Chief Stipe

To Our Valued RACE Members, Thank you for your continued patience, understanding, and support as we work towards a safe and confident return to racing at RACE Awapuni. We know this update will be disappointing for many, and everyone involved, from our track team to NZTR, officials, riders, and Club representatives, shares that feeling. However, taking a little more time is the right step to ensure that when racing does resume, it does so safely and with complete confidence in the surface. Following yesterday’s trials, a meeting was held with representatives from NZTR, RACE, the New Zealand Jockeys’ Association, and track advisor Liam O’Keeffe (Flemington). After reviewing conditions and rider feedback, all parties agreed that the track continues to improve but would benefit from more time before racing resumes. Across eleven heats involving 94 horses, both on the rail and around the markers, riders raised no safety concerns, and the track continues to show improvement. The consensus was that it would benefit from additional time to consolidate. Track consultant Liam O’Keeffe, who has been monitoring the track throughout the Return-to-Racing process, supported the decision. “Following significant rainfall over the past week (107mm in 10 days), the track presented as a heavy surface. Riders noted some kickback, and everyone agreed it would benefit from additional time to consolidate.” “It was pleasing to hear from senior riders that there was no slippage, but it will be important to run another set of trials under drier conditions to give the track a full and fair test,” he said. As a result, we will now work with NZTR to hold another set of trials in late October, when conditions are expected to be drier. We know this isn’t the outcome anyone had hoped for, but it’s an important step to ensure the track performs at its best when racing returns. The safety of our riders and horses remains our top priority, and we’re encouraged by the progress made so far. RACE will continue to work closely with NZTR to find an alternative venue for the November 1 race meeting and will share details as soon as they’re confirmed. Thank you again for your understanding and support. It means a great deal to everyone working hard behind the scenes to bring racing safely back to Awapuni. Yours in racing, Richard Simpson Chairman RACE Inc.

Oh well it seemed to behave ok. Although the Tom Tom drums are beating.

At 4.59pm apparently. Not BEFORE the trials. Regardless it seemed to perform OK for the conditions. Do you disagree?

Did Kate Hercock ride for the trainer? She seems to be the Jockey track expert in the CD. As for the track being shifty. That is par for the course with a sand based track. Ellerslie is the same. Which is great news. Were you there? You'd expect some kick back from a Soft 6/rainy weather on sandy track.

She was pretty useful in OZ. Ran second to Imperatriz in the G1 Moir. Stamps that form. Won the G2 Schillaci Stakes. A G2 at Caulfield and a G3 at Flemington.

Asfoora wins despite late drama www.racing.com Oisin Murphy salutes after Asfoora's win in France. An Uber driver may be the toast of the Henry Dwyer stable, along with Asfoora, after the star mare overcame a late scratching scare and a nervy run in transit to claim the Group 1 Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp on Sunday.https://bitofayarn.com The globetrotting sprinter, now a G1 winner in both England and France, was within 90 seconds of being scratched pre-race after her ID card and passport failed to arrive on track. “Unfortunately, her ID and passport didn’t make her way down from Chantilly to the races today,” travelling foreman Simon Morrish told At The Races pre-race. “We were alerted to that fact as soon as we arrived here. The passport, as we speak, is in an Uber on the way to the track.https://bitofayarn.com “If it gets here in the next five to 10 minutes, we’re OK... otherwise, unfortunately we won’t be running.” But arrive in time it did, albeit just, and Asfoora, backed from $4.40 to $3.30 with the track drying out, took her place in the line-up. The globetrotting sprinter was coiled up for much of the 17-horse, 1000m contest and seemed only needing of a gap to prove competitive. And she let down like a steam train when Oisin Murphy eased Asfoora between horses at the furlong pole, taking the lead from roughie Jawwal ($61) and claiming her third top level honour. She becomes the first Australia trained French winner at any level, continuing her incredible story as an overseas trailblazer.https://bitofayarn.com “It’s amazing. Since we started this whole journey, it’s just about doing new things,” Dwyer said post-race. “Life’s experiential, racing’s experiential... I’ve never been to the races in France before, and here we are winning a G1 on Arc Day.”https://bitofayarn.com It will go down as one of the more stressful G1 winning days in Dwyer’s career, but ultimately, two speedy beasts and their ultra cool pilots ensured the day ended with triumph instead of despair. “We had some pre-race issues… we had to work through those issues because we were within a minute and a half of not running,” Dwyer said. “I had an Uber driver on a retainer of 200 quid to get it here on time, and my man delivered." https://bitofayarn.com WATCH: Asfoora's win in France!

TAB NZ have had to give NZ Sports a percentage of the revenue earnt from their sport long before the ENTAIN deal. The legislation that was passed in 2020 however extended the amount distributed to Sports by legally requiring the money earnt by Sports who didn't have a national organisation to go to NZ Sports and Recreation. The ENTAIN deal splits the net wagering revenue 50:50 between ENTAIN and Racing/Sports.

Which they are entitled to are they not?

