Chief Stipe Posted Monday at 02:12 AM Posted Monday at 02:12 AM Pattern Review a further reset of the feature race compass Dennis Ryan - Raceform • September 26th, 2025 4:30 PM • 7 min read New Zealand Pattern Committee chairman Matt Goodson | Photo: Supplied https://bitofayarn.com The release of the New Zealand Pattern Committee Report is traditionally a point of debate, and this year’s version has been no different as the thoroughbred feature race schedule undergoes further change. Headlining the analysis of the 2024-25 season and a reset for the next 12 months is the downgrade of the former Gr. 1 Thorndon Mile, the transfer of another traditional Trentham feature, the Gr. 1 New Zealand Oaks, to Ellerslie, yet another move for the country’s sole distaff Group One, the New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes, from Ellerslie to Awapuni, and upgrades for the Uncle Remus Stakes and Aotearoa Classic from Listed to Group Three. The Thorndon Mile downgrade to Group Two reduces the number of elite races to an all-time low of 18 on a list dating back more than half a century when the Pattern was introduced to match other major racing jurisdictions. One of the Pattern’s initial purposes was for sales cataloguing as a means of establishing a comparative standard, and it developed a broader base to gain greater relevance through its adherence in 1981 to what is known as the Blue Book – essentially a register of the world’s highest rated thoroughbred races. Membership of the Blue Book is not a given for any jurisdiction, which underlines the importance of this country’s Pattern Committee to manage an annual process that adheres to international guidelines.https://bitofayarn.com While operating under the auspices of the gallops code’s governing body NZTR, the NZPC is an autonomous group comprising nominees by NZTR, the NZ Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association and auction house NZ Bloodstock, and is chaired by former NZTR chairman and successful owner-breeder Matthew Goodson. As one of 28 members of the Asian Racing Federation, New Zealand has since 2012 been answerable to what are known as the ARF Ground Rules, most significantly in assessing Group One races. An important element of that standard is a race’s rating based on the quality of the field and more importantly the horses that fill the first four placings. Maintaining Group One rating requires a minimum rating of 115 for a race’s three most recent editions. The Thorndon Mile and New Zealand Oaks were amongst five Group One races whose ratings had not met the required standard in all three years, along with the New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes, the Telegraph, Livamol Classic and Horlicks Plate (Howden Insurance Mile). Various modifications such as weight conditions, distance, location and calendar placement can be considered in avoiding relegation. Relocation was applied in the case of the Oaks and Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes, while the Livamol Classic and Howden Mile had already been transferred to Ellerslie and Te Rapa with the Hastings track out of action. Changes were mooted to save the Thorndon Mile’s status, however these were declined by NZPC and it will become a Group Two handicap after recent editions were run under set weight and penalty conditions. In the final analysis, the 2025-26 black-type schedule will consist of 144 races made up of 18 Group One, 27 Group Two, 48 Group Three and 51 Listed races. That’s getting somewhere near the desired “pyramid” structure with the least number of truly elite races at the narrowest level and widening through subsequent levels. One of the greatest challenges for the NZPC has been in reducing the overall number of black-type races to align with an expectation that their sum would not exceed five per cent of totalisator races contested during a season. That target has been exacerbated by the reduction over recent years of totalisator races and at one point equating to six per cent of the total number. To that end, eight races were removed from the Pattern ahead of the 2023-24 season, and while the ratio still sits in the mid-five per cent range, there has been slight uplift in the number of races and the NZPC takes a positive view off the back of increased stakes and feature race innovations.https://bitofayarn.com “We’re certainly optimistic in the medium term,” NZPC chair Matt Goodson told RaceForm. “There have some very positive moves with significant stakes increases, new races like the NZB Kiwi and the Aotearoa Classic and the development of Champions Day. “That was an amazing day’s racing at Ellerslie, but it was also a reminder in the limitations to just how many genuine Group One horses there are to support such a strong programme. “With the country’s richest ever race, the NZB Kiwi, on the same card as the Derby and other races is a reminder that the Pattern isn’t the only thing that matters – there has to be trade-offs.” That over-crowded programme is essentially what’s behind the relocation of the New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes to Awapuni in the three-week later time slot of March 28, making for a more structured pattern to fillies and mares’ races in the late