curious

Maybe, or maybe they've been relocated from the general opex reductions?

The colours are nice though eh?

It's not a pretty picture.

I liked this quote from Robbie Waterhouse in a recent "The Optimist" (ironic I know) blog in general reference to the dire state of things in NSW. " “I bought a racebook at auction the other day from the 1930s, and there was virtually no horse on the card that was owned by more than one person. Today, except for a few owners like the Sheikh, every horse is owned by 20 people. I think they would be better off slashing the prizemoney and bring the price of yearlings down.” Ten years ago I thought they had a chance to turn things around here with significant structural change. Without drastic change such as the above now, I don't really see any hope and the likes of NSW will lead or follow suit.

Exactly. They are predicting this NBR and the operating savings in doing so to sustain the $25m reserves. There seems to be no explanation as to where this will come from. It would seem more likely that last year's 28m decline in NBR will continue. I think I heard Dean McKenzie say at the AGM they are already collecting 80% of the expected Racefields fees via voluntary agreements, so there's not much to come from there. If you believe the Treasury and DIA estimates and apply a bit of logic, the PoCC is likely to be negative revenue wise. Where the hell is the 40m supposed to emerge from? They could be completely insolvent by the time of the next annual report as far as I can see. Here's the SOI link for those interested. https://www.rita.org.nz/sites/default/files/documents/SOI_2019_Report_RITA_FINAL%401101.pdf

There is some reference to net betting revenue in another thread. This is from the SOI for FY19/20. Any thoughts? Looks like we are in for a much better year.

I prefer them hitting out nicely from the side. If they can wander around a bit and knock a few off balance at the same time, that's a bonus. Sometimes blinkers seem to stop them from doing that.

It is good for seeing how the blinkers are working!

I don't really like the overheads, prefer the side on which I missed a good part of the race. Likewise, wouldn't even hear the commentary if I had a runner. Too focused on how it is traveling.

Some light weekend viewing.

It's not pretty alright, considering the balance sheet is supported by this which is mostly a pipedream. Non current assets have increased from last year by $18.5 million (26.8%) due to the significant investment in property, plant and equipment (PP&E) and intangible assets ($19.7 million) relating to the strategic initiatives and other projects ($36.9 million).

It was still a great cup for mine. Not a real staying contest but still.

I have her on top at $3.50. The boys shouldn't be able to beat her and if she improves another notch ...

Only in M month for maroon or B month for blinkers

You might want to box them up for the Q and tri while you are at it.

I'd just go 50% more if it starts with "M" for Melbourne.

I think given last month was the month for the 'L's, that I'll be moving on and going for the 'M's tomorrow. MAGIC WAND (IRE); MUSTAJEER (GB); MIRAGE DANCER (GB); MASTER OF REALITY (IRE); MER DE GLACE (JPN) Pretty sure the winner will be amongst that lot. Best of luck barryb.

One of the best Melbourne Cups ever for mine. First time I've been tempted to have even a fun bet for a while. And yes, good luck all.

Yeahh have a great day mardi. Thanks for the reports and may the rain stay away for you. I've also backed the two top weights both of which I have at some value. A nibble on Rostropovich and Magic Wand for longer odds value.

Have a great trip mardi. I'm expecting ringside reports here on Raceplace.

Like the Karaka Millions here. Not really costing the industry much of it though in the case of the aforementioned, I don't really think the industry should be contributing anything to a sweepstake.

For those into stats, here are the runners I have start details of running at Moonee Valley over 2040. I haven't seen too many instances where barrier is a huge issue. Some mught say that the middle barriers are best here. But that would have to be weighted up by an assessment of the horses in those barriers. On those details, on face value, the worst barrier ratio wise is barrier 1. Of the last 14 years, I have only 4 horses to have run from barrier 14 in the Cox Plate. They rarely get a capacity field. Yes! The above is probably like teaching most here to suck eggs. I realise this is not a research and statistics site, however there are some on these racing social media sites (and in senior governance and management roles in racing) who simply do not grasp those two basic concepts. The classic primary school level example is that if you are playing roulette and the last 20 spins have been black, what is the chance of the next spin being red? I won't answer that. I know Thommo would get it wrong which is why he keeps failing his remedial maths classes. The other critical point that you make above mardi aside from the population statistic cf individual event one, is that SR is useless information as far as informing the prediction of future results is concerned. It is the SR compared to a decent estimate of predicted strike rate that might be useful. So, as you say, a comparison of the actual SR for each barrier with a reasonable assessment of the likely SR based on the chance of each runner without considering barrier draw.

Yeahh, if you like those sort of stats here's another. TAS has had 4 starts from double figure barriers for a win and 3 seconds including the G1 Epsom from barrier 15.

I realise I'm on the outer here and I hope I'm wrong but TAS has yet to indicate to me that he's up to Group 1 level in NZ let alone in Oz. I have him priced at 33/1 for Saturday. If he gets within 4 or 5 lengths of the winner I'll be pleasantly surprised. I don't think the barrier makes a difference, might be in his favour.