RaceCafe..#1...Tipsters Thread.... Share Your Fancies For Fun...Lets See Who The Best Tipsters Here Are.

Jape

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  1. Jape

    The Draft

    I think I may have misunderstood the original query which I took to refer to another submission, not the CGRC one.The CGRC submission is being finalised - perhaps as we "speak". Whether it is made public is a matter for the CGRC Board as a whole, not an individual member.
  2. Congratulations, Alan, and all those connected with the Jet. I am sure a lot of "little" punters - and some not so "little" - helped with their support at the KWMC. Spot on.
  3. Jape

    The Draft

    I also believe that the average or standard NZ punter is a different beast from his Australian counterpart and simply increasing the number of races ad infinitum will not necessarily produce more betting, or certainly not to the extent some anticipate. Betting trends, apart from sports betting, are trending downwards already. What I would have liked to happen this year is something along these lines: First, bear in mind that this was always going to be a season of some definite change. (1) There is an extra slot, namely, Friday afternoon (2) Doing away apparently with dual-code meetings (3) Up to 12 races but not more than 12 (4) A consequent increasing number of races, regionally and nationally. These amount to what is almost a sea change and I think the Assn should have recognised this as a grand opportunity to look at future developments. They would have done well to immediately set up a weekend conference of the CEOs of the various clubs. Given that they had been apprised of the "new situation" the clubs could have indicated to their CEOs their particular wish-list with provisos of what would best suit the forward movement of greyhound racing nationally. The Assn could also have provided details of how each club has been faring under the current allocation and enquired what was needed for any club to improve its situation. You see, I have no idea of whether Manawatu can survive under the current system although the talk is that they are having their problems. Should Southland have more licences? Would this help them to encourage more owners/trainers in their area? Should there be consideration given to an occasional circuit in the deep/er south? Could this help to overcome the problems of distance travel a couple of times a season? Should the CGRC continue to race every Tuesday, Wanganui every Wednesday etc etc? Is this the best way to promote the greyhound sport/industry to the betting public? (Will we still be operating under this system in 2015?). Is "our" market share improving, deteriorating or just stagnant? If either of the latter two what could provide "a shot in the arm"? Are the various Group races staggered satisfactorily to allow the best greyhounds to take part? Are these races promoted sufficiently? (Should there not be a couple of Group 1 sprints to recognise the value of the top sprinters?). Are the hundreds of extra races best distributed for the benefit of greyhound racing overall? How beneficial are the dc meetings, not just in turnover, but in reducing service costs and getting more people to notice the greyhounds? Are there financial incentives available to assist clubs running meetings at times when betting volumes are lower? Requiring the various participants to work in isolation - each with their own agendas - does not seem the best way to encourage the right spirit to continue the development of greyhound racing in this country. On another tack, what is being done to promote greyhound racing at present? There is no longer a NZ Trackside programme to review and preview greyhound racing. There is no longer a monthly magazine. What is being done to encourage the present "players" to stay in this sport/industry? What is being done to entice "new" players" to join in? I do not want to seem too negative or overly pessimistic here. After all, much has happened to the good of greyhound racing over the last decade. But there have been problems as well, some of which were very costly in terms of Assn finances and in the way greyhound racing was viewed by the general and betting public. It is time to restore confidence in the sport/industry and to aid the cause let's have more openness and co-operation.
  4. Jape

    The Draft

    Gary1, sorry, but I have no idea what is in the submission "already going around" or where that comes from.
  5. Jape

    The Draft

    The Board of the CGRC has presented a submission to the powers-that-be so we will wait to see what develops. A few years back now I believe we should have continued the two-tier system which was operating in part. The opportunity arose to extend this but the people around the Assn table at that time got carried away with trying to supplant the harness code as the number two code in NZ. In my opinion, and it is my personal opinion, the clubs would now be in a much better financial situation and greyhound racing would be on a better footing had that system been developed.Then again, the Assn took control of the stakes distribution and moved the goalposts even further away from the clubs. Again, a few years back, there was a chance to have Saturday night greyhound racing at Addington but the Assn did not pursue it. What occurred uinder a later administration beggars belief. Elsewhere in this discussion I have been asked about the move to do away with dual-code meetings. I believe this is the worst feature of the Draft. Both the CGRC and Waikato have been ambushed on this one. These have been working very satisfactorily with advantages to both codes. You can't avoid change, so it is said, but some clubs don't seem to have changed at all. Manawatu still has 49 Mondays - whether that is good for them or not is another matter. Wanganui has 52 Wednesdays and 44 Friday nights. Auckland has 49 Sundays and 10 Thursdays. Not too many changes there. On the other hand the Southern Region seems to have been turned upside down. It would appear that the directive for a good proportion of these changes has come from Australia as the restriction to 12 races is an Oz-thing. The changes suggested in the Draft are massive in respect of the Southern Region and yes, I know this is only a draft, but once a certain direction is promoted it can be very difficult to halt or alter it. So where does this leave us i.e. NZ greyhound racing? It has to be matter of real concern to hear of people leaving the sport/industry. Will we get others to replace them? I certainly hope so. PS I am not sure what time it was that I came on to the Trackside channel last night, probably about 11pm. Within 5 minutes I watched 5 races, 3 of them greyhound races. Not only was there no lead-in time there was only just time for the last dog to cross the line before the next race at another venue began. I could only shake my head and wonder if this was the future? I have noticed an increase in meetings coming in from Australia starting at about 10am over there, even earlier on one occasion. I also noted when in Oz recently that there had been a directive for a number of "bush" meetings to become TAB meetings.
  6. Jape