summer/autumn period. As highlighted in successive NZPC Reports, the lack of feature races for one of this country’s deepest categories – fillies and mares – needed to be addressed and led to the Matamata Racing Club’s Lisa Chittick Plate gaining Listed status last season. That scenario has further relevance to the Gr. 2 Westbury Classic taking the place of the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes on Champions Day, along with the Gr. 3 Cuddle Stakes being scheduled for March 1 at Awapuni. “The revised structure should strengthen the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes, which is important for a race of that nature,” said Goodson, who at the same time pointed out that the relocation of the New Zealand Oaks to Ellerslie and scheduled two weeks ahead of the New Zealand Derby was at this stage only an interim measure. “While we’ve had some very good winners of the Oaks over the last several years, it’s a race that has still lacked depth, which had to be addressed. Bringing the race forward ahead of the Derby and placing it at Ellerslie is very much for one year only at this stage. https://bitofayarn.com “It will be evaluated after the next running with a totally open mind whether it stays or returns to Trentham. Like all the decisions we make, that’s only after strong and robust debate.” Factors outside the NZPC’s control include on-going issues with significant venues, highlighted by the closure of Hastings until at least the spring of 2026, the indefinite timing around the closure of Trentham post the January carnival, and the hope shared by all in the industry that the Awapuni track will soon be able to host major racing. As well as necessary interplay between the NZPC and NZTR with regard to such a crucial factor as venues, there are also shared discussions around stakes allocations, in particular what is referred to as “heritage races”. At the top of this list are the country’s three 3200-metre handicap features, the New Zealand, Wellington and Auckland Cups. Watering down of the staying pool is a worldwide phenomenon and in New Zealand’s case has led to the downgrading of all three long-distance features. The New Zealand Cup was first to feel that pressure when it was downgraded from Group One to Group Two in 1991 and to Group Three in 2009. The Wellington Cup was downgraded to Group Two in 2009 and despite a reduction in distance to 2400m in an attempt to arrest the slide, to Group Three in 2017. The Auckland Cup lost its Group One status in 2022 and although now rated Group Two, that status is under threat after two below par editions. However, as heritage races all three Cups continue to carry attractive stakes, which are under-written from the NZTR stakes fund allocation. The New Zealand Cup has a stake of $450,000, while the Wellington Cup is $400,000 and the Auckland Cup $600,000. While the annual NZPC Report will always be open to evaluation and at times criticism, the robust debate that goes into decision-making has a common thread, one that is based on its thorough processes and ultimately its veracity. That is in stark contrast to the situation across the Tasman, where decision-making around black-type races has descended into disarray verging on dysfunction due to the inability of the member states that make up Racing Australia to come together in any sort of common agreement. While Racing Australia meets on a regular basis, the same cannot be said for its Pattern Review body, which has not engaged constructively since 2018. That has not stopped Australia’s two dominant racing jurisdictions, New South Wales and Victoria, who between them conduct 61 of the country’s 76 Group One races, from making their own applications to the Asian Pattern Committee. Last year a combined approach by the two major states resulted in The Everest and All-Star Mile being granted Group One status. In a separate exercise, it was reported that a submission by Racing NSW seeking similar elevation for the Sydney spring features the Golden Eagle, Russell Balding and Premiere Stakes, along with the Apollo Stakes in the autumn, was declined by an APC delegation. Along with The Everest, Racing NSW added a further 17 races for black-type status and even though declined by the APC, the “new” black-type rating was included in official programmes for each of those races. Adding to this farcical situation, sales catalogue and pedigree compilers have ignored the independently imposed race rating, while conversely the winners of the supposed black-type races are listed on the Australian Stud Book website. Further confusion is provided by the Racing Australia proposal for a revised approach to determining a Pattern schedule, one based solely on respective race ratings. However that has met with major pushback from stakeholders, and it is believed that NSW is the only state still pursuing that methodology. In what has become a major distraction as the interstate spring carnivals gather momentum, random arguments have been put forward that it matters little in the bigger picture, but those perhaps of longer standing and investment in the industry beg to differ. Without wishing to take any sort of holier-than-thou stance or be openly critical of the current situation in Australia, NZPC chairman Matt Goodson does make the point that rather than allowing race ratings to be the sole determinant, black-type evaluation still requires an element of subjectivity. “I think that what has to be recognised is the consequences of a purely ratings-based system,” he says. “If that became the case, combined with putting forward multiple upgrades, the need would still exist to downgrade other races to retain some balance.” Quote
