Chief Stipe

Cherry picking again. What was the "charge"? The whole charge.

Industry Update | RACE Awapuni Track NZTR and RACE Inc. would like to thank participants, memfor their patience and support during what has been a difficult period for racing at RACE Awapuni. New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing | March 11, 2026 Background The RACE Awapuni track had been experiencing performance issues, which ultimately led to a full reconstruction of the surface. After several years of work, the track returned to racing on 25 April 2025. Unfortunately, a slip in the first race resulted in the meeting being abandoned, and there has been no racing at RACE Awapuni since. New to the role, NZTR’s Chief Executive Officer Matt Ballesty, with the approval of the Board of Directors, engaged independent specialist and internationally respected track adviser Liam O’Keeffe. Given the investment was significant, the decision was made to determine whether the new surface could be remediated to provide a safe and consistent racing surface. A range of initiatives were trialled, including verti-draining and surface treatments designed to soften the track profile. While some progress was made, a further slip some months later during morning gallops confirmed that the surface could not be signed off as safe for racing. The track was proving inconsistent - capable of performing adequately one day and presenting unacceptable risk the next. What Has Been Learned A review of the original project has highlighted a number of challenges in both governance and delivery. Issues relating to design accountability, engineering oversight and overall project coordination contributed to the outcome. In hindsight, additional racecourse construction expertise could have been better integrated into the project. NZTR acknowledges that elements of the original RACE Awapuni track design were not aligned with the performance expectations of a premier racing venue hosting 20+ meetings annually. However, the work completed has not been entirely lost. Key components of the drainage system, irrigation infrastructure and parts of the base profile meet the required standards, meaning elements of the existing investment can likely be incorporated into the long-term solution. Independent Technical Review Following NZTR’s decision in November 2025 that there would be no further racing at RACE Awapuni this season, NZTR engaged Evergreen Turf, the specialists responsible for the successful Hastings track remediation, to undertake a comprehensive independent technical review. Working alongside local track managers, the RACE Inc. Board and NZTR consultant Liam O’Keeffe, Evergreen Turf conducted detailed soil testing, forensic analysis and investigations into suitable sand sources. Evergreen Turf’s technical assessment confirmed that while parts of the existing infrastructure remain sound, the underlying soil profile presents a fundamental constraint to achieving the long-term performance required of a premier racing venue. The Path Forward NZTR and RACE Inc. are now working closely together to determine the most appropriate long-term solution for RACE Awapuni. Planning work is well underway, with both organisations aligned on the need to deliver a track that meets the performance, safety and reliability standards expected of a metropolitan racing venue. Our vision is for RACE Awapuni to become a metro-standard track, capable of hosting racing to the standard expected of a premier venue. The collective objective is to implement a solution that will enable a return to racing at RACE Awapuni by late 2027. Importantly, the independent work undertaken over recent months has significantly improved the industry’s understanding of the site and the technical requirements needed to deliver a high-performing track surface. Looking Ahead While the past year has been frustrating for participants and stakeholders, the work completed has provided the clarity required to move forward with confidence. NZTR remains committed to the long-term future of racing at RACE Awapuni and to ensuring the venue can fulfil its important role within the Central Districts racing landscape. The recent success of the Hastings track remediation demonstrates what can be achieved when specialist racecourse expertise is integrated early into a project. Those learnings will play an important role in shaping the next phase of work at RACE Awapuni. NZTR and RACE Inc. thank the industry for its patience and support as this work progresses. A further update will be provided to the industry once the preferred delivery pathway has been finalised. Issued by the Office of New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing 18 Dick Street, Cambridge 3434 Tel: 0800 WINNER (946 637) International: +64 4 576 6240 office@nztr.co.nz

Poor assumption as it doesn't stop horses veering into other horses! Might have worked more in the old days when the rail was solid and I'm sure you have seen them come back with white battle paint on the rump or saddle cloth. But then it didn't always work then either did it? Hence the move towards safety rails.

