Chief Stipe

Keeneland reluctantly will be digging the dirt again Thoroughbreds break from the starting game in the first horse race of opening day at Keeneland in Lexington, Ky., on April 4; the track will replace its synthetic surface with dirt before its fall meet. (Garry Jones/Associated Press) By Andrew Beyer April 9, 2014 When the Blue Grass Stakes is run at Keeneland on Saturday, it likely won’t produce the next Kentucky Derby winner. Though it was once the most important 3-year-old prep race, it became irrelevant after Keeneland replaced its dirt track with a synthetic surface. None of the seven horses who captured the Blue Grass on Polytrack proceeded to win on Churchill Downs’ dirt; most ran dismally. The decline of Keeneland’s signature race was only one of the reasons that it announced last week that it will remove the Polytrack and install a dirt surface for its fall meeting. Del Mar made a similar decision last month, and Santa Anita got rid of its synthetic track in 2010. But the decision by Keeneland, a power in the thoroughbred industry, signaled that the movement to synthetic surfaces is finished in the U.S. The changeover to synthetics was triggered by a series of events in 2006. Barbaro’s fatal breakdown in the Preakness triggered nationwide discussions about horse safety. That summer, Arlington Park and Del Mar experienced epidemics of breakdowns that generated more bad publicity for the sport. Arlington and all of the major California tracks would soon replace their dirt surfaces. Keeneland not only installed Polytrack in the fall of 2006 but became a partner of the company that manufactured it.The premise that racing surfaces were principally responsible for breakdowns was a simplistic view of a complex problem. Medication policies, trainers’ methods and breeders’ decisions have all contributed to the fragility of contemporary American thoroughbreds, but these factors are hard to fix. The installation of the new surfaces — which were mostly made of rubber, fiber, sand and wax — was a way to demonstrate that the sport was addressing the safety issue. When regulators and track executives discussed synthetic tracks they focused almost exclusively on safety. They didn’t ask how the new surfaces would affect the sport of racing. Would it be changed? In 2006, most people assumed that synthetic surfaces would resemble dirt, except that they would be safer and easier to maintain. The various synthetic tracks — Polytrack, Tapeta, Cushion Track, Pro-Ride — fulfilled their promise about horse fatalities. A study by the Jockey Club showed that the catastrophic injury rate on synthetics was significantly lower than on dirt. However, many trainers and veterinarians maintain that horses are more susceptible to hind-end and soft-tissue injuries on synthetics, so the safety argument wasn’t quite as clear-cut as the fatality numbers suggest. Most synthetic tracks held up well in inclement weather; they were always labeled “fast.” Nevertheless, the promise that they would be easy to maintain proved dead wrong. Seasonal changes and daily temperature changes affect the surfaces significantly, and tracks were plagued with maintenance problems. And they had a relatively short life span. The base of Del Mar’s track was disintegrating after seven summers of use. But the biggest surprise about the new surfaces was the answer to the question that hadn’t been asked in 2006: What would the racing be like? Fans quickly observed that it bore little resemblance to dirt. While American breeders have always emphasized speed and handicappers have always understood the importance of early speed, synthetic tracks didn’t favor it. (When Polytrack made its debut at Keeneland, bettors got a quick education when only one of the first 48 races was won by a front-runner.) Horses with good dirt form often didn’t reproduce it on the new surfaces; turf specialists adapted better to synthetic tracks. When the Breeders’ Cup held its championship events on Santa Anita’s Cushion Track in both 2008 and 2009, every race was won by a turf or synthetic-track specialist; dirt runners all failed, including the country’s best horse, Curlin. The profound difference between synthetic tracks and dirt undermined racing in Kentucky, in the view of many horseplayers. Horses would race on Keeneland’s Polytrack in the spring, but their form would be nearly impossible to assess when they moved onto the dirt at Churchill Downs. The same inscrutability existed when the tracks ran their respective fall meetings. (Synthetic surfaces were more manageable for handicappers at a track such as Woodbine, where horses run on Polytrack from April through December, with few dirt horses shipping in.) Keeneland’s two short meetings have traditionally been a showcase for the nation’s best thoroughbreds. Stakes such as the Blue Grass, Ashland, Spinster, Alcibiades and Breeders’ Futurity drew top horses from all over the country; the roster of their winners is filled with champions — prior to 2006. Now the country’s good dirt runners rarely show up. Not one serious Kentucky Derby hopeful is in the Blue Grass. The probable favorite, Bobby’s Kitten, is strictly a grass runner, and most of the other entrants are unworthy of a Grades I stakes. Yet Keeneland is abandoning its synthetic surface with great reluctance — as is Del Mar. Keeneland President Bill Thomason has said he hoped that Polytrack would become so accepted that “everybody would have it.” Del Mar President Joe Harper has been a staunch supporter of synthetic surfaces, but with the rest of southern California now racing on dirt, he acknowledged, “We can’t be the only one.” In retrospect, the push for synthetic surfaces in 2006 was ill-considered, hasty and a bit arrogant. A small number of the sport’s leaders were saying, in essence, “We are going to change the fundamental nature of horse racing in America,, and we want everyone to fall in line with us.” Upon seeing what the future would look like, too many people — the sport’s customers, especially — wanted no part of it.