Chief Stipe Posted Monday at 02:14 AM Author Posted Monday at 02:14 AM Handicapper’s Blog – Pattern of Discontent By Bruce Sherwin The release of the New Zealand Pattern Committee (NZPC) report last week has prompted much discussion and debate. I am a member of the NZPC and New Zealand’s representative on the Asian Pattern Committee (APC). https://bitofayarn.com The recent retirement and/or relocation of high-rating horses presents a challenge for New Zealand races to maintain Group 1 status. We struggle with size and scope. In season 2020/21New Zealand had 25 horses with an international rating at 113 or above (including the fillies/mares 4-point allowance). Last season commenced with 12 such horses. There will be a lag in the positivity generated by significant prizemoney increases, which fed into record domestic investment at NZB yearling sales, and those horses reaching the racetrack. Thoroughbred wagering since Entain’s takeover in June 2023 is up an encouraging 14% (approx.), especially when compared globally. Positive signs, but not to make light of the many underlying issues and challenges facing the NZ industry. For accuracy, it was not the NZPC that downgraded the Thorndon Mile. The NZPC prepared downgrade defences of five Group 1 races at the Asian Pattern Committee meeting on September 11th – NZ Oaks, NZ Breeders Stakes, Ormond Memorial (Livamol Classic), Telegraph and Thorndon Mile, after each had three consecutive International Race Rating (IRR) failures. An IRR is calculated by the first-4 finishers. Missing the required international benchmark and tolerance mark three years in succession prompts an APC vote on the future of the race as a Group 1. In defence, the highest-4 ratings in the race can also be used. New Zealand was defending a record number of races at the APC meeting. Summer carnival changes did see improvement in ratings for a number of races. The Telegraph attracted a strong field, even when considering the overnight scratching of Crocetti and Babylon Berlin and was unlucky to miss the IRR by a mere 0.25, with Group 1 winners Waitak, Bonny Lass and Mercurial all finishing outside the first 4. https://bitofayarn.com The Thorndon Mile had been under downgrade threat previously, prompting a change in weight conditions from handicap and set weights and penalties in 2014. The race has never reached the IRR benchmark on any measure and had missed the tolerance mark in four of the past five years. In 2023 the race even missed the Group 2 benchmark rating. Unlike the NZ Oaks, The Thorndon did not have a change that could display the necessary uplift in ratings required. The race was voted down by the APC. The NZ Oaks, while producing some superb winners, recently has not been supported by sufficient depth and quality, and even missed the Group 2 standard in 2024. And a significant purse uplift to $1 million (comparable to VRC Oaks and Australian Oaks) did not improve the overall race quality in 2025 but did, at least, help ensure that champion filly Leica Lucy ran in the race. A change to race conditions, for example date, distance, track, conditions (weights) is a defence mechanism against immediate downgrade, if also supported by data and analysis for potential benefits and uplift. The decision to move a treasured Classic from the traditional venue was not taken lightly. It was preferable to the connotations of a Group 2 NZ Oaks. The shift is not certain to save the Group 1 status but appears to give the race the best chance of maintaining Group 1 status. For example, moving to a date which has synergy with the NZ Derby and Australian filly feature races. The shift will be reassessed post the 2026 renewal. The highest-4 ratings for the other three Group 1’s (Telegraph, NZ Breeders and Livamol) were sufficient to see them given an extra chance at Group 1 level. The NZ Breeders Stakes move gets it away from what was a congested Champions Day programme, with several races potentially competing for runners. In its new place in the calendar, the race could tempt a filly out of the NZB Kiwi and also creates a bumper raceday alongside the Manawatu Sires Produce (Group 1) and three other black-type races at Awapuni. It is important to note that, while it is very disappointing to have one of our Group 1 races downgraded, South Africa had three Group 1 races downgraded by the APC. But as we mull the disappointing downgrade vote for the Thorndon Mile the dysfunction of the Australian Pattern Committee is frustrating many NZ participants. The Australian PC has not operated for 8 years. Their dysfunction is complex, practically and legally, and is under confidentiality restrictions. The misinformation circulating has not been helpful. https://bitofayarn.com It should be noted that while there should have been a few downgrades in Australia, the