It works for HK. Why wouldn’t it work here? Ever since FOB came in, the stakes went down, the payout to clubs dropped and the cost of running the business skyrocketed. Entain have reversed the cycle, but for how long?

Jayne’s working for Racing.com  at the moment, so I can’t see any reason that she couldn’t do key stints close to home, especially with the grandparents eager to babysit which the vast majority are. 

I hope so, but I think that it’s more to do with her partner taking a job as Racing Manager at RACE ( best news this year as far as I am concerned) plus mum (Jayne)!and the kids will be close to their grandparents. 

Wasn’t he (Clyde Conway) a master?

Slam Dunk, you must be pretty old to remember him. 

1 hour ago, Hesi said:

I don't think you can say Orchestral was not the best horse.  She was slowly but surely heading Pendragon and Ethereal Star, but then 125m out, just found another gear and went bang, in a way not often seen on a racecourse, to win easing down.  Phenomenal.

True

On 1/25/2024 at 12:23 PM, Hesi said:

I recall they stuffed the Levin (Bayer) Classic when they put up 2 mil for the 2000 Guineas, then the KM 3-year-old race took virtually all the topliners away.  So now it has become a race for the 2nd and 3rd stringers, with the occasional appearance of a top horse.  Great if you have a second or third stringer, but defeats the purpose of G1 racing

Sad but true. 
However unless that “shifty, slippery” track at Ellerslie improves the best horse will always win the Levin Classic unlike last night. 

Just saying!
 

Sure it wasn’t 3/5 Pete?

12 hours ago, pete said:

Avondale meeting transferred to Tauranga on Feb 29.

MEETING NEWS

Northern Licence and Venue Changes – February

 

There are two licence/venue changes for February 2024 due to the unavailability of tracks at both Te Aroha and Avondale.

Wednesday 14 February will now be a Taupo meeting (remains twilight). The Te Aroha track is currently experiencing patches of disease in the immature grass, which has caused consistency issues.

The Thursday 29 February meeting originally scheduled for Avondale will now take place at Tauranga. Avondale remains unavailable due both to the impact of the recent fire and the need to complete return to racing protocols with respect to the track itself.

Programmes remain the same, although there will be minor distance changes required in a few instances.

Big problems in the North and getting bigger by the day based on last night meeting and the Stipes Report. 

5 hours ago, Tonkatime said:

Thanks Hesi, interesting to see the TABs plans to purchase a few horses and syndicate them among customers. Not entirely sure how it’s all going to work. 

Not sure they know either based on the interview that I just saw with the Entain Boss. 
Pikey got the first one I see. 
I’ll have to ask him for an explanation. 
 

3 hours ago, mardigras said:

BGP managed to deliver around $600k of gross betting revenue from $1.9m t/o. That would be higher than the 'norm'.

More fools them!

Let's just say that there is a massive problem with the track the way that it is.

Until it settles down, it will be a watch and wait for me, except I/we still have to pick in the Race Cafe Fab 4 competition.

Our results yesterday were right out of quilter with our norm, so let;s just wait and see. LOL

1 hour ago, Hesi said:

A few points other than the wall-to-wall hyperbole from Trackside presenters

1.  3 classy horses, Crocetti, Velocious and Orchestral, shows we can still produce top class horses

2.  As mentioned Vinny Colgan caught Ryan Elliot napping, a tactically superb ride on Desert Lightning, who was just below the top draw of 3-year-olds, but has blossomed this season as a 4-year-old.

3.  Did the new Ellerslie track live up to expectations, did it ever.  Desert Lightning ran 1.32.53! and Orchestral 1.33.31, and that was after showers had fallen

4.  Best race day ever in NZ, I don't think so.  6 races only, no G1's and 12,000 on course.  Many country meetings over the holidays get more than that.  How many on this site would go along, I would suggest, countable on the fingers of one hand.  A great promo day for NZB, yes of course

5.  Big ups to Albert Bosma of Go Racing for his comments after the win by Velocious.  Basically, we were focusing on middle distance racing in Aus, but then commented how great it was that Entain came along with all this money, so we switched out priority to support racing in NZ.  Shame a few of the other self-serving players don't follow his lead.

6.  And following on from 5, guess what, no TA winners.  Barry, bless his soul, would be smiling

Pretty well summed up … but from what I have heard they were luck to finish the meeting as the track became slippery. 

The three horses that you have mentioned are superstars. 

Too much of a leaders bias for me. I’ll have to learn how to bet there. 

The Captain Cook was a genuine Group One after all 😊
 

Because of “sharing” the winning purse you don’t necessarily get the best horses   A different route can give you more $ and prestige.
For example look at Imperatriz dodging The Everest!

5 hours ago, curious said:

Except the inside was cutting out before the rain.

Not what the winning jockey after the first when he won on the rail.

Admittedly the rail up the shute was definitely off as seen during race 2 and others.

1 hour ago, Maximus said:

Secretariat....aaahhhh!

Just the thought of him brings joy to Maxi's world.

