Leaderboard

They'll bet more than the people who are not there. We need people getting on track and experiencing racing even it the racing is only a side line for now. Who knows one of them might have a big win on there easy bet trifecta and be hooked for life becoming a regular punter and then an owner.

The Nursery in Auckland was Boxing Day Ellerslie, the infield bar b que beers out of the trunk family atmosphere .... it was like Goat Island . Then they fenced everything off , charged like wounded bulls (and sold Corona in Cans )and now we are going down the shithouse. To many dumbos involved looking after their own interests in a team game. Thank Christ for Australian Racing

Gruff went to a weeding in Auckland late last year flash reception and horrible CRAFT beer .On our way home said to people back at our hotel bar I said gee that was flash the mens toilets didn't even have a urinal, everyone just shook there head WHAT!! I think the craft beer might have had an effect on my eyesight. cheers BH

Aaron a perfect example of why people stop going to the races is your local track.They charge $20 to get in the one of the most expensive in the country and still have the same infrastructure as 1960 .Toilets shocking TV's terrible ,the same food trucks , TAB stations less and less every year ,queueing takes forever to get a bet on.Band singing right thru every race. The feilds are average to say the least.I know its a great spot but with less people there every year they can't keep living off what was a great day without changing . Cheers BH

Mickey settle down, you are losing it, take another couple of pills and book yourself in again, you will come right in a week or two, have a nice day .

I can't answer how much they bet. But I have seen plenty of piss heads hand over wads of cash at the betting windows.

How many horses would be able to run 3.12.9 for 2600 metres first up with only one trial

Cut off time is 2.35pm this Saturday. The 'kiss of death' horse, selected by Chris, is Mystic Journey in the Makybe Diva. You will be given this horse if you fail to post or if your horse is late scratched after 2.35pm. The Makybe Diva brings about the first opportunity for triple points, while there are six opportunities for double points (G2) sprinkled between Flemington and Rosehill. ELIGIBLE RACES Ruakaka R7 $70,000 Northland Breeders Stakes (G3) Awapuni R7 $75,000 Metric Mile (G3) Flemington R2 A$152,000 Cap D’Antibes Stakes (Listed) R3 A$152,000 Exford Plate (Listed) R4 A$152,000 The Sofitel (Listed) R5 A$217,000 Danehill Stakes (G2) R6 A$217,000 Let’s Elope Stakes (G2) R7 A$815,000 Makybe Diva Stakes (G1) R8 A$217,000 Bobbie Lewis Quality (G2) Rosehill R5 A$150,000 Dulcify Stakes (Listed) R6 A$200,000 Run To The Rose (G2) R7 A$200,000 Theo Marks Stakes (G2) R8 A$200,000 Sheraco Stakes (G2)

Probably a few if they could train with a large team of horses driven by good drivers any day they want to, don't discount what a big advantage big stables have over everyone else

That monstrosity of a Stand (as you described it), called the Ellerslie Event Centre, was making the Club $millions every year and that’s what got it out of the swamp, have a positive balance sheet and become the only “thriving” Club - financially!

I went to the AB v Tonga game last Sat, cost shitloads to get in and $9 beers, food expensive and poor quality. For a couple attending with 2 kids there wouldn’t be any change out of $400 for most. Compare that to $40 entry to the races, a full days entertainment and a chance to leave with more in your pocket than you arrived with, it all comes down to how it’s marketed.

Craft beer is way overrated Boss, keep it simple it’s all just a gimmick Rum for mine

The toilets After a big Xmas day ,way to much food and far to much drink we ended up as usual at Ellerslie the next day. Wasn’t feeling 100% ,which after half the card ended in a visit to the expansive men’s toilets underneath the main public stand.... I found a stall around the corner ( if you know this place the urinals are 30 m long ) in the middle of 15 stalls....it was a gas fest but felt so much better... opened the door and there’s Four of the hottest Young ladies I’d seen all day waiting outside my Stall the one at the front holding her nose saying Disgusting .... biggest issue they have on the big days is lack of women’s toilets , if you’ve been there you know the line out the door .... bloody funny and no toilet brush

Yep, all correct apart from it isn't my local track anymore. I'm back at Opaki, the training tracks there are amazing, especially the plough they put in last summer.

We shall see, but at face value hold the phone Grizzles

Flemington, Race 7, 4, Scales Of Justice Good luck everyone....lets hope we don't find too many winners.....

Tradition for its own sake is rather pointless. There has been no Gr. 1, w.f.a. race over 1,200 metres in N.Z. for ever? Many years ago, 2 y.o. and 3 y.o. horses would compete in w.f.a. races, such as the N.I. Challenge Stakes. Also consider that 'the home of stayers' doesn't have a race over 2,400 metres, at w.f.a., similar to Le Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, as in other countries. Is w.f.a. racing fair or does our obsession with handicap races promote mediocrity?

