Levin Surplus to Requirements

[Huey]

1 hour ago, curious said:

You'll probably say it's a bit of an archaic business model, but what about going back to funding clubs based  on their wagering earnings?

Can't disagree with that , but even that's rigged with NZTR deciding who gets race days or specific race dates.

[Huey]

3 minutes ago, Chief Stipe said:

Levin doesn't have the facilities to run their own racedays and would require considerable capital investment to get up to scratch.  Arguably they struggle to maintain what they've got as it is.  

Meanwhile Otaki has to maintain all its facilities and rents to Levin for three days for peppercorns.  

That's not true , they probably could maintain or update , but what's the point given they'll never likely see another race day there again through no fault of their own.

[Chief Stipe]

2 hours ago, Huey said:

That's not how it works @Chief Stipe , NZTR take race dates off clubs, deliberately neglect clubs , attempt to neutralise or hope the volunteer base of the club falls over and then look to come to the industry rescue by stealing the asset.

Clubs falling over has less to do with NZTR than you assert.  They are falling over for the same reason other clubs are falling over be it the local rugby club or RSA.  Those drivers have nothing to do with NZTR.  Sure NZTR have stopped propping every Club up because they don't have the resources to support all of them.

2 hours ago, Huey said:

Under no circumstances should it ever be in the clubs or the industry's best interest to see the asset go to NZTR.

Why not?  I gather you approved of what the Westland Racing Club did when if a fit of churlish pique they gave their assets back to the local community.  Racing on the West Coast lost to parochialism and an inability for the four clubs to work together.  Oh the irony @Huey if you dig deeper into what the Westland Racing Club did you'll find that on the surface it may have looked a benevolent charitable donation to the community but underneath some benefited just the same way that some are benefitting from the Wellington Racing Club sell off.  But that's OK because in your mind the WRC stuck the finger to NZTR!

2 hours ago, Huey said:

Just because Levin don't have races at their track (likely not their fault) the contribution Levin make to the industry like a few other clubs is still huge and the story NZTR are trying to sell is that they don't contribute to the industry and are surplus to requirements is just downright deceit.

Yes Levin's contribution is significant but it isn't sustainable.  If Otaki want to subsidise them then that's their business.  Where have NZTR ever said that these Clubs DON'T contribute?  In terms of them being surplus isn't it more of a question of is the capital they have invested returning an income that makes them sustainable?  The accounts (that we have visibility of) say they aren't.  There is a bigger strategic picture that Clubs just don't want to address.  If Levin had racedays then very quickly they would end up in the same situation as Ellerslie (was), Te Rapa, Hastings, Trentham and so on.

[Chief Stipe]

19 minutes ago, Huey said:

Can't disagree with that , but even that's rigged with NZTR deciding who gets race days or specific race dates.

Oh dear the mafia theory again.  How should the allocation be determined?  Given there are a limited number of dates available which is decreasing in line with the decreasing horse population.  I've suggest in the past that the majority of the dates should be contestable.  But the fact is most of the Clubs couldn't afford the contest!

[Chief Stipe]

19 minutes ago, Huey said:

That's not true , they probably could maintain or update , but what's the point given they'll never likely see another race day there again through no fault of their own.

It is true.  Levin has already sold off what it could.  That realised cash is slowly diminishing as it funds opex.  There isn't enough in the bucket to do anything substantial.  I do note though that there are "consultants" clipping the ticket annually.

[curious]

1 hour ago, Chief Stipe said:

I have no opinion on whether it is archaic or not however even that model wouldn't generate enough revenue for Clubs to pay their way unless they had significant sources of other revenue.

It would if stakes were aligned to it as they were 20 years ago.

[Chief Stipe]

16 minutes ago, curious said:

It would if stakes were aligned to it as they were 20 years ago.

Show me the analysis.

[Special Agent]

1 hour ago, Chief Stipe said:

Levin has already sold off what it could.  

Wrong.  You have no idea what you are talking about.

[Freda]

 " ...I gather you approved of what the Westland Racing Club did when if a fit of churlish pique they gave their assets back to the local community.  Racing on the West Coast lost to parochialism and an inability for the four clubs to work together..."

 

 

They worked together perfectly fine.     Greymouth gladly held the Westland day for them, as well as their own, continuing the four-day circuit.   Buses were put on to take the Hoki locals to 'their' day at Omoto.

