Huey

Well Peters stuck it up all those racing idiots who voted for him, got elected on the back of promises galore and backed out of shit loads already.
Delivered nothing as most of us thought.

I'll say it again for the 100th time.
Closing tracks isn't the answer imo , utilising your existing assets is. Someone had a great idea on here the other day about having back up venues for racing , I think thats a workable solution in the mean time if planned out correctly'
The reason we've got in such a mess is because of centralisation , its responsible for the neglect of some of these smaller venues as others have pointed out. It's favoured a few at the expense of many others.
Why do we want to get rid of tracks if they aren't costing the industry anything to operate? If they are providing product for the industry i.e. horse numbers, a strong volunteer base, horsemanship and expertise,an affordable option to race a thoroughbred that other venues wouldn't or currently don't offer,a home for the horses that the big players don't want, not only that they create and sustain local interest that gives racing a place in the local community that wouldn't exist without them.
Despite what the masses think the smaller venues can't just be sold up and the funds shifted on to the Strategic Venues to fix the ills of the industry, like many have professed I've no faith in the leadership to do whats right with those funds anyway.
Nothing will prosper without a strong base, look at Australia they have their synthetic and Strathryr tracks but they still depend a lot on the provincial areas to provide product etc for race days etc. I shudder to think what NZ racing would be like without it provincial support network, I'm only a small time participant raced a couple,breed a few,bought  a couple, frequent punter, learned to ride the highs and lows of the greatest game of all ... but when you take the number of persons involved in the industry out(i.e. who wouldn't be involved if they shut down the provincial venues) who have similar involvement like myself across the country it would leave a gaping big hole!
What are these Super Tracks that trainers like Sharrock speak of? Isn't there already an option for trainers to relocate to where ever they want to train from, so if a trainer thought Matamata was a better option couldn't they move there even without a Super track being put in? 
Why blame all the smaller venues for abandonment's when its clearly an industry wide problem:
Matamata Abandoned
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/99676865/jockeys-walk-away-from-fall-free-of-injury-but-matamata-meeting-abandoned
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/90972883/matamata-race-meeting-abandoned-due-to-visibility-concerns
Hastings Abandoned
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503460&objectid=11515796
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/97650432/hard-merchandize-grabs-guineas-before-hastings-meeting-abandoned
Te Rapa Abandoned
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/86662364/strong-wind-gusts-force-te-rapa-race-meeting-abandonment
Awapuni Abandoned
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/87681495/racing-industry-hit-again-with-abandonment-of-major-awapuni-meeting
New Plymouth Abandoned
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/94968095/storms-hit-races-as-abandoned-meetings-and-rescheduling-keep-officials-busy
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/70345526/opunake-cup-meeting-lost-again-as-torrential-rain-saturates-track
Ellerslie Abandoned
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10890998
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/100278816/two-race-meetings-abandoned-because-of-unsafe-tracks-on-new-years-day
 

I'll say it again for the 100th time.
Closing tracks isn't the answer imo , utilising your existing assets is. Someone had a great idea on here the other day about having back up venues for racing , I think thats a workable solution in the mean time if planned out correctly'
The reason we've got in such a mess is because of centralisation , its responsible for the neglect of some of these smaller venues as others have pointed out. It's favoured a few at the expense of many others.
Why do we want to get rid of tracks if they aren't costing the industry anything to operate? If they are providing product for the industry i.e. horse numbers, a strong volunteer base, horsemanship and expertise,an affordable option to race a thoroughbred that other venues wouldn't or currently don't offer,a home for the horses that the big players don't want, not only that they create and sustain local interest that gives racing a place in the local community that wouldn't exist without them.
Despite what the masses think the smaller venues can't just be sold up and the funds shifted on to the Strategic Venues to fix the ills of the industry, like many have professed I've no faith in the leadership to do whats right with those funds anyway.
Nothing will prosper without a strong base, look at Australia they have their synthetic and Strathryr tracks but they still depend a lot on the provincial areas to provide product etc for race days etc. I shudder to think what NZ racing would be like without it provincial support network, I'm only a small time participant raced a couple,breed a few,bought  a couple, frequent punter, learned to ride the highs and lows of the greatest game of all ... but when you take the number of persons involved in the industry out(i.e. who wouldn't be involved if they shut down the provincial venues) who have similar involvement like myself across the country it would leave a gaping big hole!
What are these Super Tracks that trainers like Sharrock speak of? Isn't there already an option for trainers to relocate to where ever they want to train from, so if a trainer thought Matamata was a better option couldn't they move there even without a Super track being put in? 
Why blame all the smaller venues for abandonment's when its clearly an industry wide problem:
Matamata Abandoned
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/99676865/jockeys-walk-away-from-fall-free-of-injury-but-matamata-meeting-abandoned
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/90972883/matamata-race-meeting-abandoned-due-to-visibility-concerns
Hastings Abandoned
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503460&objectid=11515796
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/97650432/hard-merchandize-grabs-guineas-before-hastings-meeting-abandoned
Te Rapa Abandoned
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/86662364/strong-wind-gusts-force-te-rapa-race-meeting-abandonment
Awapuni Abandoned
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/87681495/racing-industry-hit-again-with-abandonment-of-major-awapuni-meeting
New Plymouth Abandoned
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/94968095/storms-hit-races-as-abandoned-meetings-and-rescheduling-keep-officials-busy
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/70345526/opunake-cup-meeting-lost-again-as-torrential-rain-saturates-track
Ellerslie Abandoned
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10890998
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/100278816/two-race-meetings-abandoned-because-of-unsafe-tracks-on-new-years-day
 