missing value in scores of race upgrades to the Australian industry would be far more significant…and likely an immense figure. A creditable black-type pattern is an important part of a viable thoroughbred breeding and racing industry. And it has to maintain international credibility and relevance. We cannot be labelling races as Groups 1’s when they clearly aren’t by any known measure. New Zealand, proportionately, has an uncomfortably high number of black-type races per races run. The downgrade of Thorndon Mile is disappointing, but ultimately the race’s performance ratings were not good enough. It is also worth noting it was one of five open grade Group 1 races at 1600m. That said, the necessary pre-emptive steps need to continue to be made to protect the Group 1 races critical to the ecosystem of the NZ thoroughbred racing and breeding industry. The key to the long-term sustainability of New Zealand’s Group 1 races is in consistently attracting the best horses available – not just a couple of them. Ironically, given some of the commentary on this subject, race ratings are seriously undermined by the practice of splitting stable resources, especially in age group races. Finally, the Pattern is continually evolving. The advent of sale bonus races and now a valuable slot race are a challenge and a threat to our age group Group 1s, as evidenced by the downgrade of the Levin Classic previously. Making Pattern changes to innovate, reflect change or avert potential downgrades is not straightforward – the NZPC can make recommendations, but these require Club buy-in. To that end, RACE/Wellington Racing Club are to be commended in agreeing to an “industry-first” decision for the 2026 NZ Oaks to remain a Group 1. https://bitofayarn.com 2 Quote
Handicapper’s Blog – Pattern of Discontent By Bruce Sherwin The release of the New Zealand Pattern Committee (NZPC) report last week has prompted much discussion and debate. I am a member of the NZPC and New Zealand’s representative on the Asian Pattern Committee (APC). https://bitofayarn.com The recent retirement and/or relocation of high-rating horses presents a challenge for New Zealand races to maintain Group 1 status. We struggle with size and scope. In season 2020/21New Zealand had 25 horses with an international rating at 113 or above (including the fillies/mares 4-point allowance). Last season commenced with 12 such horses. There will be a lag in the positivity generated by significant prizemoney increases, which fed into record domestic investment at NZB yearling sales, and those horses reaching the racetrack. Thoroughbred wagering since Entain’s takeover in June 2023 is up an encouraging 14% (approx.), especially when compared globally. Positive signs, but not to make light of the many underlying issues and challenges facing the NZ industry. For accuracy, it was not the NZPC that downgraded the Thorndon Mile. The NZPC prepared downgrade defences of five Group 1 races at the Asian Pattern Committee meeting on September 11th – NZ Oaks, NZ Breeders Stakes, Ormond Memorial (Livamol Classic), Telegraph and Thorndon Mile, after each had three consecutive International Race Rating (IRR) failures. An IRR is calculated by the first-4 finishers. Missing the required international benchmark and tolerance mark three years in succession prompts an APC vote on the future of the race as a Group 1. In defence, the highest-4 ratings in the race can also be used. New Zealand was defending a record number of races at the APC meeting. Summer carnival changes did see improvement in ratings for a number of races. The Telegraph attracted a strong field, even when considering the overnight scratching of Crocetti and Babylon Berlin and was unlucky to miss the IRR by a mere 0.25, with Group 1 winners Waitak, Bonny Lass and Mercurial all finishing outside the first 4. https://bitofayarn.com The Thorndon Mile had been under downgrade threat previously, prompting a change in weight conditions from handicap and set weights and penalties in 2014. The race has never reached the IRR benchmark on any measure and had missed the tolerance mark in four of the past five years. In 2023 the race even missed the Group 2 benchmark rating. Unlike the NZ Oaks, The Thorndon did not have a change that could display the necessary uplift in ratings required. The race was voted down by the APC. The NZ Oaks, while producing some superb winners, recently has not been supported by sufficient depth and quality, and even missed the Group 2 standard in 2024. And a significant purse uplift to $1 million (comparable to VRC Oaks and Australian Oaks) did not improve the overall race quality in 2025 but did, at least, help ensure that champion filly Leica Lucy ran in the race. A change to race conditions, for example date, distance, track, conditions (weights) is a defence mechanism against immediate downgrade, if also supported by data and analysis for potential benefits and uplift. The decision to move a treasured Classic from the traditional venue was not taken lightly. It was preferable to the connotations of a Group 2 NZ Oaks. The shift is not certain to save the Group 1 status but appears to give the race the best chance of maintaining Group 1 status. For example, moving to a date which has synergy with