LOT 670 Per Incanto – Tsukioka

LOT 40 Savabeel – Aspinal

2 NEW ZEALAND THOROUGHBRED RACEHORSE OWNERS FEDERATION BULLETIN

Welcome members and readers to this the first edition of the Owners’ Bulletin for 2018.

I suspect the spirit of the festive season still lingers on either with adjusted waist lines or moistened lips.

We as a country have a great deal to be thankful for. The droughts go on just long enough and there is some stability in a Government irrespective of who warms the seats of power. Across the country a depth of talent in the stockmanship ranks, no matter what the creature. All with a climate that is the envy of many nations.

We await the progress of the Racefields’ legislation hopefully the gusto of the first one hundred days in office will also see this hurried along in the adoption to law.

Mr. Peters will drive this baby with some passion to prove a point of how much procrastination has preceded with the previous National Ministers, of this I sincerely hope.

A review of the performance of the Racing Board was also promised, that will undoubtedly provide some confidence for the further investment in the industry. Certainly this writer has seen significant increases in the cost structures of the Board.

The justification of technology development is a common referral in any discussion. The key point however is the people putting on the show are expected to live off a “trickledown.” Problem is, the rainforest of administration has a small rainshadow effect into the arid yet still temperate owners, trainers and breeders.

All accept that investment is critical to evolution, all however also expect a value added product that is sustainable and supportive of that investment.

The continuing decline in broodmare numbers and horses racing is the actual “coalface” response to the economies of racing.

All the very best for the New Year.

Regards, 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

NZ 2018/19 RACING CALENDAR FIRST DRAFT The NZRB Dates Committee have reviewed the first draft of the 2018/19 racing calendar as part of the annual dates calendar process. The draft has been endorsed and is available for review.

Following the launch of the Optimise the Calendar project in 2015, we developed a set of key principles and guidelines that would underpin all future domestic racing calendars. These were applied in the 2017/18 calendar, where they are on track to generate an additional $3 million in benefits to the racing industry.

The draft 2018/19 dates calendar is underpinned by these same principles and guidelines to ensure we continue to maximise revenue and reduce the cost of its delivery. We’ve also been working with your code representatives to ensure club requirements are factored in where possible.

While there were some changes to the way the 2017/18 calendar was structured, with the introduction of these principles and guidelines, we expect there to be less of an impact to clubs and RIOs now that we’re into our second year.

Continuing with this approach helps drive greater returns to the industry and improved customer engagement, all helping to build a long-term, sustainable future for the racing industry. We expect the 2018/19 calendar to generate additional financial benefits to the industry (made up of changes to NZRB and club costs and revenues).

The draft also includes NZTR’s proposed reduction of eight race meetings following a need to downsize and cater for a reduced number of racing animals. These eight meetings have been assessed based on seasonal impacts for specific regions where available starters are less and also considers track conditions.

If your club or organisation wishes to comment on the draft calendar, please complete the submission form online by 4pm on 2 February 2018. Any additional queries should be sent to: Peter Lane, Industry Operations Specialist.

Please remember, this calendar is a draft as we work through the consultation process, meeting dates shouldn’t be taken as final until a betting licence is issued. We expect the calendar to be finalised and distributed in June 2018.

Graham Cooney, Dates Committee Chair

The Year Santa Hired a Consultant

EDITORIAL NEIL MILLER

www.racehorseowner.co.nz

ARE YOU THERE

- Updated regularly by Sally Blyth -

?

ner.co.nz

GO TO www.racehorseowner.co.nz

FOR THE LATEST

WINNERS’ GALLERY

RACING TALES- PHOTOS AND STORIES -

It’s a time for some reflection of the past year – and also to think about a plan for the future. I think of it as basic navigation; and that is you need to know where you are now, in order to know what course to take to reach an objective, or a destination ahead.

Many connected to Racing are not happy with the ‘now’ part in that equation and correspondent Alan Groves has penned an “open letter” to NZTR CEO Bernard Saundry that states his unhappiness at the situation he finds himself in with his Group 1 mare.

It’s no secret that the Sector Groups receive funding from NZTR to assist in communications. Thus one is mindful of “not biting the hand that feeds’. But I like most of your executive have lost horses to injury and have observed trainers problems in finding good and fair racing opportunities for our horses.

So the Groves article goes in and we would welcome a reply to that from Bernard Saundry, or any other party that wishes to respond, that we can print in the next edition.s

The old year ended with a bang and Auckland Racing Club put on a top show for 15,000 people on a fine Boxing Day. But the first day of racing 2018 was not so auspicious when the last race at Ellerslie got called off due to perceived unsafe track conditions. Then day 2 of the New Year saw Omakau gone. Not a good start!

Now I am not one who risks life and limb on horses, but all my life I have accepted and even embraced risk. It makes us think and assess and care for ourselves and others. But the state has intervened and tries to drive risks out of our lives by the punitive means of placing the responsibility of safety onto those who manage. So if Santa throws lollies to the children and Felicity gets trampled in the rush, then the event organisers are held liable and the outcome is a fine or even a criminal conviction. Lolly scrambles went the same as that last aforementioned last race.

This erosion of freedom will only bring a more ‘laissez faire’ society as people cease to take personal responsibility and logically negative statistics will not improve.

However I believe we can all play a part to push this PC genie back in the bottle.

And that is my New Year resolution. If a certain viewpoint, proposition or legislation has all the characteristics of B/S I will speak out.

Are you with me? (curmudgeons unite!)

Activism has negative connotations but it can bear fruit. The redoubtable Mary Mountier has called the NZRB to task over its Racing Lift Out deficiencies. It may well bear fruit as you wouldn’t really want Mary “on your case” Her “pen is mightier than the sword”.

Jenny sent us the piece on Equitana in lieu of Waikato Notes. I though it should be a ‘stand alone page’

Mike Gethings better half Pat provides a Quiz and Sally tells us about racing at Kempton Park UK.

We round the Bulletin off with Fashions in the Field Feature. Our thanks go to Rose Cunningham,

Marketing Executive ARC and Chloe Tonkin of Mango.

It is great to see younger people being engaged at a racing venue.

Racing and its associated activities need to be perceived as a wholesome thing.

And at the same time there needs to be encouragement for the young to engage. If clubs only cater to their own age cohort there will be no succession!

With that in mind we have included the ‘wash up’ of the Keeneland Students Day in the hope that it may motivate a club or clubs here to likewise engage the young. I have the contact to the Event Organiser at the KTA, who can provide guidance.

Contact me – neilandjeanette@yahoo.com

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Happy New Year to all!

At a recent committee meeting of the Manawatu Association discussion turned to the November Bulletin and the high standard of content and production.

As a Federation member I wish to thank you for your efforts in producing such an excellent journal for Owners in our illustrious sport. While many of us are quick to find fault in much that happens within our industry I have no doubt that our Bulletin stands apart as something which “gets it right”.

Thanks again & kind regards Mark Verran Levin

EDITOR’S REPLY TO ABOVE –

Hello Mark,

On behalf of all those who produce the thing I would like to thank you for your kind words. I am in Sydney till mid next week and when home will send your email to the team.

The hardest thing for me is to know if the balance is right, so support is greatly appreciated

Best Regards Neil M

NEW ZEALAND RACING HALL OF FAME INDUCTION DINNERTO BE HELD IN HAMILTON ON FRIDAY, 9 FEBRUARY, 2018The seventh biennial New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame inductee gala dinner is to be held at SkyCity, Hamilton on Friday evening 9 February, 2018. The induction dinner celebrates racing’s past and present equine and human greats. This time there will be 9 new inductees.

Experience the magic of an evening which intimately documents and revisits the extraordinary tales of racing’s achievers and the emotion and pride that goes with becoming or having shaped the career of a NZRHOF inductee.

Tickets are strictly limited on a first come, first served basis so reserve yours now by contacting Michelle on 021 986 670 or michelle.brocknz@gmail.com or go to www.racinghalloffame.co.nz

OUR COVERLA Stud’s

LOT 40: Savabeel – Aspinal

LOT 670: Per Incanto – Tsukioka

Sally advises

the site has

been recently

updated

JANUARY 2018 3

Hope smiles from the

threshold of the year to come

whispering – it will

be happier .

ALFRED LORD TENNYSON

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

4 NEW ZEALAND THOROUGHBRED RACEHORSE OWNERS FEDERATION BULLETIN

AUCKLAND/NORTHLAND ADVICE MIKE GETHING AND SALLY BLYTH

HAWKES BAY HAPPENINGS TONY LYNDON

There have been plenty of race meetings in the north to keep everyone amused over recent months, although a lot of small fields, even in some of the bigger races. The twilight meeti ngs at Ellerslie are always enjoyable, a number of them being charity days, and you can’t help but get caught up in the sense of anticipation that builds up around the country as the great summer of racing comes along.

