Chief Stipe

On to the next.

Young flock to Cup Week https://bitofayarn.com Darcy Cosgriff Nov 12, 2025 There was a distinctly young feel about the 286,746 strong crowd across the four Spring Carnival days, and the demographic stats have backed that up.https://bitofayarn.com Of all general admission tickets purchased, 53 percent were bought by people under the age of 35, up 14% from 2025. Victoria Racing Club CEO Kylie Rogers said it was a “particularly exciting” year in that regard. “The success of the 2025 Melbourne Cup Carnival has emphatically demonstrated that racing is back and thriving. With our largest crowd since 2018, record-breaking wagering turnover on Lexus Melbourne Cup Day, and significant uplift in broadcast figures, the momentum and energy throughout the week was infectious," she said. “What's particularly exciting is the significant growth in younger audiences. This Carnival has demonstrated that racing continues to captivate a diverse range of audiences.https://bitofayarn.com Rogers said the Melbourne Cup Carnival continued to be Australia's most-celebrated sporting and entertainment event, and the momentum gave the VRC tremendous confidence for the future. Daily attendance figures reflected the Carnival's broad appeal, with Howden Victoria Derby Day attracting 86,343 guests, Lexus Melbourne Cup Day attracting 84,373, Crown Oaks Day welcoming 51,239, and TAB Champions Stakes Day closing the week with 65,012 racegoers. KEY STATISTICS The 2025 Melbourne Cup Carnival welcomed its largest crowd since 2018 with 286,746 attending Flemingtonhttps://bitofayarn.com Of all general admission tickets for the Melbourne Cup Carnival, 53 percent were purchased by people under the age of 35 – up 17% year-on-year. Lexus Melbourne Cup broadcast National Total TV reach increased 9% year-on-year, with total audience over 2 million for the first time since 2018. Record wagering turnover across both the Lexus Melbourne Cup meeting and the Lexus Melbourne Cup race. Over 36 million video views across VRC’s digital channels, up 63% year-on-year. The economic impact of the Melbourne Cup Carnival was on full display on Lexus Melbourne Cup Day, with 66% of ticket sales coming from interstate or international visitors. The Carnival’s philanthropic and community impact was again significant, contributing over $1 million to charity and equine wellbeing partners.

Hence the changes he made that you found favourable.

The NZ TAB has always been a monopoly - someone like @Huey must surely argue that NZ Racing was at its best when it was a complete rock solid monopoly. As for the current advances "choking off the interest in racing"? How will it? That happens with all operators. The fact is when you have access to multiple agencies you are spreading your bets around to avoid the email cutting you off. The time it takes to run out of options depends on the volume you bet and the amount of agency churn in the market. They do but not on free to air TVNZ. They don't put free on air the 5th from Ashburton or Flemington either. But as you have a TAB account you can watch from your smart phone. Just because you can't get a $10,000 collect?

How do you know? As for more ads we had stuff all of nothing under the previous regime.

FFS no wonder Racing lost its way if one of history's greatest racing administrators doesn't understand Marketing 101. Hint: branding, visual queue, recognition. Delusional about what exactly? You are just pain in the arse negative. The marketing done by ENTAIN since taking over is a zillion miles ahead of anything we saw from the previous lot

Gary owned harness horses that won 20 Grp ones.

I think you'll find he had more success with harness racing.

Yes he was a regular contributor on BOAY. Condolences to the family and those close to Gary.

That's the problem people in the industry have thought it is different to other businesses. From a marketing perspective it isn't. So what's wrong with that? What "branding" of what "product" could the Wellington Racing Club associate directly with? Which is? I gather you havent bothered to look at what the marketing is aimed at. It is about increasing the sales of the products that the TAB has on offer regardless of whether or not it is the only business offering those products. However it is in a business that competes with any number of others for the discretionary entertainment spend. No businesses are more interested in getting value for their marketing dollar. What value do they get from throwing a paltry amount at a race? They dont care about bookmakers or gambling as long as they are getting a return on their marketing expenditure. Those local businesses are no more in the business of charity and making donations than any other.

Didn't realise when I went to Tauherenikau, Ruakaka, Te Aroha or even Te Rapa that they were "Carnivals"!!!!

