curious

Race Day Track Preparation Process – Mandatory Requirements Clubs should aim to produce a track with a GOOD rating (i.e. a track with good grass coverage and cushion) for the majority of the race meeting. They should however, [do their best to] avoid a track with a GOOD 2 rating at any time during the race meeting). Track Managers will not be criticised if they have prepared a track in line with this Policy, and, due to elements outside of their control (including the weather), the track is rated softer than GOOD at the time of the first race, especially in the warmer months. It is also recognised that the preparation of turf racetracks with more give may lead to an increased level of wear and tear over the course of a racing season.

Where is that mandate? Is it new? I thought it was that the track be prepared to provide a good rating for the majority of the meeting.

Richard Edmunds, LOVERACING.NZ News Desk | December 07, 2024 The Canterbury Jockey Club purchased an NZB Kiwi slot as part of a strategy to promote their two prestigious spring classics, the New Zealand 2000 Guineas and the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m). The winners of those races were offered first option to negotiate for use of the NZB Kiwi slot, but Savaglee will potentially compete in Australia in the Autumn while Captured By Love is ineligible for the NZB Kiwi. “The Canterbury Jockey Club is delighted that the strategy it developed when buying a slot has come to fruition with Domain Ace, the third placegetter in the New Zealand 2000 Guineas, representing the club,” Canterbury Jockey Club chair Dianne Logie said. “I thank the Owners for reaching an agreement with us.”

Though according to that, it is only the winners of either race that would have preference?

The NZB Kiwi - Canterbury Jockey Club Slot Update The Canterbury Jockey Club will offer its Slot in the inaugural running of the NZB Kiwi as an added incentive to start in the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Two Thousand Guineas® and Barneswood Farm New Zealand One Thousand Guineas®. Canterbury Jockey Club | June 19, 2024 The Canterbury Jockey Club will offer its Slot in the inaugural running of the NZB Kiwi as an added incentive to start in the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Two Thousand Guineas® and Barneswood Farm New Zealand One Thousand Guineas®. These two Group 1, 1600 metres three-year-old races form the backbone of the Riccarton Park New Zealand Cup Meeting in November. The connections of the winner of the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas® (Provided it is eligible) will be offered the first option of negotiating with the Canterbury Jockey Club for use of its Slot in the 2025 NZB Kiwi. Should the connections of that horse not wish to take the option the connections of the winner of the Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas® (Provided it is eligible) will be offered a second option of negotiating with the Canterbury Jockey Club for use of its Slot in the 2025 NZB Kiwi. The winner of both these two three-year-old Classics will, on top of the $3.5 million stake, compete for the additional pool of $1,000,000 should they run in the first three placings in the NZB Kiwi. Both races will receive a $50,000 stake increase with the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Two Thousand Guineas® carrying a purse of $650,000 and the Barneswood Farm New Zealand One Thousand Guineas® $550,000. Canterbury Jockey Club Chair, Dianne Logie, said “The Club is committed to ensuring that the New Zealand Cup Meeting continues to encourage the best horses to Riccarton Park for New Zealand’s iconic racing week. We believe that this is the most appropriate way of starting the process of finding who will share with the Canterbury Jockey Club the thrill and excitement of racing in the inaugural NZB Kiwi.” View more about the Southern Hemisphere's richest 3YO race here. For further information please contact Canterbury Jockey Club Chief Executive Tim Mills 027 430 0208.

The CJC decided and declared that early on.

Apparently not.

Won't be a strong field. Might get a cheque?

They locked themselves in to the Guineas placed horses didn't they?

Maybe, unless they were owed the money?

Bit hard to say isn't it from the above? In one place it says "their former account." In another, "the person who is now believed to operate that account". A third party, accountant, former employee? Regardless, as you said, it is theft, but not by RV.

This one evidently was.

Agree. It's nothing like Sha Tin. Among other things it's a vastly different climate and Sha Tin has Strathayr turf which is reseeded twice a year - winter grasses and summer grasses. Where did Entain say they thought that?

Haha. I'm hoping they can get the cameras sorted!

Are you saying that the stipes are blind and can't count? They change the whip rules then feature this pic on their website.

They do it elsewhere, no problem and don't they have HD video these days? Unless of course the pigeon drops dead carrying it across Cook Strait and it takes search and rescue a month to find it.

Nothing to do with the Messara report. Just they've closed the tracks without spending the money he recommended on the remaining venues and they seemingly randomly changed the closed venues from what he recommended.

New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Appoints New CEO New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) is pleased to confirm the appointment of Matt Ballesty to the position of CEO, effective 5 March 2025. Ballesty is a highly respected senior executive who has more than 30 years’ experience in high performance leadership as well as strategic commercial development and execution. “This is a homecoming,” said Ballesty of taking on the new role. “I’ve been passionate about racing for a long time as both an enthusiast and an owner and I can’t wait to get stuck into the hard work of further developing thoroughbred racing in New Zealand.” Ballesty has a vast commercial career, and although a New Zealand-Australian citizen, has held a number of senior executive roles internationally across Australia, Macau and Canada. Matt has also undertaken studies at the New Zealand Institute of Directors and was a board member with Heart of the City Auckland NZTR Chair Russell Warwick said Ballesty’s unique skill set makes him ideal to lead the organisation. “The racing industry is going through a period of significant change and Matt is the perfect candidate to ensure that every person contributing to the industry continues to play a key role in the future,” Warwick said. “This appointment is about securing the legacy of the racing industry in the long term. We could not be happier to have someone of Matt’s calibre holding the reins at this critical point.” In addition to his impressive corporate background, Ballesty has also demonstrated his strength in connecting key stakeholders across every part of the businesses he has worked in. “The success of the racing industry has always been built on the hard work done at a grassroots level by generations of Kiwis,” said Ballesty. “What excites me most is the opportunity to meet the people around the country who contribute to making the racing industry what it is today. Everyone from the breeders, trainers, owners and jockeys, right through to the clubs, play a critical role in creating a vibrant community and sport that continues to excel on the global stage.” The arrival of Ballesty was also welcomed by Dean Shannon, the Chief Executive for Entain Australia and New Zealand, a key strategic partner for NZTR. “Matt is a genuinely good human who’s fully committed to ensuring that the racing industry reaches its full potential in New Zealand,” said Shannon. “We can’t wait to see what he brings to the table in the coming years.” Corporate Communications New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Contact: Catlyn Calder +64 027 252 2803 nztrcommunications@nztr.co.nz

Another of our best 3yos off to Oz.

You always have maidens and first starters even in 2yo Group races don't you?

Agree. It's sustainable if owners want to continue to cough up sweepstakes. Not sure I like the idea of industry funding being used in any way but then Entain can do what they like with their money too.

I'm not the trainer or rider but maybe wanted to make sure she had a good stretch out to ready her for the next assignment?

You could probably take a bit of a line through Sesimbra which would align with the rest of my preliminary assessment.

Can't imagine Colin would sell but as they say, money talks.

https://loveracing.nz/News/48228/PivotalTensensationalinGoreGuineasromp.aspx