JANUARY 2016

OWNERS’ BULLETIN

Lot 347 b.c. Savabeel – Kekova

Lot 424 b.f. Fastnet Rock – Most Striking

Aliesha Moroney

It has certainly been a busy Christmas and New Year period!

I hope you have all enjoyed some time off and managed to get along to the races also. It was great to see many large crowds enjoying all our sport had to offer over the holiday period.

With larger crowds in attendance and some of the best racing on offer it was timely for NZTR to launch the new Love Racing brand. Just as the All Blacks are to rugby and the Silver Ferns encapsulate everything great about netball, Love Racing aims to epitomise the theatre, the thrill and the celebration of the sport of thoroughbred racing in New Zealand.

Launched in late November to capture the hearts of a new generation of race goers, Love Racing aims to reinvigorate the thoroughbred racing industry to ensure it stays relevant for many years to come.

In general terms NZTR aims to attract the general public to the sport and turn them into raving fans. The more popular the sport becomes the more attractive the sport is to the media and sponsors, which should result in increased investment and prize money. Subsequently making the sport more lucrative and appealing for owners and participants and those looking for different career options.

To achieve this NZTR is taking a coordinated marketing approach focused on launching a single brand in a fresh, enticing new way to promote the positive culture that surrounds thoroughbred racing to all New Zealanders.

We want to tell our stories from a more personal interest angle to help the public connect on a deeper, more personal level with the sport so they can get to know our heroes better.

The initial target audience is 25-35 year olds hence why our focus has been on promoting the brand through social media (Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat). We have been running numerous competitions and campaigns on these pages to broaden our reach and appeal and capture the best racing moments from the eyes of different people.

Early results from a social media perspective are encouraging with roughly 3,000 people now following Love Racing on social media and about 7,000 people engaging with the brand weekly by either liking, commenting or sharing our content. This is not a bad start but we certainly want to achieve much greater engagement in the future.

Aside from social media the Love Racing brand has also had a presence at Ellerslie and been testing many new concepts with the Auckland Racing Club. We have also recently launched promotional videos over the past few weeks which have been shown on the big screen as well as on social media.

One of the initiatives that we launched at Ellerslie on Boxing Day was to get a professional photographer to take fun and candid photos of winning owners. The owners then were able to choose if they wanted a branded Polaroid copy of the photo to take home and/or whether they wanted the photo posted up onto their social media accounts straight away. Overall the feedback from owners was very positive as it made winning more exciting and allowed them to share their winning experience with their social media network. Moving forward we are looking to expand the concept to involve all owners.

Also there are a lot of exciting new Love Racing initiatives that I look forward to keeping you updated about but in the short term ensure you check out our Love Racing Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat by searching for LoveRacingNZ and make sure you Like and follow Love Racing on these pages.

“LOVE RACING”

2 NEW ZEALAND THOROUGHBRED RACEHORSE OWNERS FEDERATION BULLETIN

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

I must congratulate the Canterbury Jockey Club on an exceptional week of racing. We had a week of excellence. I, like many, could not find words to describe the effort of Xtravagant in the first group one, The Sothys New Zealand 2000 Guineas. It had shades of McGinty in the then George Adams at Trentham, a similar time, but even his world record though against older horses was not as dominant.

A week later, and the filly Risque treated her connections to a super win in the New Zealand Bloodstock 1000 Guineas. So, the two Group one’s had Matt Cameron as the pilot, and the Autridge/Richards combination as trainers, a really remarkable start to the summer racing carnivals.

I thank Matt Goodson as the retiring Chair of the NZTR Board. The efforts he and his Board have shown are readily displayed with a strong Balance Sheet, and significant increases in prizemonies, and a streamlining of meetings, dates and programmes. I expect though the greatest rewards are yet to come.

The Committee asked to report back to Minister Guy, supported the introduction of a Bill to cover race fields legislation. Given that at the last election all parties had advocated in their respective manifestos to adopt this legislation I expect little debate. Your board, with a new Chair in Dr. Alan Jackson, will pursue with vigour a Bill that offers a sound and achievable future for our code. The rewards are significant, and it matters little what part of the industry you are involved in, all will have better returns no matter what their investment. I welcome Dr Jackson to the Chair, his industry commitment is undoubted, and I expect further development of the thoroughbred code’s strategies and utilisation of our strengths.

So, all the best for the rest of the Summer racing , I expect a new star or two will show themselves in the three year old ranks as the emphasis shifts from the sprinting to staying distances.

