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Greg....you might be right but don't put the boot in quite yet. You may be part of RITA and I won't hold that against you unless you think that Saville, Hendry or Kydd have done a good job. All of them should fall on their swords and go... Yes I have made sure that the bureaucrats know what I am proposing because to not do so would seem to be inappropriate.... Yes I have talked with Dean, Sir Peter and Bernard because that is the appropriate thing to do... Not sure who the bigwigs are, but if you mean the main protagonists in charge of racing, then yes I know and have talked to them as that is also appropriate... As for my intentions in respect of the racing industry, I plan to make this public once the formal documentation has been completed. It is currently in the hands of far more experienced people on the matter than I am. This part of the process should take 2-3 weeks. Everyone will get an opportunity to be involved if they wish to... What I don't understand is unprofessional behavior at a time when unity should prevail. We are facing a catastrophe of the highest proportions and to not do the small things right at this stage is unforgivable. I will give you an example of an impending catastrophe. Set aside that the three aforementioned protagonists (Saville, Hendry or Kydd) have dropped the ball for years. The effect of the finances of racing have deteriorated to such an extent that three of the better trainers in NZ are probably relocating to Australia. With them go the better horses. Simultaneously the two biggest racing stables are going to relocate their good horses to Australia. These are their best horses. In 12 months time, the remaining group and listed races in New Zealand will have horses race in them that are not as talented as those that have been exported and at the end of next season the international pattern committee will put those races on notice for downgrades in status. Those that were put on notice this year will be notified and reviewed for down grades. Two years from now we will have a status change on 25% of the black type races currently held in NZ. This will be the start of a consistent and niggling deterioration of NZ racing standards which will flatten the breeding industry's status. A group 2 race in Germany yesterday was worth 17,500 euros. Many of their races are 3200 euros. Italy doesn't have any group 1 races anymore. Statistically both those countries had the current profile of today's NZ racing and breeding industry. So Greg and whoever else want to be named, the ball has been dropped, we are in a catatonic state, the horse has bolted and everyone has to get used to the frame of mind that no one at the top table understands the process anymore. It would be very polite though, to simply say thanks for the email. We're quite busy at the moment and will get back to you when we can.

I'm not really a stirrer....I might talk absolute rubbish...I might be too verbose....I might be very opinionated without due cause....and not everything I say is correct...but... If you were the CEO or a chairman or a board member, and the industry you were in was crumbling at its knees, and you received a summary of a business proposition that was concise and validated, upon receiving that proposition, would you: 1. Respond to the promoter saying thanks for the proposition but you can't look at it in the current circumstance; or 2. Respond to promoter asking a bulk of further questions; or 3. Do nothing? We are afforded a few opportunities to get things right, as we face a ten gun salute with live bullets instead of blanks. Using a conventional model of horse racing, I can't see it. The FOB platform was made for sports betting. The deal has been discussed at length behind closed doors where sports was to receive 23% of Net Betting Revenue (NBR). NBR is the amount bet less the amount paid out in prizes plus the betting duty. But NBR doesn't include costs!! So if you have a poorly managed tote and business, with bad FOB technology and bet settings that don't make the prices competitive, you have a continuing disaster no matter what. And that's not counting the effect of what promoting sports betting above racing is going to do because sports betting is the political norm where racing is deemed undesirable. Back to the topic....no-one is listening. That is an undisputed fact... ,because if they were then 3 wouldn't be on the list...not even a thank you...received... response. That means that either we've got the rudest most unprofessional mob running racing, or we have a meltdown on our hands.

NO Greg A professional outfit would have take the time to acknowledge receipt of the proposal from a genuine stakeholder

About says it...

I was watching a work gallop at the Newmarket (UK) course. Calyx (Kingman) was one of those horses. He was louder than a hurricane going past us. Why do we allow genetic mutations such as laryngeal Hemiplegia to be propagated by standing stallions that have so seriously gone in the wind?!>! It is hereditary. So Coolmore don't give a shit and still stand the stallion. They should be banned from doing so. It just screws the breed.

on a new betting platform to be competitive with the rest of the world, just more bullshit sold to the Industry. Penrith vs Newcastle at half time score 14-6 Panthers and they turn the tap off on the Panthers after having them at $1.01 while the rest of the world were $1.04 and Betfair $1.06. If you are only offering $14 on one team and close book on the other team pay out all the bets on them. You would call them fleas but that would be insulting the flea's of the world. Close the book and while your at it close your business down your cluless. Your going that bad you cant take 100k at $1.04 with 40 minutes to go give up and sack yourselves.

