Another Harness Shambles

[JJ Flash]

Have a look at this which i heard was picked up by another trainer 

HRNZ launches Independent Review into Young Guns Final eligibility process

15 May 2025 , Media Release

Harness Racing New Zealand (HRNZ) has today announced an independent review arising from the circumstances of the 2YO Young Guns Final Mobile Trot, Race 3, held at Alexandra Park on Saturday, 10 May 2025.

The review will address questions and concerns raised, and make recommendations to HRNZ.

This review follows industry discussion surrounding the inclusion of a non-heat participant in the Group 3 Final.

HRNZ acknowledges the concerns raised by trainers, owners, and fans regarding the interpretation and communication of those conditions.

Independent Review

“We are committed to a racing environment that is transparent, fair, and trusted by participants,” said HRNZ Chief Executive Brad Steele.

“This review will ensure that our processes are fit for purpose.- They clearly aren't

“We are establishing a three-person panel, with input from external advisors. A final report, including findings and recommendations, will be made public in mid-June 2025.

The panel will include:

a. A lead person appointed by the HRNZ CEO who has legal experience 

b. A person with extensive experience in governance and conducting business in an area with significant regulatory frameworks, with knowledge of racing an advantage.

c. A respected harness racing participant with a wide knowledge of the sport.

Opportunity for Input

“Stakeholder trust in how fields are assembled especially in high-profile races must be absolute. This review is about reinforcing that confidence.”

Once the panel is appointed, they will invite industry participants to contribute directly to them.

Further updates will be provided via HRNZ’s website and regular communication channels.

 

So , who is at fault the most, HRNZ for allowing the horse to start or the trainer for failing to work out the horse was ineligible. Given it won should it be disqualified, as i said " its  a shambles"

[Deep Sooth]

The review shall reveal all, but safe to say you once again, along with a quite a few others, are taking aim in the wrong direction.

[Keneperu]

"Taking aim in the wrong direction"

 

Can you elaborate as JJ Flash  him/her was not taking aim at anybody .

Heads should roll over this particular race! JMO mind 

[Deep Sooth]

Mark Jones' original post on Facebook is spot on. Everything I've seen since is hysterical, uninformed, inaccurate, and in many cases defamatory.

You might notice that he doesn't point the finger at any owners or trainers as being at fault, and neither should anybody else.

 

[Iraklis]

Ah hang on DeepSooth, I can't see where JJ has taken aim at anyone  just asks a question....and Janitor mate, did I miss summit in the readin of the above, the hilarity surrounds??? 

 

Cheers Iraklis

[Taku Umanga]

"... or the trainer for failing to work out the horse was ineligible" - rubbish statement given the conditions were changed allowing his horse's entry ....

[JJ Flash]

19 hours ago, Deep Sooth said:

you once again, along with a quite a few others, are taking aim in the wrong direction.

You have a problem with reading, i simply asked a question as have many others. A problem has been identified and so what is the solution is all im asking

[JJ Flash]

14 hours ago, Taku Umanga said:

rubbish statement given the conditions were changed allowing his horse's entry ....

If that's the case why are they having this enquiry?

[Deep Sooth]

4 hours ago, JJ Flash said:

You have a problem with reading, i simply asked a question as have many others. A problem has been identified and so what is the solution is all im asking

Clearly comprehension of your own words isn't your strong suit. 

And I quote ..... "So , who is at fault the most, HRNZ for allowing the horse to start or the trainer for failing to work out the horse was ineligible. Given it won should it be disqualified, as i said " its  a shambles"

The winner was eligible for the race. This is simply a fact despite your complete misunderstanding of the race eligibility conditions

The enquiry is NOT into the winner or any of it's connection.

The enquiry IS into the late changes in the race conditions, and the failure for these changes to be properly advertised.

As previously stated, your lack of understanding of the rules has lead to your misguided aim.

Probably best that you await the outcome of the enquiry to help you join the dots.

 

[Idolmite]

1 hour ago, Deep Sooth said:

Clearly comprehension of your own words isn't your strong suit. 

And I quote ..... "So , who is at fault the most, HRNZ for allowing the horse to start or the trainer for failing to work out the horse was ineligible. Given it won should it be disqualified, as i said " its  a shambles"

The winner was eligible for the race. This is simply a fact despite your complete misunderstanding of the race eligibility conditions

The enquiry is NOT into the winner or any of it's connection.

