Chief Stipe

Meanwhile the 2nd highest elected representative in NZ - The Speaker of the House - Trevor Mallard, Labour MP gets convicted for assault WHILE elected and loses a defamation case while speaker costing the NZ taxpayer $300k. No worries - lets give him a cushy diplomatic post in Ireland.

Par for the course. https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/300660330/restaurateur-leo-molloy-drops-out-of-auckland-mayoral-race

Yes and where is the grass roots action on those issues?

So it really helps going on and on about it. Distract from the real issues and the recent tragic death.

Can you let go and focus on the Topic! That's the least amount of respect you can show for the deceased jockey.

De Lore supported the Messara Report and he is still off point on a lot of things in this article. However his views on the RIB I have been posting the save opinions for months now. Yet it seems stakeholders don't really care or are oblivious to the now out of control spending and a decline in the RIB performance. The $16m budget was once funded (when it was less than $9m) from gaming revenue I.e. pokies. In the latest TABNZ financial reports that source of funds is well down. So the shortfall will have to come from the code distribution. Although I guess they could always apply for another Government handout.

RIB the ne Elephant in the room for Nz Racing. "Truth is on the march; nothing can stop it now!" – Emile Zola (French Novelist) About The Optimist RIB the new elephant in the room for racing by Brian de Lore Published 10th August 2022 Suppose you said this world we live in today has an unrecognisable skew to it, utterly foreign from what we knew even a short five years ago. In that case, you could be talking about politics, extreme climate events, violence, crime, inflation, cost of living, education, All Black rugby, work prospects or the potential for world war, etc. All of the above have declined in standards or present a greater threat today, and the decline of racing runs parallel to them all. However, a light’s shining at the end of the NZ racing tunnel, and if the stars can see their way to align, the potential for better times do exist further down the track. In the meantime, the Racing Integrity Board has become the elephant in the room. The Racing Industry Act 2020 transformed the Unit (RIU) into a Board (RIB) with autonomy, power, and an inflated budget, all activated by the then hapless Minister of Racing Grant Robertson. Robertson appointed an equally hapless bunch of over-paid dinosaur-like ex-judges and policemen with no racing knowledge, expecting them to exercise justice in an industry in which they are ill-equipped and inadequate. But firstly, let’s take a look at the shining light for racing’s future. The Messara Review stressed Recommendation Seven of the 17; to outsource or partner TAB NZ with the likes of Tabcorp or an Australian registered corporate like Sportsbet. Ladbrokes, Bet365, etc. We now know that NZRB 1(now known as TAB NZ) in the Glenda Hughes/John Allen reign received an up-front partnering offer in the vicinity of $50 to $100 million. Stakes could have almost doubled, as the Messara Review said it would, but no, Glenda and John, in their infinite irrationality, went and signed the industry up for a $50 million Fixed Odds Betting platform with $17 million annually to pay Openbet and Paddy Power for ten and five years respectively. All up, a $200 million noose around NZ racing’s neck. That has proved a major fiscal obstacle, but a legal option may now exist to gain a release from the contract or, failing that, for the TAB to buy themselves out. A release from that contract would see TAB NZ unencumbered and free to negotiate a partnering arrangement. Even better, TAB NZ has suddenly risen in value to the tune of hundreds of millions (possibly as much as $1 billion) because of two substantial new money-spinning changes that will occur within 18 months to two years. The first – geo-blocking betting in New Zealand, as they have done in Australia. When in Australia, you cannot bet with a betting agency outside the country. The round-figure estimation of $480 million bet annually offshore by New Zealanders would divert to TAB NZ. NZ punters deserve a better product To deflect the betting to TAB NZ, the geo-blocking has to coincide with the partnering arrangement with an overseas betting agency because the unacceptably poor product dished up by our TAB. New Zealand punters would only buy into it with all the options and better odds – the current deal insults the betting public. The calculation of overseas online betting losses of $480 million annually comes through Kiwibank monitoring the monthly amount it processes for all forms of gambling, including online casinos. They process $30 million a month through credit cards, and Kiwibank represents only 15 percent of New Zealand’s banking turnover. The second big money-spinner comes with the advent of Ellerslie’s StrathAyr track, currently under construction. Completion of te surface at Auckland Thoroughbred Racing (ATR) should come within a year, with the second half of 2023 scheduled for bedding-in the grass to develop a robust root system before the prospect of the first major meeting on the new surface on the day of Karaka Millions, January 2024. Ellerslie’s StrathAyr will attract overseas betting With the $40 million new StrathAyr surface the equal of any in Australasia, Ellerslie will race for substantial stakes and utilise New Zealand’s unique time slot to offer regular racing of the highest standard. The stakes will attract the best horses, and the potential to beam Ellerslie racing into Hong Kong, and other Asian and American