iwmcn

Argue all you like.
Us oldies who have been active breeders, owners, committee members (club and national) and punters got involved because the sport was accessible in our cities/ region.
It encouraged us to socialise and introduce clients and friends to the sport by attending.
Hutt Park despite its negatives was a catalyst for the public, owners, trainers and drivers. It encouraged participation which does not exist today.
North meet south for both horses, drivers and trainers.
Turnovers were regularly on average the fourth and fifth highest over many years.
At the time of closure of Hutt Park HRNZ was gutless and offered no support..
 I personally challenged (as President)  and partly financed the Councils reasons  for closure in the High Court but to no avail.
We were rail roaded by the Council. End of story.
The demise of Harness racing in the Central Districts can only be blamed on ineffective administration  by HRNZ s past and current administrators.
Manawatu s efforts to retain the sport within our region deserve our support to keep the sport within the CD region.
I
 
 
 

Argue all you like.
Us oldies who have been active breeders, owners, committee members (club and national) and punters got involved because the sport was accessible in our cities/ region.
It encouraged us to socialise and introduce clients and friends to the sport by attending.
Hutt Park despite its negatives was a catalyst for the public, owners, trainers and drivers. It encouraged participation which does not exist today.
North meet south for both horses, drivers and trainers.
Turnovers were regularly on average the fourth and fifth highest over many years.
At the time of closure of Hutt Park HRNZ was gutless and offered no support..
 I personally challenged (as President)  and partly financed the Councils reasons  for closure in the High Court but to no avail.
We were rail roaded by the Council. End of story.
The demise of Harness racing in the Central Districts can only be blamed on ineffective administration  by HRNZ s past and current administrators.
Manawatu s efforts to retain the sport within our region deserve our support to keep the sport within the CD region.
I
 
 
 

Argue all you like.
Us oldies who have been active breeders, owners, committee members (club and national) and punters got involved because the sport was accessible in our cities/ region.
It encouraged us to socialise and introduce clients and friends to the sport by attending.
Hutt Park despite its negatives was a catalyst for the public, owners, trainers and drivers. It encouraged participation which does not exist today.
North meet south for both horses, drivers and trainers.
Turnovers were regularly on average the fourth and fifth highest over many years.
At the time of closure of Hutt Park HRNZ was gutless and offered no support..
 I personally challenged (as President)  and partly financed the Councils reasons  for closure in the High Court but to no avail.
We were rail roaded by the Council. End of story.
The demise of Harness racing in the Central Districts can only be blamed on ineffective administration  by HRNZ s past and current administrators.
Manawatu s efforts to retain the sport within our region deserve our support to keep the sport within the CD region.
I
 
 
 

Argue all you like.
Us oldies who have been active breeders, owners, committee members (club and national) and punters got involved because the sport was accessible in our cities/ region.
It encouraged us to socialise and introduce clients and friends to the sport by attending.
Hutt Park despite its negatives was a catalyst for the public, owners, trainers and drivers. It encouraged participation which does not exist today.
North meet south for both horses, drivers and trainers.
Turnovers were regularly on average the fourth and fifth highest over many years.
At the time of closure of Hutt Park HRNZ was gutless and offered no support..
 I personally challenged (as President)  and partly financed the Councils reasons  for closure in the High Court but to no avail.
We were rail roaded by the Council. End of story.
The demise of Harness racing in the Central Districts can only be blamed on ineffective administration  by HRNZ s past and current administrators.
Manawatu s efforts to retain the sport within our region deserve our support to keep the sport within the CD region.
I
 
 
 

Hawkes Bay geez that’s turning back the clock, in my very early 20’s I was on the Committee of the HB Trotting Club (made up of mostly retires guys). I was also their raceday Secretary. We used to race at Tomaona  Showgrounds (about 700 metres circumference)  and everything for the 2 day meeting from betting windows to actual  racetrack was erected and put together and taken down again by volunteers as soon as the meeting finished. We would turn over $200 k on course and trainers came from far and wide, Eric Ryan and  Obrien’s from SI, all the CD trainers plus the Butchers (Phil Butcher drove his first winner there), Mike Berger, Robbie Hughes, Errol Walis, Butlers. Eric Mathews etc etc. On Erics first visit he had no idea how to get there so a mate and I spent most of the night waiting for Eric’s truck to arrive with all his horses. We would put on a barbie on eve of first night and a Calcutta on Cup between days.  Sadly we were “forced” to leave showgrounds and go to Hastings Racecourse, which led to  the demise of the Club. Some of us were very much against the move as we believed the uniqueness of Showgrounds would be lost. Great times though at a time when small clubs only survived on its volunteer base and community support