The enquiry IS into the late changes in the race conditions, and the failure for these changes to be properly advertised.

As previously stated, your lack of understanding of the rules has lead to your misguided aim.

Probably best that you await the outcome of the enquiry to help you join the dots.

 

Boy oh boy, you love to put the boot in don't you. What size are your feet? The ultimate winner originally was not eligible for the final, then all of a sudden, mysteriously, she was. 

It's definitely "a shambles", no argument is possible on a matter of fact, and while just how the race conditions for the final can be changed so late in the piece is an issue, sure, but the bigger question is how only a select few (One? Or two?) found out about the change in time to take advantage of it. I have my own theory on how this occurred (and who is responsible), but whether I've joined the correct set of dots or not will eventually be revealed. Or not. ATC happenings have a habit of not being revealed to members, let alone the general public. 

[Deep Sooth]

1 hour ago, Idolmite said:

Boy oh boy, you love to put the boot in don't you. What size are your feet? The ultimate winner originally was not eligible for the final, then all of a sudden, mysteriously, she was. 

It's definitely "a shambles", no argument is possible on a matter of fact, and while just how the race conditions for the final can be changed so late in the piece is an issue, sure, but the bigger question is how only a select few (One? Or two?) found out about the change in time to take advantage of it. I have my own theory on how this occurred (and who is responsible), but whether I've joined the correct set of dots or not will eventually be revealed. Or not. ATC happenings have a habit of not being revealed to members, let alone the general public. 

 

Agreed, the handling of the race conditions was a total shambles, but like you say, the enquiry will reveal all, and the "select few' conspiracy theory gets put to bed.

It's just to be hoped the enquiry happens quickly before the rampant guessing games do any more damage than they already have.

[MisterEd]

4 hours ago, Idolmite said:

but whether I've joined the correct set of dots or not will eventually be revealed. Or not. ATC happenings have a habit of not being revealed to members, let alone the general public. 

True these enquiry's are quite often started to bury something not reveal something.

What is the chance the end result will be "We have found shortcomings which will be addressed in future"  but will not actually reveal how, who or why this happened.

[Idolmite]

1 hour ago, MisterEd said:

True these enquiry's are quite often started to bury something not reveal something.

What is the chance the end result will be "We have found shortcomings which will be addressed in future"  but will not actually reveal how, who or why this happened.

I'm sad to say l agree with you 100%. I'd love for us to be proven wrong in this instance, but I'm not going to hold my breath. 

[JJ Flash]

21 hours ago, Deep Sooth said:

The enquiry IS into the late changes in the race conditions, and the failure for these changes to be properly advertised.

Whatever way you want to look at it it's a shambles.

The outcome will provide insight into how genuine the comments below are  IMHO

"

This review follows industry discussion surrounding the inclusion of a non-heat participant in the Group 3 Final.

HRNZ acknowledges the concerns raised by trainers, owners, and fans regarding the interpretation and communication of those conditions.

Independent Review

“We are committed to a racing environment that is transparent, fair, and trusted by participants,” said HRNZ Chief Executive Brad Steele.

[Charlie E]

Quite clearly HRNZ are a pack of morons . You dont change rules impleted already at the time of nomination 

[MisterEd]

Harness Racing New Zealand (HRNZ) today announced the commencement of an independent review into the circumstances leading to the field selection for the 2YO Young Guns Final Mobile Trot held at Alexandra Park on May 10, 2025.

The decision to commission the review reflects HRNZ’s strong commitment to transparency, accountability, and the maintenance of public and participant confidence in the integrity of the sport.

The review will examine the application and communication of race conditions, the regulatory framework underpinning such race series, and broader issues of fairness, process integrity, and stakeholder confidence.

The review will be led by a three-member independent panel appointed by HRNZ:

Lee Robinson MNZM ( Lead Reviewer) – Partner Saunders Robinson Brown – Mr Robinson has extensive experience working with disciplinary hearings and independent reviews for sports and religious organisations both as an advisor and as a panel member on various hearings. He has extensive experience in property, commercial, and business law and is also a leading New Zealand Sports Lawyer. Code of Conduct Commissioner for NZ Cricket, member of the New Zealand Law Society and Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit 2017, for contribution to Sport and Community.