Sadly, the fickleness of the NZ summer has caused so many abandonments already, including Race 10 at Ellerslie being called off on New Year’s Day in the name of health and safety. It’s so disappointing but we cannot have horses slipping or jockeys being endangered. It’s frustrating for owners and trainers alike, having high hopes snuffed out on account of the heavens opening. Not to mention the clubs that, instead of hosting a fun day, are left to wonder what might have been. Or reschedule. The wide-ranging effects of a cancelled meeting are huge. All that planning, and then things are over before they begin. Or, even worse, halfway through proceedings. Either way, it’s a disaster. Perhaps it really is time to invest in some all-weather tracks in this country so that sudden deluges and weather bedlam can’t cause all this chaos and disgruntlement (see article on page 10).

Meanwhile, in the Auckland branch, we continue to keep an eye on all things racing, enjoy each other’s company and cheer on winning horses. But without a start, there can be no win; let’s hope there are no more abandonments this summer. – Sally

I have been off the racing scene for the last 7 weeks – torn achilles – bugger – been in plaster for what seems like forever!!! It is a right nuisance and there are many weeks ahead with restrictions on activity.

I have however been able to look on the racing scene from the comfort of my armchair. As a result I have one major bouquet to divest and a bricbat to launch which I hope triggers serious attention.

My enforced inactivity has resulted in my paying more attention to Trackside. So a bouquet for them – their staff deserve compliments for their work. They seem to be focusing on more interactive interviews with trainers, owners and jockeys which I really like. I don’t much like missing pre or post race stuff when they quickly move to an Aussie race but accept it is likely an economic necessity. I do like that their picks are often no better than mine!

A bricbat for whoever makes the decisions about track surfaces and when or if to use irrigation. Surely it cannot be just ‘down to natural causes’ that we have so many abandoned races/racedays. There must be a better way!

May your horses run fast and successfully. – Mike

Meeska Mooska returned to winning form after a fungal infection in his eye nearly cost him his sight. A major eye operation saved his sight but he lost form and was given a good spell. He showed great form between April and August last year (2016) winning four races in a row before his eye infection set in. He returned to form when winning an open sprint in October, his 7th win from 23 starts.

He is raced by Waipukurau owners Iain and Eva Gollan with their son Robert and wife Kirsten and three others. The Gollan’s were the recipient winners of the Kevin Wood Memorial Trophy for October and November.

Exhibit raced by his breeders Gerard and Vera Moughan returned to form when winning a Rating 65 at Awapuni on the 3rd of November. Exhibit won at her first start last season but her form tailed off when the wet tracks arrived. The Moughan’s bought her dam Royal Show at the late Jim Campin’s sale for $16,000 in foal to Iffraaj.

Waipukurau racecourse manager Tony Ebbett and wife Penny have turned Pincanto around, although always showing promise she was unable to win from seven starts from the Murray

Baker and Andrew Forsman stable, so owner/breeder Dave Morison shifted her to the country stable of Tony and Penny who only have one other horse and the result was a win at Awapuni at only her 2nd start for them. As they only have an owner trainer licence they have taken a lease of 80% of Pincanto.

The Showcasing filly Xpression backed up only eight days after running 3rd at her 1st start to win the $100,000 Wakefield Challenge Stakes at Trentham. She is raced by her breeder Mark Chitty, Haunui Farm, in partnership with four Hawkes Bay men – Iain Renton, Paul Bayes, Fred Coates and Mark Apatu. Xpression will now be spelled before being prepared for the $225,000 Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes at Awapuni on March 31st.

Smokin’ Oak won his 2nd race from only five starts when winning a $30,000 3YO race at Trentham. The Burgundy gelding was purchased for only $45,000 at the 2016 Karaka Select Sales. He will now be set for the $1,000,000 Karaka 3YO Classic on January 22nd. Raced by the Burger Boys Syndicate that includes 11 Hawkes Bay locals and he is managed by Mike Sanders.

The large group who make up the I See Red Syndicate may have another promising type in

Keilib who won at Waipukurau. It was Keilibs 4th win but his first for them. Most of the runners they have had have been jumpers including Just a Swagger whose eight wins include the Grand National Hurdles twice and the Hawkes Bay and Grand National Steeples. As like Just a Swagger Keilib is trained by Paul Nelson.

High Spirits may race in the $250,000 Wellington Cup after winning a 3200 metre Rating 85 at Trentham. This was her 3rd win from 20 starts. She is bred to stay being out of Montjeu mare Spiriting and was a $80,000 purchase at the 2014 Karaka Premier sale. Raced by a Syndicate of 14 the majority shareholder with 40% are the Havelock North couple Hilton and Colleen Gudsell.

“Blood will out” is a common saying in racing and it was proved again when Real Beach won at only her 2nd start in a 1600 metre maiden at Hastings. She is raced by Kelly Burne and Pat Baker who purchased the Nadeem mare off local owner/breeder Don Gordon who has been racing and breeding for over 60 years. She is out of the Grosvenor mare Mayfair who is out of the seven race winning mare Secrecy. Secrecy has also left Security which is the dam of Wait A Sec, who at this stage of his career has won 11 races including the Group 1 Livamol Classic and over $330,000. He is currently being prepared for this year’s Auckland Cup.

WANGANUI/TARANAKI ROUNDUP BRIAN O’DEA

THE STORY AS TOLD BY RAY:

During early summer a dairy cow owned by a ‘small herd’ lady dairy farmer, damaged her pelvis and was unable to stand. Over a period of weeks Ray visited the farm almost daily to turn the cow from side to side to stop her getting bedding sores and to try and get her on her feet. As a rule if a cow is down for a couple of weeks her chances of standing again are poor.

With Christmas getting near Ray decided that in the best interests of the cow – and him – was that he should put her down. On arriving on farm, he was pleased to see the owner was absent so, shoved a prepared note under her door, got the rifle out of the car and headed across the paddock to the cow. The cow summed up the situation correctly and scrambled to her feet. Rays next problem was retrieving the note. The three of them had a happy Xmas.

It’s been a quiet early summer in the region with a lot of promises but most becoming nearlies with the fickle weather.

John Alexander of Waverley, a life member of the Waverley Jockey Club and only just retired as a Committee member, had backup success with Savatag trained by his great niece Jaimee-Lee Lupton.

Brian Anderson continued winning with All In Luck and Gary MacDonald and the Goodin’s continue to win the Gp1s with Kawi

M K Dravitzki had another win with Light Em Up, which is trained by Janelle Millar and Graeme and Mrs Northcott are into their second season of thrills with Gift of Power.

Des and Kay Fleming are hoping to retain the Wellington Cup, won last year by Savaria, with this year’s entrant Amorata.

Tony and Denise Dravitzki have Razors Edge in good form and he should have a good summer as he did last year.

Dan O’Leary’s, Over the River, winner of 15 is certainly not over the hill, based on his recent charge home into 2nd place at Manawatu.

Lisa Allpress is happy with her progress from her October fall, but will know more on the 16th January. Things are dry on the farm but as Lisa says – many are worse off than them.

A happy little Xmas tale from the late Ray Gordon that I recall: Ray was originally a private Veterinary Surgeon in the Otaki-Levin area, who became the Vet for Bayer N.Z. and progressed to be Manager of Bayer N.Z. It was in this role that he arranged with the Levin Racing Club to run the very successful Bayer Classic.

Ray was also somewhat cynical of the nutritional guess work of some trainers who could be followers of fashion rather than thinkers – one of his favourite sayings – if a trainer wrapped two nobs of goats turd in silver paper, gave it to his horse and it won the Wellington Cup, within six weeks half the horses in the southern North Island would be on that treatment. Proves many good things are wrapped in pretty paper.

May 2018 be a year that the weather Gods get their act together tracks are good and there are no cancelled races or meetings!

DEAR TRAINER . . .

PHOTO: RACE IMAGES

Don Gordon bred the champion mare Mun Lee who won 14 races and was the NZ 3YO filly of the year 1977/78 and a half sister to Secrecy the great grand dam of Survived, the winner of seven races in New Zealand including the Group 1 Makfi Stakes and three Group 3 races (Manawatu Classic, HB Cup, Tauranga Stakes) and $353,000 in stake money.

Former Wairarapa Racehorse Owners Assn President and Secretary Judith Buckeridge, now living in the Bay, shares in the ownership of De Koning a maiden winner at Waikato in December. He was a $13,000 purchase at the 2015 Karaka Mixed Bloodstock Sale.

Local trainer Patrick Campbell has his small team firing on all cylinders at the moment. The Falkirk mare Lady Guinness won her 4th race from 10 starts at Hastings on New Year’s Day. She is raced by a syndicate of 10, with Patrick a shareholder. Patrick’s only other starter on the day was Scandalo who won the City of Hastings Cup. He made it five wins from 17 starts and has won over $78,000 in stake money. Patrick bought the Shocking gelding from the South Island after he had failed to win in seven starts with the intention of on selling him but this plan has now changed for the moment.

