Chief Stipe

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.

That can't be based on wins. Probably due to Dundeel. He had a big year that year.

No I was quoting what other negative types have said. They call them duds but they're good enough to win a third of Te Akau's stakes against the best the South Island has to offer.

Are you serious? So you can average the readings and be statistically accurate. Using an extreme example a track might have lateral drains evenly spaced. If you took each reading above each drain then you wouldn't be getting a fair representation of the moisture content. Done correctly you should also get a measure of variance. But does he provide the actual readings. I've heard anecdotally that there is often a variance between what was measured and what was published. That can often be seen when comparing actual horse performance to the readings. Not to mention the disparity between the shute and the rest of the track. Trentham is even worse. How long have Trenthams been hand timed for now? As for the Stewards they don't check the readings vs the condition of the track just prior to racing. Often the actual rating has changed. Then the Stewards will only change one point at a time. In my opinion until the standardise the measurement and then enforce quality checks track ratings in NZ should be ignored. Not to mention of course that on the new Ellerslie you can't use a penetrometer and the artificial surface is always a Soft 5.

Esha has got in now with a scratching and it is handy too. Drawn nicely at 4.

Looking at the current Premiership - geez does Stephen Gray's dirt track experience show how it should be done on the Awapuni Synthetic. A strike rate of 2.5!!

LOL you should have asked for the detail! 86 wins in 2008 105 win in 2011 86 wins in 2013 pipped Lisa Latta by 2.

86 wins in 2008 105 win in 2011 86 wins in 2013 pipped Lisa Latta by 2.

I think it was 2008, 2011 and 2013.

Wasn't one 2011? Or thereabouts.

Good Luck La Dorada in the Grp 1 Moir Stakes at The Valley this weekend. La Dorada is owned by a numerically very large syndicate. It wasn't supposed to be that large but one member who shall remain anonymous (Ted) roped in a swag of others in on one share. We had the good fortune to meet most of them the Karaka Millions night. You couldn't miss them both at the pre-match, in the queue to get in (yes people were queuing) and at the after party. They were all wearing tangerine ties, scarfs and La Dorada caps and were having a huge amount of fun. For some it was their first horse. Members live all over the country. One of the team, Bernie a good friend of a good friend sadly passed away this week. A gentleman and real enthusisast who had a ball with La Dorada. His enthusiasm was infectious and I understand he convinced a few more newbies to buy some shares this year. I hope the filly brings it home for you Bernie! https://bitofayarn.com https://bitofayarn.com

As for the myth that Te Akau only send their crap horses down to the South Island i would have thought @nomates would have more brains than that or at least done his homework. The Te Akau strike rate in the South Island is slightly better than the North Island. Why wouldn't you try and maximise the return to owners? Another advantage is you aren't competing against your own stable as much and as far as I know the stakes are much the same. Next they'll be moaning about North Island owners robbing South Island owners of their stakes! Which is another nonsense as many many South Islanders have shares in horses trained primarily in the North Island. There is absolutely nothing to stop a South Island stable setting up a North Island based one. The other contradiction from the moaners is that Te Akau having a permanent stable in the South Island has created more competition supposedly with dud horses. Go figure!! At the end of the day Racing is a Sport and is about winning. The South Island could gain from the likes of Marsh and O'Sullivan setting up down there. It would lift the quality of the racing.

Yeah well I understand @Pitman is stirring this up with personal messages behind the scenes. I have no idea why it matters so much to him. I wouldn't be surprised if Pitty is actually writing the posts for the @Comic Dog . It's been done before and is obvious when s post is longer than the average single sentence. Pittys Puppet.

Yeah but the dumb arse forgets that @Pitman has won a National Premiership based in the South Island. Maybe his desperate sycophants could quietly point that out.

Really @Comic Dog are you that desperate for clicks? I'm not!! Just more crap from New Zealand's Anti-racing Forum.

If thw @Comic Dog and @nomates want to go back 3 years and turn down $18.4k maidens then go for it. Guys dont forget where you have come from.

Just for @Comic Dog @Thomass has never been banned. He is free to post here but obviously has been given the flick from NZ'S Premier Anti-Racing Forum. Flip flop green pond.

Simple explanation. The moisture meter is not calibrated correctly nor I imagine do the staff have the time nor the training to take the correct number of randomised measurements across the racecourse. I doubt that a penetrometer was correctly used either. This issue isn't the sole domain of Ruakaka but has been the case at nearly all tracks across New Zealand. Trentham and Riccarton being two of the worst. We have debated this issue at length on BOAY. As well as the reluctance of the Stipes to adjust the rating more than one point at a time.

That's the village of Flaxmere. Land nearby without housing is all developed in Horticulture.