Well that hardly can be expected to come from WITHIN the industry. You only have to read the comments on social media and here! What if it was for some just a "well dressed piss up"? They're in the door for a start. Yes the key is to keep engaged some of those that do attend. Who knows the woman who vomitted over the back of @Freda 's fence might have contributed $200 to racing coffers and is the next syndicate investor. I'm sure you know a few of your generation that started their involvement in racing after over indulging!

Actually @Huey if you were indeed at Riccarton last Saturday and had your eyes open you would have noticed that the average age demographic of those in attendance was substantially lower than 20 years ago even accounting for the fact that you would have been in your 60's then.

Why? If you've not noticed it isn't working for Colin Wightman aka @Transparency. Nor does it seem to improving the health of your liver. I'm not actually - I've been oncourse more in the last 12 months than you have for the last 12 years!! You wouldn't have a clue what is happening at the races.

Not only is that completely untrue but even if it was it would be a damn sight better than being miserable and moaning about everything. I guess that's all you do when you get dropped off at the RSA.

I'm not being a prat. Just pointing out the facts. Not one post from you about what was a great day's racing on the first day of Cup week at Riccarton. Just a post about someone vomitting over your back fence and another about the noise from the party that was going on and what effect it would have on someone elses horses.

Who is at fault for that non-compliance? Not NZTR. Your own peers and fellow stakeholders who think that it is a whole lot of woke BS. Which it is. As for the whip rules - quite frankly who gives a shyte what the BS duplitious UK authorities think. If you haven't noticed the general public has had a gutsful of being dictated to by moaning socialist lefties who cry wolf about any minor discretion and live their entire life fighting any daft cause they can. Your horse tracing and whip crusade is NOT going to change anything. The Anti-mob will always be anti-racing. Do what more and more of us are doing now and telling them to go get a life or jump on Greta's barely sea-worthy boat and bang a tambourine past the 12 mile limit.

How are we not? Geez you and @Freda have been moaning about everything. Another good days racing coming up at Riccarton.

Hasn't stopped you before.

NZTR Welcomes Two New Directors to its Board New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) has today announced the appointment of Struan Abernethy and Louise Ward to its Board of Directors, bringing a wealth of governance, commercial and community experience to the organisation. The appointments were confirmed by the NZTR Members’ Council, which oversees the selection of NZTR Directors. Members’ Council Chair Jeff McCall said the decision reflects the Council’s commitment to strong governance and leadership within the sport. “The NZTR Members’ Council is pleased to announce the appointment of Struan Abernethy and Louise Ward to the NZTR Board,” said McCall. “Their combined governance expertise, business insight and personal connection to the sport will be a real asset to the organisation and the industry, helping ensure the long-term sustainability of Thoroughbred racing in New Zealand.” A Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors, Struan Abernethy is a seasoned executive leader and governance professional with extensive experience across digital marketing, sport, and professional services. He currently serves as Board Chair of the Make-A-Wish Foundation NZ and has held senior leadership positions in both New Zealand and Australia, including as Global CEO of the Leading Edge Group. An active racing enthusiast and horse owner, Abernethy combines deep commercial experience with a genuine passion for the sport. Louise Ward brings a wealth of experience in property development, regeneration, and project management. She currently serves on the Tāmaki Regeneration Company Board, leading one of the country’s most significant community redevelopment programmes delivering more than 10,000 homes in partnership with iwi, Council, and Government. A lifelong equestrian and racing syndicate member, Ward offers a strong community perspective shaped by her work in major urban regeneration projects. NZTR Chair Russell Warwick said the appointments reflect NZTR’s focus on building strong leadership and bringing together a wide range of expertise to help guide the sport’s future. “Both Struan and Louise bring complementary skills and perspectives that will serve NZTR and the wider industry well,” Warwick said. “Struan’s background as a global executive and Board Chair, coupled with his experience leading digital and marketing-focused enterprises, adds considerable commercial insight. “Louise has proven leadership across major regeneration and property development projects, holding both Chair and Director roles. Her strong record will be invaluable as we continue to advance the long-term sustainability of New Zealand racing and its infrastructure.” NZTR Chief Executive Officer Matt Ballesty also added, “Both Struan and Louise have strong track records in leadership and a clear appreciation for the people and animals that make our sport what it is.” “Their insight and experience will be valuable as we continue to shape the future direction of New Zealand racing,” Ballesty said. NZTR also acknowledges the contribution of Andrew Fairgray, who will retire from its Board of Directors after nearly five years of service. “It’s been a privilege to serve on the NZTR Board over the past five years during a period of real progress and change for the industry,” commented Andrew Fairgray. “The sport continues to evolve in exciting ways, and I’m proud to have played a small part in helping shape its future,” he said. Chair Russell Warwick thanked Fairgray for his service and commitment. “Andrew has been an excellent contributor during his time on the Board, bringing a well-balanced approach during a time of considerable change in New Zealand racing,” Warwick said. “He’s provided valuable strategic insight and leadership to the Board, and we wish him all the best for what comes next.” Corporate Communications New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing nztrcommunications@nztr.co.nz

