Chief Stipe

The land-swap deal at the heart of a new $77.3m racecourse in Flaxmere www.nzherald.co.nz https://bitofayarn.com John Jenkins: The land-swap deal at the heart of a new $77.3m racecourse in Flaxmere Hawkes Bay Today 6 Sep, 2025 06:00 A new state-of-the-art racecourse and thoroughbred training facility, costing more than $77.3 million, is planned for a Greenfields site on the outskirts of Hastings. The 44.5-ha property is situated at the end of Portsmouth Rd, at the back of Flaxmere, and will be developed into one of five metropolitan racetracks in New Zealand. Hawke’s Bay Racing Incorporated members were informed of the proposal at a Members Forum held at the Hastings racecourse on Tuesday evening.https://bitofayarn.com They were told that the Hawke’s Bay company, TW Property, presently owns the land under consideration and will pay $50m for the present Hawke’s Bay Racing Inc. site, in the middle of Hastings, in what is tantamount to a swap deal. The present Hawke’s Bay Racing Inc. site covers an area of 32ha and TW Property want to redevelop this into urban housing, with plans to build approximately 680 houses there. The present Wall Rd stabling complex and the float park in Southland Rd, both still owned by Hawke’s Bay Racing Inc., will also be sold to help finance the new venture. https://bitofayarn.com For the deal to move forward, NZTR is seeking $20m in Government funding. This, combined with an additional $7.3m injection from Hawke’s Bay Racing Inc. and New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing, will help make up the $77.3m needed to build the new complex. The application for $20m of Government funding has been submitted to MBIE and an outcome is expected later this month. It is also subject to Resource Management Act approvals, including mana whenua consultation. Following confirmation of that funding, a Special General Meeting of Hawke’s Bay Racing Inc. members will be called where they will be asked to vote on whether to approve the Greenfields proposal. In the meantime, reconstruction work on the current Hastings racetrack is due to commence within the next fortnight, with re-cambering of the bend going out of the home straight and the one at the 1400m point. Wide strips of grass and turf will be taken from these two sections and rolled and stored in an area on course. Soil will then be added to the two areas to create a camber and the grass and turf will then be re-laid. The cost of this work has been budgeted at $2.2m but it is hoped that it will be significantly less and the plan is to have it fit for racing on again by the spring of next year. Normal racing will then be conducted at the Hastings track for at least three years while the new Greenfields site is completed. The new racetrack on the Greenfields site will be 1890m in circumference and 30 metres wide and will comprise a sand-based evergreen grass surface similar to those built at Pakenham and the soon-to-be-constructed Moonee Valley surface in Victoria, Australia. New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing CEO Matt Ballesty was one of several who addressed the members at Tuesday’s Forum and said the goal is to build five or six Metropolitan Standard racetracks in New Zealand over the next 10 years for racing, training and community use and that Hastings was seen as one of them. It is hoped to have two Metropolitan tracks in the north, two in the Central Districts and one in the South Island, with possibly another one in the north. NZTR chairman Russell Warwick said a Metropolitan racetrack will attract better quality horses and jockeys, as well as stronger wagering, and it is definitely NZTR’s intention to hold a Spring Carnival in the Hawke’s Bay region. It is envisaged that the new Greenfields racetrack will be up and running by the spring of 2029 and will stage at least 19 race days a year. The new Greenfields site will also have full thoroughbred training facilities, with a plough track, a sand track and the outside of the course proper available for trackwork. There will also be a tunnel that will give access to the middle of the racecourse where there will be stabling blocks to house Hastings-trained horses and those visiting from other centres. There will be 132 tie-up stalls that can be used on race days with public access for easy viewing. There will be no grandstand as such but there will be an administration building to accommodate officials as well as facilities for up to 40 jockeys and an events pavilion that could cater for 300 to 500 people, when used as one large area, or reduced to four smaller ones for different functions. There will also be a raised hill grassed area where marquees will be erected on race days. The complete racecourse will take up 37.5ha of the 44.5-ha property with the other 7.0ha to be able to be developed for housing at a later time.

Exactly essentially a no comment. If I agree with @the galah on anything it is that HRNZ and the RIB should have managed the narrative better. Australia went on the front foot.

Have you read anything that has been written about her? She was "in the fold" but left. HRNZ can't control HER narrative but they can control the Industry narrative. In my opinion they need to ignore her an go on the front foot. Greyhound Racing failed to do that even when they had a positive narrative to publish. Instead the got caught in reactive trench warfare. You CAN'T "address her concerns" because they are not aligned to having a sustainable racing industry. The best way is to ignore her and take the conversation to a higher level. HRNZ could do with some advice from a political communications advisor. @Yankiwi did exactly what Nairn is doing by promoting false information and feeding anti-racing journalists. When he acheived what he wanted to achieve he has disappeared. I doubt he will be rehoming any Greyhounds. Of course he was correct in the end because he was promoting a self-fulfilling prophecy using misinformation with poor statistics presented out of context. I agree and most of the public are hypocrites. They over feed their pets causing health issues and fund thriving veterinary businesses.

DId you read what HRNZ actually said? Essentially it was we are aware of the ALLEGATIONS but NO COMMENT.

Right that might explain why you don't have any horses going around.