What really impresses me is the success of the so called “Colonial” breds. Our industry has supported the likes of Zabeel, O’Reilly and Savabeel and it is very much to our benefit as the money stays here for reinvestment. These stallions have competed, in what I think is the hardest racing company, in Australia at Group One level. Then have, when asked, provided a great deal of pleasure to the owners of their progeny. The efforts of the late great Zabeel in particular have been outstanding, both as a sire and now a grandsire.

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

NZTR HAS FORM – GET THE APPStudying form on the go is often the only option for punters over the Christmas period. Recognising this, New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing has completely revamped its mobile website: m.nzracing.co.nz.

The new website is convenient, easy to use, and will provide enhanced form and fields. It will bring the following to a mobile phone (and works equally well on tablets):

» Next To Go section, with the day’s races across all NZ meetings – from here you can view a race field or result.

» Replays is where you can watch the races as soon as the video is available. It also allows punters to view a replay before seeing the result.

» Fields gives a view of all NZ race meetings. From here you can drill into a meeting and see a list of races, along with indicators that show the exotic bets available.

» Results contains meetings from the previous seven days, including trials results. Replay videos are available for all NZ race meetings and trials.

The race fields section has all the form and performance-related information contained on the main NZ Racing website, with new statistics added to enhance form comparisons.

New features include strike rates and return on investment information.

Punters can now choose to sort the field based on a number of performance measurements, with 13 different performance-based sort orders available.

A full performance profile is available for each runner, including a history of all previous starts in an expandable format that includes video replays, jockey and trainer statistics, and a ratings chart.

Links to the TAB website make it simple for users to transfer across to make a bet. If you’re looking at a race field, the ‘TAB Bet Now’ link will transfer to the corresponding race on the TAB website.

This is the first stage of making NZracing mobile, with further website enhancements and Apps for Android and iOS due for release next year.

LETTERS TO THE EDITORDear Sir, I make reference to the recent adjustment to the handicap scale. The lifting of the handicap to sixty kilograms as the minimum topweight for racing is in my view a detriment to the long term viability of our equine athletes. Quite aside from the fact that this now exceeds the standard weight for age weight scale of fifty nine kilograms for mature male horses.

The allowance is still made to allow a kilogram of weight over and above this for saddle and gear. Therefore the carded weight of sixty kilograms is in fact sixty two!

What is the long term benefit or desire of those applying this burden?

I freely admit that the racing surfaces have improved with the introduction of technology, aeration and sand slitting to name but two. However, the shifting of running rails and irrigation are window dressing at best. The shifting of a running rail out by one metre on a two thousand metre track requires the addition of another twenty seven metres of running rail. Think of the difference between the inside and outside curve of a banana and see that and apply that by the number of banana’s around the corners’. The top weight still is required to run this distance, hopefully on the rail not three or four wide improving around the turn.

A thoroughbred galloping at twelve seconds a furlong (about thirty seven and a half miles an hour) has front feet that stop six times a second, twice per stride, front and back. For this to happen the feet must accelerate to sixty miles per hour, and then decelerate to the next stop in about 0.15 seconds. So does speed kill? A short answer is yes, however in this case it is more the force.

Force is mass multiplied by acceleration. Acceleration from zero to sixty miles per hour followed by the deceleration to zero again in 0.15 seconds, equates to a mean algebraic speed of eight hundred miles per hour. More weight, more force.

Our best equine athletes, by their very nature are the most competitive. They will run for the pleasure of it. The fact remains however we are continually asking them to carry a greater burden to cover the shortfalls of the human master.

It has allowed jockeys to extend their careers as the extra kilo, which is added to the weight scale every three or four years, is effectively added to their body weights. I hope this is the last visit to the weight scales for the thoroughbred to carry. So many horses simply cannot carry the weights being asked of them and function to their optimum. I suppose, we will see greater early retirements of horses unable to carry the burden of prolonged weight loadings.

A.M. Knight

JANUARY 2016 3

A happy New Year to racing friends and all those member friends we have yet to meet. This issue has its focus towards the National Yearling Sales and again we are supporting our sponsor studs, Little Avondale and Haunui Farm. They of course will have some potentially thrilling entrants at the sale for you to view.

There’s a fair bit of NZTR stuff here. First Aliesha Moroney talks about the re-branding of racing that’s had a long gestation. I was involved in several brainstorming meetings that branched off in eye rolling obscure pathways.

