As predicted NZ Oaks goes to Ellerslie and Trentham in trouble

[Chief Stipe]

New Zealand Oaks moving to Ellerslie to save Group 1 status

www.nzherald.co.nz

 

https://bitofayarn.com

Leica Lucy (right) and Craig Grylls won the NZ Oaks at Trentham in March. Photo/Peter Rubery

Some because they can’t hold their form until its mid-March date, others because trainers prefer to head to the NZ Derby two weeks earlier or the ATC Oaks in Sydney three weeks after.

Others trainers will, in slightly more hushed tones, suggest they don’t want their fillies to endure the road trip to Wellington and back from major horse centres like Cambridge and Matamata at the end of a long season or if they are considering future Australian options.

Those factors all play a part in the Oaks not meeting the required ratings to satisfy the Asian Pattern Committee for the past three years, prompting them to vote on its future.

The Oaks being demoted to Group 2 would be enormously embarrassing to the NZ industry and would devalue the race in the eyes of trainers, owners and future breeders looking to buy into the families of those who win it.

The Oaks, sponsored by Al Basti Equiworld Dubai, will now be held at Ellerslie on February 21, two weeks before the NZ Derby, meaning fillies who perform well in the Oaks have the option to start in the Derby.

It is also seen as a better pathway to races like the ATC Oaks held in Sydney in early April.

While the decision will annoy or even anger trainers of some three-year-old staying fillies based in the Central Districts, recent moves of races like the weight-for-age Group 1 Proisir Plate to Ellerslie have proved popular with larger stables.

One reason is Ellerslie is closer to the major training centres than Central Districts tracks such as Hastings or Trentham.

Just as crucially, Ellerslie, after a rocky start with its new StrathAyr track, is seen as a reliable surface likely to race in the preferred Good 4 to Soft 6 range with less chance of a dreaded abandonment.

NZTR have been vocal lately though of its continued support for Central Districts racing and are investigating the building of a new Greenfields track in Flaxmere, outside Hastings, to ensure the future of Hawkes Bay racing.

It will not all be one-way traffic with the Group 1 changes next season too as the NZ Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes will move from Ellerslie to Awapuni.

The race was held on Champions Day at Ellerslie last year but will now head to Awapuni as part of their Sires’ Produce meeting on March 28 next year.

That is a return to its traditional position at the end of the summer racing season and back to being one of the last Group 1s of the term.

It will create a mammoth meeting for the newly refurbished Awapuni track, with the Sires’ Produce and Breeders Stakes both Group 1s as well as three other black type races on the same card.

There will be changes to lead-up races for the Oaks and the Breeders Stakes to provide the smoothest pathways for horses being aimed at them.

The $150,000 Jennian Homes Lowland Stakes will now be held at Trentham on January 31, three weeks out from the Oaks.

The $200,000 Wentwood Grange Cuddle Stakes will now be held at Awapuni on March 1, four weeks out from the NZ Breeders Stakes while the $600,000 Westbury Classic, which was held on Karaka Millions night this year, will move to Champions Day, three weeks before the NZ Breeders Stakes.

The $90,000 Westbury Stud Royal Descent Stakes will move from Boxing Day to Karaka Millions night to provide mares with an opportunity at that meeting.

NZTR chief executive Matt Ballesty said the Group 1 changes underline their commitment to safeguarding the strength of our elite racing.

“Our Group 1 races are the pinnacle of the sport,” says Ballesty.

“These decisions are not taken lightly but they are essential to keep NZ racing strong and competitive on the world stage."

[Chief Stipe]

 

 

[Chief Stipe]

Anyone with half a brain could see that Trentham was stuffed.  The track is in very poor condition and no sign of remedial work being undertaken.  No facilities for the general public and not enough funds to.even fuz the photo finish/electronic timing system for some years now.

Only the die hard kept in the dark WRC members refused to see what was happening.

[hesi]

I picked this off another site, not sure where it came from, but noted the statement, that the move is strictly for 1 year

[Chief Stipe]

2 minutes ago, hesi said:

I picked this off another site, not sure where it came from, but noted the statement, that the move is strictly for 1 year

If it is just for 1 year when will they announce the full renovation programme of work to bring Trentham up to scratch?

[Special Agent]

On 9/16/2025 at 8:36 AM, hesi said:

I picked this off another site, not sure where it came from, but noted the statement, that the move is strictly for 1 year

I think that came from the official report from NZTR.

[Special Agent]

Have I read the NZ Herald article correctly?  Is it suggesting a lengthy road trip "played a part in the Oaks not meeting the required ratings to satisfy the Asian Pattern Committee"?  Would this apply in America or Europe, where quality horses seem to hop from country to country on a regular basis.

Maybe the NZ Oaks being demoted to Group 2 would be embarrassing but, maybe NZ racing is actually substandard on the world stage.

[curious]

9 minutes ago, Special Agent said:

I think that came from the official report from NZTR.

NZTR Confirms Major Changes to Key Group 1 Races

NZTR has confirmed two of the nation’s premier Group 1 races will move venues and dates this season in a step to protect their international status and strengthen the industry’s racing calendar.