MM

Believe it or not Secretariat had his first start over the long weekend of Thanksgiving at Aqueduct NY in 1971.
Anyway I went to the Saturday meet and I think Secretariat started on the Monday or vice versa!

All was not completely lost as 8 to 10 years later I was able to visit Mill Reef and Brigadier Gerard in Newmarket and only 6 years ago we went and saw Frankel at Banstead Manor Newmarket!

I guess that I’ve been blessed in a few things horse wise!
 

I wouldn’t in a filly but a colt possibly if I had the money. 
 

However having said that in the 300k to 700k market in Australia (MM and Inglis) I think that the fillies overall offer a better risk verse’s investment. 

Disclosure: I’ve just invested (5%) in a MM Filly (with Australian Bloodstock) to be trained by Gerard Ryan at a fraction of that money and the dam won 8 races and $500k in the USA. 
Wish me luck 😂
 

1 hour ago, curious said:

What do you disagree with?

Setting a stupidly slow pace, like I said. 
A 36.10 opening 600m is incredibly slow for the class of horse involved. No wonder those in behind were bouncing around, all over the place. 
 

3 hours ago, curious said:

I think that pretty much confirms it was slow from the get go. First 600 36.10, last 600 32.41. So, so no reason to consider applying 638(4)(5). The leaders are entitled to set whatever pace they want and it was the intractable racing manners of those behind and perhaps the inaction of jockeys that created the debacle.

Disagree. Setting a stupidly slow pace will always cause problems. It's a race after all, not a parade.

11 hours ago, Hesi said:

I note also, that the 4 year old Karaka 1 mil race, that is neither a group or listed race, impacting on the G1 Thorndon, with all the top 3 year olds that are now 4, opting for the race, with today's race as a lead up for several of them

Yes it's a major problem. It could easily be solved with a shift of the Karaka Sales one week into February, two would be even better and incorporate the NZ Derby.. 

For what it's worth I thought that between Russel Warwick, then on the ARC, myself [representing the WRC] and Vella we had it done about 16/17 years ago, but as always Vella reneged.

It's all about him, his company and no one else, pure and simple.

22 hours ago, Hesi said:

You're associated with the WRC.  What is your view on this 350K Remutaka Classic for R65/75, having a higher stake than the Wellington Cup on the same day

It's a bit hard for me to be objective because with luck a horse that I have a 15% share in, will be in the field and hopefully it rains, so as to give him a winning chance!

Having said that it seems a bit off putting to 'say the least' regarding the stake being more than the Wellington Cup but the Karaka Million is worth more than the Derby and Auckland Cup etc.

Furthermore, for me to say that I want rain on Wellington Cup Day is sacrilegious to say the least! 

If Entain see this as a way to grow the business, who am I to question it.

NZ racing is on a roll. You only have to look at Te Akau's spend on the Gold Coast. All of those horses will be educated here in NZ and 90% will race here until it is proven that they are good enough to cross the Tasman.

Three years ago all of this would have been a pipe dream.

Disclosure; I am not officially involved with the WRC in any capacity these days. I haven't been for 15 years plus, however having done the hard yards I am still a massive supporter.

PWJ's comments are so succinct, say no more.

5 hours ago, Blind Squirrel said:

Just to clarify for everyone, Ellerslie's ban on BYO was primarily due to the NZ Police and their requests for no BYO rather than the Club making a unilateral decision. If your entire Liquor license is placed in question then best to comply I would suggest.

Yes the "Fun" Police treated Trentham exactly the same way.

Destroyed what was once great, especially the after function parties in the members car park.

The tougher drink drive rules didn't help either.

Just saying.

Don’t worry guys, it happens in Australia too. I am just watching R6 with Pogacar obviously named after the Tour de France winner Tadej Pogacar.

They pronounced it POGA CAR

Obviously they don’t follow cycling. 

I think that it says…..If a racing club ceases to race then the assets go to the racing industry NOT the members. 

1 hour ago, Hesi said:

Good post thanks, good point you make about the relative training costs

Some huge stake money by NZ standards over the next 3 months.  Your 3 Trentham meetings have 4.2 mil, Karaka night 4.45, Ellerslie 4.2 over the 2 days and Herbie Dyke day 1.8 mil.

Entain know the figures, but you do have to wonder as to what degree the books balance

Hesi, It beggars belief but I say take it while you can. How Entain can balance the books as compared to the previous management of the TAB [even though they were ember-seals] still has me worried. Having said that they certainly know more about wagering to make it pay, than I ever will, except I know that you need turnover and that's not what NZ is known for.

But looking on the positive I can see the next round of NZ Sales being very strong especially after what I think the MM will do.

On another subject if there is anyone out there interested in small share in an Ardrossan [look at his stats] two year old filly, very athletic, now in training here in NZ let me know. She has a quality pedigree and is only $1000.00 for 5% or $2000.00 for 10% all expenses to date paid for. Monthly fees for 5% are about $175.00 maximum or $350.00 for 10%.  [Simply private message me.]