There are some pluses though. "Where are the harness races tonight?" - Addington "Where are the harness races today?" - Addington ......................

I note they mention his MFAT role but NOT his NZRB/RITA role.

10 BOAY points if you recognise who tweeted and can tell where they used to work.

PRICE INCREASE OUT OF TOUCH Come July 1, it is looking more likely that a horse trained at Wyong on the NSW central coast will cost more to train than one at Rosehill. The board are set to implement a new fee structure that has some trainers seriously considering a move. In tough times due to the COVID19 pandemic businesses are looking to cuddle clients, yet the Wyong Race Club is ready to slug them with a massive price hike. Wyong opened its new 1600m Polytrack last week, which is sure to aid the trainers and their owners but at what cost? The club has outlined a bump in costs to every part of training at its track which in turn will be passed onto owners. A monthly fee of $140 per horse is a starting base but with add-ons it will quickly pass the fee charged by the Australian Turf Club per horse. Special grass gallops are set to jump to $75, $65 for grass jump outs then there is the price hike for walkers and even use of the grass. With July 1 still six weeks away, the club still has time to rethink its price structure. I wonder how many of the current board, who voted in favour of such a price hike, would survive in their businesses if jacked up prices as sharply? See david jewell's other Tweets

No you will find that they are saying is the criteria to remove our clubs race dates and license is unfair and whatever that criteria is, it isn't being applied evenly. Also RITA does not have the power, yet, to close courses down it can only through leaning on NZTR, HRNZ and GRNZ force those code administrators to not allocate dates to certain clubs. What we are seeing at the moment could be compared to a major retail chain closing down its profitable branches to keep its unprofitable Mega Stores going. Does that make sense? Is that what this "new" Board is all about?

31 min ago Dominion-Post Sir Peter Gluckman says changes will be needed to attract foreign investment in wake of Covid-19. Coronavirus: New Zealand needs to wise up, says report TOM PULLAR-STRECKER Foreign companies may shift research work and management teams to New Zealand to take advantage of the country's "hopefully Covid-free status", former chief science adviser Peter Gluckman says. But he said the country might need to invest more in higher education to make the most of the opportunity provided by its reputation, standing and "well-connected and safe environment". Gluckman and other members of an Auckland University think-tank, the Centre for Informed Futures, said in a report that New Zealanders needed to think about the impact of Covid-19 on the country's place in the world. There were many opportunities available, they said. But co-author John Allen, a former chief executive of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, said there were also risks, as New Zealand would have little ability to influence the "shifting world order". New Zealand needed to re-energise its relationship with China, as it was still New Zealand's top trading partner and should use less-traditional vehicles for relationship-building such as science and culture, he said. "We do not have to choose between the major powers and we should not do so.” AP Microsoft's investment in a New Zealand data centre could be an early sign that New Zealand will be in favour with technology giants. The report said geopolitics appeared to be at an inflection point, "moving to a multipolar or even a leaderless world". "In the eyes of many, the US is no longer a reliable leader, and many consequences might flow from this." it said. "The Covid-19 outbreak may be a catalyst for further regression into a nationalist and protectionist mindset." It would be "naive to expect a rapid reversal of these trends" even if there was a change in administration after the US election on November 3, the report added. To date, the most-trumpeted investment that New Zealand has attracted since the coronavirus pandemic has been from Microsoft. Earlier in May it became the first of the big three cloud service providers — which also include Amazon and Google — to announce it would establish a data centre in New Zealand, at an expected cost of more than $100 million. Microsoft's president Brad Smith said he had spent some time in New Zealand last year and met with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. But the Auckland University report said New Zealand might need to make significant structural changes to attract foreign direct investment. "We would need to invest much more significantly in research and development and in ensuring the quality of our higher education resulted in a workforce that would act as an attractor," he said.

I thought you said you "have sources"? Facts you introduce like - "the RITA Board is completely new and can't be held accountable for previous decisions."

To: NZTR, HRNZ & GRNZ Clubs RE: The Races Ltd Partnership Dear All This update provides Club representatives details on the outcome of the recent The Races Ltd Partnership (TRLP) consultation process. As you may be aware a review of TRLP, and subsequent consultation with TRLP staff, has taken place over the past few months. The initial consultation proposed establishing a logistics business to manage the event infrastructure (marquees, tables, chairs etc), together with additional roles in New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) Customer team. Due to financial implications, combined with the impacts of COVID-19 on the racing industry, a second round of consultation took place. This included the proposal to conclude the current consultation process and to wind-down TRLP. Last Friday the TRLP Board advised staff of their decision to wind-down TRLP on the 26 June 2020. All staff, and all services previously offered by TRLP, will cease as of this date. While our first thoughts and support are naturally with TRLP staff, we also acknowledge the impact this decision will have on some clubs. While we have a date to return to racing, there are no decisions as yet when we will be in a position to assist clubs with event marketing and / or infrastructure. Like others in the entertainment market, we will allow Government policy to guide the return of attendees at our events. For now, we will ensure all TRLP assets are clean and securely stored in Wellington come 26 June 2020. With a view to the future, it is likely we will undertake research identifying Club's requirements for the services previously provided by TRLP, in the first quarter of the 2020/21 racing season. This will predominantly focus on an assessment of how to best utilise our event infrastructure. I know you will join me in thanking TRLP for what they have helped our industry achieve, and the professionalism they have shown during what has been a very challenging time. Should you have any questions please contact me using the details below, or James Wigley, General Manager TRLP on james.wigley@theraces.co.nz Regards Bernard Ngā mihi nui | Kind regards Bernard Saundry Chief Executive New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing m: +64 27 565 6411 a: 106-110 Jackson Street, Petone, Wellington 5012 LOVERACING.NZ

This was for you JJ Flash.

