Chief Stipe Posted August 20 Share Posted August 20 Group 1 Ōtaki-Māori Racing Club WFA Classic to Move to Ellerslie The Ōtaki-Māori Racing Club, Auckland Thoroughbred Racing and New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) have agreed, subject to NZ Pattern Committee approval, to relocate the Group 1 Ōtaki-Māori Racing Club WFA Classic to Ellerslie on Eagle Technology Avondale Cup & Guineas Day, Saturday 22 February 2025. The race was developed by the Ōtaki-Māori Racing Club from Listed level in 1986 and obtained Group 1 status in 1992. Previously run for $400,000, the race will now be contested for $500,000 in 2025 and will increase to $600,000 in 2026. The move was not an easy decision for the Ōtaki-Māori Racing Club, and NZTR would like to thank their committee members and executive staff for seeing the potential in the move to Ellerslie and ultimately agreeing to run the race away from its spiritual home. NZTR COO Darin Balcombe believes the move will help to protect the race’s Group 1 status the Club has worked hard to develop over the years. “NZTR understands the importance and cultural significance of the race to the Ōtaki-Māori Racing Club and applauds the industry first approach they have taken in discussions to support the long-term future of both the race and the Club,” Balcombe said. “As one of only two races to develop into a Group 1 from Listed, it is important we protect its status in New Zealand Racing. The stakes increase, as part of the Summer Carnival, gives this race the opportunity to succeed at Group 1 level well into the future.” To aid in the increased travel costs to Central District connections, Ōtaki-Māori RC and NZTR will contribute up to $1,000 in travel subsidies for Central District based horses that compete in the Ōtaki-Māori RC WFA Classic. There will be additional travel subsidies available for the highest finishing Central Districts trained horse should they return for Champions Day at Ellerslie March 8th. Corporate Communications New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Contact: Catlyn Calder +64 27 252 2803 nztrcommunications@nztr.co.nz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted August 20 Author Share Posted August 20 In my opinion that decision is so wrong on many counts. What says @TAB For Ever ? They'll increase the stakes and return less wagering revenue and have denied access to another group. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted August 20 Author Share Posted August 20 So we have races being moved South from Ruakaka to Ellerslie and now races from the CD moving north to Ellerlsie. @TAB For Ever racing is in our DNA however it is being surgically removed. Provincial participants have had enough and either can't be bothered or are packing their bags. If this was the big plan why didn't they fix Ellerslie properly and make it a fair track to race on shape wise. We won't mention the custom Strathayr. Seems a bit like all our eggs in one basket. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huey Posted August 20 Share Posted August 20 and moved to a track they can't get right after spending millions on it. I've said it before the industry is run by clowns, but also the end goals is to only have a few tracks left. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doomed Posted August 20 Share Posted August 20 Perhaps surprisingly I don't think it's a totally silly idea. I have often thought the Wgtn Cup could be moved to Reefton to get better weather and a bigger on course crowd, 3 laps of the track would make it a more interesting race as well. And a race like the Oaks would probably work much better at Timaru, or even Blenheim. We do need to be open to these innovative ideas. 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mustang Kenny Posted August 21 Share Posted August 21 and ... HELLO, down here, can you hear us? HELLO - we in the South Island do exist and we want to be part of NZ racing!!! Whats our travel subsidy grrrrr 2 hours ago, Chief Stipe said: Group 1 Ōtaki-Māori Racing Club WFA Classic to Move to Ellerslie ...... To aid in the increased travel costs to Central District connections, Ōtaki-Māori RC and NZTR will contribute up to $1,000 in travel subsidies for Central District based horses that compete in the Ōtaki-Māori RC WFA Classic. There will be additional travel subsidies available for the highest finishing Central Districts trained horse should they return for Champions Day at Ellerslie March 8th. Corporate Communications New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Contact: Catlyn Calder +64 27 252 2803 nztrcommunications@nztr.co.nz 3 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freda Posted August 21 Share Posted August 21 4 minutes ago, Mustang Kenny said: and ... HELLO, down here, can you hear us? HELLO - we in the South Island do exist and we want to be part of NZ racing!!! Whats our travel subsidy grrrrr We don't count Kenny. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murray Fish Posted August 21 Share Posted August 21 5 hours ago, Chief Stipe said: “As one of only two races to develop into a Group 1 from Listed, it is important we protect its status in New Zealand Racing. Arthur Williams throwing some $$$$ at it? The Levin Class being he other to get to G1 2 hours ago, Mustang Kenny said: we in the South Island do exist and we want to be part of NZ racing!!! More Pies need to be eaten! Then there could be the Group One Mile Championship at Riccarton, one for each day of the meeting Why can't the Couplands Mile be G1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murray Fish Posted August 21 Share Posted August 21 Core Periphery model in Action! Tough if you are on the wrong side of that sort of tide... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doomed Posted August 21 Share Posted August 21 2 minutes ago, Murray Fish said: Arthur Williams throwing some $$$$ at it? The Levin Class being he other to get to G1 More Pies need to be eaten! Then there could be the Group One Mile Championship at Riccarton, one for each day of the meeting Why can't the Couplands Mile be G1 You need to keep up Murray. It is now the TAB mile. I was looking at an old turf register the other day and Ray Coupland was sponsoring races back in the mid 80s. 40 years of sponsorship. I don't know whether many can match that. It might be nice if they could name a race after him one day without him having to sponsor it. We aren't good at that sort of thing in NZ. I'm still waiting for races named after Grey Way, Show Gate, CWJ, so I suppose Ray will have to wait in the queue. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted August 21 Author Share Posted August 21 2 hours ago, Mustang Kenny said: and ... HELLO, down here, can you hear us? HELLO - we in the South Island do exist and we want to be part of NZ racing!!! Whats our travel subsidy grrrrr Good point. Cheaper to go to Otaki than all the way to Auckland from the South Island. Perhaps Entain will fund regular flights? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murray Fish Posted August 21 Share Posted August 21 3 minutes ago, Doomed said: You need to keep up Murray. It is now the TAB mile. sigh, joe biden in the building... he visits often now!!!! gee, I recon 20 of my largest bets have been over the Mile at Riccarton! hence, in spite of Everything! the two G1 3 yr races have Still kept my Intere$t 8 minutes ago, Doomed said: I'm still waiting for races named after they do seem to have some strange naming's at times.. not to sure of current logic! I was actually thinking of Joining a Club, to find out that sort of thing! lol! not to sure what club though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