But what has evolved from the esoteric was something simple that we had discussed, “Love Racing.” I think that’s fair enough as you either do – or you don’t and you have to be in the former camp to be in this game.

Then there is the App with racing information that’s been well received by those who are “tech enabled.” Finally there is the Race Fields stuff where NZTR and other parties are trying to claw back dollars that are disappearing into foreign corporates pockets. You are the Owners and you need to take an interest!

I got alongside NZTBA Executive Committee Member Vicki Pascoe as I thought the New Zealand Bloodstock Insurance sponsored Pearl Series for fillies and mares is not well understood (well I didn’t) by many Owners and indeed the wider industry. It’s so necessary to get those fillies to the races to keep the breeding stock strong and get foals on the ground to sell and race here and to export.

The scheme is nationwide and runs at Maiden and R65 level, which means that on an Industry Day the Pearl Series race, with a stake of $12k and an additional bonus of $12k, will be the best support race of the day in field numbers and betting.

You would think that all Clubs would welcome this with open arms but unbelievably some spurn the offer as they do not want to sideline a sponsor. Once again you are the Owner so why would you want to race your filly for a $4k win stake when it could be a $12k Pearl Series race with a winning stake of say $7k with another $10k bonus added on. There are no deductions on the $10k bonus.

For goodness sake there are other sponsorship opportunities to sell on a racecourse.

It is sad to see Brenda Collins has folded up her NZT Mag that she provided on a free basis for so many years. It was a sterling effort which has eventually taken its toll. I am in the 5th season of getting our smaller bulletin out and fully appreciate Brenda’s commitment.

Brenda had an experienced stable of scribes like Dave Bradford, Wally O’Hearn, John Jenkins, Mark Taylor etc. Guys if you feel the urge to write I can find you space if not money.

As for advertisers our existing policy is that we only have two Breeder Advertisers so as to not confuse our brand. We would be receptive to other industry enquiry at very reasonable rates due to our voluntary, “not for profit” ethos.

Our profile this issue is a beautifully written story on Mary Mountier of Wellington’s north coast. Once again it’s about a senior figure and we make no excuses for that. These are the people who helped to create our history and we salute them.

For your story contact me – neilandjeanette@yahoo.com

EDITORIAL Neil Miller

– OUR COVER –

Lot 347 b.c. Savabeel – Kekova

Lot 424 b.f. Fastnet Rock – Most Striking

REGIONAL ROUNDUP

4 NEW ZEALAND THOROUGHBRED RACEHORSE OWNERS FEDERATION BULLETIN

waikato/bay of plenty words

The Waikato AGM was a pleasant occasion with the existing Committee returned to their positions as for the previous year. I thank them for their loyalty, and hope we can co-opt some fresh faces in the near future.

On Oct 31st and Nov 14th Martiniz Special won two races for Barbara Brough of Huntly. By Postponed this is a lovely young stayer in the making. Also in the same ownership is one win horse Getalonghome Cindy. Both are trained by Stephen Ralph.

A nice winner on Oct 31st at Tauranga was Head Spin for owner Raewyn Armstrong, husband Marty, and Waikato Stud. Head Spin won in the colours of Raewyn’s father, Peter Moran who is best remembered for his top horse, Panza Chief.

A special win at Te Aroha was Hiflyer in the Don Hawtin Memorial. This race carried the name of Trish Lock’s father and both her sisters Suzanne and Diane and brother Keith, were all on course for the win. Peter Lock trains Hiflyer and put together a syndicate of new owners to race the horse with Sir Patrick and Lady Hogan who gave the Tavistock gelding to the former farrier, knowing he could analyse some confirmation shortcomings; such a perfect result for everyone concerned.

A popular and welcome win was had by Shelley Hale with Close Up at Tauranga. He is owned by Shelley, with R M Stent and the Noel and Alison Johnstone Trust. This is a grouping that has been together for many years. Close Up is by Shinko King and more wins are surely in the pipeline.

Gracehill won this day for D J and Mrs Crawford. This very promising O’Reilly mare, with 2 wins from 3 starts, is trained by Roger James.

Breaking Dawn always runs a good race for John Mason This horse is only 6 yrs old and there will be something bigger and better ahead after a good third behind Addictive Habit at Christchurch.

Frank and Fay Drummond are enjoying a colourful and fruitful period in racing with their stallion El Hermano siring most of their winners. With not a lot racing he is producing quite a few winners. El Fernando is trained by Mark Brooks and El Pescado trained by Stuart Manning, the latter with 12 starts and 4 wins to his name.