Hunta Pence who Patrick races with Wellingtonian Luke Walding won a 2100 metre at Otaki, his 4th win, and will be stepped out into a staying handicap in the near future.

The well named Xpression

JANUARY 2018 5

REGIONAL ROUNDUP CONTINUED

CENTRAL SOUTH ISLAND SAYINGS FIONA HURST

home bred gelding Hee’s Our Secret in the Avon City Ford Premier R65 over 1400m.

Credible performances during Cup Week the should be mentioned with the likes of Don Carlo for Rod Moore running second in the Pegasus and Signify for Alex and Tracey Cowan running third in the same race.

Bevan Wilson, Trainer of the Year within our local Association raced Zawhip which he bred, trains and shares in the ownership, for a second, and Flag the Groom whom he also bred, trains and shares in the ownership of ran two seconds during the week.

Timaru races held at Phar Lap Raceway had a pearler of a day on 28 December. The weather was perfect and a large crowd enjoyed a day of sun, racing and numerous activities that were

happening between races. Local Owner, Trainer and Member, Pat Collins, sponsored a gold watch for one race; which was very generous. Once again the local Association hosted its’ members on course in a marquee beside the birdcage. Maybe a few less patronised the marquee compared to last year but all who passed by or stopped a while enjoyed themselves.

Congratulations to all of our Members that have won races since the last bulletin. I am sure to miss a few so my apologies to you. Lance Robinson, former jockey, now trainer and also an owner with his wife Christine enjoyed their horse Fire Lily winning recently.

James Mee from the deep south has had multiple wins of late with Montoya Star and Shakti.

Mr T D and Mrs V L Parrot from Kaiapoi share in the ownership of a Bernadini filly named

The feature of November without doubt of course, is NZ Cup Week, held annually at Riccarton. A few of our members enjoyed success especially Ray and Jill Coupland long time supporters of racing, when their mare Savvy Coup won twice during the week, a superb effort.

Terrill Charles and Peter Corbett, owners and trainers of Dee and Gee had their third win with the Darci Brahma mare since she moved south early last year. He won his maiden race over a mile at Oamaru in the middle of September and two months later won the Sothy’s Premier over 2500 on Cup Day.

I had the pleasure of chatting with one of the good guys in racing, Andy Denham, after he was rewarded for his patience with a win with his

6 NEW ZEALAND THOROUGHBRED RACEHORSE OWNERS FEDERATION BULLETIN

MANAWATU MATTERSALLAN FENWICK

Kevin Pratt from Kamada Racing has been enjoying the last couple of months with his racing team, particularly Five to Midnight and Kolonel Kev. The former has been most consistent in his last 4 starts – winning the Waikato Cup (Group 3) and being placed in the Feilding, Counties and Avondale Cups. The winner of the 2017 Hawkes Bay Cup trainer Lisa Latta will no doubt be aiming Five to Midnight at the major Cup races again this year.

Now trained by Terri Rae Kolonel Kev has made the most of his relocation to the South Island with wins at his only two starts. First up he won at Riccarton on Cup Day and then just prior to New Year he struck again in the Craigmore Timaru Cup, taking his tally to seven wins. Masa Tanaka maintained his association with Kamada Racing by travelling south to ride Kolonel Kev at Timaru.

Shadows Cast’s dead heat for first in the Group 2 Couplands Bakeries Mile was his most important win to date. He is raced by Ron Cunningham and is trained by Mark Oulaghan. The winner of eight races from only 23 starts he will no doubt be heading for the Thorndon Mile at Trentham.

Heni once again captured the admiration of the Riccarton crowd when she won two races at the Cup Carnival. On the second day she won the Group 3 Valachi Downs Canterbury Breeders Stakes, having been placed in the same event 12 months earlier and then on the final day she succeeded in the Open 1400m event. Her Riccarton stats are outstanding, something like six wins and six placings from 12 starts on the course. Heni is by Towkay and has now won 10 races in total. She was bred and is raced by Manawatu farmer Willie Duncan and is trained by Mike Breslin.

Edwardian Lady was a good winner at Tauherenikau at just her 4th start for Stan Alexander and Gail Temperton. The Sufficient mare had been placed at her two previous starts this season.

Richardson Parker stable. They also have a share in Heroic Valour, who has been placed in his two most recent starts but was late scratched from the Sistema Railway when the rains arrived.

No comment on local horses would be complete without reference to the grand old campaigner Authentic Paddy, trained by Lisa Latta, who finally nailed his first Group 1 in winning the Cambridge Stud Zabeel Classic on Boxing Day after five previous placings at the highest level. The Howbaddouwantit gelding has now won 11 races and over $665,000. The stable favourite invariably races in or near the lead, never gives in and is very deserving of his latest victory.

ASSOCIATION AGMThe Association AGM was held on 13 December. Michael Collinson was re-elected President, Kevin Tod was re-elected Vice President and Jim Watson was re elected Patron. The following were elected to the Committee – Stan Alexander, Gary Burton, John Creaven, Mark Fearon, Greg Lambert, Trevor Latimer, Danny Madden, Beven Parlato and Mark Verran.

Also in attendance at the AGM were NZTBA Councillor Libby Bleakley and RACE Chief Executive Al Robertson. Libby commented on matters currently being considered by the NZTBA and Al gave a detailed outline of likely developments at Awapuni and Trentham over the next few years. The presentations were well received.

CENTRAL REGION APPRENTICE ACADEMY PRIZEGIVING The Central Region Apprentice Academy Prizegiving was held in mid December at Awapuni. Major prize winners were – Most Improved Apprentice – Sarah McNab; Most Promising Apprentice – Madan Singh; General Attendance and Participation at Apprentice Academy – Jordan Bassett and Matt McNelis; Most Improved in Presentation – Timothy Johnson; Most Improved in Media – Kate Cowan; Leading Apprentice – Holly Andrew; Head Pupil – Rebecca Goldsbury.

The Association was pleased to sponsor the Leading Apprentice Prize.

Former Committeeman Mike Fitzgerald is a member of the Challenge Syndicate which races Swiss Precision from the John Bary stable. Her three starts this season have yielded two wins and a third. The Swiss Ace filly is showing a lot of promise.

The syndicate which includes members John Roache, Mark and Fay Fearon, John Naylor and Kevin and Corrina Tod chalked up another winner, this time with Thats Amore at Awapuni on Boxing Day.

Dolcetta one of the most promising horses around bounced back to winning form in the Manawatu Standard Summer Cup on Boxing Day. He has a career record of eight wins and two seconds in 12 starts. The Per Incanto 5YO trained by Sylvia Kay is now being aimed at the Thorndon Mile at Trentham.

Slimline, raced by a Syndicate which includes Association Members Hamish and Shannon MacDonald, Mrs Viv Free and Miss T Field has been most consistent this campaign, winning the Wai Pine / John Turkington Forestry Ltd Bulls Country Cup and being placed in the Kamada Park Manawatu Challenge Stakes. The Castledale mare has now won five races and over $150,000 in stakes.

An impressive winner at Awapuni on Manawatu Cup Day was Shared Secrets. The lightly raced mare had shown much promise last season leading up to an unplaced run in the Wellfield New Zealand Oaks. Look for her to run well at Trentham in January. She was bred by her trainer Mark Oulaghan who races her with others with strong racing backgrounds – Robert Cuff from Palmerston North, Mark Freeman from Wellington and Colin Campbell and Ray Southey from Masterton.

Peter and Tim Gillespie and Bill Gleeson race Stephenstihls who won recently at Waverley and then ran second at Awapuni. They also have an interest along with Christopher Grace in the lightly raced but very promising Sweepstake. She is another by Per Incanto and has now had two wins and six placings from only 10 starts.

Gary and Janet Harris have enjoyed recent success with Tiptronic, which is in the

Starmaker. She won her second start at Motukarara early November over 1200m.

Two semi – retired farmers, Ian Nichol and Ron Williamson share in the ownership of Londonderry Air along with Ron’s wife, Jennifer. The Raise the Flag gelding was Otago bred, raced in North Island for the early part of its career and didn’t have any success until moving south in the winter of 2016. Then he won fresh up at Winton and then his next start at Oamaru. Not quite a year later and more spoils for the owners before notching up win number four last month on his home track.

Ken and Bev Voyce share in the ownership of the talented galloper Son of Maher who was first equal in the Group Two Couplands Bakeries Mile backing up his good form with a win in the Couplands Bakeries Mile Trial in late October.

Duncan and Annette Fea share the ownership, along with a few others, of the Encosta De Lago gelding Animator who has recently notched up his fifth win.

Tony Hickman shares in the ownership of Pippi Rea with his brother Kevin who bred the Pins gelding from his mare Smitten Kitten, that he successfully raced with ex Trainer Jan Hay.