the NZ Derby and Australian filly feature races. The shift will be reassessed post the 2026 renewal. The highest-4 ratings for the other three Group 1’s (Telegraph, NZ Breeders and Livamol) were sufficient to see them given an extra chance at Group 1 level. The NZ Breeders Stakes move gets it away from what was a congested Champions Day programme, with several races potentially competing for runners. In its new place in the calendar, the race could tempt a filly out of the NZB Kiwi and also creates a bumper raceday alongside the Manawatu Sires Produce (Group 1) and three other black-type races at Awapuni. It is important to note that, while it is very disappointing to have one of our Group 1 races downgraded, South Africa had three Group 1 races downgraded by the APC. But as we mull the disappointing downgrade vote for the Thorndon Mile the dysfunction of the Australian Pattern Committee is frustrating many NZ participants. The Australian PC has not operated for 8 years. Their dysfunction is complex, practically and legally, and is under confidentiality restrictions. The misinformation circulating has not been helpful. https://bitofayarn.com It should be noted that while there should have been a few downgrades in Australia, the missing value in scores of race upgrades to the Australian industry would be far more significant…and likely an immense figure. A creditable black-type pattern is an important part of a viable thoroughbred breeding and racing industry. And it has to maintain international credibility and relevance. We cannot be labelling races as Groups 1’s when they clearly aren’t by any known measure. New Zealand, proportionately, has an uncomfortably high number of black-type races per races run. The downgrade of Thorndon Mile is disappointing, but ultimately the race’s performance ratings were not good enough. It is also worth noting it was one of five open grade Group 1 races at 1600m. That said, the necessary pre-emptive steps need to continue to be made to protect the Group 1 races critical to the ecosystem of the NZ thoroughbred racing and breeding industry. The key to the long-term sustainability of New Zealand’s Group 1 races is in consistently attracting the best horses available – not just a couple of them. Ironically, given some of the commentary on this subject, race ratings are seriously undermined by the practice of splitting stable resources, especially in age group races. Finally, the Pattern is continually evolving. The advent of sale bonus races and now a valuable slot race are a challenge and a threat to our age group Group 1s, as evidenced by the downgrade of the Levin Classic previously. Making Pattern changes to innovate, reflect change or avert potential downgrades is not straightforward – the NZPC can make recommendations, but these require Club buy-in. To that end, RACE/Wellington Racing Club are to be commended in agreeing to an “industry-first” decision for the 2026 NZ Oaks to remain a Group 1. https://bitofayarn.com
hesi Posted Monday at 04:10 AM Posted Monday at 04:10 AM 1 hour ago, Chief Stipe said: Handicapper’s Blog – Pattern of Discontent By Bruce Sherwin The release of the New Zealand Pattern Committee (NZPC) report last week has prompted much discussion and debate. I am a member of the NZPC and New Zealand’s representative on the Asian Pattern Committee (APC). https://bitofayarn.com The recent retirement and/or relocation of high-rating horses presents a challenge for New Zealand races to maintain Group 1 status. We struggle with size and scope. In season 2020/21New Zealand had 25 horses with an international rating at 113 or above (including the fillies/mares 4-point allowance). Last season commenced with 12 such horses. There will be a lag in the positivity generated by significant prizemoney increases, which fed into record domestic investment at NZB yearling sales, and those horses reaching the racetrack. Thoroughbred wagering since Entain’s takeover in June 2023 is up an encouraging 14% (approx.), especially when compared globally. Positive signs, but not to make light of the many underlying issues and challenges facing the NZ industry. For accuracy, it was not the NZPC that downgraded the Thorndon Mile. The NZPC prepared downgrade defences of five Group 1 races at the Asian Pattern Committee meeting on September 11th – NZ Oaks, NZ Breeders Stakes, Ormond Memorial (Livamol Classic), Telegraph and Thorndon Mile, after each had three consecutive International Race Rating (IRR) failures. An IRR is calculated by the first-4 finishers. Missing the required international benchmark and tolerance mark three years in succession prompts an APC vote on the future of the race as a Group 1. In defence, the highest-4 ratings in the race can also be used. New Zealand was defending a record number of races at the APC meeting. Summer carnival changes did see improvement in ratings for a number of races. The Telegraph attracted a strong field, even when considering the overnight scratching of Crocetti and Babylon Berlin and was unlucky to miss the IRR by a mere 0.25, with Group 1 winners Waitak, Bonny Lass and Mercurial all finishing outside the first 4. https://bitofayarn.com The Thorndon Mile had been under downgrade threat previously, prompting a change