Chief Stipe Posted yesterday at 04:40 AM Share Posted yesterday at 04:40 AM $100k Windsor Park Stud 3YO Trophy Confirmed for Champions Day New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) and Auckland Thoroughbred Racing (ATR) have confirmed the inclusion of the new $100k Windsor Park Stud 3YO Trophy – a 3YO SW&P 1500m race on Champions Day, 8 March 2025 at Ellerslie Racecourse. Responding to feedback from Slot Holders and industry participants, the Windsor Park Stud 3YO Trophy will ensure the selected emergency horses are ready to compete if required to replace scratched runners from the final field of the $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) – the Southern Hemisphere’s richest 3YO race. To accommodate the new 3YO race, NZTR and ATR have deleted the previously scheduled 2400m Benchmark 75 race on Champions Day. This change will allow the Windsor Park Stud 3YO Trophy to provide the pool from which emergency horses for the NZB Kiwi will be chosen. The Windsor Park Stud 3YO Trophy is open to all 3YOs, not just NZB Kiwi eligible 3YOs, however, the pool of four emergency runners for the NZB Kiwi will be chosen first from eligible horses that are acceptors for the Windsor Park Stud 3YO Trophy. The decision aligns with international best practices observed in other slot races, such as The Everest in Syndey and the Sunlight slot race in Queensland, where emergencies are sourced from a corresponding race held on the same day over the same track and distance. This addition follows collaborative discussions between NZTR, Slot Holders and ATR, which highlighted the benefits for all stakeholders. NZTR Chief Operating Officer Darin Balcombe is pleased to announce the new race. “Emergency horses for the NZB Kiwi will be prepared to race under identical conditions (same track, distance and day), ensuring they are ready to perform at their best if required.” “Connections of emergency horses will no longer need to disrupt their plans for other races, as they can specifically target the Windsor Park Stud 3YO Trophy without impacting future campaigns. “The race gives some level of comfort to Slot Holders, while adding depth to the Champions Day card,” he said. As part of the programming adjustments, NZTR will delete the 3YO SW&P 1600m race previously scheduled for Saturday 1 March, the week before Champions Day, at Matamata Racecourse. “This reflects a focus on ensuring the Windsor Park Stud 3YO Trophy attracts a strong and competitive field at Ellerslie Racecourse, which is vital for the race’s success,” Balcombe said. Read more about the Southern Hemisphere’s richest 3YO race here. For general enquiries about the$100k Windsor Park Stud 3YO Trophy (1500m), contact ATR’s Executive General Manager – Racing & Operations Craig Baker via craigb@ellerslie.co.nz. View the Terms and Conditions for the $100k Windsor Park Stud 3YO Trophy (1500m) here. Full Programme Changes Saturday 1 March at Matamata Racecourse: 3YO SW&P 1600m deleted. Mdn 1600m added. Friday 7 March at Te Aroha Racecourse: Mdn 1600m deleted and replaced with Mdn 3YO 1600m. Saturday 8 March at Ellerslie Racecourse $100k Windsor Park Stud 3YO Trophy (1500m) added. R75 2400m deleted. NZB Kiwi Contact Emma Thompson - NZB Kiwi Programme Lead emma.thompson@nztr.co.nz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curious Posted yesterday at 04:51 AM Share Posted yesterday at 04:51 AM So they can find 100k for another race at Ellerslie but not enough to upgrade a couple of summer meetings in the SI from industry to feature? Or, where is the 100 grand coming from. If you really want to piss off owners this is a good way to do it. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doomed Posted 22 hours ago Share Posted 22 hours ago 1 hour ago, curious said: So they can find 100k for another race at Ellerslie but not enough to upgrade a couple of summer meetings in the SI from industry to feature? Or, where is the 100 grand coming from. If you really want to piss off owners this is a good way to do it. You do have to realise there are heaps of 3yos about in the north. You only have to look at this Sunday. Fields of 8,8 and 9 accepted in the three 3yo races. Probably 7 or so will go around in each, so more than enough to justify another $100,000 of industry money. Only four 3yo races scheduled for slot day, plus a WFA 2,000m for those who fancy a 2,000m race, and an open 1,200m for the sprinting 3yos. So only six opportunities for 3yos on the day. Should easily get 7 or 8 for each race. Probably a chance for some maidens to race for decent money as well. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huey Posted 3 hours ago Share Posted 3 hours ago This Champion Day going to be like saying because an AB test is sold out the sport of rugby is strong & healthy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huey Posted 3 hours ago Share Posted 3 hours ago 20 hours ago, curious said: So they can find 100k for another race at Ellerslie but not enough to upgrade a couple of summer meetings in the SI from industry to feature? Or, where is the 100 grand coming from. If you really want to piss off owners this is a good way to do it. Well they did can a stayers race to fund some of it. There is way too much going to the top end of racing for Entain involvement to be successful long term IMHO. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted 3 hours ago Author Share Posted 3 hours ago 1 minute ago, Huey said: Well they did can a stayers race to fund some of it. There is way too much going to the top end of racing for Entain involvement to be successful long term IMHO. Been like that for at least 10 years before ENTAIN turned up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAB For Ever Posted 3 hours ago Share Posted 3 hours ago Gee , its the first year of this ' new event' ....the same ole ,same ole was not working ! Been going in reverse for decades .....it's called CHANGE ! Stop your grizzlin' and try and enjoy the NZ Racing ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curious Posted 3 hours ago Share Posted 3 hours ago 2 minutes ago, TAB For Ever said: Gee , its the first year of this ' new event' ....the same ole ,same ole was not working ! Been going in reverse for decades .....it's called CHANGE ! Stop your grizzlin' and try and enjoy the NZ Racing ! I don't think doing more of what's already not working at an elevated level is likely to solve that problem, do you? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trojan Posted 3 hours ago Share Posted 3 hours ago 5 minutes ago, TAB For Ever said: Gee , its the first year of this ' new event' ....the same ole ,same ole was not working ! Been going in reverse for decades .....it's called CHANGE ! Stop your grizzlin' and try and enjoy the NZ Racing ! There's an old Einstein saying doing the same thing over and over again expecting a different outcome is the definition of insanity. Doubling down on doing the same thing as in doing it 3 times as much is worse than insanity it's a path to oblivion. Or as Einstein would have said a one way trip to a big black hole!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAB For Ever Posted 2 hours ago Share Posted 2 hours ago 21 minutes ago, curious said: I don't think doing more of what's already not working at an elevated level is likely to solve that problem, do you? Well ,we gonna find out aren't we ....and I for one won't be sitting at home moaning my arse about the negatives ! Kumara seems to be having a great day there today....... For those punters who enjoy a bet theres 10 x times the options to bet on than there was 2 x years ago. Ownership in horses is looking easier/better than its ever been ! The stakes best ever ! Horse and participant welfare is best its ever been. Jockeys and trainers making best money ever ! What is upsetting you vocal negaholics so much ?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doomed Posted 2 hours ago Share Posted 2 hours ago 26 minutes ago, TAB For Ever said: Gee , its the first year of this ' new event' ....the same ole ,same ole was not working ! Been going in reverse for decades .....it's called CHANGE ! Stop your grizzlin' and try and enjoy the NZ Racing ! I'm not going to get into a big debate. Sure, don't look a gift horse in the mouth, but is it sustainable? How much money do we have available and how long can the industry continue running at a loss? Some of us remember Auckland's two $1m races in the early 90s. That appeared to have no long term benefit for the industry, other than the connections of Horlicks. Others of us remember Winston and Helen's 15 $1m races about 20 years ago. That had no residual benefit either. In fact the industry went into free fall soon after. Lashings of money with no overall plan is very much a short term fix. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huey Posted 2 hours ago Share Posted 2 hours ago 1 hour ago, Chief Stipe said: Been like that for at least 10 years before ENTAIN turned up. Worse. But we been told they are the saviours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAB For Ever Posted 1 hour ago Share Posted 1 hour ago (edited) 47 minutes ago, Doomed said: I'm not going to get into a big debate. Sure, don't look a gift horse in the mouth, but is it sustainable? How much money do we have available and how long can the industry continue running at a loss? Some of us remember Auckland's two $1m races in the early 90s. That appeared to have no long term benefit for the industry, other than the connections of Horlicks. Others of us remember Winston and Helen's 15 $1m races about 20 years ago. That had no residual benefit either. In fact the industry went into free fall soon after. Lashings of money with no overall plan is very much a short term fix. Why oh why Doomed are you concerned about NZ racing ? Is your family Jewels tied up in it......WHY ??? ...Please tell. There is a plan , are you reading strategic plans , statements of intent and Annual reports etc ?? NZ Sport in general is becoming suffocated in governance and rules and regulations and having PLANS is a huge part of it. Horlicks finished racing about 1990 so unsure about her relevance but a lot of those associated with her still seem to be still around so maybe she left a bigger legacy than what you think. I remember a bit after that Sam Kelt dream't up the Hawkes Bay Carnival...I doubted he would attract any Aussie horses to the Bay in Ocober , but I remember a group of us investing some money ,borrowing some from Bank as a company and buying about 15 x horses and starting up a Trading company ,keeping some to race...yes we nailed one group 1 winner and sold an Aussie Oaks winner ! Sam inspired 10 x of us ! I digress....ahhhhh the good ole days ! NZ Sport watching has never been better....I sitting here , watching Craig Grylls dominate at Trentham ,Kumara do their stuff , Black Caps can't catch a cold , A 'Horlicks era 'player wins the ASB tennis .[ A $million event ] , 2 x football games later on {NZ teams] and Breakers misery as well. Sure need to embrace Televised sport and learn to bet on phones ! Change can be tough for old dogs ! Edited 1 hour ago by TAB For Ever Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trojan Posted 1 hour ago Share Posted 1 hour ago 31 minutes ago, TAB For Ever said: Change can be tough for old dogs ! What change? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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