I'll say it again for the 100th time.
Closing tracks isn't the answer imo , utilising your existing assets is. Someone had a great idea on here the other day about having back up venues for racing , I think thats a workable solution in the mean time if planned out correctly'
The reason we've got in such a mess is because of centralisation , its responsible for the neglect of some of these smaller venues as others have pointed out. It's favoured a few at the expense of many others.
Why do we want to get rid of tracks if they aren't costing the industry anything to operate? If they are providing product for the industry i.e. horse numbers, a strong volunteer base, horsemanship and expertise,an affordable option to race a thoroughbred that other venues wouldn't or currently don't offer,a home for the horses that the big players don't want, not only that they create and sustain local interest that gives racing a place in the local community that wouldn't exist without them.
Despite what the masses think the smaller venues can't just be sold up and the funds shifted on to the Strategic Venues to fix the ills of the industry, like many have professed I've no faith in the leadership to do whats right with those funds anyway.
Nothing will prosper without a strong base, look at Australia they have their synthetic and Strathryr tracks but they still depend a lot on the provincial areas to provide product etc for race days etc. I shudder to think what NZ racing would be like without it provincial support network, I'm only a small time participant raced a couple,breed a few,bought  a couple, frequent punter, learned to ride the highs and lows of the greatest game of all ... but when you take the number of persons involved in the industry out(i.e. who wouldn't be involved if they shut down the provincial venues) who have similar involvement like myself across the country it would leave a gaping big hole!
What are these Super Tracks that trainers like Sharrock speak of? Isn't there already an option for trainers to relocate to where ever they want to train from, so if a trainer thought Matamata was a better option couldn't they move there even without a Super track being put in? 
Why blame all the smaller venues for abandonment's when its clearly an industry wide problem:
Matamata Abandoned
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/99676865/jockeys-walk-away-from-fall-free-of-injury-but-matamata-meeting-abandoned
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/90972883/matamata-race-meeting-abandoned-due-to-visibility-concerns
Hastings Abandoned
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503460&objectid=11515796
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/97650432/hard-merchandize-grabs-guineas-before-hastings-meeting-abandoned
Te Rapa Abandoned
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/86662364/strong-wind-gusts-force-te-rapa-race-meeting-abandonment
Awapuni Abandoned
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/87681495/racing-industry-hit-again-with-abandonment-of-major-awapuni-meeting
New Plymouth Abandoned
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/94968095/storms-hit-races-as-abandoned-meetings-and-rescheduling-keep-officials-busy
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/70345526/opunake-cup-meeting-lost-again-as-torrential-rain-saturates-track
Ellerslie Abandoned
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10890998
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/100278816/two-race-meetings-abandoned-because-of-unsafe-tracks-on-new-years-day
 