What odds are you offering on this and how much can we get set for. C'mon son put your balls on the line and back up your stupidity Greg

If this is true, it must be taken in context that Australia probably still has at least 10 bookmakers to choose from, hence still competition. NZ wants just the TAB. To make matters worse we still want to be able to let overseas customers use our TAB. Can’t have cake and eat it.

This is an insightful post. You are right Shane but the problem still lies with the execution of a business model that remains unclear. On the 14th December (seems like such a long time ago) an internal note recommended approaching the Minister for a bailout of $21m. This was later revised to $26m (coincidentally the amount they were going to default on) and then Covid did its thing. What is obvious is that there seems to be little in the way of direction in respect of strategy. The reason the bookmakers did/ are doing well through a lock down is exactly as Share said, if you like gambling and went to the local to do it, then you needed to get on-line. Just take a look at how many people started getting their favourite produce on-line. I supported the local butcher because I thought it unfair to both the farmers and the butcher that they couldn't sell their stuff but it was OK that we give our money to the Australian sharks who own the supermarkets. Figure that. So I bought my meat on-line. Dam good meat too I might add. So what strategy was made public to RITA's customers to get them betting? Nothing. In there lies the problem.

Hi Greg His statement is not that outlandish, RITA/TAB was two days away from being broke till it got $50M from Winston Peters. $27M was needed for immediate debts. During lockdown RITA have been making changes, however these changes can hardly be classified as revenue growing. We could potentially find that RITA turnover post lockdown is much further down than anticipated. Hopefully not. I have a friend that works for Australian bookmaker and he said during lockdown their turnover is way up. Reason for this is that apparently 30% of aussie turnover is done in clubs, pubs and TAB outlets. With these closed customers have set up some new online accounts. This will have happened in NZ to some extent too. RiTAs model for growth seems to be to produce a worse product (Less presenters, less cameras, less face to face betting, less prize money, less quality horses etc) and get the government to make it law that we must do our betting on this, through a shit overpriced betting platform. Don’t get me wrong I think Dean is obviously very capable and the RITA board have all been professionally successful but this current ruination of our domestic product is very concerning and appears to me (little experience) to be short sighted.

No but I'm also not the idiot who said the TAB would be broke by December and in the hands of Ozzies . Put up or shut time Tom and I think we a know your running already Greg

I think your 45%,thru the SST is absolute nonsense. I would doubt it breaks 20%, interestingly at my local tab all the young ones sports bet over the counter as they found the machines unreliable and continually rejected cash, good luck with that. I won't ask CJC, they probably wouldn't know anyway, but this is something Rita should be tabling to justify their stand Thank god for professionally run overseas betting sites

I dont smoke weed Tassy One of those lasses i met last time i was there was a friend who has no idea about racing , and unfortunately most deserve to be laid off with all due respect, there are 4 or 5 that are ok You want to bet on course you need to use your celly, and have a Battery back up. Not ideal

Looking at the absurd amount of money it doesnt add up reading this forum, is there a breakdown of cost? Follow the money

Wow what a softy.!!!......im talking pastles

A lot of comments about some esoteric scheme that supposedly no one knows anything about. I would love to know what Berri is proposing. Obviously the powers that be don't rate it highly.

just do him a favour and go and rip the sky dish clean off his house............. he can watch the races on watch and bet

There is a point here. Berri said he discusses things with Vela. Surely Vela could have a word as he is on the Board.

if amazon sold don lemons and anderson coopers toe jam the sick bastard would spread it on his toast

try and tell that too the CNN Brain washed ohoka all liberal states gutless weak radical left mayors and governors most republican states sleeping well tonight

sad thing is crusty, ohoka and CNN were hoping it was 8 because they think it hurts trump sick bastards...............

