Chief Stipe

Meeting News Taranaki Meeting Postponed The Taranaki meeting scheduled for Thursday 5 June has been postponed. The RIB and Club representatives inspected the course proper this afternoon and were unanimous that the meeting cannot take place tomorrow due to a sodden track. Further rain is predicted into Thursday. NZTR and the Club are keen to reschedule the meeting to next week. A further update will be provided when a reschedule date has been confirmed.

You're welcome anytime. Perhaps you should sew a GPS tracker into them. Be able to track the horse as well!!

NZTR, in partnership with NZRMA and PGG Wrightson Turf, are pleased to announce the Emerging Racecourse Manager Award. No images? Click here Kent Lean Named Inaugural Winner of Emerging Racecourse Manager Award New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR), in partnership with the New Zealand Racecourse Managers' Association (NZRMA) and PGG Wrightson Turf, is pleased to announce Kent Lean of Waikato Thoroughbred Racing (WTR) as the inaugural recipient of the PGG Wrightson Turf Emerging Racecourse Manager Award. The Award recognises early-career Racecourse Managers and track staff who demonstrate leadership potential, a strong work ethic and a commitment to the future of New Zealand’s racing industry. Lean stood out for his professionalism, eagerness to learn and the initiative he has shown in forging a career that blends his passion for horticulture and Thoroughbred racing. “I was a bit surprised to be honest, but it was really nice to be recognised by my peers and colleagues,” said Lean. “It’s positive reinforcement for a career decision I made a couple of years ago, combining my interests in racing and horticulture.” Kent originally studied a Bachelor of Science at the University of Otago before working as a qualified arborist for over eight years. He then made the switch to turf management, recently completing his Level 3 Certificate in Sports Turf Management. “I really enjoyed getting back into study and learning the practical skills needed to prepare a track for trials and raceday. There’s real job satisfaction in knowing the work you do behind the scenes plays such a big part in a successful meeting.” “It’s good to get that kind of feedback and support, from WTR and others involved in this industry, that you’re heading in the right direction career-wise.” As part of the Award, Lean will attend the New Zealand Racecourse Managers Conference this coming June and views it as a key opportunity to connect with industry peers, build knowledge, and continue his professional development. “I’ve only been in the industry a couple of years and mostly worked with colleagues locally, so I’m really looking forward to meeting like-minded people, hearing different perspectives, and picking up tips and tricks along the way,” he said. “I really want to thank everyone at WTR, especially the ground staff, for their support as I’ve stepped into new responsibilities. Whether I’m here, there or anywhere, the team’s always had my back,” said Lean. “And a big thanks to PGG Wrightson Turf for getting behind this Award. It’s a great initiative and means a lot to someone early in their career.” Sponsor representative, Karen Crake, of PGG Wrightson Turf said the selection process was competitive, with nominations of a very high standard. “Kent’s nomination stood out for his commitment and eagerness to learn within an industry he had no earlier experience with. He’s shown real initiative, completed his Level 3 Sports Management course, and brings a huge amount of enthusiasm to everything he does. We’re delighted to support him on the next stage of his journey,” she said. NZTR Chief Operating Officer Darin Balcombe said Kent represents the calibre of talent the industry needs to nurture. “This Award is about recognising the people behind the scenes who play a critical role in the success of our tracks. Kent is a great example of the emerging professionals we want to support and celebrate.” “Racecourse management is an extremely specialised profession, and it’s fantastic to see someone like Kent acknowledged for the progress he’s made to date in his career.” NZTR extends its thanks to all Club nominees and nominators and acknowledges the continued support of PGG Wrightson Turf in delivering this important industry initiative. Corporate Communications New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Contact: Emma Thompson nztrcommunications@nztr.co.nz New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing 18 Dick Street, Cambridge 3434 Email: office@nztr.co.nz Tel: 0800 946 637 NZTR.CO.NZ Unsubscribe

Not when I looked. Maybe it has changed in the last hour.

Coolmore backs trainer Aidan O'Brien to have Storm Boy at his best for Royal Ascot www.racenet.com.au Coolmore is relying on the training genius of Aidan O'Brien to orchestrate the ultimate form reversal from crack colt Storm Boy at England's prestigious Royal Ascot carnival. Storm Boy, formerly trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, made his debut for the O'Brien stable earlier this month with an inglorious last of nine in the Greenlands Stakes at The Curragh. The Storm Boy that ran in Ireland was nothing like the brilliant, at times dominating sprinter who won five of his nine starts in Australia including the Magic Millions, Skyline Stakes and San Domenico Stakes, earning more than $3.5m. But Coolmore Australia's Tom Magnier said O'Brien is confident Storm Boy can bounce back at Royal Ascot. "It didn't go to plan last start,'' Magnier said. "But City Of Troy had a bad day in the Guineas first-up last year and Aidan was able to turn him around. "I have every confidence Aidan will be able to get Storm Boy back on track for Royal Ascot.'' Magnier's mention of City Of Troy was a reference to how O'Brien prepared the colt for a stunning English Derby win last year after he had flopped in the 2000 Guineas at his previous start. O'Brien achieved a similar result with Auguste Rodin in the Derby two years ago after that colt also came off a poor 2000 Guineas effort. Storm Boy is not Derby-bound but he is being aimed at the prestigious Royal Ascot carnival later this month where he is likely to line up in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (1200m) on June 21. In early TAB betting on the Jubilee Stakes, the Jerome Reynier-trained Lazzat, runner-up in the Golden Eagle at Rosehill last spring, is the $4.50 favourite with Storm Boy out to $11. O'Brien hasn't been discouraged by Storm Boy's shock showing at The Curragh and has been surprisingly upbeat when interviewed by Irish media. "He had never been galloped or worked, but we had to run him to find out what else we had to work on between now and Ascot," O'Brien said. "We learned that we have a good bit to work on, but I was very happy to do that. "He was beaten less than six lengths and he got a bad enough check at the two (furlong) marker. You could take another two off that, so he probably would have been beaten less than four lengths. "That was a very respectable run. I know everyone was disappointed, but we think we'll take him home now and we're going to train him. "We haven't really trained him yet and hopefully what we think will come, will come."

