Chief Stipe

Compare it to some of the other three yr olds this season. Pivotal Ten hasn't broken 35 for the last 600m yet. Some argue she hasn't been tested but the top 3yr olds are regularly running 34 or better (not at Ellerslie!). I'm not a guru either but the good horses can always run a good sectional.

But was it that hard? 11.9's? The other horses didn't struggle to go with her and to be honest aren't they are class below the North Island 3yr olds?

You have to have a Plan B and be capable of successfully implementing it. If you draw wide you won't get a cheap sectional getting to the front by any means. Plus if something else gets to the front and stacks them up like they have been you won't be able to get away with running 12 second sectionals - you'll have to put in a good one from the back. If she does get to the front and runs hard then it will be interesting because I haven't seen that pattern much on the "new and improved" Ellerslie.

Entain NZ leaders resign, vow to stay in racing industry By Michael Guerin NZ Herald· 20 Feb, 2025 12:35 PM4 mins to read 35 mins if you are Scooby. Two of the biggest names in the New Zealand racing and wagering industry have resigned from their roles at Entain, the company which runs the TAB — but insist they are staying in the industry. Lachlan Fitt, the deputy chief executive and chief financial officer at Entain Australia, and Cameron Rodger, managing director of Entain NZ, told staff today they will be leaving the company. The pair have been two of the main drivers of enormous change since Entain took over the operational running of the New Zealand TAB on June 1, 2023 as part of a 25-year agreement between the two companies. While Fitt is Australian-based he has spent a lot of time in New Zealand working with the codes on boosting New Zealand racing through stake increases and developing the racing calendar and has been one of the clear leaders in the time of huge growth. Rodger is a rare fairytale story in the competitive world of gambling, rising from selling bets as a TAB operator in Auckland to the top New Zealand job at the company as Entain and TAB integrated. New Zealand racing has enjoyed enormous growth since Entain took over the TAB business and both Fitt and Rodger are viewed as having had major roles in that development. Entain Australia boss Dean Shannon confirmed the departures to the Herald and says while disappointed to see Fitt and Rodger go he supports their desire to work more in the racing and breeding side of the racing business. Fitt says the time was right for him to explore that passion. “After a decade as an international wagering executive, now is the right time to move on to my next chapter,” he told the Herald. “While I am resigning from Entain, I am not resigning from New Zealand. “Racing in New Zealand still has a tremendous amount of opportunity and it is critical that the industry focus on improving its efficiency in order to achieve sustainable long-term funding. “I hope to shortly announce what I will do next, there are a number of opportunities that combine my passion for racing and bloodstock and the global opportunities both present.” Both Fitt and Rodger have developed close ties inside the thoroughbred industry and in particular its breeding sector. Rodger says after almost two years helping oversee the integration of the two companies and the modernisation of the TAB, he wants to move more toward the horse side of the business. “After more than a decade in the wagering industry and two incredible years leading Entain NZ, the time feels right to turn the page and take on a new challenge,” says Rodger. “The progress made in modernising the New Zealand wagering landscape has been extraordinary and I leave knowing the business is in great shape. “While my time in wagering is coming to an end by commitment to NZ racing remains. “There are still big challenges ahead in the industry and I want to play a role in ensuring it thrives for the long term.” Entain, and the TAB, have become key sponsors of New Zealand races and supported bonus schemes to drive participation in ownership of racehorses. Shannon says Entain and the TAB’s commitment to and involvement in the racing industry will not be affected by today’s resignations. Deputy chief financial officer Sam Moncur will be promoted to take over Rodger’s role as managing director of Entain NZ in a popular appointment with Moncur respected in both the wagering and horse racing industries.

Key executives announce departure from Entain www.racenet.com.au Two key personnel of Entain Australia/New Zealand are poised to leave the wagering giant to pursue other opportunities. On Thursday, Entain Australia boss Dean Shannon revealed Chief Financial Officer Lachlan Fitt and Managing Director of the New Zealand arm Cameron Rodger will depart the organisation on March 8. "We are sad to say goodbye to two members of our Executive team who have provided many years of fantastic service and friendship," Shannon said. "But at the same time we are very happy for them both as they embark on their next adventure." In announcing his departure, Lachlan Fitt, who has spent more than a decade in the international wagering sphere, said the time was right to move on to his next chapter. "I am grateful to Entain for backing me, and particularly for the recent opportunity to work on starting the revitalisation of the New Zealand racing industry," Fitt said. "I am proud of the transformation of Entain's wagering and media business in New Zealand – there is still more to do, but it is in great shape. "I hope to shortly be announcing what I will be doing next – there are a number of opportunities that combine my passion for racing and bloodstock, and the global opportunity both present." News of the departure of Fitt and Rodger follows the recent announcement that Andy Hoad, General Manager of Group Content & Broadcast, would be joining Racing Victoria as its new Executive General Manager of Media, Content and Marketing. Entain Australia also recently announced it was winding down its Ladbrokes Racing Club (LRC) initiative due to "increasing product fees and taxes in Australia along with the rising cost of racing which has forced tough decisions to be made regarding these extra initiatives."