Just looking back at the results from the comp where you picked 4 horses in each race, the winner of the comp (Paigezim) got the Place 6 108 times by getting this amount of runners in the money in each race .... 3 x 3 x 2 x 1 x 2 x 3

So for a good chance for example 3 horses in every leg (3x3x3x3x3x3) will cost $73 for 10% start share or $37 for a 5% minimum start share.....and each time 2 or more hosres place in one race the % will x2 or x3 and so on. You need at least one horse to place in each leg to be alive for a pay out. (2 div pay = only 2 place getters)

Mr Gruffaroooney my advise is not to punt a place 6, as you will be going nowhere, stay to ffwin or ffplace multi thankyou....geeeesss lol

Moosey im a greedy punter, $300 doesnt spin my wheels, your crusade increases these to acceptable parameters im in , but people need to see Jumpouts/workouts/trials you name it , transparency is not just labours role

Sounds like you are right on track Nukkles, keep at it and you will keep perfecting and tweaking things here and there. My Aim is for the T.A.B to realize we are all place 6 mad and serious and would like to see the a 10-50k+ Bonus start pool thrown in now and again thanks ....its all about happy customers and promoting the T.A.B = Win Win

I think the idea is to attract a different style of punter and draw in a few new people but you are right it does need promotion to fully do that I enjoy taking them but sometimes the pools are quite small.

Hi Greg You really must work for RITA as you are wanting a bet without knowing the odds To a lot of customers the odds are the main reason for taking a bet.

Has been tried and was an abject failure

In our brave new post-Covid world, could we partially solve our pathetic 'TAB Fixed Odds/bookies' problem by allowing bookmakers on-course and licensing overseas bookies to compete with or replace the TAB?

That means that either we've got the rudest most unprofessional mob running racing, or we have a meltdown on our hands. OR BOTH 3

So if you pick 3 in each race and not all come in you wont get the full divvy as long as something places in every race?

agree, mate ...he has been hugely disappointing for too long now for mine. Thought he was Grp 1 quality a while back

I seem to recall you mentioning before that you have some gambling product or such like that will save the industry, but I can't recall what it is like. Are you able to give a us a fairly concise indication what your scheme is?

no

https://www.igamingbusiness.com/news/dean-mckenzie-take-interim-executive-role-nz-s-rita he reaffirmed this earlier in the year

Or it might be that they dont rate you or your theories due to all of the above in your opening sentence Greg

I'm a great Pick 6 Place fan. A group can have a lot of fun trying to out do each other. I was told sometime ago the TAB don't like the option as it can tie up your money. This is the reason they never promote the option or start with a guarantee pool. Just imagine a starting pool $20000. You would still have your Trifectas etc running along side your Place 6. Also if they think it's such a bad idea why did they release this type bet.

The problem is right through racing. with you, me us. Basically people who follow racing or actively work in it restrict themselves to their own group. This was oh so true at the races when people would be corralled into groups and restricted from accessing other groups. It happens here on Racecafe when one group assumes some rights and believes others somehow not worthy. There are some who cut across this tradition and are successful. Good example being Graeme Rogerson when he made syndication acceptable. And so we have the Wellington group who believe they hold the key to racing's future. Just like the other groups they get stuck in their bubble ignoring everything else after all just they have the answers. Well don't they?

The $17M I thought was just for the odds from Paddy Power which means bets placed in overseas jurisdictions immediately can affect local odds. Could I upset you a bit more by speculating that maintenance costs are probably on top of the $17M.

A bit of a miserable rainy day here today...I'm not going far.....so here goes We're allowed to talk rubbish, be verbose, opiniated and yes , we're not always correct - but we are generally round the mark Are we in meltdown......quite possibly Are they rude and unprofessional - probably not...they've just dug themselves into this tricky situation.....and "they believe" they are working furiously to navigate a positive future Do they respond to a concise and validated Business Proposition - absolutely not...that's the last thing they do......people who do this, especially staff, are cut loose - they are regarded as DANGEROUS Two examples of this are earlier Guerin reportedly offering his services for free and Coppins offering to assist with profitability of Media...…..say again.....these people are viewed ...as dangerous We are in for a quiet time prior to Bill being introduced to Parliament Clearly "Selleys Storm Sealant" has been applied to RITA and to Barry Lichter's source - but we are very grateful for his illumination McKenzie's reported departure will presumably pushed out to when the Bill is introduced Henry, also departing at the same time, will probably be appointed Acting CEO, till they find someone new ( who on earth would want the job) Having said that the new CEO will have had all of the dirty work done for them …….and their sole focus should be driving revenue and profit without the distraction of staff cuts So then there will be some form of reincarnation / reinvention of media / form guides etc...….because one thing is for sure...…..betting is stifled / reduced / suppressed.... by lack of information

Have been told Auckland Greyhounds the other week had offered to cover all costs to have on course terminals operating wages, line hookup etc but the power to be said no. I also understand they have offered to buy the existing terminals and cover costs but no way will they let that happen. Just goes to show that when a club tries to help themselves they get no surport.

