NZTR Update on Taupo Abandonment 25 March 2025

[Chief Stipe]

NZTR Statement on Taupō Trials Abandonment and Investigation

Following the abandonment of the Taupo Trials on Tuesday, New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) acknowledges the frustration caused and accepts the outcome did not meet industry expectations.

NZTR worked with Taupō Racing Club to identify what went wrong on the day, with findings to inform improved processes going forward.

Taupō Racing Club President Terry Campbell said, “The Club would like to apologise to the racing industry for the cancellation of Tuesday’s trials.” 

“We have identified the issues and will ensure they are addressed ahead of any future meetings,” he said. 

The assessment found that the Track Manager, who is relatively inexperienced, did not receive the level of support and oversight needed to prepare the track. NZTR also identified gaps in its own processes, which failed to provide the Club with adequate operational guidance in the lead-up to the meeting.

Issues with rail placement, grass length, and irrigation planning contributed to the decision to abandon. These areas require specialist knowledge and closer coordination between Clubs and NZTR.

While it is encouraging to see new Racecourse Managers coming into the system, consistent national training and induction processes are lacking. The current reliance on individual Clubs to manage onboarding has led to varying standards.

To address this, NZTR will:

• Increase the involvement of Regional Track Advisors in mentoring new Racecourse Managers;
• Provide Advisors with more time, tools, and resources to support Clubs on-site;
• Establish a working group of Club representatives, Regional Advisors and NZTR staff to strengthen national processes and share best practices.

NZTR Chief Operating Officer Darin Balcombe said, “New Racecourse Managers are difficult to find, and we must provide them with stronger induction, training, and support systems.” 

“Preparing track surfaces for racing is a specialised skill that comes only with experience, support and proper training,” he said. 

NZTR accepts that earlier involvement may have avoided the Taupō outcome. Work is already underway to strengthen support, oversight and accountability across the tracks and infrastructure network.

NZTR is actively undertaking a full formal review with Taupō Racing Club and Track Advisors and will share the findings as soon as possible.

 

Corporate Communications
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing
Contact: Catlyn Calder
+64 027 252 2803
nztrcommunications@nztr.co.nz

[Assange]

32 minutes ago, Chief Stipe said:

NZTR Statement on Taupō Trials Abandonment and Investigation

Following the abandonment of the Taupo Trials on Tuesday, New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) acknowledges the frustration caused and accepts the outcome did not meet industry expectations.

NZTR worked with Taupō Racing Club to identify what went wrong on the day, with findings to inform improved processes going forward.

Taupō Racing Club President Terry Campbell said, “The Club would like to apologise to the racing industry for the cancellation of Tuesday’s trials.” 

“We have identified the issues and will ensure they are addressed ahead of any future meetings,” he said. 

The assessment found that the Track Manager, who is relatively inexperienced, did not receive the level of support and oversight needed to prepare the track. NZTR also identified gaps in its own processes, which failed to provide the Club with adequate operational guidance in the lead-up to the meeting.

Issues with rail placement, grass length, and irrigation planning contributed to the decision to abandon. These areas require specialist knowledge and closer coordination between Clubs and NZTR.

While it is encouraging to see new Racecourse Managers coming into the system, consistent national training and induction processes are lacking. The current reliance on individual Clubs to manage onboarding has led to varying standards.

To address this, NZTR will:

• Increase the involvement of Regional Track Advisors in mentoring new Racecourse Managers;
• Provide Advisors with more time, tools, and resources to support Clubs on-site;
• Establish a working group of Club representatives, Regional Advisors and NZTR staff to strengthen national processes and share best practices.

NZTR Chief Operating Officer Darin Balcombe said, “New Racecourse Managers are difficult to find, and we must provide them with stronger induction, training, and support systems.” 

“Preparing track surfaces for racing is a specialised skill that comes only with experience, support and proper training,” he said. 

NZTR accepts that earlier involvement may have avoided the Taupō outcome. Work is already underway to strengthen support, oversight and accountability across the tracks and infrastructure network.

NZTR is actively undertaking a full formal review with Taupō Racing Club and Track Advisors and will share the findings as soon as possible.

 

Corporate Communications
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing
Contact: Catlyn Calder
+64 027 252 2803
nztrcommunications@nztr.co.nz

FFS why wasn't the new Racecourse Manager given training and support before?  Just another reactive statement. They must have a number of "Abandonment Response" Templates by now. Just change the name of racecourse and Bob's your uncle.

[The Centaur]

13 minutes ago, Assange said:

FFS why wasn't the new Racecourse Manager given training and support before?  Just another reactive statement. They must have a number of "Abandonment Response" Templates by now. Just change the name of racecourse and Bob's your uncle.

It's a shocking indictment on NZTR.

With NZTR head office being Cambridge it only takes one person to be visiting all the northern tracks giving expert instructions to all  track managers. So just what do all NZTR employees do. Sure when they are hired their line of work is probably necessary. However soon after they would appear to just sit there doing nothing. 

They are based in Cambridge but the trackwork reports for Cambridge appearing on the NZTR website non existent. Its about time everyone realized that if something is done for one club it should be available for all clubs. e.g. Ellerslies industry database and the  sponsorship manager. There should be a national sponsorship office located in Auckland giving guidance to all clubs.

Edited Friday at 02:11 AM by The Centaur

[Doomed]

Lots of learnings to be had.

[Wingman]

4 hours ago, Chief Stipe said:

To address this, NZTR will:

• Increase the involvement of Regional Track Advisors in mentoring new Racecourse Managers;
• Provide Advisors with more time, tools, and resources to support Clubs on-site;
• Establish a working group of Club representatives, Regional Advisors and NZTR staff to strengthen national processes and share best practices.

I will give NZTR a small credit for owning up to this balls up, a bit like, if I may indulge briefly, like as a judge deducting 10% from the maximum sentence than sending them down. What really gets under my skin is the third bullet point. Same crap indicating they really have no clue, hence my continuing to refer to NZTR executive as Muppets.