Chief Stipe Posted February 29 Share Posted February 29 As a result of the abandonment of Hawke’s Bay Racing Inc.’s meeting at Hastings yesterday, New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) has confirmed the following date and programme changes. Programme and Date Changes After considering all options and taking into account the views of affected participants, NZTR has determined that the Group 2 Lowland Stakes and the 3YO Set Weights and Penalties that was not run yesterday will both be moved to Racing Taupō’s meeting on Friday 8 March. In order to accommodate these moves, nine races will now be run at this meeting next week. The necessary approvals for these changes have been obtained from the New Zealand Pattern Committee and the TAB NZ Dates Committee. The Group 2 Lowland Stakes will now be run over 2000m metres and the 3YO SW&P race will be run for a stake of $25,000. NZTR notes that, while the Group 2 Lowland Stakes is an important race in its own right, it also plays a very important role in the 3YO fillies pattern, as it helps underpin the race rating of the Group 1 New Zealand Oaks at Trentham. In NZTR’s view, running the Lowland Stakes at Taupō gives both it and the New Zealand Oaks, the best opportunity to meet the required ratings performance to retain their status as Group 1 and Group 2 races, respectively. In addition, the 3YO Set Weights and Penalties race will also move to Taupō as an important lead-up to the Group 2 Wellington Guineas. A 3YO Set Weights & Penalties race over 1300m is to be added to the Ōtaki-Maori Racing Club programme on 6 March, to be run for a stake of $25,000. Other key programme changes are summarised below: The R60 1200m is being deleted from the Racing Taupō meeting on 8 March An R65 over 2100m is to be added to the Wellington Racing Club programme on 9 March There will be new nominations for both races being moved to Taupo (closing at the normal time on Tuesday 5 March) with preference being given to horses who were meant to run yesterday at Hastings. Hastings Abandonment NZTR received a full Stewards’ Report this morning regarding the abandonment, including the track preparation in the lead-up to the raceday. NZTR is awaiting reports from the Club on the preparation of the track, particularly consideration of forecast showers, to ensure that all available options were considered for the surface preparation given the adverse forecast. NZTR will engage with the Club, Racing Integrity Board and New Zealand Jockeys’ Association to ensure we get the best possible outcomes for the industry moving forward and that we are making proactive decisions when it comes to the preparation of tracks with our current weather patterns. NZTR and the Club have also agreed to immediately undertake a full renovation of the Hastings turf to regain confidence in the track. More information will be provided by NZTR regarding this process once a detailed plan has been finalised. Yours in racing, Darin Balcombe Chief Operating Officer Darin.Balcombe@nztr.co.nz 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curious Posted February 29 Share Posted February 29 (edited) 38 minutes ago, Chief Stipe said: NZTR and the Club have also agreed to immediately undertake a full renovation of the Hastings turf to regain confidence in the track. More information will be provided by NZTR regarding this process once a detailed plan has been finalised. I thought Cameron George said they didn't have the money nor available tracks to fully renovate any more at the moment? Does the board not talk to senior management? Edited February 29 by curious 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huey Posted February 29 Share Posted February 29 Why not just moth ball Hastings like they did to several other venues , whats so important about Hastings as a venue? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muzza Posted February 29 Share Posted February 29 17 minutes ago, curious said: I thought Cameron George said they didn't have the money nor available tracks to fully renovate any more at the moment? Does the board not talk to senior management? Yep, they do. Mainly trading league players. 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freda Posted February 29 Share Posted February 29 2 hours ago, Huey said: Why not just moth ball Hastings like they did to several other venues , whats so important about Hastings as a venue? If they mean ' full renovation' as in, FULL renovation, Hastings will be out of use for many months. So, what happens then? Thrash the tracks left...? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curious Posted February 29 Share Posted February 29 30 minutes ago, Freda said: If they mean ' full renovation' as in, FULL renovation, Hastings will be out of use for many months. So, what happens then? Thrash the tracks left...? I'd say 18 months for that if they don't take any shortcuts like Ellerslie did. But what tracks are left in the bay to accommodate the racing in the interim? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted February 29 Author Share Posted February 29 14 minutes ago, curious said: I'd say 18 months for that if they don't take any shortcuts like Ellerslie did. But what tracks are left in the bay to accommodate the racing in the interim? Waipuk? Wairoa? Woodville is close. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Special Agent Posted February 29 Share Posted February 29 Woodville is the obvious one. Bruce Sharrock loves Woodville, and the people there. He loves supporters of Woodville even more. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huey Posted February 29 Share Posted February 29 14 hours ago, Freda said: If they mean ' full renovation' as in, FULL renovation, Hastings will be out of use for many months. So, what happens then? Thrash the tracks left...? Whatever is getting regular abandonments gets an extra 10 meetings, thats the logic of this lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doomed Posted February 29 Share Posted February 29 The club that now seems to be getting endless meetings seems to be Taupo. I can remember many years ago when Taupo used to race a couple of times a year, now they seem to be going around endlessly. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bid Posted February 29 Share Posted February 29 15 hours ago, Special Agent said: Woodville is the obvious one. Bruce Sharrock loves Woodville, and the people there. He loves supporters of Woodville even more. Yep, the most useful track in the CD. Central to everyone, and once the new road is finished even easier for those on the West Coast. Removing Woodville should never come in to the equation when these stupid track closures come in to conversation. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huey Posted March 1 Share Posted March 1 7 hours ago, Doomed said: The club that now seems to be getting endless meetings seems to be Taupo. I can remember many years ago when Taupo used to race a couple of times a year, now they seem to be going around endlessly. They probably can't sell it, probably on a lease. Only guessing but more than likely the case. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huey Posted March 1 Share Posted March 1 22 hours ago, Special Agent said: Woodville is the obvious one. Bruce Sharrock loves Woodville, and the people there. He loves supporters of Woodville even more. No tracks should be closed , these fools have shown a pattern of utter ignorance and naivety for a number of years. You couldn't trust them to close a goat track! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Extra Dollars Posted March 2 Share Posted March 2 On 2/29/2024 at 7:04 PM, Chief Stipe said: Waipuk? Wairoa? Woodville is close. Woodville is definitely an option Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted March 2 Author Share Posted March 2 33 minutes ago, Extra Dollars said: Woodville is definitely an option So is Foxton. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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