New Zealand Thoroughbred RACEHORSE OWNERS Federation. … · 2 NEW ZEALAND THOROUGHBRED RACEHORSE...

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2 NEW ZEALAND THOROUGHBRED RACEHORSE OWNERS FEDERATION BULLETIN

Welcome members and readers to this edition of the Owners’ Bulletin.

The season progresses at an increased rate with the Group One racing in full swing. Plenty beckons this month with the NZ Derby and NZ Oaks up for decision, then the progress to the Sydney Racing Carnival.

It is wonderful to see so many of our greats honoured at the recent Hall of Fame inductions. This equine sport has an ability to bring together people and their dreams like no other sport.

Currently there is a good deal of discussion about race cancellations. This country is blessed with a diversity of soil types beyond many nations. All offer differing attributes and disadvantages.

Soil types, whether they be clay loams, sand, alluvial deposits, peat, ash or a mixture of these have demands for drainage, irrigation, fertiliser and aeration. These variations along with the grass cultivars that are used, is so diverse I believe that professional advice specific to each venue would be an advantage to source.

Fortunate indeed, are we to have a nation whose primary income is a pastoral base. Scientists abound at our tertiary institutions such as Massey or Lincoln. Their expertise to develop a plan for the enhancement of venues, and the suitability to conduct our business of racing on them, must at least be explored.

I was interested in the announcement of Mr. Peters regarding the introduction of an all – weather surface to race upon. That is certainly a stepping stone, and many have been introduced around the world. I assume the recipe is still under discussion as they are still evolving. Leaving aside the STRATHAYR system (who claim to have never had a weather cancellation) I note that no all-weather surface contests a Group One event.

We all await the proposal of where and when!

As an aside the venue at Pakenham Victoria is well used and it used to be just a grazing block when I knew it.

Yours in racing, Neil.

OUR GOALTo improve the economics,

integrity and pleasure of the

sport of thoroughbred racing

on behalf of all owners.

PRESIDENT/MEMBERS COUNCILLOR’S MESSAGENEIL OLDFIELD

The New Zealand Racing Board (NZRB), New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR), Harness Racing New Zealand (HRNZ) and Greyhound Racing New Zealand (GRNZ) are leading the development of a plan to help shape the future for New Zealand racing and we need your feedback to help inform the plan.

Our racing industry is a part of local communities, providing jobs, facilities, and social events, the benefits of which extend beyond simply racing

But the pace of change and the challenges affecting racing have been rapid over recent decades and show no signs of slowing down.

Many racing venues have significant infrastructure challenges, including unreliable racing surfaces and deteriorating oncourse facilities for both racegoers and our customers and communities.

CONSIDERABLE CHALLENGES

The spate of recent abandonments, in addition to several other challenges facing the industry that have been previously presented, will be considered in the development of a plan for the future of racing in New Zealand. These include:

Pressure from owners and trainers to increase stake money

Continued decline in the equine foal crop which translates into a decline in the horse racing population, leading to fewer meetings and fewer races

COLLABORATIVE APPROACH, COLLABORATIVE SOLUTIONSWe are committed to working collectively to safeguard racing for future generations. We know investment is needed in the right racing, trialling and training infrastructure that will drive greater efficiency and sustained growth over the next 5, 10, 15 plus years, while creating the safest possible environment for our animals and modern facilities for racing participants, customers and communities.

We need your feedback to help inform a future venue plan which will help generate maximum benefit for racing’s stakeholders, participants and investors by delivering increased financial returns, strategic investment in fit-for-purpose infrastructure and a long-term sustainable future for the industry.

A PROUD HISTORY BUT AN UNCERTAIN FUTURENew Zealand has a rich and successful racing history that is to be cherished – champion animals, quality bloodstock, top class trainers, drivers and jockeys, and an industry full of people passionately devoted to racing.

SHAPING THE FUTURE FOR NEW ZEALAND RACING

Soon we will be able to catch our breath after a busy summer!

As usual we headed down to Karaka to the annual Cambridge Stud Yearling Parade. Soon we were heading into rain and it was heavy. The start was delayed while stable staff dewatered the parade area then another great parade began. I caught up with Sir Patrick at the conclusion and thanked him for the show. He said “I have been doing these for 31 years and it is the first time it has rained on my parade.” I told him Maori legend has it that ‘the Gods are crying tears of joy for you’ and he replied, “I could tell you some Irish stories too.”

We supported Love Racing with Owners material and I popped in to their tent on the first morning of the Sales to see the team. I caught up with TJ, Brent and Cherry and they showed me the Savabeel – Boundless colt. He was too rich for us but I think we have got a share of his Aunty (Lot 1138) sold late in the sale for not much. She was put into a 3 Fillies Syndicate by Fraser Auret and there is still a chance to join Lucky Neil in this.

I caught up with my mate Cat at the LA tent for a long chat and a coffee. LA Sam was flat out networking so I left him alone. I saw heaps of people I knew that were fully engrossed in the day so I left them alone too. It’s that sort of a day that occupies all the senses.

As an aside the two Little Avondale yearlings on the front cover of our January issue fetched together $500K

There is a lot of political stuff in this issue and if you are ‘in the loop’ and have read it you may feel short changed. But we believe that it is important to get the matters out to our members so they can decide what actions to take. We urge members who wish to help steer Racing to subscribe to both NZTR and NZRB and receive regular communications. They shoulda, coulda, oughta wont help!

Mary Mountier, who wrote about her dismay with the newspaper form guide in the last issue, and how they had regressed to a pathetic state to accommodate races from ‘beyond the black stump’, reports back.

It looks like her persistence will pay off and if it does people who like to read a meaningful newspaper form guide will feel very kindly toward her.

Perhaps many of us do not have the ability to move the ‘elephant’ like she can, but we should raise our individual voices and form a collective.

NZRB and NZTR together with the 3 codes say it is imperative for us to provide feedback and that is why we strongly suggest that you don’t turn the page until you have given the matters under consideration some serious thought. All Owners Associations’ are requested to address these matters and you can submit to them if you wish.

Contact me – [email protected]

EDITORIAL NEIL MILLER

www.racehorseowner.co.nz

ARE YOU THERE

- Updated regularly by Sally Blyth -

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FOR THE LATEST

WINNERS’ GALLERY

RACING TALES- PHOTOS AND STORIES -

–OUR COVER –VIN DE DANCE

wins 2018 Vodafone NZ Derby

Significant decline in gaming grant funding to racing clubs

Profitability and sustainability of racing clubs from their racing and non-racing activities

Ongoing health and safety compliance costs and costs associate d with safety improvements

Deteriorating facility infrastructure affecting the oncourse racing experience for the current and future generation of patrons and stakeholders, including the high cost to remedy

Ongoing investment required in racing infrastructure, track maintenance and renovation programmes to ensure the venue is ‘race ready’ to conduct race and trial meetings and provide suitable training operations

Any investment in synthetic surfaces for thoroughbred racing or trialling would be significant, i.e. potentially in excess of $10 million per track

Potential costs of earthquake strengthening or demolition and replacement

There are 65 venues across New Zealand, with varying ownership/covenant status

Abandonments of meetings

Declining attendance at many race meetings

AN ALL OF INDUSTRY APPROACH – WE WANT YOUR INPUT

The CEOs of NZRB, NZTR, HRNZ and GRNZ are key members of a Joint Working Group (JWG) to investigate, develop and provide recommendations on the long-term racing and training infrastructure footprint.

We recognise that clubs/venues are the decision makers regarding their race tracks; however, the scale of investment required is not an issue that can be solved by NZRB, one code, club or region.

The recent commitment from Racing Minister Winston Peters and the New Zealand Government for an all-weather track is fantastic news, and while the work we do on the Future Venue Plan will support this initiative, it will be a separate process undertaken in partnership with the Minister and will not be dependent on the outcome of this feedback process.

The work the Minister is doing is an important step in addressing some of the current infrastructure issues, however we are seeking the views of clubs/venues and Recognised Industry Organisations (RIOs) on the wider challenges facing the industry. We want to encourage ideas on what we can do to address them for the future of racing for decades to come.

We encourage you to collaborate with key participants to provide a full range of views. We would also like to see thinking and discussions at a regional level. Nothing has been predetermined and your input is critical to the plan’s development and success. We are providing an open forum where all issues can be raised, and where fresh ideas can be shared and considered – no idea is a bad idea.

Feedback can be submitted via an online survey or by email before 5pm on 13 April 2018.

NEXT STEPS

Feedback will be reviewed and considered by the JWG in developing a recommended blueprint for the future delivery of racing in New Zealand. Key themes from the feedback will be shared with the industry and we will consult on the recommendations of the JWG in mid 2018.

Sincerely,

John Allen CEO, NZRB

Bernard Saundry CEO,NZTR

Edward Rennell CEO, HRNZ

Mauro Barsi Incoming CEO, GRNZ

SHAPING THE FUTURE FOR NEW ZEALAND RACING

MARCH 2018 3

mailto:[email protected]

REGIONAL ROUNDUP

MATE YOUR MAREKen Beer • Breeding Consultant

www.mateyourmare.com

BREEDING A MARE?