There you go feeding @the galah 's PED conspiracy right on queue. Did you notice the Woodend "magic" worked a treat with Captured By Love. From what I'm told she found the horses pulling carts quite fascinating.

Is Dixon a "handy trainer" or is Leap to Fame a super champion?

Proven formula. Pick an average performing Bettors Delight horse running on slow poorly maintained NZ tracks. That can run a good sectional. Correct the issues and like good whiskey they get better with age. But don't let me get in the way of you feeding @the galah 's PED conspiracy.

Yes they have already taken a couple of hits on this one. AUSTRAC is funded by their own success and they have already nailed the low hanging fruit. Eventually they'll start losing legal talent like most Government agencies.

Court date set in late 2026 for Entain/AUSTRAC case – The Straight thestraight.com.au The case brought to the Federal Court by financial regulator AUSTRAC against global wagering giant Entain has been scheduled to begin on November 30, 2026. While there is still an opportunity for the civil case to be settled via mediation before it reaches the Federal Court hearing, Justice Moore last week ordered that two weeks be set aside for a hearing from November 30 next year. That would mean that the uncertainty that has hung over Entain’s Australian business, which is headlined by the Ladbrokes and Neds brands, would extend for at least another 12 months, unless the case is resolved beforehand.https://bitofayarn.com AUSTRAC, which brings the action under the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Terrorism Financing Act, must submit its evidence by April 10 with Entain’s evidence submissions not due until August 6. https://bitofayarn.com Entain entered its defence to AUSTRAC’s revised statement of claim last month, saying it would be prepared to contest the claims in the Federal Court should a settlement of the matter not be achieved. Should it go to court, it would be the first time that the AML/CTF Act would be tested by an online betting provider. A previous case in 2017, involving Tabcorp, only involved a contest of the financial penalty, not the finding itself. https://bitofayarn.com The Entain action began when AUSTRAC issued its initial application to the Federal Court in December last year. AUSTRAC chief executive Brendan Thomas said at the time that the agency considered there were systemic failures in Entain’s approach to its AML/CTF obligations. “AUSTRAC’s proceedings allege that Entain did not develop and maintain a compliant anti-money laundering program and failed to identify and assess the risks it faced. We are alleging this left the company at serious risk of criminal exploitation,” he said. “Money laundering is often a symptom of serious criminal activity, including fraud, scams and corruption, all of which have equally serious effects on our communities,” he said. AUSTRAC’s case centres on the use of 17 “high-risk” accounts, after an investigation found Entain allowed thosecustomers to spend more than $152 million without proper checks and balances in place. https://bitofayarn.com However, AUSTRAC altered its statement of claim in August, removing references to Entain as a “high-risk remittance provider”. It was discovered that the regulator’s own rules excluded wagering operators from liability in that category. https://bitofayarn.com Responding to the new statement of claim, Andrew Vouris, chief executive of Entain Australia and New Zealand since June, acknowledged past failings, but said it had followed the external advice it received at the time. “We sincerely regret that our old program didn’t meet expectations. We followed expert advice at the time but, looking back, we recognise the old program missed the mark,” he said. “We’ve acknowledged our shortcomings, taken responsibility, and spent the last two years learning from them and fixing them.” Vouris described Entain’s new approach to compliance as “fundamentally transformed…. underpinned by a compliance-first culture – to “win, but not at all costs”. Entain faces the possibility of fines in the hundreds of millions plus associated legal costs should it fail in its defence in the Federal Court. In 2017, Tabcorp was fined $45 million in the Federal Court for breaches of the AML/CTF Act with the penalty and not the charges determined in court. AUSTRAC has previously brought action to court against Crown, which paid $450 million in penalties, and SkyCity, which paid a $67 million penalty for breaches of the AML/CTF Act.