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Yes how exciting. Replacing a historic piece of land and NZ sporting history with a load of generic buildings.

I thought I would put my 2 cents worth in about Te Akau. I am what I would consider an enthusiastic amateur, my first racing experience was with Brian Smith in Cambridge, we had a mare that did well and ended racing at Randwick where she bled. Myself and another syndicate owner brought the other shares and we bred from her, selling some and racing some, with average success I would say. Over the years I have been involved with a number of trainers and racing partnerships again with average success. The communication from most of these trainers was mostly poor at best and down from there, as an owner you want as much as you can get. Even a blind man can see the success surrounding Te Akau so I knocked on their door a few years ago. I have been fortunate enough to have a share in a group winning horse, isn't that what we all dream of? Their communication is excellent, questions of the principals and trainers are always answered. Yes it may cost more than the other trainers but don't the results speak for themselves. They run a very successful business and work very hard to achieve that, I think enjoying and acknowledging their achievements is good for this great industry.

Very much sums up his career, what a great stallion he was, sad to hear of his passing.

And I could be the CEO

Spot on! Graduated Auckland University 1972 during the era of genuine scientific enquiry and no political or journalistic manipulation.

Too true. It was a reprehensible Communist dictate.

Sad to read the grand old sire at 29 humanely put down due to illness. There are literally 1000s of his progeny that keep his name alive in NZ. He served massive books up to 400 one year. he sired cup winners eg just an excuse and figured as broodmare sire of Copy That among huge numbers of broodmare sire progeny. His siring ability was good but as a broodmare sire he proved invaluable crossing well with most sires. In fact most of last 10 years figures very high up on the annual list.

Sam Wynne resumes race riding today (Wednesday) at Ashvegas with one ride, then a few rides on Saturday at Riccarton.

Memphis please stop making sense NZTR hates it when people do that it makes them look bad.....

You do go on. Do you bore yourself as much as you bore the rest of us?

Wasn't a voluntary holiday.

Well I will have to go for the Aussie trained trifecta then. Stylish Memphis-Majestic Cruiser- Alta Orlando. How good a feature race for a change with a few chances !!!!! The NZ harness racing has got that short of feature races that 2 stables dominating them. With the Dominion Handicap and Rowe Cup not being handicaps anymore , they are just gifts for Sundees Son year to year , so betting interest gone out the window. At least some bright spark has come up with this RACE concept and attracted attention within the industry. But sadly a bit too late for out of the industry interest. Feature Races are (were) great but now only a handful of chances these days take the gloss away (and usually just Mark like the GN Oaks and GN Derby the other day at short odds) So THE RACE is a Very Welcome addition. She'll be a cracker !!!!!

That's a crucial point NELLI about it costing as much to train a R45 horse as a R65. I'm not so sure that the old model of the prizemoney rising as you go up the grades is sustainable any longer. In Queensland, where Lincoln Farms has had a lot of success racing horses that were no longer competitive here, they have a revolving system where each class gets a bite at the bigger money. When Tommy Lincoln won a band 4-2 race a couple of weeks ago the stake was $20,466, while the top free-for-allers raced for only $14,867. The previous week the R58 to R70 pacers had their turn for $20,770, about the same as the open pacers. Another week the top horses raced for $15,100 and the R60 to R75 horses $21,378 and the mares $20,770. I see plenty of merit in that system. The reason owners are selling their progressive horses is not because of the stakemoney, as LAMOUR claims, it's because so many horses are being sold overseas and the brutal handicapping system sees the ones remaining forced to take on the topliners so soon, particularly in the north where low numbers have reached a critical point.

Good ol Flethchers.Good for the shareholders.Bye bye iconic race.ooow we have Te Aroha though

But that's not what is happening in real life. This country had excessive waiting lists for surgery before Covid arrived. We're down $65b and counting and we haven't any improvements in hospital capacity. We're probably going to get overrun in testing facilities, and to put it frankly, I have not confidence the supply lines have been managed to cater for the new red light effects. 57 people employed in the PM's spin doctor department to "manage the people's narrative" smacks of conscious subversion, the inability to allow people to administer what ever they feel is right for them worries me, and the inability to go to the doctor to get a blood test to see what one's immune system is saying about the antibodies in one's blood seriously disturbs me. Why should vaxed or unvaxed share any right of precedence in relation to an operation of necessity? Precedence should be determined by the condition of health. The same could be said for the effects of the proposals placing Maori on boards, 3 Waters, preferential entry into med school and other tertiary organisations, at the expense of the best person getting the job/ role/ position. Why are the history books being re-written in respect of the Morioiri's role and position in domiciling NZ? In respect of the jab/ non jab position, you you chastise people who don't get a measles, mump, polio or TB jab when these are just as deadly as Covid? Do we chastise people who play unsafe sex because that can spread HIV, Aids, Syphilis, Gonorrhea and bad bugs? This is a mess and you've all allowed yourselves to be led to a place that 30 years ago wouldn't have been possible. We'd have never allowed a PM to own the press as this one has done in the past. It's called communism or socialism. It's incredible how quickly it's happened. A mastermind lesson on social conditioning.

