curious

So you might expect about 1/3 of that for a 5m galloping track?

Is 6m the estimated cost? Have a look at Turfway this morning or this week. Kickback is just one of the reported problems. You can see it and you won't need HD. Not a problem for training gallops of course. Makes me think this is a track for the breeders to prepare and sell the horses they can't sell as yearlings, not for any real benefit to racing.

So where will the trials go to?

If the poly is only 5m wide on the original rail or close too, it should mean there remains room for a grass galloping track outside that?

Another curiosity is that by my calculations it will be only 5m wide. 10,000 sq m / 2000m length. Can that be right? Fine for a training track but hardly wide enough for trials and certainly not much use for racing?

Aus racing and sale I'd say. Interesting choice. Is this not the same synthetic surface that was installed and then removed by the likes of Keeneland, Del Mar, Santa Anita, Woodbine etc? I'd love to see the due diligence report that led to the decision.

Nice contemporaneous example Mardi.

Just took another 750 gms out of the freezer for tomorrow night! Some freshly caught SI trout on the way as well. Not sure what the plan is from here on the syndicate idea SG?

24 December 2019 Racing Industry Transition Agency (RITA) Executive Chair, Dean McKenzie welcomes you to join him in 2020 for a conversation about the racing industry today, the reform underway and the performance of the TAB. 21 January @5pm - Awapuni Racing Centre, Palmerston North 22 January @6pm - Ascot Park Racecourse, Invercargill 23 January @11am - Cambridge Jockey Club 23 January @4.30pm - Pukekohe Park 24 January @ 12pm - Addington Raceway & Events Centre, Christchurch Other dates may be added. Tea, coffee and light snacks will be provided. Should you have any questions for Dean, you can email this to us in advance to rita.news@tab.co.nz.

Yes. Fair points about the land grab and IP rights but nuts on a few other things like ownership of the TAB. Taxpayers own it. I think a much better model would be for the codes/clubs to retain the IP rights and license the use of those to the TAB and/or other operators. If sports can offer those operators a better deal then the codes need to compete with that. The preference for TR in the Messara report ToR was unfortunately just more of the same that created this mess.

Watched a couple of races there. Bit of a party going on down below. Upper public stand completely empty and about a dozen in the lower portion. Sad really. Wasn't bad racing.

Hope the message went down well. Had to struggle through the leftovers for lunch today.

Gavelhouse might be an option?

First read that, I thought it said Queen's massage. Might be the prosecco!

How did the burnt lemon go?

What country are we aiming to race in?

If you post a pic with the bar code as proof, I'll see if I can pick it up for you and you can keep the original to look at for as long as you like.

Best wishes to all for a very happy holiday season. I certainly expect to nail a winner or two over the break. I'll let you know what they are in the New Year. You may find one or two more at good prices on the other site as well around that time.

Me too. Barryb and I just discussed this over whitebait the other day.

I can tell you that purchasing a subscription does not give you an ad free experience on BOAY.

This is more media bullshit. Implying that gambling causes suicidality. They are correlated not one causal of the other. Maybe suicidality leads to addictive gambling behaviour or maybe some other psychological state leads to both. This crap shouldn't be published without sensible analysis and comment.

Hi Mary. Thanks for commenting here. I note your point on the land/venue issue but your submission does say: NZTR needs to be able to ensure that, when use of a venue ceases, any proceeds from any sale of that venue may be applied in the wider interests of thoroughbred racing, following consultation with affected parties including community groups. That doesn't seem to suggest there is much leeway on this from the NZTR position and obviously your view is only one stake holder that has not substantially affected the proposed legislation.

Back to the head post. Congratulations.

"Woodbine’s handle during the test period (October 18 to December 15) for the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) rule that limits urging in Thoroughbred racing to underhand use of the crop only was not negatively impacted. In fact, average handle per race during the test period increased."

I agree about the response. Excellent whether you agree or disagree. And very prompt. Big thumbs up to Mary. Nice to think that there are some at NZTR doing a competent job.