Taku Umanga

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.

Kumeu's still there .... but only occasionally utilised by a few local trainers

It's all about balance in the early stages of a standing start trot. Different story at the end of a race. Nothing to see here in my opinion.

Wil be Donnelly

This is Nelli's post from the other channel - some good points made. "The launch of NextGen today demonstrates yet again more half-baked ideas even though the intentions are admirable. 1) I can see the rationale of restricting the scheme to sale horses, since NZB Standardbreds are major sponsors, but why restrict it to progeny of stallions in their 1st 3 seasons in NZ? For example, if you are after a trotter, this restricts you to a choice of just 22 horses with half by expensive stallions (a big windfall for the sellers). 2) Why the G1 restriction on the trainers when I think what they intend is to promote young trainers. This means 21 year old Zev Meredith in his first year of training is ruled out (Tom Bamford also) but very successful 80+ year old Luk Chin is eligible (not that he ever needs to buy a yearling with his great breed). 3) The alternative option is having a partnership of at least 4 owners with 30+% of the people under 40 years old and who have never owned a horse before. This of course is easily achieved by adding a couple of grandchildren on the ownership papers. A nice thing to do but will it mean more owners racing more horses in the future?"

20241124-0056-05.0683395.mp4

Or China - huge number of mares exported 15/11 ..... anyone know what sort of $$ they pay for these horses?

All Telfer horses scratched at Manawatu

Just posted online by Barry Lichter: Fears about the future of the Auckland Trotting Club were reignited today with news that the Chinese buyers of its Pukekohe training property have failed to meet the payment deadline. In a development which ATC president Jamie Mackinnon described as “disappointing” in a newsletter to members, Mount Hope Limited did not come up with the outstanding $90 million due last Friday. With the club between $70 million and $80 million in debt and accruing interest of more than $500,000 a month, the $100 million deal was seen as its sole lifeline. But Mackinnon said the club remained hopeful that Mount Hope would still settle, its lawyers saying they were still committed to buying the land and were actively seeking offshore finance. Mackinnon said the club had now issued Mount Hope a notice requiring them to settle within 12 clear working days. At the expiry of that period the ATC could then elect to exercise it rights and remedies under the sale agreement, which includes Mount Hope forfeiting its 10% deposit of $10 million. “On a positive note, the ATC still owns the land, has achieved a Unity Plan Change, and, we have already repaid part of the Club’s bank debt from the $10 million deposit.” Mackinnon said the sale agreement provided for penalty interest to accrue at 14%pa. Mackinnon said the club was exploring a plan B in the event Mount Hope did not front up with the money. In an earlier September newsletter, Mackinnon attempted to defuse rumours that Mount Hope would not be settling the deal on time, saying no extension of settlement had been sought. Mount Hope’s lawyer had advised the movement of funds out of China was proving difficult and Mount Hope would be seeking alternative finance should that continue. But the default should come as no surprise given China’s unprecedented crisis and the far-reaching effects of the collapse of several of its real estate giants. In August, a developer walked away from a $30 million land deal in South Auckland, forfeiting its $5 million deposit. Mackinnon previously said if the Chinese buyer pulled out of the Pukekohe deal, the club would still be OK as it could then keep the $10 million deposit and put the property back on the market with the benefit of the zoning having been changed. But industry experts say the chances of the ATC getting anywhere near $100 million for the land are remote, that figure considered “enormous overs” even when it was inked and the market being considerably depressed now. When the Chinese deal was struck, the 35.2 ha of land, before rezoning, was valued on the ATC’s books at $29 million and Fletchers had offered only $35 million. The implications of a lower sale price could be catastrophic for harness racing in the North Island. Even if it could stave off closure, the club would not have the money to build a new training centre, a vital feeding ground for its already depleted horse numbers. The ATC, which lost at least $108 million on its failed apartment developments, is understood to be meeting with its bankers to consider the development.