curious

Not anymore.

No.24 - 24-04-2020 - NZTR Circular FY20 - ALERT LEVEL 3 DIRECTIVE.pdf NZTR Directive COVID-19 Alert Level-3 (Training and Racing).pdf NZTR COVID-19 Health Screening Questionnaire.docx

Approved protocols have also been released.

Just out NZTR has confirmed with the government that Clubs, Trainers, and training centres can undertake business activities (including importantly racing, training and trialling) under Alert Level 3.

More sick than what? Covid-19 was always going to leave more people more sick regardless of the government decision making. It's too soon to tell and we can never exactly know but we seem to me to be on track to make the 'more' less than it might otherwise have been. If you had the decision making power, what would you do differently today to improve future outcomes?

Better than keeping need down to 50% of available hospital beds? What would you consider satisfactory? 20%.....30%

Where is it that they are doing that? I thought it was the opposite but maybe I'm looking in the wrong place.

Well, I don't need a degree to know that 0% of 0 untraceable cases is zero per head of population.

It's informed opinion which has come up with different answwers in different countries. Which opinion was best can not be known for quite some time and probably never in any robust way as we have no control group.

No. My first degree is in science.

Just in case google isn't working in your bubble Chief. We’ve got the hammers – should we be hitting more nails? https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/22-03-2020/the-government-is-giving-new-orders-do-we-have-to-obey-them/

Some numbers are better than others.

Horse racing: Kiwi thoroughbred trainers threaten to delay return 23/04/2020 Luke Robinson The New Zealand Trainers Association has written to racing's governing body - the Racing Industry Transition Agency - bemoaning a lack of information about the financial future of the sport. Chief among their concerns is a potential change to prize money. "We just want some certainty around what those rewards are going to be once we're back up and racing," NZTA president Tony Pike told Newshub. "Because these horses and the owners and trainers are the ones putting this show on for RITA." Under alert level 3, horses are allowed to train but not yet race. Trainers want clarity before the nationwide lockdown ends on Monday night. "There's a lot of uncertainty regarding the stake money and its distribution and what's happening with RITA," Pike added. "They had a lot of issues to deal with even before COVID-19 hit. They've been poorly managed for a number of years. "It's probably been exacerbated now that we need some certainty going forward for a lot of people in the industry." Pike said the mismanagement means the trend of Kiwi trainers heading to Australia will continue. Racing Industry Transition Agency says the NZTA's concerns have been answered in regular updates during the COVI-19 crisis and will be further addressed at a board meeting next week

This is saying training allowed but not racing at level 3. https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/sport/2020/04/horse-racing-kiwi-thoroughbred-trainers-threaten-to-delay-return.html?fbclid=IwAR32l4FbpsKHGDRhbcoG4rFWYVNsGfFgMwMG-C2d1B5Y9rAJVvDR_rJsrIY

Nope.

MPI have today updated the alert level 3 requirements for horse riding. Riding locally Horse riding (away from private land) is a recreational activity and allowed under Alert Level 3. It is important that you ride in a local area, which you can do safely, and which does not involve interacting with other people from outside your bubble, or equipment touched by other people. Now is not the time to take up new activities, or expose yourself to any risk that would put pressure on emergency services in case of an accident. Use your common sense – stay local, stay safe. Seems sensible.

Yes but it was adressed to him as chair, and the board, not him as CEO, so he could hardly respond in that capacity. I wouldn't have.

To be fair, it was adreessed to the board, not the full time CEO. I don't think it's unreasonable to expect a response as soon as possible after the next board meeting.

Maybe they had a visit from an essential worker like the tooth fairy or Easter bunny and heard it from them.

I think I also saw that the Oz training centres are using a roster system so that teams in the tie-ups are limited in numbers at a given time period each morning, I gather they will have been working with trainers to have that sorted if they are doing the same here?

When I look at that Malua Racing vid, I'm just hoping that since NZTR indicated that the protocols they developed were based on the Oz ones, they have ensured that they have necessary supplies infra-red thermometers, PPE, virucidal disinfectants etc. on hand or sourced for rapid delivery to training stables, training centres, RIU etc.or further delays will ensue accruing those while that happens. If the likes of the CJC are planning to open their tracks on Tuesday, I imagine they will already have those things to hand and will have already or be about to disinfect the stabling area, buildings etc. ready for that.

WHAT WILL OUR STAKES BE LIKE? We certainly haven’t had any assurances as to what stakes may be, in the short or even longer term. The Executive of the Trainers’ Association held a meeting on Tuesday 21st April and were unanimous that a letter be written to RITA asking a number of questions requiring answers prior to the move to Level 3. With ongoing concerns regarding the solvency of the TAB, a return to racing needs to be justified with acceptable stakes levels. Trainers will need to provide this information to their owners so a decision can be made as to whether it is worth bringing horses back into work. Here is a link to the letter sent at 8.40am 22nd April, from National President, Tony Pike to the Chair and Board of RITA: https://nztrainers.co.nz/media/1190/rita210420.pdf The Trainers’ Association just 3 hours later received the following response which has not been well received by our Executive: Dean asked me to let you know we have received your letter of 22 April and has confirmed it will be presented and discussed at the Board meeting on 29 April. We also wanted to double check that you were getting the regular updates from RITA over the past month as our business responds to the impact of COVID-19? If these are not getting through, please let me know so I can review our distribution groups. We've released about 12 updates through various channels, many of which were sent directly to clubs and RIOs. Furthermore, you will have received two updates yesterday on the discussions with the Government in relation to a return to training, trailing and racing for the industry and the draft 2019/20 draft calendar. We are making good progress working through the government processes required and hope to provide further clarity in the coming days about a resumption under Level 3. Any resumption would of course be subject to meeting the protocols NZTR has presented, which I understand were developed in association with the Trainers Association. Based on an initial read of your questions to the Board, I think the items raised have been mostly covered off in our previous updates (which are all located here), nonetheless, I expect the Board will respond to your letter promptly after the meeting next week. In the interim, and further to my phonecall to you on Monday, if you do have questions about the resumption of racing or the calendar (or other matters), please don't hesitate to call me. Warm regards Ian Head Of Public Affairs This letter clearly shows the lack of respect for our Association and the stakeholders within. We do not agree that our questions have been answered in their previous updates (that have previously been forwarded to you via this newsletter). The link provided by RITA has their latest news – which was 20th March! It also does not provide any certainty around immediate or future stakes, or the liquidity of our industry. Whilst we requested responses to our questions by midday Monday 27th April, prior to the move to Level 3, this has totally been disregarded. Tony Pike has expressed his dismay by return and our Executive suggest that if you wish to pass on your thoughts to Dean McKenzie, Chair of RITA, please do so. His email is as follows: dean@mckenziesport.com Please copy us in (wendy@nztrainers.co.nz) or contact us direct - we are keen to have your feedback. Some members of the Executive have stated they will not be putting horses back into work until acceptable answers are received. There could not be a more appropriate time for trainers to take action should the answers from the RITA Chair and Board, not be acceptable. It is totally unfair to expect owners to commit their horses to training, when they have no idea what the future of racing may look like and what the stakes may be. RITA need domestic racing and it is the owners, trainers, jockeys and breeders who provide the product. We will need to have a united front so we will be looking for your support should action need to be taken.Please give us your feedback and WATCH THIS SPACE! NZTR DIRECTIVE REGARDING TRAINING, TRIALLING AND RACING UNDER LEVEL 3 NZTR are still waiting on final approval from Government on the directives under Level 3 which include the protocols for trialling and racing. As soon as they have been approved, we will distribute them so you can begin planning your return to training, what will be required and how your staff can operate. Here’s a great video on what industry participants are doing in Victoria with such great success that has seen racing continue there: https://www.facebook.com/racingvictoria/videos/2032546393557563/UzpfSTUyMTA3NDYxNzk3MzA2MjozMDIxNzI5NTUxMjQwODc3/

I'm not actually seeing any action. Maybe I need to go to specsavers when they re-open. I'm pretty sure they will. Not so confident about the racing industry. The sunset may have come early.

Yes, they clearly don't have any answers to the key questions that we all need to know before we can plan anything. Not much point asking them again tomorrow and getting the same waffle.