Kevin Payne Replaced

[Ricky Smit 3]

Terrible call getting rid of kevin.

this school boy isnt ready for this yet, at best let him stick to calling the dogs at least he doesnt put on his voice as much as he is flat out calling the race

[Mardy 475]

Kind of amazing that Davey Mac wasn't given the nod to do Forbury,considering he's already based down that part of the world...but i guess the powers that be know what they are doing.

[Kenny Moore 0]

...but i guess the powers that be know what they are doing.

Good god I wouldn't go that far Mardy!! This is just one of many decisions that is leading to the dumbing down of our industry. Get rid of all the experienced people and replace them with cheap kids. Training is vital for the future but should be done behind the scenes not on the frontline. Some days trackside can look and sound VERY amateurish nowadays.

[smoken up 0]

step into the future.

Your deadset on drugs if you think Kevin Payne is the best caller in the country ? How can one commentator work harder than another ? Do they run up the stairs to the comm box rather than walk ? If thats the case he should spend less time running, more time talking and reading because his tipping is woeful. Im not sure of this WORK you refer to. But tipping and behind the scenes work hes not a plesant voice to listen to like George, Tony Lee, McNamara. Tom Wood has been given the chance so we'll see what happens from here.

Next to go needs to be Mike O'Sullivan

Kev Works harder than the others you mention, because he does all 3 codes!!!

And his tipping is actually better than most. Particularly with the Harness and the Dogs.

I can't believe that Mike O'Sullivan will keep his commentating role and Kev gets the boot. And is replaced by some guy who can't see where in the field a horse is!!!

[Inky Lord 0]

Good god I wouldn't go that far Mardy!! This is just one of many decisions that is leading to the dumbing down of our industry. Get rid of all the experienced people and replace them with cheap kids. Training is vital for the future but should be done behind the scenes not on the frontline. Some days trackside can look and sound VERY amateurish nowadays.

It definitely looks like a cost cutting exercise. The experienced guys would be costing them far more than the newbies.

Someone has to make the hard calls, but there are ways of doing it.....not the way KP has been shafted.....a slap in the face for years of professional and dedicated service.

[halfmanhalfbiscuit 0]

Let me first point out that I don't mind Tom Wood as a caller. His improvement under the guidance of Darren Tyquin then Mark McNamara has been obvious and impressive.

He is the future of calling in this country, I can appreciate that.

But one thing I have found about southerners is for the most part they do not like change and they are very loyal ala when Justin Le Lievre got the arse recently.

How this will sit with them is the matter of impotance. And most importantly how it will sit with Payne's long-time partner in crime Dave McDonald is a big issue.

Payne is only 46, has a great rapport with the people of both codes in Otago and Southland, and while he is not a faultless caller, I have no major problems with him at Forbury or Mosgiel.

What concerns me is that Luke Walding has enough power and support in his position to axe Ian Chambers, Alby Gain and now Kevin Payne within the space of 12 months.

So what is the plan now? To have McNamara, Lee, Simon and Wood call every horse meeting in the country?

I was a big fan of Chambers and Gain... both gentleman very identifiable with their listeners.

Both had enough humility and sense to retire or 'jump as they were being pushed'.

Make no bones Alby was happy at Alexandra Park, but after "retiring" (being sacked) from Avondale gallops, he knew what was coming next.

Luckily he is being allowed to make a graceful exit.

Payne on the other hand, did not see it coming and is rightfully pissed.

So, who is next?

For a two-bit journo, you sure have strong opinions on here yet your stories in mainstream media are all fluff and roses.

What investigative work have you done to back this piece? Why not interview Walding, Gain and Payne, rather than just interviewing your own keyboard?

[Bradez 5]

haha half man is about right.

[G Unit 1]

It is definitely in the pipeline. Watch this space is all I would say.

I have to be wary of what is relevant, geographically, to my region.