courses, will draw a massive financial reward, benefitting racing nationwide. When the New Zealand Derby went televised into Hong Kong this year, it attracted massive betting for the one-only race. The total HK turnover amounted to $NZ5.5 million for just the Derby against the total NZ off-course turnover for ten races amounting to $4,143,775. An entire race card beamed into Hong Kong regularly would result in an off-course betting record and change the face and the fortunes of New Zealand racing. It still needs to happen; the stars need to align, but the benefits of New Zealand gaining international exposure with a high standard of racing might attract a flush of overseas investment into our breeding and racing. Ellerslie will reestablish itself as the showplace, and with the better stakes on offer, selling all our best horses overseas would slow down. There’s no future in running Group One races at places like Otaki on a Heavy10 where dubious quality fields hug the outside fence looking for a winning lane. Racing in NZ can’t continue to embrace mediocrity while we sit on our hands and look enviously at a screen depicting the high-quality product seen coming from Flemington, Moonee Valley, Randwick, and Rosehill. We can’t beat them, so let’s join them. More than that, let’s make these changes and ensure NZ racing survives. The status quo presents as a poor option. Provincial mindsets need casting aside. We should applaud Auckland Thoroughbred Racing for dispensing with their committee and replacing it with a professional board of five, now extended to seven, who have carefully developed a plan that will significantly increase the quality of the product. We need leadership, and Auckland Thoroughbred Racing is showing it. But back to addressing the elephant in the room. Suppose you said this world we live in today has an unrecognisable skew to it, utterly foreign from what we knew even a short five years ago. In that case, you could be talking about politics, extreme climate events, violence, crime, inflation, cost of living, education, All Black rugby, work prospects or the potential for world war, etc. All of the above have declined in standards or present a greater threat today, and the decline of racing runs parallel to them all. However, a light’s shining at the end of the NZ racing tunnel, and if the stars can see their way to align, the potential for better times do exist further down the track. In the meantime, the Racing Integrity Board has become the elephant in the room. The Racing Industry Act 2020 transformed the Unit (RIU) into a Board (RIB) with autonomy, power, and an inflated budget, all activated by the then hapless Minister of Racing Grant Robertson. Robertson appointed an equally hapless bunch of over-paid dinosaur-like ex-judges and policemen with no racing knowledge, expecting them to exercise justice in an industry in which they are ill-equipped and inadequate. We now know that NZRB (now known as TAB NZ) in the Glenda Hughes/John Allen reign received an up-front partnering offer in the vicinity of $50 to $100 million. Stakes could have almost doubled, as the Messara Review said it would, but no, Glenda and John, in their infinite irrationality, went and signed the industry up for a $50 million Fixed Odds Betting platform with $17 million annually to pay Openbet and Paddy Power for ten and five years respectively. All up, a $200 million noose around NZ racing’s neck. That has proved a major fiscal obstacle, but a legal option may now exist to gain a release from the contract or, failing that, for the TAB to buy themselves out. A release from that contract would see TAB NZ unencumbered and free to negotiate a partnering arrangement. Even better, TAB NZ has suddenly risen in value to the tune of hundreds of millions (possibly as much as $1 billion) because of two substantial new money-spinning changes that will occur within 18 months to two years. The first – geo-blocking betting in New Zealand, as they have done in Australia. When in Australia, you cannot bet with a betting agency outside the country. The round-figure estimation of $480 million bet annually offshore by New Zealanders would divert to TAB NZ. NZ punters deserve a better product To deflect the betting to TAB NZ, the geo-blocking has to coincide with the partnering arrangement with an overseas betting agency because the unacceptably poor product dished up by our TAB. New Zealand punters would only buy into it with all the options and better odds – the current deal insults the betting public. The calculation of overseas online betting losses of $480 million annually comes through Kiwibank monitoring the monthly amount it processes for all forms of gambling, including online casinos. They process $30 million a month through credit cards, and Kiwibank represents only 15 percent of New Zealand’s banking turnover. The second big money-spinner comes with the advent of Ellerslie’s StrathAyr track, currently under construction. Completion of te surface at Auckland Thoroughbred Racing (ATR) should come within a year, with the second half of 2023 scheduled for bedding-in the grass to develop a robust root system before the prospect of the first major meeting on the new surface on the day of Karaka Millions, January 2024. Ellerslie’s StrathAyr will attract overseas betting With the $40 million new StrathAyr surface the equal of any in Australasia, Ellerslie will race for substantial stakes and utilise New Zealand’s unique time slot to offer regular racing of the highest standard. The stakes will attract the best horses, and the potential to beam Ellerslie racing into Hong Kong, and other Asian and American courses, will draw a massive financial reward, benefitting