Felicity Caird – A governance professional with nearly 20 years’ experience working with boards across all sectors (public, for-profit and not-for-profit). She has held leadership roles at the Institute of Directors. Her current governance roles include chairing the Racing Safety Development Fund Industry Working Group, and as an independent member on the boards of Racing New Zealand, Master Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers NZ Inc, the Low Volume Vehicle Technical Association Inc and as an external member on the Porirua City Council Audit and Risk Committee.

Paul Black – Secretary Greater Canterbury & National Council NZ Harness Trainers & Drivers Association and is a long-time harness industry participant with over 30 years of experience as a trainer, driver and TAB agent.

The panel will commence work this week and will engage directly with relevant stakeholders, including trainers, owners, and race officials. Interviews will be scheduled where appropriate, and individuals with relevant information or insights are encouraged to make written submissions to the panel.

“We are committed to fairness, clarity, and accountability in how our events are conducted. We thank the panel members for their time and independence in leading this important process” said HRNZ CEO Brad Steele.

“We will report on the outcome of the review in July, the draft report is due in late June,"said Steele.

“HRNZ looks forward to the findings and recommendations of the panel, which are expected to strengthen our regulatory framework, communications protocols and race integrity in the interests of all participants.”

Submissions can be sent to review@hrnz.co.nz during the seven-day submission period, which opens on Wednesday of this week. All emails will be confidential to the Panel. Participants are asked to refrain from contacting Panel members directly.

[MAJESTIC]

Question that need answering.

WHO OPENED THE GATE ???

I'm sure the trainer would not have nominated unless tipped off (unknown person or persons) to do so.

Horse in question only had first start 12 days prior to final.

Last heat was then 5 days following first start.

A real botch up and some ones head should roll.

Maybe that head is too old to come off its shoulders and sits on his / her chuff looking out office window onto Addington raceway.

Is the review going to oust anyone.

I doubt it !!!!

 

[Charlie E]

What a load of BS . Why do they need an enquiry it should take 5 mins to work this out . I dont think its fair to disqualify the winner , if the trainer thought he was doing the right thing . But someone should pay the difference in stake to the second horse . Unfortunately they can't put him as joint winner which would help as far as group wins go 

[Charlie E]

1 minute ago, Charlie E said:

What a load of BS . Why do they need an enquiry it should take 5 mins to work this out . I dont think its fair to disqualify the winner if the trainer thought he was doing the right thing . But someone should pay the difference in the stake money to the second horse . Unfortunately they can't put him as joint winner which would help as far as group wins go 

 

[Eclipsed]

The Independent Panel is a good process - too often doubts remain as to the how and why, when controversy occurs.

All 3 appointed panel members know the harness industry.

Outcome for mine is to work out where the buck stopped/who had the ultimate sign-off in terms of changes made.

Then ensuring to not make the same mistake twice……

 

 

 

[MisterEd]

I do not see a digital investigator on the panel!

An IT investigator to recover the deleted emails/phone calls that have probably mysteriously gone missing once the shit hit the fan?

[Eclipsed]

There’d be a digital footprint.

That question, you’d expect, be followed….

[MisterEd]

On 5/17/2025 at 6:47 PM, MisterEd said:

True these enquiry's are quite often started to bury something not reveal something.

What is the chance the end result will be "We have found shortcomings which will be addressed in future"  but will not actually reveal how, who or why this happened.

The planets are starting to align.

“HRNZ looks forward to the findings and recommendations of the panel, which are expected to strengthen our regulatory framework, communications protocols and race integrity in the interests of all participants.”“

[Keneperu]

Geeeez if it's not a "shambles" what is it?

[MAJESTIC]

14 hours ago, Eclipsed said:

The Independent Panel is a good process - too often doubts remain as to the how and why, when controversy occurs.

All 3 appointed panel members know the harness industry.

Outcome for mine is to work out where the buck stopped/who had the ultimate sign-off in terms of changes made.

Then ensuring to not make the same mistake twice……

 

 

 

The independent panel will be told WHAT, HOW AND WHEN TO SAY ! 

This will save face.

When was last time a HRNZ employee was dismissed because of incompentence and cover up after being found out ?