Definitely not. It was mandated. Nothing voluntary about it. NZTR called for submissions on the matter, ignored them, provided no feedback and made a unilateral decision. Good on Sam for sticking to her guns but great to see her back now NZTR have realised the science presented to them when they asked for it is correct. Hopefully, a few others can also now return to the fray. We don't have a great surplus of jockeys or other staff.

Horses won't be complaining about the Hill going, having to run through fetlock deep mud climbing a bloody big hill three times carrying someone who is way too big to be a real jockey. Bring on the Strathayr.

Some of it wasn't voluntary as you say (whip rules) and some it was voluntary (not vaccinated, so voluntary by choice).

Pity there was no advertising of the event, and they were still enforcing irrelevant dictates from a despotic leader. Where were all the HURRAHS and thanks from the Ellerslie sewer team, and those donkeys in Puke, for saving their arses with the best track surface in the country. From being shat on for the last ten years, (only allowed 2 meetings Anzac/July on this years calendar) its Avondale that once again has saved the day. Expect more than a few BIG ups, from those two clubs over the next couple of new meetings ..........

Craig Grylls has his pilot license and also owns his own plane, I remember last year Craig traveling from the Waikato to ride at Ruakaka, and he didn't want to deal with Auckland traffic. So he flew his plane up to Ruakaka and he took another Jockey with him. He also got a chance to fly over the home straight and have a look at the track. Also, it's quite common for Sir Peter Vela to arrive at a race meeting in a helicopter.

http://www.voxy.co.nz/business/5/400698 Proposed new residential development for The Hill, Ellerslie - Fletcher Building Friday, 1 April, 2022 - 11:22 Auckland Thoroughbred Racing (ATR) formerly Auckland Racing Club has selected Fletcher Living, to develop a 6.2ha parcel of land at Ellerslie Racecourse known as The Hill, for residential housing. The proposed development will include approximately 370 residential units in a mix of different housing types including apartments, duplex, terraced and detached houses. Some of the dwellings will be allocated to Fletcher’s retirement living business, Vivid Living. Auckland Thoroughbred Racing Chief Executive Officer Paul Wilcox says that developing the unused land will benefit the community. "As part of our Club’s plans to futureproof the sport of racing, we are currently upgrading our track at Ellerslie to an international-standard StrathAyr surface. However, with that kind of surface unsuitable for jumps racing, that type of racing will no longer be held at Ellerslie and The Hill is thus surplus to our requirements. The proposed Fletcher Living development will provide the community with better connections to surrounding streets and public transport links." ATR selected Fletcher Living as the developer following a competitive bid process in 2021. Steve Evans, Fletcher Building’s Chief Executive, Residential and Development says Fletcher Living is delighted to be named the developer for The Hill. "The Hill is a really exciting piece of land which will give us the scope to do what we do best - use our extensive residential development experience to develop a vibrant new community that Auckland can be proud of. We can’t wait to get stuck into the next stage with ATR." Alongside the housing, the development will also create new open spaces and pedestrian and cycle connections alongside new public roads. "We believe Fletcher Living will develop the land sensitively, with respect to the neighbouring community. Their significant local knowledge, strong financial strength, and a reputation for delivery will ensure that the project is one that the community can be proud of," says Wilcox. The Hill development proposal is being considered under the COVID-19 Recovery (Fast-track Consenting) Act 2020 (FTCA). FTCA has been established to speed up consenting processes for projects which are considered to support New Zealand’s recovery from the economic and social impacts of COVID-19. The Minister for the Environment, Hon David Parker, has confirmed that The Hill development meets the criteria of the FTCA and should therefore be referred for consideration by an expert consenting panel. ATR and Fletcher Living will engage with local residents and retailers to facilitate an open dialogue, and ensure the programme creates great outcomes for the local community.

