curious

Also, even if any travel restrictions can be overcome to allow running of any pattern races, given that it sounds like the number of races next season will be greatly reduced, then many of those across the grades will have to go surely to keep their total number in the 5% of all races range and that will need to be across the grades. So if a number of Group 1s have to go and the Guineas races seem problematic, then perhaps they should be high on the list of the Group 1s to be struck off?

Yes but they surely can't be black type races if they are restricted to horses from certain regions and even if they were they'd be funded at listed race $50,000 level not $200,000 as for Group 1s.

That's what I meant. So transporting horses shouldn't be an issue, though maybe not under level 3 restrictions. Might need level 2. According to Bernie though, MPI will let us not only fastwork but trial and race at level 3. If he's got that wrong it should still be possible as soon as we go to level 2.

It doesn't need MPI. It needs some commonly existing cooperation between trainers in different regions to assist in looking after each others travelling horses.

I agree. I don't see why they would move them this year. Seems a bit of a knee jerk reaction. If they are to be moved, it should be as part of a comprehensive review of programming and the pattern race structure.

Me too.

That's an excellent example of the parochial thinking that has helped us get where we are.

Yep. If there's an office sweepstake, it's on the Cup, not the Guineas. They could care less. They can run a couple of Canterbury Guineas races instead. Not a biggie for mine.

MPI issued the level 4 protocols for NZTR. They will issue the level 3 ones, obviously in consultation. Currently the level 3 general guidelines say, Riding locally Everyone is being encouraged not to ride in order to reduce the pressure on emergency services in case of an accident. with more detail to come.

Michael, as I'm sure you know, I am acutely aware of how many people make a living from racing and am particularly concerned about that group but this is not just about what is best for them but what is best for the health and economic well-being of all NZers. NZ has adopted a different strategy from our neighbours across the ditch. I am not saying that training and racing should not resume once we come out of lockdown but I remain surprised that MPI would have approved that training, trials and racing could do so at level 3 in comparison with other level 3 guidelines. If you take another commercial example, the likes of the Warehouse Group with $3 billion of turnover can not open their doors and let say 10 or 20 people in to shop at a time with similar protocols to those that supermarkets have been using during lockdown. Yet, MPI have approved training and racing which is a much higher risk activity potentially involving gatherings of 1-200 people. It doesn't add up to me. Presumably, they will also allow other ridden equine activities such as showing, eventing, endurance etc. to conduct training and events as well.

I was very surprised to read the comment in bold in the above blog. Given that the MPI recommendation for Alert level 4 is no ridden work except where there is no alternative for horse welfare, I would have thought that at level 3, low risk, light exercise only and limited travel, certainly within regions would be the go. MPI have not yet released their guidelines for horse riding under level 3. I presume for Bernard to have made that statement, they must have a clear indication from MPI that it will be ok to not only resume fast work but also trials and racing at level 3. This does not seem to fit with the broader guidelines for level 3 to me. Only 10 people can attend a tangi but 100 can rock up to the track for a morning training session? Boating, yachting and any team sports or training are not allowed but trials and racing are? Anyone else find this a bit odd?

Bernard's Briefing - 17 April 2020 17 April 2020 We had hoped to be releasing the draft dates for the remainder of this season and the first part of the new season today. Yesterday, RITA decided to defer the release of the remaining 2020 calendar until after the Prime Minister’s announcement on Monday. At that time we will have a clearer idea of whether NZ will move out of alert level 4 and what the next stage will look like. NZTR’s release of the indicative calendar for August-November has been delayed to coincide with the RITA announcement. In the interim we have finalised our protocols with the view that subject to government approval, we will be able to return to training, trialling and racing at alert level 3. We are confident that these protocols, many of which were already in place during the final weekend of racing prior to lockdown, will keep our participants and the wider community safe. We know that everyone is eager to return to racing and that most of you have been watching racing from across the Tasman and seen how quickly they have adapted to the social distancing rules which are now required. Having had nearly four weeks to become used to maintaining a two-metre distance from others, regular cleaning of surfaces and non-stop handwashing, introducing these protocols into a race day should be automatic for most of us. The protocols will have to be adhered to strictly if racing is to be allowed to continue under alert level 3 and we will be relying on all our participants to play their part. Stay safe, stay in your bubble and we await Monday’s announcement from the Prime Minister to provide more guidance regarding our planned return to racing.

It's a broad ideology then. Didn't all parties and all MPs support it?

Covid response, safety and probable economic recovery/opportunity timeline.

And I have family in a similar situation booking/planning a return for a 12 month hiatus here.

Fair enough. Similar death rate and testing rate on that basis too. The jury's out still on how things will go over the next few months both health wise and economically. I'm happy with the NZ strategy for now.

Really? You are dreaming.

I guess we just have to stay sitting here in the dark a while longer.?

What do you mean? NZ has a completely different COVID strategy, rightly or wrongly, and only time will tell that.

hahaha .... are the horses also leading themselves around? And if one of the RV staff has the virus it sounds like a good way to quickly infect the entire jockey population.

If true, that's atrocious behaviour and a very bad look for the industry. Someone should call the police.

Surely they will let everyone know if there's been a change of plans?

It was just the July one today and the first 4 months of the new season tomorrow. July is probably moot given the announced level 3 restrictions anyway I'd say. Even if they come up with some way of opening traing centres safely with contactless operation, it will only be able to be for low risk activities, so as previously no fast work jumpouts or anything till we get to level 2 which might be 4 to 6 weeks or more away. That's my read anyway. Anyone have a different take?

No wonder their pricing is so crap a lot of the time and they are complaining about margins if that is the case.

16 weeks to what? And lobby government for what?