Nice to see Somethingvain competing with the best for Ken Beer, Alan Young and Chris Grace. With just 10 starts and 4 wins, she has a big future. Trained by M.M.and M Rogers she had a nice win at the “top table” Ellerslie on Nov 3rd.

Victoria and John Carter with Ross Powell race Amadeus who has had 3 wins from 14 starts. He is trained in Cambridge by Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young.

FLAIR Inc. (For Ladies Advancing their Interests in Racing) – achieved their 20th year of existence with a celebratory event at Te Rapa at the Cambridge Jockey Club meeting on November 22nd. Approx 60 attended in their marquee on the front lawn.

Special guests were Lucinda Laxon, new Committee member for Cambridge Jockey Club, baby Alexa Brooks – daughter of Michelle Wenn and Mark Brooks, and Patron Linda Jones.

If we discount the ferocious winds that day, it was a lovely gathering of old and new members.

A beautiful birthday fruit cake in the FLAIR black and gold colours was cut and sampled by all. Geertje Herder and crew did a fantastic job.

Being a member of Flair adds to a days racing – being able to socialise and meet women of similar interests can make a difference. Many members have fascinating insights and experiences of racing to share.

Thinking about joining? It’s only $20. Ph Maureen on 07 849 5414 (home).

auckland advice Neil Miller

Boxing Day dawned clear and we are off to the races with a winner picked out for every race. The course was a picture and there were many fantastic sights of the equine and human form. Once again I took the camera but such was the contrast of light that only one pic’ was worth saving.

There was some amazing racing and I reckon if you have seen one really good horse in a day of racing you have had a good day

Xtravagant is his name and it’s apt. We watched his corpulent self parade with two strappers and thought this will be interesting. It was as he blew out from the start to a decent lead from the start and kept going but was getting tired in the shadows of the post.

Marbeel, Hong Kong owned by Debbie Ho and managed by personality Cherry Taylor, ran the same trip a second faster but these are very progressive horses at different stages of their preparation.

Kawi won the Zabeel Classic and it takes a very good horse to do that. Earlier in the spring Allan Sharrock had told punters that this bloke was the real deal and the punters had taken note. I went with Addictive Habit but it was a bridge too far for the good old boy. But Stryker and Leith Innes showed a clean pair of heels in the “Recovery Stakes for me.

I should have backed Seventh Up in the last but sentiment took over again and I backed the ”Legends” Lady Jay, the daughter of Sarajay with Sam aboard. She ‘died in the hole’ in the shadows of the post and came 3rd. They left a lane for the ‘Iceman’ right up the rail to bring Seventh Up from last to first. He just bombed them and I don’t know if I have ever seen a horse finish faster.

As an aside Shelley Hale’s Mum gets the first issue of every Bulletin. I send the ‘Media File’ to Shelley who has a gismo to convert it to Braille as her Mum has sight issues.

Overall we had a fantastic day, good company, good horses, good track and a wallet grown fatter!

There have been enquiries as to the status of the Avondale 1600m start which became unusable due to drainage issues caused by work on adjacent land.

NZTR have advised that transverse drains which were 10 metres apart have been supplemented by additional drains bringing the spacing down to 5m. The work has been completed and subject to approval the 1600m start is expected to be operational early in the New Year.

I checked up with Barry Childs, Track Manager at Counties Racing as to the status of PukePark. It had earlier been planned to resume racing in February 2016. However a decision was made late November to defer this to April rather than stress the new grass in the summer while it is under irrigation. In light of the forecasted El Nino summer it was probably a wise decision. Let’s be patient and thus eventually more rewarded!

Auckland Committee – Following the Auckland Owners AGM President – Neil Miller, Vice President and Delegate to NZTROF – Mike GethingSecretary – Michael Dowd, Alternate – Raewyn McKenzieCommittee – Frances Crimmins, Sally Blythe, Peter Lister, John Graham, Hayden Nicholson (on leave).

Ellerslie track

JANUARY 2016 5

hawkes bay happenings Tony Lyndon

Local Owner/Breeder Don Gordon’s luck seems to be changing for the better.

His brilliant galloper Survived, who has been out of form since a paddock injury last January, transferred to Moira Murdoch’s Waiuku stable to be worked on the beach and this seems to have done the trick. In his first start for 7 months he ran a good race for 3rd in a $25,000 Open 1600 at Waikato. Later in the month the Road to Rock gelding All Roads won at Avondale. Don sold All Roads at the Karaka Sales for $40,000 and then bought a share back.

