Webmaster of https://xitter.cf/t.co/ZawZyMlQ0C. I speak through my pocket.
Hamilton, NZ
Joined October 2009
- Tweets11.8K
- Following289
- Followers675
- Likes3K
Congrats Michael McNab. 1000 winners in New Zealand. The 41st jockey in history to achieve this milestone. RaceBase's current top rated NZ jockey too.
So good to see Snooker back on Sky. Was pleasantly surprised when I came across the Northern Ireland Open while flicking through the channels after being starved of any snooker for 4 or 5 years.
Peachy Keen's $100+ win dividend (tote) at Ashburton on Saturday, was the 18th biggest winning price on the NZ TAB, last 30 years. Here's a full list. racebase.co.nz/longshot.htm
Is the NZ TAB involved in the Aussie OneTote initiative? Could allow for a return of big $1 million Pick 6 jackpots, something that used to generate a lot of interest outside of those who normally bet on racing. I was involved in syndicates and they created a real buzz.
I think there's something to be said for keeping a jockey aboard a horse who knows it best. Now we are left wondering What If?
I'm posting this just on perception, but I think there's been big changes in the NZ racing markets in 2026. Not only has the number of market movers significantly increased, but also the amount in which they move, and the accuracy of the moves ....
....plus the fact there were 3 odds on runners yesterday. Centurial 1.95 into 1.8 (wins). Mulan Ardeche 2s out to 2.15 (loses). Force Of Law 1.45 out to 1.65 (loses)
... take, for example, some of the winners market moves from morning market to closing price at Cambridge yesterday. Confectionist 3.3 into 2.8. Above The Clouds 7.5 into 4.2. Play 6s into 3.5
After Saturday's win at Hastings, Waitak has become just the 23rd horse to win at least 4 New Zealand Group Ones. See here for the full list :
racebase.co.nz/mostg1s.htm
Just listening to Kerrin McEvoy after that win. He quoted the often used phrase 'Took luck out of the equation', and it's the best, the most handy and most true phrase in horse racing.
I like the TAB website changes. Love the price fluctuations for each runner part in particular. Informative on many levels. 👍
Has anyone thought that ai may be a threat to horse racing? Where markets become so accurate, early on, that it's impossible to find value, at any stage. Thinking about the possibility of long term profit is what keeps many punters interested ...
It will know every characteristic of every horse, when it's fitness is peak etc. It will know how each horse will perform through speed maps, and running trials of 1000 races given each field of horses. Maybe the only thing that'll escape it is stable knowledge ....
... If that possibility disappears and with accurate odds known, horse race betting could become more like betting at a casino. Currently, the fact that horse racing odds can be inaccurate is the point of difference over the casinos. It'll probably just gradually creep up on us.