All The Aces Posted August 21 Share Posted August 21 The goal has been to have all G1 races on premier tracks. Hence the shift of this race and also the NZ Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curious Posted August 21 Share Posted August 21 44 minutes ago, All The Aces said: The goal has been to have all G1 races on premier tracks. Hence the shift of this race and also the NZ Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes. So they move it to a track that at this stage isn't functional and might well not be by then if they race on it too soon as it seems is the plan. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloke Posted August 21 Share Posted August 21 8 hours ago, Chief Stipe said: In my opinion that decision is so wrong on many counts. What says @TAB For Ever ? They'll increase the stakes and return less wagering revenue and have denied access to another group. The race will be run in front of a few hundred spectators as is usual for Ellerslie unless its the annual Karaka piss up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Assange Posted August 21 Share Posted August 21 5 hours ago, Mustang Kenny said: and ... HELLO, down here, can you hear us? HELLO - we in the South Island do exist and we want to be part of NZ racing!!! Whats our travel subsidy grrrrr So the CD loses one of their star races to a substandard track. What an apalling decision. So whats the point of racing a horse in the CD then? Or racing one at all? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted August 21 Author Share Posted August 21 2 hours ago, All The Aces said: The goal has been to have all G1 races on premier tracks. Hence the shift of this race and also the NZ Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes. What's the classification for a "Premier" track? One that's safe? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huey Posted August 21 Share Posted August 21 6 hours ago, Freda said: We don't count Kenny. So true , as far as NZTR are concerned racing in NZ didn't start till today with the Taupo races. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doomed Posted August 21 Share Posted August 21 2 hours ago, All The Aces said: The goal has been to have all G1 races on premier tracks. Hence the shift of this race and also the NZ Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes. An admirable objective. It does make sense to have all of the group 1s at tracks that have never had to abandon part way through a meeting. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted August 21 Author Share Posted August 21 6 minutes ago, Doomed said: An admirable objective. It does make sense to have all of the group 1s at tracks that have never had to abandon part way through a meeting. That narrows it down! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doomed Posted August 21 Share Posted August 21 1 hour ago, Chief Stipe said: That narrows it down! Te Rapa? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted August 21 Author Share Posted August 21 14 hours ago, All The Aces said: The goal has been to have all G1 races on premier tracks. Hence the shift of this race and also the NZ Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes. But the "Goal" isn't sustainable. A simple spreadsheet model would show that reducing the number of tracks to a select few that already have issues can't work unless the number of races are reduced which means the number of horses racing must reduce which must lead to less revenue. I guess it is clear from these announcements that Avondale isn't going to be a racecourse much longer (where will they hold trials? Let me guess on tracks that don't have training facilities and that are already under pressure) nor it seems is Otaki. I understand trainers are moving away from the track. Is Majestic offering a passenger service as well? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted August 21 Author Share Posted August 21 Looking at the Calendar the Ellerslie meeting on the 22nd of February ISN'T a Premier meeting. I guess it will now be upgraded. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wingman Posted August 22 Share Posted August 22 I am not comfortable with this continual stealth towards the north. At what point in time (2030?) are all G1 races held in Waikato/Auckland and how does this help grassroot development when you exclude diversity? 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freda Posted August 22 Share Posted August 22 9 hours ago, Wingman said: I am not comfortable with this continual stealth towards the north. At what point in time (2030?) are all G1 races held in Waikato/Auckland and how does this help grassroot development when you exclude diversity? You are not comfortable? neither are the many from Canterbury and Otago/Southland who have seen their options eroded for several years..the process is now less covert, that's all. For two decades, funding changes have continually disadvantaged the small and supported the large, a few have seen the process and commented, but most have been oblivious to the process, and many small clubs and training tracks have been lost in the process. Sure, times change and nothing can - or should - stay the same. But economics should be the reason for those changes, not ideology. A former T.A president said a year or three back, 'get rid of them, they are costing us money ' ....that is the pervading attitude from the Waikato elite. The presence of the leading operation here at Riccarton, some might think reflects the importance of southern racing. While the money's up [ thanks, Entain ] they'll be here with their third-raters, and those having an 'experience' trip away in the process of targeting the Guineas races. Once it's gone, I imagine so will they be. The Cranbourne operation will only get stronger. Where did I read - here? - what V'Landys said when commenting upon a rugby league situation....that cashing in on provincial assets would be the death of the grassroots and diminish the base for fans, young players, communities etc. to become involved. The same applies to racing - over the ditch provincial/country clubs are supported and promoted, not squashed out of existence. What I don't understand, is that how two countries, very similar ethnically, and with almost identical political and societal principles, can be so goddam different with their approach to racing. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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