So NZTR refused the permit for the 4th day from then onwards.

Churlish?  absolutely.  

Edited 5 hours ago by Freda

[Special Agent]

1 hour ago, Chief Stipe said:

 Yes Levin's contribution is significant but it isn't sustainable.  If Otaki want to subsidise them then that's their business.  Where have NZTR ever said that these Clubs DON'T contribute?  In terms of them being surplus isn't it more of a question of is the capital they have invested returning an income that makes them sustainable?  The accounts (that we have visibility of) say they aren't.  There is a bigger strategic picture that Clubs just don't want to address.  If Levin had racedays then very quickly they would end up in the same situation as Ellerslie (was), Te Rapa, Hastings, Trentham and so on.

So if jumpouts are the biggest contribution Levin makes to the racing industry you think they are not sustainable???

If you think Otaki is subsidising Levin you obviously don't know Horowhenua and Kapiti racing club history.  Didn't you ask about a Levin loan to Otaki from the financial statements?

The difference between racing at the likes of Ellerslie, and Levin is their local community.  How many Bayer Classics did you go to at Levin?

Levin didn't cease racing because it couldn't make money.  Go back over your history books Chief, and you will find one reason Levin is reluctant to join forces with anyone or anything again for the betterment of the industry because what might be deemed the betterment of the industry has been utterly detrimental to the Levin Racing Club.

[curious]

59 minutes ago, Chief Stipe said:

Show me the analysis.

You don't need a complex analysis to work out that if you offer stakes aligned with what clubs earn, then you have a sustainable business. It's how the world works. Most of us and most businesses can't buy things or spend money on things just because we think we need them, a few governments and councils aside  We have to also have the revenue to pay for them, or like NZRacing, we end up in the dole queue, hand out to government and anyone else we can find to keep going.

[curious]

2 hours ago, Chief Stipe said:

 In terms of them being surplus isn't it more of a question of is the capital they have invested returning an income that makes them sustainable?  The accounts (that we have visibility of) say they aren't.

What? The accounts have absolutely nothing to do with NZTR or the Minister being able to deem a club a surplus venue and get an Order for transfer to the code. Where do you get that idea?

Edited 5 hours ago by curious

[Special Agent]

On 12/1/2025 at 8:32 AM, Chief Stipe said:

I wouldn't be surprised if in the past when Otaki have squeaked Levin has just well if you want to increase the fee we may as well shift out dates to RACE at Awapuni.  I suspect that may have happened if it wasn't for the problems with the Awapuni track.

Be prepared to be surprised then.  Another example of you having no knowledge of club history yet giving opinion anyway.  The problems with the Awapuni track have nothing to do with Levin continuing to race at Otaki.

[Special Agent]

5 minutes ago, curious said:

What? The accounts have absolutely nothing to do with NZTR or the Minister being able to deem a club a surplus venue and get an Order for transfer to the code. Where do you get that idea?

Let's just think about this for a moment.

If Chief's theory was correct why would RACE be able to continue operating?  Awapuni should have transferred to the code many seasons ago.

[curious]

2 minutes ago, Special Agent said:

Let's just think about this for a moment.

If Chief's theory was correct why would RACE be able to continue operating?  Awapuni should have transferred to the code many seasons ago.

And Hastings maybe next?

[Murray Fish]

1 hour ago, Special Agent said:

How many Bayer Classics did you go to at Levin?

4

 

[Special Agent]

11 minutes ago, Murray Fish said:

4

 

Murray, you seem qualified to comment on how the raceday was at Levin, how those days compare to attending Ellerslie meets, and do you think the Levin local community would ensure racing at Levin again would prosper?

[Special Agent]

14 hours ago, Chief Stipe said:

Why wouldnt they when they can bludge off the track down the road?!  Geez you talk about mafia!!!

How many people on here think Levin is bludging off Otaki?

[Murray Fish]

11 minutes ago, Special Agent said:

Murray, you seem qualified to comment on how the raceday was at Levin, how those days compare to attending Ellerslie meets, and do you think the Levin local community would ensure racing at Levin again would prosper?

Talking mid-80's,  that race day then had Massive local support! The track would be just about full before the 1st race! The really were a serious progressive club back then,  getting that sort of race was very impressive! 

