john legend 743 Report post Posted May 7, 2019 I may be a lone voice but I believe a series of mile races at a good track such as Ashburton should have continued to develop a tradition. The mile still has its magic as does racing away from the 2 big stages of Addington /Auckland. To now reveal all races will be 1980 mtres mobiles with 8 across front is a letdown .While I grasp the great facilities at Addington I am sure any perceived inconvenience of Ashburton (one reply was that it was too cold in June there !)could have been overcome. For HRNZ to not support smaller clubs is a diservice to the wider industry. The day when the pacing cake reduces to basically a 2 track Industry with say 5 or 6 feeder clubs (of no particular significance)will be the day the "experts" realise the downward betting spiral will accelerate.. Look out Cambridge, as the harness jewels will surely become based at Alexandra Park along with Addington. The talk of a bidding process is a farce as the will of HRNZ is fixed on the "easier" roles of the 2 giant Clubs. We're Doomed 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lamour 673 Report post Posted May 7, 2019 Your not alone JL. I think there is more glamour around the mile races and 1980m is a weakening of the whole concept. Also different atmosphere at Alex & Addington. I really hope it goes back to Ashburton after Cambridge. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thejanitor 1,220 Report post Posted May 7, 2019 59 minutes ago, lamour said: Your not alone JL. I think there is more glamour around the mile races and 1980m is a weakening of the whole concept. Also different atmosphere at Alex & Addington. I really hope it goes back to Ashburton after Cambridge. I understand your point of view but I think we should give Addington a fair go before we condemn them. The Jewels was getting stale, in my humble opinion, so a change of format and venue is worth trying. If it doesn't work we can go back to the previous system. The longer journey of 1980m will give more horses a chance as draw not as important as at a mile. The biggest question mark over the day is the starter, Mr Lamb, in my humble opinion of course. Fartoomuch 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hsvman 294 Report post Posted May 7, 2019 addington should be great for change and also would like to see Auckland get it at least one year . The 1980m doesn’t really worry will still be outstanding mile rate times. Auckland 1609 is that bad also. Cambridge and Ashburton have done a good job but it has died off abit the last few years. Still think calendar year stakes qualification and 2nd or 3rd week January jewels day would attract a lot more horses and people to the day. Taku Umanga and Thejanitor 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue 1,097 Report post Posted May 7, 2019 10 hours ago, Thejanitor said: Q. The longer journey of 1980m will give more horses a chance as draw not as important as at a mile. The biggest question mark over the day is the starter, Mr Lamb, in my humble opinion of course. Shouldn't be a problem if they're all mobiles. These horse are basically the best of the best so if they are good enough to qualify, if they don't score up they get left behind. No second chances. hedley 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MalcolmH 40 Report post Posted May 7, 2019 Just an opinion but I don't think the Jewels should have been shifted. Having them in the real "Heartland" of the industry gives them a passion whereas holding them at the major tracks just makes them another industry meeting. I think the concept is good and perhaps the timing of them could be changed to cater for better crowds , weather etc however I think the real killer now is the predictability of the results same old same old. Looking at this years (unless the Aust invites are any good) the only really open race is the 4 yr old trotters and there are some very good horses in that. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fartoomuch 1,376 Report post Posted May 7, 2019 Im wondering how long NZMTC will sustain losses on the event before they kick it for touch or is it going to be one of those events where the board want prestige over profits john legend 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lamour 673 Report post Posted May 7, 2019 1 hour ago, Fartoomuch said: Im wondering how long NZMTC will sustain losses on the event before they kick it for touch or is it going to be one of those events where the board want prestige over profits If Ashburton & Cambridge can afford them I wouldn’t have thought it would be a problem for Addington. Doesn’t the stake money come from HRNZ anyway? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fartoomuch 1,376 Report post Posted May 8, 2019 3 hours ago, lamour said: If Ashburton & Cambridge can afford them I wouldn’t have thought it would be a problem for Addington. Doesn’t the stake money come from HRNZ anyway? Could they , im pretty sure that a trust was involved in funding. That wont be the case for NZMTC but i could be wrong 2Piper 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lamour 673 Report post Posted May 8, 2019 2 hours ago, Fartoomuch said: Could they , im pretty sure that a trust was involved in funding. That wont be the case for NZMTC but i could be wrong I could be wrong but i'm pretty sure the clubs don't supply the stake money, or the vast majority of it anyway Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty 575 Report post Posted May 8, 2019 Not wanting to veer off track with the subject, but... I saw an electronic billboard in Christchurch's CBD today advertising the harness jewels. This is a great marketing tool as it should increase awareness of the product and hopefully stimulate a bit more excitement and spark some interest within the general public. Well, it's got no hope as the font is so small it's ridiculous, the graphics are non-descript and the whole message is missed. It was missed by me and I'm an active industry participant (that doesn't wear glasses, so my eyesight is fine). If the message is missed on me, how the hell is the message going to be picked up by the general public, which generally speaking, most are not industry participants? I applaud officialdom marketing the event. But do it properly, make the most of the opportunity (not to mention the expense), or you may as well not do it at all. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
eljay 1,720 Report post Posted May 9, 2019 3 weeks (roughly) to go. Then if it's a success there will be a flood of "told you so" posts. If it fails, there will be a flood of "told you so" posts. Only certainty, there WILL be a flood of posts - oh well, you don't have to read/believe them! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
eljay 1,720 Report post Posted May 9, 2019 Oh sorry - TOLD YOU SO Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newmarket RC 209 Report post Posted May 9, 2019 2 hours ago, eljay said: 3 weeks (roughly) to go. Then if it's a success there will be a flood of "told you so" posts. If it fails, there will be a flood of "told you so" posts. Only certainty, there WILL be a flood of posts - oh well, you don't have to read/believe them! Its a given as you say. Any clues on which side of the fence you are on at this stage lloyd Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
eljay 1,720 Report post Posted May 9, 2019 I'm a firm believer in the adage "if it ain't broken then why fix it" and/or "if it is broken, ditch it completely" Newmarket RC and john legend 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...