BUYING A HORSE?

phone: 07 889 5412 mobile: 022 699 4729


AUCKLAND & NORTHLAND ADVICEMIKE GETHING AND SALLY BLYTH

After an exciting racing period in the Auckland region since the start of the new year, Auckland Racing Club embarks on its flagship Derby/Auckland Cup two weeks of premier racing. This looks to be a most exciting time for all involved in racing. We wish everyone well and especially those owner members with horses racing.

Auckland Racing Club is again to be congratulated on the ‘owner care’ approach apparent on recent major race days. Making people feel welcome makes so much difference.

After 10th March, the Auckland Racing Club will close Ellerslie for five months to complete a major upgrade of track drainage. This will be of huge benefit for all and hopefully ensure no loss of races or racedays in the future due to inclement weather. At the same time, the Auckland Racing Club will also replace the existing stabling/tie-up complex with a new one offering better facilities for horses and trainers – and with the provision of safe access to tied-up horses for owners and the public.

We compliment the Club for taking owner access into consideration when designing the new complex. We hope to bring you details and plan pictures in the May Owner’s Bulletin.

While Ellerslie is closed ARC race meetings will be transferred to Counties, Avondale and Te Rapa.

The Auckland Racehorse Owner’s Committee has met once this year. We again plan to have a social event in the spring which will most likely be held at Counties – more information to come.

Moving forward we intend to focus on owner’s race day experience, expanding racehorse ownership, trying to attract more members so we can develop more influence and on communication within the industry.

Mike Gething (Auckland President)

Derby Day at Ellerslie on Saturday 3rd March attracted a large crowd. The atmosphere was buoyant, with black and white fashion statements everywhere. I go for the racing rather than the fashion but was sure to kit myself out in B&W, as tradition dictates. Hats and heels of all description were on show and there were many pots of bright colour around the course, giving off a summery vibe.

A strong, but thankfully warm, wind blew and the rain stayed away. A Good 3 track ensured ideal conditions and there was excellent racing to be enjoyed all day long. It was glorious to see Booming (now aged 13) performing dressage in the birdcage; very skilled under the saddle, looking the part with his braided mane and graceful moves.

Mufhasa (10 x Gr.1 winner) led out the field for the Mufhasa Fasttrack Stakes and Military Move, Derby winner in 2010, led out the Derby field. Marvellous to watch, adding a layer of nostalgia and distinction to the day.

Derby winner Vin de Dance, a Roc de Cambes gelding with eight starts under his belt, looked magnificent in the birdcage. A horse I’d been following, I stuck with him and kept my eyes firmly on him the whole way. His owners would have had a measure of confidence as he was given a superb ride by Jason Waddell, but this is racing, it’s not over till it’s over. Vin de Dance fought out a very tough finish with Michael McNab on Mongolian Conqueror and there was plenty of screaming from the stands as only a nose determined first and second placings. Also just a nose between third and fourth. Exciting and nerve-wracking moments for all connections while the Judge studied that photo finish. Congratulations to OTI Racing and the Baker/Forsman stable.

No doubt an even larger crowd, and more hats and heels, will surface next Saturday when Auckland Cup Day rolls around… I can’t wait!

Sally Blyth (Auckland Vice-President)

HAWKES BAY HAPPENINGSTONY LYNDON

Five Hawkes Bay Owners Assn. members Tony Lyndon, Peter Johnstone, Peter Unverricht, Greg Horton and Bruce Yanko had a quick return when Carnaby won first up for them at Greymouth, returning a dividend of $22.

Four of them were in the Mr Mor syndicate and raced the champion steeplechaser who won 10 races including the Hawkes Bay Steeples twice, Wellington Steeples and was twice second in the Grand National Steeples for stake money of $243,000.

Carnaby is owned by his breeders including Manawatu Assn. President Michael Collinson and Secretary Allan Fenwick who leased 50% to the H.B. Syndicate. Carnaby’s future will be as a jumper, so he has been transferred to Kevin Myers who has also taken a share in the syndicate.

Hastings trainer Corrina McDougal trained her first winner in three years when Tavijazz won the Maiden 1200 at Woodville for Hastings Owner/Breeders Chris and Ken Russell. Corrina rarely keeps more than two or three horses in work having to have dialysis treatment each day; Corrina still rides work for Paul Nelson.

Racing horses is a passion for Waipukurau farmers Michael and Helen Ormsby. They have had shares in eight Grand National winners; however probably their greatest thrill was being part of the Te Akau Avantage Syndicate who race Avantage the winner of the Karaka Million 2YO classic at Ellerslie. They are also in the Syndicates that race Irish Cream and Gris Dame with the latter running 3rd in the Group 2 $100,000 Eight Carat Classic (1600) at Ellerslie on Boxing Day.

Murray and Jo Andersen better known as the breeders of champion Dundeel and part of the syndicate that raced Dundeel along with their daughter Tracey and husband Gavin Chaplow have a promising Snitzel filly in Valalie who won on debut at Pukekohe. The dam of Valalie is a half sister to Dundeel.

Hawkes Bay Racehorse Owners Committee woman Shirin Wood was relieved to see One Prize One Goal return to winning form when at Matamata. The start before she ran off the track at Ellerslie and in doing so pulled a muscle in her neck. She seems to have an aversion to right hand tracks and may do her future racing only on left hand tracks. One Prize One Goal is raced by Shirin Wood in partnership with her Sydney based son Kelvin and the estate of her late husband Kevin. Shirin is the sponsor of the Kevin Wood Trophy that is presented every two months to a local owner.

Lady Guinness won her 5th race from 13 starts when annexing the Poverty Bay Cup. She is raced on lease from Windsor Park Stud by a large syndicate of owners including her trainer Patrick Campbell.

The Kevin Wood Memorial Bi-monthly Trophy for December/January has been won by Megan Harvey and Sam Nelson’s Kaipawe. Kaipawe won a 1300 metre Maiden race on December 13th; she followed this up by winning the 1400 metre Rating 65 at Hastings on Lowland Stakes day. The aptly named mare Kaipawe meaning “to wander” is out of Meander who is a grand daughter of Roaming.

Hunta Pence raced by Patrick Campbell and Luke Walding followed on from his two placings after winning at Otaki with a resounding win at Hastings in the $25,000 Rating 75 race.

Wait a Sec continued on his path towards the Auckland Cup by winning the Wairoa Cup with top weight of 61kg’s. He had to pull out every inch of courage to nose out his stable mate Saint Kitt who was carrying 7 kg’s less.

PHOTO: RACE IMAGES

WANGANUI/TARANAKI ROUNDUP BRIAN O’DEA

There have been limited winners for local race horse owners and members recently but an incident worth mentioning-for personal reasons-was Tony Allan’s ride on Gorbachev at the recent Wanganui races.

Drawn 14 of 14 Tony had the horse on the rail by half way up the straight the first time, stayed there until the home straight, came up the rail to lead with metres to go to get his 1000th winner but was just headed. A 100% ride which he repeated in the Wairoa Cup on Saint Kitt. It will come soon Tony!

Behind every top racehorse there will be a top track work rider and in the case of Start Wondering it is Coran Pemberton. For the past twenty years now 46 year old Coran has been riding work for Evan and JJ Rayner. At present about six a day, prior to working his day job at Cavalier Carpets in Wanganui. His career started as a nine year old track rider for his father in Christchurch which increased with age to riding work for other trainers and he s quite proud of the fact that he rode 32 in one morning at Christchurch.

The first experience he had of race riding was as an 8 year old at the Hurunui Pony Races, coming third, “a tragedy beaten” is one of Coran’s favourite sayings and he has been hooked ever since.

His first winner was at his 10th ride, on Remus Lad at Timaru and he carried on to win 28 races and over $220,000 in stakes. In his last full season 2004/05 he had a strike rate of 5.33, helped by Van Winkle who won the Awapuni Hurdles and was 2nd in the Waikato Hurdles and later in the spring was also 2nd in the Grand National Hurdles. Unfortunately a horse took him through a hurdle wing in 2005 and he blew a knee so retired.

Like most jumps riders he had injuries which included three broken ankles and a dislocated hip. His last jumps ride in training was about three years ago when Mr Mor came to grief and broke Coran’s leg. Mr Mor carried on that season to win some good steeplechases.

Coran spent three months as a twenty year old in Japan and on returning to NZ came to Foxton,

initially working for Ian Pfefferle (who had the good horse Pana Gold) then for Alister Good and Grant Laursen, being involved with “The Red Express” a winner of 18 for Grant.

He considers there is always a good feel to riding horses that will be good-but there are surprises-one was Baltaine who Evan & JJ thought would be a Derby horse but turned out to be a top sprinter. In addition to those already mentioned, favourites have been Start Wondering, Beau Dane and Taurus -who is coming up well again.