I have just had a quick look through me collection and for those 80's meetings  I was working for Ken Lush, it was Photopress back then, so don't have many,  I do have plenty from the early 90's...  back to those 80's meetings, I use to take the turn for home photos then for Flash, so had to walk up the straight for each race!!! Rather amusingly, I would get followed up and down by a tribe of you Māori kids! Always asking 'give us the winner of this race', I had a top strike rate for that sort of thing! Ove the years I got to know a few of them! one was a very cheeky young fella who went on to be a pretty good rugby player! Calos Spencer.

Comparing LRC to Ellerslie back then is a tad hard!  On course back then, then were always solid crowds for any big Raceday! Personally, back then,  I always prefered Wgtn Cup Week 1st, Chch 2nd...  not even sure I would have ARC cup week 3rd.. defiantly not now a days..

Reflecting back to those times as a punter!  While the fields were as a rule much bigger and hence the complexities that come from that, there was no where the amount of other punting distractions as in today!  I'm sure I would have 15/20 hours studying every meeting!

[Huey]

1 hour ago, Special Agent said:

How many people on here think Levin is bludging off Otaki?

Only @Chief Stipe so it doesn't count.

[Huey]

1 hour ago, Murray Fish said:

Talking mid-80's,  that race day then had Massive local support! The track would be just about full before the 1st race! The really were a serious progressive club back then,  getting that sort of race was very impressive! 

I have just had a quick look through me collection and for those 80's meetings  I was working for Ken Lush, it was Photopress back then, so don't have many,  I do have plenty from the early 90's...  back to those 80's meetings, I use to take the turn for home photos then for Flash, so had to walk up the straight for each race!!! Rather amusingly, I would get followed up and down by a tribe of you Māori kids! Always asking 'give us the winner of this race', I had a top strike rate for that sort of thing! Ove the years I got to know a few of them! one was a very cheeky young fella who went on to be a pretty good rugby player! Calos Spencer.

Comparing LRC to Ellerslie back then is a tad hard!  On course back then, then were always solid crowds for any big Raceday! Personally, back then,  I always prefered Wgtn Cup Week 1st, Chch 2nd...  not even sure I would have ARC cup week 3rd.. defiantly not now a days..

Reflecting back to those times as a punter!  While the fields were as a rule much bigger and hence the complexities that come from that, there was no where the amount of other punting distractions as in today!  I'm sure I would have 15/20 hours studying every meeting!

Some great winners of the race back in the day Phillipa Rush, Bonecrusher, Burletta, Veandercross , The Bishop etc

[Chief Stipe]

2 hours ago, Special Agent said:

Murray, you seem qualified to comment on how the raceday was at Levin, how those days compare to attending Ellerslie meets, and do you think the Levin local community would ensure racing at Levin again would prosper?

It's a bygone era.  The key to the Bayer Classic was the HUGE sponsorship from Bayer and their links to the farming community.  That huge sponsorship attracted the best horses.  Even in those days Trainers and Owners chased the big dollars.  In 1985 when Bonecrusher won the race was worth $122,000 which is about $450k in todays money.  The NZ Derby that season was worth $200k so the Bayer was very attractive.  In fact it was worth more than the Grp 1  2000 Guineas.

From my perspective it was those top horses that got me rushing to the TV on a Thursday.

[hesi]