in weight conditions from handicap and set weights and penalties in 2014. The race has never reached the IRR benchmark on any measure and had missed the tolerance mark in four of the past five years. In 2023 the race even missed the Group 2 benchmark rating. Unlike the NZ Oaks, The Thorndon did not have a change that could display the necessary uplift in ratings required. The race was voted down by the APC. The NZ Oaks, while producing some superb winners, recently has not been supported by sufficient depth and quality, and even missed the Group 2 standard in 2024. And a significant purse uplift to $1 million (comparable to VRC Oaks and Australian Oaks) did not improve the overall race quality in 2025 but did, at least, help ensure that champion filly Leica Lucy ran in the race. A change to race conditions, for example date, distance, track, conditions (weights) is a defence mechanism against immediate downgrade, if also supported by data and analysis for potential benefits and uplift. The decision to move a treasured Classic from the traditional venue was not taken lightly. It was preferable to the connotations of a Group 2 NZ Oaks. The shift is not certain to save the Group 1 status but appears to give the race the best chance of maintaining Group 1 status. For example, moving to a date which has synergy with the NZ Derby and Australian filly feature races. The shift will be reassessed post the 2026 renewal. The highest-4 ratings for the other three Group 1’s (Telegraph, NZ Breeders and Livamol) were sufficient to see them given an extra chance at Group 1 level. The NZ Breeders Stakes move gets it away from what was a congested Champions Day programme, with several races potentially competing for runners. In its new place in the calendar, the race could tempt a filly out of the NZB Kiwi and also creates a bumper raceday alongside the Manawatu Sires Produce (Group 1) and three other black-type races at Awapuni. It is important to note that, while it is very disappointing to have one of our Group 1 races downgraded, South Africa had three Group 1 races downgraded by the APC. But as we mull the disappointing downgrade vote for the Thorndon Mile the dysfunction of the Australian Pattern Committee is frustrating many NZ participants. The Australian PC has not operated for 8 years. Their dysfunction is complex, practically and legally, and is under confidentiality restrictions. The misinformation circulating has not been helpful. https://bitofayarn.com It should be noted that while there should have been a few downgrades in Australia, the missing value in scores of race upgrades to the Australian industry would be far more significant…and likely an immense figure. A creditable black-type pattern is an important part of a viable thoroughbred breeding and racing industry. And it has to maintain international credibility and relevance. We cannot be labelling races as Groups 1’s when they clearly aren’t by any known measure. New Zealand, proportionately, has an uncomfortably high number of black-type races per races run. The downgrade of Thorndon Mile is disappointing, but ultimately the race’s performance ratings were not good enough. It is also worth noting it was one of five open grade Group 1 races at 1600m. That said, the necessary pre-emptive steps need to continue to be made to protect the Group 1 races critical to the ecosystem of the NZ thoroughbred racing and breeding industry. The key to the long-term sustainability of New Zealand’s Group 1 races is in consistently attracting the best horses available – not just a couple of them. Ironically, given some of the commentary on this subject, race ratings are seriously undermined by the practice of splitting stable resources, especially in age group races. Finally, the Pattern is continually evolving. The advent of sale bonus races and now a valuable slot race are a challenge and a threat to our age group Group 1s, as evidenced by the downgrade of the Levin Classic previously. Making Pattern changes to innovate, reflect change or avert potential downgrades is not straightforward – the NZPC can make recommendations, but these require Club buy-in. To that end, RACE/Wellington Racing Club are to be commended in agreeing to an “industry-first” decision for the 2026 NZ Oaks to remain a Group 1. https://bitofayarn.com He writes well, but how many fillies will contest the NZ Oaks then go onto the Derby 2 weeks later. The traditional route to the Derby, for fillies as well, has always been the Avondale Guines on the same day as the Oaks Quote
Special Agent Posted Monday at 10:55 PM Posted Monday at 10:55 PM "Factors outside the NZPC’s control include on-going issues with significant venues, highlighted by the closure of Hastings until at least the spring of 2026, the indefinite timing around the closure of Trentham post the January carnival, and the hope shared by all in the industry that the Awapuni track will soon be able to host major racing." Even though I've heard conversations and interviews does the "indefinite timing around the closure of Trentham post the January carnival" as reported define permanent closure, as this is the first time I think I've seen this stated as fact in print? Quote
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