Our Foreman is an interesting story whereby he failed to sell at the South Island Yearling Sales. He was broken in and hacked around the hills by his owner Mike Cooney who still rides well in his latter years. Finding nothing wrong with the horse Mike and his wife, Barbara, who we all know as Jimmi, sent the horse to Neil Ridley to be trained. Two starts for a second and a win at Christmas time at Timaru is a dream start for the passionate thoroughbred breeders from Waimate.

JANUARY 2018 7

PHOTO: RACE IMAGES

Our Foreman with all his workers

To quote the event in the Director’s words:

“EQUITANA is one of the oldest horse festivals in the world. It was founded in Germany, and to date, Melbourne is the only other location it operates in. It is a great honour that we introduce it to NZ – right in the heart of this beautiful City of Sails. It is the diversity of EQUITANA that makes it so special – as well as the elite competition and incredible night shows, educators and displays guaranteed to inspire and entrance”.

My take on it is there is there something for everyone to enjoy, whether you really relate to an item or not. And with all arena’s so handy, including a vast retail area of every possible feed, read and deed, it was an amazing feat of entertainment, in an ideal proximity. We even had a 10 minute massage.

To be able to view competition that competes on the world stage with many others with those skills – was breathtaking. Jumping – training – dressage – confidence motivation – Olympic level coaching – ponies, polo, mounted games and so much more. There were maybe 15 -20 different disciplines.

IRT “Your Horse – Our Passion” held a big presence at this event, as the generous suppliers of equine transport across the Tasman.

OFF THE TRACK thoroughbreds were there with seemingly unrecognisable ex racehorses – but

Katie Laurie and Breeze show

winning style

THE INAUGURAL EQUITANA AUCKLAND WAS AN EXCITING EVENT FOR ALL. IT WAS HELD ON 23-26 NOVEMBER AT THE ASB SHOWGROUNDS.

they were almost the only connection to racing at the event. The judges assessed them on all round performance, showing just what can be achieved from one extreme to another.

NZTROF could have a presence at such an event and perhaps create a clinic with graphics, photos, speakers and a retired racehorse, with a background story.

This type of clinic was once or twice a day item for an hour or so, with specially created flyers to profile the story and stir the interest of young people to become jockeys, riders – even Owners. Food for thought! I think NZTR would love to help.

An absorbing event was where four contestants, two each from Australia and New Zealand demonstrated their method of ‘breaking in’ their choice of eight 3YOs that had never been handled. These horses which are bred for eventing and athletic ability were provided by Delta Holsteiners. They are not quite as anxious as thoroughbreds, but still untouched with matted mane and plenty of spirit. Each one gradually showed their personality during their one hour slot for demonstration – their only hour per day of handling. This was arranged in four round pens simultaneously, in front of an in indoor crowd on two grandstands. It was riveting to watch one working let alone four at once!

Three of the contestants cantered around the emptied arena on the last show. The other was a difficult – awkward – scary – slow learner which

just needed more time. The young girl got as far as leaning on the saddle and proved how you don’t wreck the whole issue. PATIENCE.

The winner was from the remote East Coast, Gisborne where he rode to school – a younger Tui Teka (with genuine family naming rights!). His horse had a few propping sessions, even on his victory lap where he showed us some of his rodeo skills, too. His finale was standing up on the saddle, not in, and cracking his stockwhip. This in three days it had to be seen to be believed.

The NZ Mounted Rifles Charitable Trust reminded us of our place in history and attended many arenas in a supportive role. They gave us a wonderful sight and display of precision.

The Catwalk Trust (spinal injury) was a Charity Partner, with Gina Schick and Cherry Taylor present and representatives of this great Trust.

John Thompson’s dressage was a stand-out performance for me, and Julie Brougham from Palmerston North in show jumping, too, but they were only two among many others with the same level of excellence. And Katie Laurie came across from Ballarat, but was disappointed with a balk from her horse. When it counted!

The EQUITANA will be in Melbourne next year, but returns to NZ the following year. So put a note somewhere to start saving for four days of entertainment – about $300, but so worth it!

“I’m very excited to be able to bring back my winning trophy from Auckland to my home town and it’s really awesome to see the locals are happy for me too,” says Tui Teka.

Dressed in full Equitana costume Teka put on a bit of a show for the locals to show them why he was the winning horseman in Auckland.

“He does it so naturally, a lot more naturally than I do,” says his mother Davinia Teka.

“It’s good to see he’s representing us, you know he’s always been a natural on the horses old Tui, but it’s good to see him doing good,” says Tokomaru local Wirihana Kururangi.

He won the Way of the Horse Challenge where he was given four days to break in a wild horse.

Teka grew up with horses and has a solid background in rodeo and has recently been turning his hand to equestrian.

“This is where I learned how to ride horses and how to connect with them so it’s awesome to come back and see my family and my Iwi who are also fellow horseman as well,” says Teka.

Next year he’ll be back at Equitana Melbourne, but this time as a special invited guest.

EDITORS NOTE: Footnote text from Maori Television website.

JENNY COWAN

The community of Tokomaru Bay acknowledged one of their very own – Tui Teka – after he won the Way of the Horse Challenge at the inaugural Equitana event in Auckland. The most international equine event held in the Southern Hemisphere.

>> F

OO

TN

OT

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David Cole of IRT and Tui Teka

8 NEW ZEALAND THOROUGHBRED RACEHORSE OWNERS FEDERATION BULLETIN

Keep reading this if you’re over 40, because chances are you still read newspapers. And the fact you’re reading this magazine proves the point that printed text is still a convenient form of communication.

You’ll therefore know that up until March 2016 our main newspapers contained a really useful racing lift-out. Then, without warning, all the information enabling punters to make informed bets disappeared. Instead, we got bare lists of fields, many of obscure Australian meetings that New Zealand punters had little or no interest in.

Anonymous “tips/comments” took the place of actual information, such as statistics giving horses’ records on various types of going, distance and courses. Stake earnings, age, sex and breeding vanished. So too did previous start commentaries. Even trainers were removed.

The reaction was immediate. The New Zealand Racing Board (supplier of the lift outs’ contents) took about 600 individual calls of complaint over the next few weeks. “Diabolical”, “shocking”, “rubbish”, “abysmal”, “awful” were some of the feedback reactions. This magazine’s editor, along with many other racing journalists, voiced strong disapproval.

There was a general feeling of disbelief that NZRB management could have got it so wrong. What was called “Raceform” no longer contained any form. The following week trainers’ names were restored, but since then nothing has changed.

I personally wrote a letter of complaint, but got no reply. So I sent a request under the Official Information Act, to try to understand why this had happened.

In the feedback file I requested were many gems, some amusing, but some quite sad. One wrote: “the NZ Herald racing format is useless – all the cafes are wondering why patrons are no longer stealing it…”. Others reported their punters’ groups had folded, and their enjoyment of “doing their picks” together had been removed. Even those older people who used computers resented having to use them to obtain the information they needed: “It’s not very sociable, sitting in front of a computer. As far as my wife and I are concerned, it has taken a lot of the pleasure away.” And, “It is a more enjoyable experience to relax in a comfortable chair and mark the paper with potential choices.” “Looking up other sources is much more time consuming than having it available on one open page.” “You can’t mark your picks on a computer.”

A significant number of complainants stated they had given up betting, closing their accounts. Many were angry (“I’ve just thrown the supplement into the bin as it is absolutely useless and will now draw my money out of my account”). Others said they had greatly reduced the amount they bet. “I stopped my regular betting on Thursday and Friday night Pick6 because you weren’t publishing expanded form for those races. Now I will probably bet less on Saturdays for the same reason. Punters want the stats and it is easier to use in hard copy form than having to be online and switching pages all the time.” Several had cancelled their newspaper subscription, or

HOPE ON THE HORIZON BY MARY MOUNTIER

stopped buying the Friday edition (which they only bought for the racing pages).

The common thread behind the vast majority of complaints was simply the lack of information they had previously relied on. Many specifically complained about the absence of breeding details. One suggested it was a deliberate ‘dumbing down’ of punters to reduce the TAB’s customer base to a bunch of lucky-dip type gamblers: “If you’re to have a decent crack at beating the odds, you can’t have too much information.”

Others said, “I may as well take a Lotto ticket”, “What do I do now? Stick a pin through the field?” and “We might just as well go to the Casino and drop our money in the pokies!!” “You have substituted quality for quantity, cramming the paper up with obscure Australian race fields in an attempt to capture the problem gambler at the expense of genuine racing followers.”

Another recurring theme was the lack of differentiation between the various meetings. “To see our major meetings treated similarly to a Gundagai dog meeting is a joke.” “We need more detailed info on NZ meets and forget the minor overseas meets.” “Providing the premier Trentham meeting today with a similar profile to one on the Gold Coast doesn’t make sense at all.”

