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[hesi]

3 hours ago, Chief Stipe said:

@hesi turf track maintenance has been a neglected issue for 30 years or more.  The administrators are still stuck in the mode that increasing stakes will fix everything.  They forget that you still need safe and fair tracks to race on.

In that respect Harness have an advantage as their tracks require lower maintenance than turf or even the Polytrack.

Talking about this

NZTR Strengthens Track Advisory Programme with VRC Partnership

NZTR has announced significant enhancements to its Regional Track Adviser (RTA) Programme for the 2025-26 racing season, including a partnership with the Victoria Racing Club.

New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing | August 07, 2025

 

 

 

The VRC and its Head of Racecourse, Liam O’Keeffe, will now support NZTR and racing Clubs across New Zealand. 

New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) has announced significant enhancements to its Regional Track Adviser (RTA) Programme for the 2025-26 racing season, including a partnership with the Victoria Racing Club (VRC).

The VRC and its Head of Racecourse, Liam O’Keeffe, will now support NZTR and racing Clubs across New Zealand. 

VRC Head of Racecourse, Liam O’Keeffe.

Providing turf consultancy services for an average of five days per month, the partnership will deliver knowledge sharing across maintenance and renovation planning, construction and turf management, track inspections, audits, and raceday surface preparation.

The partnership is designed to share international best practices and elevate track management standards across New Zealand.

“The VRC is thrilled to provide turf expertise to NZTR Track Managers, sharing our insights into the world-class standard of Flemington Racecourse,” said Leigh Jordon, Chief Racing Officer at the VRC.

O’Keeffe will consult with Regional Track Advisers, as part of a partnership that reflects NZTR’s commitment to strengthening track infrastructure and improving surface consistency across all racing venues.

NZTR Chief Executive Officer Matt Ballesty commented on the appointment. 

“Bringing in the expertise of the VRC and Liam is a major step forward for our track programme, and the partnership is about strengthening local talent and addressing the areas where we know improvement is needed.” 

“We’re fortunate to have experienced and highly skilled Track Managers across the country, and Liam will work alongside them to provide additional support, share international insights, and help us continue lifting standards nationally for the long-term benefit of the industry,” Ballesty said.

The RTA Programme continues to serve as a critical support network for Club Track Managers. While Track Managers remain responsible for delivering a safe racing surface, RTAs provide mentoring and advisory support and meet regularly with NZTR to plan and review upcoming racing activity.

2025-26 Track Adviser Club Assignments

• Jason Fulford (Auckland Thoroughbred Racing) – Avondale JC, Racing Te Aroha and Whangarei RC.
• Bart Cowan (Waikato Thoroughbred Racing) – Matamata RC, Racing Rotorua, Racing Taupō and Racing Tauranga.
• Jamie Phillips (RACE Inc.) – Foxton RC, Hawke’s Bay RI, Ōtaki-Māori RC, Waipukurau JC, Wairarapa RC and Woodville-Pahiatua RC.
• Colin Cromarty (Waverley Racing Club) – Egmont RC, Taranaki TR and Wanganui JC.
• Alan Chapman (Canterbury Jockey Club) – Ashburton RC, Greymouth JC, Kumara RC, Reefton JC and Timaru JC. 
• Wayne Stevens (Otago RC) – Central Otago RC, Gore RC, Kurow JC, Oamaru JC, Riverton RC and Southland RC. 

[Gammalite]

4 minutes ago, curious said:

I fail to see how the outcome could possibly have any impact on NZ racing?

Did Entain not buy up the NZ TAB ? the revenue is what funds racing is what I'm told. 

If they faced a huge fine maybe they would want to get out of the 25 year deal/ takeover plan ??

Brodie keeps saying the funding for the trots stops at 5 years for some reason ? 

If the ENTAIN owned Betting Agency group of 'Ladbrokes' did not fund Queensland Trotting we would Fold for sure. 

[Chief Stipe]

10 minutes ago, Gammalite said:

Did Entain not buy up the NZ TAB ? the revenue is what funds racing is what I'm told. 

If they faced a huge fine maybe they would want to get out of the 25 year deal/ takeover plan ??

Brodie keeps saying the funding for the trots stops at 5 years for some reason ? 

If the ENTAIN owned Betting Agency group of 'Ladbrokes' did not fund Queensland Trotting we would Fold for sure. 

You miss the point - there may be no fine going on precedent.  If there is it won't be anywhere near what the doom and gloomers of the NZ Racing Industry predict.

Certainly I very much doubt there will be a "huge fine" that would force ENTAIN to abandon their Australian and NZ businesses.  The latter is a 25 year license.

[curious]

14 minutes ago, Gammalite said:

Did Entain not buy up the NZ TAB ? the revenue is what funds racing is what I'm told. 

If they faced a huge fine maybe they would want to get out of the 25 year deal/ takeover plan ??

It's not Entain NZ that faces any fine here. The company has a market capitalisation of 6.45 billion GBP and an EBITBA last year of £1,089m. I don't think a few A$100ms in fines is going to change anything much.

Edited 2 hours ago by curious

[the galah]

1 hour ago, curious said:

It's not Entain NZ that faces any fine here. The company has a market capitalisation of 6.45 billion GBP and an EBITBA last year of £1,089m. I don't think a few A$100ms in fines is going to change anything much.

when they got fined 650 million pounds for the turkey bribery thing,it impacted them significantly.

I don't profess to know the significance or care much , of their australian legal woes.But clearly the global entain leadership and the markets consider it signficant..

heres some quotes from  a story i read on it previously earlier this year.

"in addition to its legal troubles in the uk,entain is facing regulatory challenges in other parts of the world,most notably australia.Austrac has opened civil penalty proceedings against entain,accusing the company of serious non compliance with the countries anti money laundering laws. Austrac claims entain failed to implement adequate systems and controls  to prevent money laundering activities within its operations.

entatin has responded by saying it is working towards resolving the issue and is working towards a settlement in 2025. However this growing regulatory scrutiny in australia only adds to the companies growing list of legal challenges.Several senior executives in australia and new zealand have already stepped down in response to the proceedings,but the long term impact on entains operations in the region remains uncertain...

entain is undoubtedly facing significant challenges as it tries to move past the shadow of the turkish bribery scandel)they were fined 650 million pounds in 2023)....

despite the ongoing scrutiny,entains financial results for 2025 show signs of improvement,with losses narrowing and the company managing to stabalize its operations.entain is also focusing on extending its global presence."