Insider 5,254 Report post Posted January 29 SUCCESSFUL CUP CARNIVAL The three days of the 2025 NZCIS Wellington Cup carnival were a success both on and off the track, and we would like to wholeheartedly thank everyone who attended one of the meetings on January 4, 11 and 18. The relocation of the TAB Telegraph to January 4 saw a stellar edition of the race, while the Harcourts Thorndon Mile benefitted from being the headline act on a chilly January 11. NZCIS Wellington Cup Day itself saw a large and well-behaved crowd in attendance, with Peking Duk bringing the house down to conclude the festivities. Thanks to the Grand Tour Racing Festival for supplying the entertainment and the marquee that graced the site of the old Public Stand. One of the most important metrics used to measure performance is betting turnover, and the three days of the carnival saw an increase of $1.6 million over 2024 figures. On-course turnover for NZCIS Wellington Cup Day was more than 40% ahead of last season, and is the highest since the COVID epidemic. We’ll look to build on this in the coming months, with the $1 million Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks the highlight of the autumn calendar on March 22. AWAPUNI TRACK UPDATE Since the completion of the final stage of the physical work at Awapuni in December, the prime objective has been to ensure the new sand slits have a good covering of grass. Once this is achieved, horses will be able to utilise the course for trot and canter work and the NZ Thoroughbred Racing “return to racing” protocols initiated. With the “grow in” period being closely monitored by the NZ Sports Turf Institute there is good progress being made. However both NZTR and RACE representatives are in agreement that it is unlikely that the track will be ready for horse traffic next month, as there are still areas of the sand slits that have not taken with the initial seeding. These have required some further seeding work in the past week. Other than this the track is good condition, with recent subsoiling work proving to be particularly fruitful. However as past experience has shown, trying to fast track the turf and the racing surface only causes issues further down the track. Taking a conservative approach is the only option and we are determined that racing will not recommence until the track is ready for it. And while further delays to the reopening of Awapuni are a tough ask for our valued sponsors, members and other stakeholders, making an early decision to move the March 2 and March 29 meetings to Trentham allows trainers to adequately plan their campaigns for the 2YO and 3YO horses that are the features of these two racedays. Programming changes are as follows:- Sunday 2 March Little Avondale Stud Lowland Stakes Day to RACE Trentham Saturday 29 March Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes Day to RACE Trentham Saturday 5 April Manawatu Breeders Stakes Day to Wanganui At this stage the ANZAC Day meeting is still programmed for Awapuni, and if the weather is favourable then this could be achievable. We will provide further updates as the process evolves and in the meantime we thank everyone for their patience and understanding. TRENTHAM TRACK UPDATE With six meetings in six weeks under the belt, the Trentham turf is now undergoing some well-deserved rehabilitation. The earlier than usual finish to the Cup Carnival has enabled Track Manager Jamie Phillips to begin a programme of mowing off, drill-seeding, verti-draining and fertilising that will see the track ready for three weekends of action in March:- Sunday 2 March Little Avondale Stud Lowland Stakes Day Saturday 22 March Al Basti Equiworld Dubai NZ Oaks Day Saturday 29 March Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes Day We can see the benefits of some of the work that was undertaken last winter, with the home turn irrigation coverage more satisfactory via a wider spread, and the tree-reduction program at the HIBS end of the course to be continued. An additional raceday has also been added in June, with the remainder of the season programme looking as follows: Saturday 10 May, Saturday 7 June, Saturday 28 June. We will work through these changes to minimise the impact on sponsors and members, so stay tuned for further information. This particularly applies to the March 8 raceday, which will be moving to New Plymouth. Alf Riston 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bloke 1,338 Report post Posted January 29 A pile of Hyperbole. I can just see the Committee Room after Cup Day. The idiots downing Gin and Tonics and slapping each other on the back saying how well they have done Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