racing nationwide. When the New Zealand Derby went televised into Hong Kong this year, it attracted massive betting for the one-only race. The total HK turnover amounted to $NZ5.5 million for just the Derby against the total NZ off-course turnover for ten races amounting to $4,143,775. An entire race card beamed into Hong Kong regularly would result in an off-course betting record and change the face and the fortunes of New Zealand racing. It still needs to happen; the stars need to align, but the benefits of New Zealand gaining international exposure with a high standard of racing might attract a flush of overseas investment into our breeding and racing. Ellerslie will reestablish itself as the showplace, and with the better stakes on offer, selling all our best horses overseas would slow down. Auckland Thoroughbred Racing at Ellerslie on schedule with the building of their StrathAyr There’s no future in running Group One races at places like Otaki on a Heavy10 where dubious quality fields hug the outside fence looking for a winning lane. Racing in NZ can’t continue to embrace mediocrity while we sit on our hands and look enviously at a screen depicting the high-quality product seen coming from Flemington, Moonee Valley, Randwick, and Rosehill. We can’t beat them, so let’s join them. More than that, let’s make these changes and ensure NZ racing survives. The status quo presents as a poor option. Provincial mindsets need casting aside. We should applaud Auckland Thoroughbred Racing for dispensing with their committee and replacing it with a professional board of five, now extended to seven, who have carefully developed a plan that will significantly increase the quality of the product. We need leadership, and Auckland Thoroughbred Racing is showing it. But back to addressing the elephant in the room. The RIB has mushroomed into a significant problem for the industry. In changing from a ‘Unit’ to a ‘Board,’ it has assumed a more powerful, autonomous position of control through the wording of the Racing Industry Act 2020 and endorsed by Grant Robertson. It wouldn’t be so bad if the industry viewed the RIB as an efficient, fairminded organisation that displayed a good knowledge of racing and treated all participants equally. It does not apply – instead representing a danger to racing because the RIB wields a big stick on an industry in which they possess too little knowledge while costing it a fortune. Think about how racing has contracted over the past half a dozen years, and then consider the six years since the 2015-16 season when the RIU cost $5.8 million – a figure thought to be excessive at the time. In the 2021-22 season just finished, the RIB has blown the budget of $14.2 million out to an estimated $16 million while many in racing at the grassroots level struggle to survive financially, and others consider Australia as a means of staying in the game. Why do they cost so much, you ask? The RIB employs 40 permanent staff and 120 casual or contracted staff – what the hell do they all do? CEO Mike Clement is probably on $350,000 annually (I’m guessing), with additional anecdotal evidence of wastage by stipendiary stewards. For example, take a recent case of stipes travelling by car from Dunedin to Oamaru races, a journey of 75 minutes, and incurring overnight expenses instead of returning to Dunedin the same day. This type of carry-on happens with regularity. Stipes are like musical chairs flying all over the country. The RIB had inexpensive office rentals at the ATR offices at Ellerslie but opted for independence by shifting about 400 metres to the more salubrious and expensive Level Two of the modern Ascot Central Building on the outskirts of Ellerslie racecourse. RIB spending out of control How much money have they wasted on Operation Inca, a bungled sting on four harness racing people emanating from taped phone conversations in which the police and the RIB have alleged race fixing, but in the ongoing four years the case has lasted, no charges have ever eventuated through lack of evidence. The incompetence of authorities in not knowing the difference between the discussion of race tactics and race fixing has not only cost the industry a fortune and damaged racing’s reputation, but the accused have all needed their own legal advice, one known to have spent $220,000 alone – and one of the alleged fixed races turning out to be a trial. How much in legal fees has the RIB wasted on that one? What about the trainer who had his stables raided just a week or so ago, and after a squad of RIB detectives failed to locate anything illegal, female stable workers experienced the indignity of a line of inappropriate questioning of possible sexual harassment by the trainer – trying to manufacture a complaint rather than acting upon a genuine one. An industry employee close to the action has commented that CEO Mike Clement, who spent 42 years in the police force, believes that most horse trainers are crooked, and his job is to nail them. The industry as a whole feels that the RIB is trying too hard to discover breaches of the rules and justify their existence and extraordinarily high costs with a consistent flow of harsh disqualifications and fines. I take the view that racing in New Zealand has fewer misdemeanours today than at any time in the past and is full of passionate horse people trying to get on with their business and survive, but now subjected to the siege of this overzealous RIB. Crooks invade every industry, and that includes the police force itself. The racing industry is strictly regulated and far less corrupt than the building industry, government departments, and even the legal profession – that’s food for thought.

