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I wish the stupid fuckin media would stop blaming Covid-19 for racing's demise! Do some investigative journalism for a change "you lazy halfwits"... and look into the real reason the industry's in this predicament!

Would have a lot more faith in DM & RITA if they cut the PR saving face crap and called a spade a spade. What’s wrong with coming out and saying it exactly like it is. That the TAB finds itself in its current position due to years of mismanagement. And that Covid merely shortened the runway to where they find themselves today. What’s wrong with saying it as it is rather than blindly using Covid as an excuse. Would have a lot more faith in the way forward if that was the case rather than trying to use Covid as a cover up.

Has it occurred to you that maybe, they believe it ?

Footnote to the above. Wake up Dean and the Board. Listen to what the grassroots are saying, including your close friends Andrew and Tony.......get rid of those who created the problem, not the young passionate, enthusiastic young people who will do the job for a quarter of the salary. Liz

I have no doubt that Jason's exceptional riding ability can see him compete at the highest level in Australia. He is coming off the back of a record breaking season here in NZ. After resuming in September following six months off after having surgery in just seven months he smashed his record for stakes winners and stake money for a season. Eleven G1 rides saw him with 4 wins, 2 seconds, 1 third, 3 fourths and a fifth. His last three rides before Covid were successive winners at Trentham including the G1 NZ Oaks on Jennifer Eccles. With the uncertainty here in NZ with regard to our racing the time is right for Jason to have a crack in Australia and I look forward to seeing him being successful over there as well. Good luck Jason.

And they way that they are saying that Winston bailed out the Racing Industry says it all! He bailed out a government run organisation called the TAB, nothing more, nothing less.

How many young people gained a love for racing over the years by attending their local meetings? They haven't factored that in when centralizing racing IMO The socialist Govt is anti racing and not supportive....racing's biggest problem How racing would change with a govt(although profiting) who promoted it with a twice weekly MSM feel good stories and racing news. Ain't gunna happen

Understand the R.I.U. Rooster Investigator Unit are on the case lets see if they cock this one up.

Can't see the need for an independent review. Why can't Dean McKenzie just do this as part of his job?

The whole nz media is fucked

The TAB was set-up to service the racing clubs and now they have no service to offer them so why does it still exist?

This is a major concern. I am on the board at Counties and the way things are at present for our Cup day: There will be no oncourse presenters (not a top 20 race meeting) There will be no oncourse terminal operators. I can guarantee that those that turn up once a year will not be aware of this. It will be a sh1t fight.

I'm not following you here, it sounds like that was all funded by the club itself to bring racing to its local community, where is the cost to the industry? If the club want to fund these meetings like it appears they have , what is the issue? Youre also not taking into account the cost of running meetings at other venues that is clearly the case. Good for them if they want to race at HB, it won't be the same though, doesn't matter what you call it its still a HB meeting . I'm in two minds about a club like Gisborne as they don't have any horse population there, but from what you've quoted it appears they were more than paying their way.

The question with track closures is whether the long term cost savings are greater than the long term loss of profits from reducing exposure in regional communities.

I doubt you know how to tie your shoelaces ...

Ditch the TAB and bring back on-course bookies.

Exactly.....all he's done is covered the Suits arse's temporarily.....nothing here to grow the industry. In fact the Suit's have completely fucked the future with more of their poor mentality thinking and decisions made since Covid-19 lockdown! Media Radio/TV , Tote Operators , Commentators, Presenters etc etc....UNBELIEVABLE!

Why didnt Avondale grow Rice

When did the govt last promote racing publicly? They have bailed them out to stop losing an industry and maintaining a tax revenue. Imagine promoting racing to a level they promote fake climate change. $2 billion a year wasted on Paris

You are kidding aren’t you? This government has tried to do more in the last two years than the previous one did in nine. Prove me wrong with facts, not stupid statements.

And they are paying Paddy Power $330,000 a week for this platform. Ludicrous!!!

Alright having independent review but at what cost, more money going down the shute and whos friend is doing it. They still keeping owners and trainers in the dark over next seasons stakes and where is the promoting of the industry gone or coming from, all negative to date. So while everyone in the industry is back getting horses ready for racing one can only conclude they haven't got their finger on the pulse and our industry will die a slow death.

Yes...Gisborne, Wairoa, Waikouaiti and Omakau! Go figure! Thank God they left alone Tauhereikau!

Bound to be some opportunities for the club ......it's a new beginning. Everyone on here has heaps of ideas how to attract people to races ,and show them a good time. The Clubs should be running the raceday . The TAB desperate to stay in business ,but will be obviously offering even less services than previous so IMO it needs the Clubs to step up & more collaboration called for. The TAB won't want to fall off the the cliff ! Invite the BGP for the day . Charge an admission fee .....and include a couple of $5 easy bets. Get the Miss Pukekohe Potato entries to give them out in their skimpy attire. Make it an occasion. Invite Santa and a few All Blacks..........have some kids karts ,invite the harness crowd , dual cart race !