Race results

Year	Winner	Jockey	Trainer(s)	Time	Second place	Third
2025[2]	Savaglee 57	Samantha Spratt	Pam Gerard	1:23.22 (good, 1400m)	Kitty Flash 55	Tardelli 57
2024[3]	Quintessa 55	Opie Bosson	Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson	1:35.76 (good)	Zabmanzor 57	Impendabelle 55
2023[4]	Romancing The Moon 55	Kozzi Asano	Mark Walker	1:37.13 (soft)	Skew Wiff 55	Luella Cristina 55
2022[5]	Imperatriz 54.5	Michael McNab	Jamie Richards	1:36.43 (dead)	On The Bubbles 56.5	I Wish I Win 56.5
2021[6]	Bonham 54.5	Lisa Allpress	Johno Benner & Hollie Wynyard, Otaki	1:37.67 (good)	Brando 56.5	Wild Moose 56.5
2020[7]	Travelling Light 54.5	Samantha Collett	Ben Foote, Cambridge	1:36.71 (good)	Harlech 56.5	Riodini 56.5
2019[8]	Madison County 56.5	Matthew Cameron	Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman, Cambridge	1:35.89 (good)	Hypnos 56.5	Vernanme 56.5
2018[9][10]	Age Of Fire 56.5	Opie Bosson	Stephen Autridge & Jamie Richards, Matamata	1:36.63 (soft)	Belle Du Nord 54.5	Savvy Coup 54.5
2017[11][12]	Hall Of Fame 56.5	Opie Bosson	Stephen Autridge & Jamie Richards, Matamata	1:35.54 (good)	Saville Row 56.5	Jon Snow 56.5
2016[13]	Dukedom 56.5	Lisa Allpress	Steven Cole	1:36.96 (good)	Son Of Maher 56.5	Rangipo 56.5
2015[14]	Gaultier 56.5	Michael Coleman	Danica Guy, Matamata	1:36.62 (good)	Sardaaj 54.5	Huka Eagle 56.5
2014[15]	Recite 54.5	Mark Du Plessis	John Bary, Hastings	1:36.10 (firm)	Franzac 56.5	Aspen 56.5
2013	No race held
2012[16]	Southern Lord 56.5	Kelly Myers	Alan Tait, Matamata	1:34.63 (good)	Le Choix 56.5	Soriano 55
2011[17]	Distill 56.5	Robert Hannam	Roydon Bergerson, Awapuni	1:35.97 (good)	Randall 56.5	Antonio Lombardo 56.5
2010[18]	We Can Say It Now 54.5	Leith Innes	Murray & Bjorn Baker, Cambridge	1:34.27 (good)	Blinding 54.5	Lady Kipling 54.5
2009[19]	Eileen Dubh 55	Jonathan Riddell	Francis Finnegan, Woodville	1:35.43 (good)	St Germaine 54.5	Green Supreme 56
2008[20]	Altered Image 56	Michael Coleman	Michael & Paul Moroney, Matamata	1:32.50 (good)	Spontaneous 56	Izonit 56
2007[21][22]	Keepa Cruisin 54.5	Leith Innes	Stephen McKee, Ardmore	1:34.85 (good)	Run Like Al 56	Satinka 54.5
2006[23]	Porotene Gem 54.5	David Walker	Kevin Gray, Copper Belt Lodge	1:40.10 (soft)	Jokers Wild 56	Figueres 56
2005[24]	Wahid 56	Hayden Tinsley	Allan Sharrock, New Plymouth	1:36.18 (dead)	Shikoba 53.5	Izzat 56
2004[25]	Ambitious Owner 55.5	Leith Innes	Murray Baker, Cambridge	1:34.77 (Good)	Fiscal Madness 55.5	Magnetism 55.5
2003[26]	Russian Pearl 56	Hayden Tinsley	Bruce & Stephen Marsh, Woodville	1:34.96 (soft)	Taatletail 53.5	King’s Chapel 56
2002	Bunker 56	Opie Bosson	Trevor & Stephen McKee, Takanini	1:37.14 (soft)	Dane choice 56	Cheerine Kid 56
2001	Final Destination 53.5	Gary Grylls	Vannessa Hillis, Matamata	1:34.9 (good)	Shinnecock 54	Armondo 56
2000	Tit For Taat 56	Hayden Tinsley	Wayne Herbert	1:35.11 (good)	Star Satire 56	Sir Clive 54
1999[27]	Buzz Lightyear 56	Opie Bosson	Robert Priscott, Te Awamutu	1:35.28	Domero 56	Greatthings Happen 56
1998	Tobruk 56	Leith Innes	Graham Richardson, Matamata	1:37.67 (soft)	With Drawn 56	Kaapeon 56
1997	Love De Tor 53	Greg Childs	Michael Moroney, Matamata	1:33.69 (good)	Foxwood 53	Quality Kingdom 53
1996[28]	O'Reilly 55.5	Lance O'Sullivan	Dave & Paul O'Sullivan, Matamata	1:35.74	High Return 55.5	Rebel 55.5
1995	Prussian Blue 55.5	Shane Udy	Davina Waddell, Pukekohe	1:34.97 (good)	Anemos 56	Super Crest 53
1994[29]	Avedon 55.5	Darryl Bradley	Felix Patrick Campbell, Awapuni	1:34.81	Starcent 53	Allegro 55.5
1993[30]	Al Akbar 55.5	Gary Grylls	Chris Wood, Cambridge	1:43.97 (heavy)	Western Red 55.5	Facing The Music 53
1992	Nimue 53	Lance O'Sullivan	Dave & Paul O'Sullivan, Matamata	1:33.66	Kaaptive Edition 55.5	Hula Strike 55.5
1991	Veandercross 55.5	Jim Walker	Chris Turner, New Plymouth	1:34.35	Overwhelmed 55.5	Captain Cook 55.5
1990[31]	Eagle Eye 55.5	Noel Harris	Murray Baker, Woodville	1:39.64	Sir Alberton 55.5	Play On 55.5
1989	Phillipa Rush 53	Lance O'Sullivan	Jim Campin, Cambridge	1:36.20	Pumpernickel 55.5	Status 55.5
1988	Krona 55.5	Peter Tims	Roger McGlade, Taupo	1:35.53 (good)	Straight Order 55.5	Kate’s Myth 53
1987	Young Indian 55.5	Peter Tims	Norm Morgan, Ruakaka	1:35.75 (good)	Sound Belt 55.5	Candide 53
1986[32]	The Bishop 55.5	Maree Lyndon	Don Couchman, Hawera	1:36.78	Margarella 53	Precocious Lad 55.5
1985	Bonecrusher 55.5	Jim Cassidy	Frank Ritchie, Takanini	1:36.90	French Polish 53	Seadreamer 53
1984[33]	Princess Dram 53	Maree Lyndon	Neil Bradley, Hawera	1:35.90	Avana 53	Kingdom Bay 55.5
1983[34]	Burletta 53	Jim Cassidy	Felix Patrick Campbell, Hastings	1:36.0	Eastern Bay 53	Prince Ariba 55.5
1982	Our Flight 53	Maurice Campbell	Errol Skelton, Levin	1:36.2 (good)	Red Tempo 55.5	Clansman 55.5
1981[35]	Altitude 55.5	Stephen Autridge	Bill Ford, Matamata	1:36.00 (good)	Noble Heights 53	Volare 55.5

