Chief Stipe

The word I heard was that Avondale are going to invest North of Auckland. Why wouldn't you?

So from an average ride by JMac on Broadsiding to Jamie Kah at 49.5kg.

Te Aroha complete return to racing protocols LOVERACING.NZ News Desk 24 October 2024 Racing is set to return to Te Aroha next week after the club successfully completed the return to racing protocols on Wednesday. The course held a set of nine trials, with 59 horses from the Cambridge, Matamata, Te Awamutu and local Te Aroha training centres attending. Through the latter part of winter, several scheduled meetings at Te Aroha were transferred to other venues to allow for extensive renovations to further progress the track surface and profile functionality. “Over the course of the renovation project, we have completed extensive work on the track including sub soiling, air injection to a depth of 500mm and verti-draining with a variety of tines, among other things,” Te Aroha’s track manager Ryan Gartner said. “We under-sowed the track and applied fungicide multiple times as well, including hand seeding and under-sowing the weak areas almost daily. “I’m pleased to see the jockeys comments reflect the hard work that has been put in, and we will continue to put the effort in to produce a quality surface for the industry.” Among a strong contingent of senior hoops was Joe Doyle, who expressed plenty of confidence after riding in six heats on a Good 4 surface. “It rode perfectly today, there is loads of grass where we are racing,” he said. “Its seems to be holding up perfectly and if the weather holds, I don’t see there being any problems. It rode really, really nicely.” Graham Richardson, who trains at Matamata with Rogan Norvall, had an unraced three-year-old in the final trial and was equally positive in his review. “I’m really pleased with it and it’s so nice to be back,” he said. “The track seems nice and safe and it looks great. I’m looking forward to racing on the 30th.” Northern-based commentator and Racing Te Aroha board member George Simon had hoped to see the venue come into play earlier in the season but is looking forward to the upcoming period of racing, which includes meetings on October 30, November 12, November 27 (Christmas at the Races) and December 8. “Our return has been more delayed than we would have liked, but we needed that additional time to go forward with confidence and be able to maintain our scheduled programme,” he said. “After the trials that took place today, I spoke to a number of senior jockeys who were very complimentary of how the track was presented. They said it rode well, had a little give and was well grassed. “From my perspective, it looked good and with the positive feedback received, it augurs well going forward. “The track will undergo further work in March 2025 after a period of racing.” The Club awaits a final ‘go ahead’ to be given in the coming days, after consultation between the Club, New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing and the Racing Integrity Board. However, Stipendiary Steward, Brady Jones, gave the club some assurance with his feedback following the trials. “The feedback from the senior jockeys was positive, and I see no reason not to proceed next week,” he said.

What happens when a world-class jockey hits back at the media? Jamie Kah and Ben Melham aren't holding back. Just before one of the biggest events of the year, The Everest, Kah fired off at News Corp for a “garbage” article that dragged her personal life and past controversies into the spotlight. After dedicating her life to the sport, this hit her hard. But the couple isn’t staying silent. Melham didn’t mince words either, calling out the “gutter journalism” they’ve come to expect. #JamieKah #BenMelham #HorseRacing #MediaBacklash #CoxPlate #Racing

Yeah Na. All that money is being pumped into novelty races on tracks that aren't up to spec.

When will they do the AWT review?

NZTR would like to provide an update on the Future of NZ Jumps Racing consultation process No images? Click here NZTR to Provide Jumps Recommendation in November New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) would like to provide an update on the Future of NZ Jumps Racing consultation process. Following the formation of a recommendation panel in September, the decision has been made to delay the presentation of a final recommendation to the NZTR Board until November, to give the panel sufficient time to meet with relevant stakeholders and consider the review of jumps racing in Victoria. “The panel has met and while excellent progress has been made, we believe there is still work to be done before providing a robust recommendation to the Board."– Darin Balcombe, NZTR COO and Jumps Recommendation Panel Chair. “Racing Victoria’s review into the jumps racing industry came weeks after forming the panel and we felt there was also an opportunity to collaborate as they undertake a similar process.” NZTR acknowledge the jumps fraternity will be looking to bring horses back into work in the coming months and want to ensure all participants that any decision made on the future of Jumps Racing will not affect the 2024/25 season. The recommendation panel is scheduled to meet again in October with the intention to provide a recommendation for the 26 November Board meeting. A further update will be provided following this meeting. Corporate Communications New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Contact: Catlyn Calder +64 27 252 2803 nztrcommunications@nztr.co.nz

Where is the evidence of that? It would appear that the relevant machinery wasn't being used at Riccarton. At least not until recently when some people started blowing whistles. But were resources increased at Awapuni and Riccarton when the AWT's were added to the workload? Those two racecourse were struggling before their addition of the AWT's. There is no evidence in the CJC accounts that additional resource was added nor that sufficient revenue has been generated to pay for any additional resource. The proof of under resourcing is clearly evident with the poor track outcomes.

I've been told the Awapuni and other CD trainers didn't want the track in the first place.

Only if you have sufficient resources to do your job. Most Track Managers are working with SFA.

How? They have a over $1 billion in real estate assets however seem to be more intent on developing and owning or partnering in Hotels e.g. the Pullman at Auckland Airport, various Novotel hotels. Plus they own large hunks of key land and infrastructure all over the Waikato and the Bay of Plenty. Just check out Tainui Group Holdings Ltd. Again isn't there a corollary between the asset owners in the racing industry and the asset owners in Tainui? The battlers further down the chain may not be receiving much of the trickle down.

That may be fact but you draw a long bow when you connect those donations with what you call "anti-brown policies". The latter is just your interpretation and opinion NOT fact.

16 runs in OZ at the top level are worth about 32 in NZ.

Yeah you have to flick between 62 and 504. But going to 503 the post race is longer but interrupted by Emily and Guy Heveldt having a fireside chat.

Really? So are you suggesting MORE money should be thrown at the problem? Bit like racing. Throwing money at stakes hasn't fixed the fundamental problems.

It's not fact it's your opinion.

I think you are drawing some long bows there. Obviously throwing cash at a specific group hasn't changed the negative statistics from that group. Now isn't there a corollary with the extra stakes being thrown at selected top end races? Will it improve the negative statistics?

A very good Jockey who struggled with weight from time to time. Performed very well during a very competitive time when there were many good Jockey's in the ranks. Condolences to those close to him.

Is the Caulfield Cup on today? Just wondering. Getting bored with the Trackside "our horse" running in The Everest.

What do you find so exciting about the NZ Kiwi?

I disagree. The later charges are essentially the same as the first except in the latter there was "new" evidence.

Not even the double jeopardy argument?

Yes just like a farmer's rotation cycle. I've always said that having all these tracks was an advantage not a hindrance. Imagine if Avondale had been in full play when Ellerslie was being renovated? They wouldn't have stuffed Pukekohe AGAIN!! Not to mention that the powers that be have overlooked that the centralisation process is eliminating training venues. Hard to get a operatimg return on investment when you have sold your land and have eliminated other sources of revenue.