A valid opinion and a valid question. On BOAY you can have both. On NZ's Premier Channel (cough!) you can't have an opinion that disagrees with the Comic Dog or makes him look silly. The latter is often in his own mind - oh to be so paranoid.

Good luck trying that strategy. It was slowing quicker than a wet week in its last win and needed to be whipped to keep going - unnecesarily in my opinion. Its last 600m was in 35.75, the 600-400 - 11.7, 400-200 - 11.78, last 200m in 12.8. First 400m - 23.86. First 600m - 35.73 Last 800 m - 46.97. Last 600m 35.75. I also think that first 400m time was suspect but assuming it was OK you need more than one trick up your sleeve.

Well Wightman wouldn't be endearing himself to the Stipes with comments like this on Facebook! Here’s hoping that’s not the thinking and the attitude of the RIU. We’ve already seen the dreadful cover up of the carnage resulting from the poor prepared polyshit tracks by both NZTR and the RIU who should’ve demanded that racing cease on them until proven safe. We wouldn’t like to see them using the blood taking procedures to essentially nobble our horse close to race start .. unsettle the horse and reduce its chances of performing at its best … surely???

Once again BOAY brings you the full news first! Well after Guerin.

Racing: Southland stunner Pivotal Ten gets chance to shine in NZB Kiwi By Michael Guerin NZ Herald· 20 Feb, 2025 06:27 AM3 mins to read Save Share Pivotal Ten with Samantha Wynne after winning Saturday's Southland Guineas at Invercargill. Photo / Supplied New Zealand’s richest ever race now has its fairy tale southern flavour after Pivotal Ten secured a slot in the $3.5 million NZB Kiwi last night. The Canterbury filly is trained and ridden by jockey Samantha Wynne and cost owner Colin Wightman just $15,000 at the National Weanling Sale in 2022. She has emerged as one of the surprise stars of the New Zealand racing summer having won her last five races, including the NZB Insurance Stakes, Gore Guineas and a stunning victory in the Southland Guineas at Invercargill on Saturday. They are all black-type races and that was enough to convince the Selangor Turf Club (STC) from Malaysia they should take a chance on the southern filly in the new slot race at Ellerslie on March 8. Bloodstock agent and auctioneer Mike Kneebone, who works in the Asian market for New Zealand Bloodstock, has fostered the relationship between New Zealand and Malaysia and the STC slot holders put him in charge of securing the right horse. “We worked hard to get them this filly who we just love and are thrilled to get her,” said Kneebone. “We have all seen her class as she has gotten better every start this summer and she is not only a really good filly but it is a great story. “Everybody knows how passionate and proud South Island racing fans are and here they have one of their own, a horse who has done her racing all around the South Island, in the richest race we have ever held in this country.” The STC reps only bought their slot in the NZB Kiwi in November, when it was auctioned at the Ready To Run sale at Karaka, with part of the price they paid going to charity. “They were really big on having a crack at the slot because of the charity component and wanting to show their support for New Zealand racing,” Kneebone said. “They are very excited about being part of the day. They already have a group of 20 booked to make the trip down for the race.” Pivotal Ten is an example of the shrinking racing world as she is by former shuttle stallion Ten Sovereigns from the British-bred mare Woodcote Lass, who was brought into New Zealand by the late Kevin Hickman’s Valachi Downs operation. She is trained and driven by Irish-born and raised Wynne, who is popular for her skills, attitude and accent and will now race in a slot owned by a group of racing enthusiasts from Malaysia. “It is such a cool story on so many levels and great for the NZB Kiwi,” Kneebone said. A deal is believed to be in the offing that could see another party purchase a share in Pivotal Ten but even if that goes ahead it will not affect her NZB Kiwi campaign.

Yeah a bit like buying a new car and after a week taking it back because you don't like the colour and expecting what you paid for it! Although there was a bug in the software initially where you did get 100% back.

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/racing/racing-southland-stunner-gets-chance-to-shine/KHZMYZNUFNFLPF2RWOH7M5KR6Q/ Must be true it's in the NZ Herald.

Well you are "close" to the source so...