Yeh ok Pure that sounds like fightin talk to me LOL, one small problem for yuh, I reckon we got a few beaudees here that will offer up some stout defence, bring it I say....yuh right though, reckon she'll be a cracker whichever way it goes, roll on the 14th!!! oh gawd, come on Mango, Morry Mac, Mark (the man) Purdon, and all the others crank those big guns of ours up, tiz battle we face..... Cheers Iraklis

Certainly I know as an owner up north is the last thing you want a maiden to do is to win first up as then the novice, with little racecraft, will be racing against seasoned multi winners. And there is much celebration when our R70s horse runs 2nd. Owners shouldn't need to dread winning but the way racing up here is now it can take months for a horse to drop down in rating and be competitive again, all the time with training bills to be paid. Given that the number of owners/horses up north isn't going to magically improve, IMO the Auckland and Cambridge clubs should be working closely together (NOT competing) and talking frequently with trainers as to how to optimise fields and returns for horses across all grades (= more horses paying their way and able to stay in NZ). I like the Queensland model of revolving higher stake races amongst classes. Also if 2yo trotters get to race for $2K if insufficent numbers for a tote race, why is it against the rules for open class horses? Costs similar to train both and better than having no race at all when trainers want their horses to have a run under race conditions.

What Te Akau charge is totally up to them. It's like a coffee shop charging $6 for a coffee as opposed to $4.50 for a coffee, if the market can stand it then so be it. Te Akau would have some overheads that other outfits don't, higher marketing costs, high communication costs with owners etc too. I am sure that a business the size of Te Akau's would have to encounter some bad debts too that have to be rightfully spread across the business. What I find hard to take is the media projection that only DCE can buy good horses. Why whenever a Te Akau horse wins that the article has to say how much the horse cost and that is was purchased by DCE, whereas that is not the case for other stables. I think this angle tends to make the casual public think that the only way for success in racing is to join Te Akau.

Why dont they close Ellerslie( be worth a motza) and upgrade the facilities at Avondale. Good Racing surface and with all the Ellerslie money the Avondale Plate WFA could be worth $7.5 m every year. Kiwi racing would be back in business. Then everything will trickle down. We know how much we like the trickle down effect.

What’s the point of winning a race to end up in a higher grade and race for the same money, you’d be better off trying to run places and picking up easier money staying in the garde below

I totally agree WE'RE DOOMED about the lack of lead-up races. Sadly, some of the contenders didn't get a run at Auckland last week, the race scrapped after only four noms. This type of concept absolutely needs a buildup over numerous weeks when with each win comes speculation about whom slot holders will chase. The Cambridge club has done a terrific job getting The Race off the ground but it will never develop as it should if it remains a stand alone event. Sadly, media coverage is now virtually non existent, our industry's bosses having ignored repeated warnings over the years that the shop window was closing.

I don't really want to get involved with this, but I just wanted to say Scooby is doing a great job providing us with this forum. It takes a bit of effort and expense and he doesn't get a lot of thanks. No one is forced to join up with Te Akau, but lots of people seem to want to. Its a business like any other, and much of what they do is marketing, which they do pretty well. Its like buying a car, or any other product, you are paying a certain amount purely for the brand. I look at some of these 2yo races with ten starters, four of them Te Akau: others think it is boring with one stable dominating, I think it would be a six horse field without them. They are about the only body showing any innovation in our industry at the moment so we are lucky to have them. Just think what it would be like without some of their horses. I know they didn't own Melody Belle, but Jamie trained it. If she wasn't there just imagine who would have won all those group races. Most of them would have been downgraded to Listed by now. We need to get over this tall poppy syndrome. If it wasn't for the tall poppies there would hardly be any poppies at all.

Obviously using the same spin doctors as the Government, Wilcox states that the new surface is unsuitable for jump racing. What bullshit! The Club could easierly have all the jumps on the infield and hill. This is a cop out. What Wilcox really means is that the Board, full of very woke lawyers and ex employees of monopolies and oligopolies simply doesn't like jumping and has now found a way to sell the hill without upsetting too many members. Straight out of the Governments spin book.

Dont get a test and dont contact trace. Pandemic over

Interesting the government was quite ok with the doctors and nurses that would not except the jab, moving on, teachers as well, all the trades that were in dire shortages before covid stuck, crazy to be fair, when it ramps up they'll be screaming for any buggar, what about the legality of the health and safety work place mandate, a very dark and grey area in my opinion, and who knows the possibilities that could occur down the track, interesting times ahead, don't bother relying on the health system, as it will be every dog for themselves, it s jungle out there.

Little predicting 50,000 potential hospitalisations and when it doesn't happen the sheep will applaud these mongrels for averting a disaster. Just like Hendy, Wiles and Co and their dire predictions. Attention-seeking a pernicious affliction amongst this leftie rabble.

Sure have, and that is one of the main reasons for the scaremongering since Day 1. When you realise there is a huge Doctor/Nurse shortage and only 4 ICU beds for every 100,000 people in NZ it’s hardly surprising.

