curious

Here is the report in case you are wondering why your horses might be breaking down on the Riccarton poly. POLY TRACK INVESTIGATION NZ.docx

A renowned racing historian too. Both codes. I came across this piece recently on the Purdon Racing site which I thought was a great read. https://purdonracing.co.nz/memory-lane/

Until very recently he was still doing picks on the TAB site for most NZ meetings.

Racing editor of The Press for decades and a major contributor to the Friday Flash. That, back in the day when racing journalists were independent, asked the hard questions and offered honest opinions even if unpopular. I've probably read more of his commentary on NZ racing than any other writer.

Should be charged with bringing racing into disrepute.

Yes. I tried to correct him on that there but he didn't seem to take it onboard.

Had a yarn to him about this at the Entain roadshow today. That was after I'd been and had a good look at the poly including digging down to the tarmac in a couple of places. It needs an independent audit but the top is shallow especially in places. It is compacted just below the top 50mms or so and probably less than 100mms to the asphalt. I think he has a case for it to be more closely looked at. There are also stories of the Awapuni one being too shallow compared with other polys internationally. I'll say that I may be biased in both directions on this having won 3 races there since it was installed but also possibly losing a horse to injury from it.

It might be moot, but your "hell freezes over" comment might have prompted the responses.

Agree. It's awesome and unique.

Yes. That's absolutely fine. Totally respect that some love them.

Not something I personally have any interest in and I hate that they clutter up other discussion sites.

Fair enough. I thought that kind of thing was entertaining. Especially observing peoples' reactions. Status Quo comes to mind. I suppose if you can't stand the heat you can always get out of the kitchen.

I don't know that it won't change. I'd prefer that it didn't though. Adds some spark to discussions.

I'd be confident he won't if he reads this.

I certainly don't always agree with him. Racechat was a long time ago. Get over it.

Not sure why you would exclude either. I've done close to six figures worth of business with Colin in the last year, said gidday at the road show last week, and had a chat at the jump-outs a couple of weeks ago. He has significant skin in the game, a heap of experience, punts seriously, in mega bucks compared to my standards, and is not afraid to say what he thinks. I'd think he would be good value on here if he wanted to post here. Top bloke as is Leo.

You mean the ex-mayoral candidate?

Track looked good. Hard to say about the horses. Don't know what they were but generally seemed well educated and behaved.

The later ones were 1000m

Be good if we aimed to be breeding more of those. It's what the international market wants or will want.

Grab a quick dollar if you've got an early one. Give it a race experience, a breather and come back for those later races if good enough?

It's interesting to note that the NZTR SOI has no strategy or comment on improving integrity or the perception of it which ain't great in NZ racing imo.

To me it looks even glummer now, if I were contemplating breeding.

Yes. Additional revenue from the media rights goes directly to the club doesn't it, not to Entain?