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The Challenge, presented by GaineswayView the full article

He's had a long couple of weeks doing special projects for at least a month ! Still clocked attendance at a few meetings even tho the Air NZ flights caused him travel issues and then tonight struck more problems with motorway issues. Despite all these challenges still managed to post a few interesting pieces of gold ,. What more can the man/person do ?? I was led to believe he considered a pariah on here !

What Gold Coast races Where Gold Coast Turf Club – Racecourse Dr, Bundall QLD 4217 When Saturday, September 20, 2025 First Race 1:08pm AEST Visit Dabble Gold Coast Turf CLub is the destination for the premier meeting in Queensland on Saturday, with a bumper nine-race meeting set down for decision. Showers are forecast for the region on raceday, meaning the Soft 5 track rating is likely to downgrade further as the meeting goes on. The rail comes out 1m from the 1000m-400m and remains true the remainder. The Gold Coast races on Saturday, September 20 commences at 1:08pm AEST. Best Bet at Gold Coast: Weigall Tiger Weigall Tiger arrives rock-hard fit and maps to control or sit outside the lead in a winnable BM85 (1300m). He was dominant winning a CL6 at Doomben on September 6, and retains a 3kg claim to offset topweight. From barrier two, Corey Sutherland can hold a forward rail spot on a Soft 5, and with proven 1350m strength, the drop to 1300m only sharpens his turn of foot late. He’s 7:3-0-1 at 1300–1400m and gets ideal conditions to go back-to-back. Best Bet Race 6 – #2 Weigall Tiger (2) 5yo Gelding | T: Kelly Schweida | J: Corey Sutherland (a3) (61.5kg) Next Best: Menazzi Menazzi looks ready to cash in,dropping back to 1800m in a small Class 6 where he maps handy from barrier three. He brings rock-solid recent figures, including a close second in a Doomben BM85 last start, carries just 55.5kg, and draws to control the race shape with Jake Bayliss. With proven form at the trip and a soft map, Menazzi should be too strong for his rivals late. Next Best Race 2 – #3 Menazzi (3) 7yo Gelding | T: Stuart Kendrick | J: Jake Bayliss (55.5kg) Best Value at Gold Coast: Heartoni Heartoni looks over the odds in a sharp 1000m BM85 to close the card. He was a tough Ipswich winner last start and draws to stalk the speed from barrier seven. With race fitness, genuine 1000–1100m speed, and Jake Bayliss taking the reins, he profiles to get the last crack at a few speedy types who may overdo it. If they run along early, his late strength can tell at an each-way price with horse racing bookmakers. Best Value Race 9 – #3 Heartoni (7) 6yo Gelding | T: Stuart Kendrick | J: Jake Bayliss (58.5kg) Saturday quaddie tips for Gold Coast – 20/9/25 Gold Coast quadrella selections Saturday, September 20, 2025 2-7-9 2-3-4-5 5-6-7-9-11-14 3-4-9-11-13 Horse racing tips View the full article

He said on one of his posts he worked at TAB…. seems he has left the building

I've always been irrelevant @Chief Stipe that's why the industry in the state it is!

Matt Ballesty said they (I'm assuming NZTR as opposed to RACE) would not be footing the bill of 10's of $millions to upgrade the stand at Trentham.  That being the case, without a viewing platform and jockeys' rooms and commentary box and judges box and officials and administration areas, I would think there would be no chance of any track renovation or horse area upgrade.

I don't see how it can possibly affect the field quality, however many years it is for.

I wonder what they think is going to be achieved in one year.

