And as the crowds reduce I'm sure the prices increase to cover costs as they sell less......but l bet you a dollar that if crowd sizes suddenly increased again on a regular basis, prices wouldn't decrease. But you're right Stodge, if the ancillary costs - course entry, food, drink - is so expensive to the extent one can hardly afford a bet, what is the point of the day out at the races? It's no wonder some/many/most choose to eat, drink and bet at home.  I went on course to the Auckland Trotting Cup on New Year's Eve, first time I'd been to Alexandra Park for years. Wasn't a bad crowd, although most were full-time ensconced inside and I've always preferred being outside. Very few others ventured out most of the afternoon, but there were nowhere near enough seating options for those who chose to be out in the fresh air. They didn't have designated mobility car parks, but despite the owners carpark out front was virtually deserted we weren't allowed to park in there. I did pretty well financially, but the atmosphere was virtually nil and after viewing the food prices we decided to get something on the way home instead. Some pretty good options in the cafe though, although certain grub was only available on certain days of the week [according to the signage], and New Year's Eve wasn't one of them days. I didn't bother asking what was and what was not on the menu. The worst thing was the whole deal was over about 5 o'clock or 6 o'clock, can't quite remember, so the "ribbon of light" was never lit up. I guess their research told them more people would come if they got out by 6pm to go party somewhere else? Dunno. But the fields are that poor most other weeks under lights that the daytime Cup was probably still the best idea. I was a regular at Ellerslie too in earlier years, and i want to do "one more Ellerslie" before i become too immobile to get out to such events. I'd like it to be a big meetings, but they look more like teenage piss-ups to me now and I'd probably get bowled over by some drunken fool trying to be a hero. My first choice would be the Great Northern Steeplechase, but they'd have to climb 3 times over houses now that the legendary hill has gone. I'll pick a day somewhere. It won't be a day with a $60 gate charge. 

Dont argue with women as they all have the last dig. Betcha!

Can anyone confirm a horse transported from the North Island to North Canterbury has shingles.The article I read never mentioned wether it was a thoroughbred,harness or a hack.

Racecourse catering prices have been a big issue in the UK. Charging NZ$15 for a pint of Guinness at the Cheltenham Festival was considered beyond the pale but wherever you go food and drink is expensive and you can’t bring your own alcohol into a UK racecourse. Yes, children under 18 when accompanied get in for free but if you have to pay say NZ$100 for food and drink for two adults and two children it soon takes the shine of the “race day experience”. Racecourses make a lot from alcohol and catering and are resistant to cut prices despite intense pressure.

Matamata R3 Tomorrow Ladylou looks tidy over more real estate, looks to be better with a firmer surface but good enough to overcome a tricky track...26/7.5 dont have to put much on

This sort of thing might drive a few more back to the track:  

Just following on with an observation or two. It’s clear a lot of horses are running over far too short a trip. You see them struggling to keep up when the pace quickens and then run home strongly. I know inexperienced horses take time to react and I also know a lot of horses are just plain slow but I do wonder where are the maidens from 2400m to 3200m? In the UK there only used to be one option for slow flat horses and that was to put them over hurdles. With the coming of synthetic surfaces and all year round racing, there are now maidens and maiden handicaps and low grade handicaps aplenty for the staying horses from 2400m upwards. I don’t see much evidence of the real staying horses getting many opportunities - 2200m is at best “middle distance” - it’s not staying.

Shes ok but like many are restricted by riding instructions .... not sure what Rooke was told pre race at Tauranga on Amazonia but it made it easy at 10s at Puke with Stott on....on that note an equally average ride on Alaskan proved this Horse looks a force moving towards 3yo fillies Staying races...26s in the oaks looks nice value

Comes at the end of March I believe.

Update on Implementation Utilisation Reference Group Report 21 January 2025 , News HRNZ has decided on the 26 May as the implementation date for new regulations on Handicapping, Programming and Ratings. This revised date was selected for two reasons.  Firstly, to release everything at once.  Secondly, to cause minimal disruption to planned race series in the autumn (for which conditions have been set), and to avoid significant races from now until then. The regulations will be in three parts: a.    Part A - The Rating System.  The major IT work for this has been completed. b.    Part B – Updated Handicapping Regulation, including programming, and relevant rules where needed; and c.    Part C – Update process for nominations, acceptances, scratchings etc. The draft of these regulations will be uploaded to this website in early February.  We will provide a question-and-answer responses, and trainers and owners will be able to ask FURTHER questions on implementation. The core of these changes can be found in the Utilisation Reference’s Group’s Second Report that was endorsed by the Board in September 2024.  You can read it here  The National Racing Bureau is also expected to be operational by that date, with a launch expected on April 7.

So Biden and his Bosses give billions to the Ukraine, the CORRUPT WHO, the Paris ACCORD SHAM  amongst others and the people expect cheap produce🤣  why would you Pardon Fauci? let him face trial what is there to hide......🙄

Correct, injured Monday

Shame others are not as sharp. Top bloke as well IMHO

As I've stated multiple times on this site previously, HRNZ should invest in researching, developing and testing the technology to deliver mobile hcp starts. With dropping horse numbers, the need for fair handicapping will increase if we want to keep nice horses racing in NZ, whether trotters or pacers. We breed for speed but unlike novice pacers, before most trotters can even learn to race in a field under race conditions, they have to learn to stand. Its hard for small stables to give their novice charges the necessary experience  before racing at trials/workouts with often only 2 or 3 horses in a field. The system makes it inevitable these races are often shambles

It's called Marketing, aka Bullshit/BS/hype. Boring as a Trump Inauguration, esp when October is many moons away.

TA is pro vax Mites..... he comes across as a reasonable Human Being albeit differing in Opinion from Myself and others at times..... so a complete tosspot gets the experimental jab that you accepted ....doesnt that make him 99 % Tosspot? hes just another honest Kiwi looking for answers  not expecting  abuse.😕

Thats not a Banksy its a Wanksy Hokes

To start with you haven't discussed anything with me , merely given your point of view and dismissed me as having rocks in my head . As to my position being driven by my political opinions , it couldn't be further from the truth . It's based purely on the Fact that he has not done anything for racing that has had a lasting effect . Each and every time he done something it was driven by him wanting to gain favor and VOTES , now that was political . As I stated racing was on it's knees and was saved by Entain , so if what he had done for racing had had long term success then surely we would not have been in this position . But I'm happy to leave it as me being blind and having rocks in my head instead of an opinion , and leave you on your higher plane .

As said, you cannot enlighten anyone who is so blind that they cannot see, especially when it comes to views formed by their political persuasion. Nomates, I am not interested in discussing this with you any further, as I simple don't have the time and you will never change your position which is obviously politically driven. Amen

I don't believe she would believe anything you said , she said she has 30+ years of experience to use as evidence .