For me, the worst aspect was treating our Group and black type races exactly the same way as the humblest maiden event. It seemed so insulting to our clubs and the participants, as well as ignoring the obvious greater interest and turnover on these races. But the height of absurdity was this year’s Melbourne Cup, undistinguishable from a $10,000 maiden event at Wingatui. This was made worse by the absence of any form at all in some papers’ Cup sweepstakes page. Believe it or not, even some once-a-year punters (such as my neighbour) like to study form and make their selections on more than just the name or the jockey’s colours, which was pretty much all Wellington’s Dominion-Post page offered. Fortunately competition between papers still exists, and the NZ Herald’s sweeps chart was considerably more useful.

In reply to the question about the reason for the changes, the Customer Service Team wrote: “It is so we can provide coverage of more races, more selections and more tips and comments...the new layout makes the information easier to read.” But many complainants commented on how difficult they found the pages to read, and their lack of any logical layout. As for the tips and comments, they were largely disparaged as “a waste of space”, as one person stated, and certainly no substitute for relevant statistics and facts.

Speaking as someone who once contributed tips and comments on the radio on a regular basis, I am only too aware how unreliable they are! But some tipsters are better than others, so identifying contributors at least enables punters to sort out the more consistent ones (as happens with the named selections columns). For newcomers to racing and casual punters, tips and comments may serve a useful purpose, even if they quickly discover they are far from accurate. However, new punters are most unlikely to be in the age group that reads newspapers, but instead get all their information through electronic devices.

Through my OIA request I discovered the changes were made following a Colmar Brunton survey which asked TAB “Grandstand members” for their opinions. This limited the survey to those with internet access, thus excluding a large sector of long-time customers who by definition were an older age group – in other words, the group most likely to use newspapers for their racing information. Even among those who responded to the survey (approximately 17%), only three out of 10 felt that the new format contained sufficient information to meet all their needs.

But there is hope on the horizon. It may have taken a long time, but this March – two years after the changes were made – I am assured that some of the information for local race meetings will be restored in our papers. To be fair to the NZRB, part of the delay has been caused by a change in production and printing providers. The management team has also put a lot of effort into improving Best Bets, which has taken precedence over the newspaper lift-outs. These improvements are welcomed, but as public interest in racing has declined (except for Cup Days and summer holiday fixtures), so has the demand for specialist publications. They are no longer widely available in supermarkets and dairies. And for those on fixed incomes, buying a weekly race book represents money not available for betting.

It is clear that those most disadvantaged by the changed format were the older generation. A poignant comment was “I am writing this for the elderly fellows I associate with at the local RSA. Their ‘Bible’ was the racing section in the Friday Herald. The general feeling was that if this format continued they would probably give the horses away altogether.”

Of course, in the greater scheme of things, this whole issue is relatively minor. The NZRB has far more important problems to grapple with than the format of newspaper lift-outs. But while money is being spent on providing them, it is only commonsense that they meet the needs of the customers who use them. Racing can ill afford to lose any more punt ers. For those who only use online technology it may be difficult to understand the mindset of others who prefer a hard copy ‘spreadsheet’. Yet these customers deserve to be listened to, not ignored.

Whatever your politics, nobody can deny that Winston Peters, once again our Minister for Racing, has brought real benefits to both the racing industry and our senior citizens. He, of all people, would be sympathetic to the plight of both – in this case, inextricably linked.

Mary Mountier has written seven books on thoroughbred racing, and from 1994 served for six years on the Board of the TAB. During the 1980s she was also well known as the female voice on the popular Radio Racing Show along with commentators Keith Haub and Alan Bright – a networked Saturday slot that provided tips, jokes and general good-natured banter.

The Rt Hon Winston Peters, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and (most importantly for us) Minister for Racing.

JANUARY 2018 9

Dear Bernard,

I trust you and your family have had a pleasant Christmas, and the opportunity to explore a little bit more of our lovely isles. I also hope you have found the time to recharge your batteries for the challenges that lie ahead of you this year.

I am a small-scale breeder-owner and syndicator, as well as a racegoer and punter. My partner and I spend a lot of our leisure time in racing-related activities and probably more of our discretionary income on breeding, racing and backing horses than we should.

We are lucky enough, after almost 20 years, to have bred a good stakes-winner in Aide Memoire. In 2016 she won the Captain Cook Stakes at Trentham, and returned last spring to place second in the Tarzino Stakes at Hastings and the Taranaki Breeders Stakes at Waverley.

She was tracking well toward another tilt at the Captain Cook. However, her options for lead-up runs in the Central Districts were limited and we were forced to race her in an open 1400m handicap at Awapuni on November 4. That race spelled the end of her campaign.

Her poor run was completely out of character and we discovered afterwards that she had jarred a knee that she hurt the previous season in the Captain Cook. The Awapuni track was rated as a Dead 4 but it was clearly firmer than that, with the surface very uneven and patchy (according to jockeys we talked to). The vet treating her said there were many horses that pulled up sore after the meeting that day.

This was the second time she has shown signs of soreness after racing on Awapuni tracks rated dead that were actually firm. She also ran down the track for the first time in her career when, after winning her first two races, we tried her on a heavy 11 track there in June 2015.

While adept in the wet she could not handle the waterlogged surface she encountered that day. I was shocked to hear afterwards that the track’s drainage system was blocked, had been for some time, and that there weren’t plans to do anything about it until the new season.

So in mid-November 2017, as we contemplated advice to give her another spell before an autumn campaign, I reflected upon a year in which she had managed just five runs that had not yielded a win, where we had been frustrated by the state of CD’s main tracks (and the reliability of track ratings), where we struggled with rider options, and with returns which barely covered costs.

And this with a Group 1 mare that had won 7 and been runner-up in 9 of her 21 starts – for a stakes tally of just $280,000. She is now lost to NZ racing, as we made a decision within weeks of her Awapuni failure to move her to the stable of a leading NSW trainer Kris Lees.

This was a difficult decision, as her astute trainer Fraser Auret deserves the credit for taking a small, unfashionably-bred filly and turning her into a Group 1 winner. As a reminder of how good she is, the mare showed herself clearly superior at WFA to the likes of Kawi (twice), Volkstok’n’barrell, Gingernuts, Authentic Paddy, Underthemoonlight, Abidewithme, Volpe Veloce and Coldplay.

AN OPEN LETTER TO BERNARD SAUNDRY JANUARY 1, 2018 CEO OF NZ THOROUGHBRED RACINGFROM AN OWNER FORCED TO MOVE A GROUP 1 HORSE TO AUSTRALIA

But we needed to weigh up our loyalty to Fraser against providing her the opportunity to demonstrate her class in good Australian company, on good Australian tracks, and with good riders who are not restricted to the major stables. And of course there is the chance to win stakes that are simply not available in NZ.

It may well be the case she doesn’t measure up, but relocating the mare easily trumped staying in the CD and continuing to battle with constraints that I feel have limited her career – which brings me to some points I would like to make to you as incoming CEO while you consider your priorities for the coming year (or two).

Track management: there needs to be a radical overhaul of the way that our race tracks and other critical infrastructure are being managed. The only way to describe the number of abandonments that are simply the result of poor track management is appalling – and an indictment on our industry.

The responsibility for track management falls mostly on the clubs and some are clearly not giving it sufficient attention, with the variability in quality of track management glaringly obvious across the tiers. I’ve also heard stories about in-house arrangements by committees/managers that have seen contracts for major drainage projects go to “local” companies lacking the necessary expertise or equipment. As with so many parts of our industry, a meritocracy does not apply – and the result is sub-optimal surfaces and management regimes, and ongoing meeting abandonments.

As NZTR finances most of these projects, I hope that you will consider using leverage (and greater oversight) to ensure the right people with the right equipment are employed for such vital work. In fact, I would go as far as to suggest NZTR should be leasing some of the key facilities and providing track management systems independent of the clubs.

I understand that your pivotal role in the successful installation of a number of all-weather tracks in Victoria was considered a trump card in winning the CEO’s role. That would indicate a desire on behalf of the Board to invest in some all-weather tracks here, something I wholeheartedly support.

But please think very carefully about where those tracks are installed and what management structure is put around them. There is not a club in the country that has managed such a facility previously, so why contemplate handing control over to them?

I suggest you keep management under NZTR and build an operations team that can tend to all-weather track maintenance, and also turf track management at clubs that are currently less than effective at the task. I would also suggest an audit of track management across the country is in order.

Owners’ privileges: owners get few privileges for the investment they make into providing betting “product” for the clubs, the TAB, and NZTR. A proper cost-benefit analysis would show how poor an investment in a racehorse is (which perhaps explains why this hasn’t been done?). And if you’ve also bred and reared the horse, you’re deep in the red before you can even send it to be broken in. After nine years of neglect of the racing sector by the previous Government, and their poor oversight

of the NZRIB/TAB, stakes have finally been increased but still won’t be enough to arrest the ongoing decline in both horse and owner numbers since the GFC.