By finishing the horse did earn $450 rather than $338 by withdrawing.

Evidence: Following the running of Race 2, the STEWART BROWNE MEMORIAL HURDLE race, Mr Jones presented an Information charging Mr Karnicnik with failing to retire his mount RED RACKET from the race “when it was not in contention”. Rule 638(5)(b) provides (where relevant): that a Rider in a Jumping Race must retire his …horse in the Race, immediately if …. (d) the horse is not in contention and/or is fatigued. The Informant’s case was that RED RACKET was completely out of contention (that is being a long last on turning into the home straight so as to not have any chance of attaining any placing in the 11 horse field), and the Rule placed an obligation on the Rider to retire the horse from the contest. Mr Dooley identified from the race films that Mr Karnicnik’s mount RED RACKET, whilst running last commenced to drop away from the field at about the 1000 metres point. Upon the field entering the straight, with 3 hurdles left to jump, RED RACKET had been detached from the 2nd last horse by many lengths. Three horses of the remainder of the field, (MAJOR TOM, MIGHTY COLOMBO, and AFITUSI), which were many lengths in front of RED RACKET, (running 8th, 9th, 10th) were retired from the race before jumping the 3 hurdles in the straight. Being out of any contention, their Riders met their obligations under the Rule. Mr Karnicnik however did not. He proceeded to continue in the race, by jumping the last 3 fences (at times when the remainder of the field were at least at a distance of a further fence ahead). RED RACKET finished a distant last, 61.4 lengths from the winner. Mr Karnicnik said that his mount was not tired, but one paced and that he was intending to educate it. But as Mr Karnicnik admitted the charge it must follow that he accepted his mount was out of contention (which was obvious) and could not possibly have finished in any place other than last. Decision: As Mr Karnicnik admitted the charge, it was deemed proved. Submissions for Penalty: Mr Jones submitted that to his knowledge there was no record of an Adjudicative Committee having to previously deal with a charge under this Rule. However, Mr Karnicnik had recently been warned on 18 June 2022 when appearing to breach this Rule. He submitted that this was an “animal welfare” related Rule, and a breach of it required a stern fine at least. Mr Karnicnik did not advance penalty submissions other than to say that he was educating the horse which was not tired. Reasons for Penalty: This Rule is framed so as to impose a mandatory obligation on Riders (it uses the word “must”) in ‘jumps’ races. It is designed to ensure that a horse which engages as a competitor in such races, must not be required by its Rider to continue in such race when clearly they are out of contention (that is not having any chance of successfully gaining a dividend earning place). It will be a question of fact, which will include the expert opinion of those who are knowledgeable about such racing matters, whether such a criterion exists where, as here, a horse has been fairly tired during the race, but a point has been reached when no realistic chance exists for the horse to be competitive, it must be retired from the race. Conclusion: Given the previous recent warning given to Mr Karnicnik, and the need to signal to Jumps Riders and the community, that animal welfare issues will be strictly enforced, a fine of $500 is imposed.