The latest scare for Coran was just prior to the February Haunui Stakes when after completing a good gallop, Start Wondering was startled by a black cat on the infield, dumping Coran gently but putting the fear into JJ. No harm was done to horse or rider-the cat has now grown to the size of a panther.

Outside racing Coran’s great passion is soccer which he played into his forties and he may have another go this winter. Son Travis was a footy player but has sadly turned to rugby.

WAIKATO/BAY OF PLENTY WORDS JENNY COWAN

With the unique sight of people in the Karaka sale ring, the Vela Team produced an Andre Rieu type performance to farewell their biggest client and our champion Breeders, Sir Patrick and Lady Justine Hogan. It was an emotional time and we can’t imagine the highs and lows that mark the whole story. It was a living, moving tribute and one to remember.

Their staff looked happy, contented – and, so many!

Aidan Rodley used a descriptive word as in ‘approachable’ being one of their qualities. The end of an era!

Not sure if this has been aired in NZ, but the Australians publicised a list of the best 10 Fillies and Mares over the last 25 years.

No 10: Atlantic Jewel; No 9: Miss Finland; No 8: Samantha Miss; No 7: Alinghi; No 6: Typhoon Tracy; No 5: More Joyous; No 4: Sunline; No 3: Makybe Diva; No 2: Black Caviar; and No 1: Winx.

Its very difficult for writers to decide between – 2,3,4 but Black Caviar was unbeaten and Makybe Diva won three Melbourne Cups. Let alone what our Sunline did.

Gift of Power won at Wellington on Dec 9th for Team Rogerson and Chris Johnson. Must have great attitude – simple snaffle D-bit, no extra gear, in an R 85 1000m.

Waikato on Feb 10 proved happy hunting for Brian McKeagg with Brookbars, ridden by Jordan Nason, while “strapping in the rain” was his wife Jo-Anne. A nice $30.000 race.

Terry Wenn has an attractive horse in Unthinkable who proved unflappable as well when used by Emily Bosson as the Clerk of Course horse that day. Not many could race and trace at the same time.

Member John Steffert has a newby in his team in Raise the Phantom. He won the Maiden 2200 at Avondale on Feb 21st. Most people would know how much John would have enjoyed this as owner/trainer.

Mark and Shelley Treweek had success with Angel in Bluejeans at Matamata on Feb 24th – trained by Margaret Falconer and ridden by Sam Spratt.

Karen Remetis and friends’ had a nice 3rd placing at same meeting with Soroc, trained by Lee Somervell. And a great follow – up for the group was the big win on Derby Day, in the New Zealand Herald 1400. A surprise maybe to connections, but goes to prove one can race well, and better in a week.

Maia Vance and Lee Somervell did the work for Karen and Co. It is nice to have another winner on our Waikato Committee.

Lyndsay Satherley rode Show the World to a big win also at Matamata and an equally good ride for second on Pop Star Princess. The riders have the last say in our successes and are sometimes overlooked. Girls won 5 out of 9 races this day – unheard of at international meetings.

I watched a TV programme called Boy to Man. Tim Noonan explored the people and swamp lands of southern Venezuela and their nomadic, primitive, remote and sparse lives there. Horses played a very different way of life, too. He was entertained in their homes, and one tea-time tipple, recommended as “liquid gold” and with powerful medicinal properties was – fermented mare’s milk. He remarked that a man without a horse there is like a bird without wings. I gather horsemen are known as “gringo breakers”

Back in NZ, Karatiana Vercoe, an 83 yr old handsome Maori elder from Te Teko, who grew up there, left school at eight years and at 83 is still riding, and is an example to our young people. When he stopped filming to demonstrate gardening, he tied his horse up by it’s knee.

There is a new racing programme in Australia called Free Rein. Their first airing was in January 2018 and the subject was Michael Walker. He spoke confidently and knowledgably about his racing days without pretence and of his current riding and future in racing. 30 minutes of interest about how a New Zealander made it against all odds – against the strong Australian opposition.

Soroc (Vance) hangs tough to win

MARCH 2018 5

recently a Premier Win. She holds a nomination for the NZ Oaks. Beam of Light bred by Don

and some friends has had two starts for a win and a second placing. The Power filly

looks like she could provide Don and the rest of the owners with a bit of fun and success.

Phillip Blacktopp from Christchurch shares in the ownership of the very consistent and honest performing racehorse Disturbance. The four year old trained by Shane Kennedy

and Anna Furlong has had 21 starts for four wins and only twice out of

the prize money. I am sure Phillip will be hoping for another consistent performance

from Disturbance as I am sitting here writing this article the Theywayyouare gelding will

be having his final preparations for his fresh up run tomorrow at Wingatui. Phillip also has shares in Zah Wanted who he has had some success with.

Tony Hickman races Pippi Rea with his brothers Kevin and Ray. He is the son of Pins out of the smart wee mare Smitten Kitten who was raced by Kevin Hickman out of the Jan Hay stable and the winner of eight races. Pippi Rea has won two and is a fairly consistent galloper. I am sure the Hickman brothers are having fun racing a horse together.

What do you get if you have a High Chaparral trained by the Pitman team?? No it is not joke, but the answer most of the time would be ‘a whole lot of success’ and that is just what has happened for James Mee from Invercargill who shares in the ownership of Montoya Star. The five year old mare has had 25 starts for eight wins the last one being at the start of this month in the Open Handicap 1400m at Hawkes Bay. James also has shares in the southern galloper Shakti who has recently won three races as an eight year old to take his tally of wins to six from forty starts.

Age is no barrier for the grand campaigner Tommy Tucker, recently winning the Group 3 White Robe Lodge WFA as a nine year old. Ian Nichol shares in the ownership with Mr and Mrs Brian Anderton. They sure have had a great time over the years with this homebred gelding who has taken his total of wins to sixteen from fifty one starts.

REGIONAL ROUNDUP CONTINUED

CENTRAL SOUTH ISLAND SAYINGS FIONA HURST

Welcome to new members of our local Association!

I am not very good at remembering to do it personally so this is a public and general welcome to all new members. We appreciate membership, it allows us to carry on in our demand for the best experience for owners on race day as well as other ‘sideline projects’. Our Association is always thinking of ways to give back to owners who have supported us and the industry. We sponsor races, hold a stud tour if there is enough demand, host a hospitality marquee at Christmas time and run a point series competition annually. Since the inception of the Points Series we have given back $38,000 to our owners. Not bad I must say. There is possibly another points series coming up soon so look out for the email or facebook post.

Congratulations to all of our winners some of which are highlighted here.

Late January down at Wingatui there were a happy bunch of owners when Sulcifera won over 2200. Wayne and Annette Kerr and Anna Miles along with her syndicate had had a patchy start to the racing career of Sulcifera but in her sixth start she produced the goods to win her first race. Wayne and Annette have had a good time with Danny Champion as their trainer. Their last horse, Presentatie, produced a few blistering runs before being sold to Australia. Anna Miles is a passionate racing lady, a teacher, a hunting enthusiast, a strong supporter and worker involved in the Waimate Racing Club and also does a fantastic job of preparing yearlings for the sales. Anna is a thoroughly lovely person with her finger on the pulse when it comes to syndicates and drumming up owners for horses.

If I had a dollar for everytime I mentioned Rod Moore and his fantastic galloper Don Carlo I would be well on my way to being rich! The Per Incanto gelding out of Turf Fire, who herself won eight races, has just won his sixth race from twelve starts when he fought out a tough battle with Carnival down the long straight of Riccarton to take out the Rae Racing Prom Queen Open sprint over 1000metres. It is onwards and upwards for this smart fellow.

Don Lake from Ashburton shares in the ownership of the lovely mare Contessa Vanessa trained by Team Rogerson. She has proven herself in good company including placings in Group two and three races and most


MANAWATU MATTERSALLAN FENWICK

Local members Debra Masters & Milton Passey had a day to remember at the Premier Day at Te Rapa in February winning successive races with Secret Allure and Dijon Bleu.

Secret Allure, a 2 year old filly by Zacinto, having only her second start was most impressive in winning and looks to have a good future. Dijon Bleu was an easy winner of the Cambridge Stud Sir Tristram Classic and has now won 6 races and had 3 placings in only 11 starts. Unfortunately, she has since gone amiss and has been turned out. At time of writing the Burgundy filly was leading the NZ Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series with just the New Zealand Oaks still to be run.

Earlier the same Syndicate tasted success with Showmeyamoneyhoney, runner up in the 2016 Karaka Million before being sold to Australia

Palmerston North’s Raymond Stern has a share in the Mastercraftsman filly Danzdanzdance runner up in the Avondale Guineas and a very meritorious third in the Vodafone NZ Derby. She is trained by Donna Logan and Chris Gibbs.

Saundry as the Guest Speaker. A very pleasing crowd was in attendance comprising local owners, breeders, trainers and administrators.