It isn't hard even with the examples you have given. The fact is if you have no evidence than don't post accusations. This industry is far too quick at bringing itself down based on nothing more than envy. That case was well reported in the media. Ironically it was reported as a "rehoming facility". Nairn is quite entitled to comment on that case as it was well reported in the public arena. However to say that it is indicative of a "big industry problem" is wrong. Then she uses that example to add credibiity to her other baseless claims. Yes the Australian Thoroughbred Industry will be around for a long time going by the fact that SAFE only seems only able to rent about a dozen nutters to protest at a racecourse. However it is a different situation for NZ Standardbreds and have no doubt that the Anti-racing mob are targeting them next. Forcing the rehoming of EVERY retired racehorse will only speed up that process due to cost. The outcome is the same by both mobs. The self righteous only fuel each other.

Well it is when you make unfounded allegations with no evidence. Nearly all hard working participants now steer well clear of social media because of the BS that is posted. It is easier to ignore the rubbish than respond. That's another reason why the industry becomes insular. Not because "they don't think like that" but because they have sense. "Followers" - from where? Who are they? It is a bit like a forum saying that they have 14,000 members when it is absolute BS. Most of Nairn's "followers" will be bots. Well you don't need to know that much to rehome horses but she has no experience to speak about what she is banging on about. In that regard she HASN'T walked the walk. Never has! So emotion overrides facts? "oh she is a really nice person because she loves horses". Does she when she makes stuff up? I liken it to @Yankiwi who alleged he liked Greyhounds yet week after week was feeding journalists with false statistics and assertions because he "loved Greyhounds". In the end in his mind he acheived what he wanted to achieve and that was to end Greyhound Racing. Don't be fooled that is what Becks Nairn's objective is - to end horse racing using whatever means she can.

Which expert?

I guess if we follow the doom and gloom moaners then Dream Of The Moon shouldn't have won the Southern Filly of the Yesr title.

I see someone in New Zealand is promoting a subscription service for AI generated horse betting tips. Will put @SLB2.0 out of a job!

The new big IT thing is supposedly AI i.e. Artificial Intelligence. Quite frankly it's a load of bollocks but if you have a modicum of Intelligence you can find it all quite humorous. For example for what reason I don't know but on Facebook I keep getting this video pop up about how to hide your camel. The video has this attractive woman showing how to make an insert for your track suit or bikini bottoms to hide...well you know...the camel. I'm still waiting for a video to help hide the budgie!! Anyway on Facebook they have Meta AI which interpets the post or video and also presents a summary of people's views. The first Meta Ai is in the next post.

You miss @Spatchcock 's point. They are trying something different on a Thursday night to attract more and new punters. Why change Friday night if it is performing OK as it is? Then what solutions do you have to fix your perceived "boredom problem"? At least they are not standing still and are attempting something. Here's an idea why not have staggered starts on a figure 8 course? That wouldn't be boring and would eliminate any leaders bias. Not that I can see how you can get a leaders bias on an all weather track. A drivers bias perhaps. But with most racing if you can get to the front easily and early with the best horse then you win.

Depends on how long you stop for. Seems you are still in neutral.

You obviously didn't read the first press release from CEO. BTW are your real or just vapour and I'm talking to myself? Asking for a friend? @Comic Dog

That was 30 years ago! I sense you have the same type of gripe that @Yankiwi had.

Let me guess you are Anti-Racing as well?

I think you will find that they are reducing head count.

NZTR Appoints New General Manager - Welfare and Industry Capability New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) has appointed Sam Fursdon as General Manager - Welfare and Industry Capability, effective 1 October 2025. Fursdon has spent more than 15 years working across the New Zealand racing industry, building strong relationships and driving positive change in both horse welfare and industry development. With a Bachelor of Science in Equine Studies and further qualifications in project management, she takes an evidence-based approach to her work and has led a number of major initiatives during her time with NZTR. NZTR Chief Executive Officer, Matt Ballesty, said Sam’s appointment reflects the organisation’s ongoing commitment to welfare and people capability. “Sam has a proven track record of getting things done and a genuine passion for the industry.” “She understands the challenges we face regarding our industry’s social licence, but also the opportunities, and she’s the right person to help us build on our welfare standards and support the people who make our sport thrive,” he said. Fursdon said she is excited to step into the role. “I feel truly privileged to take on this position. Horses have been at the centre of my life for as long as I can remember, and I’m passionate about ensuring they receive the very best care.” “Equally, I want to support the people who dedicate their lives to racing, because when our horses and our people thrive, so too does our entire industry. “I would also like to acknowledge the outstanding work of Justine Sclater, outgoing Head of Welfare and Sustainability, Amy Johnson, current Head of Education, Training and Development, and their respective teams. “Their dedication and passion have had an immense impact on the industry, and I look forward to continuing and building on their work,” Fursdon said. Ballesty also noted the resignation of Justine Sclater from her role as Head of Welfare and Sustainability, paying tribute to the impact she and the wider welfare team have had across the industry. “We acknowledge the outstanding service of Justine Sclater and her team, whose work has made a lasting impact on the industry. The foundations they have built will ensure Sam is well placed to take this work forward,” Ballesty said. Corporate Communications New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing nztrcommunications@nztr.co.nzhttps://bitofayarn.com

Doesn't have to be an issue unless you make it one.

He prefers to talk to people (posts?) that don't answer back. Bob Scott is his name. One of those fair weather types of trainer friends. Wallows in the glory when winning but most of the time is negative about everything.