry advice except his own executive team which has failed in the six months since launch, has failed to deliver on other strategic initiatives, and is unapologetically continuing to lie to the industry. The TAB is at an all-time low, including the morale of employees. It has been limiting the amount the bigger punters are allowed to win; they are the elite customers who might be good punters and are a chance to win. A source from inside revealed the TAB is desperate – in panic mode after reputedly losing big-time on the Ruiz-Joshua fight. Ruiz was around 8 to one. The source who is always accurate said the TAB had had a knee-jerk reaction across the whole business without consultation. Even retail outlets are cutting bets and are alienating loyal customers. Anyone who has run a successful business knows it takes a certain amount of good will towards your customers to retain them. The TAB in New Zealand has displayed no goodwill in a decade or more, perhaps since outsiders took control after the Racing Act of 2003 came into being. The TAB is a disgrace, but it all changes on July 1st. Is it any wonder thousands of New Zealanders are now betting directly with corporates in Australia. That’s why the New Zealand industry will benefit so much from the POC (Point of Consumption) levy which will give our industry a big kick-back, and that’s why the legislation (Racing Reform Bill No.1) which is about to get its second reading as I write this, is so important for the future of the industry. MAC will become RITA on July 1st, and that Board will be focused on revenue for the industry. The Minister will have done the first half of his job, and the road for maximum funding will open up for collection by RITA while putting the Messara Report into operation in an attempt to save every part of the industry which hasn’t been damaged beyond repair. RITA Chair Dean McKenzie stopped talking to The Optimist a couple of weeks ago and won’t do so now until July. Complaints have been to no avail, but McKenzie is shutting up shop on communication because July 1stwill come around quickly, and a super-plan of engagement will commence. No alternative exists. The Optimist predicts McKenzie will be appointed Executive Chairman of RITA and take over the day to day running of the TAB, and Allen will be sidelined in the first instance and placed on gardening leave to be available to answer questions about all the chaos he has caused over the past four and a half years. This is the end of the road for Allen – make no mistake. In two weeks and one day, MAC’s final report will be delivered to the Minister. Peters has repeatedly said he has complete faith in the MAC which becomes RITA with the addition of one more, and possibly a seventh member when the skill-set for that person they are seeking is found. Swift action will be required by RITA to turn this industry around. July is going to be a very compelling month for participants. We know that MAC has been working plenty of overtime; RITA is unlikely to get any respite.

I HOPE THE jCA OR WHOEVER HAVE THEIR EYES FIRMLY ON THAT JOCK TODAY. SHOULDA BEEN STOOD DOWN FOR THE DISGUSTING TREATMENT LAST TIME.

Whoar, was gettin bit worried close to home but UMCullect dug in, and fought for his win tonight like a good horse should, nice he even made the 6pm news tonight as well..... Cheers Iraklis

Must say i enjoyed Huckabee Sanders.I think she struggled early on but got better as the days went on. Did the job she was paid to do.She would have made some of our nz reporters like Tova O'Brien , Paddy Gower and Jess Mush look weak.

What did she lie about? Did she say Trump colluded with the Russians? Did she say Obama never spied on Trump? Did she say the dossier wasn't fake? Did she say Pocahontas was an Indian? Did she say the Russians hacked the DNC? Did she say the polls are real?

It's going to be fun when Assange tells the US court that the Russians did not give him/Wikileaks the Democrat emails.

Classic BH!

Good luck to Michael and his team.... https://www.facebook.com/TAB/videos/466688570747199/?t=9