Evidence: At the conclusion of Race 7, Information A17228 was lodged by Stipendiary Steward, Mr B Jones alleging that Jockey T Harris weighed in .6kg over his weigh out weight, a breach of Rule 648(5). Mr Harris was present at the hearing and confirmed he understood the Rule and that he admitted the breach. Mr Jones submitted that Mr Harris had weighed out at 60.4kg and had weighed in after the race at 61kg. By way of explanation Mr Harris said he had consumed some fluid between weighing out and weighing back in and believed this had resulted in him weighing back in heavy. Decision: As Mr Lowry admitted the breach it is found proved. Submissions for Penalty: Mr Jones stated that Mr Harris had a clear recent record under this Rule and outlined 3 previous penalties (for other Riders) that had resulted in fines from $100-$200. Reasons For Penalty: After considering submissions, Mr Harris’ clear record and admission of the breach, the Adjudicative Committee determined an appropriate penalty was $150. Conclusion: Mr Harris is fined $150.

BACKGROUND: Information No. A14169 was filed by Stipendiary Steward, John Oatham, against Class A Jockey, Brett Murray, alleging that he failed to gain permission to leave the Jockey’s room area. The Information was filed with the Adjudicative Committee on the raceday and was adjourned to be heard at the meeting of Canterbury JC on 6 August 2022. The Respondent confirmed that he understood the Rule and the nature of the charge, and he indicated that he admitted the charge. Rule 606 provides: Unless otherwise permitted by a Stipendiary Steward, once a Rider has presented himself in the jockeys’ room in accordance with Rule 605(1), that Rider must remain in the jockeys’ room and other areas specified by the Stipendiary Stewards, until he has completed his riding engagements, when he shall seek the permission of Stipendiary Stewards to leave. EVIDENCE: Chief Stipendiary Steward, John Oatham, said that this charge is not a common one. The Respondent had previously been spoken to concerning the same issue. On this occasion, the Respondent had failed to get permission when there were outstanding matters affecting him. The Respondent had no comment. DECISION: The Respondent has admitted the breach which is therefore deemed proved. SUBMISSIONS FOR PENALTY: Mr Oatham said that he had been able to find only one charge under this Rule in recent times. In that case the fine was $100. A fine in the vicinity of $100-200 would be appropriate, he submitted. The Respondent had nothing he wished to say concerning penalty. REASONS FOR PENALTY: This not a common breach. However, the Penalty Guide (2018) suggests a starting point of a $100 fine for a breach of the Rule. There being no particular aggravating or mitigating factors, the Adjudicative Committee decided that a $100 fine was the appropriate penalty. CONCLUSION: Jockey, Brett Murray, is fined $100.

Helps who?

MEETING NEWS Waverley to Race on 21 August The Waverley RC will race on Sunday 21 August with a programme similar to that scheduled at the abandoned Rotorua meeting on the same day. NZTR, the club, the jumping association and RIB will work through any adjustments to distances in the coming days. This day is limited to jumps race, an amateur race and highweights.

We can only blame ourselves. We let this happen.

Does anyone know how much NZTR and CJC spent marketing the Winter Cup /National Jumps meeting? Would be interesting to see the return on investment. I guess the Bloom Festival is better than the Doom Festival. I wonder what new marketing slant Melbourne will be on the Melbourne Cup Spring Carnival?