Have to wonder whether getting young people on course is a worthy goal. Who decided that? And how will that improve revenue or the well being of the industry? Accidentally observed an owner trainer association meeting this week. One woman and no-one under 50 for sure. Most not under 65. A bunch of passionate and dedicated grey haired gentlemen with the interests of the industry at heart. From what I overheard, having a grumble about the TAB etc. I suspect little influence and even less useful ideas. I was invited to join them but those days are over and I politely declined and reverted to my steak sammie and porter. It's all too little too late for mine.

So based on you and One More Laps reasoning the Harness jewels would be gone by lunch time so to speak. Its the biggest waste of money in the harness calender year. Was told it lies in the mid 40's for TAB revenue generated on a harness race day last season. When you put it that way it says it all , 40 other race days benefit the industry overall. Cup day in Christchurch was first BTW Greg

Question for Dean There are various platforms available in the communication world today. But the TAB have closed the door on the phone punters and the small bettors that had an interest, and also closed the various TAB sites and agencies around the country, therefore leading to the closure of the 4 to 5 hours of churn betting that such platforms generated. Can we expect to see a return of phone betting and less closures of TAB outlets to facilitate the 20% of betting that was lost as a result of such closures? The average age of a racing bettor is increasing and that age is not a reflection of the latest communication platforms available in NZ. There could be an increase of up to 10% betting available if they understand markets and customers!! John John Clydesdale The decision to move away from phone betting was taken in 2016. Like other industries, TAB customers were increasingly shifting online. At the time, more than 70% of customers over 65 were using online channels and very few new customers were using the Phonebet service. The TAB has continued to provide touchtone betting and a phone service for medically restricted customers. As we look to increase distributions to industry we have to be very conscious of our spend as well as what our customers want. Returning to phonebet is not an investment we are looking to make. The retail network remains a very important part of the TAB offering . However, given the ongoing migration of customers to other channels, we are constantly reviewing our network to ensure it’s fit for purpose and commercially viable. We have more than 500 TAB outlets around the country and we continue to invest in our branches to improve the customer experience.But it’s also a very costly part of our business so we need to continue to be mindful of driving efficiencies where we can, including through our online offering.

Talking to a long retired jockey today he said that after the Gt Northern, thoroughbred racing virtually shut up shop for the month of July and didn't start again until early August.

Have RITA commissioned an independent review of the new betting platform including the cost so far and how much work is required to get it to a satisfactory state. Patiti RITA have not specifically commissioned a review of the new betting platform costs, although this matter was covered in the normal annual audit conducted by PWC and in the section 14 Audit undertaken by Grant Thornton. As you will be aware the platform was commissioned at the beginning of the year so the organisations focus is now making it the best it can be and ensuring we quickly address any concerns our customers may have as to its on-going operation.

For her birthday, my wife wanted something that went from 0 to 100 in 3 seconds...….she wasn't happy with the bathroom scales I brought her. I actually first saw that on the JOKE THREAD on here, be great if it started up again...

Go Hartnell The rest can do what they want Rusty

1. What is the forecasted (projected) total cost of running NZ Racing for the next three years? 2. Are there any plans to be put in place for a “real” reduction in running costs over this period? 3. If there is a planned reduction in running costs, what is it in percentage terms and what does that translate into real $ savings over this period? 4. If the answer to Q2 is a YES, what plans are in place for the future use of the savings? (Eg, debt reduction, improved infrastructure etc). 5. If the answer to Q2 is NO, can you give an explanation as to why you don’t believe it’s neither necessary nor beneficial? Trump (1) RITA doesn’t have visibility of the Code’s future costs but if we look at their most recent reports we know NZTR operating expenses were in the region of $9m, HRNZ approximately $4m and $5m for GRNZ. For the same period, the former NZRB’s operating expenses were $144m, with the total at $162m. I can’t speak for the Codes but I expect RITA’s expenses to be less on a consolidated basis. (2) There is an absolute commitment from the RITA board to achieve real reductions in running costs going forward, as outlined by the Minister in his Letter of Expectation. (3) We have not focused on a targeted % number at this point but instead have a strategy of examining all parts of the business to ensure any available savings, that doesn'tcompromise performance, can be made and drop to the bottom line. (4) Given the fact the industry has been living beyond its means the last couple of years, our first focus has been to at least maintain industry funding (per the Ministers Letter of Expectation) and then look to pass the new revenue streams created through the reform process and relevant cost savings onto the codes once this base is secure. Debt repayment is most definitely something that also needs to be considered in the short to medium term, obviously balanced against the need to kick start the industry through getting these funds flowing back to stakeholders, a demanding balance to strike.

Rosehill Race 6 Horse 4 Exceedance. Thanks All