I'll say it again for the 100th time.
Closing tracks isn't the answer imo , utilising your existing assets is. Someone had a great idea on here the other day about having back up venues for racing , I think thats a workable solution in the mean time if planned out correctly'
The reason we've got in such a mess is because of centralisation , its responsible for the neglect of some of these smaller venues as others have pointed out. It's favoured a few at the expense of many others.
Why do we want to get rid of tracks if they aren't costing the industry anything to operate? If they are providing product for the industry i.e. horse numbers, a strong volunteer base, horsemanship and expertise,an affordable option to race a thoroughbred that other venues wouldn't or currently don't offer,a home for the horses that the big players don't want, not only that they create and sustain local interest that gives racing a place in the local community that wouldn't exist without them.
Despite what the masses think the smaller venues can't just be sold up and the funds shifted on to the Strategic Venues to fix the ills of the industry, like many have professed I've no faith in the leadership to do whats right with those funds anyway.
Nothing will prosper without a strong base, look at Australia they have their synthetic and Strathryr tracks but they still depend a lot on the provincial areas to provide product etc for race days etc. I shudder to think what NZ racing would be like without it provincial support network, I'm only a small time participant raced a couple,breed a few,bought  a couple, frequent punter, learned to ride the highs and lows of the greatest game of all ... but when you take the number of persons involved in the industry out(i.e. who wouldn't be involved if they shut down the provincial venues) who have similar involvement like myself across the country it would leave a gaping big hole!
What are these Super Tracks that trainers like Sharrock speak of? Isn't there already an option for trainers to relocate to where ever they want to train from, so if a trainer thought Matamata was a better option couldn't they move there even without a Super track being put in? 
Why blame all the smaller venues for abandonment's when its clearly an industry wide problem:
Matamata Abandoned
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/99676865/jockeys-walk-away-from-fall-free-of-injury-but-matamata-meeting-abandoned
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/90972883/matamata-race-meeting-abandoned-due-to-visibility-concerns
Hastings Abandoned
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503460&objectid=11515796
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/97650432/hard-merchandize-grabs-guineas-before-hastings-meeting-abandoned
Te Rapa Abandoned
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/86662364/strong-wind-gusts-force-te-rapa-race-meeting-abandonment
Awapuni Abandoned
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/87681495/racing-industry-hit-again-with-abandonment-of-major-awapuni-meeting
New Plymouth Abandoned
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/94968095/storms-hit-races-as-abandoned-meetings-and-rescheduling-keep-officials-busy
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/70345526/opunake-cup-meeting-lost-again-as-torrential-rain-saturates-track
Ellerslie Abandoned
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10890998
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/100278816/two-race-meetings-abandoned-because-of-unsafe-tracks-on-new-years-day
 

I'll say it again for the 100th time.
Closing tracks isn't the answer imo , utilising your existing assets is. Someone had a great idea on here the other day about having back up venues for racing , I think thats a workable solution in the mean time if planned out correctly'
The reason we've got in such a mess is because of centralisation , its responsible for the neglect of some of these smaller venues as others have pointed out. It's favoured a few at the expense of many others.
Why do we want to get rid of tracks if they aren't costing the industry anything to operate? If they are providing product for the industry i.e. horse numbers, a strong volunteer base, horsemanship and expertise,an affordable option to race a thoroughbred that other venues wouldn't or currently don't offer,a home for the horses that the big players don't want, not only that they create and sustain local interest that gives racing a place in the local community that wouldn't exist without them.
Despite what the masses think the smaller venues can't just be sold up and the funds shifted on to the Strategic Venues to fix the ills of the industry, like many have professed I've no faith in the leadership to do whats right with those funds anyway.
Nothing will prosper without a strong base, look at Australia they have their synthetic and Strathryr tracks but they still depend a lot on the provincial areas to provide product etc for race days etc. I shudder to think what NZ racing would be like without it provincial support network, I'm only a small time participant raced a couple,breed a few,bought  a couple, frequent punter, learned to ride the highs and lows of the greatest game of all ... but when you take the number of persons involved in the industry out(i.e. who wouldn't be involved if they shut down the provincial venues) who have similar involvement like myself across the country it would leave a gaping big hole!
What are these Super Tracks that trainers like Sharrock speak of? Isn't there already an option for trainers to relocate to where ever they want to train from, so if a trainer thought Matamata was a better option couldn't they move there even without a Super track being put in? 
Why blame all the smaller venues for abandonment's when its clearly an industry wide problem:
Matamata Abandoned
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/99676865/jockeys-walk-away-from-fall-free-of-injury-but-matamata-meeting-abandoned
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/90972883/matamata-race-meeting-abandoned-due-to-visibility-concerns
Hastings Abandoned
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503460&objectid=11515796
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/97650432/hard-merchandize-grabs-guineas-before-hastings-meeting-abandoned
Te Rapa Abandoned
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/86662364/strong-wind-gusts-force-te-rapa-race-meeting-abandonment
Awapuni Abandoned
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/87681495/racing-industry-hit-again-with-abandonment-of-major-awapuni-meeting
New Plymouth Abandoned
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/94968095/storms-hit-races-as-abandoned-meetings-and-rescheduling-keep-officials-busy
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/70345526/opunake-cup-meeting-lost-again-as-torrential-rain-saturates-track
Ellerslie Abandoned
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10890998
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/100278816/two-race-meetings-abandoned-because-of-unsafe-tracks-on-new-years-day
 

