shaneMcAlister

With the new season rolling around here is the horses we have in NZ with a rating of over 100.

A few months ago we were told there was going to be R60 races introduced to cope with the high number of horses in this rating band. I think this was a good idea, I wish NZ racing was not in a state that it required these races, however we have to accept where we are. There are people in NZ racing that strongly opposed these races. So since the introduction of R60 rating races I have only seen one of them,,,,happy to be corrected. So what's the point of saying we are having these races if we are not going to programme them?!?!

Jockeys should be paid for engaged rides today!

I I thought when you mentioned the "bigger stables" you were referring to Waller, Cummings and Baker (as premiership suggests). Waller (biggest stable in oz) has provided Jason with more career wins than any other trainer. You can't ride for everyone.

The bigger trainers do use him regularly. Waller, Baker, Maher and Cummings are big supporters of his.

Good post. Race need to PR this sooner rather than later. I thought Alisdair was not wanted down there...,

How the hell does it get to this stage?!?! Very ugly.

Hi Berri A horse that last raced in OZ is removed from NZ ratings until they at least trial again in NZ, hence Rock n Horse not in our current ratings. The pattern committee will use the Covid excuse again and this should mean little more than warnings. I spoke to someone that knows a lot more than me about this stuff than me as I believe you should let the cards lay where they fall. But apparently if you lose status for a race it is very hard to get back.

Totally, I got photos from a trainer at 11am yesterday on the course saying this place is a fucking circus. If he knew what he would see at 11am he would not have travelled 5 hours to get there. Saying that he had no one where else to go as he wanted to avoid the all weather and wanted a maiden longer than 1400m.....hard to find.

It needs someone brighter than me to fix this, but I do know racing venues, especially Saturday venues need to be better. Those racing horses in NZ are fast getting over this shit. NZTR has limited funds to fix all these tracks, the money is spread too thin. So pick a select few and spend the money there. In future if NZTR is flush they can reopen a track or two. The abandonment of Trentham will surpise very few. The below is December 2021, less than 6 months ago NZTR has implemented an investigation into the circumstances which resulted in the abandonment of the Wellington Racing Club’s Group One meeting on Saturday. “NZ Sports Turf Institute (NZSTI) will commence a track review tomorrow morning, inspecting both the track and the data and reports from the Racing and Track managers,’’ NZTR CEO Bernard Saundry said. “We have also requested a full report from the Racing Integrity Board (RIB) regarding the procedures leading up to and following the first race on Saturday,” he said. RACE and Wellington Racing Club are extremely disappointed in what transpired yesterday at Trentham with the meeting abandoned after the running of the first race. “We understand the consequences and outcomes due to the abandonment which affect not only RACE but the entire industry – through to sponsors, patrons, owners, trainers, jockeys, stablehands, officials and punters – and of course the programming of horses and their races at this important time of year,” RACE Chairman Paul Humphries said. “As an organisation we need to do better, work with our team, staff, NZTR and industry on process, infrastructure and investment to remove risk where possible to ensure this won’t happen in the future,” he said. NZTR is mindful of the fact that the abandonment has impacted the programme of a number of horses and that owners have been impacted financially. Those horses in the abandoned races will be eligible for compensation in line with NZTR’s policy. Once NZTR has reviewed feedback from NZSTI, a full report from RACE, and the Racing Integrity Board, a further statement will be made outlining the findings.

I would say some trainers will have to turn around again....FFS. We have to stop trying to make tracks work that are not up to it. The game is expensive enough as is.

They read this site.

Hard to blame the senior jockeys here either....it never stops

Black type races have a few other currents to negotiate too with all these new high stakes NEW races in Australia/NSW. Would you go for the $5M stake with no black type or the $1.5M group 1. Should the horse than wins the $5M race be worth any less than the black type winner? Will the black type races be weaker as a result of horses chasing the stakes?

Another issue is the the countryside understands the love for the horse, the once a year race goers see a horse break down and only see the cruel side.

I too found Saundry very approachable etc. I was excited when he got the role as I beleived he was the person that oversaw racing.com which is a great racing website. I was hoping he would drive a smiliar change through loveracing.nz website but it didn't happen. That was my biggest dissapointment with his time here.

I think traditionally gambling goes well in tough/recession times. The TAB's big challenge in my opinion is their site still does not operate the way it should (after close to $100M). It still needs reloading, still no form for HK racing, app comes back in large font. Sometimes app doesn't work, sometimes it does. Still behind oz in terms of what is offered at waht odds.