Gambling awarness week ended yesterday .... phew back to normal. What a stupid concept. The funds spent on a pointless exercise could have been diverted to better causes.I resent being told virtually that I have a problem and must pause every now and then to have a rest for a while  Bad luck if the pacer you have been following has finally got a good draw, the right driver,a weaker field and the right distance.and track. And is paying good money.... Gee I have to have a rest Does your horse win yes or no but youre not on it so what does it matter. It would turn you off more if it did win  from betting again... Having been a gambler for just 60years dont tell me to take a rest .....it just P.........s me off. 

I struggle somewhat with this sort of criticism. The guy has been a stalwart of CD racing most of his life and if you think his calling is less accurate than when he was younger just watch the tv or the race live and work it out for yourself.
Tony will no doubt know when his time is up and personally I don’t think that’s the case yet. Go for as long as you want Tony!

I just want to endorse John Legends comments about Dick and thank him for his service to the Industry.
I have known Dick from our Secondary school days, right through my racing days  both harness and gallops and especially at  Hutt Park.
I am sure those past and present members of  Wellington Harness will share these sentiments as well.
Dick. Great job. Well done. Enjoy your retirement. Thank you
Ivan Mc Nicholl. President. Wellington Trotting Club ( in recess)

Only 40 plus years.. Your a baby. Mine is 60 plus.
Perhaps my added years gives me greater wisdom and a more balanced and not so reactive look on matters.?
In those 60 years of industry involvementI I have ....
Won the Grand National Hurdles,, bred and owned a 3yo Trotters Breeders Crown in Australia, set  a NZ record at the time for the highest priced trotting yearling sold at auction, bred and part own a NZ 3yo trotter of the year in 2021 who won 10 in a row.including all the Derbys 
I reluctantly add the 20 plus years as a Harness Club Administrator including a 4 year stint  as Club President at Wellington before the Council closed us down,
I took the L Hutt Council to the High Court (at my cost) to challenge the closure but sadly failed.
My only racing failure is my punting which I will not comment on. 
Like all readers here i want the Industry to succeed .and clearly have a  significant vested interest.
Mate in this case I think you have ended up with not only egg on your face but the shell too. Move on.
i have left space for your Industry contributions and achievements.

Only 40 plus years.. Your a baby. Mine is 60 plus.
Perhaps my added years gives me greater wisdom and a more balanced and not so reactive look on matters.?
In those 60 years of industry involvementI I have ....
Won the Grand National Hurdles,, bred and owned a 3yo Trotters Breeders Crown in Australia, set  a NZ record at the time for the highest priced trotting yearling sold at auction, bred and part own a NZ 3yo trotter of the year in 2021 who won 10 in a row.including all the Derbys 
I reluctantly add the 20 plus years as a Harness Club Administrator including a 4 year stint  as Club President at Wellington before the Council closed us down,
I took the L Hutt Council to the High Court (at my cost) to challenge the closure but sadly failed.
My only racing failure is my punting which I will not comment on. 
Like all readers here i want the Industry to succeed .and clearly have a  significant vested interest.
Mate in this case I think you have ended up with not only egg on your face but the shell too. Move on.
i have left space for your Industry contributions and achievements.

Only 40 plus years.. Your a baby. Mine is 60 plus.
Perhaps my added years gives me greater wisdom and a more balanced and not so reactive look on matters.?
In those 60 years of industry involvementI I have ....
Won the Grand National Hurdles,, bred and owned a 3yo Trotters Breeders Crown in Australia, set  a NZ record at the time for the highest priced trotting yearling sold at auction, bred and part own a NZ 3yo trotter of the year in 2021 who won 10 in a row.including all the Derbys 
I reluctantly add the 20 plus years as a Harness Club Administrator including a 4 year stint  as Club President at Wellington before the Council closed us down,
I took the L Hutt Council to the High Court (at my cost) to challenge the closure but sadly failed.
My only racing failure is my punting which I will not comment on. 
Like all readers here i want the Industry to succeed .and clearly have a  significant vested interest.
Mate in this case I think you have ended up with not only egg on your face but the shell too. Move on.
i have left space for your Industry contributions and achievements.

