curious

Doesn't look too difficult to me. https://loveracing.nz/Common/SystemTemplates/Modal/Video.aspx?v=http%3a%2f%2fwww.racingreplays.co.nz%2fmedia%2f202509%2fM4_MRTN_R07_200925.mp4&i=%2fCommon%2fImage.ashx%3fw%3d565%26h%3d314%26a%3d1%26o%3d1%26z%3d1%26bg%3deeeeee%26p%3dhttp%3a%2f%2fwww.racingreplays.co.nz%2fmedia%2f202509%2fM4_MRTN_R07_200925.jpg&r=Race 7 - HUNTERVILLE VET CLUB METRIC MILE&rs=1&jwsource=cl

I have? Where did I do that?

Probably but that was 7 years ago, so probably 120-130m now. It would make a big dent in it.

Remember that was alongside expenditure of around $100m to refurbish the remaining 28 tracks.

I don't see how it can possibly affect the field quality, however many years it is for.

NZTR Confirms Major Changes to Key Group 1 Races NZTR has confirmed two of the nation’s premier Group 1 races will move venues and dates this season in a step to protect their international status and strengthen the industry’s racing calendar. New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing | September 16, 2025 New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) has confirmed two of the nation’s premier Group 1 races will move venues and dates this season in a step to protect their international status and strengthen the industry’s racing calendar. The $1,000,000 Group 1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) will be run at Ellerslie Racecourse on 21 February 2026, two weeks before the $1,250,000 Group 1 Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m) at Auckland Thoroughbred Racing’s Champions Day meeting, while the $600,000 Group 1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) will return to its traditional late-March timing at RACE Awapuni on Saturday 28 March 2026. NZTR Chief Executive Matt Ballesty said the changes were vital race-planning decisions for the country. “NZTR has made necessary adjustments to preserve the quality of New Zealand’s Group 1 calendar, protect critical breeding pathways, and deliver top-class racing experiences nationwide,” he said. The New Zealand Oaks, long regarded as the ultimate test for three-year-old fillies, faced the risk of downgrade after three consecutive years below the required international ratings, prompting an Asian Pattern Committee (APC) review. Its move to February reflects both recent challenges in attracting top-level fillies and the opportunity to link more naturally with the Trackside New Zealand Derby and Australian Autumn features. The change has been approved for one year, with its position to be reviewed thereafter. Auckland Thoroughbred Racing (ATR) Chief Executive Officer Paul Wilcox said the change creates a fresh opportunity for the Oaks to flourish. “The new February timing at Ellerslie strengthens pathways for fillies, creates synergy with the Derby two weeks later, and gives New Zealand’s Classic calendar better alignment with Australia's Autumn features,” he said. The $150,000 Group 2 Jennian Homes Lowland Stakes (2100m) will also move to RACE Inc’s Wellington Cup Day on 31 January to sharpen the lead-in to the Oaks. The New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes, New Zealand’s only Group 1 race exclusively for fillies and mares, will also undergo a reset. Won in recent years by champions such as Avantage and Imperatriz, the race will return to its traditional March slot at RACE Awapuni, creating a blockbuster Central Districts raceday with five black-type events, including two Group 1s (the Breeders’ Stakes and the Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes [1400m]). Supporting pathway races will also be realigned, with the $200,000 Group 3 Wentwood Grange Cuddle Stakes (1600m) moving to RACE Awapuni on 1 March 2026, the $600,000 Group 2 Westbury Classic (1400m) shifting from ATR’s TAB Karaka Millions meeting on 24 January to Champions Day on 7 March, and the $90,000 Royal Descent Stakes (1400m) moving from ATR’s SkyCity Boxing Day Races to the TAB Karaka Millions. As a part of that same APC review, the Group 1 classification of five races was considered, including: the New Zealand Oaks (2400m), New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m), Livamol Classic (2040m), Telegraph (1200m) and Thorndon Mile (1600m). Under APC rules, a vote is triggered when a race records three consecutive runnings below the Group 1 benchmark and tolerance levels. As a result of the review, the Harcourts Thorndon Mile (1600m) has been downgraded from Group 1 to Group 2 status. The decision reflects the race’s recent performance history. The race will continue to carry prizemoney of $500,000 and will be staged at RACE Trentham on Saturday 17 January 2026. The APC also confirmed continued Group 1 status, for now, for the New Zealand Oaks and New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes, supported by the calendar and venue changes stated above, and for the Livamol Classic and Telegraph, based on overall field quality and historical standing. NZTR’s Senior Handicapper and APC representative Bruce Sherwin said while the downgrade was disappointing, there are encouraging signs for New Zealand racing. “New Zealand’s ratings have been impacted by the recent retirement of top horses, but levels are now rebuilding,” Sherwin said. “Significant prizemoney increases, stronger turnover and renewed investment at the NZB sales are positive indicators. This season has also started strongly with the Group 1 Proisir Plate at Ellerslie showing excellent depth and quality. “Looking ahead, it is critical our best horses contest Group 1 races if they are to remain at the highest level,” Sherwin added. Details on nomination and acceptance dates will be included in NZTR’s Racing Programme Guide in due course. View the full list of 2025-26 Group and Listed races here.

