curious

Weir has seven days to move horses as disqualification confirmed Disqualified former trainer Darren Weir. Picture: Michael Klein By Brad Waters 01:09pm • 02 September 2024 Disgraced trainer Darren Weir has seven days to move horses from his Trevenson Park property before he starts another two-year disqualification. The Victorian Racing Tribunal ordered Weir's new disqualification commence immediately after considering submissions on the starting date of Weir's disqualification for using a ‘jigger' on three horses in 2018. Weir's legal counsel, Ian Hill KC, told the tribunal the trainer was "anxious to have the matter finalised before the tribunal today." The three-person panel – chaired by Judge Bowman – agreed, allowing Weir to start his disqualification on September 9. Following the last hearing of the long-running case, Weir's counsel submitted his two-year sanction should be backdated to February 6 last year, the date his previous disqualification ended for possession of the electrical devices. In early 2019, Weir and Racing Victoria stewards came to an agreement for the trainer to serve a four-year disqualification. Racing Victoria stewards subsequently charged Weir with using the jiggers on Red Cardinal, Tosen Basil and Yogi at the end of a Victoria Police inquiry into the matter. Darren Weir at his former stables in Ballarat in 2016. Picture: Aaron Francis Weir pleaded guilty to animal cruelty offences in the Warrnambool Magistrates Court in 2022 for which he was fined $36,000 with no criminal conviction recorded. The Melbourne Cup-winning trainer had operated a pre-training and spelling business at Trevenson Park, near Maldon in Central Victoria. Under the terms of disqualification, Weir cannot earn a direct or indirect income from racing, nor can he attend race meetings. As a disqualified person, Weir would need to reapply to RV's Licensing Committee at the end of his time out to regain his trainer's licence. That decision lies solely with the discretion of RV. While the VRT finalised Weir's disqualification period, the tribunal has still to finalise the start of disqualifications for co-accused Jarrod McLean and Tyson Kermond. Judge Bowman noted the tribunal erred when determining McLean and Kermond's penalties, which were handed down in July. Bowman said the VRT had not taken into account the duo had been suspended by stewards between October 2019 and the conclusion of the court case in December 2022. The error caused the tribunal to cut McLean's latest disqualification to nine months while Kermond will serve another three months. Legal counsel for RV and McLean and Kermond could not lock in the dates on which the duo would start their respective penalties. The VRT will reconvene on Tuesday morning to confirm the dates of Kermond and McLean's disqualifications. Read all news by Brad Waters https://www.racenet.com.au/news/darren-weir-disqualification-confirmed-by-victorian-racing-tribunal-given-seven-days-to-relocate-horses-from-his-trevenson-park-property-20240902

Met still has 20mm Wednesday during the day.

Dramatic!

That one's really a doozy. What criteria is the handicapper going to use to reassess the rating if the horse hasn't run again? I thought handicapping was based on performance. And why after 12 months, not 6 months, 3 months or 1 month if you are going to do that?

Aside from Bruce, who among them would know much at all about handicapping? It seems a very strange lot of choices. Who appoints them? And was there any consultation with participants or outside experts on this? It seems bereft of analysis or rationale for decisions.

Sorry, my bad. I think this is what's likely to happen, not that it will leave NZ racing in a better position.

Presumably by providing competitive and attractive betting races each week. The races are all non-Saturday events.

I don't think we've seen any profit reports yet. I assume they see that as part of the cost of acquiring the business for the following 20 years, as well as part of their strategy to attract new customers and build their business.

Or c) profits stay the same or only slightly higher, Entain is satisfied to continue at that level for their 50% the next 20 years, and NZ racing's 50% becomes half the current Entain guaranteed amount? That seems the most likely to me and they wouldn't need NZ racing product to do that, though of course would prefer and encourage it.

Yep. Likely not a great cost and they could insure the risk if they don't want to take it.

I think they are just providing the usual stakes funding and selecting the races. Bonus funding from NZB and Entain. No preference for entry for KM eligibles.

Dunno.

Have you read the review?