    The Draft

    I thought it might be simpler to start a new thread. The main players on each day in the 2010/2011 Draft Racing Calendar are as follows: Monday Manawatu 49 Tuesday CGRC 11 Otago 20 Southland 19 Auckland 2 Wednesday Wanganui 52 Thursday 12pm CGRC 21 " Waikato 32 5.30 CGRC 31 " Waikato 10 " Auckland 10 Friday 12pm Central 7 " Southern 43 5.30 Wanganui 44 " CGRC 7 Sunday Auckland 49 There is the odd single meeting scattered here and there. e.g. Tokoroa, Ashburton. The meetings are all programmed to have 12 races. You will notice that the Friday new slot - 12pm start - is only region-allocated at this stage. Clubs have until 31 March to present written submissions.
  7. Well done, Greyhoundrunner, with your work in athletics and I will keep an eye open for the athletes named. There are fewer selfless tasks in sport than coaching athletics and I admire you for the dedication involved. I have paid my dues in that field and know just what is required. Well done.
  8. Jape

    cup.

    Congratulations to all concerned. A brilliant double.
  9. I have been told there were 11 Tuesdays next season for Addington. I have not seen the Draft but I understand our CEO received this today. I find a great irony in the CGRC losing so many Tuesdays after the Assn pushed us away once from this day, then back again. Now, after the Club has made a success of them for the code, the owners and trainers, with the 20 race programmes, the dual-code meetings, it's virtually kaput. Further irony: for years we have endeavoured to get the Tuesdays broadcast on UHF as well as digital. No joy whatsoever. Now I gather all days are going to be on both. Amazing.
  10. A very good point, caution. The proposed situation simply does not make sense.
  11. As alway (i.e. nearly always), Philocon, you are on the mark here. We have been getting sidetracked and should be focussing on these projected changes.
  12. You ask, terryc, how the CGRC is going to be more affected. As I see it there are at least 3 major changes: 1. For a number of seasons now we have had 48 or 49 Tuesdays. In the current draft I understand there are 11. On most Tuesdays we run 20 races, and occasionally 15. Under the new policy 12 will be the maximum. 2. For a number of seasons we have had many dual-code meetings and this season there are 25. I understand the new policy is that there are to be none By the way, there is is some misinformation out there about Harness not wanting dual-codes. This is not the case. Right back at the beginning, about 11 years ago, there was some apprehension on their part but this has gradually dissipated and things have been quite harmonious for some seasons. 3. The CGRC pays a rental to the Met of $1550 per meeting, irrespective of the number of races. Under the new policy this would appear to mean that the CGRC will be paying a considerably greater amount for rental over the whole season. These are very significant changes.
  13. Whoa! Whoa! Greyhoundrunner, you have misinterpreted what I have said. I have no agenda, nor does the CGRC. In both instances we are simply reacting to what is being proposed. I began this forum because I felt there were major changes being mooted and it seemed that the clubs most affected were not being made aware of them. In fact, of course, all clubs are being affected in one way or another but some more than others. From the owners'/trainers' perspective the proposed rescheduling of dates is certain to have a serious effect on the Southern Region in particular if the current draft becomes a reality. One of the points I was trying to make was that there is a real possibility of the Forbury and Invercargill meeetings having extreme difficulty in getting fields if the extensive travel involved becomes weekly - and more frequently in the winter than at present - to ensure that the SR gets its so-called quota of racing dates. On the face of it, it does seem that the Southern Region comes out worst of these proposals. Moreover, it appears that no club is going to be more affected than the CGRC and, as a CGRC Board member, it behoves me to challenge the reasoning behind the changes. But I have no hidden agenda and nor does our Board. The contining strength of the Southern Region is very important to us all. Greyhoundrunner, I have fond memories of my time in Winton; my son was born in Invercargill;I do not want to see the Deep South in trouble.
  14. I do understand how "racing in NZ is done". I was on the TAB Board for nearly 4 years as the Greyhound Representative when there were the two Boards running NZ racing. (The Racing Industry Board no longer exists, by the way). Decisions are made, of course, which will have an effect, major or minor, on any of the 3 codes. Nevertheless, they are not made in isolation and the management of the 3 codes can and do have an input into those decisions. In turn the management of those codes will normally take account of what effect any proposed change will have on individual clubs and the code nationally. Much depends on the strength of the representation at the negotiation table. This is where my personal concern lies. (I write this as an individual, not as a Board member of the CGRC although I do know the Club is greatly concerned about the proposed changes). Last year there was a meeting of CEOs of all clubs and by all acounts this was very successful. Moreover, I gather that it was stated that there would be follow-up meetings before any major changes were envisaged or enacted. This has not happened. GRNZ did itself no favours with its involvement in the Rocketship enterprise which cost the Assn - and that means the stakeholders i.e. the owners and trainers - a million dollars. The current administration has now seen the demise of two greyhound racing venues. To what degree has the Assn considered the effect on individual clubs, particularly in the Southern Region? Its effect on the trainers? Do northerners not understand what is required to get greyhounds to Dunedin and, in particular, Invercargill? Do the changes mooted fit into the Assn's Business Plan? (I do not remember seeing anything to this degree of change). What does the Assn have against Dual-Code meetings which have worked very well for a number of years?
  15. It seems the best way to find out what is about to happen in Greyhound Racing in NZ is to listen to the Wednesday interviews on Trackside Radio with Peter Earley. Last week it was GRNZ Chairman, John McCarthur, referring to a number of very significant changes and yesterday it was Edward Rennell from HRNZ confirming some of those. According to our chairman dual code meetings are about to become almost non-existent. I am staggered by this announcement and Mr Rennell was also very surprised as he felt they were working well. Peter Earley also referred to the success of the dual code meetings at Waikato. (There are 25 dual code meetings scheduled for Addington this season, including 13 on Tuesdays. Incidentally, the chairman of GRNZ seemed unaware of this number). Two other changes also referred to were: 1. NZ greyhound meetings will have 12 races but not more than 12. (Apparently Australian racing dictates this as their system can handle no more than 12 races per meeting. Wow!). On current programmes this would mean the Central region could have 300 more races, Northern region 200, Southern region 50-60. 2. Races will be 18 minutes apart. There are prospects of further licences - Friday lunchtime is a possibility - depending on whether the Assn can fund them. Although all this is still in draft mode past history tells us that not many changes are made after the draft is put forward. These are significant changes indeed and deserve debate and discussion.
  16. Jape

