Ripples

In the last 12 months I have been to Doomden, Flemington and The Valley, the food is no better at those tracks than Ellerslie and it costs a lot more to get in, a minimum of $A20, on major race days a lot more, Ellerslie is free apart from the big days and surely there can be no compliants about the public facilities at that track. Not saying everyting is all peaches and cream, it certainly isnt, just adding some balance to the discussion.

Im going to take a different view on this and its based on a few assumptions, I assume Emily B is employed by the TAB/Entain whereas Luke would be an Independent Contractor and like any decent employee you are not going to publicly criticise your employer, her role on WI is a very different one to either MG or LR, you don’t see Greg Radley or Bernadette Cooper etc criticising Sky Racing. That said I absolutely enjoy Luke Radich and we need to see more of him. In my view EB is the consummate professional and whilst I would sometimes like to see her drop her guard a bit that’s not her style. If you don’t like her hit the mute button as I do every time Aidan Rodley is talking. On a totally different matter I was on the same plane as Opie Bossom on Saturday Night back to Auckland after Imperatriz had demolished the Champions Sprint field at Flemington. I introduced myself as we were waiting to collect our bags, you could not meet a more humble, unassuming guy, and down to earth, no ego at all, he had just won a $3 million dollar race but was sitting in economy tucking into a bit of food. He is a champion in more ways than one

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

I would add Luke Radich as one of our best ever, even Stephen Stewart who was not afreaid to express an opinion and didn't always toe the "party line"

Totally agree re demise of public grandstand at Riccarton, as someone who is more interesting in punting and watching the horses than getting s--tfaced, I used to go down for Cup week from Auckland but stoped once the main grandstand was out of use, watching races from ground level doesn't do it for me, may as well stay home and watch on trackside. Same as Trentham and Hawera, the best views were on top of the grandstand, can't beat it. Used to go to Hawera when the trots raced at Easter, last time I was there we were advised public stand closed so watched 3 reaces at track then rest from motel. At least up here we still have Ellerslie (when it opens) with its excellent grandstands from which to watch the races.

Agree GEO blocking had to come, it has been legislated for in Aussie for years, when I was over there the other week I just changed my Laptops VPN to access TAB, the fact is (and I guiltily do have a couple of overseas accounts) these overseas operators are screwing our racing industry by not paying local taxes. I am also a massive fan of the No deductions particularly as track conditoipns can change after odds are first posted.. In my own view the TAB in terms of giving punters so many different options has improved massively in last couple of years. I know the cynics will disagree

I also loved Hutt Park particularly from a punting perspective. As well as T Lee, Alan bright and Mike Osullivan commentated there as did, believe it or not Peter Kelly and Reon Murtha (once)

I agree there are a lot of things that need fixing in NZ racing but comparisons with Aussie are futile whilst we have one betting agency controlling NZ racing. That has to change . I think the comparison with the 1960's is a bit harsh, you could not argue that Karaka Night is very innovative

Perhaps I didn't properly articulate my point of view, I agree 100% with the Luke Rants, re crap coverage of Prix De Arc and worthless comments in Australian form lines, it is an issue Luke has raised many times before but TAB have taken no notice. My point was that from a punting perspective I believe the TAB have taken an innovative approach to betting options, not seen in other betting jurisdictions and I still hold that view, however the points raised by Luke are very valid as he speaks from a punters perspective and are a breath of fresh air without the PC bureaucratic restraint of some other presenters.

I have read some of the unbalanced comment regarding the TAB on here particularly from :"We're doomed". I have many TAB accounts through the various betting syndicates I organise, I also have an account with Bet365, Sports bet and NSW TAB. I can say without any fear of contradiction that the TAB are offering betting opportunities for punters that are unparalleled anywhere in the world, including Aussie. No deduction on any fixed odds bet, irrespective of scratching's, as an example I backed a horse in NSW at 15’s, three quarters of the field were scratched and horse started favourite, still lost my dough but that’s not the point, I got 15 on a horse that started at 3's. Last Saturday on first 4 races at each main meeting TAB were paying a bonus bet back to 5th. I can place a futures bet and if horse doesn’t start I get a bonus bet. The list goes on. I agree there are many areas in NZ racing that need fixing but the TAB is doing its best to keep up with and ahead of the play. Try having a punt in the UK, we are light years ahead of what the punters are being offered, even taking into account the various bookmaking options. I also have to admit that I am bemused that the same correspondent does not know anything about "Raceform" mmm well lets just say in my opinion it is the best form guide ever produced in NZ and that includes Friday Flash and The Informant. In my view only "The Sportsman" in Australia is better but for NZ punters we really are lucky to have a quality product like "Raceform". Its all subjective of course

I actually agree with mikenz, with due respect to Matt Cross, in my view Craig Rail is the best in the South Island, he has improved a lot when given the opportunity, his recent efforts in Canterbury when M Cross was absent were outstanding as were his calls on the West Coast circuit earlier this year. Just my opinion

Ripples picks for Team Bonecrusher: Tauranga Race 7: 5/9 Awapuni Race 8: 3/4 Rosehill Race 5: 3/5 Rosehill Race 6: 3/16 Rosehill Race 7 7/15 Flemington Race 1: 1/11 Flemington Race 2: 2/3 Flemington Race 3: 5/10 Flemington Race 4: 4/5 Flemington Race 5: 2/8 Flemington Race 6: 6/8 Flemington Race 7: 3/6 Flemington Race 8: 6/13 B/B Flemington Race 9: 2/17 B/B Good luck everyone

Ripples picks for Team Bonecrusher Matamata Race 6: 4/14 Riccarton Race 8: 1/3 Riccarton Race 10: 7/8 Randwick Race 3: 4/8 Randwick Race 7: 2/5 Randwick Race 9: 4/6 The Valley Race 3: 3/8 The Valley Race 4: 4/9 The Valley Race 5: 2/8 The Valley Race 6: 1/3 The Valley Race 7: 1/6 The Valley Race 8: 10/11 B/B The Valley Race 9: 6/7 The Valley Race 10: 8/11 B/B Happy Punting