Chief Stipe

Awapuni relaunch could see Group 1 bonuses next season www.nzherald.co.nz “When the track was pulled up we saw the drains on that home bend just weren’t working,” explains Taylor. “But that wasn’t the only issue and the whole track was pulled up and re-laid. “The track now has a better camber and the drainage is so much better. “It has been a long process so we are thrilled to be back.” Relaunching a newly-laid turf track can be a nervy process in this age of way too many race meeting cancellations but Taylor and his team are confident the Awapuni track is ready to go back to work. “I’d estimate we have had 500 horses gallop over the new surface,” he explains. “We have had jumpouts and trials and we have around 200 horses trained here using it for at least some of their work. “So it has had a lot of hooves go over it and the reports are all really positive. “We had 30 horses gallop here on it on Tuesday and even after a fair bit of rain their riders were saying it was no worse than a soft 6. “The main change is the drainage. We now have lateral drains that go right across the track and it has changed every thing.” The relaunch will be highlighted by the $80,000 Manawatū ITM Anzac Mile featuring Group 1 winner He’s A Doozy while there will be an after party to celebrate the return of grass track racing to the track. The new surface will have another grass track meeting next month before the turf track is rested for the winter, with the synthetic track to be used.
 But the new, improved Awapuni could be in for two huge Group 1 bonuses next season with the last two legs of the Group I Triple Crown usually held at Hastings almost certainly heading to Awapuni. With the future of the Hastings track still under a cloud the draft calendar for next season tentatively has the first of the G1 treble, the Tarzino Trophy, down to be run at Ellerslie before both the 1600m and 2000m legs being staged at Awapuni. The 1400m Group 1 being held at Ellerslie makes sense as it is closer to the elite horse population and that race can sometimes be used as a launching point for trainers wanting to head to Australia. But the latter two legs being staged at Awapuni would keep Group 1 racing in the Central Districts for spring, if in fact that draft of the calendar becomes the official version at the next New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing calendar meeting in May. While the Triple Crown of Group 1s being moved to Ellerslie and Awapuni may alarm Hawke’s Bay racing fans, the Herald understands NZTR will make an announcement in coming weeks about the future of racing at Hastings.

I wasn't talking about one award but the increasing number of awards for anything that can be imagined. I guess you are lined up for the cheerleaders and the embellishing the Messara report awards. As for not reading the report I did but I doubt you did. You certainly have created new interpretations if it. You are even starting to believe your own make believe propaganda which is disturbing.

Perhaps. But it wasn't a Heavy track according to your Koolaid post mentioning 1:10 for 1200m. You can't have it all ways. May I suggest the next time you stay at the Novotel you walk the track in the morning. Assuming the current management allow you to.

Yep lots of options. Many well bred mares sitting in a paddock waiting for a chance.

After this latest post I've come to the conclusion you've given up about the future and you are regaling the past.

I don't dispute any of that. But it is no different (or maybe better) than most Club management. Some of the issues you have posted were beyond the prediction of most investors. My point was that their intention was correct - diversify and establish other revenue streams. A racetrack can't survive otherwise. That's where Trentham is stuffed because they have nothing other than 12 meetings a year. The business case doesn't stack up. Time to retrench to the real CD.

Do what I did. Went to the KM broodmare sale and bought a mare off the knackers truck for $600. The resulting progeny won 5 races.