Very thoughtful of you WAP to piggy back on the opening post informing of the horses knee issues getting treatment and a note of encouragement to one of the owners. As you say this was mentioned in the media and ongoing information regularly updated on the stable website. However even though all this information is in the public demand you add your own twist...."the stable though has a high % of horses with injuries". A high %%%%%%%......what is a high %. Is it higher than usual ,higher by industry norms , a higher % than other ? Is this statement FACTUAL or a WAP guess.? I know they have more horses than others ,regularly running in big races at breakneck speed ,several doing a lot of travel and contesting a good number of races per horse . Individual programs seem well managed . Then your post attracts a tag from Jack....."you are right"....."quite an amazing attrition rate ". Another negative knife goes in. Jack would like that a list be made public , but doubts it would happen !.....conspiracy ? But isn't the information freely available on the stable website.....all stable racehorses are named and progress is updated regularly. Jack suggests 'secrecy' when the stable is not only the biggest but is open to the media as well. Maybe Jack refers to horses that never make it from the breakers but go to other trainers....Ive had shares in a couple of these....rejects ! The stable obviously targets the group races , but the owners retain ultimate control hence several horses are sold at various stages.....the records of horses like Arden Rooney ,Messini etc suggest their horses are durable and last.There are dozens having long careers in Perth and South Australia as well as the main states. Turn It Up has had a brilliant career...had a low key start to racing in lesser races then was sprung into the NZ Free For All after a big handful of starts and has raced in Group races since. He's being looked after. Is he their TOP 4 yr old ? Ahead of Thefixer and Spankem on results to date ? I note the Whitelocks have retired Kayla Maree to the breeding barn after earning $200k in a brief career ,when clearly a step below the top fillies.Their top filly Princess Tiffany is continuing but such is the meticulous planning and care of the horses welfare that she was sent to Matamata for a complete health check recently. Personally I marvel at the care and attention these horses get and Im confident it contributes to their success........as to a bit of soreness among young trotters ,it happens. From personal experience I know bone chips ,slivers ,feet issues ,growing pains etc are very common and recently I had shares in two[elsewhere] which were kicked by their paddock mates and that can do damage too. Me thinks jealousy and envy is very much alive.......if things are reported in the media and the stable website ,why the need to suggest you know better ?

ENTRY THREAD : "A Warm Welcome to Winter Racing" Points Comp : Saturday 15 June Beaut to see you all again POST YOUR SELECTIONS AND JOIN IN THE FUN TO CELEBRATE THE START OF WINTER RACING WHERE WE'LL TREK THROUGH AWAPUNI, IPSWICH, ROSEHILL AND SANDOWN LAKESIDE ! Rules: 1. Select ONE horse in each race. Please post using the horse number. You can post the number and the name if you want, but if the number and name are different I will go with the number and disregard the name. 2. Points allocated for placings: Win 5 pts / Second 3 pts / Third 1 pt 3. Comp races 6, 8 and 11 are bonus races and you will earn triple points if you win ie. 3 x 5. Second and third placing pts remain the same ie. 1 x pts. 4. Select two comp races as your Best Bet races and any pts earned will be doubled. You cannot use a BB on a bonus race (6,8 or 11), if you do it will be disregarded. 5. Any scratching can be replaced up until 1.45pm. After 1.45pm any scratching will go on the TAB sub. 6. Entries close at 1.45pm - 9 minutes before the first scheduled comp race start time. Additional Rule for Winter as we know how often track conditions can lead to .... : 7. If a meeting is abandoned then any selections and BB's used on any races not run at that meeting are void and BB's will not be placed by me, on your behalf, on any other comp race. If it is a bonus race then that bonus race and selections are also void. If a meeting is abandoned before 1.45pm then you can re-allocate a BB already posted by you at that abandoned meeting to another comp race, but you must post that BB re-allocation before 1.45pm. 8. and most importantly ... Have fun (Ties will be decided on number of winners selected over the day and then seconds and thirds. If still a tie, you share the accolades ) Prizes 1st $100 W/P Bet 2nd $50 W/P Bet Schedule of Races: Comp R1 : Awapuni R4 1.54pm Redstag Open Handicap 1500m Comp R2 : Rosehill R3 2.40pm Events by ATC Handicap 3YO & Up 1300m Comp R3 : Rosehill R4 3.15pm # TheRaces Handicap 3&4YO 1200m Comp R4 : Rosehill R5 3.50pm TABCORP Handicap 3YO & Up 1800m Comp R5 : Sandown Lakeside R5 4.05pm Sandown Handicap 2100m Comp R6 : Rosehill R6 4.25pm Winter Cup GLR 3YO & Up Quality 2400m (Bonus Race) Comp R7 : Rosehill R7 5.05pm TAB Rewards Handicap Fillies & Mares 3YO & Up Handicap 1500m Comp R8 : Ipswich R7 5.17pm Channel Seven Ipswich Cup GLR Quality 2150m (Bonus Race) Comp R9 : Rosehill R8 5.45pm Rosehill Bowling Club Handicap 3YO & Up 1100m Comp R10 : Sandown Lakeside R8 6.05pm Sandown Handicap 1600m Comp R11 : Ipswich R9 6.32pm TAB Gai Waterhouse Classic GLR Fillies & Mares Quality 1350m (Bonus Race) You can use the posting grid below or you can post your selection in race order, up to you I'm happy with either : (please remember BBs cannot be used on the bonus races 6, 8 or 11) Comp R1 : Awapuni R4 1.54pm : Comp R2 : Rosehill R3 2.40pm : Comp R3 : Rosehill R4 3.15pm : Comp R4 : Rosehill R5 3.50pm : Comp R5 : Sandown Lakeside R5 4.05pm : Comp R6 : Rosehill R6 4.25pm (Bonus Race) : Comp R7 : Rosehill R7 5.05pm : Comp R8 : Ipswich R7 5.17pm (Bonus Race) : Comp R9 : Rosehill R8 5.45pm : Comp R10 : Sandown Lakeside R8 6.05pm : Comp R11 : Ipswich R9 6.32pm (Bonus Race) :

