A Message from our Leaders

[JJ Flash 2,135]

1 April 2020

STATEMENT FROM HRNZ CHAIR AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE

What does a Return to Racing look like?

Harness Racing New Zealand is working in collaboration with RITA and the other codes to enable a return to racing as soon as is practically possible. The first stage of this process is to design a racing ecosystem that reflects the likelihood that it will be some time before the Government brings New Zealand back to Alert LevelOne. In practice this means:Animal welfare, along with the safety of industry people and the wider public, must continue to be paramount.Racing on a public-excluded basis,as we were before going into the lockdown.Racing will be conducted on a regional basis; this will see licensees unable to move between regions.Harness racing will be limited to five to six venues for a minimum of three months to allow the strict enforcement of the necessary protocols under Alert LevelsTwo and Three.HRNZ is consulting with clubs/regions on regional racing/venues and will advise the industry on the shape of this once those decisions are finalised. At this early stage, HRNZ has atarget of returning to racing at the end of May or early in June, but we stress there are a number variables that will affect this,the most obvious issues being when New Zealand moves out of Alert Level Fourand what is deemed allowable by the Government under Alert Level Three.Racing cannot resume until there isa sufficient pool of fit horses to enable this.Once we return to racing, the initial focus will be to provide weekly racing opportunities for the majority of the horse population.The draft plan is focussed on the period from Juneto September with further planning required to redesign the 2020/21 season. The HRNZ board has confirmed that any feature/group races that were due to be heldfrom March 24ththrough to the end of the 2019/20 season will now not berun and nor will they berescheduled. As previously advised, this includes the IRT Harness Jewels. The exception to this is those races administered by the New Zealand Sires Stakes Board; we continue to work with the NZSSB on options for the rescheduling to the next season the races/seriesthat they administer. This was a very difficult decision to make, however it is important that we give trainers and owners some certainty as they make plans for their horses. There will be a need to reshape racing across all codes as we develop a clearer picture of what the full impact of COVID-19 will have on the TAB and subsequently funding to the codes. In light of this, HRNZ is vigorously reviewing all costs within the business, including employee/contractor payments. If you havenot alreadydone so, please ensure you are applying for the Government wagesupportfor yourself and your staff–information available atthe WINZ website or ctrl click on this link -Work and Income. A reminder that you and your staffcan continue to access support from the Salvation Army Racing Chaplains (by phone). There is also support available by callingor texting1737 free anytime, 24/7 where you can speakto a trained counsellor.We would like to take the opportunity to thank all of those involved in harness racing who have been so understanding and supportive or each other through these unprecedented times. Things are moving quickly and we recognise thatit is imperative that we communicate as clearly as we can as the situation evolves. The HRNZ team continues to be available to anyone who has questions or suggestions.

Ken Spicer, Chair, HRNZ Peter Jensen, CEO, HRNZ

[Stables 577]

At last a message from our leaders. No mention of cutting staff numbers or details of any other actual cost cutting measures however

[JJ Flash 2,135]

Well none that HRNZ are telling.us about as yet.

 

Greg

[Blue 1,095]

They'll cut stakes first. Matter of priorities.

[eljay 1,719]

8 hours ago, Blue said:

 They'll cut stakes first. Matter of priorities.

Correction Blue

They'll cut ALL stakes first.   Matter of priorities

 

 

[2Piper 408]

The six venues most likely will be Alexandra Park , Cambridge,  Addington , Ashburton,  Forbury and Invercargill I suspect . No room for Palmerston North I guess (lack of horse population  ? )

[eljay 1,719]

There will be just two venues - Sydney & Melbourne