Murray Fish

this one came in, amusing to see it is only for 3 races and expires days after those races... $20.00 Bonus Bet Bonus Bet to use on Flemington Race 4, 5 or 6 expires in: 3 days

Racing Industry Who will be the next chief executive of New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing? By Bren O'Brien - November 07, 2024 The word ‘leadership’ may have only featured twice in John Messara’s landmark 2018 report into the New Zealand racing industry, but it shapes as the most crucial aspect of thoroughbred racing realising the potential of the landmark Entain deal signed only last year. Two key positions in the New Zealand industry are up for grabs, including chief executive of New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing. (Image: Supplied) The sugar hit from Entain’s initial investment through the NZ TAB has been significant. Prize money leapt upwards, turnover increased and bloodstock investment surged, but after a litany of issues around tracks and management of race clubs, there is a concern about where the long-term strategy is at. While the headlines said it was a 25-year-deal, Entain’s guaranteed funding is for five years and the clock is ticking after 18 months that all that has been promised to be delivered can be delivered. One of the criticisms of the current regime was a lack of progress on several key aspects, including clubs and track rationalisation. Those issues were brought to a head when two key Hawke’s Bay Group 1 meetings had to be moved, while a recent feature public holiday meeting at Te Rapa was also shifted. You can imagine the impact such changes have on wagering and on the mood of the key wagering partner. None of these problems are surprising to anyone who has read the Messara Report. The issues have been identified, the solutions put forward, and a key plank, a proper wagering partner, has been put in place. But resistance to change remains and the challenge is now to find the leadership at New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing to achieve cut-through and make the necessary changes. The departure of Sharrock after two and half years gives NZTR a clean slate. The Straight understands two key positions will be advertised this month, the CEO role and a key Head Of Racing role. We have taken a look at a selection of possible candidates for the chief executive position. Sharrock walks - New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing seeking a new chief executive Paul Wilcox Wilcox has been the CEO of New Zealand’s biggest race club, Auckland Thoroughbred Racing, for the past seven years and has played a crucial role in a $55 million renovation of the Ellerslie racetrack, which includes the installation of a StrathAyr track. The transition from club administration into a role like that of NZTR is not always easy. Auckland Thoroughbred Racing chief executive Paul Wilcox. (Photo: Auckland Thoroughbred Racing) But Wilcox also boasts connections and experience in the bloodstock world having been a director of NZB for four years as well as being involved with Pencarrow. Prior to that, he was in senior sales and account roles with liquor giants Lion. Nick Roberts Roberts is the CEO of TAB NZ, having served in that role for just on 17 months. He had previously worked closely in getting the Entain deal done in a role titled Chief Transition Officer and before that General Counsel with the TAB. He would possess an excellent understanding of Entain and the TAB’s perspectives on how to action and prioritise change at NZTR, having also overseen significant changes in his current role, including the TAB’s move to Wellington. The fact he comes from outside the racing industry bubble may prove appealing to those looking to shake the status quo. Jason Fleming Originally coming from a finance background, Fleming has worked in a host of racing roles, including six years as Hawkes Bay CEO and seven years as a director at NZTR. He arrived at TAB in the role of General Manager Commercial and Finance in August last year and has worked closely with Nick Roberts. Fleming has strong racing credentials as well as financial and business development skills which would be appealing for NZTR. Brad Steele Steele has only been in the role of CEO of Harness Racing New Zealand for six months but has made several key changes already which have driven double-digit wagering growth, something that would be the envy of any other harness jurisdiction. This position may come up a little too soon, but the former Queensland-based banker is making an impression. Andrew Seabrook Well-known as the managing director of New Zealand Bloodstock, Seabrook has a long history in racing and bloodstock. Born into racing, Seabrook briefly considered a career in accounting before being lured to what was then Wrightson’s Bloodstock in 1992. New Zealand Bloodstock managing director Andrew Seabrook. (Photo: NZB) The company changed name, but Seabrook has never changed companies. He is well-connected in the racing and breeding sphere and is well-liked and respected. Nick Johnson Johnson relocated from the United Kingdom to take the job as chief executive of Thoroughbred Breeders Association in October last year. Prior to that, the Kiwi-born executive worked in commercial sales and marketing for flooring companies. Johnson maintained his connection to racing and breeding through his bloodstock agent brother Dylan. Andrew Birch Birch has been CEO of New Zealand Thoroughbred Marketing for 13 years and is well-connected and well-liked within racing, breeding and bloodstock circles. He also spent time working in the bloodstock industry as well as at race clubs and is a Darley Flying Start graduate. Sam Moncur Moncur has substantial wagering experience through five years at TAB NZ, where he worked in senior financial, operations and media roles, while he has spent the last 18 months at Entain as deputy chief financial officer. Prior to that, he spent over six years with the New Zealand Racing Board, having worked as a financial analyst. Cameron Rodger Rodger is currently managing director of Entain in New Zealand, so it would be more of a sidestep than a step up, but he does have extensive racing and wagering experience. He was in senior corporate, legal and commercial roles at TAB NZ, while prior to that worked for the NZ Racing Board for seven years. Entain New Zealand Managing Director, Cameron Rodger (Photo: Entain) Across the ditch The NZTR CEO role would also appeal to racing and wagering executives based in Australia. As an example, Thoroughbred Breeders Australia CEO Tom Reilly was a leading candidate for the role the last time it was advertised. RWWA’s CEO Ian Edwards would be a good fit, having spent four years in his current role, while his chief racing officer David Hunter is also well-regarded. Both of those men have led a bold media and wagering strategy in WA. Hunter could be a possible candidate for either the CEO or the Head Of Racing role. Similarly, Greg Rudolph, currently at Racing SA, or Charlotte Mills, who is at Moonee Valley Racing Club. Matt Welsh, formerly of Racing Victoria, is another possible candidate as Head of Racing. Former Melbourne Racing Club CEO Josh Blanksby is between jobs, while it appears departed Brisbane Racing Club CEO Tony Partridge is out of the running as he has taken a role in Saudi Arabia. Vicky Leonard, the New Zealand-born media and marketing executive, who has extensive connections in the breeding and racing industry, is another possible candidate for the CEO role. “It’s been under-invested for decades” - Entain windfall can’t mask old problems for NZ racing