    great white

    Just relying on an ageing memory here. Wasn't Funny Girl a litter sister to Great White? She has been leaving some nice winners lately e.g. Bruno and Speed Ticket. I am pretty sure Mega Maxi was the first greyhound to win $50,000 in one season. She was something of a shy breeder and, I think, just left two litters. It is good to see the line continuing so well for Ray Amer. Likewise, so pleasing to see Pockets Full (mum is Go Jenny Go) back racing and winning. Not to be left out of despatches Burst Away left two winners on Tuesday for Rosemary and Ron Blackburn; Groovy Jewel added impressive winner Alcatraz Boy to her list while Stag Night Folly produced another winner in Vampires Shadow. It is really something to see these girls doing so well after their racing days have finished.
  17. So Andy Warhol was right! (I am assuming having your own thread on Race Cafe qualifies). Thanks for the support, bblunt, nahla, Philocon, WIDEBOY. Good luck with your racing and punting.
  18. Very sad indeed Mervyn was a real southern man, very passionate about greyhound racing and its administration, always forthright in his views. A great loss to the family and to the sport/industry. May he rest in peace. peter Rosanowski
  19. 2009 Challenge Service Stations NZ Cup 1 Sweet About Me 2 Sensative Harry 3 Showbags 4 Sub Class 5 Winsome Bucks 6 Tricky Shelley 7 Genista Rocket 8 Alfa Dancer 9 Elie Saab 10Watmough 2009 Bill's Bar & Bistro Galaxy Sprint 1 Hifi Allegro 2 Ronray Disco 3 Les Baxter 4 Azure Osti 5 Nitro Mowie 6 Know Desire 7 Superfine 8 Know Love 9 Swift Conquest 10Singapore Willy
  20. R1 Sub Class 30.43 5.90/17.93/12.51 R2 Genista Rocket 30.29 5.82/17.74/12.56 R3 Showbags 30.28 5.92/17.86/12.41 R4 Sweet About Me 30.56 5.88/17.86/12.71 R5 Alfa Dancer 30.46 5.95/17.99/12.46 R6 Tricky Shelley 30.15 5.85/17.70/12.44 R7 Winsome Bucks 30.56 5.88/18.09/12.46 R8 Sensative Harry 30.46 5.81/17.98/12.49 Ist Res Elie Saab R2 30.39 2nd Res Watmough R5 30.46 Hifi Allegro 17.06 5.67/11.39 Nitro Mowie Ronray Disco Know Love 4 1/2 x 1 x 1 1/2 Azure Osti 17.22 5.76/11.46 Know Desire Les Baxter Superfine 1 1/2 x 2 1/2 x 2 1/4 Box draws out tomorrow (Monday).
  21. So, so sad. Mark had got the news while in Melbourne and rang through to let us know. Sharkie/Clarkie/Nigel had died. Staggering, awful news. Cup Week and other top meets will not be the same without Nigel. He was a real friend to many down this way and always welcome along with his dad Lloyd at our meetings. A cheerful, bubbly personality, so full of life. When he was at Addington recently we had a little discussion about his dogs, including their pronunciation, and I told him I was really looking forward to calling Miss Brugge Miss Broujay as the winner one day. Our sincere sympathy. Rosanowski family