NZTR Confirms Major Changes to Key Group 1 Races NZTR has confirmed two of the nation’s premier Group 1 races will move venues and dates this season in a step to protect their international status and strengthen the industry’s racing calendar. New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing | September 16, 2025   New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) has confirmed two of the nation’s premier Group 1 races will move venues and dates this season in a step to protect their international status and strengthen the industry’s racing calendar. The $1,000,000 Group 1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) will be run at Ellerslie Racecourse on 21 February 2026, two weeks before the $1,250,000 Group 1 Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m) at Auckland Thoroughbred Racing’s Champions Day meeting, while the $600,000 Group 1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) will return to its traditional late-March timing at RACE Awapuni on Saturday 28 March 2026. NZTR Chief Executive Matt Ballesty said the changes were vital race-planning decisions for the country. “NZTR has made necessary adjustments to preserve the quality of New Zealand’s Group 1 calendar, protect critical breeding pathways, and deliver top-class racing experiences nationwide,” he said.  The New Zealand Oaks, long regarded as the ultimate test for three-year-old fillies, faced the risk of downgrade after three consecutive years below the required international ratings, prompting an Asian Pattern Committee (APC) review. Its move to February reflects both recent challenges in attracting top-level fillies and the opportunity to link more naturally with the Trackside New Zealand Derby and Australian Autumn features. The change has been approved for one year, with its position to be reviewed thereafter. Auckland Thoroughbred Racing (ATR) Chief Executive Officer Paul Wilcox said the change creates a fresh opportunity for the Oaks to flourish. “The new February timing at Ellerslie strengthens pathways for fillies, creates synergy with the Derby two weeks later, and gives New Zealand’s Classic calendar better alignment with Australia's Autumn features,” he said. The $150,000 Group 2 Jennian Homes Lowland Stakes (2100m) will also move to RACE Inc’s Wellington Cup Day on 31 January to sharpen the lead-in to the Oaks. The New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes, New Zealand’s only Group 1 race exclusively for fillies and mares, will also undergo a reset. Won in recent years by champions such as Avantage and Imperatriz, the race will return to its traditional March slot at RACE Awapuni, creating a blockbuster Central Districts raceday with five black-type events, including two Group 1s (the Breeders’ Stakes and the Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes [1400m]). Supporting pathway races will also be realigned, with the $200,000 Group 3 Wentwood Grange Cuddle Stakes (1600m) moving to RACE Awapuni on 1 March 2026, the $600,000 Group 2 Westbury Classic (1400m) shifting from ATR’s TAB Karaka Millions meeting on 24 January to Champions Day on 7 March, and the $90,000 Royal Descent Stakes (1400m) moving from ATR’s SkyCity Boxing Day Races to the TAB Karaka Millions. As a part of that same APC review, the Group 1 classification of five races was considered, including: the New Zealand Oaks (2400m), New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m), Livamol Classic (2040m), Telegraph (1200m) and Thorndon Mile (1600m). Under APC rules, a vote is triggered when a race records three consecutive runnings below the Group 1 benchmark and tolerance levels. As a result of the review, the Harcourts Thorndon Mile (1600m) has been downgraded from Group 1 to Group 2 status. The decision reflects the race’s recent performance history. The race will continue to carry prizemoney of $500,000 and will be staged at RACE Trentham on Saturday 17 January 2026. The APC also confirmed continued Group 1 status, for now, for the New Zealand Oaks and New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes, supported by the calendar and venue changes stated above, and for the Livamol Classic and Telegraph, based on overall field quality and historical standing. NZTR’s Senior Handicapper and APC representative Bruce Sherwin said while the downgrade was disappointing, there are encouraging signs for New Zealand racing. “New Zealand’s ratings have been impacted by the recent retirement of top horses, but levels are now rebuilding,” Sherwin said.  “Significant prizemoney increases, stronger turnover and renewed investment at the NZB sales are positive indicators. This season has also started strongly with the Group 1 Proisir Plate at Ellerslie showing excellent depth and quality.  “Looking ahead, it is critical our best horses contest Group 1 races if they are to remain at the highest level,” Sherwin added.  Details on nomination and acceptance dates will be included in NZTR’s Racing Programme Guide in due course. View the full list of 2025-26 Group and Listed races here.