Taku Umanga

I noted this Facebook post (apparently sourced from the Australian Financial Review): "With the news this week that the Entain Group are looking to carve off both Australia and NZ from their business, with some urgency it would seem, and the only likely buyer at this stage being Matthew Tripps' Betr, who met with Entain executives in London recently to negotiate a sale, what impact will it have on Racing in NZ? Will Betr look to further carve NZ off? What impact will it have on the $100 million Entain guaranteed handout? Was it ever "guaranteed"? Why would Betr have interest in NZ given Entains' Annual Report blamed the poor performance of NZ with losses of $322 million as a major factor in their $465 million annual loss, and then on page 189 state that the outlook for NZ was "bleak". If Betr do carve NZ off, will the NZ government be the only likely bidder? Interesting times ahead!!" How much longer will the Entain money keep rolling in?

Exactly, if you had a horse that you thought would back up, why wouldn't you?

You need to get up to date with the new regulations before accusing anyone of corruption ..... 17.4. If a horse incurs rating points that takes it out of the parameters of a future race for which it is entered: a. If a nomination it transfers to an eligible ratings race on the programme. b. If it is an acceptor in a mobile race, it can retain its eligibility, if driven by a Junior Driver (<50 wins) OR scratches. c. If it is an acceptor in a stand race, it can retain its eligibility if driven by a concession Junior Driver (<50 wins), OR take the appropriate distance penalty OR scratches.

Changing the original conditions to fit the final fields has been happening for years.

As Brodie said, after the horse won on Friday it was initially shown in the fields as being re-handicapped off 20m. Someone has obviously pointed out the rule (posted above) to the handicapper and the conditions of the race were changed to align with that rule. How can it be "corruption" when the rules allow it?

On what planet would the original conditions of the race have this part "Also horses with 1 win since 25/07/2025 if driven by a concession junior driver." The original conditions (and fields) were out before Origin won on 25/7/2025. The conditions were changed to align with the rules that allowed the horse to remain entered in its original position off the front.

They changed the conditions of the race after the fields had been published to cater for the horse that had won on Friday night. "Front: 4 yrs & older trotters with no wins for lifetime. Also horses with 1 win since 25/07/2025 if driven by a concession junior driver. 20m: R35 to R40 4 yrs & older horses with 1 win for lifetime."

So, they're "close to signing a deal" and planning to commit funds to setting up a training centre prior to the unconditional date of the Franklin sale (November)? Risky methinks.

Very sad - RIP fella

Speaking of conspiracy theories, does anybody know the reason for Beside Me's disqualification at Nelson in January not being publicised anywhere?

Wasn't Nathan previously based in the North?

Mr Orange did not wish to comment. Asked by the Adjudicative Committee, he acknowledged that Miss Harrison was entitled to shift him down and he had failed to concede his position.

Given that current 2yo's were born in 2022, does that mean a breeder that only breeds every second year misses out on the bonus?

Not sure of the impact, but this is another change that has been slipped in: “If the breeding entity does not exist at the time of the win no breeder bonus will paid.” (previously) “A Breeder or Breeding Entity ceases to exist if they have had no service attempts in the previous 5 years on the HRNZ Infohorse system.” (now) “A breeding entity ceases to exist for the purposes of TYOBS if they have had not bred or attempted to breed a mare since the 2021/22 breeding season as recorded on the HRNZ Infohorse system.”

SASSY STAR - Driver Z Meredith was replaced by M McKendry after a phone call to Stewards from Mr Meredith advising that he was unable to attend the meeting due to transport difficulties. Subsequent to this call Mr Meredith was located on course and served with drug testing paperwork but refused to provide a sample. An investigation has been opened and adjourned into this matter with Mr Meredith's driver's licence being suspended effective immediately in accordance with Rule 514(1). Driver D Balle (DREAMS PAT - Race 6) was served with drug testing paperwork but failed to supply a sample with an investigation being opened and adjourned into this matter.