Do you mean you wouldn't?

Exactly. Just like to see more sign of them doing that.

It had already been formed and met when it was first announced. Birnie and TAB NZ chief executive Nick Roberts say the advisory committee will report back to their organisation in the first instance and recommendations can be passed on to the Racing Minister, Entain or the codes, or in some cases all three. “It is amazing to see so many of the industry’s genuine leaders wanting to give back their knowledge,” says Birnie. “To see Chris Waller fly in for 18 hours on Wednesday night to lend his knowledge is quite humbling when you think how busy he would be this week.”
 https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/racing/racing-heavyweights-to-have-greater-role-in-its-direction/RNQFGP4AVNBLXIQBTKIIMQJTNQ/

Well they allocate the funding to the codes don't they? So, I'd think he would have ideas about how that should be done, any conditions on that subject to legislation, etc.? Also, currently whether any of the extra legislative net payment should be distributed or kept in reserve, whether or not they should part fund the greyhound rehoming. Those sort of things and his familiarity with the Oz situation would probably be useful alongside his broader business acumen from within the industry.

Do you mean the Vela advisory committee? That is advisory to TABNZ. Nothing to do with NZTR if that's what you mean.

How long will the course have to be closed for racing while they fill and compact the hole?

But NZTR found 90k to enhance the usual G! 400k for that race. Wouldn't that be better spent on the toilets and possibly the timing system? I fail to see why they continue to throw money at stakes at the expense of infrastructure. There is simply no case for it. The only viable training centre in the country might be Cambridge? The rest all lose money from that.

10k

Yet they have the money to keep the now G2 Thorndon Mile stake at $500,000!

Don't you think those issues could at least be mitigated with a new contemporary irrigation system (though let's see if they've managed to get that right at Riccarton or not), and an appropriate aeration and renovation programme?

I certainly see in the below, no reason for that. Thomass Special Needs 4.8k Posted yesterday at 12:16 PM What a talent this apprentice is Intelligent on and off the horse...interviews brilliantly with incisive comments beyond her years However over the years talented apprentices also tend to have brain explosions...their want of success is that great Hayley appears to be no exception As per normal every winter she failed to ride her mount out to the finish midweek...stipes wiping her out for a month Saturday to Riccarton and desperate to win before the month holiday she strikes her mount REVERBERATIONS 11 times before the hundy where 5 is the limit Should've been DQ'd but our weak as f rules not only allowed to keep her 3rd place fee but also the owners their 4k Got 5 more days In the meantime fellow talented App Elen Nicholas is on fire after a dreadful injury run Such is the life of a jockey

Was only there once with a horse I raced in 95. Was sure we got up. Centre of the track from last on the turn. R S Bruce. Didn't appreciate the 45 degree angle of the finish line obviously and we ran second.

Lisa McGregor. Video player NZRacing_2025 09 16_13 26 42_1_602.mp4

Couldn't agree more. He tells Ballesty what he wants to hear and gets that. No hard questions from the other side of the argument or exploring the detail of what Ballesty raised. Not really a lot of use to anybody, least of all the industry as a whole.

Probably because he's partially right. The charges relate to events from 2014 through 2024. Entain made the acquisitions in 2018

That's true, though the track itself isn't too bad imo.

If that's A$250, I'm sure Entain would be delighted. Drop in the bucket for them.

Video player NZRacing_2025 09 16_10 00 51_1_146.mp4

250k? Do you mean 250m?