No doubt the industry hypocrites will eviscerate and immolate him for something that was done nearly 4 years ago and hold him to account to a level higher than the Law Society. BTW @curious what "charges" did he plead guilty to? My understanding it was a Law Society complaint not a criminal or civil charge.

Only after she touched it which would bring an instinctive reaction to jump it especially when it moved. Slightly. She didn't budge an inch in the Moir. But it does beg the question if your horse is hard up against the rail why would the Jockey hit it on the outside?

The white rail would be quite distinct to a horse on any background except white of course. Black not so much if the background is Green i.e. black rail with a grass background.

I note you didn't watch the race or follow the process closely. Where does it state in the rules that separate incidents consitute separate inquiries? Regardless in this case both the second and third horse were protesting against the first horse for the same incident. Before you get even more pedantic a single incident doesn't have to be a single point in time. From the Stipes Report which is readily available online: Following the running of this race connections of the second placed horse AUTUMN GLORY and the third placed horse GENEVA lodged protests alleging interference over the concluding stages against the first placed horse ROAD TO PARIS. After viewing films and considering submissions the Adjudicative Committee dismissed both protests with placings standing 1st ROAD TO PARIS, 2nd AUTUMN GLORY, 3rd GENEVA, 4th WIGMORE.

Yes, even nuns....

Of course perspective will go completely out the window here. The facts: Lawyer running a sole practice - that is one lawyer. Employs a number of legal staff and front office - all female. No HR department or HR processes and procedures in place. Lawyer starts watching porn periodically on his computer 2016. Staff entering room sometimes catch snippets of porn as he switches between browser tabs. 2022 firm moves to new offices. Lawyers screen is more visible due to new room layout. November 2022 - first complaint is lodged by junior staff member to senior staff member. Lawyer confronted with complaint. He promises to address the issue. No more complaints until 2 months later. Post those complaints in April 2023 Lawyer starts working from home. Employee relationship broken and they leave April 2023. They then lodge a complaint with the NZ Law Society. Hearing held in November 2025. Lawyer has name suppression. Lawyer suspended by Law Society for 3 months (suspension ends March 6 2026). Ordered to pay ex-staff $5,000 each and $20k in Law Society costs. Initially indicated he would appeal and later decided not to. Name suppression lifted on Monday 8 March 2026. Article published in mainstream media - racing particpant (anti?) tips off journalist. Journalist now has 5 headline articles since case was first notified.

NO there was one inquiry - two protests. If you are counting protests as inquiries there was 4 - 2x8, 1x9 and 1x10. Not that I see your point anyway. The way I saw the 3rd vs 1st and 2nd was an afterthought and the trainer was late to the room.

There was ample time to resolve the inquiry if they hadn't pissed around. They could have heard the Jockey arguments first and excused them. The issue with deferring the inquiries is the TAB payouts would have been held up until probably after the last race.

Yes but only the first 2 delayed subsequent races with the third being an inquiry into the last checking if Mid Ocean got a fair start. It was an open and shut case so to speak. Although I'm sure you'd argue Mid Ocean actually got a length advantage by forcing the gates.

What the article doesn't mention is that there were in fact TWO delays caused by two inquiries. There seems to be too many delays to starting an inquiry and also not enough enforcement of the rules. For example the notice to have an inquiry was done fairly quickly after the race. That could have been quicker but why interview om Trackside the Jockey amd Trainer before the inquiry? Not being able to interview them would have added to the theatre not detracted from it. Also depending on the inquiry result they may have been interviewing the wrong connections!! It was clearly evident when viewing the video that the protest would be dismissed. I believe even the opening remarks of the Chief Stipe said that. Also in the Derby inquiry which delayed the NZ KiwiB the third horse protest was late and the connections were late. At OZ Metro the process seems almost miltary in comparison.

