curious

Business Name Number of employees paid Total amount paid Last updated NEW ZEALAND THOROUGHBRED RACING INCORPORATED 40 $278,354.40 08/04/2020

Saw that and wondered the same.

Good idea. Ideal if they do manage to get cracking over winter.

I thought it was a brilliant idea to conduct racing close to the main horse populations. I wonder who thought of that. Of course finding suitable racing surfaces in those proximities that many would want to race on may be another issue.

Pretty good response I'm thinking.

1 April 2020 Dear Racing Participants and Owners On behalf of NZTR, we want to provide you an update on the work we are doing in these unprecedented times. The New Zealand racing industry, like many businesses, faces critical challenges as a consequence of COVID-19. The NZTR Board has met regularly over the past two weeks discussing the lockdown, the economic and social impacts, what cuts we can make, and how do we return to racing. There has been significant work undertaken by an industry working group around what format a return to racing might take. Following an NZTR Board meeting last night and based on the assumption of a four-week lockdown, we are targeting a return to racing on 1 July at a reduced network of venues. We will need to be flexible as each region comes out of lockdown and with the possibility that alert levels might fluctuate. An indicative four-month calendar has been developed and the key components are as follows: · If training is able to resume in May, we anticipate trialling in late June with race dates from 1 July · Building from a single meeting per week in each region in July · A focus on racing near the horse population in early months and building to wider venue use by late Spring · Incentives being explored to get horses to the races rather than multiple trials · The removal of nomination and acceptance fees during the initial period · A programme that needs to be flexible, with races over shorter distances initially · No reduction to the minimum stake but a flatter stake model across the board initially to ensure wider distribution of funds to owners · A return to jumps racing is likely for Northern region but unlikely for South due to likely travel restrictions · The scheduling of Group and Listed races and reviewing the pattern has been discussed and the recognition that travel restrictions will require a new way of thinking · Data is important and a team from NZTR’s National Racing Bureau will be making contact with trainers over the coming weeks. Information on the number of horses potentially able to enter work will play a part in forming the programming of races when we resume. The full impact on stake allocations will be known once we have the full picture from RITA and the Government. In addition to the measures and activity referred to above NZTR: · Has reduced payroll and contractor costs by 20% since the shutdown of racing including the salaries of Board members by 100% and the CEO by 25% · Commenced the development of enhancing the protocols and actions required when a return to racing and training is possible under the Government Alert level system · Worked with RITA and the Government in providing data and information on how NZTR wants racing to resume with an appropriate funding model · Conducted phone and video conferences with stakeholders and club representatives to provide information and responding to queries in these uncertain times. NZTR’s priority is to recommence racing as soon as possible to maintain employment within our sport and to distribute much needed funds for our participants. We are also very aware that you are all working hard to maintain equine welfare at the highest level. We recognise that people may be under considerable stress as they consider the future of their business and urge you to make use of the government financial assistance packages. The link to the information required can be found here. It is also important to look after your own wellbeing, if you feel you are not coping you can call or text 1737 free anytime, 24/7 to speak to a trained counsellor. Please follow the protocols put in place by the Government under Alert level 4 over the coming weeks. Stay at home, obey social distancing and wash your hands! This is vitally important to allow us to get through the lockdown period and allow the country and our industry to get through this. On behalf of NZTR, we sincerely hope that you all remain safe and healthy throughout these strange and uncertain times. Yours in Racing, Dr Alan Jackson Chairman Bernard Saundry Chief Executive

In the first half they paid it all out to the codes and more I think. So, that's gone. No reserves, stuff all revenue. No pokie money to fund the RIU who are not required now anyway. Maybe half a dozen staff can be sustained at NZTR? They have nought to do also.

Not a whisper out of them to date but since RITA is broke can't pay them anything anyway, stakes and staff reductions are a bit moot at this stage aren't they?

Not sure he's the poor one out of all this. It's the rest of us.

The Health Minister said today that because elective surgery has been stopped, 50% of hospital beds are empty and there is no pressure on the health system or staffing at present.

How much is lucerne chaff these days ATA? If you can get it that is?

Maybe not. They'll have to be sanitised.

Yes. Maybe, but animals are part of your bubble, so for now, I think we have to live with that and stay home. I think that's what the MPI directive is saying.

Not sure mate. That would be nice. Horse likes it down there. But definitely against NZTR regs. Could just officially retire him maybe.

Where? You need a private galloping track for that.

I just whispered it to mine but they are not being very compliant at this stage so signs might be a good idea!

Unbelieveable. What are they thinking?

I take it this means that all racecourses are now closed for any exercise purposes? And what determines this? light ridden exercise is permitted if the Trainer considers that it is necessary for the horse’s wellbeing Exercise of Horses 2.0 This Directive includes provisions enabling exercise of horses under COVID-19 ALERT LEVEL 4, restrictions where needed to ensure the continued welfare of the horse. The welfare of the horse is encompassed by both its mental and physical wellbeing, and NZTR recognises that: 2.1 The mental wellbeing of some horses may be negatively impacted by monotony if only exercised on treadmills or horse walkers. 2.2 Some horses require light ridden exercise to avoid becoming overweight. 2.3 The continuation of pre-training practices that provide graduated learning of young horses is important to their development. 3.0 Light ridden exercise of a horse under COVID-19 ALERT LEVEL 4 restrictions is permitted if the Trainer considers that it is necessary for the horse’s wellbeing and alternatives would not be effective, if the exercise is conducted: 3.1 At a private property; and 3.2 The horse and staff and/or Trainer are resident on the same property, and all persons remain fully compliant to the government’s requirements under COVID ALERT LEVEL-4; and 3.3 The property includes suitable areas or an existing circuit upon which light ridden exercise can be safely conducted.

Just been through this in the last 24 hours trying to get one home from a trainers for interim agistment and light exercise. Who can move it? Can I go collect it? Can the trainer run it back here? Should we use a commercial transporter for a 10 minute trip. How do we do the exchange? Who can handle the gear, rugs etc. and under what conditions? It's not easy to get right but common sense applied and I think we did the best we could for human safety, regulations and the welfare of the horse. Anomolies remain in the directive though I think it's pretty well done even though the rules changed overnight. E.g., if you look at 4.1, it says galloping or fastwork is prohibited. Then in 4.3 it says the horse may be ridden up to half-pace. Half-pace means different things to different people around the world but I always thought it was galloping.

Yes pretty much. That was in the earlier version. Hygiene measures. 8.3 When exercising horses, or in stable areas, trainers and staff are required to maintain strict standards of personal hygiene: 8.4 Provision and use of disinfectant buckets and sprays, or soap and running water located throughout the stable and tie-up stalls for regular washing of hands: 8.4.1 On arrival and before departure from the workplace; 8.4.2 Before and after eating or drinking; 8.4.3 Before and after assisting another person around the horse (e.g. legging up a rider); and 8.4.4 Before and after handling of tack or equipment that is handled by more than one person. 8.5 All persons must wash and wear clean clothes before and after work; 8.6 Wearing of overalls and gloves for duties when it is practical to do so; 8.7 Use of disinfectant on all tack or other equipment that is used, particularly regular disinfectant of lead ropes and the reins of horses saddled for track riders; and 8.8 Assign a staff member to regularly disinfect surfaces that are often used such as toilets, benches, doors, gates, barrows, rakes, brooms, buckets and high contact areas on vehicles.

They've tidied this up a bit in today's amendments. 4.0 If light ridden exercise is justified and permitted under paragraphs 2.0 and 3.0, the following prohibitions are stipulated on the grounds of personal safety at a time when the public health system is dedicating to combatting COVID-19: 4.1 Galloping or fastwork is prohibited. 4.2 Education through jump-out starting gates is prohibited 4.3 The horse may be ridden only at a trot, canter or up to half-pace. 4.4 Horses may only be ridden at a distance of 50 metres or more from other ridden horses. 4.5 A very cautious approach must be taken to a decision to ride a very inexperienced horse or a potentially fractious horse.

Of course not. They are non-essential businesses.

Read 4.0.

From today's NZTR directive. Total sense. Exercise of Horses 2.0 Whilst this Directive includes within its provisions the ability to exercise horses, this is a provision provided only where needed to ensure the continued welfare of the horse. 3.0 Light ridden exercise of a horse is permitted only when: 3.1 The trainer is unable to identify an agistment property with that has capability to accept the horse within a 1-hour drive (note that relocation of horses to agistment is permitted within paragraph 9.2); 3.2 The horse is boxed, due to there being no suitable yards or paddocks on the trainer’s facility; and 3.3 The stable lacks a horse walker or treadmill. 4.0 If ridden work is justified under paragraph 3.0, the trainer must instruct the rider that galloping or fastwork is not permitted. Education of young horses, including through starting gates is also not permitted. These prohibitions are stipulated on the grounds of personal safety at a time when the public health system is dedicating to combatting COVID-19.

Close though given the power differential. Don't think many ethics experts would agree with you.