Well I'm going back 20 years when it was easier to act as a part-time strapper! 🙃

Currently the Metservice is saying 35mm in the next 24 hours easing off around midnight. I wonder if Hawera is on notice!

Meeting News New Plymouth Track Inspection/Update With a forecast of significant rainfall in New Plymouth today a track inspection will take place this afternoon with an update following that.

An artificially produced Soft 5 at that. Why don't they use your favourite tool the Going Stick @Thomass? BTW where did Tim Mills make that comment about the Soft 5?

So the smart Jockeys saved ground and didn't go wide!

I've always felt that the new Racing Act's management structure was its weakest part.

There is no doubt that those on the committee will be driven by their particular self-interest in racing. Don't forget most large breeders also race a number of their progeny. So the issue really is will the interests of ALL stakeholders be considered. The committee may then argue that they are working in the interests of racing therefore everyone benefits. Which is a valid argument. As I said above I suspect their main objective is to increase the pie for Thoroughbreds at the expense of Harness and of course Greyhounds (the latter still have a season to go by the way). My interpretation of the legislation though is that such a Committee deals with TABNZ not directly with ENTAIN. That said I always thought that the TABNZ and its Board as an organisation was a bit of a lame duck in reality although legislated not to be.

Were they managing the track? We always made sure we picked up the colours before the next race. A bit tricky if there is only one of you but we found if you didn't both parties tended to forget as either we were both getting ready for another race or getting ready to go home. I always wondered why they didnt organise that better with a central pick up drop off point (at the weigh scales?). A non-disposable bag with name, phone number and address for them also helps.

A dwarf going to a fancy dress party perhaps? Seriously though they may be just left oncourse in the building somewhere. I assume @Ross E you've contacted a Hawera club rep? I know someone if you haven't.

Unlike other places where @Thomass is not allowed he has never been banned here. Even when @Pete Lane and @hesi were demanding it. Not that I agree with his posts about Wanganui but he is probably a Wellington Racing Club member and they only point the finger at others.

All that said it raced safe. Easy to blame a track now.

Spring on Jenni's agenda? www.racing.com Owner Tony Ottobre has hinted star mare Pride Of Jenni is likely to continue her racing career in the spring and will stick to races over a mile. The seven-year-old was last seen in the Doomben Cup (G1, 2000m) where she finished towards the back of the field, but Ottobre says he was still delighted with the front runner’s campaign and says there is no reason why she shouldn't keep racing. “She’s got a 50 per cent winning strike rate from her last prep, why would you retire her?” Ottobre said on SENTrack. “You only retire a horse when they’ve had enough or they don’t want to run anymore. “We’re in it for racing, we’re not in it for anything else other than racing and also making sure the horse is fine.” WATCH: Jack Turnbull chats about Pride Of Jenni and Sternbo Idolay Pride Of Jenni will shortly commence her float trip back to Ottobre’s farm from where a decision on what happens next will be made. “Once we get her here we’ll assess where she’s at and how she’s going and go from there,” he said. “At the moment her future is fine and rosy, her campaign was two wins from four starts. “I think she’s still fantastic… I know she’s really good at 1600m.” Ottobre said Pride Of Jenni would likely only have two or three runs in a spring campaign of which the mile would be her most likely trip. “If you’re going to something like the King Charles, she has to be in great order and she has to be in a mood to want to race, if she’s that way… at this stage nothing’s off the deck, nothing at all,” he said.

One of those horses that "landed awkwardly" jumped beautifully without the rider.

All anecdotal @curious It always amuses me how a Jockey can give a track rating after riding a 550kg penetrometer of variable talent over a variable track. Bearing in mind that we can't be confident that the official rating was correct given the Stewards don't walk the track and the penetrometer readings aren't published. Meanwhile we have @Special Agent saying the times were slick. We have you relaying information that a shifty bend - the poor old track manager is being dictated to now where the rail gets placed! Thanks Kate! Supposedly there wa a front runners bias. According to @TAB For Ever some "horses wouldn't go on it completely". I can't help but think there is a snitch in some quarters against the Track Manager. Not long ago everyone was complaining that they were running wide and what a farce it was yet they didn't do that this meeting. All in all I thought the track raced fair and safe and wasn't a bog. Isn't that all we want for a winter track? Some horses wouldn't have liked it but that's racing. Perhaps we should close Wanganui as well given so many unhappy people.

He seems a reasonable dude. Highlights why most top level Trainers/Jockeys/Owners don't engage with social media or respond. Instead use it as a marketing medium. Though never ceases to me amaze how some cry a river on one channel and then act all tough on another.

No the Jockeys offered the tracks conditon as an excuse. Notably four Jockeys used the same excuse more than once. The times weren't that slick not as if they were running 1:07.5 on a Soft 7. The best 1200m time was 1:10.45 on a Heavy 8.

Yeah well maybe they should be a bit nervous about their pay packets. Do we really need the high paid ones like Guy Heveldt reading a cookie cutter script and a form guide as a segue to the next race?

Jim was the Grocer I was referring to. His racebook had more annotations than a bookies! I remember Johnny Hurren really well. Charles Uphams batman during the War.

Actually thinking about it the AWT report probably has research in there that supports our hypothesis that the Ellerslie "Iconic" bends don't cut the mustard. Petards and hoists.