Comp R1 : Awapuni R4 1.54pm : 1 bb Comp R2 : Rosehill R3 2.40pm : 4 Comp R3 : Rosehill R4 3.15pm : 7 Comp R4 : Rosehill R5 3.50pm : 10 Comp R5 : Sandown Lakeside R5 4.05pm : 1 Comp R6 : Rosehill R6 4.25pm (Bonus Race) : 7  Comp R7 : Rosehill R7 5.05pm : 9 Comp R8 : Ipswich R7 5.17pm (Bonus Race) : 6 Comp R9 : Rosehill R8 5.45pm : 12 bb (and the operator says 40 cents more .......) Comp R10 : Sandown Lakeside R8 6.05pm : 5 Comp R11 : Ipswich R9 6.32pm (Bonus Race) : 6 Cheers

Humans die on roads, and plenty of them, but we still drive cars.

Comp R1 : Awapuni R4 1.54pm : 1 Comp R2 : Rosehill R3 2.40pm : 4 Comp R3 : Rosehill R4 3.15pm : 7 Comp R4 : Rosehill R5 3.50pm : 7bb Comp R5 : Sandown Lakeside R5 4.05pm : 7 Comp R6 : Rosehill R6 4.25pm (Bonus Race) : 1 Comp R7 : Rosehill R7 5.05pm : 12bb Comp R8 : Ipswich R7 5.17pm (Bonus Race) : 6 Comp R9 : Rosehill R8 5.45pm : 12 Comp R10 : Sandown Lakeside R8 6.05pm : 5 Comp R11 : Ipswich R9 6.32pm (Bonus Race) : 6 Gracias from Buenos Aires

I tend to agree, but more the angle that it’s destructive for racing to have uncompetitive horses consistently going around, fades out well before the turn now and time NZTR gave them a warning of repeat performance tomorrow and he can’t race again until they are satisfied he can be competitive from trial or Jumpout form. Your comment about a lot die over sticks is based on what? I haven’t seen much evidence of it, unless it’s well hidden and besides what classifies as a lot?.. My understanding was the mortality rate in NZ was just over 1 per thousand starts v UKs 2.5 at the worst. Neither figure to be honest fits the lot category, any racing death is tragic of course, but inevitable when competing as they do at these speeds with not much room for error as we witnessed last week in Brisbane.

A bloody disaster all round Jack. Saviours of the Harness Industry....?? They must be joking. Someone needs to account for the total incompetence shown......the pretty logos are worth fuck all now are they.....???

Getting worse Craig. Problem was the previous CEO seemed more interested in running a trendy lifestyle village than a racing club. Plenty of rumours about how this development got started, who was involved and why, but whatever the truth they were clearly out of their depth in this industry and we are seeing the results of that play out now. Always amazes me that Racing Clubs seem to employ people with no idea or experience about the industry and I see Forbury have done it again recently. I spoke to a few of the people like Woody and Co when I was down there years ago and gave them some ideas to move things forward, but nothing seemed to change, hence the current situation.

imagine having too listen too, and answer those left wing lunatics, the good thing is there's only ohoka and few others listening to them now........... old trumpy just flying along win after win great time too be an american i guess.....