That's the crux of the whole discussion, surely - abandonments and crap surfaces deter punters and stakeholders alike.
No-one is refuting the notion that an alternative surface,  be it a polytrack, American-style dirt or a Strathayr,  would save on the above - but will the installation of same produce increased revenue?   Because we are already 20 mill up the gurgler through the borrowing to increase stakes,  without the investment to put one or more of these tracks in...and we'll need to increase turnover exponentially to cover the costs inherent.
I just don't see where that much increased turnover is coming from,  hope I'm wrong though.

I'll say it again for the 100th time.
Closing tracks isn't the answer imo , utilising your existing assets is. Someone had a great idea on here the other day about having back up venues for racing , I think thats a workable solution in the mean time if planned out correctly'
The reason we've got in such a mess is because of centralisation , its responsible for the neglect of some of these smaller venues as others have pointed out. It's favoured a few at the expense of many others.
Why do we want to get rid of tracks if they aren't costing the industry anything to operate? If they are providing product for the industry i.e. horse numbers, a strong volunteer base, horsemanship and expertise,an affordable option to race a thoroughbred that other venues wouldn't or currently don't offer,a home for the horses that the big players don't want, not only that they create and sustain local interest that gives racing a place in the local community that wouldn't exist without them.
Despite what the masses think the smaller venues can't just be sold up and the funds shifted on to the Strategic Venues to fix the ills of the industry, like many have professed I've no faith in the leadership to do whats right with those funds anyway.
Nothing will prosper without a strong base, look at Australia they have their synthetic and Strathryr tracks but they still depend a lot on the provincial areas to provide product etc for race days etc. I shudder to think what NZ racing would be like without it provincial support network, I'm only a small time participant raced a couple,breed a few,bought  a couple, frequent punter, learned to ride the highs and lows of the greatest game of all ... but when you take the number of persons involved in the industry out(i.e. who wouldn't be involved if they shut down the provincial venues) who have similar involvement like myself across the country it would leave a gaping big hole!
What are these Super Tracks that trainers like Sharrock speak of? Isn't there already an option for trainers to relocate to where ever they want to train from, so if a trainer thought Matamata was a better option couldn't they move there even without a Super track being put in? 
Why blame all the smaller venues for abandonment's when its clearly an industry wide problem:
Matamata Abandoned
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/99676865/jockeys-walk-away-from-fall-free-of-injury-but-matamata-meeting-abandoned
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/90972883/matamata-race-meeting-abandoned-due-to-visibility-concerns
Hastings Abandoned
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503460&objectid=11515796
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/97650432/hard-merchandize-grabs-guineas-before-hastings-meeting-abandoned
Te Rapa Abandoned
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/86662364/strong-wind-gusts-force-te-rapa-race-meeting-abandonment
Awapuni Abandoned
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/87681495/racing-industry-hit-again-with-abandonment-of-major-awapuni-meeting
New Plymouth Abandoned
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/94968095/storms-hit-races-as-abandoned-meetings-and-rescheduling-keep-officials-busy
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/70345526/opunake-cup-meeting-lost-again-as-torrential-rain-saturates-track
Ellerslie Abandoned
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10890998
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/100278816/two-race-meetings-abandoned-because-of-unsafe-tracks-on-new-years-day
 

