Chief Stipe

Some will.

Interesting though that HRNZ still publish the turnover and GBR.

Perhaps.

Does Auckland need a bigger town hall? 80 people "packed out a hall"? No where near a West Coast wedding or wake!

Too short. Not value in my opinion. I mean Scooby reckons it is a shoe in FFS!

NZTR have caught up. Southern Star Secures NZB Kiwi Slot The $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) has received a welcome injection of southern flavour, with exciting filly Pivotal Ten having secured a berth in the Southern Hemisphere’s richest three-year-old race. Trained and ridden by Samantha Wynne, Pivotal Ten has gained many admirers this term after producing a picket fence form line, including three successive stakes victories, culminating in last Saturday’s dominant 8-3/4 length victory in the Listed Southland Guineas (1400m). Her connections received plenty of interest from NZB Kiwi slot holders, but it was the Selangor Turf Club that came out on top in securing the services of the daughter of Ten Sovereigns. “I think she is the most interesting runner in the race and probably the most exciting,” New Zealand Bloodstock (NZB) Director of Business Development and Selangor Turf Club Slot Holder representative Mike Kneebone said. “She is a filly that I think will work really well for the race and I am thrilled that we waited for as long as we did to get the horse that we really wanted.” Wynne is looking forward to being a part of the New Zealand Thoroughbred racing industry’s first-ever slot race and is excited by the challenge. “It is going to be the biggest challenge of my life, but I am ready for it,” she said. “I know how lucky I am to have her. People wait all their lives for a horse like her, so I am not taking anything for granted. “She keeps stepping up and doing good things, so I think she deserves a shot, and hopefully we can do the South Island proud.” While Wynne has ridden at Ellerslie, she has yet to line-up a runner in the North Island, so to do so in the richest race in the country is a bit surreal for the Canterbury horsewoman. “I have never had a runner in the North Island,” she said. “I rode in the Auckland Cup and had a couple of rides that day. I will be up there a week before the race and I will do as much homework as I can, we will leave no stone unturned.” The Selangor Turf Club have been great supporters of New Zealand Bloodstock, and the New Zealand racing and breeding industry, and Kneebone said it is great to have their involvement in the inaugural running of the NZB Kiwi after they purchased a slot at a charity event prior to New Zealand Bloodstock’s Ready to Run Sale last year. “I have worked up there (Malaysia) for a long time and I have said for many years that the Selangor Turf Club are a very forward-thinking club,” Kneebone said. “They are driven by a wonderful chairman in Tan Sri Richard Cham, and his wife Louise is by his side. Their CEO is Mike Fong and they have been great supporters of New Zealand Bloodstock for a long time. “When they realised Singapore was finishing (racing last year), they were wanting to get two-year-olds coming up into their racing system so they had new, young horses coming through to attract people to the races, and they chose New Zealand as that place to replenish their horses. “When they came down for the Ready to Run Sale they were at the welcome party where the auction of the one-off NZB Kiwi slot was going on. Captain Tan Tiang Huat, who is one of the main owners up there, bought the slot, and after it he said, ‘Mike you will need to find us one now and we will come down’. “There is a group of 20 coming down. They love their racing and they are an on-the-move Club. We can’t thank them enough for the support they have given us, and this might be a good way to reward them.” Kneebone thinks he has found the Selangor Turf Club the perfect filly for the race and said his attention was drawn to her following her golden run of form in the south. “I had a number of people mention her to me as a filly on the rise, because I buy a lot of well-bred fillies and mares, and she came on the radar because of that,” he said. “After her win in the Gore Guineas (Listed, 1335m), it was the times that I was impressed with the most with her and the fact that she doesn’t seem to have a care in the world. She is a lovely, relaxed animal. “I have spoken with Sam about going the other way around for Ellerslie and she said the filly is such a natural, relaxed talent and she swaps over legs whenever she wants to, and I don’t think that will be a problem for her at all.” Kneebone said NZB is proud to be the naming sponsor of the race and extending their strong support of the New Zealand racing industry. “New Zealand Bloodstock have been huge sponsors of New Zealand racing for so long with the Fillies Series and the Pearl Series, general race meetings, and of course the Karaka Millions as well,” he said. “It is a great fit for us, and it keeps the momentum going that New Zealand racing is heading in at the moment. We just love this concept.” Pivotal Ten was bred by the late Kevin Hickman under his Valachi Downs banner. She is out of Lady Woodcote, a full-sister to Group One winner Maarek, and is a half-sister to stakes performer Woodcote Lass. She was offered through Valachi Downs’ 2022 NZB National Weanling Sale where she was purchased by Colin Wightman for $15,000, and was entrusted to the care of Wynne, for whom she has won five of her seven starts, including three at stakes level, and has earned nearly $200,000 in prizemoney. – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk NZB Kiwi Contact Emma Thompson - NZB Kiwi Programme Lead emma.thompson@nztr.co.nz

I assume you are replying to my post. If they are racing dogs and breeding dogs why not be able to export them to a jurisdiction that still races dogs? Not exactly China is it?

You're not wrong. I understand what the equine part of the industry think about the canine part BUT it was a bridgehead. The equine part is naive if they think the heat won't turn on them! Even though the anti-racing mob are a very small minority.

In what way? Have they hooked into Go Racing?

You would hope that Trainers would have the option to export to Australia.

A club has no future if there are no Owners or Trainers.

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.