Yes the TAB was originally set up for racing. That wasn't because there wasn't any sports betting occuring with the local pub bookie itwas because the main game in town was racing AND the administrators (the "old boy whales of the time") wanted to control the betting and create a monopoly. Sports betting was not approved in NZ until 1996 and again the NZ TAB was given the monopoly. Ironically Sports then faced the same problem that the new legislation is aiming to stop and that is the use of someone elses product to generate revenue. Sports betting didn't start in OZ until 1983 and that was on the back of the advent of the Packer driven Circus of One Day cricket. The OZ TAB was the only agency allowed to take bets - on football, cricket and boxing. Sportsbet was allowed to set up in 1996 and provided competition. The NZ TAB is not owned by NZ Racing. It has never been owned by Racing. It is a statutory entity that exists only because Government has allowed it to exist. The argument that NZ Racing built it up and funded it is spurious at best.

Most of the increased revenue from Sports Betting will be distributed to Sports as per the following extract from the Racing Act 2020. The only revenue that could be distributed elsewhere i.e. to Racing is for a Sport that doesn't have a National Association. However even then there is an obligation to distribute it to Sports and Recreation NZ. The issue that concerns some doom and gloomers is how much of the Racing wagering will be cannibalised by Sports betting particularly new exotic products aimed at Sports. 82Application of revenue from sports betting (1) TAB must apply the amounts received by it for sports betting, including the net return from bets laid off under section 78(2)(b)(ii), for a racing year in payment of (or in respect of)— (a) refunds of bets and winning dividends for that year, including payments to dividend prize pools that will be carried forward and paid out as winning dividends at a future date; and (b) goods and services tax; and (c) totalisator duty as prescribed by the Gaming Duties Act 1971; and (d) the distribution of betting profits (if any) in accordance with section 73; and (e) the amounts (not less than the minimum amounts prescribed by, or calculated in accordance with, the method prescribed in regulations under section 128) payable to New Zealand national sporting organisations and Sport and Recreation New Zealand under agreements entered into under sections 79 and 80; and (f) all costs, charges, and expenses incurred by TAB NZ in the performance and exercise of its functions, duties, and powers during that year in relation to sports betting. (2) The surplus, if any, of the amounts received by it for sports betting that remains after making the payments referred to in subsection (1) must be applied by TAB NZ in accordance with sections 65, 71, and 72. Compare: 2003 No 3 s 57

Meeting News South Canterbury RC Postponed The South Canterbury meeting from Sunday 5 October has been postponed to Thursday 9 October. All scratchings have been reinstated. The new start time for Race 1 is 11.30am. Race 11 start time will be 5.40pm. Other race start times are to be confirmed. The race meeting was postponed following an inspection by both the Track Manager and the RIB early this morning due to surface water on the track.

Perhaps they are trying to get responsible punters like you to act irresponsibly? Will help their pay grade.

Never was a fan of the TAB Racing Club. I prefer more direct ownership options. As for being on a Racing Committee. Even though I've painted a few running rails, cleaned the stands/seats and eliminated a few weeds you are correct I haven't been on a Racing Committee. But I've never been a "trougher" and from what I've seen of most Club Committees they just enjoy the limelight and let the assets decay. I gather then you have been on a Racing Committee? Never participated - refer above.

I'm pleased I woke you up.

Te Akau Moonee Valley Friday Preview Te Akau Racing has one horse entered on Friday 3 October at Moonee Valley (Melbourne). Moonee Valley: Weather: overcast, track: Good4, rail: out 7 metres. Showers forecast. 9:45 p.m. (NZ) ~ 6:45 p.m. (Vic) R2 7 Lyrics ‘N’ Song (3 f Written Tycoon – Melody Belle) – Michael Dee; she led at a comfortable pace and lifted when challenged to win a jump out on 22 September at Cranbourne, also with Dee aboard. She debuts in the A$60,000 Maiden 3YO Fillies 1200 metres and is the first foal out of Te Akau purchased and trained dual Horse of the Year Melody Belle (Commands) - herself a debut winner on her way to NZ record of 14 Group One wins. She has drawn barrier one and is well supported in betting. TAB fixed odds: $3.60 & $1.45. http://www.racing.com/videos/2025-09-22/cranbourne-jump-out-11--22092025

Actually it looks like the Rateable Value for the Dargaville Racecourse is only just over $700k.

So you can see it one way or other.

So you said they can't now you say they can?

But ENTAIN can - if there is a difference between NZ earnings and the contracted payment then any loss is paid from the ENTAIN consolidated accounts.

Can you eliminate the tautology and explain what you actually mean?

What do you mean by "impossible"? If you mean that ENTAIN losses in NZ are such that they want to bail before the first 5 years is up then they have only one option and that is to buy out of their contract. Unless of course there are clauses in the sales contract that are dependent upon TABNZ and the NZ Government delivering on something that made the sale worthwhile in the first place. For example the restrictions on overseas sports and racing wagering which the NZ Government has delivered. ENTAIN would have to weigh up the risk vs reward of bailing early and what signal that would send to the investment market. Their financial cost (essentially the difference between the promise and net profit - if any) to TABNZ is comparatively small when looked at the overall ENTAIN accounts. The bigger question is what happens after the first 5 years. Will ENTAIN then sell the NZ business which is essentially a license to monopoly trade in NZ? Well it isn't clear if it is theirs to sell. In that situation the focus will go right back on the NZ Government who were a party to the sale in the first instance.

So what are YOU going to do to ensure that things do change?

The same "learned people" that let our tracks get into the state they are in and are now blaming everyone else?

For example?

Where have they done that? I realise you have a beef with Racing Administration but why make things up?