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    Drug testing conducted at Ruakaka

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    • I've been suggesting this type of access for a long time.  Interesting how they have used Starlink instead of piggy-backing off their Telco contract. Next step will be cutting costs on terminal operators which is a good thing.
    • Wi-fi trial bringing connectivity to holiday racing venues Trackside.co.nz  •  January 8th, 2026 1:23 PM https://bitofayarn.com The Reefton race course crowd in early January. Credit: Trackside   A trial of a new on-course Wi-Fi solution at some of New Zealand’s most remote racecourses is showing encouraging early signs, with thousands of Kiwis connecting on track across the first part of the holiday racing circuit.   A 2025 review of mobile network coverage across New Zealand racecourses identified 15 thoroughbred and harness racing venues where geographic isolation meant there was limited or no access to domestic mobile networks on course.https://bitofayarn.com   For holiday meetings around New Zealand – most notably in Central Otago, on the West Coast or in parts of Canterbury - coverage issues have often limited the ability to place bets online via the TAB or betcha apps. Across the 2025/26 season, those 15 venues are scheduled to host 53 race meetings, accounting for around 8.5 per cent of all race meetings across the equine codes.   To address this, Entain Australia and New Zealand – the operators of TAB and Trackside – worked in partnership with the racing codes to launch a trial of a free customer Wi-Fi solution at race meetings in these locations throughout the 2025/26 season, using the latest technology available through Starlink. Entain Chief Media Officer Christopher Haigh said the trial was designed to test performance in real race-day conditions across a range of different venues.   “These are very different racecourses, with different layouts and infrastructure challenges, and – in many cases – thousands of people converging on an area that is normally only home to a few hundred people,” Haigh said. “Some of these courses have facilities that are spread out across a large area, while others – like the trees at Omakau where several thousand racing fans base themselves for the day – present their own problems to solve. “At some venues, there’s the ability to service the whole track, while at other venues, the team has set up specific zones that people can use to access the wi-fi. The early results have been pleasing, particularly during peak periods when demand is highest.” https://bitofayarn.com At Motukarara on 29 December, the trial saw multiple Wi-Fi zones established across key public and wagering areas, with more than 400 individual devices connected simultaneously during the final race. At Omakau on 2 January, more than 1,000 customers connected to the network during the meeting, with consistent speeds recorded through peak betting periods.   On the same day, more than 800 customers logged into the network at Tauherenikau races in the Wairarapa. Almost a third of the on-course turnover on the meeting was captured through people betting on digital channels like the TAB App.   “These results show we can meaningfully improve the on-course experience, even at our most remote tracks.” The Wi-Fi trial is designed to complement existing on-course services, giving customers greater choice in how they bet, whether through on-course operators or via digital platforms. https://bitofayarn.com “We’ll use what we learn from the trial to refine the solution ahead of expanding the offering,” Haigh said.
    • After a runaway stakes victory at Gulfstream Park in November, Tessellate aims to add to her accomplishments in the $125,000 Gasparilla Stakes Jan. 10 at Tampa Bay Downs.View the full article
    • By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk  Bob Butt will venture north with a big team to one of his favourite tracks on Friday.  The Woodend-based trainer-driver will take six to Nelson’s Richmond Park. “Along with Addington I reckon it’s the best in the country, it’s a lovely big track and they can win from anywhere,” says Butt. Butt will drive five of his own and also have two outside drives, including the Tim Trathen-trained Shanky’s Shot.   “I’ve driven him in all his starts and he’s a lovely horse.” The three-year-old has had two seconds from three career starts and has drawn well (3) in Race 5, the Turf Hotel Mobile Pace (2000m).  His day starts with one of his own One Eyed Bandit in the first, the BMTT/Design Art Mobile Pace (3.05pm). “He has his fair share of ability but not the best manners .. in saying that he has the ability to win it.” The Always B Miki four-year-old has won two from seven and comes into the race after a last start eighth at Motukarara after a tough run. Hawk Touie Louie will have just his second race day start in in Race 3, the Palms Motel Pace. On debut he finished third behind Zeus Lightning at Addington. “He won a trial a couple of weeks ago and looks quite a nice maiden,” says Butt.” “He’s a chance.” In Race 6 Butt will partner the Murray Pash-trained Sargent Henry in the Steph Monopoli Summit Mobile Pace, after he won his last start at Westport. “That was a good win but this is a step up in grade .. but he could go a good race on his home track.” Since his win on December 28 he has also won a trial at Nelson.   Former buzz two-year-old Ukraine returns for his second run this campaign and looks like a good each way chance in Race 7, the Hoani Jack Cup (5.57pm). He was a fast finishing second at Rangiora on New Year’s Day after beginning  awkwardly.   “I was rapt with his run. It was his first race in 18 months and he hit the line well on a slushy track that didn’t really suit him,” says Butt. In Race 8, the Dunstan Horsefeeds Handicap Trot (6.22pm) Butt has a strong hand with two runners, Roydon Muscle and Ready Set Jet, to be driven by John Dunn. Along with his mate Connor Harker, Butt recently purchased  Roydon Muscle, with the Muscle Mass seven-year-old having won six races for trainer Chris McDowell.   “I had raced against the horse and always liked him so we thought we’d give him a go and see if he’d like a change of scenery.” He has since won a trial. “His work has been good but it’s going to be hard off 20 metres.” The Nelson Pine Industries Nelson Cup sees Butt line up impressive last start winner Dynasty. She produced one of the highlights of Phoebe Stud Harness 5000 day at Ashburton with her win but Butt says the Cup is an altogether different challenge. “Obviously there’s a couple or three in there that will be too good for her.” He cites the likes of hot favourite It’s Tough and stablemate Who’s Delight and the Amanda and Hayden Cullen-trained duo of Harrison John and Vessem. “Cocktails and Caviar is handy on his day too so I think we will battle to be in the money.” As for his overall chances? “I’d say Shanky’s Shot is my best chance and the rest are in the same boat. With a bit of luck they can get a bit of money,” says Butt. “If they don’t get luck on the first day they might get some on the second!” Both days will feature $20,000 heats of the Tasman Empress Sprint Series for 4YO+ and up to R45-60 mares. The top five from each heat will qualify for the $35,000 Final at Addington over 1980 metres on January 23,2026. There will also be the latest heats of the Seddon District Trevor Craddock Memorial Trotters Series. The series, in its third year, targets R51 and faster trotters. There are 10 heats in all around the top half of the South Island before the $30,000 Final at Addington on March 20. Day one at Nelson starts at 3.05pm, with the second day on Sunday (January 11). To see the Nelson fields click here            View the full article
    • Well-related mare Say Satono has earned a crack at black-type following her victory in the Birchfield Ross Mining Reefton Cup (1400m) on Wednesday. Given an economical run in the one-one throughout, the daughter of Satono Aladdin was presented perfectly at the top of the home straight by jockey Tina Comignaghi and went on to score a three-quarter of a length victory over dual stakes winner Illicit Dreams, with a further 2-1/4 lengths back to Zoulander in third. “It was a good win, she is a pretty handy mare. It was a pretty handy field too, so I was very happy,” trainer Andrew Carston said. The victory continued a solid form line for the six-year-old mare, who is on lease from breeder Rich Hill Stud, and Carston will now give Say Satono her first crack at black-type in next month’s Listed Property Brokers – Ray Kean Hazlett Stakes (1400m) at Wingatui. “This is our last year for the lease and I think she deserves a chance at black-type,” Carston said. She is well-bred and well-related – she is a half to She’s A Dealer and out of a Group One-winning mare (Say No More). “She is a pretty valuable mare and Rich Hill leased her to us and have retained a share in the ownership. She has been a very handy mare and if she can get some black-type it would be icing on the cake.” On Saturday Carston will return to the West Coast where the Riccarton trainer will line-up half a dozen runners at Kumara. His strongest hand comes in the opening race of the meeting, the Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series (1150m), where he will be represented by Steezy, Shesascorcher and Taimate Warrior. “Steezy was just average first-up and was very good second-up,” Carston said. “I aimed her for the Pearl Bonus race, she is eligible for the bonus, as are all of mine in that race. I think the Pearl Bonus is great to target with the fillies and mares if they are eligible. “Shesascorcher is a very nice filly, she just struggled at the 1400m last start, so we have opted to bring her back in trip. She is definitely not without a chance. “Taimate Warrior has done nothing wrong. She was very good last start (when third) and gets a soft gate (5). “There looks like there is going to be a little bit of rain around Kumara and I don’t think that will affect any of them.” A day later, Carston will fly north to meet his Group Three performed filly Miss Ziggy ahead of her contesting the Cloudsoft Accounting 1500 at Ellerslie. It will be her first run at the Auckland track since last season, where she had three starts, including a third placing in the Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m). She is currently ninth in order of entry for the $1.5 million TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) on January 24, and Carston said Sunday’s race fits perfectly into their programme following her last start victory over 1400m at Ashburton on Christmas Eve. “I am happy with how she has come through her last run,” Carston said. “I am really excited to have her back up north. She arrives there this (Thursday) afternoon and will have a quiet time before Sunday. “I felt it was a nice race to fit in between her last start and the Karaka Million 3YO, hopefully we can get her there. “We like winning, but she is mainly there to have another look back around right-handed before the big dance.” View the full article
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