Spring Bloom campaign replaces NZ Cup and Show branding Liz McDonald05:00, Sep 19 2019 Part of the Bloom promotional campaign for Christchurch's spring events. In a move called bold and a shift away from a booze and gambling focus, the New Zealand Cup and Show Week concept will make way for a new spring marketing campaign called Bloom. The rebrand will promote a range of events around the national trotting and galloping championships and the New Zealand Agricultural Show, previously promoted together as a celebratory anniversary week. Bloom has been launched by the city council-owned tourism and economic development agency, ChristchurchNZ. JOSEPH JOHNSON/STUFF Crowds watch Lazarus win the New Zealand Trotting Cup at Addington Raceway in 2016. Karena Finnie, head of major and business events for ChristchurchNZ, said they "wanted a brand that represented all that happens here during spring, rather than a select few". She said Cantabrians could expect "the same quality events and activities as previous years, as well as a raft of new ones to explore". SUPPLIED Bloom campaign material created by ChristchurchNZ. Bloom is an umbrella campaign aimed at attracting visitors from across the country. As well as the Addington and Riccarton races and the show, it will promote major sporting fixtures, concert and street art events, and the Antarctic season opening. Finnie said they were working with the show and racing organisers to "build their hugely popular Christchurch events" and "help introduce them to a broader audience". The anniversary week concept was launched by the city council as Showtime Canterbury in the 1990s. It was then rebranded as New Zealand Cup and Show Week in 2005. It regularly attracts between 150,000 and 200,000 locals and visitors and triggers up to $30 million in spending. Ratepayers spend about $350,000 annually on Cup and Show Week, covering advertising plus grants to both racing venues and the Canterbury A&P Show Association. Canterbury University associate marketing professor Ekant Veer said he liked the Bloom concept. "There may be some traditionalists that feel this is a departure from what they know and love about Christchurch. There will be some that will say 'It's always been Cup & Show Week! Why change?'." Veer believed it was "good to celebrate other aspects of spring in our city and, perhaps, diverge from the associations of alcohol consumption and gambling that tend to follow Cup Day". JOSEPH JOHNSON/STUFF Town and country meet at the New Zealand Agricultural Show last year. "It focuses on something that is truly beautiful about our city, and helps us to enjoy the regular events without a heavy focus on the races associated with Cup and Show Week." Chris Rowe, commercial manager at Riccarton Racecourse, said market research revealed the Cup and Show Week branding had "not really resonated" and wasn't well recognised. "Cup week has been an iconic week in New Zealand for many, many years. Maybe that's why it was so difficult to get the (Cup and Show) brand across." The Bloom campaign will use street flags and posters, and advertising on buses and social media. Rowe said the change did not alter the current funding arrangement, and would give Riccarton more marketing autonomy rather than having to buy into a package. He did not feel their message would be diluted or lost inside the wider campaign. Addington Raceway's business and marketing manager, Keryn McElroy, said they were "extremely excited" about Bloom and believed it would complement the existing brands. IAIN MCGREGOR/STUFF Racegoers at Addington on a previous cup day. Geoff Bone, the Canterbury A&P Association's event director, said Bloom would further Christchurch as a city of experience. He said they were "encouraged by the bold decisions ChristchurchNZ has made". The Bloom campaign was created mainly in-house by ChristchurchNZ, with external companies paid $18,000 for a photo shoot and promotional video. Bloom is an umbrella marketing campaign launched by ChristchurchNZ. ChristchurchNZ will spend $52,000 promoting it on social media, buses, posters, and digital channels. Another $40,000 was spent on long-term resources such as banners and street flags. Finnie said the creation, launch and promotion was funded from their existing events marketing fund, which they were optimising to include more events. JOSEPH JOHNSON/STUFF Last year's Best Dressed winners at New Zealand Trotting Cup day.

Our bookies are not so generous.

Well done @Joe Bloggs. I backed it in spite and got it at 31's three minutes from start time. For those that don't know Mychyna just won at Gold Coast. A Roc de Cambes.

It's not about their "age group" it's about where they are physically. I wouldn't ask my 10 yr old child to run 1500m on 6 weeks training, carrying 55kg on a shit track.