NZTR Board’s growth plan launches with stakes increases and infrastructure boost NZTR 7 June 2022 The NZTR Board has committed to an exciting and innovative growth plan revealing a raft of initiatives today. Heading the announcement is a more than $7 million stakes increase which will see a strategic injection of stakes across 20 of New Zealand’s best performing racedays. This targets significant Group and Listed races across Iconic and Premier meetings. NZTR Chairman Cameron George said the Board’s aim is to provide opportunities to increase revenue, delivering bigger racing events on our best performing days. “These are our high-profile events which attract crowds and significant wagering interest,” he said. “By packaging these 20 best-performing events as New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing’s not-to-be-missed occasions which feature our best athletes – horse and human – we see an opportunity to grow and capitalise on that interest.” “Our Black type racing is critical to all sectors of the New Zealand industry, providing aspirational opportunities and we see these events as having the best cut-through to accelerate revenue growth. Not only in wagering, but by establishing them in the public eye as important events that underpin our sport in much the same way that other sports globally celebrate their majors,” George said. Minimum stakes will rise to $14,000 across the calendar, double what they were five years earlier. “The Board’s view is to slowly increase the minimum racing stakes over the next few seasons. Our intention is to also turn our focus to the middle-range stakes within the next year, or earlier, depending upon performance,” George said. Stake increases by the numbers Minimums $14,000 across the entire racing calendar A strategic injection of stakes across 20 of our best performing racedays Group 1 – minimums increase from $220,000 to $300,000 Group 2 – minimums increase from $110,000 to $140,000* Group 3 – minimums increase from $80,000 to $100,000* Listed – minimums increase from $60,000 to $80,000* Iconic meetings – minimums increase from $50,000 to $70,000 Premier meetings – minimums increase from $40,000 to $50,000 Targeted South Island increases of $400K in August, February, and March (Canterbury Grand National, Dunedin Gold Cup, Invercargill Gold Cup and Otago Southern Mile) *At Top 20 meetings. Group 1 races not held at Iconic or Premier meetings will be increased from $220,000 to $300,000. Group 2 races not held at Iconic or Premier meetings will be increased to $120,000. Group Three and Listed races not held at Iconic or Premier meetings will remain at current minimums. Infrastructure fund The Board has also committed $10,000,000 towards an infrastructure fund to allow for an initial five-year programme of necessary work to be undertaken at venues across the country. “This is an aspect of our industry which needs attention, investment, but also accountability,” George said. “The Board agrees that we will invest in this area, however we will also expect a professional response from the Clubs with regard to their track preparation and the recognition that providing a suitable track is a prerequisite when it comes to date allocation,” he said. George acknowledged that while this initial investment will require some careful planning around how and when the work is conducted, the Board is committed to providing investment now to benefit the industry’s long-term future. “The Board further commits to a floor of $4 million that at all times will be available specifically intended for the purpose of infrastructure,” he said. Sustainable fund injections The last two years have allowed NZTR to build a fund to protect our industry from a potential COVID shutdown and the impacts that might bring. The NZTR Board believes that some of this risk has subsided and is looking to spread these funds across the industry over the next five years. “This distribution will be conducted in a sustainable and sensible manner and, as with all of the increases, will remain subject to TAB NZ and NZTR wagering performance,” George said. “The spread will be across stakes, infrastructure, and professional development for industry participants through their respective Associations.” This funding will be in addition to NZTR’s BAU budget. Licence renewal rebate The licence renewal fees for the 2022-23 racing season will be funded by NZTR. Those who have already renewed their licences will receive a credit for the next season. “When considering how tirelessly our participants worked during the past two years to keep our industry afloat during a global pandemic, the Board was determined to reward that dedication,” George said. “I’m not sure whether anyone experienced a good day during this difficult period, so the Board agreed it was only fitting that we waive your fees for the next season” he said. Innovation Fund The Board has also decided that an Innovation Fund of $500,000 to all clubs, outside of those that will be conducting the 20 best performing race dates, will be made available again.

This will be sad if this is fact. I somehow feel the industry needs him and he needs the industry. Both the industry and him will be better if they can sort their issues out between each other.

I have been corrected. This is quote is from a letter written into the trainers association, not from the trainers association.

Exactly, it is like saying that Rangiriri pub must charges the same for a pint of beer as a pub at the viaduct. Just stamping on the small people. I thought they would have realised that their communication re "high performing trainings not competing with those on low cost operating models" was not real received.

I find this quite staggering. Who can tell another busiess at what level they lose money, they might have less interest, less overheads, less staff etc. A statement like "trainers should be charging no less than $125 per day" threads a thin line with the commerce commission and their view on price fixing.

I think the Aussies come to NZ to buy our stayers not our sprinters. I personally would rather be selling a Proisir, Ace High or Tarzino at the yearling sales. JMO.

They will have enough homebred mares to give him a good shot. However at $15K I would rather go to Tarzino $15K or Proisir at $17.5K.

A fall out is usually money associated. If Gary Vile is fully paid up to date then this is a bad look by RACE. If Gary Vile is not fully paid up to date then their position becomes a litte easier to understand. But yet another nail in the NZ racing coffin. The All weather track in Central Districts will not be getting too much use....