Hilary Clinton was “Home” in the polls in 2016 - got done by Republican Trump. Bill Shorten was “Home” in the polls in 2019 (was said to have even selected his PM Staff!) - got done by Coalition Morrison. Don’t believe the polls. Many Voters are “tidal” and can change the expected result on the day. It’s the 10% that will determine who governs - not the sewed on diehards of each party. It ain’t over yet for the Nats and anyone who thinks it is should give up punting. If Winston had not sold his soul and revealed finally to NZ who/what he really is (an opportunist), Jacinta would not have taken the reins and National, who received a “clear single majority” of votes, would have stayed on to govern. Voters are funny and I suspect there will be some big surprises at the next election. Just ask Bill Shorten !

That would be a fucking miracle if this clown gets anything right JOT......

Yes David has done well and must have a good eye for talent in trainers too..both Mark Walker and now Jamie Richards have done fantastic jobs and become Champion trainers at a young age...yes all you who want to knock them will say well they had the cattle...but they still got to be able to manage that cattle. Well done well deserved...hard work always pays off in the end my Mum always said.

Unfortunately even if it is a cheap option, the management at Rita will manage to turn it into an expensive dog of a system not fit for purpose. Just look at the present website as an example. Better systems around the world have been implemented for less than a quarter of what you paid for yours and they are not paying a 17m yearly fee on top. I hope Mckenzie is asking some brutal questions to the head of betting and other managers as to how and why this has occurred. Who did they get to test this new system and give feedback before going live?. Any punter worth their salt could have told them within a few minutes that this website would be a turnoff to the majority of people and why. Why are you paying a 17million a year fee when the whole system could have been implemented for less than 17million ? For what we have paid with continuing costs(Could be 200million plus with the 17m for 10years) we could have updated the dinosaur jetbet system to a 2020 equivalent and had the new website as well. What is the plan going forward? How are you going to increase turnover with an outdated system, a website that is not user friendly or conducive to placing a number of bets quickly and no marketing of racing on Radio,Paper or Free to air TV. So far we have had a huge reduction in the number of staff but not the management that got us into this mess in the first place. Why? Give us some idea/numbers on why you think the new AWT's will entice people to wager on them? I have no confidence in the Management of Rita because apart from having the communication skills of a dead cabbage, every bit of news we have seen lately has been to the detriment of racing.

June at Wingatui was quite cold and muddy....they used to bring out the cut down drums and stoke up the fires to provide a bit of warmth for patrons ,then they would broadcast the Great Northern steeples on the loudspeakers. !967 when Eiffel Tower won the GN after running off on first round ,losing a ton of ground they still win as mentioned above.. That was amazing !Ringlock was 12 yr old running in race for 4th time.ET also brought down Kumai in the incident.....Kumai a Wingatui horse won 34 wins in a stellar career...19 on flat.Kumai won the McGregor Grant on last day easily beating Ringlock etc. 3 years earlier ET had won the Wellington Cup carrying 46.5 kilos.....ridden by my neighbour Midge Didham ! Bill Hillis rode and trained ET in his Northern win and was top trainer in NZ during 60's as were Hec Anderton,Rex Cochrane and Ted Winsloe ....all Southerners ! WEHazlett ,owner of ET was top owner in NZ for 4 or 5 years. Throw in Lucky Son [1965 Auckland Cup] and Southerners grabbed a lot of Auckland spoils at that time !

Eiffel Tower after jumping the waterjump turned left and did a big 360 degree circle then went on to win beating Ringlock by 1/2 length...

And here was me thinking my car radio had thrown a tizzy - because it could get all the other stations and not 711 a.m. any more. Just shot on straight past it no matter how hard I tried. Then a few days later I discovered the truth. Has no one in management got the faintest clue how to offer the customer some service any more? Let's not have any betting operators at tracks, form guides for the punters (the lifeblood of racing then) and now we won't let you listen to the races you are supposedly being "enticed" to bet on either. I didn't think it could get worse but somehow they've managed it...

Why would National want to govern in this environment? They are going to inherit a "dog" economy with massive debt. To repay this bebt is going to mean increased costs passed onto the taxpayer. Let Labour climb out of the hole they have put us all in. Because if National did win in September, they will have to make some very unsavoury economic decisions, which will only guarantee them 1 term. Best to sit back for 3 years (probably less as the country will demand an early election), and watch the Labour economic package collapse then National will get in for 3 terms and this will give them the chance to rebuild the economy properly.