[halfmanhalfbiscuit 0]

It is definitely in the pipeline. Watch this space is all I would say.

I have to be wary of what is relevant, geographically, to my region.

I'm sure the guy at the next desk in the office can give you his spin on things being a loyal contractor to Trackside.

I won't hold my breath on the story hitting the news stands, because you aren't in receipt of the facts, given what you have revealed so far.

[smitt 12]

IMO Thomas Wood is the worst caller of gallops or trots we have by a country mile.

When he is calling mute button goes on EVERYTIME.

Don't make excuses for him, watch and listen for mistake after mistake.

If he is the "golden boy" Trackside have major problems.

[G Unit 1]

I think you will see this story through a different avenue, biscuit.

[halfmanhalfbiscuit 0]

I think you will see this story through a different avenue, biscuit.

Of course we will, the avenue will be in your dreams.

[23Tank 33]

I am no cheerleader for Kevin Payne or Davey Mac but they are decent, honest people who have a passion for racing in the deep south and they suit the area they represent.

No one is perfect and we have all been frustrated by callers from all over the country at times. Kevin might get a bit tounge tied at times BUT he gets excited about Forbury harness when the fields are aweful and it's zero degrees on a June evening which is not an easy thing to get excited about.

He and Alby Gain were probably softer targets than the likes of George Simon and Mike O'Sullivan who are the people that should have gone first. And as for people who tip 6 plus horses in a race, Justin LeLievre is the worst offender here and his habit of calling everyone in Canterbury from the dung collector to Mark Purdon drives me insane. I wouldn't have got out of bed to support retaining him a year or so back.

Tom Wood will do a good job but he is simply a Mark Macnamara clone so most races from the South Island will now sound the same.

I wonder what the boxing day line up of commentators will look like now. Will Wood do Westport and Davey Mac Wingatui?

And what about a decent farewell for Kevin that is supported by Head Office? It makes me sick in the stomach to think his last hurrah will be a Tuesday Forbury parade for the dog tucker factory purchasing department.

Racing in this country is in more trouble than I thought

[23Tank 33]

He and Alby Gain were probably softer targets than the likes of George Simon and Mike O'Sullivan who are the people that should have gone first. And as for people who tip 6 plus horses in a race, Justin LeLievre is the worst offender here and his habit of calling everyone in Canterbury from the dung collector to Mark Purdon (an outstanding horseman)drives me insane.

[smoken up 0]

I am no cheerleader for Kevin Payne or Davey Mac but they are decent, honest people who have a passion for racing in the deep south and they suit the area they represent.

No one is perfect and we have all been frustrated by callers from all over the country at times. Kevin might get a bit tounge tied at times BUT he gets excited about Forbury harness when the fields are aweful and it's zero degrees on a June evening which is not an easy thing to get excited about.

He and Alby Gain were probably softer targets than the likes of George Simon and Mike O'Sullivan who are the people that should have gone first. And as for people who tip 6 plus horses in a race, Justin LeLievre is the worst offender here and his habit of calling everyone in Canterbury from the dung collector to Mark Purdon drives me insane. I wouldn't have got out of bed to support retaining him a year or so back.

Tom Wood will do a good job but he is simply a Mark Macnamara clone so most races from the South Island will now sound the same.

I wonder what the boxing day line up of commentators will look like now. Will Wood do Westport and Davey Mac Wingatui?

And what about a decent farewell for Kevin that is supported by Head Office? It makes me sick in the stomach to think his last hurrah will be a Tuesday Forbury parade for the dog tucker factory purchasing department.

Racing in this country is in more trouble than I thought

Well Said!

Maybe if things get desperate, we might get the $900,000 man Andrew Brown call a few races!

[Mardy 475]

Good god I wouldn't go that far Mardy!! This is just one of many decisions that is leading to the dumbing down of our industry. Get rid of all the experienced people and replace them with cheap kids. Training is vital for the future but should be done behind the scenes not on the frontline. Some days trackside can look and sound VERY amateurish nowadays.