[hesi]

Bayer were suppliers of chemicals to not only the rural farming sector but also horticulture and industry.  As such it was a big day out for all those that bought their chemicals, probably helped with the crowd numbers.  We drove down from Auckland every year, an early start, leaving at 4am 

Origins: Why & how the race began

• The race began in 1981 under the name Levin Turf Classic. It was created by the Levin Racing Club, which wanted a new “feature race for three-year-olds for a substantial stake.” 

• To raise money for the first running — aiming for a large stake — the club ran a sweepstake: horses entered had to pay fees at multiple levels. That generated the bulk of the necessary funds, though the club also bridged the rest. 

• The first running was over a mile (1600 m). The inaugural winner in 1981 was a horse named “Altitude.” 

 Sponsorship & Rising Status — “Bayer Classic” emerges

• In 1984 the club secured sponsorship from Bayer NZ Ltd (a branch of the multinational company Bayer). The sponsorship brought significant prize money and prestige, prompting the race to be renamed the “Bayer Classic.” 

• Thanks to this support, the race soon became one of the most prestigious targets for three-year-olds in New Zealand and Australasia.

[Chief Stipe]

1 minute ago, hesi said:

Bayer were suppliers of chemicals to not only the rural farming sector but also horticulture and industry.  As such it was a big day out for all those that bought their chemicals, probably helped with the crowd numbers.  We drove down from Auckland every year, an early start, leaving at 4am

Yes it was innovative of the Club at the time.  But that's what happens with Clubs from time to time you have an Executive that goes "What the hell lets give this a go"!  It works for a while and then politics creep in - committee members change and the new idea people can't get a look in.

I remember on a much smaller scale a similar committee at the Westland Racing Club came up with the Miss Scenicland Stakes.  Worked for a while and then the energy left.

I still don't understand how for a very small amount of money someone can sponsor a race at a country race meeting in memory of grandad.  

Clubs now have no idea about marketing and rely on the administrators or ENTAIN to do it for them.