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I think the issue is there aren't enough homes in NZ and Australia to keep up rehoming numbers long term.  If 1000 dogs retire a year, roughly 800 will be rehomed I'd imagine. 800 per year over 10yrs is alot of dogs needing rehoming and the rehoming programs been going for 15+ years.   

I take that back. There is now the new synthetic 100k 1200m race that day.

Oh yeahh, that which has no feature meetings for the poly horses from now until 7th August. Even then nothing for open sprinter/milers.

We need to retain and have new owners entering the industry! Without a new generation prepared to shell out big money for monthly training, then harness will be doomed! We need big paying owners as well but they need to be introducing new participants as well! All Punters need to be given a fair go as well!

Probably tightening their belt to pay for the AWT maintenance.

the people i know in the sport are mostly as i've described so obviously i move in different circles. theres a place for everyone and if incentives are to be applied then they need to be directed at the area which gets the most positive effects. If it takes another $70,000 for one 2 year old race or $12,000 bonuses for every 2 year old winner,for anyone to stay in the sport, then they are defintely targeting the wrong people.  i think the people you descrbe have a genuine passion for the sport anyway so will still participate.

(asking for a friend!)  at what age does that old kick in? ps, we don't waste a cent of the likes of $ky etc,  know how to stream all sports for free (legal to)  

Is it a CJC thing? Their track conditions are almost always late or later and probably the most unreliable in the country. Now I see there are no sectionals up for yesterday. Think Cambridge had theirs up on Wednesday or the next morning. It's a new track so surely has automatic timing but not even the 600s are there.

There are owners on different agenda's . Of course the big owners are prepared to pay up for yearlings and then race them from the Big stables . Dean Shannon a prime example lately. Merv Butterworth racing 'Copy That' and 'Arden Rooney' could of just used Aussie trainer at home , also the Fiess  lady of Mark Purdon , but they are rich enough to support the NZ harness scene and Pay up for the slot races, etc. and enjoy the BIG Glory they strive for.  There's a good way forward being taken on board in NZ. real progress with those events past 3 years (slot trot and Pace). The racing has improved to go with it. And indeed you still have the Aussie raiders there tonight to have another go a few weeks later . excellent stuff. real progress !!!  multi millionaire Kevin Seymour (Leap to Fame owner) and Brissy local the amazing Chris Garrard , and Dean Shannon have poured heaps(millions) into the local QLD harness scene , and now the Nz scene,  and they deserve every incentive and reward going as far as I'm concerned. many winners for them is greeeat. If we relied on your 'bloke with 2 jobs to race half a horse' the game would of collapsed in NZ and some states here in Oz long long ago too. that's just the dreamers mate.    Manawatu nearly closed? like Wellington did, and Dunedin . Manawatu possibly saved by Michael House and Doody? . No Big trainers or owners or good 'Group class' horses there mate. So no interest either from most. Brodie and I are very keen harness racing supporters but wouldn't get too enthused over Manawatu (or Redcliffe to be fair 😅) and therefore it's just those BIG KEEN owners like Seymour , Boots, Butterworth, and Shannon and those millionaires that 'Keep It All Running ' at the main tracks. Bless them heartily I say.