Mr Saundry commented on the need for more funding, the number of tracks that needed urgent maintenance and the poor customer facilities on some tracks. NZTR would be urging the NZRB to investigate the efficiencies and cost reductions identified in the Deloitte Report, which would be released shortly. There are key wagering contracts coming up for renewal in the near future as well as the current media agreement with Sky which needed careful consideration. He felt that there was a good opportunity to sell NZ racing into Australia by better profiling our fields. NZTR also believed that there were outsourcing opportunities for our wagering platforms which would generate more revenue for the industry.

All sectors of the industry need to work together to achieve the changes needed. Attendees were reminded of the Future Venue Strategy Review and were encouraged to make submissions on this.

Many of the questions put to Mr Saundry related to tracks and racing surfaces many of which urgently need attention.

The Association thanks all those members who attended the evening for doing so.

The lightly tried Star Quality broke through maidens at Trentham recently. He is trained by Sue Walsh at Foxton and is part owned by member David Marner

Another member Jamie Robinson tasted success with Xbox winning the Waikato Guineas, making it 3 wins from only 8 starts before being sold to overseas interests. He was trained by Graham Richardson and Gavin Parker at Matamata

Eepa Neema, now trained by Fraser Auret was a recent winner for Elaine Vine from Lower Hutt.

Excelleration, bred and raced by a Partnership including Peter Gillespie and Bill Gleeson has been to the fore recently. A winner of the Gore Guineas from the stable of Nigel Tiley, she was then transferred to Shane Kennedy and Anna Furlong who have prepared her to win the Dunedin Guineas and run second in the NZB Airfeight Stakes. She is by Exceed and Excel from their Handsome Ransom mare Abeautifulred, runner up in the 1000 Guineas in her 3 year old season.

ASSOCIATION’S OPEN MEETINGThe Association organised an Open Meeting at Awapuni Racecourse in February with NZ Thoroughbred Racing’s Chief Executive Bernard

Sulcifera home for the money at Wingatui

PHOTO: RACE IMAGES

At the time of writing, we’re looking forward to another great day of racing on Auckland Cup day and reflecting on many of the initiative’s we have executed this season.

One of these initiatives was the Love Racing Thoroughbred Experience Tours, which were run in conjunction with New Zealand Bloodstock. These were held over the first two days of Book 1 at the National Yearling Sales Series at Karaka in January.

We had a great turnout of attendees with a total of 66 people attending the English speaking Tours over the two days and an additional 37 people attending the Mandarin speaking Tours, hosted by Alan Fu of the New Zealand Chinese Jockey Club.

The aim of these Tours was to give people new to racing a broad understanding of how to get started on their ownership journey. This was achieved by introducing them to authorised syndicators who spoke to them about what they looked for in a racehorse and how they can get into one of their syndicates, while studmasters gave Tour participants a rundown of how they prepare yearlings for the sales and all the work that goes on behind the scenes.

We have had a great response from those who attended, with plenty of positive feedback received through the post-event survey. Key findings of this survey found that the majority of attendees classed themselves as having some racing knowledge/experience with only one respondent classing themselves as a ‘complete newbie’ to racing.

As a direct result of these Tours, a total of 30% of survey respondents had purchased one or more shares from one of our authorised syndicators, the majority of these being at the 5% level. This has attributed to a return to the industry of four times that of the cost to run the Tours and the ownership information tent for the week of the National Yearling Sales Series, at Karaka.

This does not include the share purchased by Alex Mahoney, the winner of the Love Racing competition. Alex has decided to put the $3,000 he won towards a share in a horse from Te Akau Racing. We wish him and all of ourq new owners the best of luck on their ownership journey, and look forward to following their success.

It was great to meet plenty of owners who popped into the Love Racing ownership tent over the Sales week, and we would like to once again thank all the authorised syndicators and studmasters who took the time out of their busy schedules to speak to Tour participants.

We wish all owners success over the coming months.

MARIA HILHORST

AUCKLAND CUP WEEK HAS ARRIVED

YET AGAIN AND IT WAS KICKED

OFF WITH SOME GREAT RACING.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL

CONNECTIONS OF THE VODAFONE

NEW ZEALAND DERBY WINNER, VIN DE

DANCE. WINNING THE DERBY HAS LONG

BEEN ON OTI RACING’S PRINCIPAL,

TERRY HENDERSON’S WISH LIST, SO IT

WAS GREAT TO SEE HIM TICK THIS ONE

OFF! IT WAS ANOTHER DERBY SUCCESS

TO ADD TO THE LIST FOR TRAINERS,

MURRAY BAKER AND ANDREW

FORSMAN AND A DREAM COME TRUE

FOR JASON WADDELL.

Great to catch-up with so many familiar faces and meet many new ones at Karaka. Well done NZB for

thinking outside the square and providing a successful new format that delivered the strongest buying

bench in years.

They say timing is everything and Morethanlucky’s (Per Incanto-Viking Angel by Viking Ruler) third in the Hong Kong

Classic Mile followed by Lanciatio’s (Per Incanto-Surreptitious by O’Reilly) stakes win in Sydney on sale eve showcased

Per Incanto in our strongest overseas markets. Hong Kong and Australian buyers, recognising the quality of those

performances, reacted accordingly, contributing to Per Incanto finishing an unheralded third amongst domestic sires on

average in Book 1 – behind Tavistock and Savabeel – while Book 2 saw him sire the sale topper.

The Savabeel-Aspinal colt, LOT 40, we showcased in the last bulletin was the highest priced LA lot, selling to DGR and

leading Victorian trainer Mick Price. We hope you’ve found another Grunt Mick. Overall I was very happy with our results and

particularly pleased with how well our fillies sold.

Per Incanto’s progeny certainly know where the winning post is. Lanciato has won four of his last five starts, Dolcetto has

eight wins from 12 starts including victories in six of his last seven while rising southern star Don Carlo has been successful

at seven of his 12 starts.

Per Incanto was again well received at the Sydney Classic Sale. A colt this year sold for 330k, the second

300k plus sale he’s had in Sydney. Our sale season concludes with an outstanding Sydney Easter draft of

yearlings by Snitzel, I Am Invincible, Savabeel, Per Incanto and Shooting To Win.

A big thank-you to our clients, buyers and most of all our staff whose dedication and

passion for the horses is unwavering.

STUD CHAT WITH SAM MARCH 2018

MARCH 2018 7

NEW ZEALAND RACING HALL OF FAME THE RACING HALL OF FAME DINNER AT SKY CITY HAMILTON ON THE 9TH OF FEBRUARY WAS THE SEVENTH

INDUCTEE EVENT. THE NINE LATEST INDUCTEES MEAN THAT A TOTAL OF 75 CHAMPIONS OF THE RACING

INDUSTRY HAVE NOW BEEN APPROPRIATELY RECOGNISED.

All inductees were very well received by the full house on the night and in media reports before and after the event. Friends and family support the inductees but the evening itself is a most enjoyable occasion for all. In fact a first time attender, with no connection with any inductee commented it was one of the best and most entertaining racing dinners they had attended. The next Induction Dinner will be in 2020.

The stories are all available on the website www.racinghalloffame.co.nz.

A visit to the website is a must for any racing fan. Details of this year’s inductees are below.

MIGHT AND POWER

WORLD CHAMPION STAYER OF 1998

Bay/brown gelding foaled 1993, by Zabeel-Benediction.

Outstanding front running galloper winning 5 Group Ones at 4 including the Caulfield-Melbourne Cup double. Won four of his six only starts at 5 including the W.S. Cox Plate.

From 33 career starts won 15 including 7 Group Ones and over $5.2 million. Raced by Nick Moraitis, trained by Jack Denham and mostly ridden by Jim Cassidy and Brian York.

2018 HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES

VEANDERCROSS

AUSTRALIAN CHAMPION RACEHORSE OF 1992-93

Brown gelding foaled 1988, by Crossways-Lavender.

Exciting, come from behind, evergreen galloper from Wanganui.

Won 15 races included 14 black type and 8 Group Ones.

Unbeaten at 2, at 3 won NZ 2000 Guineas, Levin Classic and Canterbury Guineas. At 4 won the Mackinnon Stakes, finished 2nd in both the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups before winning 5 Group Ones including the Lion Brown Sprint, Australian Cup, and Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

Owner-trained in NZ by Chris Turner and trained in Australia by John Wheeler. Mostly ridden by Jim Walker.

BROOKBY SONG

ONE OF THE ALL-TIME GREAT STEEPLECHASERS

Chestnut gelding foaled in 1940, by Hunting Song-Hulomee.

Won jumping debut by 10 lengths and combining stag-like jumping, stamina and huge weight carry ability he become only the third horse to win the Great Northern, Wellington and Grand National Steeples in one year, 1948.

Carried 12 stone (76kg) in his second Great Northern win and 12 stone 7lbs (79kg) in the Grand National. Retired with Australasian stakes record of £17,000.

Trained by Bob Hall. Mostly ridden by Jack Chaplin.

