Taku Umanga

Stables. show me another region in NZ o/t Central Districts who have lost their anchor club (Hutt Park) 20 years ago and survived without Industry hand outs.
These guys have  kept the sport alive in their region , rekindledi interest and are rewarded by their peers with a kick in the guts. ie closure.
To consider no racing between Christchurch and Cambridge is non sensical AND WOULD DO UNREAPAIRABLE DAMAGE TO THE SPORT OF HARNESS RACING.
My advice is to maintain the STATUS QUO for now haven given notice to ALL stakeholders that closure is on the cards IF agreed terms and conditions are not met IN THE FUTURE,
Form a CD consortium ,,allocate a set number of dates to cover the region and let them work it  where and when with the 12 month deadline. 
Let the stakeholders determine their own future.
Dont just shut the door on them. After all what is another 12 months. Not much to ask. 
Given this region is the most effected by the dates I submit that in equity they should be given an extended period to review their future.
If we want a future we must encourage growth.  not by killing an established sport in a large educational city, or solid kids cart base .
Give them 12 months and review the position.
The new motorway from Wellington to open next year will slash the transit time providing  NEW MARKET opportunities. eg .Creating a one hour drive from the affluent Kapiti Coast for the affluent
and (or bored ) retirees on the Kapiti Coast.  Bus trips on Tuesday afternoons. could be a regular feature. ? Endless unexplored. potental.t
At least let the Consortium explore these opportunities before you can it.
PS  Stables. Find fault with this approach.
Ivan W. McNicholl
 
 
 
 

Stables. can you tell me what RITA did to reduce costs before Covid19?
While I’m asking questions could you tell me what will happen if ATC lose their Court case and their Track? How many race days can Cambridge run?
Mikie

The poor wee Auckland petals are rather sad. No concept of what heartland, community based racing is all about. And sadly, geography is not their forte.

I wonder why Nelson got dates instead of Marlborough?
Their major sponsor is who?
And who is employed by that major sponsor?
Come in Barbie
Mikie

Cartman42 - you miss my point.   Which is no revenue.    Certainly not sufficient.    What is "negativity?"    Surely "reality" is not negativity?    

Fair call - I choose not to until I see what the the new season brings

Ok - I'll use that reasoning when the farrier, transporter, vet and feed merchant bills come in.... should work right?

I must say that Rangiora does have the best dual grass/all weather course combo in Canterbury. It also gets the race day crowds like most of the country meets .

On Trackside last night twice I saw people posing with winning horses at Alexandra Park. They didn't appear to be trainers or stablehands. It was not a good look with current protocols in place to keep our industry going through these tough times.

All of this is nothing compared to what is going on over here.
 
Rene Allard who finished 3rd in money won behind Ron Burke became the 29th person indicted and arrested.  Read what they did to the horses from intercepted text messages.
 
https://harnessracingupdate.com/pdf/generic/2020-03-13-Allard.pdf
 
Cohen: What’s going on with the Allard death camp?
Grasso: (Laughter) well I didn’t get anymore emergency calls yesterday so I am assuming…
Cohen: Assuming the number stopped at 7?
Grasso: Well yeah
Cohen” How many died?
Grasso: Three
Cohen. Jeez. What were you thinking?
Grasso: Three or two maybe.
The pair continue to discuss the situation before wrapping up:
Grasso: …One of them just died on the table they just cut him open and poof it died.
Cohen: Holy f–k did they do an autopsy?
Grasso: Their heart rate was like triple they were breathing real heavy their membranes were going f-ing purple.
 
Anyone who does this shit to a horse needs to be stuck in a jail cell for many, many years

Andre nailed it - you soon get tired of drawing poorly over a mile with the average horse and getting nowhere as a result  - ATC made it clear a while back that they really only want to cater for the “good” horses .... how’s that working out for them?

Andre nailed it - you soon get tired of drawing poorly over a mile with the average horse and getting nowhere as a result  - ATC made it clear a while back that they really only want to cater for the “good” horses .... how’s that working out for them?

In my experience, they don't often get many extra noms by extending the time.
That's because they're not pro-actively chasing them by ringing trainers - they just seem to sit back and hope!

.... that team driving backfired on them!

.... that team driving backfired on them!

.... that team driving backfired on them!

.... that team driving backfired on them!

Gruff
No argument from me. In order for a Forum to survive it needs opinions, it needs facts, it needs stories, it needs posters that agree and disagree with each other, it needs all of these
What it doesn't need is a tasteless comment added after congratulating Tim on a winning drive
Nina is right, it is akin to online bullying given the target is young and probably impressionable
For 'JJ' to say Nina has taken his comment out of context is pathetic and childish. The comment stands alone, it can't be taken out of context
My opinion, once I view the race that the thread originated upon, may well be that the drive on Luella was poor. If I think it was then I might offer my opinion as to that. 
"JJ" too is allowed his opinion. He can even have an opinion that a Driver might not possess the ability to be a top Driver. He is certainly allowed to state that too
The drive isn't the problem. His opinion isn't the problem. It is the vile jab the was added that is the crux of the matter
Mikie

I have seen first hand what online bullying can do....suicide is real! It does happen. And I am not going to sit by and not look out for my boy! People need to think before they post...some of the things said online bloody hurt...

John Dunn not Greg Hope assisted Ben on this matter. Greg flipping out as you call it was directed at one particular stipe on a totally different matter. Dont believe everything you read and don’t assume you know all the facts.

Nothing nasty in that post and nothing to do with social media.
It's in the public domain for all to see.
https://www.bsa.govt.nz/decisions/all-decisions/chilcott-and-television-new-zealand-ltd-2013-056/?fbclid=IwAR0aVkBAhHqKN7yMheiqaNrsImrOE8jD8GPeA9RyQv5CWLSXs3ueMlnYHNE
 

I'm told that a former employee will be getting the blame for the "mistake" this time.  
Isn't this her 3rd (maybe more) positive swab?
Plus a criminal conviction (oh sorry - another mistake):
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10852253
What a great Team Teal Ambassador!

Nothing nasty in that post and nothing to do with social media.
It's in the public domain for all to see.
https://www.bsa.govt.nz/decisions/all-decisions/chilcott-and-television-new-zealand-ltd-2013-056/?fbclid=IwAR0aVkBAhHqKN7yMheiqaNrsImrOE8jD8GPeA9RyQv5CWLSXs3ueMlnYHNE
 

Forget Tuesday - where are the horses and owners going to come from to battle Auckland traffic during the week for lesser stakes - they don't come now for the big dollars?
They should be racing there every Sunday during the day.

http://www.jca.org.nz/non-race-day-hearings/non-raceday-inquiry-riu-v-s-a-dolan-reserved-decision-dated-15-january-2020-chair-mr-r-g-mckenzie