New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing | September 16, 2025

 

New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) has confirmed two of the nation’s premier Group 1 races will move venues and dates this season in a step to protect their international status and strengthen the industry’s racing calendar.

The $1,000,000 Group 1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) will be run at Ellerslie Racecourse on 21 February 2026, two weeks before the $1,250,000 Group 1 Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m) at Auckland Thoroughbred Racing’s Champions Day meeting, while the $600,000 Group 1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) will return to its traditional late-March timing at RACE Awapuni on Saturday 28 March 2026.

NZTR Chief Executive Matt Ballesty said the changes were vital race-planning decisions for the country.

“NZTR has made necessary adjustments to preserve the quality of New Zealand’s Group 1 calendar, protect critical breeding pathways, and deliver top-class racing experiences nationwide,” he said. 

The New Zealand Oaks, long regarded as the ultimate test for three-year-old fillies, faced the risk of downgrade after three consecutive years below the required international ratings, prompting an Asian Pattern Committee (APC) review. Its move to February reflects both recent challenges in attracting top-level fillies and the opportunity to link more naturally with the Trackside New Zealand Derby and Australian Autumn features. The change has been approved for one year, with its position to be reviewed thereafter.

Auckland Thoroughbred Racing (ATR) Chief Executive Officer Paul Wilcox said the change creates a fresh opportunity for the Oaks to flourish.

“The new February timing at Ellerslie strengthens pathways for fillies, creates synergy with the Derby two weeks later, and gives New Zealand’s Classic calendar better alignment with Australia's Autumn features,” he said.

The $150,000 Group 2 Jennian Homes Lowland Stakes (2100m) will also move to RACE Inc’s Wellington Cup Day on 31 January to sharpen the lead-in to the Oaks.

The New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes, New Zealand’s only Group 1 race exclusively for fillies and mares, will also undergo a reset. Won in recent years by champions such as Avantage and Imperatriz, the race will return to its traditional March slot at RACE Awapuni, creating a blockbuster Central Districts raceday with five black-type events, including two Group 1s (the Breeders’ Stakes and the Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes [1400m]).

Supporting pathway races will also be realigned, with the $200,000 Group 3 Wentwood Grange Cuddle Stakes (1600m) moving to RACE Awapuni on 1 March 2026, the $600,000 Group 2 Westbury Classic (1400m) shifting from ATR’s TAB Karaka Millions meeting on 24 January to Champions Day on 7 March, and the $90,000 Royal Descent Stakes (1400m) moving from ATR’s SkyCity Boxing Day Races to the TAB Karaka Millions.

As a part of that same APC review, the Group 1 classification of five races was considered, including: the New Zealand Oaks (2400m), New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m), Livamol Classic (2040m), Telegraph (1200m) and Thorndon Mile (1600m). Under APC rules, a vote is triggered when a race records three consecutive runnings below the Group 1 benchmark and tolerance levels.

As a result of the review, the Harcourts Thorndon Mile (1600m) has been downgraded from Group 1 to Group 2 status. The decision reflects the race’s recent performance history. The race will continue to carry prizemoney of $500,000 and will be staged at RACE Trentham on Saturday 17 January 2026.

The APC also confirmed continued Group 1 status, for now, for the New Zealand Oaks and New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes, supported by the calendar and venue changes stated above, and for the Livamol Classic and Telegraph, based on overall field quality and historical standing.

NZTR’s Senior Handicapper and APC representative Bruce Sherwin said while the downgrade was disappointing, there are encouraging signs for New Zealand racing.

“New Zealand’s ratings have been impacted by the recent retirement of top horses, but levels are now rebuilding,” Sherwin said. 

“Significant prizemoney increases, stronger turnover and renewed investment at the NZB sales are positive indicators. This season has also started strongly with the Group 1 Proisir Plate at Ellerslie showing excellent depth and quality. 

“Looking ahead, it is critical our best horses contest Group 1 races if they are to remain at the highest level,” Sherwin added. 

Details on nomination and acceptance dates will be included in NZTR’s Racing Programme Guide in due course.

View the full list of 2025-26 Group and Listed races here.

 

[Special Agent]

On 9/16/2025 at 8:40 AM, Chief Stipe said:

If it is just for 1 year when will they announce the full renovation programme of work to bring Trentham up to scratch?

I wonder what they think is going to be achieved in one year.

[curious]

4 minutes ago, Special Agent said:

I wonder what they think is going to be achieved in one year.

I don't see how it can possibly affect the field quality, however many years it is for.

[Special Agent]

On 9/16/2025 at 8:40 AM, Chief Stipe said:

If it is just for 1 year when will they announce the full renovation programme of work to bring Trentham up to scratch?

Matt Ballesty said they (I'm assuming NZTR as opposed to RACE) would not be footing the bill of 10's of $millions to upgrade the stand at Trentham.  That being the case, without a viewing platform and jockeys' rooms and commentary box and judges box and officials and administration areas, I would think there would be no chance of any track renovation or horse area upgrade.