O’REILLY

SUPER STAR RACEHORSE – SUPER STAR SIRE

Brown horse foaled 1993, by Last Tycoon-Courtza.

Brief but spectacular race career, winning four of only six starts including Group Ones Bayer Classic and Telegraph Handicap before running 2nd in Australian Guineas.

Awarded Horse of Year & Champion Sprinter-Miler of 1996-97

Retired to Waikato Stud in 1997. Achieved four NZ General Sire Premierships. Third on all-time sire of stakes winners behind the immortals Sir Tristram and Zabeel. Owned and raced by Waikato Stud.

Exclusively ridden by Lance O’Sullivan.

SIR WOOLF FISHER

HIGHLY RESPECTED STUDOWNER AND RACING ADMINISTRATOR

Founded Ra Ora Stud in 1950 and stood many good sires including multiple Champion Sire Sovereign Edition. Served for 17 years on the board of the Auckland Racing Club including two as President

Knighted in 1964. Revived the Auckland Polo Club by establishing the Fisher Field at Clevedon. Inducted into NZ Business Hall Of Fame in 1974, a year before his sudden death in 1975 aged 62.

A leading businessman, and philanthropist. His legacy continues with Fisher & Paykel, the Outward Bound Trust and the Woolf Fisher Trust.

CHRIS WALLER

THE KING OF AUSTRALIAN RACING

Began as a strapper for Paddy Busuttin’s Foxton stable and took over the stable as trainer in 1997, training 5 winners in first season, and 66 winners in NZ before relocating to Sydney.

Since 2011 has won seven consecutive Sydney Premierships, and seven Bart Cummings Medals with winners of over A$175.6 million and still counting.

Has trained numerous Group One winners including World Champion racemare and three times Cox Plate winner Winx.

Now acknowledged as the undisputed ‘King of Australian Racing.’


http://www.racinghalloffame.co.nz/

SIR WOOLF FISHER – BACK THEN NEIL MILLER

I go back to a time when washing day was Monday, where mothers boiled the copper to wash the clothes and small boys were expected to wind the handle of the wringer, while mother fed clothes through the rollers.

LESLIE H. (TOD) HEWITT

REVOLUTIONISED RACE RIDING IN AUSTRALASIA

Born in Victoria 1879, came to Southland at young age winning his first race ride.

Shortening his irons and moving the saddle forward, he adopted the crouch style used today. Became the Stead-Mason stable jockey, winning numerous big races on both sides of the Tasman.

Won jockeys premiership in 1903-04. Then he rode successfully in Europe for half of the first 20 years of the 20th Century, winning big races in England, Ireland, France, Germany, Austria, Belgium, and Italy. Finished his career with 765 wins.

NOEL HARRIS

STAR JOCKEY IN A FAMILY OF STARS

Born in Palmerston North in 1955, the third of four brother jockeys. Son of jockey-trainer Jock Harris.

Twice leading apprentice, the second time as Premier Jockey (equal with David Peake) in 1972-73 and also later won a Singapore Premiership. Rode for 45 years and is in top four jockeys of all-time, winning 2,163 races in New Zealand.

One of the greatest judges of pace and is the record holder for most 3200 metre big cup wins with 10 (equal with R.J. Skelton) – four New Zealand Cup Wellington Cups and three Auckland Cups.

Now successfully mentoring jockeys at NZTR Jockeys School.

MURRAY BAKER

LOVES THE RACING GAME WITH A PASSION

Born in Hawkes Bay and worked as 12-year-old before school in stables of Greenmeadows trainer Harry Greene in Napier where he rode work.

Played 1st class cricket and professional cricket in England. Commenced training 1978-79 and saddled his first stakes winner in 1979 at Awapuni. Baker trained at Woodville from mid 1980s before relocating to Cambridge in 2000.

He is now nearing 1,400 training successes both solo and in partnership. Trained Champion Dundeel and has won 21 Group One races in Australia – more than any other New Zealand trainer in history.

Food preservation was a problem as food was kept in ‘safes’ but not for long as things went ‘off.’

Woolf Fisher and his brother-in-law Maurice Paykel were the driving force to end women’s drudgery in the wash–house, when F & P introduced the Whiteway washing machine aka “Hurdy Girdy” or “This way-that way”.

Before that came the Kelvinator fridge that ensured safe and economical food preservation. We had the 12 cubic foot model that would take a whole cut up hogget in the bottom shelves below the home grown frozen peas and beans and home made icecream.

I left the farm to become an apprentice chippy and one morning in the late fifties Fletchers truck dropped me off on Waipuna Road, Mt Wellington. I walked down the drive by the main trunk rail line past a big house and a vista of paddocks opened up that ran east to Carbine Rd and south down to what is called Tiptop corner.

Woolf Fisher owned this farm called Ra Ora Stud and he was a mate of Sir James Fletcher. Woolf had a small crop of yearlings he wanted to prepare for the sales and no stables to prepare them in and it was spring. Sir James had told him we could have it built in 14 days.

The first day we boxed up nib walls for the L shaped block and the second day we poured them. Then the frame was cut by hand and nailed up. Weatherboards on the outside went on and the walls inside were lined with rough sawn pine. We finished the job and cleaned up the site on the 10th day. And just before the truck called to take us back to Symonds St, Woolf’s big Bentley pulled in and I the apprentice was summoned to unload 10 crates

of beer out of the boot. There was a crate for each man and a big bottle of Scotch for the foreman.

The resident stallions we looked out on every day were the fine boned and elegant black Gabador (French I think) and a horse called Astreus who was the opposite. The former became a champion sire but the latter was a dud.

The head groom was Fred Archer who later grew into prominence in the breeding industry. Fred would call in for the occasional cup of tea and we would talk horses. Woolf, soon to become Sir Woolf, was a big and friendly man who liked to talk about horses as well, You knew when he was on site by the smell of his cigar.

About six months later in early March I was at the annual Pukekohe race meeting. Somehow I had got hold of a ticket to the Members Enclosure. The tote was outside that and I was heading there to pick up my first and very modest collect late in the day when I crossed tracks with Woolf. He was chatting to Sir James Fletcher and when he spotted me he said to Sir James, “Jim I’ll catch up with you later’ then asked me how I was doing, When the answer was, “Not that good” he advised me to have a bet on his Blue Breeze in the sprint, “but not for a win mind”. The tip was good, the horse paid a nice price and I went home happy.

Ra Ora Stud was later shifted to a new farm at East Tamaki again named Waipuna Rd. That is where Susan Archer’s ‘Songline’ was served by Desert Sun. The reason for the mating was to try and breed out a fault in the mare who was ‘not a very good walker’ and Desert Sun

was bold! The result was Sunline and in time I had the good luck to race and win with the colours of the mighty mare. That brought me into partnership with the principal owner and the trainer of Sunline. I saw her in her racing days, retirement days and last days. The whole experience enriched my life.

The original Ra Ora Stud disappeared under industrial buildings many years ago. Where the house and stable stood is now the vast Coca Cola factory.

The East Tamaki Ra Ora Stud is gone too and it’s now called Highbrook, NZ’s premier industrial estate.

But the last house of the family, ‘Fisher House, a big Frank Lloyd Wright type design, that is now a Café Restaurant will be there for a very long time to come.

Sir Woolf Fisher was the driving force behind the beginning of New Zealand Steel and the utilization of the vast resource of ironsand that has provided employment and wealth. I was in a small way a beneficiary of that when I built elements for the Glenbrook Mill extension in the late eighties.

Fisher and Paykel Appliances was sold to Haier but F & P Healthcare, born from appliances to utilize their clever people, lives on.

I believe the great man would have approved the changes as he understood resources and business economics well.

In his business life and in his racing interest Sir Woolf Fisher left a great heritage that will follow on! Just look back at some NZ mare pedigrees. And see all those buildings with long run roofing, built from Glenbrook sheet coil. NM

MARCH 2018 9

p. 021 147 1699e. [email protected]. bluemarble.design

graphic design •

logos •

re-branding •

flyers •

brochures •

magazines •

posters •

books •

business cards •

stationery •

copy writing •

editing •


AN EDITORS NIGHTMAREI reckon it’s that she or he will never get enough copy in at deadline to fill an issue. All other concerns are secondary and only relate to watching, chasing and the hours needed to complete the thing. I am always looking to have “stuff up my sleeve”.

So at an Owners executive meeting I suggested that we run profiles of the contributors to our bi-monthly missive, who are in the main regional delegates.

They thought that was a good idea, but said you go first! Hmmmmm!

But I eventually came up with a cunning plan, lets do the other ‘workhorse’ first the amazing Denise Thomson our graphic designer.

I think so much of her help that the “Evalovin” and I have been to Wellington and taken her out to dinner a couple of times.

Even though we have worked together some six years and I thought I knew her well, but of course I didn’t, until the below notes came in! Of course all of us have a story to tell of our varied experiences but Denise’ one is pretty special.

