Te Akau Friday Update

David writes:

What a beautiful time of the year the autumn is.  Green grass everywhere and lovely long fine days.  A bit of chill in the air in the morning and at night but I have never seen the farm look in such beautiful condition and that makes the boss happy.

I have been out of the farm practically all morning and gee don't you get sick of the media beating up on our government - it gets all so boring and often at times biased, I have noticed!

With an election year coming up I am really hopeful that some progress towards the racing industry is made.  It is interesting that hardly a week goes by without an announcement that this government is giving some sportsperson or sporting event a grant.  I do think that racing should receive some assistance and recognition for the fact that we have become huge tax collectors for the government.  This last week  for example in our small business we paid a truckload of PAYE and ACC and I would hate to tell you much we pay in GST.  We employ a lot of people in the racing industry and some recognition of this needs to take place if the government wants this to continue and the industry to flourish.

I have a folder on my desk with press releases  from Australian Racing  ministers (State and Federal) with the contributions they are making almost weekly to racing.  For example the Queensland Racing Minister has recently announced a $20 million grant towards the Winter Carnival and why wouldn't they?  Literally thousands of people are travelling to Queensland including trainers, jockeys and strappers, owners (oh yes and the Te Akau brigade on their annual pilgrimage - Ed).  These people all go out to restaurants, book airline tickets, buy clothes and it all adds up.  SO COME ON to all the New Zealand politicians - start recognising that racing is a big contributor and an asset to the economy and is not just a tax collector.

Tomorrow I am off to the Te Rapa races.  We have some nice chances in tomorrow.  Karyn and I are driving to Auckland for my oldest daughter Joanna's engagement party.  She is getting married later in the year to Leon Hewertson and we are thrilled to be welcoming him to our family.