Montana Stud proprietors Graham and Isobel Roddick followed their win in the Group 1 $250,000 Livamol Classic at Hastings with a repeat win in the Group 2 $230,000 Couplands Mile at Christchurch with their home bred Colombia gelding Addictive Habit. He has now won 11 races and over $760,000 in stake money for the Roddicks, Graham’s sister Annie and her husband Colin Scot, Hayden and

Leonie Nicholson, Bill O’Brien and Keith and Meryl Treadaway.

Goodsav is back in work after a fortnights break. Patrick Campbell is setting her for the Desert Gold Stakes at Trentham on January 30th, but will give the filly a run first, probably at Awapuni on January 9th.

John Bridge and son James have a good eye for spec buying. Their first purchase was the good sprinter Alleyoop and they now have another in Mackintosh a first up winner at Te Aroha. The Pins gelding then ran an unlucky 4th at Awapuni and will probably be now set for a 2000 metre race. Purchased for only $11,000 at the Weaning Sales he is out of the Generous mare Lolly Scramble and is a full sister to Porotene Lollipop, the winner of 4 races.

Paul and Carol Nelson were unfortunate to lose their Grosvenor mare Grosveness early this year. No Change the second to last of her progency followed his win at Awapuni by winning his 5th race The Leopard Hotel Christmas Cup at

Waipukurau. The Shinko King 7 year old gelding, like his half brothers Ho Down (8 wins) No Cash (7wins) No Governance (3wins) and No Credit (2 wins) needed time to mature.

Margaret Larsen’s Café Culture returned to form by winning his 4th race from 7 starts at Woodville. Next start was a close 4th at Awapuni after getting well off the pace. He will now start over middle distances as a prelude to the Gr. 1 Auckland Cup.

Kevin Williams is the winner of the October/November bi-monthly Trophy. Kevin races Golden Bay who won his 3rd race at the Woodville meeting, with a large group of racing fans. Bred by Sue Harty he is out of Golden Butterfly the winner of 9 races and was her last foal.

The Hawkes Bay Owners Assn and Racing in general were sad to lose Jimmy Donnelly a week before Christmas. He raced a lot of horses over the years and currently was racing Zentangle with son Jason and trainer Kevin Myers.

manawatu – wellington matters Allan Fenwick

Dan Cugat’s maiden win at Otaki at the beginning of January was the cause for much emotion as it provided apprentice jockey Holly Andrew with her first success at only her third raceday ride. Holly now joins a long list of apprentices to pass through the Kevin Gray “Finishing School.” Dan Cugat is raced by Tony and Mrs Loveridge and trained by Kevin.

Holly’s career has been badly affected by injury including both legs being broken in a car accident. On hand to witness her win was Holly’s Grandfather E C (Bill) Andrew, a former Jockey and Trainer, Father Leon and Grandmother Viv. The Andrew family had a landmark day when Jimmy Mac won the Christchurch Casino New Zealand Cup in November. He is now being aimed at the upcoming Wellington Cup. He was bred by Leon Andrew and is trained by brother Gene at Awapuni.

Members Mark & Fay Fearon and John Roache have enjoyed great success on the track over the last couple of months. Written Command won his 4th race in November, Alamosa mare Prioritise kicked off 2016 for them also at Hastings and Troup Road cleared maidens at Otaki. All are trained by Matthew Eales. From the Howie Matthews stable Irish Chat won her second race at Otaki in December and the Royden Bergerson trained Irish Whisper was a winner at Waipukurau in December.

Also sharing in the successes of Written Command and Troup Road are John Druce and Keith Towers whilst Pee Gee & W J Bloodstock Ltd share in Prioritise.

Gail Temperton and Stan Alexander rocked punters again, this time at Otaki with Nom du Beel. As the breeders they have also enjoyed seeing Pentathlon progress through the grades. By Pentire, he is the winner of his last 4 races including a double at Canterbury and a win over 3200m at Trentham in December, Pentathlon now looms as a real lightweight hope in the Wellington and Auckland Cups.

Celtic Cross broke through maidens at Taranaki recently. She is raced by John & Trudy Donovan and trainer and close friend John Wheeler and is from their Pins mare Celtic Rose, a winner of 5 races including the North Island Challenge Stakes.