Love this

Haha. It was his quality of calling that saw me respond but each to their own . Some one even suggested that L Marshall was a good commentator. They must have been blind cos he usually missed half the field and that was a good day Greg

You not dig the mo, mate?

Would these deferments be happening if they had evidence in spades, as some have suggested ?

New Zealand deep state controlled

Your life is about to change. Watch and learn

6th highest money winning driver in the US so far this year with some big names left in his wake!

Im in full accordance and agreement with everything you posted TM. Any good trainer wil tell you that most injuries occur to those animals with the most abilty as they try harder. It happens in both codes as well with TB's having many knee and joint issues that require chips removed etc. Greg

My experience with many horses spread around many different trainers leaves me with a different perspective . I actually admire their horsemanship in recognising issues and then seeking the medical attention to correct things.Of course the owners pay for the treatment but the horses earning capacity often extended. High profile examples like Turn It Up get the headlines and its story to me is one to be admired. The horse is placed superbly thru its 3 and 4 yr old career racing brilliantly in top races .....no lameness..wins the Jewels. MP senses a niggle , does the tests and finds there is some small problem so nips it in the bud before it becomes a big problem....masterly horsemanship I say. Race on and things could be much worse.MP can do the right thing for the horse particularly as his stable has 4 or 5 others who can be set for the races the re-hab horse could be chasing. Many horses are asked to race on with issues ....many horses...if a trainer has one top horse his reputation/future may depend on it. My personal experience tells me that the best horses seem to try harder so are more prone to some injuries/issues.....many of my best have had very short careers ,sadly. I admire horse people who can manage horses that others would discard....I have experience of some in both codes. A couple of years back an old school friend self taught himself in harness ,developed a Group 1 performer and was getting constantly bagged not only on social media but also in the press......he is/will be breaking horses down etc by starting them off too early ..high attrition was the phrase then too. I spent a morning at his stable ,had lunch etc and talked horses.It turns out his horses were very happy hardly ever saw a vet and most [ all his horses were for sale] raced for very long careers. But its easy to sit at home get eaten up envy at other peoples success and quote perceptions and gossip as 'facts'.

Make of these what you will but they look pretty impressive to me ALL STARS,even by their own high standards, have had an amazing season in terms of stakes won alone. The stable has posted earnings of over $6.3m so far $4.5 million won in NZ and the balance in Australia. Spankem won almost half of the Australian total of $1.8m.He won nearly $900,000 in total making him a likely Horse of the Year. By comparison the leading thoroughbred stable of Murray Baker-Andrew Forsman has won about $3.8m this season in NZ, getting on for $1m less than their standardbred counterpart at Rolleston.Remarkably All Stars would place around 10th on the money list among Australian thoroughbred trainers. AS website Greg

Bring back Kevin Payne.

Reese Jones an apprentice still!!! He will be tickled pink to hear that. You and Baz make a great pair drinking during the week.

The ATC chose the higher risk/higher return alternative did they not. Don't current realities indicate they got it badly wrong. They won't be judged on good intentions. Putting that to one side. Why is it those running the ATC think increasing stakes would result in increased numbers? For years they have been saying the same thing, and for years that has not happened,so why all of a sudden would a failed strategy work?. The ATC aims to cater for the higher quality horse. So they would rather programme 8 races and have 6 or 7 in them, rather than programme 10 races with many having full fields. Its all about the quality. Do they not realize how dumb that sounds, but that is how they think. As I've asked before,does a full field rating 40-to 45 with a good but lesser stake return the club more or less $ from betting than a 6 horse high quality field,normally dominated by a favorite? And what about the fuller fields contributing to more connections turning up to the races, and the long term positive effect success,at whatever level,will have on future participation. I actually think the atc has contributed to decreased participation with their high quality approach,and once those participants with horses lower in the ratings give up,,You won.t get them or their horses back.,and they don't get replacement horses...

Saw him live when I was still in single figures

Dave I agree.......awesome Politically we're different (except our dislike for President you no who)! Ohoka stables going well though mate

Where is the Racing Hall of Fame/Museum? Isn’t everything still packed away in a container or two somewhere, probably deteriorating, especially anything in the form of paintings, photos and books? A disgrace just like the current idiots in charge of a once great sport/industry!