It’s hard to see what incentives could be provided to enthusiastic new owners to help fill that void when existing owners feel so disrespected and taken for granted.

I was dismayed to find when we went to watch Aide Memoire race in the Tarzino that no seating had been set aside for owners – even for those with horses in the main race of the day. Committee members and their friends were the first looked after, and sponsors and their invited guests were also given precedence over owners.

This is simply not good enough, and has been going on for too long. Owners should be able to enjoy the same privileges as committee members, and certainly expect better treatment than their invited guests. Owners should be the most important guests of any club.

Which brings me to my final point.

Governance and management refresh: over the past 30 years I have witnessed a sequence of “old boys” networks insinuating their way into club management, code management, and the TAB.

These networks are starting to look very tired and, given the decline in the fortunes of the racing sector that they have presided over, should they still have any sway? If so, should they also be taking full responsibility for the parlous state of our racing industry?

As we enter 2018, those networks should no longer be able to keep the “shop closed” to players who could bring fresh ideas, a great deal more energy, and new blood. And how long will it be before we get the first female secretary at a premier club, or senior manager at NZRIB/TAB or NZTR?

As incoming CEO, I hope that you will take a new broom to the tired management structure and outmoded processes at NZTR and invest in new people, capability, and technological innovation.

I also hope you can manage the clubs in a way that resolves issues with track management, and signal strongly that they need to treat owners with a great deal more respect.

And I hope there will be an early announcement about the first all-weather track to be installed, and work to be underway on that by years’ end.

I realise you are dealing with a legacy of some ineffective predecessors, but you have the support of owners like myself who continue to hang on to the hope someone will effect some real, lasting change.

There has never been a better time for a major reboot, as we have a Government that at least acknowledges the sector for its contributions to the economy and the job opportunities it provides, plus a Minister for Racing who has a genuine interest in both the sport and the industry.

Yours sincerely Alan Groves

Disclaimer: the opinions in this letter are solely those of the author, not anyone else involved with Aide Memoire.

10 NEW ZEALAND THOROUGHBRED RACEHORSE OWNERS FEDERATION BULLETIN

Seasons greetings from the team at LA. I hope you’ve enjoyed your break and if you’ve managed to get along to a

meeting, you’ve performed better than the West Indian cricketers. Our Karaka countdown is well and truly on and we

head north with a lot of confidence after some exciting recent results with horses we’ve bred and/or sold.

There could be as many as three LA connected runners in the Karaka Million 2 Year Old if Liam Birchley decides to bring

Magic Mystery (Per Incanto-Da Vinci Code by Danasinga) over, while Hard Merchandize, a colt we sold for Christopher and Susanna

Grace will be one of the better fancies for the 3 Year Old Mile.

Ron Cunningham’s Shadow’s Cast joins CD star Dolcetto as new stakes winners for Per Incanto this season after his dead-heat win in

the Group 2 Couplands Bakeries Mile. Both horses start next in the Thorndon Mile.

Per Incanto, who bought-up his 100th winner with Kathaire coming from last to win by 5½ lengths in Australia, currently sits fifth on the

NZ Sires premiership however his progeny aren’t just shinning domestically.

In Australia, Amanaat racked-up five straight victories, his last two at Doomben, while Lanciato returned to the races with a slashing run to

also come from last and win comfortably by 1½ lengths at Randwick, he’ll start in a stakes race at the end of the month and I’m told Group

1 winner Dal Cielo is working the house down at Kris Lees for a return to racing.

In Hong Kong, Sha Tin class record holder Morethanlucky and Time To Celebrate between them have won seven and placed the on the

other two occasions in their last nine starts. With 42 yearlings entered for Karaka, vendors of Per Incanto’s progeny should throw in an

extra pair of walking shoes.

Nadeem has a couple of promising staying mares in Shared Secrets and Nadiasstar, and his stakes winning colt

Sir Nate may have lost his unbeaten record in the Group 3 at Ellerslie but I thought his run, his first right-handed, was very

pleasing. Lisa has a knack of giving her juveniles an Ellerslie experience then they come out and run a big race in the

Million.

We look forward to seeing you at Barn D Karaka. We’d be pleased to show you a yearling or two

or perhaps you simply want some fishing tips from Buzz or Ralph.

STUD CHAT WITH SAM JANUARY 2018

Aptly the farms first yearling through the

ring, LOT 40 (cover photo), a Savabeel colt

from stakes winning Pins mare Aspinal is a standout amongst LA’s 16 strong

Premier Book 1 draft. Closely related to

Splurge, the athletic bay, mums third foal,

is comfortably the best type she has left.

We’re privileged to offer another

quality Savabeel individual of behalf of

Christopher and Susanna Grace. Just

the second foal of their lightly raced

stakesplaced More Than Ready mare

Dreamer, LOT 173 is a quality colt with

lovely bone.

As far as development throughout the

yearling prep goes, LOT 400, the Dundeel

colt from Red Ransom mare Miss Zapper

takes the prize. A colt we pinhooked at

Karaka in May, he’s much in the mould of

his outstanding father, light on his feet and

extremely well balanced.

Werther’s sister Milsean created a big

impression when she won on debut at

Hastings recently so the residual of LOT 439 is assured however the eventual

purchasers of the filly from their unraced

half sister Not a Jaffa are also going to

have plenty of fun on the track judging

by the quality of the Iffraaj mares first

foal. Offered on behalf of wellingtonian

John Anderson, the Per Incanto filly is a

tremendous mover on the parade ring.

He may be the last lot we offer in Premier

but LOT 670 (cover photo) a strongly made

Per Incanto colt is worth waiting for. Three

years ago mum Tsukioka’s first yearling

caught the attention of a number of the

better yearling judges in Australasia –

selling for $400,000, the colt subsequently

named Regency Bo Bo has already won

three in Hong Kong.

LA’s Select draft comprises 13 yearlings

and two in particular, both by resident

stallion Per Incanto, standout. Buyers

looking for a similar type of yearling to

Group 1 juvenile performers Dal Cielo

and Rocanto at the same stage need to

inspect LOT 759 out of the mare Carnival

Queen, he is a very athletic horse, while

anyone looking for a 1000 Guineas runner

shouldn’t go past LOT 1056; bred on the

proven Per Incanto/O’Reilly cross she’s

a full sister to this seasons stakesplaced

sprinter Don Carlo but has a bit of length

and the classic look about her.

We look forward to showing our class of 2018 off to you at Karaka. Anyone wanting a sneak preview are welcome to call Sam on 0274 853 400 and we are part of the Central Districts yearling parade on Wednesday 17 January from 2.45pm at LA.

LA’s Class of 2018 It’s been a big six months on the racetrack for LA Karaka graduates both here and overseas and the farms 2018

Karaka draft of 29 yearlings promises once again to unearth an exciting range of black-type performers.

JANUARY 2018 11

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1. What is the southernmost thoroughbred Racing Club to currently hold a Premier meeting in New Zealand?

2. Which jockeys are recorded as having won 2000 races or more in NZ?

3. Which is the odd one out – Amanood Lad, Gingernuts, Wise Men Say, Mr Mor?

4. On which racecourse would you find this statue?

5. Who is the CEO of NZTR?

6. What do the letters RIU stand for?

7. Which is the only New Zealand trained horse to have won the Japan Cup?

8. Which jockey rode Balmerino in the 1977 Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe?

9. Which is shorter – 1600 metres or one mile?

10. If your horse is jumping Cutt’s Brush which racecourse is he on?

PAT’SRACINGQUIZ

KEENELANDS SCHOLARSHIP DAY 2017 Fall RecapBetsy May, Promotions and Community Relations Manager

On behalf of the entire Keeneland team, thank you for your sponsorship of Keeneland College

Scholarship Day. This longstanding program has awarded more than $320,000 in scholarships

to students at Keeneland. Below you will find the recap of our promotional efforts and results of

our partnership in Fall 2017. We were pleased to host nearly 2,000 students representing over

80 colleges and universities, and award $20,000 in scholarships. Keeneland truly appreciates

your continued support of this impactful event. Proudly serving as a leader in Central Kentucky,

Keeneland is committed to giving back to the community we serve. Thank you for allowing us to

continue to advance this mission. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions

or feedback regarding the enclosed materials.

As one of Keeneland’s most popular promotions, College Scholarship Day is an opportunity for college students to enjoy a day at the races and potentially win big! The 2017 Fall College Scholarship Day proved to be another huge success with the continued support of our sponsors. A total of $20,000 in scholarships were awarded and 35 prize packages. College students received free general admission with a valid student ID, along with the opportunity to enter the drawings. Keeneland and the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association contributed ten $1,000 scholarships awarded before each race. In addition, the RunHappy Foundation generously granted one lucky student the $10,000 RunHappy scholarship. A variety of campus events were held throughout the state to inform students of the opportunity to walk away with a scholarship or prize on College Scholarship Day.

