THE TORCH

Oh so racing on a dodgy surface is OK then? Why are you stating things will improve then?? With your logic the track doesnt need to be in top order ever because they will always run on it anyway! Ellerslie dodged a bullet on Saturday and youre praising the decision makers and a substandard track. Please.

The desperate, addicted, and the lonely. Why would you do it?

Thats not the point. Stick to the situation on Saturday and the inconsistency from certain players. The future has zero to do with this.

1. Well done MG for reporting this and making it public. He has been a huge fan of the new developments at Ellerslie but like any good journalist he's being objective. 2. What a crock of crap from Wilcox and the jockeys. That track was unsafe and again highlights the double standards in the industry in northern NZ.

Great post. I really like this initiative and reckon not only is it the best betting race on Saturday, but it will provide the best spectacle. Cant wait. Oh and go the Southerners!!

So we should - we're paying their wages arent we?

They keep asking him back! Perhaps they use him to ask the real questions because the rest are cowards. He doesnt need Trackside but he is obviously passionate about the industry so wants answers or wants those in power to be kept on their toes. Everything he says is right because he does the research and provides cold hard facts. Meanwhile we have presenters who dont even know the Wellington Cup nominees.

You're missing the point here MJ.

When she started I thought OK this could be a good move. Like you said she speaks pretty well and is intelligent. However, the Te Akau effect is very evident. And who did we have years ago doing the same role?? Karen Fenton-Ellis. An excellent presenter! She did pose the odd opinion but again there was a natural suspicion that she would pump up the Te Akau tyres. Its a shame really....two presenters who could (have) offer so much more but their links to a super successful and influential organisation make their input limited or perhaps seem biased. Conflict of interest whether you like it or not unfortunately.

Then why have her? Either agree or disagree with what Luke is saying. Add something to the discussion. Don't sit there like a quivering puppet who is trying to skip to the next topic all because she's in fear of her job. Its a discussion show. A platform to raise the issues within the sport. Otherwise scrap it and just show race replays from the weekend.

I bet Lukes argument about how our loyal, talented, and hard working broadcasters have been poorly treated struck a chord with some on here. Why was there no loyalty in return? Quality service and diligence means nothing to our decision makers. Instead we get cheap, incompetent people in these roles who meet the dead-brained wave of viewers that the TAB target as customers with the wall-to-wall coverage of racing.

Jesus really??!!! There was a wall of about 7 horses all within a neck of 2nd. He had one job in that race and that was to call a classic for the Andertons. You've got to remember that meeting was postponed 24 or 48 hours because of the shock surrounding his passing. Probably one of the best calls ever on a NZ race track in a highly iconic race and all you're worried about is nailing 2nd and 3rd. Give me strength mate.

Sorry Idolmite - Ive quoted the wrong post sorry!! My mistake.

Im sorry but the state of this channel is pretty dire and the reappearance (thank God!) of Luke Radich on Weigh In heavily illustrates how low it has sunk. Luke does his rants - I wouldnt call them rants, instead it just plain sense. It sounds like a rant because all we usually get from TS is the rose-tinted glasses perspective from presenters and producers. Sitting across from Luke is Emily Bosson. You may as well fast forward the programme (if youve taped it) to the race clips or when Luke is given time to speak. She adds nothing. Zero. A talking head if youve ever seen one. To make matters worse shes absolutely silent on all things Luke raises. Why? Because she might "rock the boat" and she has agendas. Luke was bang-on with his criticism of how Tony Lee has been treated and also the overall loyalty to our quality broadcasters in the industry. Dont worry Emily, he wasnt putting you in that category. The classic comment though was when Luke labelled (and rightly so!) Legarto as the best horse in NZ. The Te Akau squirm from Emily was priceless. However, probably the worst TS "incident" from the weekend was the presentation crew at Trentham on Saturday. Rodley interviewing Centaine Spittles......he didnt have a clue about her history with Trentham or even the fact that her horse Eulogy Show was on the ballot for the Wellington Cup! I bet she walked away from that interview wondering why she even bothered. CS: "....and Eulogy Show might just need the run for her assignment next Saturday". AD: "Oh and what race is that?" Deathly silence and pause CS: "The Wellington Cup" AD: "Oh right" - embarrassment and shock. Things didnt get any better after the running when Bevan Sweeney said that the Spittle horse ran a nice race for 2nd and would put it in good stead for the Cup. It was actually her other runner In Vegas who was runner-up in what was the run of the race. Whatever this Entain lot are doing they need to have a serious meeting with someone like Luke and get the channel heading in the right direction. Put the s&%$# up some of the current crew who have been below par for too long now.

Jesus really??!!! There was a wall of about 7 horses all within a neck of 2nd. He had one job in that race and that was to call a classic for the Andertons. You've got to remember that meeting was postponed 24 or 48 hours because of the shock surrounding his passing. Probably one of the best calls ever on a NZ race track in a highly iconic race and all you're worried about is nailing 2nd and 3rd. Give me strength mate.

There will never be another Davey Mac. I would rate his call of The Diamond One winning the White Robe as the best ever. Timeless and timely. https://loveracing.nz/RaceInfo/44261/8/Race-Detail.aspx

What a result. An incredible jockey. Even in his "twilight years" he has shown his class, especially at the big carnivals. Some of his rides the last few years during the Melbourne Cup carnival have been amazing. I know you cant compare different countries/ industries/ etc, but he and Chris Johnson have a lot in common in how near the end of it all they still gave other riders tutorials with some of the races they won.

Hows the dirty dishes going?

Id say what she said is incredibly minor compared to what he's been getting up to. You cant be that deaf and blind if I'm hearing things way down here

Very interesting. Same race as Kauris fall. I wonder what the conversation was.

Good on her. She wont take any crap - time away from the game will give her a fresh perspective. Nice to see someone standing up to those that think they're too good for everyone else. So what do they do when it flies back in their face? Have a wee cry to the stipes. Please.

That is not only sad, but also wrong.

GOOD!!! A programme with only Radich is what we need!

He remains the most logical and interesting presenter (when given the chance) on Trackside. The current crop either have a conflict of interest or are too feeble to express what really is needed in the industry.

Excellent trainer who made a big impression with a small team.