Here was a diamond in the rough for me to polish. And I was very proud to do that. NM

Who is that, Denise Thomson ofI was born and raised in Wellington and left school at 15 keen to find myself and hoping to find what I could be good at.

After a while I thought I would give electrical engineering a go so it was off to “tech” to study that.

Then armed with an NZCE I worked as an Electronic Technician for a couple of years. I liked the logic but then felt I wanted

to do a creative job.

So I quit that and went to Art school for 4 years majoring in Glass Blowing. I worked self employed at that as well as a dog

groomer for several years.

Then I developed an interest in Computers and Graphics and taught myself (with a lot of help from a Graphic Design

friend) Photoshop (back then it was only Photoshop 2) and Pagemaker and started working as a pre press operator/

graphic designer for free, just to get “my foot in the door”. After 3 months I was on the payroll and I stayed with the

company (HBS) for 7 years.

I left to go it alone and after 13 years I am still going strong!

I’m fully engaged in Logo Design – Company Branding – Brochures – Magazines – Flyers – Business cards etc. working

from home on the Kapiti Coast, with the family of Peanut the Staffy and Ninja and Islay, the cats.

Graphic Design is the perfect pairing of technical and creative. That means I am always learning and developing new skills.

I enjoy the challenge of interpreting the clients’ ideas and love making them happy with the finished work.

The secret is simple and it is to LISTEN! If you really listen to what the client wants you can’t go wrong.

I do all kinds of Graphic Design from birthday invitations to corporate clients like NZTR and MoT.

Whatever the need you have, to get the printed word and Images out in an attractive and impressive form, I CAN HELP!

AUCKLAND

Loraine Grant . . . . . . . . . . . . .Auckland

Gary Pratt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Auckland

Gary Wallace . . . . . . . . . . . . .Auckland

Richard & Karena Davey . . . .Auckland

Walter (Leon) Mountfort . . .Takanini

BAY OF PLENTY

Stephen Hawkings . . . . . . . . .Tauranga

WAIKATO

Pat & Sue Calnan . . . . . . . . . .Cambridge

MANAWATU

Jamie Robinson . . . . . . . . . . . .Wellington

Elaine Vine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Petone

Raymond Stern . . . . . . . . . . . .Palmerston North

David Marner . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lower Hutt

CENTRAL SOUTH ISLAND

Craig Hemopo . . . . . . . . . . . .Christchurch

UPDATE ON NEWSPAPER LIFT-OUTS RE-DESIGNMARY MOUNTIER

Following up on my article in the January issue of the Owners’ Bulletin (“Hope is on the Horizon”), I am pleased to report that work is underway on restoring some of the data to Raceform inserts in newspapers.

It may take another month before the new look is finalised, but the team at the New Zealand Racing Board anticipate the changes to be in place by April. Don’t expect every feature to be restored for every race, but essential basics will be there (such as sires’ names), plus extra information on major events.

For all those who expressed their dissatisfaction at the pared down lift-outs, it’s been a long wait, and these improvements can’t come a day too soon.

NEW ZEALAND A

WORLD LEADER INPROMOTING

FEMALEJOCKEYS

THE RESULT OF AN ENGLISH STUDY, RELEASED THIS WEEK, THAT CONCLUDED THAT FEMALE JOCKEYS RODE AS WELL AS THEIR MALE COUNTERPARTS SHOULD NOT HAVE CAUSED ANY SURPRISE IN NEW ZEALAND.

The New Zealand racing industry has long been a world leader in providing opportunities

for female riders, as is illustrated by the current jockeys’ premiership standings.

Samantha (Sam) Collett leads the New Zealand premiership for the 2016-17 season,

which began on August 1, and four of the top six on the premiership are females.

Females make up 43 percent of New Zealand’s licensed jockeys.

The Liverpool University study into the respective merits of male and female jockeys

analysed more than 1.2 million rides over the last 14 racing seasons in the UK. It found

that female riders got similar results to males when given the same quality of mounts,

though that rarely happened.

Women make up 11 percent of the professional riders in the UK, including apprentices,

but took just 6.5 percent of the rides on the flat and 2.9 percent over fences. There was

also a stark difference between the opportunities for male and female riders in the top

level races, with females taking just 1.1 percent of the rides in class 1 races on the flat,

compared to 10 percent in class 6 and 7 races.

In contrast, cousins Sam and Alysha Collett have been the two busiest riders in New

Zealand this season – in terms of mounts – and between them have won eight black-

type (feature) races.

Trudy Thornton, who is Sam Collett’s mother, won the Group I Zabeel Classic at Ellerslie

at Christmas and Sam Spratt’s major wins this term include the New Zealand One

Thousand Guineas, New Zealand Cup and Thorndon Mile. Rosie Myers rode Scott Base to

win the $1 million Karaka Million 3YO Classic at Ellerslie last weekend.

New Zealand’s female jockeys began riding against males in 1978 and have been

establishing new benchmarks since, at home and overseas.

Female riders have won five NZ premierships, with Lisa Cropp recording the first of

her three successive premierships in 2005. Lisa Allpress, the first woman to ride 1000

winners in New Zealand, topped the premiership in 2012 and 2016.

Linda Jones was the first female jockey to win a totalisator race against male riders in

Australia, in 1979, and in 1987 Maree Lyndon, another Kiwi rider, became the first female

to ride in a Melbourne Cup.

Kim Clapperton won the Malaysia-Singapore premiership in 1993 and in 1995 became

the first female jockey to ride in Hong Kong.

“Racing is one of the few sports where males and females can compete on an equal

footing and that adds another dimension to the industry,” New Zealand Thoroughbred

Racing Chief Executive, Bernard Saundry, said.

“We are also finding that an increasing number of females are showing interest in

becoming apprentice riders.”

EDITORS NOTE – Once again the New Zealand Derby eludes our women jockeys. But you would

say its an anomaly and it will happen.

We wish to extend a very warm welcome to the new members who have joined the Owner’s Federation from January to February 2018. We really appreciate your membership support and look forward to a long and enjoyable association with you.

THE OWNERS’ FEDERATION WELCOMES

NEW MEMBERS

MARCH 2018 11

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF HANDICAPPING?Simply put, handicapping is an attempt to equalise every horse’s chance of winning. Every time a horse runs in a race, the performance is assessed by the handicapper and the horse is allocated a rating. These ratings are given in the form of weight penalties or weight allowances.

Every case is judged on its individual merits with the handicapper taking into account all the appropriate variables such as the weight the horse carried in relation to other runners, the race distance, the ground, the finishing margins between runners, the strength of the current form of the runners, and whether any incidents occurred that could have impeded one or more of the runners or exaggerated a horse’s performance.

WHAT PENALTY DO WINNERS RECEIVE?There are no fixed penalties in handicapping. All horses and races are considered individually although the handicapper may use past examples as a base to form their reasoning.

Winning a rating 65, 75, and 85 race incurs a penalty of 1.5kg to 3kg in most cases. The exact penalty is determined by a range of factors, many of which are mentioned in the opening paragraph.

Open handicap winners are able to be given a wider range of penalties as these races often attract a larger variance in horse ability and can sometime throw up some less than predictable results.

IN OR OUT OF THE HANDICAPYou might often hear people talk about horses who are ‘out of the handicap’. To explain this, you must first understand how a race is weighted. All handicaps are weighted from the top down with a minimum top weight being required and a minimum weight enforced which cannot be exceeded. The top-rated horse is assigned the top weight and the remaining field are allocated their weight relative to this using the formula of 0.5kg per rating point. Mares are entitled to a 2kg penalty and three-year-olds are entitled to an age allowance which varies throughout the year. Once the minimum weight has been assigned, all horses rated below this are also weighted on the minimum. These horses are ‘out of the handicap’.

HOW MANY POINTS DO THEY RECEIVE AND WHY? The amount of points assigned to a horse depends on what penalty the handicapper decides to give the horse and where the horse is in the handicap. In most cases, horses are within the handicap, so, using 0.5kg per point, a horse may receive anywhere between 3 and 6 points to be given 1.5kg to 3kg penalty.

When horses are out of the handicap, a larger rating increase may be required. This is because, to apply a weight penalty to a horse, it must first be brought up to the bottom of the handicap and then given the penalty from there. In the example above, if horse #8 was to win and was given a 1.5kg penalty, he would first be brought up to a rating of 87 and then given a further three points to end up with a final rating of 90. The total increase being 8 points for winning the race.

EXCEPTIONSMost handicapping decisions are understandable, however, the largest concern from connections of horses arise when a horse is given a large rating increase for a win. Over the last few seasons, the handicapping review group has implemented a number of ways large rating increases can be reduced or alleviated.

Firstly, we can look at the field, the quality of the runners and most importantly the performance and quality of the top-rated horses. If, for example, a race has a top-rated horse of 88 and the race is won by a rated 67 horse, then in most cases the winner would be brought up to 76 and then given a penalty from there. However, if in this race the rating 88 horse has run last or down the track, or is having a period of unsuccessful performances, or is in an unsuitable race, the handicapper may opt to apply a lesser rating increase to the winner.