For me also, I used to be happy to share any insights I might have had to mates etc, stopped all that sort of thing as well. I've gone from being 'a halo' to a 'black hole'. Cashed out a couple of little friendly betting groups I once belonged to! Leading them to all fall over... re Ellerslie, I'm still waiting to see how it will present when proper summer racing kicks in...

your really come across as a shallow kont eh! how well do you front up in person?

he got 70m out of 240m possible voters....

it was meant as a neutral comment... FWIW, Riccarton us to be the track I betted the most on, almost totally stopped at that track!

sigh, I posted more 'concerned' about how they will be approaching the Watering of the track in the leadup! ps, that nor wester can take a lot of moisture out of the turf!

"Christchurch is forecast to hit 26C every day for the next three days, seven degrees above what they would normally expect in early November as a daytime high."

tick... ps. this race is the antitheist of my normal betting, give me 10 or less every time, I am happy to be into even smaller fields!

same, trying to get a tri on...

i would have offered you 150/1

tick

yip, I am noticing that more and more, especially as 99% go on in as late as...

In a 20 horse field! there is always going to be argie bargie and gaps opening and closing! hence, Way to hard for me to be betting into! It will be interesting to see if any of the overseas horses stay for more races?

split second decisions!

winning of the race! v good ride! Fav went back, and that was it...

Yeah, just shows how superior trainer / horse is. wow, a top ride to win a major G1!

It was near dangerous in some of the earlier races, when the decision to go wider needed to be made!

a rather fast strip right down the outside... total non betting track for me!

lol, not to sure if it is safe to bet on!

I would have to admit this race is one that I have not really followed, as much for the difficult tracks that the race seems to be raced on! Talking things Juddmonte! what be their genius? The GOAT of Horse breeding and racing?

what brilliant film coverage! how drones should be used! you could Feel the action of the race!

until its not! send them around! until

be kind!

lol, sigh, dear I ask????