Chief Stipe Posted April 19, 2020 Share Posted April 19, 2020 Bosson considering family move to Sydney in wake of COVID-19 Article Author AAP 5:00PM19 April 2020 3 Comments Leading New Zealand jockey Opie Bosson is to consider moving his family to Australia amid uncertainty when racing across the Tasman will resume. Bosson ended the Sydney autumn carnival as the leading Group I rider with four elite victories aboard Probabeel (Surround Stakes), Te Akau Shark (Chipping Norton) Quick Thinker (Australian Derby) and Tofane (All Aged Stakes). The carnival went ahead under strict biosecurity protocols because of the coronavirus pandemic. New Zealand racing is shut down and importantly, so is training under the Alert 4 lockdown meaning it will take weeks to get the horses back to full fitness before racing can start. Bosson left New Zealand primarily to ride for Te Akau Racing with the flagship horses - Melody Belle, Probabeel and Te Akau Shark - still in Australia and likely to be prepared for spring racing in Sydney and Melbourne. The jockey will return to New Zealand on Tuesday for 14-days self isolation and will discuss the possibility of another trans-Tasman relocation with his wife Emily and Te Akau boss David Ellis. Emily Bosson works in racing media in New Zealand but has spent the past few weeks looking after the couple's young son Max and their farm. "I've been at an apartment for the majority of the time and have only been out to go to trackwork on a Tuesday and ride on race day," Bosson said. "On race day I had a room to myself but the last two weeks I've been with English rider Tom Marquand. "When you get on track you get your temperature taken and then you are in the room for the rest of the day with all of the jockeys isolated in different areas. "The set-up was really good and luckily I've been getting quite a few rides each day. "Emily has been doing a great job at home but she has told me there are plenty of jobs waiting for me when I get back. "We have to have a good chat about things and a lot will depend upon what is happening in New Zealand. "It is something (moving to Australia) that we have to look into but nothing has been set in stone and there are a lot of factors to consider. "I will have to talk to David Ellis and people like that so there is a lot of things that would need to fall into place before anything was decided. "A few people have approached me about giving me rides which is quite encouraging while there might be some media opportunities available for Emily. "I've probably had the best season I have ever had so I have no complaints and riding Group One winners in Australia is something you dream about." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curious Posted April 19, 2020 Author Share Posted April 19, 2020 At level 2, riders and other staff will be able to travel. If we are not at level 2 or better by November, then I think we will have much greater things to worry about than a couple of guineas races. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freda Posted April 19, 2020 Share Posted April 19, 2020 48 minutes ago, Chief Stipe said: You may well find that if our NZ industry leadership doesn't lead with decisiveness then our elite jockeys, few that they are, will travel West instead of South. Oh, well, take that as a given then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted April 19, 2020 Share Posted April 19, 2020 17 minutes ago, curious said: At level 2, riders and other staff will be able to travel. These travel restrictions are a nonsense. 40-50% (at least) of the population is still working. The rest are still going to the supermarket and joining unmanaged queues. What's worse 2-300 people in a supermarket queue that isn't managed? Or 100 people working within strict protocols at their normal place of work being policed by the industry black boots? The Covid-19 alert levels are a nonsense too. Their definitions keep changing. If you don't define black and white you can't manage the grey! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freda Posted April 19, 2020 Share Posted April 19, 2020 I understand jockeys have their own ( or shared with one other) rooms at the races, so, along with racing staff putting riders on, they seem to be handling things very well - so far. But we have to run with the system that we have wrt govt requirements. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted April 19, 2020 Share Posted April 19, 2020 1 minute ago, Freda said: along with racing staff putting riders on, they seem to be handling things very well - so far. I believe some states have changed that. A Jockey can't be legged up now they have to do it themselves. 3 minutes ago, Freda said: But we have to run with the system that we have wrt govt requirements. That's why our leaders should be lobbying like crazy saying - "we can do this with positividdy." 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curious Posted April 19, 2020 Author Share Posted April 19, 2020 2 hours ago, Chief Stipe said: You may well find that if our NZ industry leadership doesn't lead with decisiveness then our elite jockeys, few that they are, will travel West instead of South. So be it. We all will make our decisions about those sort of things, our personal lives and business interests, but how NZ continues to respond to managing the corona threat is a step away from that. Get with the programme. https://theconversation.com/new-zealands-coronavirus-elimination-strategy-has-united-a-nation-can-that-unity-outlast-lockdown-135040 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Diceman's Been Posted April 19, 2020 Share Posted April 19, 2020 (edited) Hey Bernie I been finking bout this plenty these last 28 days and my conclusion bout your direction and use to NZ racing is this: You talk so much crap I don't know whether to offer you a mint to suck on or loo paper. Edited April 19, 2020 by The Diceman's Been Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curious Posted April 20, 2020 Author Share Posted April 20, 2020 (edited) Hold the phone Josephine! Don't start plating them up in the morning. Despite Bernard's comment in the headpost, Mary Burgess's missive of yesterday