Ok you posted a rhetorical question?

So most Queensland and South Austalian punters spend their money on Victoria and NSW racing? Bit like NZ.

I guess he learnt more from Bart than Gai.

Chris Waller has sights on 200 Group 1 winners after 12th Sydney trainers' title www.racenet.com.au Chris Waller didn't set goals when he was struggling to fill 20 boxes in his stable so don't expect any outrageous predictions for this season. Waller last week wrapped up his 12th successive Sydney trainers’ title and while he’s never been one to say what he wanted next, I had to ask him if Tommy Smith’s 33-straight Sydney trainer’s titles could be beaten. “I do think about it,” Waller said. “But I also think to myself how long I’ve still got to go and that it’s still a lot of years down the track. SET YOURSELF UP FOR THE SPRING CARNIVAL AND JOIN RACENET IQ TODAY FOR JUST $4.99! “There’s no ambition to run it down but I am keen to get to 200 Group 1 winners then assess after that.” Trainer Chris Waller recorded his first international Group 1 win with Nature Strip in the King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot in June 14. Picture: Getty Images Waller’s currently won 137 Group 1s and all but one (Nature Strip’s Royal Ascot triumph) have come in Australia. He did admit going back home and winning a major in New Zealand was a box to tick. “It is an ambition, my word it is,” he said. “I’d love to go back there and win a Group 1 race and it’s something I will do when the right horse and the right opportunity comes along.” Waller’s story is well known as the unknown trainer from Foxton in New Zealand who turned up in Sydney with nothing. But not once did he think he wouldn’t make it, even when he was struggling to find horses to train. “When you’re young, you don’t feel the pain as much and you’re just used to running on empty,” he said. “I do remember watching Golden Slippers and Cox Plates from places like Newcastle and Kembla Grange.” The circumstances Waller found himself in when he was battling in Sydney are still influential in the way his horses run to this day. Gai Waterhouse was one of the elite trainers that Chris Waller learnt from in his early years in Sydney. Picture: Getty Images “I was lucky when I started. There was Gai Waterhouse, Bart Cummings, John Hawkes and John Size as the leaders and they are all elite trainers who specialised in different areas,” Waller said. “It’s a pretty good area to learn in. His horses generally always sit off the speed in their races. For a short period, he even tried to get Nature Strip to take a sit behind the leader. “I think that (get back style) just came from having to keep the boxes full,” Waller said. “I didn’t have enough horses to fill the boxes and if you couldn’t fill your boxes, you couldn’t pay your rent. “I needed to get longevity out of my horses and I saw it with that training approach and that riding style. They seem to fit together. “I couldn’t afford my horse to be hitting the front at the 300m and hitting a hole and not being able to back it up in two weeks’ time. “The position I was in back then has shaped the way my horses run to this day. “I don’t always like it because you do need a lot of luck when your horses are back. It’s tempo related, but it’s just a bit softer on the horse.” Waller’s alarm goes off at 2.58am every morning which is something from the past he’s trying to change. Chris Waller and jockey Hugh Bowman have combined for over 420 victories together. Picture: Grant Guy “My alarm probably goes off two hours too early but it’s the old timers who don’t want to accept that we need to change to look after the young people,” he said. He’s referring to later track work starting times, which he and others are continuing to fight for. In recent times no jockey has won more races for Waller than Hugh Bowman (423) but in the post-Winx era James McDonald has ridden more winners for the master trainer and is close to notching up his 300th for the 48-year-old. Waller’s never had a stable rider but I asked him if James McDonald gets first pick of his horses. “No,” Waller said quickly. “James doesn’t get my best horse all the time. “If he rides one in a trial and it goes well, we try and keep him on but he makes his own decisions. “There’s lots of little pieces to the puzzle and I try and get the best I can which I’ve done from day one.” “When I first started, Larry Cassidy was the leading rider and I used to use him then Darren Beadman made a comeback and I used to ring him every Sunday morning at 8am after John Hawkes told him what he was riding. Chris Waller would call on Darren Beadman when the champion rider was available. “One time out of 10 I’d get him but that one time out of 10 he made