curious

Riccarton and S7 Saturday but a H8 for tomorrow's trials, no rain? Meeting News Riccarton Trials (Chute) | Monday 24 March Nomination Morning Weather: Fine | Strong winds Track: Heavy 8 Moisture Meter: Rail: Out 8m Rain: Irrigation: N/A Weather and Track updated at 10.00am Friday 21 March Head Stipe - John Oatham 021 725 550

What the hell is the problem? Grass grub or something?

What makes you think that?

Agree. No reason Entain can't apply for one of the available licences but don't think NZTAB should and certainly, the government should NOT be entertaining any sort of commercial arrangement with respective licencees in granting those licences.

Most of us have one on our wrists these days

Probably still is!

I wouldn't unless desperate with no other options. As Freda says with the current handicapping system and limited weight spread they would generally be no chance.

Who are they, I wonder?

Agree. There's scarcely a middle distance let alone a staying race on the grass for R65/75 horses all winter. What will happen to those horses? Off to another region? Or, the re-homers maybe?

Yes. Tough horse. The Wanganui Guineas was a G1 back then. He won it with David Peake, his regular rider at the time, in the irons.

You're right and doesn't one race at two courses?

I can't wait to hear the overall winner myself, and what they are going to do with the 10k prize.

NZTR Club of the Year Award Finalists Announced New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) is thrilled to announce the finalists of the 2024 Club of the Year Awards, set to be awarded at the 2025 Industry Development Conference on 31 March. Each New Zealand Racing Club was assessed against a performance framework across four categories: Financial, Racing, Marketing and Compliance and Innovation. The selection of finalists and winners will be presented in three distinct categories: Metropolitan, Provincial, and Country Clubs. An overall Club of the Year Award will also be presented from the winners of each category. NZTR Chief Executive Officer Matt Ballesty is pleased to see our Clubs recognised for their performance. "We see our annual NZTR Club Awards as playing a pivotal role in recognising and celebrating the outstanding contributions and achievements of New Zealand’s well-performing racing Clubs," he said. "I look forward to getting to know our Club representatives at the Industry Development Conference and celebrating their collective wins." To reward our high performing Clubs, NZTR will provide a $20k prize fund distributed across the three categories: Metropolitan, Provincial, and Country, with each receiving $5k in prize fund. Additionally, the Overall Club of the Year will be granted $5k in prize fund. The prize fund should be used to invest in an event or on-course initiative and a short form business case will need to be presented to support the initiative by 31 July 2025. NZTR has outlined the finalists for the three categories below. 2024 Finalists (in alphabetical order) Metropolitan · Auckland Thoroughbred Racing · Canterbury Jockey Club · Waikato Thoroughbred Racing Provincial · Otago Racing Club · Racing Tauranga · Taranaki Racing Incorporated Country · Central Otago Racing Club · Masterton Racing Club · Wairarapa Racing Club Congratulations to all the finalist and we look forward to celebrating at the 2025 Industry Development Conference. Corporate Communications New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Contact: Catlyn Calder +64 27 252 2803 nztrcommunications@nztr.co.nz

The winter stakes reductions are another matter. Certainly not essential. They could be evened out. However I would have some sympathy for that if it's linked to lower wagering revenue during that period.

Just remember that 3 years ago it was 12,000 per race at that Wingatui meeting. Enjoy it while you can because I can't see how it will be any more than that again in another 3 years.

Back big time and loving it

Everyone loves a bet! $2 a punt By Bidlake Racing_2025 03 15_13 28 56_1_381.mp4

Yeahh. Didn't have much luck that day either.

Legendary Jockey Frankie Dettori Files For Bankruptcy Thursday, March 13, 2025 at 11:57 am | Back to: Europe, Shared News Europe Updated: March 13, 2025 at 11:58 am Frankie Dettori | Getty Images Frankie Dettori has been forced to file for bankruptcy after failing to reach an agreement with HMRC over a long-running tax avoidance case. The Italian released a statement to confirm this latest development on Thursday. “For the last six-months, my advisors have been working with HMRC in an attempt to find a solution to my financial situation,” the statement read. “Regretfully, I will be filing for bankruptcy. “I am saddened and embarrassed by this outcome and would advise others to take a stronger rein over their financial matters. Bankruptcy is a major decision and its consequences will affect me for many years. “I am relieved to be drawing a line on this long-term matter, which enables me to reset and focus on my international riding career.” Dettori's name first came up in a legal battle with HMRC over his anonymity after using a “tax avoidance scheme” in December of 2024. His career voluntarily ended in Britain in October of 2023 and, instead of retiring, he moved to California to continue riding. A three-time champion jockey in Britain, he was ranked 13th by earnings in the U.S. in 2024, with 18 graded stakes wins highlighted by the victories of Beaute Cachee (Fr) (Literato {Fr}) in the GI Jenny Wiley Stakes, Newgate (Into Mischief) in the GI Santa Anita Handicap, and Raging Torrent (Maximus Mischief) in the GI Malibu Stakes. This term, he's already won a brace of Grade IIIs.

6 years later, how many do?

This possibly didn't help. Rail: Out 3 metres GENERAL The rail position was incorrectly advertised as being True

Me neither!

No, not a piss take. Pretty sure I heard Callum Brown say in the Jayne Ivil interview, that while probably ok for an April return to racing, it would take another 12-18 months to fully consolidate given the sand based profile, and that if it is properly looked after, especially over the winter when recovery from usage is slow.

Sounds like it's only 12-18 months away. Interesting they have the markers out and didn't work on the inside. Sounds a bit like Ellerslie with the sand profile needing a lot of water and verti-draining. Presumably will leave it a slower surface than it was?