Taku Umanga

Tim Hall - another good young horseman who had a great night - two starters for a win and place.

Excellent

If you go for cheap you end up with a result  like ATC.   It’s about how much value a person brings to the roll.  If you pay them $1mil & they increase revenue by 10 mil, well that’s a good investment.    I have no idea if he would be interested or if his skills would be applicable to  our  industry.  Just making the point our leaders need to think outside the square on how to create the growth needed so the industry can look forward to a bright future.

You've gotta have the right surname in this game.

You've gotta have the right surname in this game.

If you ask the handicapper he will say that it was the club's decision - if you ask the club they will say the handicapper has the final say ...... it all depends what your name is!

Unrealistic reserves are the killer (Tardina Stud had the right idea) and the same reason claiming races will never thrive here - people have unrealistic ideas about what their horses are worth.  

Unrealistic reserves are the killer (Tardina Stud had the right idea) and the same reason claiming races will never thrive here - people have unrealistic ideas about what their horses are worth.  

Unrealistic reserves are the killer (Tardina Stud had the right idea) and the same reason claiming races will never thrive here - people have unrealistic ideas about what their horses are worth.  

Unrealistic reserves are the killer (Tardina Stud had the right idea) and the same reason claiming races will never thrive here - people have unrealistic ideas about what their horses are worth.  

Unrealistic reserves are the killer (Tardina Stud had the right idea) and the same reason claiming races will never thrive here - people have unrealistic ideas about what their horses are worth.  

I am not having a go here, but is there something wrong with my TV or has someone just got a bit carried away with the fake tan? 

My brother works as an engineer on a  trawler in Iceland, should he be considered a ' frozen seaman"??

He's in his mid 60s Lloyd so id say probably. Not a lot of speed but pretty sure hes ok right handed.

Race day time Sunday - especially during the Winter.
I bet they'd still get the attendance for functions on a Friday night without the races .... on a Sunday they'd get racegoers and families.

Build residential apartments on the side of the track so people have no choice but to watch  

Race day time Sunday - especially during the Winter.
I bet they'd still get the attendance for functions on a Friday night without the races .... on a Sunday they'd get racegoers and families.

I’m back!!, what’s been happening

Only 56 starters on Friday night - hard to comprehend how ATC can continue to function with that level of participation.  
Some further thinking may need to be done outside the square ..... why not hold day time meetings every Sunday this time of year?
Twas quite pleasant at Cambridge yesterday.

Only 56 starters on Friday night - hard to comprehend how ATC can continue to function with that level of participation.  
Some further thinking may need to be done outside the square ..... why not hold day time meetings every Sunday this time of year?
Twas quite pleasant at Cambridge yesterday.

PLUS - the Monte races have their own handicapping system meaning they are penalty free - a rating 40 trotter could win could win say 3 Monte races (nearly $10k) and still be rated a R40 trotter!  Why isn't this special treatment given to horses that compete in Junior Driver (only 1 penalty free win) or Amateur (no penalty free wins) races?

Amateurs - no contest

PLUS - the Monte races have their own handicapping system meaning they are penalty free - a rating 40 trotter could win could win say 3 Monte races (nearly $10k) and still be rated a R40 trotter!  Why isn't this special treatment given to horses that compete in Junior Driver (only 1 penalty free win) or Amateur (no penalty free wins) races?

I feel the new HRNZ website has also added frustration when wanting a quick look at race results.  I hate having to expand races and scroll through page after page on my phone. At least with the small fields at Auckland I won't get a wrist strain.

The ATC  chose the higher risk/higher return alternative did they not.
Don't current realities indicate they got it badly wrong. They won't be judged on good intentions.
Putting that to one side. 
Why is it those running the ATC think increasing stakes would result in increased numbers?   
For years they have been saying the same thing, and for years that has not happened,so why all of a sudden would a failed strategy work?.
The ATC aims to cater for the higher quality horse.  So they would rather programme 8 races and have 6 or 7 in them, rather than programme 10 races with many having full fields.    Its all about the quality.
Do  they  not realize how dumb that sounds, but that is how they think.    
As I've asked before,does a full field rating 40-to 45 with a good but lesser stake return the club more or less $  from betting than a 6 horse high quality field,normally dominated by a favorite?  And what about the fuller fields contributing to more connections turning up to the races, and the long term positive effect success,at whatever level,will have on future participation.
I actually think the atc has contributed to decreased participation with their high quality approach,and once those participants with horses lower in the ratings give up,,You won.t get them or their horses back.,and they don't get replacement horses...