I'll say it again for the 100th time.
Closing tracks isn't the answer imo , utilising your existing assets is. Someone had a great idea on here the other day about having back up venues for racing , I think thats a workable solution in the mean time if planned out correctly'
The reason we've got in such a mess is because of centralisation , its responsible for the neglect of some of these smaller venues as others have pointed out. It's favoured a few at the expense of many others.
Why do we want to get rid of tracks if they aren't costing the industry anything to operate? If they are providing product for the industry i.e. horse numbers, a strong volunteer base, horsemanship and expertise,an affordable option to race a thoroughbred that other venues wouldn't or currently don't offer,a home for the horses that the big players don't want, not only that they create and sustain local interest that gives racing a place in the local community that wouldn't exist without them.
Despite what the masses think the smaller venues can't just be sold up and the funds shifted on to the Strategic Venues to fix the ills of the industry, like many have professed I've no faith in the leadership to do whats right with those funds anyway.
Nothing will prosper without a strong base, look at Australia they have their synthetic and Strathryr tracks but they still depend a lot on the provincial areas to provide product etc for race days etc. I shudder to think what NZ racing would be like without it provincial support network, I'm only a small time participant raced a couple,breed a few,bought  a couple, frequent punter, learned to ride the highs and lows of the greatest game of all ... but when you take the number of persons involved in the industry out(i.e. who wouldn't be involved if they shut down the provincial venues) who have similar involvement like myself across the country it would leave a gaping big hole!
What are these Super Tracks that trainers like Sharrock speak of? Isn't there already an option for trainers to relocate to where ever they want to train from, so if a trainer thought Matamata was a better option couldn't they move there even without a Super track being put in? 
Why blame all the smaller venues for abandonment's when its clearly an industry wide problem:
Matamata Abandoned
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/99676865/jockeys-walk-away-from-fall-free-of-injury-but-matamata-meeting-abandoned
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/90972883/matamata-race-meeting-abandoned-due-to-visibility-concerns
Hastings Abandoned
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503460&objectid=11515796
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/97650432/hard-merchandize-grabs-guineas-before-hastings-meeting-abandoned
Te Rapa Abandoned
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/86662364/strong-wind-gusts-force-te-rapa-race-meeting-abandonment
Awapuni Abandoned
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/87681495/racing-industry-hit-again-with-abandonment-of-major-awapuni-meeting
New Plymouth Abandoned
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/94968095/storms-hit-races-as-abandoned-meetings-and-rescheduling-keep-officials-busy
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/70345526/opunake-cup-meeting-lost-again-as-torrential-rain-saturates-track
Ellerslie Abandoned
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10890998
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/100278816/two-race-meetings-abandoned-because-of-unsafe-tracks-on-new-years-day
 

I'll say it again for the 100th time.
Closing tracks isn't the answer imo , utilising your existing assets is. Someone had a great idea on here the other day about having back up venues for racing , I think thats a workable solution in the mean time if planned out correctly'
The reason we've got in such a mess is because of centralisation , its responsible for the neglect of some of these smaller venues as others have pointed out. It's favoured a few at the expense of many others.
Why do we want to get rid of tracks if they aren't costing the industry anything to operate? If they are providing product for the industry i.e. horse numbers, a strong volunteer base, horsemanship and expertise,an affordable option to race a thoroughbred that other venues wouldn't or currently don't offer,a home for the horses that the big players don't want, not only that they create and sustain local interest that gives racing a place in the local community that wouldn't exist without them.
Despite what the masses think the smaller venues can't just be sold up and the funds shifted on to the Strategic Venues to fix the ills of the industry, like many have professed I've no faith in the leadership to do whats right with those funds anyway.
Nothing will prosper without a strong base, look at Australia they have their synthetic and Strathryr tracks but they still depend a lot on the provincial areas to provide product etc for race days etc. I shudder to think what NZ racing would be like without it provincial support network, I'm only a small time participant raced a couple,breed a few,bought  a couple, frequent punter, learned to ride the highs and lows of the greatest game of all ... but when you take the number of persons involved in the industry out(i.e. who wouldn't be involved if they shut down the provincial venues) who have similar involvement like myself across the country it would leave a gaping big hole!
What are these Super Tracks that trainers like Sharrock speak of? Isn't there already an option for trainers to relocate to where ever they want to train from, so if a trainer thought Matamata was a better option couldn't they move there even without a Super track being put in? 
Why blame all the smaller venues for abandonment's when its clearly an industry wide problem:
Matamata Abandoned
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/99676865/jockeys-walk-away-from-fall-free-of-injury-but-matamata-meeting-abandoned
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/90972883/matamata-race-meeting-abandoned-due-to-visibility-concerns
Hastings Abandoned
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503460&objectid=11515796
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/97650432/hard-merchandize-grabs-guineas-before-hastings-meeting-abandoned
Te Rapa Abandoned
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/86662364/strong-wind-gusts-force-te-rapa-race-meeting-abandonment
Awapuni Abandoned
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/87681495/racing-industry-hit-again-with-abandonment-of-major-awapuni-meeting
New Plymouth Abandoned
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/94968095/storms-hit-races-as-abandoned-meetings-and-rescheduling-keep-officials-busy
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/70345526/opunake-cup-meeting-lost-again-as-torrential-rain-saturates-track
Ellerslie Abandoned
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10890998
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/100278816/two-race-meetings-abandoned-because-of-unsafe-tracks-on-new-years-day
 