You have to be kidding. That's not an ethical question even, may be a human rights one. If I get lung cancer and have been a 50 pack year smoker and someone who chose never to smoke gets lung cancer do you really think the latter should get treatment preferentially? No code of ethics or ethical principles would even suggest such discrimination.

Your latest response is difficult to interpret. The start of this would seem to be an objection to the 5% unvaccinated having the ability to "dictate". A person who is not vaccinated also shouldn't be classed as an outcast. That's the point

And before you listen to this (if you do), simply remember that I am not an anti vaxer. I'm pro choice. I should be able to do with my body or my mind as I think fit. I don't think that the current political mob that are running our show are any more intelligent than my mob of close associates and I are. How can you EVER trust a politician? They do not need any qualification to run for office. They are probably not the right person for the right job. Their motivation is to remain where they are at all costs. And this is the psychological profile that is telling you and me what we HAVE to do. There has been evidence all across the globe that this Covid response thing isn't quite right...something's not gelling the right way. We're horse and animal people so we've got a bit of a better grasp of quarantine (comes from 40 days in the old days), immunisation and vaccination because we've lived through it on a regular basis. Some of us can't make sense of not being able to have a blood sample to see what antibodies are in the system. Why can't we? Because doctors will tell you the health ministry has said you can't. Or maybe that's wrong and the five different doctors that were asked to carry out a blood sample by five different people just so happen to be the only ones who believe what the health ministry is saying. And what about the PCR tests....those tests that we rely on to give us the data in respect of the real viral exposure position? All the experts are now saying that they can't distinguish between Covid and the flu. And what about the structure of them in the first place? In a test like this you need to know the presence or activity of the LIVE pathogenic cells and not the dead ones. This is lesson 101 in relation to screening for a viral spread. At 35-37 cycles (the methodology behind the testing process to determine whether live cells are present or not) you cannot determine this. All of our current tests are done at 35-37 cycles. You cannot determine the presence of live cells at this level!! That is so basic its simply a fact. So if you were a statistical boffin, you'd start asking questions, which of course many people currently are. I have no factual position on these matters, but I'm struggling with the conflicts. As I said, I'm not an anti vaxer. I will not though, be drawn into acting and believing that I am a sheep. So if you're brave enough, have a look at this. By way of background, this guy Dr Reiner Fuellmich is one of the planet's leading litigation lawyers. Yes he is a bottom feeder but he has successfully brought action against the big big business boys in the past. He's got a team of 1500 lawyers around the globe working on exposing the truth and testing that position in the courts. I've been following it with a degree of curiosity because it's audacious to say the least. But the more you understand what he is doing, the more teeth you realise he just might have. https://rumble.com/vsm05v-premeditated-mass-murder-dr-reiner-fuellmichs-upcoming-legal-battle-against.html

You can have you're own opinion but not you're own set of facts , most I know that are vaxxed have been coerced,the others are just scared to the point they can't see truth.....as one poster on here says Opinions are like assholes everyone has one Back up you're claims instead of dropping the Conspiracy theory card and we can all move forward TOGETHER

Smart girl Legs

There's your problem, it's not a vaccine (vaccines "procure immunity") but plenty on this site follow like sheep into the arms of this Marxist regime. (Interestingly another thread on Race Cafe discussing the move to a cashless society - the result will not be pretty).

Despicable over reach by our authoritarian masters if that is the case. Her choice and she poses no extra threat to others by her medical status. And don't proffer the story about stressing our hospital system while allowing the disgraceful level of obese subjects to occupy the same facilities.

Fletcher Building's residential development division has struck a deal to buy 6.2ha of Auckland Thoroughbred Racing's Ellerslie land and sought Government fast-track consent for hundreds of homes there. A joint statement today from Auckland Thoroughbred Racing chief executive Paul Wilcox and Fletcher Living chief executive Steve Evans announced the agreement but no price was put on the possible sale - understood to be $100 million-plus. The sale is subject to Overseas Investment Office approval. Apartments, duplexes, terraced and detached houses are planned beside the main track where racing will continue, the statement said. Last July, the Herald reported that the land would be sold and was estimated to be worth more than $100 million. Five-level apartment buildings planned on 6.2ha Ellerslie site. Photo / Fletcher Building Wilcox said today: "As part of our club's plans to future-proof the sport of racing, we are currently upgrading our track at Ellerslie to an international-standard StrathAyr surface. "However, with that kind of surface unsuitable for jumps racing, that type of racing will no longer be held at Ellerslie and The Hill is, therefore, surplus to our requirements. The proposed Fletcher Living development will provide the community with better connections to surrounding streets and public transport links."