Yeah well we won two at Waterlea one day. Slow trip back to Richmond. The Trout, Rai Valley, The Turf....

My experience was it was longer if they did good!

Not if you were Pitty - he'd pitstop at Wacka Y.

Anyone else got any crazy stories from the lockdown?

Where do you travel 9 hours in NZ to get to a race meeting?

The General Manager is James Wigley. In 2015 I joined the Event Marketing & Logistics team at the New Zealand Racing Board (NZRB). Leading a team of 5 we helped market and promote Racing Club events, growing attendance and improving the overall customer experience for event attendees. In 2017 I moved within the NZRB into a newly created Public Affairs team as a Government & Industry Relationship Manager. This role was responsible for the development and management of NZRB's key relationships with external stakeholders including Government, Racing Industry and Racing Industry Organisations (RIO's). In 2019 I joined The Races Ltd Partnership as General Manager. The Races is NZ's largest single source supplier of event infrastructure. It also provides marketing and digital services supporting racing Codes, clubs and RIO's.

The more I dig into the financials of racing clubs and the industry administration arms the more I find. Did you know that the harness and thoroughbred codes and NZRB share the ownership (and costs) of another company not just the RIU Limited? The Races Ltd Partnership (TRLP), formerly known as Event Marketing and Logistics (EML) as a business unit of the New Zealand Racing Board, is jointly owned by New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) and Harness Racing New Zealand (HRNZ) in a 50/50 partnership. The current board members are Bernard Saundry (chair), CEO of NZTR, Peter Jensen, CEO of HRNZ, Liz Bishop, General Manager Operations of HRNZ, and Alasdair Robertson, CEO of RACE Inc. The General Manager of TRLP is James Wigley. It's called The Races Limited. They don't seem to publish an annual report of their own (https://www.theraces.co.nz/) but the information is hidden to various degrees amongst the their owners annual reports. What we do know is that they have 14 employees. The question is what does the marketing department at RITA actually do?

I agree with you on V'landys. I don't think he gets it right all the time but then who does. But look at his performance during Covid-19 - racing continued and we are now only a week away from the NRL starting up. Meanwhile Rugby Australia is still looking for a CEO!

And right on cue in comes JJ Flash.

Well can you explain his answer please? While you are working it out can you tell us what were the "Special Projects" he managed at the NZRB 2000-2002?

Can someone help me understand how this helps NZ Racing? Those 6 meetings have been shifted from somewhere else so no gain there. Will betting turnover be substantially increased? Will abandonments suddenly cease? Has anyone seen the business plan? Or the PGF application? I've been involved with writing one of those and they need to show substantial benefits. Perhaps RITA/Cambridge Jockey Club can release the application and cost/benefit analysis. Then we can all stop speculating. I wouldn't have thought this information was "commercially sensitive" as there aren't any competitors in a monopoly.

I thought I read somewhere it was 6m Wide. But it can't be. Surely the Cambridge Jockey Club, NZTR, RITA or the PGF have published details somewhere. Interestingly I couldn't find any detail on the Provincial Growth Fund site.

Is that an eight race card for that date? Good luck to them. It will have to start earning money to pay for the investment.

Polytrack composition: A mixture of silica sand, recycled synthetic fibers (carpet & spandex) and recycled rubber/pvc. In cold climates, the mixture may also include jelly cable (plastic insulation from copper phone wire). The entire mixture is coated with wax.

The Martin Collins Australia team had a tremendous 2019 with their final installation a 26,000sqm training track at Warwick Farm Race Course, Sydney opening just prior to Christmas. This was the 9th track that the team completed in Australia and they are delighted to announce work has started on New Zealand's first synthetic race track at Cambridge. The construction of a new Polytrack training surface will then develop into it being used for a trial track and then eventually a race track. Construction began in first week of January 2020 with the track being open for training, after some testing, by July or August. The construction will see the main Cambridge grass trial track dug up and over 10,000 square metres of Polytrack surface laid. It is a pivotal step in the restructuring of New Zealand racing, providing a consistent winter racing surface with the ultimate aim of ending unsuitable and dangerous waterlogged track meetings in the region, or worse, those meetings which have to be cancelled because of the extreme wet. Randwick (Australia) has a Polytrack surface inside its racetracks and champion NZ jockey James McDonald is a huge fan. "A lot of winners are starting to come off that Randwick Polytrack now because it is a consistent surface for them to train on," says McDonald. "And they are good to ride on."