I'll say it again for the 100th time.
Closing tracks isn't the answer imo , utilising your existing assets is. Someone had a great idea on here the other day about having back up venues for racing , I think thats a workable solution in the mean time if planned out correctly'
The reason we've got in such a mess is because of centralisation , its responsible for the neglect of some of these smaller venues as others have pointed out. It's favoured a few at the expense of many others.
Why do we want to get rid of tracks if they aren't costing the industry anything to operate? If they are providing product for the industry i.e. horse numbers, a strong volunteer base, horsemanship and expertise,an affordable option to race a thoroughbred that other venues wouldn't or currently don't offer,a home for the horses that the big players don't want, not only that they create and sustain local interest that gives racing a place in the local community that wouldn't exist without them.
Despite what the masses think the smaller venues can't just be sold up and the funds shifted on to the Strategic Venues to fix the ills of the industry, like many have professed I've no faith in the leadership to do whats right with those funds anyway.
Nothing will prosper without a strong base, look at Australia they have their synthetic and Strathryr tracks but they still depend a lot on the provincial areas to provide product etc for race days etc. I shudder to think what NZ racing would be like without it provincial support network, I'm only a small time participant raced a couple,breed a few,bought  a couple, frequent punter, learned to ride the highs and lows of the greatest game of all ... but when you take the number of persons involved in the industry out(i.e. who wouldn't be involved if they shut down the provincial venues) who have similar involvement like myself across the country it would leave a gaping big hole!
What are these Super Tracks that trainers like Sharrock speak of? Isn't there already an option for trainers to relocate to where ever they want to train from, so if a trainer thought Matamata was a better option couldn't they move there even without a Super track being put in? 
Why blame all the smaller venues for abandonment's when its clearly an industry wide problem:
Matamata Abandoned
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/99676865/jockeys-walk-away-from-fall-free-of-injury-but-matamata-meeting-abandoned
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/90972883/matamata-race-meeting-abandoned-due-to-visibility-concerns
Hastings Abandoned
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503460&objectid=11515796
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/97650432/hard-merchandize-grabs-guineas-before-hastings-meeting-abandoned
Te Rapa Abandoned
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/86662364/strong-wind-gusts-force-te-rapa-race-meeting-abandonment
Awapuni Abandoned
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/87681495/racing-industry-hit-again-with-abandonment-of-major-awapuni-meeting
New Plymouth Abandoned
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/94968095/storms-hit-races-as-abandoned-meetings-and-rescheduling-keep-officials-busy
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/70345526/opunake-cup-meeting-lost-again-as-torrential-rain-saturates-track
Ellerslie Abandoned
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10890998
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/100278816/two-race-meetings-abandoned-because-of-unsafe-tracks-on-new-years-day
 

Passionate volunteers are a dying breed through the lack of gratitude and ridicule  from the very people whom they are giving their time to help.
Tracks!  We waste to much time and money on these morons who sit in their offices at a computer all day calling themselves turf experts  they have got to keep coming up with stupid ideas and pathetic reasons for "improving " our tracks otherwise we wouldn't pay them hundreds of thousands of dollars its bullshit! Get Back To Basics! our tracks are what they are , Our climate is what it is so lets just live with it , if it means putting sheep on your race track to improve the soil and root structure will lets do it,  can't be any worse than what we got now . I think Murray Mexted said about the poor condition rugby pitch grasses that were ripping up at every scrum "IF ITS NOT ROOTED ITS ROOTED"  
Smaller Racing clubs need their one day in the sun (Usually Cup Day) put a huge effort into that I think its worth it for the industry , Clubs then must operate like a business to keep their heads above water, all parts of their operation must break even or make money so they can provide facilities for horses and tracks to race on if you are not making money then there is no money to spend on facilities or tracks , common sense would tell you that your Farming operation your training operation your catering/Function hire operation etc.  all must perform  if not Fix it or dump it , that's business

Why does everyone lose their head when a small club has a meeting abandoned but mull into a state of acceptance when one of the big centralised clubs with irrigation cant hold a race meeting? 
It all seems a  convenient excuse for the state nz racing is in. 