says. While today’s announcement is promising it is not a confirmation that we will automatically return to racing. The industry’s protocols must first meet the requirements of several government departments – DIA, MPI, MBIE and Worksafe – before permission is granted to allow the industry to return to the track. https://loveracing.nz/News/30170/CautiousoptimismfollowingPMsannouncement.aspx Left hand, right hand comes to mind. So, those of us that were preparing to recommence training next week probably should just go have a wee lie down? Given they've had at least 4 weeks to prepare these protocols and get them approved with not a lot else to do, how come they are still waiting approval from 4 government departments? And the tone of the missive is not one of confidence as I read it. Edited April 20, 2020 by curious Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freda Posted April 20, 2020 Share Posted April 20, 2020 A bit of sense from Mary at least. So far the announcements that have emerged from NZTR seem to have had zero input from McKenzie. Don't they talk to each other? Are they not aware that their plans have to be funded - which seems fraught with uncertainty at present. Headless chooks come to mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curious Posted April 20, 2020 Author Share Posted April 20, 2020 (edited) 28 minutes ago, Freda said: A bit of sense from Mary at least. So far the announcements that have emerged from NZTR seem to have had zero input from McKenzie. Don't they talk to each other? Are they not aware that their plans have to be funded - which seems fraught with uncertainty at present. Headless chooks come to mind. There doesn't appear to be any mention of a funding issue in either Bernard's blog or Mary's release. Anyway, given that NZTR revenue has likely fallen below the $80m revenue cap, presumably they will have been able to take advantage of the government small and medium business loan guarantee to ensure funding in the interim. Edited April 20, 2020 by curious 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curious Posted May 8, 2020 Author Share Posted May 8, 2020 (edited) https://loveracing.nz/News/30271/BernardsBriefing-8May2020.aspx Bernard's Briefing - 8 May 2020 Bernard Saundry 8 May 2020 Over the past few weeks we have been conducting a Facebook Live session on the LOVERACING.NZ Facebook page. This has allowed some of our racing participants to send through questions regarding the aspects of the return to racing, or just the industry in general. We know there are still questions remaining – specifically regarding the confirmation of the 2020-21 racing calendar and what the stakes will look like next season. The calendar is going through the process it goes through each season and we expect that once it is released to the industry – around the end of May we will be able to provide you with the answers to those questions. There also seems to be significant concern among those who follow racing regarding what cuts NZTR has made during lockdown. During this period NZTR has reduced its payroll costs by more than 20 percent. Prior to COVID-19 we already had a lean organisation and some areas of our business, registrations and the stud book for example, have been busier than usual during lockdown, with many of our industry participants using the down time to catch up on their paperwork. The team at NZTR has also been liaising with industry participants and working on dates and the return to racing; keeping our sector groups informed; updating clubs and also developing the protocols which allowed us to come back to training under alert level 3. Next Monday the government is expected to announce a date for a move from Alert Level 3 to Alert Level 2. The team is currently working on an assessment of the practical differences between these levels, however indications are that for training and racing, the protocols will be largely unchanged. For public, controlled gatherings of up to 100 persons under Level 2 (indoors or outdoors) are permissible, but there’s very little detail about this should be managed or how it may apply to venues such as racing clubs that have many separate lounges. NZTR will work with clubs well in advance of our planned recommencement of racing on protocols for potential for small events attendees. It is our plan to continue providing the Facebook Live sessions as long as we have questions to answer and information to provide. Next week’s session will be at 10am on Thursday on the LOVERACING.NZ Facebook page, if you have any questions please email them to Edited May 8, 2020 by curious Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weasel Posted May 8, 2020 Share Posted May 8, 2020 Prior to COVID-19 we already had a lean organisation How can this statement go unchallenged? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freda Posted May 8, 2020 Share Posted May 8, 2020 (edited) 1 hour ago, Weasel said: Prior to COVID-19 we already had a lean organisation How can this statement go unchallenged? Beats me. However, they are not as profligate as the other outfit. Their policies and practices need sorting, but I think they are trying - although most of us would think, try harder..! Edited May 8, 2020 by Freda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curious Posted May 8, 2020 Author Share Posted May 8, 2020 1 hour ago, Weasel said: Prior to COVID-19 we already had a lean organisation How can this statement go unchallenged? I don't have too many concerns about pre-covid operating costs at NZTR. What do you see as the problem there Weasel? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huey Posted May 8, 2020 Share Posted May 8, 2020 1 hour ago, curious said: I don't have too many concerns about pre-covid operating costs at NZTR. What do you see as the problem there Weasel? Neither do I , but they can certainly improve their processes more and stop gauging the owner for simple basic tasks like name registration,mare returns,lease agreements etc just because they have no idea how to improve them. $120 to name a horse an absolute joke! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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