CHARITY TIPPING COMPETITION ***NOW LIVE*** $20 ENTRY TO WIN A SERVICE FEE TO PROFONDO (Standing 2025 at $17,500 + GST) All of the funds raised will be donated to charity. In aid of a great cause, (or in fact, two), we have decided to run a tipping competition for Saturday's meeting at Te Rapa, Windsor Park Breeders Stakes Day. 50% of the funds collected will go to ST JOHNS AMBULANCE and the other 50% will go to the winners chosen charity. For just $20 per entry, all punters (the keen, the beginners or the lucky) are in with the chance to win a service to PROFONDO, Deep Impacts strikingly handsome Gr.1 winning son. PROFONDO, the very popular Gr.1 winning son of Deep Impact - Click to watch his video HOW TO BE INVOLVED: 1. $20 per entry - fill in the tipping form (below) with your details & your raceday picks. Also enter your surname as a reference for payment! You can participate from anywhere. 2. Multiple entries are welcome & encouraged! (ie. $100 = 5 entries) Dig deep for a great cause. 3. Pick one horse per race, 1st place = 5 points, 2nd place = 3 points, 3rd place = 1 point 4. The two Group races are worth double points (Windsor Park Stud Cambridge Breeders Stakes and Travis Stakes) 5. All payments need to be made by 5pm Friday 25th April. All race selections need to be in by 10am Saturday 26th April 2025. 6. In the case of a late scratching, you will automatically default to the tote favourite in that race. 7. There will only be one winner. In the event of a tie, there will be a countback to the most winners picked. If this still results in equal points, then the win will go to the person who has selected the longest priced winner on the day. In the unlikely event that there are still two or more remaining winners, a justice of the peace will be asked to select a name from a hat. Windsor Park Charity Bank Account: 02 0360 0169301 02 CLICK HERE FOR THE TIPPING SELECTION FORM All entrants into our competition will also automatically go into the draw for a Windsor Park prize worth $250. All funds raised will be divided equally between St John's Ambulance and a charity selected by the winner. Follow our social media to see updates and tips! Rodney Schick +64 21 798 901 Steve Till +64 27 4798 901 Michael Moran + 64 21 326 276 Nick Hewson 0273534042 Copyright © 2025 Windsor Park Stud, All rights reserved. Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

https://mailchi.mp/windsorpark/charity-tipping-competition-to-win-service-fee-enter-here-21433447?fbclid=IwY2xjawJ1Sk5leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETF5R2IzZUdOUWRzaExONVJUAR4OzzSOIqxKDR2fjeoY-ADwpKecHPDrgxf35aTMM1I3rdlZoHof_vtmDdKwtA_aem_IsKeWTuXZYmuEU21wFC_YA

Just remembered what I read in Mastertons financials. They have taken quite a hit with the abandonments and it is the training operation that sustains them at the moment.

Well a lot of the RACE criticisms are often misdirected. You can't blame them for trying to diversify revenue streams and minimising administration costs. However they should never have taken on Trentham in my opinion. A lack of capital to make a difference with that place. Surprisingly Awapuni has as much equity as Trentham.

Posted this on another Topic: Well they need to find capital from somewhere to fix Trentham. In my opinion that is a sink hole. Few realise that if it wasn't for substantial interest free capital lent by the local councils to the Wellington Stadium Trust that venue would run at a loss. So given the number of events held at that venue how do they expect Trentham that holds 12 race meetings a year (no trials, no jumpouts, no horse training revenue) and limited non-racing facilities for functions expect to make a profit?

Well they need to find capital from somewhere to fix Trentham. In my opinion that is a sink hole. Few realise that if it wasn't for substantial interest free capital lent by the local councils to the Wellington Stadium Trust that venue would run at a loss. So given the number of events held at that venue how do they expect Trentham that holds 12 race meetings a year (no trials, no jumpouts, no horse training revenue) and limited non-racing facilities for functions expect to make a profit?

Technically it's fair to say Masterton Racing Club does have a track that being the training centre at the old Opaki course. Which produced a multiple Oaks winner recently - Pennyweka.

They might have a better chance of getting through a race meeting if they held their meeting at Awapunit run by RACE.

Well do you realise where they are trying to find the capital to fix Trentham?

Geez I took you for a St Thomas's man.

Yeah and we wonder where the money is coming from to fix Trentham!

How would the CEO know? As only been there five mintues. Must be Balcombe advising him.

Please post any more information you get. Things are bad enough in the South Island!

Yeah. It's as if the Club may have access and posts and then someone re-edits.

Meeting News Riccarton Park Synthetic Trials Cancelled Please note that due to insuffcient entries Riccarton Park Synthetic Trials Wednesday 23 April have been cancelled.

All good I'll "indirectly" reprimand someone. I've already given Mikey a warning about language.

That's pure gold @TAB For Ever - did your trainer not get the memo?

I don't have a problem with awards for outstanding contributions to racing however the random plethora of such rewards are diminishing their effect. As well some of the nominees tend to make a mockery of some awards. For example how does a Club that doesn't own a racecourse and has 3 meetings abandoned in 5 years make the finalists ahead of many worthy Clubs?