And these people want country clubs that have been a major part of their communities for well over a hundred years to just surrender and and hand over whatever resources they have accumulated to these said fools ?

I agree with what you say TT We have raced for decades without irrigation and produced absolute champions , Watched an interview with Michael Pitman and Andre Neil where Andre asked Pity what was the biggest problem with NZ racing He immediately said irrigation of tracks! the systems used for irrigation had stuffed most of the major tracks , they now have no root system , the roots go along the top of the ground rather than downwards looking for water which causes a hard pan which the roots sit on . Irrigation is so inconsistent with the natural drainage  of tracks making water run to the inside , water sprays overlap so you get so many inconsistent areas which has got to be dangerous Surely? All this creates biased tracks , Creating tracks that punters are reluctant to bet on 
I remember a quote from  Waterhouse "Our worst Sydney track for bias was Gosford. The course curator was sacked and God was placed in charge. Within a short period the track was perfect. God was free."
Woodville is probably a very good track but the whole area has been in a drought and then to cop some rain on the day is unfortunate. I would say Awapuni has got a few more issues than Woodville! and Otaki flies to bits at the drop of a hat . 
 

I saw a recent article on Sharrock abusing the track situation in NZ. Cried about the costs to his owners yesterday. Wants 4 "super tracks". That label in itself is hilarious. Rambled on about moving north or to Oz. Also said any track WITHOUT irrigation needs to be scrapped.
About 12 months ago Sharrock was stating he was off to Oz and looking at potential properties. He has also said in the past we should NOT irrigate tracks! 
I say help him move to Oz - less centralisation, less irrigated tracks, and higher costs for owners. 
Question: why were there such healthy fields and so many top trainers travelling from all over the North Island to race at Woodville yesterday??? Probably because its a very good track!

Why does everyone lose their head when a small club has a meeting abandoned but mull into a state of acceptance when one of the big centralised clubs with irrigation cant hold a race meeting? 
It all seems a  convenient excuse for the state nz racing is in. 

My opinion too. I think it would make very little difference if Woodville was irrigated or not. It seems very few meetings are going ahead when there is rain about, irrigated or not.

Racing a harness horse would be like admitting you were born in Australia, just not something you would tell anyone.
Besides all that it’s as boring as batshit.

Worse still is the likes of sharrock and Pike calling for the closure of small tracks.Wonder where they both started . 

Why does everyone lose their head when a small club has a meeting abandoned but mull into a state of acceptance when one of the big centralised clubs with irrigation cant hold a race meeting? 
It all seems a  convenient excuse for the state nz racing is in. 

This meeting was traditionally held at Trentham on this Monday for as long as I can remember! 
I cant go back prior to the Second World War. 
The decision to remove it was the Dates Committee of the NZRB who think the old timers were wrong and that betting would be much improved by moving it. 
You see they have all sorts of “models” that they use to arrive at a decision, then they go to the clubs and say, “we are moving this date to such and such because we know best”. 
What they forget is that the old timers new about weather patterns, tracks that were still safe irrespective of the weather or irrigation because of positive camber etc. 
See what fools they are and how foolish we were to give all the authority to the young university graduates of the NZRB lead by Bankers, Postmen etc. 

Why does everyone lose their head when a small club has a meeting abandoned but mull into a state of acceptance when one of the big centralised clubs with irrigation cant hold a race meeting? 
It all seems a  convenient excuse for the state nz racing is in. 

The one aspect I don't understand about coverage particularly on massive days like yesterday at Trentham is why they don't have someone on the day who is an experienced horse person i.e. retired horse trainer or jockey, someone who has been there and done that. The rugby and league shows seem to be able to use these ex players to get a better inside insight into their sports than racing does.
No criticism of the presenters though , they have a very hard job to do, most stuff off the cuff and some times talking to people who don't want to be interviewed and you simply cannot criticise anyone for poor tipping as that isn't an easy gig by any stretch of the imagination especially in NZ.
I admire Rodleys enthusiasm for this great sport,he appears to truly love the game as much as many of us here do.

Agree she was very good I thought, SI racing is a hard sell at the best of times she sounded quite enthusiastic about it.