Secondly, the handicapper may apply a smaller weight penalty, say, 0.5kg, to minimise the already large rating increase as much as required. This can be despite an extended margin win which under normal circumstances would require a larger penalty.

Finally, a horse that is given a large rating increase for a win who is then proven to be uncompetitive in subsequent races, may have its rating dropped at an increased rate than normal (within reason).

These changes have been brought in to encourage participation and in some cases, reduce the need for constant large rating increases

This is an overview of the basics of handicap ratings. There are also WFA, SWP, 2YO, 3YO, and jump ratings which we hope to cover in the future.

Please remember, anybody wishing to have the re-rating of any horse explained, don’t hesitate to get in contact – [email protected]

EXAMPLE OPEN HANDICAP

HORSE # RATING SEX WEIGHT

1 99 g 60

2 98 m 57 .5

3 95 g 58

4 92 g 56 .5

5 91 g 56

6 87 g 54 Bottom of the handicap

7 85 g 54 Out of the handicap




HANDICAPPING BLOG -

BACK TO BASICS – NZTR


mailto:[email protected]

The challenge facing NZTR and our stakeholders is to find solutions to those problems. It is a challenge the NZTR Board and staff are determined to take up. It will not be easy and, as the cheesemakers keep reminding us, good things take time.

However, failing to come up with some solutions cannot be an option.

NZTR is acutely aware that we have:

Fewer horses racing and being bred;

A track network that is unsustainable and often unattractive for punters;

Unfriendly customer facilities in some areas;

Participants, Clubs and stakeholders wanting more funding from an outdated wagering and media model that is delivering no growth and in real terms is going backwards.

Much of Alan’s letter focused on tracks and there is no doubt that our track network is a major concern, both in terms of reducing the number of abandonments and postponements and lifting the overall quality.

It is now obvious that there has been a lack of infrastructure spending over a long period – decades rather than years – on both the racing surfaces and course facilities. The upshot is that substantial capital investment is needed at a time when the industry has little in the way of cash reserves.

At the same time, there has been constant public pressure on administrators to raise stakes and it is not surprising that stake increases have tended to take priority over infrastructure spending.

Some of the meetings abandoned over the New Year period did occur on tracks that have few meetings and limited resources and require a degree of good fortune with the weather. But closing those tracks and transferring the meetings is not necessarily a solution. The meetings exist in those places and at that time of the year because there is a proven public demand, which might not be replicated at another venue on the same date.

It is also too glib to blame the problems solely on management of the tracks. Track management does provide challenges for the smaller clubs but some of our major tracks also require extensive work and there is no doubt that weather patterns have become less predictable.

But the number of abandonments and postponements over the last 18 months has hurt the industry. It has cost our stakeholders time and money, created unwanted publicity

EXAMPLE OPEN HANDICAP

HORSE # RATING SEX WEIGHT

1 99 g 60

2 98 m 57 .5

3 95 g 58

4 92 g 56 .5

5 91 g 56

6 87 g 54 Bottom of the handicap





BERNARD SAUNDRY (NZTR CEO)

REPLY TO ALAN GROVES OPEN LETTER ALAN GROVES MADE SOME VALID POINTS IN HIS “OPEN LETTER” PUBLISHED IN THE JANUARY OWNERS’ BULLETIN, THOUGH IT IS NOT DIFFICULT TO COME UP WITH A LIST OF PROBLEMS FACING OUR INDUSTRY.

and eroded income from entry fees and catering.

As a result, NZTR initiated a meeting of stakeholders in January, which came up with several initiatives designed to reduce the number of abandonments and postponements in the short term. The benefits were illustrated with early decision to transfer the Otaki-Maori Racing Club’s Haunui Farm Classic meeting in February to Hastings.

NZTR is also working on long term solutions to our infrastructure needs. I am confident that we can make the required progress but it will be a long term project that will need input from the Government, the New Zealand Racing Board and all three codes.

The Pakenham racecourse complex in Victoria, which I’m familiar with through my time with Racing Victoria, has developed into a model example of how a new and modern racecourse might look but was not a simple project. It required funding from a variety of sources, including government, and took around seven years to come to fruition.

It is important that the New Zealand industry investigates something similar here, as part of a long term solution, but an all weather track is likely to come first and it has been encouraging to hear the support for an all weather project from the Minister for Racing.

A single all weather track would not end abandonments but would help on a number of fronts. It would provide surety of supply for lower grade meetings and trials in the area, ease the pressure on the existing turf tracks and reduce costs for many stakeholders.

I can also assure Alan that NZTR had already tagged improving the ownership experience as a priority over the next 18 months.

Owner participation is the bedrock of our sport and we are working on breaking down the barriers to horse ownership and improving the ownership experience.

The initial focus will be on enhancing the experience for existing owners, which will make it easier to both retain the current ownership base and attract new owners in future seasons.

We will also work with the Trainers’ Association and the Owners’ Federation to simplify and improve ownership transactions and communications.

I would take issue with Alan’s claim that “old boys” networks had “insinuated” their way into club management, code management and the TAB. I have seen no evidence to support such a sweeping claim. I would suggest that the club committees largely reflect their local

communities and as such encompass a variety of people.

For example, I would expect that there would be a significant difference between the makeup of the committees at the Auckland Racing Club and the Waverley Racing Club but one common factor would be a passion for racing.

I am also certain that the NZTR staff, around half of whom are women, would take exception to being labelled as part of an old boys’ network.

Alan also asked “how long it will be before we get the first female secretary at a premier club or senior manager at the NZRB/TAB or NZTR?” It appears that he has overlooked Otago Racing CEO Hannah Catchpole, TRAC General Manager Jen Evans or any of the 19 other women who are listed as secretary or manager of thoroughbred clubs.

Women feature in the senior leadership team at both NZTR and NZRB and other women of influence in the industry include NZRB chair Glenda Hughes and NZTR deputy-chair Victoria Carter.

We can have no beef with Alan’s decision to send Aide Memoire to Sydney. That has always been an option for our better horses, and many jockeys and trainers have also tried their luck across the Tasman. Our punters can still follow the expats during their Australian careers and it would be churlish for NZ administrators to object to owners chancing their arm in Australia.

But we don’t agree with the assertion that Aide Memoire’s connections were “forced” to move the mare to Australia.

She has a record of two wins from nine starts in open company in New Zealand but was able to win a Group I and a listed race and earn $280,000 in stakes. There were still good opportunities for her at home and three of her last six starts in NZ were in races worth $200,000.

Hopefully she can live up to expectations in Sydney but in any event her connections should have enjoyed their New Zealand journey.

Bernard Saundry

MARCH 2018 13


New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Options AnalysisMAY 2017 DELOITTE REPORT

EXECUTIVE SUMMARYThe benefits of a substantial restructure are not mutually exclusive from NZRB’s other strategic priorities, indeed all options should be considered rapidly and contemporaneously.

The New Zealand wagering industry is facing unprecedented change and disruption which has material flow-on effects for the funding of the New Zealand racing industry. The racing industry is concerned it could be facing real falls in funding from the New Zealand Racing Board (NZRB). In this context, New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) engaged Deloitte to review and comment on the current NZRB strategy for improving industry financial performance. In particular, NZTR instructed Deloitte to identify risks associated with the current NZRB strategy and assess the likelihood of success.

In addition, Deloitte was instructed to consider alternative strategic options that could increase funding to the racing industry. In particular, we were instructed to consider the benefits of the NZRB entering into a more fundamental contract for service or similar arrangement with an appropriate service provider as an alternative means of mitigating industry risk and enhancing industry financial performance.

In undertaking our analysis, we have had access to publicly available information, including the NZRB annual reports and Statement of Intent (SoI). Information was provided to us by NZTR including a report prepared by KPMG on the initiatives underpinning the current NZRB strategy. We have not had access to the underlying financial models used by the NZRB to evaluate its strategic initiatives, which we understand were made available to KPMG.

It is clear the Industry is operating in a challenging and dynamic environment as the growth of online and sports betting continues to erode the traditional, higher margin pari-mutuel funding model. In keeping with other industries facing significant disruption to historic operating models, the challenge is to reshape current modes of operation fast enough to get ahead.

To date the NZRB has not managed to achieve the change necessary to significantly enhance or secure the industry's future in a very protected regulatory environment. While revenues have grown, profitability has not grown at the same rate. As a consequence, distributions to the codes have remained flat in nominal terms and declined in real terms. This is not a sustainable position for the codes.

The significant initiatives which underpin the NZRB strategy have merit. The Racefields legislative changes clearly create new revenue for the industry albeit at the risk of creating additional competition for fixed-odds betting. However, the NZRB strategy is critically dependent on two key initiatives, an enhanced fixed- odds betting platform and a customer and channel strategy, being executed on time and budget and delivering the benefits

anticipated. These initiatives appear to contain significant risk both in terms of timely delivery and the ability to provide the full value anticipated. In particular, they require investment in the vicinity of $59 million to $72 million which is material in the context of the overall NZRB balance sheet and assume significant additional profit will be generated within a relatively short period of time.