meomy 1,069 Report post Posted January 29 5 hours ago, Insider said: SUCCESSFUL CUP CARNIVAL The three days of the 2025 NZCIS Wellington Cup carnival were a success both on and off the track, and we would like to wholeheartedly thank everyone who attended one of the meetings on January 4, 11 and 18. The relocation of the TAB Telegraph to January 4 saw a stellar edition of the race, while the Harcourts Thorndon Mile benefitted from being the headline act on a chilly January 11. NZCIS Wellington Cup Day itself saw a large and well-behaved crowd in attendance, with Peking Duk bringing the house down to conclude the festivities. Thanks to the Grand Tour Racing Festival for supplying the entertainment and the marquee that graced the site of the old Public Stand. One of the most important metrics used to measure performance is betting turnover, and the three days of the carnival saw an increase of $1.6 million over 2024 figures. On-course turnover for NZCIS Wellington Cup Day was more than 40% ahead of last season, and is the highest since the COVID epidemic. We’ll look to build on this in the coming months, with the $1 million Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks the highlight of the autumn calendar on March 22. AWAPUNI TRACK UPDATE Since the completion of the final stage of the physical work at Awapuni in December, the prime objective has been to ensure the new sand slits have a good covering of grass. Once this is achieved, horses will be able to utilise the course for trot and canter work and the NZ Thoroughbred Racing “return to racing” protocols initiated. With the “grow in” period being closely monitored by the NZ Sports Turf Institute there is good progress being made. However both NZTR and RACE representatives are in agreement that it is unlikely that the track will be ready for horse traffic next month, as there are still areas of the sand slits that have not taken with the initial seeding. These have required some further seeding work in the past week. Other than this the track is good condition, with recent subsoiling work proving to be particularly fruitful. However as past experience has shown, trying to fast track the turf and the racing surface only causes issues further down the track. Taking a conservative approach is the only option and we are determined that racing will not recommence until the track is ready for it. And while further delays to the reopening of Awapuni are a tough ask for our valued sponsors, members and other stakeholders, making an early decision to move the March 2 and March 29 meetings to Trentham allows trainers to adequately plan their campaigns for the 2YO and 3YO horses that are the features of these two racedays. Programming changes are as follows:- Sunday 2 March Little Avondale Stud Lowland Stakes Day to RACE Trentham Saturday 29 March Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes Day to RACE Trentham Saturday 5 April Manawatu Breeders Stakes Day to Wanganui At this stage the ANZAC Day meeting is still programmed for Awapuni, and if the weather is favourable then this could be achievable. We will provide further updates as the process evolves and in the meantime we thank everyone for their patience and understanding. TRENTHAM TRACK UPDATE With six meetings in six weeks under the belt, the Trentham turf is now undergoing some well-deserved rehabilitation. The earlier than usual finish to the Cup Carnival has enabled Track Manager Jamie Phillips to begin a programme of mowing off, drill-seeding, verti-draining and fertilising that will see the track ready for three weekends of action in March:- Sunday 2 March Little Avondale Stud Lowland Stakes Day Saturday 22 March Al Basti Equiworld Dubai NZ Oaks Day Saturday 29 March Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes Day We can see the benefits of some of the work that was undertaken last winter, with the home turn irrigation coverage more satisfactory via a wider spread, and the tree-reduction program at the HIBS end of the course to be continued. An additional raceday has also been added in June, with the remainder of the season programme looking as follows: Saturday 10 May, Saturday 7 June, Saturday 28 June. We will work through these changes to minimise the impact on sponsors and members, so stay tuned for further information. This particularly applies to the March 8 raceday, which will be moving to New Plymouth. Tree Reduction? Don't they get it people like to congregate under the trees and have a picnic at the races? We are mortified with what's happening at Trentham Yet another Racecourse decimated. Do they know anything about Grandstands these people? Have they not woken up to the New Stand at Ellerslie and rough shod work there and it's still covered in part in plastic? Don't break what's not broken. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Horse 40 Report post Posted January 29 Love the turnover comparison. So last year the three day carnival included a Feature meeting on Karaka Million Day. This year that day was run by Wanganui with poor fields. This year Marton Cup day is one of the three days of the carnival (last year held at Hastings). So your not comparing like with like. But don't let the facts get in the way of a good story! racingoutsider 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bloke 1,338 Report post Posted January 29 3 hours ago, Mr Horse said: Love the turnover comparison. So last year the three day carnival included a Feature meeting on Karaka Million Day. This year that day was run by Wanganui with poor fields. This year Marton Cup day is one of the three days of the carnival (last year held at Hastings). So your not comparing like with like. But don't let the facts get in the way of a good story! Yes, and if I recall correctly wasn't the Feature meeting at Trentham on Karaka Day was abandoned? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
racingoutsider 392 Report post Posted January 29 22 minutes ago, bloke said: Yes, and if I recall correctly wasn't the Feature meeting at Trentham on Karaka Day was abandoned? Yep. Only ran 4 races. bloke 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