I posted the article on another sites site and to reach a wider audience I copied and pasted it to this site. 
Sadly my limited IT skills meant I copied their graphics as well.
Shall I start again as the content is of interest to race cafers.?

When reviewing a winning horses credentials would he please not say..." A whole group of owners " and move on. Please read them out.
Owners seek little from the media for what they invest in ownership and do appreciate this simple acknowledgement.
In Marks case he skips over their names but continues to waffle on at length repeating what the commentator had already said.
Race 8 at Addington today is an example.
 
 

When reviewing a winning horses credentials would he please not say..." A whole group of owners " and move on. Please read them out.
Owners seek little from the media for what they invest in ownership and do appreciate this simple acknowledgement.
In Marks case he skips over their names but continues to waffle on at length repeating what the commentator had already said.
Race 8 at Addington today is an example.
 
 

When reviewing a winning horses credentials would he please not say..." A whole group of owners " and move on. Please read them out.
Owners seek little from the media for what they invest in ownership and do appreciate this simple acknowledgement.
In Marks case he skips over their names but continues to waffle on at length repeating what the commentator had already said.
Race 8 at Addington today is an example.
 
 

What a great article by Brian de Lore.
I had no idea a great journalist still existed in NZ so this was a very refreshing read.
Sadly, the TAB seems like many businesses today, to be more worried about spinning a line about 'how great thou art', rather than taking on meaningful actions that will actually result in true benefits.
I really, really, fear for Dave.
 

Give the Dunn family the respect they richly deserved in harness racing and drop the negative inuendoes
Robert started as the publican here in Wellington at the Taita Hotel.
His original client base were  working class people and state house battlers.
Robert did not inherit a legacy and are very successfully creating their own within NZ and Internationally.
Sadly in harness mud sticks and some find it easier to look back than ahead.

Give the Dunn family the respect they richly deserved in harness racing and drop the negative inuendoes
Robert started as the publican here in Wellington at the Taita Hotel.
His original client base were  working class people and state house battlers.
Robert did not inherit a legacy and are very successfully creating their own within NZ and Internationally.
Sadly in harness mud sticks and some find it easier to look back than ahead.

Agree Iraklis very   interesting comments .However I see obvious flaw in Rays statement relating to the need for ATC and Cambridge to look at amalgamation.Franklin was "seduced" by the ATC to amalgamate. That proved total disaster so I doubt Cambridge would risk even discussing it . There are 70 million reasons to avoid such unrealistic expectations. But Ray Green does make valid point that the South (mainly centred on Addington)appear to get a  favourable  hearing from HRNZ in all matters racing .Perhaps HRNZ might consider moving to Auckland. I am sure premises and accommodation could be found in Epsom.!! 

Is Andrew Morris the right person to be the Handicaper.?
His PR skills appear to be questionable when challenged.?
Is it a case of being in the job to long.?
 

I am supportive of the retention of the HOF but as President of the Wellington Harness Club ( in recess) I am disappointed that the the President and Vice Pres of the HOF will not respond to communications.
Over 6 months ago  and  recentlyI I enquired if memorabilia I sent them when Hutt Park closed could be located with a view to them being  returned to Wellington for display.
The new set up at Hutt Park has provision for a track museum.
The response  from them to date is nil.
Mr Myles has ignored my emails and his VPs intervention has produced nothing to date
A visual inspection of the HOF showed no evidence of it and a staff members comment was " it might be out the back".
Come on Mr Myles front up,  check the store and give me a positive reply wether you close down or not.
Thank you.
Ivan W Mc Nicholl ( President WHRC till the next AGM if ever)
 
 
 

yes great news. Wow it may get so big that HRNZ might suggest to help Cambridge it needs to go to Auckland  .... lol. (shades of jewels). Congrats to Grins and Cambridge. go for it. !!!!!!!!!!!

Congratulations Andrew. 
I have really enjoyed both episodes. Thank you for your efforts.  

Reminds me of the joke.
 
"What is the nearest thing to SILVER.?
The lone rangers balls.?