Kenny,not for one minute was i implying that they made the right decision,hence the emoticon i put up..rolling the eyes.As you said,its a stupid decision to give the boot too our experienced callers,and unleash some younger callers on us who are still 'cutting their teeth'.

[nzjo 0]

not worth worrying about then!!!

haha

you give JAFA's a bad name and that takes some doing!

don't bother to reply as I've given up on this forum a long time ago.

[GreenT 0]

I

Racing in this country is in more trouble than I thought

I have to agree.

The Harness link article below exposes some shoddy practices by the RIB when ironically on 21st June everyone sat around the table with Racing Minister John Carter and agreed Integrity and Communication were the way forward for Racing.

Were the some of the Racing Industry staff present having a wee doze off during this meeting or do they consider themselves to be so high up on the food chain they are above all this Integrity and Communication nonsense?

Here is some good communication and Integrity from the RIB.

http://www.harnesslink.com/www/Article.cgi?ID=82073

Payne was told the news by the New Zealand Racing Board's head of broadcasting, Glen Broomhall two Mondays ago (July 5). He is yet to receive anything in writing.

Payne has given just under two decades to the three racing codes in the Deep South. He shifted from Auckland to Dunedin where he worked for Radio Pacific. He was also a presenter for initially Action TV before it evolved into Trackside TV. He also did radio work.

"When I made the move south in 1990 it wasn't just a career change, it was a lifestyle change. I left family behind and had to make a whole new start. Now 20 years later they said my axing was simply a financial decision. It stinks and what I did all those years ago right up until now counts for nothing," he said.

"They told me it was purely a financial decision and obviously my experience counts for nothing. I remember once at a casino function one night Luke Walding of the RIB told Dave McDonald, Ian Chambers and myself that he could fire and replace us at the drop of a hat. Well now that Ian and I have gone, you have to wonder if poor old Davey Mac will be next," Payne said.

Payne said his contract ran from August 1 to July 31 each year. Sometimes he said he had started the new season and a contract had still to be put in front of him in September.

"They have shown no loyalty whatsoever and it all comes down to economics for them, which is sad. They would rather go for young blood over experience. It's as simple as that."

Improvement of integrity services needed

Racing Minister John Carter

http://www.harnesslink.com/www/Article.cgi?ID=81597

[G Unit 1]

I remember once at a casino function one night Luke Walding of the RIB told Dave McDonald, Ian Chambers and myself that he could fire and replace us at the drop of a hat. Well now that Ian and I have gone, you have to wonder if poor old Davey Mac will be next," Payne said.

What were you saying about facts, biscuit?

[Jamie Hand 0]

he can operate a TAB agency.........

sorry no he can't. Oopps.

[halfmanhalfbiscuit 0]

What were you saying about facts, biscuit?

Please learn to read would you.

[G Unit 1]

because you aren't in receipt of the facts, given what you have revealed so far.

So, biscuit, enlighten us as to what I have 'received' that is not factual, please.

[halfmanhalfbiscuit 0]

So, biscuit, enlighten us as to what I have 'received' that is not factual, please.

So are you claiming you've interviewed Walding, Payne and Gain now about this?

[G Unit 1]

Biscuit, please state which of my 'notings' you dispute.

If you can't, or refuse, then toddle off.

Don't you worry about who I have talked too - rest assured it is the right people, like always.

[halfmanhalfbiscuit 0]

Biscuit, please state which of my 'notings' you dispute.

If you can't, or refuse, then toddle off.

Don't you worry about who I have talked too - rest assured it is the right people, like always.

You haven't interviewed all of the aforementioned people involved. That is 100% fact. Care to deny it? If you can't or refuse to, will you waddle off now? You may think you are talking with the right people but your allegations are purely second-hand hearsay. This is not the currency credible journalists deal in.