Keeneland’s North Terrace, called the “College Zone,” accommodated thousands of students from all over Kentucky and the United States for the day’s activities. The first 2,000 students received either a special designed College Scholarship Day T-shirt courtesy of Coca-Cola or a hat courtesy of Southern Proper. Students received free drinks from Coca-Cola and delicious food from Drake’s, Raising Cane’s, Old KY Kettle Corn and Pie Five. The College Zone provided a fun atmosphere with the Drake’s DJ and popular student handicapping contest. The winner of the handicapping contest received a $200 across the board bet on the feature race of the day.

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BANNER DESIGN CONTESTThank you to Raising Cane’s for sponsoring the University of Kentucky Panhellenic banner promotion. Seven sororities created banners that hung on the sorority houses the week prior to College Scholarship Day. For their participation, Raising Cane’s donated $250.00 to UK Panhellenic’s philanthropy, Headbands for Hope. In total, there were 18,450 people reached on Facebook and 1,236 likes and shares for the banner promotion on social media.

Keeneland College Scholarship Day

Sponsorship Flyer

ANSWERS ON

PAGE 13

12 NEW ZEALAND THOROUGHBRED RACEHORSE OWNERS FEDERATION BULLETIN

A NIGHT AT THE RACES – KEMPTON PARK THE JOCKEY CLUB OPERATES AS THE LARGEST COMMERCIAL GROUP IN BRITISH HORSERACING, INCORPORATING

TRAINING GROUNDS, BREEDING, BOARDING, EDUCATION, CHARITY AND MEDIA. IT OWNS 15 RACECOURSES

THROUGHOUT THE UK AND ONE OF THESE IS KEMPTON PARK, LOCATED IN SOUTH-WEST LONDON (SUNBURY-ON-

THAMES, SURREY). WITH ITS ALLWEATHER POLYTRACK, FLOODLIGHTS AND EVEN ITS OWN TRAIN STATION, KEMPTON

PARK OFFERS A UNIQUE AND EASILY ACCESSIBLE RACING EXPERIENCE.

The site covers 230 acres (85 hectares) and has two lakes in its centre. In addition to a busy racing programme, there is a weekly market,

an antiques market, seasonal fairs, and the facilities can be booked for private functions. The track hosts some big jumps races in the

winter and during the autumn months there is a busy programme with several night meetings every week. The train delivers racegoers

swiftly and directly from London Waterloo, or any other station on the Shepparton line, and people get along in droves after work to

enjoy the nightlights and racing action.

I had the privilege of spending an incredibly pleasant evening on course when I was in the UK visiting friends in October, 2017. They are

not quite as keen on the horses as I am, but they do understand my infatuation with the sport and have accompanied me to Ellerslie on

several occasions when staying with me here. It seemed fitting that I should initiate a trip to Kempton Park while in their neck of the

woods and it didn’t take much coaxing to make it a date. It was their first visit to the course, despite living only a few train stops away.

Before leaving NZ, I had contacted the office in advance, proudly advising I am a New Zealand racehorse owner, explaining my

association with the NZTROF and, unabashedly, asking if it might be possible to gain an experience of what Kempton Park offers owners

during my forthcoming visit. A friendly response came back, and the result was complimentary admission tickets (normally £12), race

books and entry to the Owners’ Lounge, a well-appointed room with all the necessary facilities.

It is not a huge room but it is a very civilised place – choose from a bar table, a dining table or sit in a comfy couch or chair, coffee table

style. We perched at a central bar table, ordered wine and settled in to do some study – not so easy when you know nothing whatsoever

about horses, jockeys, trainers, let alone how an all-weather track behaves on a slightly drizzly autumnal evening. We also had to get to

grips with the betting systems – I was surprised to find that the minimum tote bet was £2 ($4).

Whilst we were mulling over names and numbers, pumpkin soup was delivered to us by a chatty waitress with a cheery smile. Once that

was polished off, some tasty nachos arrived. Yes, all owners receive a free meal. It was very good and most welcome as we were hungry.

The parade ring immediately beyond the large glass doors enables owners to watch their horse and jockey get set to race without

moving from their seat. Or you can step outside for a more close-up view. It’s a vantage point that generates a high level of anticipation

and excitement; the silks take on a glowing hue under the night lights and you can feel the sense of hope wafting through the night air.

Watching the actual races requires a short trek over to the track, so there was a fair bit of coming and going in the Owners’ Lounge. We

went over to watch a couple of races, and it was quite a spectacle, although the horses are quite a distance away and binoculars would be

helpful. The chase fences are on the outer circuit, flat racing takes place on a track inside that.

I spoke with a winning trainer after one race; he was jubilant and I was wishing I’d got chatting to him before the event – the horse paid

handsomely but unfortunately it hadn’t been on my radar!

As dusk began to fall, the floodlights came on across the course but, alas, the persistent misty drizzle made the Owners’ Lounge a more

appealing place to be than outside on that particular evening. The polytrack remained unaffected. Inside, the screens gave us a good

view of all the action and there was plenty of great racehorse-owner people-watching to be done. We’re much the same the world over

of course! It was my first time watching racing on an allweather track and I was surprised at how significantly the shape of each race

changed over the final furlong. There were a lot of very close finishes.

Even though we left with lighter pockets, we’d had a thoroughly enjoyable evening, and I got a decent taste of the on-course experience

for a racehorse owner at Kempton Park. I have to say that the service was exceptional; our ultra-friendly waitress made sure all our needs

were met throughout the evening and the tote operator chap spent time explaining the betting side of things to us. We felt very well

looked after indeed and at the end of the night I was asked to complete a survey form; I gave everything an A+.

Kempton Park has a notable history: the first race ever held there was on 18th July 1878 and the Prince of Wales visited the Royal Box in

1889. Racing was abandoned during both World Wars, with the site being used as a transit depot for military vehicles during WWI and

prisoner-of-war accommodation throughout WWII. Racing recommenced in 1947 after major reparation work had been undertaken and

the all-weather track was installed in May 2005. In addition to racing, Kempton Park plays host to police dogs undertaking their training,

and is open as part of the “Racing to School” programme which enables hands-on learning at racecourses across the country, introducing

new audiences to the sport and associated career opportunities.

The most famous race held at Kempton Park is the King George VI Chase held every Boxing Day. I doubt I’ll get to see it as, in January

2017, the Jockey Club announced the course would be closed by 2021, having been sold as a site for new housing developments.

Significant jumps races will be moved to other courses, including nearby Sandown Park. Such a shame that a superb facility like this will

cease to exist in a few years’ time and it is perplexing that high-density housing will stand where thoroughbreds once galloped, punters

cheered and owners celebrated. But I guess it’s another sign of the times … AN

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by Sally Blyth

JANUARY 2018 13

CHLOE TONKIN

Sun shines and rain holds – just…Shunning the sales, an estimated 15,000 people enjoyed the biggest day in the New Zealand racing calendar, the Boxing Day Races at Auckland Racing Club Ellerslie.

Not put off by the early rain, crowds flocked to the course for the iconic raceday, which has been taking place at the track for more than 160 years.

“The crowds have come, the sun has shone and we’ve had a great day,” said Paul Wilcox, Ellerslie CEO.

“The Boxing Day races are our biggest of the season and one of the largest social events in the country. They’re a favourite of mine, attracting everyone, from the die-hard racing enthusiasts, those here for the hospitality, to the families keen to enjoy a day out.”

Also attracted to the event were the fashionistas eager to enter the Fashions In the Field competition. More than 70 entrants competed for prizes worth more than $20,000, including 100,000 Hawaiian Airlines air miles for the best dressed male and female.

Judging the competition was stylist Sarah Stuart; celebrity stylist Lulu Wilcox; 2017 Viva Prix de Fashion winner, Hannah Carson; Showroom 22’s Murray Bevan and leading menswear buyer, Christian Harmes.

The Best Dressed woman category was won by 34-year-old Aucklander, Aleisha Mitchell. The judges loved the two-piece pant suit she had designed and made herself. It was matched with a bespoke Claire Hahn headpiece with glass flowers. Supporting Aleisha in a matching floral dress was her one-year old daughter, Lola.

The prize for best dressed man was taken by Matt Anderson. The 31-year-old from Christchurch had flown up especially for the event. He wore a custom-made suit accessorised with a horseshoe pin and a Fox umbrella to ward off any showers.

New for this year was the millinery category, the prize went to Annette Potts for her Carolyn Gibson designed headpiece.

“The standard of entries was incredibly high but ultimately we chose Aleisha. We loved her pant suit, the current height of international fashion and style, but with the added racewear twist,” said judge Lulu Wilcox.

“She was the epitome of etiquette and poise and this shone through and through. The coordination of fabrics, pattern and colour was simply stunning.