Hyperbole at its worst. I guess Brendan doesn't know the Hokitika track was closed down 6 years ago or that the Hokitika beach is unsuitable for training on.

That's the total race time. What has been its quickest sectional in any race? Including that one. As for being "on the bridle" it was slowing down and had to be whipped twice to be "ridden through the line". They weren't taps or for "training purposes".

How did the last one you bought do?

Vegas Queen seeking coveted NZB Kiwi berth 19 February, 2025 • 3:01 PM Joshua Smith joshuasmithnz Share There are only a few slots to fill in next month’s $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m), and Ruakaka filly Vegas Queen will be seeking to secure one of them when she heads to Ellerslie on Saturday to contest the Listed Trevor & Coralie Eagle Uncle Remus Stakes (1400m). The daughter of Proisir scored her maiden win at her home track as a juvenile in July and has hardly put a foot wrong as a three-year-old, running fourth in the Gr.3 Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) before posting two runner-up results at Ellerslie, including the Gr.3 Almanzor Trophy (1200m) on Karaka Millions night last month. A number of NZB Kiwi slot holders have been circling the filly, but none have yet to bite, with Vegas Queen getting her final chance to impress this weekend in what will be a dress rehearsal for the richest three-year-old race in the southern hemisphere on Champions Day, March 8. The Uncle Remus field comprises four confirmed NZB Kiwi runners in Checkmate, Dealt With, Penman and Sethito, and trainer Kenny Rae believes his filly can match it with her more fancied opponents this weekend. “It is a big step up for her, but I think she is up to it,” he said. “She is the best horse in Ruakaka, if that means anything. “I was rapt with her run (in the Almanzor Trophy). She missed the start a wee bit and Jasmine (Fawcett, jockey) used her up a bit to get up there, but she had a good draw. You can’t complain when you are getting $47,000 for second.” Rae had planned on heading to the South Island with his filly to tackle some stakes targets, however, he opted to remain in the north following her Almanzor Trophy performance. “She was going to go down for the Dunedin Guineas (Listed, 1600m), but she went well at Ellerslie, so we decided to keep her up here,” he said. Vegas Queen, a relation of champion mare Winx, will jump from barrier seven on Saturday where she will once again be ridden by Fawcett. “Seven is a good draw for her. She will tuck in right behind them somewhere,” Rae said. While hopeful of gaining an NZB Kiwi berth, Rae said he isn’t fazed if his filly misses out, highlighting that he has another lucrative target in-mind for her on Champions Day in the form of the $100,000 Windsor Park Stud 3YO Trophy (1500m). “Everybody is sitting playing the waiting game,” Rae said. “I would be quite happy to go to the Windsor Park, she is only a young horse and there is plenty of time. “We may give her a small break (after Champions Day) and then look for something for her in the autumn or the spring even. She will be better as a four and five-year-old, I am sure of it.” Vegas Queen is currently a $16 winning chance for the Uncle Remus with TAB bookmakers, with the Wexford Stables pair of Checkmate and Sethito heading the market at $3.80. – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk Picture at the Top of the Page: Vegas Queen will take her place in Saturday's Listed Trevor & Coralie Eagle Uncle Remus Stakes (1400m) at Ellerslie. Photo: Therese Davis (Race Images)

Rumours... NOW OFFICIAL as of Thursday morning 20 February 2025.

I don't think it is up to that level based on its performances to date. I would have liked to have seen a decent sectional fron it.

Here is Steve Hunt's Analysis of the Southland Guineas: Pivotal Ten landed on a 97 rating. The clock backed up the visual, great sustained speed. The last 200m sectionals, Pivotal Ten was very slow at the end, but more than understandable given the prior speed she showed. That doesn't detract from the performance or rating, but more so offers an indicator that she will need to be rated a little more efficiently if she's a chance to run 1500m near that rating level. If a little slow into stride like her last two and she's then revved up to find a position somewhere up near the lead, that can make it a little more difficult to switch off and relax well enough to run a strong 1500m. At the same time, I'd be snapping her up if I had a Kiwi slot yet to be filled.

Is the horse a slow learner? Whipped in its previous 3 races - not tapped. You sure like these training aids @curious.

Already has. The Southland Guineas winner is heading to Wellington!

Well it could be more accurate without a handicapper. What is wrong with the current system is it is done on a one factor formula - basically it won. Minimal adjustment given to time or weight or relative performance.

I agree.

You assume that that 25% is made up of punters that don't bet on anything else. My view is that it is the thin end of the wedge and Winston needs to harden up as there aren't that many votes in it. Give an inch to some weird minority and you end up like the basket case the UK is. Perhaps Shane Jones should be Racing Minister.