Jefferson

A Government never appoints a passionate racing person to the position Minister for Racing. Either non racing people are the only ones who become MPs or anyone that does follow racing like we do just don't get appointed. You know a Government isn't interested in helping your industry when they appoint a bunny to the position. Clubs tend to invite Government ministers and racing officialdom out on their big days. I know Trentham host a number of the Petone crew during their carnival, personally I would say pay at the gate like everyone else. Same with the Prime Minister and his Racing Minister. Why showcase a top day to these people who don't tend to deserve the fun and excitement. John Allan needs to identify the right Minister for the Racing Minister position and hound the Prime Minister publically and privately until that person is appoointed.

Owners get shitty if trainers label their horse resulting in reduced dividends. Most owners rely on the punt to keep books balanced, previously the domain of stakes. Some trainers know not to upset the very people who pay their income. Need to monitor trainers, their tips and their results and treat them like Dummy was many years ago. If they are prepared to talk to the press they have to do so with honesty, or don't talk at all. Why do they talk, they know free marketing helps with new owners.

There are those who say "let nature" dictate. I would say, if every track was a Fast 1, would anyone be happy? Of course not, so force clubs like Taupo to make sure if they want to be on the list next year, they have to invest to ensure they won't produce another Fast 1, or in fact a Good 2. We know track rationalisation will occur, so it maybe time to say Taupo get your act together or you will be missing from the schedule next year. Simpler than another report, to collect dust like all the other reports.

The best businesses go to their good clients/customers to find out what they would like to see and done. These carry forward funds are real bonuses for the TAB, available for their boys to use how they "think" is best. Instead of being happy with carry forwards, Why not ask the good clients/customers what they think these funds should be used for.

This is the worst pile of horse shit I have heard of in a very long time. Sure they have rules (probably for good reason), some of you may know them, I certainly didn't contemplate this outcome. It is hard enough picking 3 winners, then through their own suspect system they say Merry Christmas, but you are not going to have the New Year you expected, the use of their money to punt at Ellerslie. If they have a fund that can pay out investors whose horse gets relegated (relegated correctly in my opinion), then they can pay out on this investment which is more first, first, first therefore a collect compared to a relegated second. They prop up first 4's, pick 6's and other options, I can understand marketing initiatives to increase turnover, in fact support them, but then to deal with their client in this manner is abhorent. There was a great marketing initiative here in paying out the first first first and telling the World they ignored their rules to do the right thing. I have friends with overseas betting accounts wondering why I don't have one too, but I say I am loyal, I like to support NZ (made), however hearing stories like this is making me think maybe I should give one a go. You better get paid out, please advise either way. Go public, put the pressure on, they better cave for the good of maintaining their clients.

A fantastic watch, so much great material, could have been done in three parts of an hour each. Can't wait for his next interview.

I can't believe race clubs get people on course and leave them to lip read the race. There are pubs doing the same. Maybe on course, the commentator can have control to turn up the sound throughout the course during his commentary.

At least we are seeing progress, ever so slow, in Australia, but not a word about the status of the NZ charge laid. Perhaps they are waiting for Rome to be built!!

Why don't the Stewards get stewed? Can they not be held accountable for a lack of (quick) inaction?

No one is going to buy a yearling as a stayer and wait 3 or 4 years to find out it is too slow, let alone can't win any of the Cups. Nominations are down for the Wellington Cup I hear, not a great start. I am not against new initiatives, so will wait for Rome to be built over the next couple of years, monitor ratings and nomination numbers, but when the Australians come calling offering 6 figures for a young stayer on the rise, only a fool would not sell to chase a two or three race bonus.

Sorry whenever I talk racing I only ever think North Island (except for 1 week in November)!! LOL

Are you suggesting Lance will get off the cobalt charges? It was obvious Peter Early stopped calling him Saturday mornings on The Starting Gates for months, but like everything time to resolve issues/charges makes them a distant memory, so he has been back to calling him again. Speaking of races being "about", many years ago a horse called Wall Street finished ever so close in the Group 1 Mudgway Partsworld over 1,400m at HB, or as the Auckland owner was heard telling people it was something like 20 - 30 metres short of 1,400m. Was that correct and is that race now 1,400m or "about" 1,400m?