Total madness no matter what George thinks. TAB should never have got involved in media apart from anything directly concerning wagering. Rugby and the other sports don't expect the TAB doing their media yet are there holding their hand out. Why should racing rely on TAB for what they themselves should be doing. Lets get back to sanity TAB stick to wagering and the codes stick to doing their own media. Perhaps we can get back to the old NZBC broadcasting on 2YA.

Industry should be demanding it if the Racing Minister doesn't when review is finished.

I am sure that some of the big wigs will be gone once the review is completed

I would like to know who is conducting the " independent review " on the top 6 . Why was it not stated who was doing it ? . If anybody has that information it would appreciated . Secret in house reviews never go anywhere .

No surprises here, in fact I think we all anticipated that the real issues would not have been addressed. I really feel for the future of NZ racing, it is getting worse with each announcement. I can see them asking for a second bail out within 6 months, good luck with that. Current effort gives savings of 11mil a year. Can the useless bloody website just walk away there's 17mil a year, pretty bloody simple. They have a perfectly good website gathering dust. Just do it, stop the shagging around. I am really worried this current untouchable team will stuff racing for good, the signs are poor for a return to the good old days. Just won't happen God we are digging a deep hole here.

I think he’ll do alright Ted. Will be a bit of a grind at first and he’ll have to do the hard yards to make his mark but he’s definitely got the talent for sure. Just needs the right horse to showcase that talent and maybe Jennifer Eccles could be the horse to do that for him. Look forward to seeing what he can achieve over here.

A lot of things cost the Industry money but they are very small compared to what the one biggest cost to the Racing Industry is.

And importantly, maintaining a racing presence in the Poverty Bay area which is what Messara recommended.

Distribution of stakes had been standardised 55% 15.5% 8% 4.5% 3% others 2% each. In a $7,500 dollar race running last will get you $150. As an owner, if my horse runs down the track I couldn’t care less if my horse wins $100 or $150. It is good though to get the drivers fee paid. With these smaller stakes I feel more money should be going to the winner & place getters. 2% is too much for running last.

Good.Are you anti racing in the bottom half of the North Island because you don't like the place.

I would love to see some acknowledgement from RITA that the site is not performing as they envisioned. Some people seem to think ipads around the place will be a solution, however you can not have people logging in and out all day... The self service terminals are hit and miss with what notes they accept.

Comeon eljay ,I have never seen any little old ladies sitting at your table.......but if they do attend I'm sure you will take them under your arm and educate them and let them bet into your table's bets. Word will get around the retirement village and there will be more ladies the week following , growth in betting will result ! Pools will get better and when they see the band get set up for the aftermatch , the place will rock ! The night they set up the TAB booth close to your table ,it didn't last long....but now with few alternatives patrons of all age will just have to get used to it. Plus set up phones, iPads and all other devices ...direct dial to the TAB site . Cos without bets , no stakes ,no racing ....check out the fields for the first 3 x meetings ....bursting at seams. And your beloved Cambridge OK too ! Happy dayz are here again..........

Unfortunately mikenz - he not spelling, he gooone And racing is the poorer

C,mon Dean well past the day the 1/2 Year Report should have been presented. HOW BAD WERE THINGS ...PRE COVIC 19

I hope everyone cuts out betting until all the big wigs are sacked

I thought you conspiracy theorists should read some truth for a change

These 7k races should have a minimum winning stake of $4k. It’s ridiculous the winner getting under 4K and then a points penalty, while the also rans get $150 each

Given racing will only be on a couple of tracks and the propensity to abandon at true winter going, I'd be mildly surprised if Ruakaka wasn't utilised for a meeting or two between July and September.

I think he is in charge of International travel arrangements for the junkets then prepares a suitable media release with enough spin that we all fall for it

so Barry..... have you sought an interview with McKenzie not much point in getting these pansy press releases.....written by the spin doctor I'm sure there are 100 constructive questions that you ( or M Guerin) can pose to him

Exactly so what is left, brain dead nilers!

A lot of fancy titles there...you wonder what they all do.....GM Media and International.....?? WTF....

So you are saying that 35 Kidz Kartz participants move from Taranaki and Manawatu ? These are your future drivers , trainers owners and breeders. Also there are 48 individual breeders (2019 figures) throughout the region as well as the current licensees. That's a lot of investment with little chance of re- couping. That's alienating current and future participants or they have to travel excessively.

Hamilton Race 6 #3 Task And Purpose Currently paying $2.30 Fixed Good punting puntwarriors

You have been very critical of track closures .......if you gather the facts re costs to the industry ,especially the TAB , the picture becomes clearer. Several clubs have been very prudent and built up nice nesteggs/cash reserves over the years. Poverty Bay ,it appears , has some $2 million in cash and Investments .WOW ! Another point of interest is IMO.....a lot of clubs are run by Volunteers and some have strong ties with their communities but this could be debated too ,and they are constantly looking for help from TAB , Government funds and other grants etc just to maintain minimum basic standards in H&S etc. And the money they get from grants is taking away from other desperate clubs and organisations e.g. kids grassroots sport ,who are desperate too for funding. IMO its hard to justify the total overall cost for meetings that have just a few meetings a year.

Shane, I wouldn't give up on the outsourcing option, RITA may have no alternative