a difference so I’ve stuck to that system. “I’m not saying Hugh Bowman, James McDonald and Nash Rawiller are necessarily the best horseman but they’ve got an uncanny knack of riding more winners than anyone else.” Due to going up in weight from 53kg last start to 60.5kg for Saturday’s race, Hugh Bowman is the new rider of Bold Mac in the ninth event at Randwick. The ex-Kiwi-trained runner won at Rosehill two weeks ago when defeating to handy Blesk in a 1400m race and he’s up to a mile on Saturday. “It is hard to win on your Australian debut and on that occasion, he did a few little things wrong,” Waller said. “Jay Ford said he has a good future once he puts it all together.” Waller is backing Yggdrasil to get back into form in the third race on Saturday after running seventh last start off a four-week break and the quick back up changes things now. “I think the wetter the better for her and I don’t think running last Saturday over 1800m is going to do her fitness levels any harm. She’s a fit horse and ready to run well,” Waller said. The leading trainer has a typically big team heading to Randwick on Saturday and it’s rare he goes a weekend without multiple winners around the country. Bold Mac (centre) winning at Rosehill at his Australian debut last month. Picture: Getty Images He had 1102 starters in city racing last season – 716 more than the next most, Bjorn Baker. Last season in town Waller trained more 94 more winners than Godolphin’s James Cummings and with that dominance comes criticism. “I’m aware of it,” Waller said. “I do watch social media but I don’t comment on it. “It’s funny, you see some comments from some people and you just sort of think, is there any sense about what they’re saying and with some people you think fair comment. “I started from the bottom without a hand in any way and I’m lucky I’ve got a system that works. “Am I denying anyone any opportunities? I doubt it. “I’m not afraid to run my horses. I could have one or two runners a race and leave the others at home but is that good for my owners? No. “We help prop up field sizes but I don’t think we completely dominate races.” I asked Waller if it was a good thing for racing if he had six runners in 10-horse fields. “It would be disappointed if we were costing people getting runs. It wouldn’t be a good look if we have six in a race and there were five emergencies trained by five different trainers,” he said. Chris Waller feels Yggdrasil can get back to form when he backs up from his seventh at Rosehill last week. Picture: Getty Images On his horses, Waller said The Autumn Sun was the only horse he’s ever trained who would give Winx a run for her money. A huge stud deal prevented the racing public from seeing him as an older horse and the new rich prizemoney races, including the ones introduced on Wednesday, should ensure those stallion types race on for at least their four-year-old season like Anamoe is. “The prizemoney is what drives a lot of things. It takes a while for the Group status to catch up with prizemoney but in time that will happen,” Waller said. “I think we have to respect that these prizemoney increases come through turnover and good management. “Things are changing and if you don’t move with the times, you get left behind. Waller should simply win his 13th successive trainer’s title this season and get one closer to Tommy Smith’s seemingly once impossible record. Unless something unforeseen happens, Waller will break Smith’s record if he keeps going the way he is – for another 20 years. But that would make him nearly 70 and he’s ruled out being an 80-plus year-old trainer like Bart Cummings and so many other before him were. “No, that won’t happen,” Waller said. “I’ll do it for however long I enjoy it and however long my wife Steph will allow me to do it.”

Two year old races in August are a crime.

Same description applies to flat racing. The only difference now is you'll have horses to rehome sooner to appease the mythical Urban protester. Jumps racing disappearing from the South was flagged years ago when the CJC started to neglect the Steeplechase course. Brown top or no brown top. Again the industry participants let it happen. As an aside I'd love to know how much the CJC and NZTR spent promoting the National Jumps meetings. Woops we forgot to have the horses! As the temperature drops, our jumps racing stars are just warming up! With nerves of steel and a taste for adrenaline, watch our lionhearts go to battle this winter. Doused in courage, bravery and exhilaration, there’ll be slogging finishes, gallant performances and heroic triumphs. It’s time to celebrate our jumps racing, so dig out your tweed, your tartan and your trilby and get amongst the action track side.