Another positive - I watched the Steve Davis Off The Track interview of Laurie Laxon, brilliant, absolutely brilliant. Could have been a 2 parter. Am a thoroughbred follower, but also enjoyed the Dexter Dunn interview. Steve really does his investigation and homework on his subjects. Doubt if I have ever seen a disappointing one, but have to say those last two were magic.

Such a shame it has taken so long, but (almost) getting there by the sounds. Am I wrong but is this another case of Ellerslie and HB leading the way in a slow to change industry?

Steve Davis is awesome, he adds colour, fun, unpredicability and passion much needed on all aspects of racing, not just the big days. Long may he continue and not be muzzled. Racing needs to ensure that along with professionalism, safety, growth, great racing, we also have fun and laughter, the total collective is what keeps us involved and may even encourage newbies.

Don't ever invite politicians and racing industry leaders to our large/carnival days, they will get the worng idea. Get them out on the small/industry days for a realistic picture. So it is good to see a couple of that lot out at Ellerslie on a smaller day, makes you wonder what the reason was behind their photo shot moment.

Zabeel Classic is going to be great, the chances won't stop with those two either.

She is a star and riding so very well.

You can thank the NZ Police for ruining on course parties, with the pressure and blackmail (isn't blackmail illegal?) they now apply to Clubs. Some would argue the boot party people don't punt, however they do add numbers and atmosphere to the day. The Police need to pull their head in and let NZers get back to having some fun.

When the race is run that slow, the best horse in Australasia couldn't come from the last 3 or 4 and win. When it is a sprint home, those at the rear have to run 32 seconds for the last 600m, impossible!! I can almost hear all the broken down ex jockeys on this site taping out replies how they would have ridden Kawi to win. Those of us who have watched enough racing know you can't ride a horse out of it's usual pattern and expect to win. Give me a genuinely run race and let's see who wins.

Slow pace racing such a turnoff, especially Group 1's, you could see that was going to happen and a great spectacle yet again ruined. Didn't bother having a bet, just watched the crawl and sprint unfold. Happening throughout Australasia unfortunately far too often.

People seem to either love or hate Auckland Racing, love or envy HB Racing, the fact of the matter is they have both been driven to change and succeed, great for NZ Racing. Sure when there are winners there will be losers. It is up to other clubs to have a vision, put up a business case and get NZTR to support them. Kelt and the HB Racing Board grew a fantastic carnival, showed NZ Racing what is possible, what punters and supporters want to see. Ellerslie went from one great carnival to having two very good carnivals. Christchurch has a wonderful week of orgasmic racing. No one complains that all the best 3 year olds have to trundle down from the North Island to race and trundle all the way back again (with the spoils). It would be so much more convenient if the 1,000 and 2,000 were raced at Waikato, Ellerslie, Awapuni, or similar, but they are at Riccarton and help make the week the week it is. The challenge is for other clubs to see their positives, their advantages, HB the Spring weather, Auckland the population, Waikato the horse numbers and so on and drive positive change for themselves. We should congratulate and appreciate the great races and carnivals that have arisen, as we do the Melbourne Spring and the Sydney Autumn, they didn't happen by accident. Thank you Ellerslie, HB and Christchurch.

Butch is great, his knowledge and homework unquestionable. I also really liked Twiggy's (Paul Shailer) brutal honesty. Hopefully the (alleged) problems can get sorted Twiggy and we can get the best Weigh In team back together.

The Australian TAB will confirm the big punters avoid synthetic track racing. So we have the upfront investment, considerable ongoing maintenance costs and reduced punter confidence. A recipe for?

If you want to bring it back to racing, I am disguisted with Brendon McCullum for not coming forward at the time instead of years later, so with his interest growing in racing I just hope if he sees something reportable then he does it straight away. No turning a blind eye, report it.