Fashions in the FieldKEY STATS:

Number of races: 10Estimated number of people on course: 15,000Number of hospitality tickets sold in advance: 8,000Total amount of prize money on offer: $740,000

14 NEW ZEALAND THOROUGHBRED RACEHORSE OWNERS FEDERATION BULLETIN

HAWKES BAY NoelLister. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Napier

MANAWATU Tony&WendyCraig. . . . . Wellington

CENTRAL SOUTH ISLAND Brian&LesleyCourt . . . . . Christchurch

AT(Tony)Penny. . . . . . . . Christchurch

J F Alexander Waverley SAVATAG

Ms J R Alexander Tauranga AONGATETE EXPRESS

B Anderson Hawera ALL IN LUCK

K & Mrs M Anderson Mt Maunganui LETMEBY

K L & Mrs J D Anderson Lower Hutt MAHALO, VOLPE VELOCE

A O Avis Auckland UNTAMED DIAMOND

B G Black Botany THE REAL DEAL

W I Bowyer Te Puke WARSET

Kelly Burne Hastings REAL BEACH

D F J Burns Waiuku REBEL ROSE

F P Campbell Hastings SCANDALO, LADY GUINNESS

Chouxmaani Investments Havelock North MISS WILSON

R A & Mrs J D Coupland Christchurch SAVVY COUP

Courtco Racing Ltd Christchurch DIRECTOR

A I & Mrs W A Craig Wellington PACORUS, SULIMAN

Ms F B Crimmins Papakura SASANOF’S HERO

Ms C Crosby Waiau Pa AUGUST EDITION

D M Crozier Christchurch PRINCESS ATHENA, RICHIE RICH, THE REAL DEAL

R N Cunningham Upper Hutt SHADOWS CAST

M P Daly Timaru FEISTY JANE

R J de Lautour Northcote Point DAYTONA RED

M I Deans Paraparaumu SENSEI, SON OF MAHER, MR TYPHON

Miss R L Deegan Christchurch PRINCESS ATHENA, RICHIE RICH, THE REAL DEAL

A E Denham Palmerston HEE’S OUR SECRET

Mrs S Dower Howick THE KIPLING GIRL

M K Dravitzki New Plymouth LIGHT EM UP

F T & Mrs F I Drummond Pukeatua EL FERNANDO, EL JODI

A J & Mrs P J J Ebbett Waipukurau PINCANTO

Mrs J L Egan Hamilton SANDRINE, AKOYA

Mrs M E A Evans Howick DEALS IN HEELS, WATCH THIS SPACE, NOTHING

TRIVIAL

D V & Mrs A M Fea Queenstown ANIMATOR

W M & Mrs F L Fearon Palmerston North GOLDEN BAY, SATIN BELT

Miss T Field Feilding SLIMLINE

Mrs V L Free Palmerston North SLIMLINE

Miss C E Galbraith Meadowbank PIAZZA

Mrs E A Galbraith Auckland PIAZZA

A R Galbraith QC Auckland PIAZZA

M W Gething Howick THE KIPLING GIRL

P G Gillespie Mt Maunganui STEPHENSTIHLS

T P Gillespie Auckland STEPHENSTIHLS

M J Gilmore Karaka UNTAMED DIAMOND

Go Racing Herne Bay BELLE TESTA, MAKTOUM, HASAHALO, FRAZZLE

A M Goodwin Auckland BEAUFIGHTER

C R & Mrs S Grace Hunterville HINERANGI, SWEEPSTAKE

G E & Mrs J E Harris Waikanae TIPTRONIC

Mrs S M Harty Waipawa SON OF SURF

B J & Mrs M A Harvey Cambridge FLYING IBIS

Mrs M M Harvey Hastings KAIPAWE

A J Hawken Waverley JUSTA CHARLIE

I M Henderson Hastings WAIT A SEC

S P Herbert Te Awamutu NAUGHTY KNUCKLES

K J Hickman Christchurch LADY AMADEUS, LOS CABOS PENDLETON, BELLA

COURT, CHOU CHOU, AL VANDAAM,

Miss S L Hobbs Cambridge BELLE FASCINO

Sir Patrick &

Lady Justine Hogan

Cambridge STEPPENWOLF, HIFLYER, LEGRAMOR, DIVINE POWER, KYRIE

ELEISON, FULLY FUNDED, GIFT OF POWER, COTTONEVA

D & Mrs B J Hurrell Te Awamutu KORAKONUI

R I Johnson Taupo ZAYZAY

G J Jones Auckland City PEARLESCENCE

B W & Mrs A W Keighley Napier HIGH SPIRITS

C A Leishman Ellerslie TIPTRONIC, GIFT OF POWER

M J Lewis Meadowbank PIAZZA

Lincoln Farms Bloodstock Greenlane PLATINUM VOLOS, KAMANDA LINCOLN

B J & Mrs J E A Lindsay Papakura KERATON, SAVE THE DATE, SISTABEEL, BOOMERANG

T G Lines Papakura TWO THIRTY, PROMISING

Little Avondale Trust Masterton STELLACANTO

Mrs P A Lock Te Aroha PATRICIA ANNE

T G W Lowry Hastings VINO BLANCO

J Lupton Waverley SAVATAG

M & Mrs C R Lupton Matamata YEARN 2

G A MacDonald New Plymouth KAWI

H A & Mrs S P MacDonald Palmerston North SLIMLINE

C R MacRury Tauranga THE GREAT SOUTHERN

J F Marks Matamata LIVIN’ ON A PRAYER

J N K & Mrs G A Martin New Plymouth STEPPENWOLF

Ms D A Masters Palmerston North DIJON BLEU

C McIlroy Waiau Pa AUGUST EDITION

N D R McKerchar Tauranga AONGATETE EXPRESS

J S Mee Invercargill MONTOYA STAR, SHAKTI

P J & Mrs S R Mitchell Papakura DAYTONA RED

G J & Mrs L M Moore Matamata LILY THE PINK

M J Moore Papakura LOCALLY SAUCED 2,

R C F Moore Timaru DON CARLO

D C Morison Havelock North PINCANTO

D E & E Y Nakhle

Partnership

Takanini NEESON

J D Naylor Palmerston North GOLDEN BAY

P S & Mrs C Nelson Hastings PESO

I J Nichol Outram LONDONDERRY AIR

G N & Mrs M E Northcott Urenui GIFT OF POWER

M R Ormond Waipukurau TAUTU

T D & Mrs V L Parrott Kaiapoi STARMAKER

Pee Gee Bloodstock Mt Maunganui SWEEPSTAKE

A T Penny Riccarton PENNY PERFECT, STARMAKER,

A J Porter Foxton SWEEPSTAKE

D N & Dame Wendy Pye Auckland CARNIVAL, LETMEBY

J A Roache Marton SATIN BELT, GOLDEN BAY

L M & Mrs C J Robinson Christchurch FIRE LILY

G A Rogerson Hamilton WHY ME, FERRANDO, SABER, CULZEAN, STRAIGHT

SETS, ICHIBAN, GIFT OF POWER, TE WAEWAE BAY,

JOVANNI

R A Schick Cambridge RIPLEY

Seaton Park Ltd Morrinsville MOOSE

G A Shand Huntly SHANTAV

N H & R T Stanley Opunake HOVER

C B Stevenson Waipu ROCANIC

Mrs V C Stevenson Waipu ROCANIC, TAMA AKARANA

P D Telfer Otorohanga ISLAND BAY

B C Thomas Queenstown MAYBE MIAMI

J C & Mrs M A Thompson Howick SHERIDAN

K J Tod Palmerston North GOLDEN BAY

Trelawney Thoroughbred Cambridge FASHION SENSE

Sir Peter Vela Hamilton WILDFLOWER, MALTESE RUBY, TROIS VALLEES,

SLEEPING BEAUTY, COTE D’OR, SERAPHIM, ASAMA

BLUE, ROSSO CORSA, DONIZETTI, MIRAZUR, LIBRETTI,

MERITAGGIO, SILVER CLOUD

K M & Mrs B J Voyce Oamaru SON OF MAHER

P J Walker Clevedon FULLY FUNDED

M J Wallbank Grey Lynn BLUE BREEZE

K R Williams Taradale GOLDEN BAY

M L O Williams Palmerston North GOLDEN BAY

R M & Mrs J M Williamson Twizel LONDONDERRY AIR

Windsor Park Stud Cambridge LOVERS LANE

Mrs S L Wood Napier ONE PRIZE ONE GOAL

Mrs P E M Woollaston Howick THE KIPLING GIRL

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: nztrof@xtra.co.nz

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.

We wish to extend a very warm welcome to the new members who have joined the Owner’s Federation from November to December 2017. We really appreciate your membership support and look forward to a long and enjoyable association with you.

THE OWNERS’ FEDERATION WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS