curious

Not sure if that's tongue in cheek Doomed but if the TA have only just realised that "we are starting to get to a point where we have got a bit of a crisis with our infrastructure" then seriously ...

Yep, it's bloody ridiculous Mustang. Even their track conditions are always late even if you can't believe them anyway. We are trying to support you CJC. Please give us a hand along with the punters who also do.

Taupo Trials 25 03 2025 Heat 2_2025 03 25_16 06 56_1_374.mp4

Foxton? But then where would you run the trials? That track has more horses going around annually than any in the CD and still available for training gallops.

Photo: Race Images Infrastructure blues continue following Taupo abandonment Joshua Smith, LOVERACING.NZ News Desk 25 March 2025 There’s growing frustration within the thoroughbred racing industry surrounding the sport’s infrastructure, with the abandonment of Taupo’s trials on Tuesday the latest in a long series of raceday and trial cancellations. It comes just two days after the abandonment of Tauherenikau’s Sunday race meeting following a slip in the opening race of the card, adding to the growing track woes in the Central Districts, with both Hastings and Awapuni currently out of commission due to track renovations. “I think we are starting to get to a point where we have got a bit of a crisis with our infrastructure,” New Zealand Trainers’ Association President Shaun Clotworthy said. “The Central Districts have been under pressure for quite a while now, so we feel for them. In the northern area, with Ellerslie and Te Aroha coming back on board it has been a big relief to trainers up this way, but we still need to address these problems properly. “We probably need to look at a complete review of our processes and get someone in to have a different look at it from a different angle because it’s not working at the moment. “The cost is huge to the industry and especially to the owners, who are getting really sick of it, and trainers, who have to reorganise staff and pay different people and juggle things around, so it comes at a personal cost to them as well. “Owners are frustrated. It is not cheap to race horses and they aren’t looking to have any extra costs added on. “On the bright side, I think Ellerslie are going to take two trial dates next week on Tuesday and Thursday, so that is some relief, but that doesn’t alter the fact that horses have been carted to Taupo today for no result.” New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing’s chief operating officer Darin Balcombe said the latest string of abandonments is frustrating for the industry, with a number of provincial tracks feeling the pressure of extra racedays, with a number of metropolitan tracks currently out of commission while renovations are taking place. “We completely feel for the industry stakeholders that have been to these meetings that have been called off,” Balcombe said. “It is a terrible situation, and it is a big drain on the industry. “The tracks are struggling with the weight of racing on them at the moment and that is causing issues. “It is putting pressure on a number of our provincial tracks that generally are set-up to run three to four racedays a season and are being asked now to run seven or eight, and the stress is showing on those tracks. “We need to ensure that we are getting these tracks up to speed as early as possible to make sure it doesn’t carry on. “It makes it very difficult to be an owner when these things are happening, so we have got to get it right and we are working hard to get it right.” Awapuni Racecourse in Palmerston North is currently one of those metropolitan tracks undergoing renovations but is set to resume racing on their turf track next month. “It is very important that we get Awapuni back on speed, which is scheduled for the 25th of April, so I am looking forward to that,” Balcombe said. “We won’t be pushing Awapuni, so it will probably only run two or three meetings before we put it aside for winter and get it back because it is going to be an important venue next spring.” With Hastings racecourse also out of commission, and Trentham set to undergo renovations in the near future, Balcombe said New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing have partnered with several provincial clubs to ensure they have the means to handle additional race meetings year-round. “We are making sure every track undergoes a full renovation period,” Balcombe said. “Knowing that Hastings and Trentham were going to be out in the short-term, we did put irrigation in at Waverley and Hawera to ensure those tracks can be used because previously without the irrigation they were only available through the winter months. “We are also looking at the possibility of having an irrigation system at Woodville just to allow that track to cover off as well because we are going to have Hastings out for a little period and on the back of that a decision has got to be made on Trentham and what needs to be done there with the track and facilities.” Balcombe said meeting abandonments will always be a part of racing due to severe weather, particularly over the winter months, but acknowledged the number of abandonments of late is unacceptable. “We are always going to have weather abandonments, there is no way you can get around the extreme weather, but we need to stop these track abandonments when the weather has been like it has been. The tracks need to be in a fit state,” he said.

Yeahh right. Gave them 3 that to date have proved anything but reliable, safe and consistent. If you are right, then why did NZTR instigate a review of their safety after initial data brought that into question? And why have NZTR not yet released that report by international experts? I have been a big supporter of the poly tracks because they have proven safe and reliable elsewhere and indeed, won a few races on them, but for one won't be racing on them again until I'm convinced they are as safe and properly maintained as possible. Currently, there is no sign of that reassurance. There are plenty of grass tracks available (some largely idle) that could be conducting grass trials on safer surfaces, to prepare horses for grass racing.

Rubbish. Most horses trialing on turf are there to educate and condition them for racing on turf which is the majority of our racing.

No idea. But it's pretty much irrelevant for those horses isn't it? They are not handicappers at this stage.

No chance unless the placed horses do something amazing in the remainder of the season. The NZPC somehow seem to think that prizemoney increases will fix race quality when there has never been an iota of evidence to support that and they don't provide any in their reports. Wellington RC, NZ Oaks (G1) – after years of solid ratings, we have now had two weak editions in a row, with this season rating 102.75 versus the 107 tolerance threshold. There was no improvement from considering the top 4 starters. Unlike in some past editions, the NZPC had no concerns with the assessed ratings. There appears to be an increasing trend for staying fillies to target the NZ Derby and/or Australian carnivals rather than travel to Wellington. The NZPC hopes that a significant prizemoney increase that is planned for the upcoming season will see the race return to its former level. A Warning was imposed.

Those are 3yo races. The rating system is independent of age. I don't think the rating system itself is so bad. Just that the resulting weight spread is ineffective.

Yep. Handy run the first day too from memory. Knew her a bit then.

Trentham’s reputation for longshots cemented in 1987 Cup Mary Burgess - LOVERACING.NZ 24 January 2022 Trentham’s reputation as a Punters Graveyard goes back nearly 100 years - Trentham once again proved a graveyard for the Punter – screamed the headline from Truth on Thursday, 27 October 1927.

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.