Bruce Sherwin Confirmed as Permanent NZTR Senior Handicapper Bruce Sherwin, appointed interim NZTR Senior Handicapper in May, has confirmed he will continue in the role permanently, effective from 26 August. Bruce’s skill set is highly suited to this role, given his extensive experience in relevant handicapping areas. He has overseen NZTR's Handicapping Complaints process since 2013 and has been an integral member of the NZTR Handicapping Review Committee since 2014, assuming the chairmanship in 2022. In 2015, Bruce was appointed to the New Zealand Pattern Committee, Asian Handicapping Committee and from 2022, he has served as New Zealand's representative to the Asian Pattern Committee. Bruce has previously resigned as a Director of the NZTR Board, and any potential conflicts of interest have been identified and will be actively managed to uphold the highest standards of integrity. 2024 Handicapping Review The 2024 Handicapping Review has now been completed. The review was carried out by a panel comprising Tim Aldridge, Craig Baker, Mike Breslin, Andrew Castles, Tim Mills, Bruce Sherwin, and Brad Taylor. The changes to the Handicapping Policy have been agreed and are set out in the link below. Handicapping Policy and the Standard Regulations will be amended and updated to reflect all changes that came into effect from August 1, 2024. Corporate Communications New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Contact: Catlyn Calder +64 27 252 2803 nztrcommunications@nztr.co.nz

Yes. Maiden series boost for Karaka Millions Karaka Millions riches are set to be amplified next season, with horses eligible for the lucrative NZB Karaka Millions Series racing for an additional $1 million in bonuses. LOVERACING.NZ News Desk | May 10, 2024 In an exciting new initiative, New Zealand Bloodstock (NZB) and New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR), generously supported by Entain, have announced the Karaka Millions Mega Maiden Series, which will consist of $1 million in bonuses across 40 maiden races each season, for the next three years. Comprised of 40 non-Saturday maiden races located throughout New Zealand, a $25,000 bonus will be struck if a Karaka Millions eligible horse, three years or older, wins. The winning owner will take home $20,000 and the successful trainer $5,000. NZB Managing Director Andrew Seabrook said the sales company has been wanting to see more of its graduates reap the benefits of the Karaka Millions Series for some time. “By hosting a $1 million maiden series over 40 races, that goal will be well and truly satisfied,” he said. NZTR will determine which 40 maiden races will feature in the 24/25 season series, which will run from September to May of each racing year. The selected races will be announced next week with NZTR chief executive Bruce Sharrock pleased to see additional bonuses elevate the New Zealand racing product across the board. “NZTR is proud to be working with NZB and Entain to bring an additional million dollars in bonus funding to benefit owners and trainers across the regions,” he said. “Following on from other collaborations recently, this is yet another initiative to encourage people to breed, purchase and racehorses in New Zealand.” In 2023 Entain partnered with NZB as naming sponsor of the TAB Karaka Millions Twilight Meeting, including the $1 million TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) and the $1.5m TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m). Entain’s additional support of the Karaka Millions Mega Maiden Series further strengthens that partnership and signals their confidence in the lucrative Karaka Millions Series. “This is a great initiative that we envisage will boost field sizes across the country,” Entain Australia and New Zealand Managing Director – New Zealand, Cameron Rodger said. “Having $25,000 worth of bonuses to chase in a maiden race will undoubtedly encourage Kiwi owners and trainers to keep striving for that maiden win. This series, as well as series like the Entain NZB Insurance Pearl Series, means there are more bonus opportunities for more horses in New Zealand than ever before. https://www.nzb.co.nz/news/nzb-karaka-millions-maiden-series-races-announced

Haha.

I wonder if the likes of Te Akau would have them? NZTR and the CJC seem disinclined to make them available to punters.

Not sure what you are on tonight @TAB For Ever but suggest you just have another one and enjoy it.

Bloody hell. Left hand right hand again.

That's the pre-nom market. The noms have now closed but are unannounced and the market is not therefore current.

Meeting News Riccarton Feature First Nominations First Nominations for the 1000 Guineas, 2000 Guineas, The TAB Mile (previously Coupland's Mile) & NZ Cup are due Tuesday 27th August by 4pm with the National Racing Bureau

Guineas markets are still pre-nom but some insiders must know the noms. Integrity +

Some here for Thursday and Saturday I think.

Yes. The stakes there are the stakes, not just the NZTR contributions, so include sponsorship and sweepstake contributions etc. However, that still provides a reasonable reflection of betting interest cf. stakes however those are funded.

Yeahh, do the same calculation for those meetings in the bottom 20.