NZB Kiwi delay could cost local industry close to $100,000 www.nzherald.co.nz Home / Sport / Racing NZB Kiwi delay could cost local industry close to $100k after it was not shown on Australia’s Sky Racing Racing Editor·NZ Herald· 10 Mar, 2026 05:00 AM4 mins to readhttps://bitofayarn.com Well Written just held out Belle Cheval in the NZB Kiwi at Ellerslie on Saturday. Photo / Kenton Wrighthttps://bitofayarn.com The NZB Kiwi may have been the race of the season in New Zealand but it turns out most Australian racing fans did not get to see it.https://bitofayarn.com And that has left some racing administrators suggesting a review process to prevent a repeat of an incident that may cost https://bitofayarn.com The start of the NZB Kiwi at Ellerslie on Saturday was delayed 10 minutes because of the two separate inquiries into the previous race, the Group 1 HKJC World Pool NZ Derby. Because of that delay, the NZB Kiwi was not shown on Sky Racing, by the far the biggest racing platform in Australia, because of that channel’s domestic racing obligations.https://bitofayarn.com https://bitofayarn.com Entain had worked hard to get the Champions Day meeting’s feature races from Ellerslie on Sky 1, the most popular of their racing channels and the one that drives the most casual punter turnover in Australia. Their insiders there say the race not being shown on either Sky 1 or 2 will cost the New Zealand industry enormously in the fees that would have been paid by Australian-based bookmakers. https://bitofayarn.com The New Zealand TAB coverage on Trackside and Sky Television here was not affected by the delay. Auckland Racing Club officials checked with their on-course TAB representative and say the new starting time was signed off on but they are obviously also disappointed to see New Zealand’s richest ever race not shown on the main Australian racing channel. Those spoken to by the Herald are suggesting a review of the process to ensure it doesn’t happen again. https://bitofayarn.com While the choice to show or not show the NZB Kiwi ultimately sits with Sky Australia, their first obligation is always going to be to their local content, albeit a $4 million race with the Kiwi’s interest is a pretty big race to skip. https://bitofayarn.com But you wouldn’t want to be the director in a Sky control room answering the phone call that would inevitably have come if they had bumped a local race to their lesser-watched Sky 2 for a New Zealand race.https://bitofayarn.com https://bitofayarn.com Australian thoroughbred officials wouldn’t have taken too kindly to that. HIGH PRAISE FOR KIWI DAYhttps://bitofayarn.com The lost NZB Kiwi turnover was just about the only cloud on a remarkable day for the industry, with one of the most-travelled and respected owners in world racing paying it a huge compliment. “That was a really brilliant day,” said OTI racing founder Terry Henderson, who tasted Auckland Cup success later with Paradise Storm. “When Legarto hit the lead in the Bonecrusher Stakes, that is as loud a noise as I have heard on a racetrack just about anywhere in the world.” Henderson completed a remarkable personal achievement with the Auckland Cup win as he, predominantly with his syndication company OTI, has now owned the winner of every major 3200m cup in Australasia.https://bitofayarn.com That includes the Holy Grail of racing the Melbourne Cup, the Sydney Cup, Brisbane Cup and Adelaide Cup. Henderson and OTI have also syndicated the winners of all the major derbies in Australia, as well as the New Zealand Derby with Vin De Dance in 2018. OTI recently set up a New Zealand arm to their business and intend to race more horses here. https://bitofayarn.com AUTUMN TO CHASE AUSSIE GLORY Derby runner-up Autumn Glory is off to Australia to join the Mick Price and Michael Kent junior stable. https://bitofayarn.com The filly has had a mammoth past month, winning the Waikato Guineas and finishing second to stablemate Road To Paris in the Derby and to Ohope Wins in the New Zealand Oaks. Being owned by Yulong, she was always likely to head to Australia to chase a Group 1 there and has three Oaks options there in Sydney, Adelaide and Brisbane. With her ownershipmate Ohope Wins being aimed at the ATC Oaks in Sydney, it wouldn’t surprise to see Autumn Glory end up in the A$1 million ($1.19m) Australasian Oaks at Morphettville on April 25.

“Damask Rose just missed getting up over 1600m at Flemington on Saturday and she’ll run next in the Sunline Stakes (Gr.2, 1600m) at Caulfield on Saturday week."