Our analysis indicates the success of the NZRB initiatives are dependent on very significant changes in terms of both the number of people betting, how they bet and how much. We question whether sufficient allowance has been made for offsetting effects and, in particular, the impact on tote betting of an acceleration in the move to fixed-odds betting and the increased competition and margin pressure that could be expected in a market dominated by this form of betting.

The KPMG stress testing does not appear to have tested the sensitivity of prospective distributions against a material ongoing decline in tote turnover and increases in operating costs. For this reason, we developed a high level financial model to estimate the impact on profitability of these scenarios. Using plausible assumptions, based on current trends and industry knowledge, financial scenarios can be constructed which show financial results that are cumulatively between $49 million and $135 million lower over the FY18 to FY21 period than currently assumed.

© 2017 Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu. All rights reserved

A F & Mrs C I Abel St Heliers MISS FOXY GAL

K L Anderson Lower Hutt VOLPE VELOCE

Mrs A S Antoniadis Albany OUR MCKAY

P J Bartley North Shore TAVLIN, SUPAGILI

Dr H M Bishop Selwyn DOLCETTO

P J Blacktopp Christchurch DISTURBANCE, ZAH WANTED

C Bridgeman Napier CHIC

B W Brown Tauranga NIRVANA IN FIRE

K Burne Hastings RED TIARA

Calder Bloodstock Cambridge IMELDAS GIRL

F P Campbell Hastings HUNTA PENCE, SCANDALO, LADY GUINNESS

M A Collinson Feilding CARNABY

J & Mrs K M Connell Whangarei SPIDER

C & Mrs E M Connors Dannevirke HARTLEY

A B Coombe Paeroa STYLE BY DESIGN, IMELDAS GIRL

M M & Mrs B M Cooney Waimate OUR FOREMAN

R A & Mrs J D Coupland Christchurch SAVVY COUP, PINUP COUP

Ms F B Crimmins Papakura SASANOF’S HERO

Miss A P Currey Timaru SULCIFERA

M S Dalzell Napier FORMIDABLE

M I Deans Paraparaumu SENSEI

P G Doughty Te Aroha STRATEGUS

M K Dravitski New Plymouth TAVLIN

A J & Mrs P J J Ebbett Waipukurau ROYAL RUBY

Mrs J L Egan Hamilton SANDRINE, AKOYA

Mrs M E A Evans Howick NAILED IT, NOTHING TRIVIAL, BIT LIPPY

Mrs F L Fearon Palmerston North THATS AMORE

A R & Mrs S J Fenwick Marton CARNABY

J T E & Mrs A J Gilbert Lower Hutt IRISH MOON

Go Racing Herne Bay BET SHE IS, SOPHIE’S CHOICE

I R B & Mrs E E Gollan Waipukurau DAN DINERO, MEESKA MOOSKA

C J Grace Hamilton RULE THE WORLD

C R & Mrs S Grace Hunterville BEEFEATER, CHALLENGE, HINERANGI

Mrs L A Grant Howick FIRST CLASS, IMPRINT, HIGH CLASS,

M & Mrs B Griffin Havelock North MISSY MOO

A M & Mrs A P Habraken Pukekohe STELLA NOIRE

Haunui Bloodstock Papakura QUICK CHOICE, RONDINELLA, BONAPARTE, MATAURI

S W Hawkings Tauranga BIZZWINKLE

C Hemopo Wellington XBOX

I M Henderson Hastings WAIT A SEC

A J Hickman Christchurch PIPPI REA

K J Hickman Christchurch PIPPI REA, SAVILE ROW, PENDLETON, PRINCESS SAPPHIRE, BRUCE ARTHUR, TERRA SANCTA, VILLA ELBA, LOS CABOS, PAPINA

D B & Mrs J A Hill Napier SHORT FUSE

Sir Patrick & Justine, Lady Hogan

Cambridge LOVELIGHT, DIVINE POWER, ZACADA, TAVLIN, GIFT OF POWER

I K Holloway Hastings FESTIVAL PORPER

G E Horton Hastings CARNABY

P G Humphries Palmerston North HANK MOODY

M I Johnston Hamilton KING’S VEE

P W Johnstone Pakowhai CARNABY

P J & Mrs S L Kay Levin DOLCETTO

W J Kerr Timaru SULCIFERA

D W Lake Ashburton CONTESSA VANESSA, BEAM OF LIGHT

C A Leishman Ellerslie GIFT OF POWER

B J & Mrs J E A Lindsay Karaka ACTRESSA, VON TUNZELMAN

T G Lines Papakura ZAH WANTED

Little Avondale Trust Masterton OKOTO

P W Lock Te Aroha DOUGIE

A A Lyndon Hastings CARNABY

H A MacDonald Palmerston North THE QUIET MAN

J F Marks Matamata LIVIN’ ON A PRAYER

Marthas Kitchen Ltd Waihi MAKDANIFE

D R Marner Lower Hutt STAR QUALITY

Ms D A Masters Palmerston North SECRET ALLURE, DIJON BLEU

A D & Mrs K J Mayne Cambridge CALLIGRAPHY

J S Mee Invercargill MONTOYA STAR, SHAKTI

P J & Mrs S R Mitchell Papakura DAYTONA RED, EXCALIBUR

G J & Mrs L M Moore Matamata LIZZIE L’AMOUR

R C F Moore Timaru DON CARLO

D J Mortleman Matamata RED TIARA

E E & W L Mountfort Takanini SPEECHMAKER

D E & E Y Nakhle Takanini ONE BAKERSTREET, SPANISH WHISPER

J D Naylor Palmerston North THATS AMORE

Nearco Stud Blenheim NUCLEONIC

Miss D M Newman Gisborne PEP TORQUE

I J & Mrs S R Nichol Outram TOMMY TUCKER, HEBERITE

G R & Mrs M E Northcott Urenui GIFT OF POWER

S L Painton Silverdale LADY PAINTON

Pee Gee Bloodstock Palmerston North EXCELLERATION

S R Plant Mt Albert EXCELLERATION

W K Pomare Rotorua DONNA ANNE BILLY

G J Pratt Howick HEZANAKILAD, HIGH CLASS,

D N & Dame Wendy Pye Auckland BONAPARTE

J A Roache Marton THATS AMORE

J Robinson Wellington XBOX

G A Rogerson Hamilton FERRANDO, CONTESSA VANESSA, SWISS EIRE, SUFFICE TO SAY, GIFT OF POWER, BEAM OF LIGHT

C P Russell Hastings TAVIJAZZ

R A Schick Cambridge COUNTING CROWS

G A Shand Huntly SHANGOLD

D S & M L Shuker Pokeno PROJECT, FORTIUS

W Slee Blockhouse Bay SHORT FUSE

D R Smith Gisborne SHORT FUSE

R J Stern Palmerston North DANZDANZDANCE

Mrs M D E Swap Matamata TERRA SANCTA

B M & Mrs C N Taylor Cambridge RICHIE MCHORSE, INDECISION

J C & Mrs M A Thompson Howick FIRENZE

K J & Mrs C J Tod Palmerston North THATS AMORE

Trelawney Thoroughbred Cambridge INDECISION

Sir Peter Vela Hamilton DONIZETTI, MALTESE RUBY, LIBRETTI, LUCIDITY, SUPERA, FLOURISHING, SIREN CALL

Ms E Vine Lower Hutt EEPA NEEMA

G D Wallace Auckland COLDPLAY

K R Williams Hawkes Bay THATS AMORE

Windsor Park Stud Cambridge COUNTING CROWS, LOVERS LANE

Mrs S L Wood Napier ONE PRIZE ONE GOAL

B A Yanko Havelock North CARNABY

CONGRATULATIONS TO FEDERATION MEMBERS ON THEIR RECENT WINS!We continue to track winning horses owned by Owner’s Federation members. As we only have visibility of owner’s named in the race book, we know we will have missed members involved in winning syndicates and may have inadvertently missed others. We apologise to any member we have missed and extend our congratulations to all members who have recently experienced the thrill of winning.

FEDERATION CONTACTS

Telephone: 0800 696 377 Fax: 07 855 0330 E-mail: [email protected]

P.O. Box: 14-027, Hamilton 3252 President: Neil Oldfield 06 327 8426

Secretary: Jim Keyte 027 276 0464 Website: www.racehorseowner.co.nz

JOIN US TODAY

The annual membership fee of $55 Single or $60 Dual

will be the smallest investment you make in racing –

but possibly the best.

New Zealand Thoroughbred RACEHORSE OWNERS Federation. … · 2 NEW ZEALAND THOROUGHBRED RACEHORSE...

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Transcript of New Zealand Thoroughbred RACEHORSE OWNERS Federation. … · 2 NEW ZEALAND THOROUGHBRED RACEHORSE...