Christopher & Susannah Grace have had a number of new horses racing well for them recently. Savabeel mare Shillelagh was a winner at Awapuni in December and was then runner up at Ellerslie on 1 January. A career record of 3 wins and a second from 4 starts indicates a horse with real potential. Profile recoded her second win and Estimate was a first up winner at Woodville in October. Both these horses are trained by David & Emma Haworth. In addition Beefeater, trained by Royden Bergerson, was a winner on Boxing Day after a good second on debut.

Aide Memoire, raced by Murray Deans and Alan Groves and trained by Fraser Auret, recorded his third win at Awapuni and now has had 3 wins & 3 placings from just 8 starts.

Sanjara recorded her 3rd win for trainer Roger Allen at Woodville in late October and Jacksstar recorded his 2nd win for Peter and Christine Algie at Awapuni in November.

Joby was a winner for Wayne Kitching and trainer Bryce Newman in November as was Carnaby for Michael Collinson and Allan and Susan Fenwick.

Speechcraft has been a model of consistency since joining Trina Riddell’s stable with 2 wins, a third and a meritorious fifth, in the Group 2 Kamada Park Manawatu Challenge Stakes. The Oratorio gelding has now won 6 races his latest being the Russell Roads City of Hastings Cup on New Years’ day. Trina shares in the ownership of Speechcraft along with Harness celebrities Andrew Stuart, Mark Jones & Blair Orange, RACE Racing Manager Brent Wall and a Syndicate involving a number from the NZTR Office at Petone.

MANAWATU ASSOCIATION AGM

The Association AGM was held in early December. Michael Collinson was elected President, taking over from Jim Watson who did not seek re election. Kevin Tod was elected Vice President and the Committee for the ensuing year comprises Stan Alexander, Gary Burton, John Creaven, Greg Lambert, Danny Madden, Beven Parlato, Mark Verran and Jim Watson. Tribute was paid to the significant contribution that Jim has made to the affairs of the Association for over 25 years.

National President Neil Oldfield addressed the AGM and made reference to a number of matters currently being addressed by the Federation and then Senior Jockey Darryl Bradley responded to a number of questions put to him. He said that he had been “blown away” with the support that he had received when he fronted an appeal for injured jockey Thomas Russell. In excess of $180,000 had been raised. Darryl visited Thomas regularly and although he had little movement he was in good spirits and was taking a real interest in racing via Trackside.

Darryl also commented on encouraging and mentoring potential apprentices, the amount of travelling he and some other jockeys undertook on a regular basis. He talked about jockey’s agents, his concern about the weights that some horses were being allotted and their ability to race competitively under those weights, the amount of racing on some tracks and the implications of moving the running rail. He felt that there should be more emphasis on improving stake money across the middle events rather than at the top end.

Darryl said that his favourite horse was still Chad on whom he had won 13 races. However he had a soft spot for Avedon and Platinum Witness.

REGIONAL ROUNDUP CONTINUED

6 NEW ZEALAND THOROUGHBRED RACEHORSE OWNERS FEDERATION BULLETIN

central south island sayingsFiona Hurst

Since the last bulletin we have had some great racing down here in the South. Starting with Cup Week in November and now looking forward to the remainder of the Christmas racing with the west coast circuit just around the corner.

A highlight of Cup Week was the fantastic win of the old stalwart of racing in the Canterbury region, ‘El Chico’. Time and time again I write about this fantastic horse and he certainly does not show any weaknesses for his ripe old age of eleven years. To be in his ninth season of racing is an incredible feat and testament to his desire to race and his trainers’ attention to detail. El Chico has amassed an impressive 125 starts for 23 wins and 61 minor placings. On the middle day of Cup Week El Chico won the Group 3 Lindauer Stewards Stakes Handicap over 1200 with the most impressive last 600m I have seen in a race of this calibre from a horse of this age. Three days later he backed up to win the Mohua Premier Open Handicap over 1400 in another blistering last 600. Owners of El Chico, John Carran, wife Evelyn Carran and Trainer Michael Pitman have had a wonderful partnership with this horse who has amassed over $600k in prize money.

In the local area, North Island ex-pat racing proposition ‘Hot Property’ has certainly been sizzling for her owners, Richard and Anne White. After being offered to Trainer Michael Daly, Richard and Anne came onboard with the four year old ‘Postponed’ mare. After two minor placings from four starts up north, Hot Property affectionally known as ‘Honey’ has finished no worse than third in her four starts in the south island. Her first start at Wingatui in October where she ran third was no suprise after showing a bit of promise in trackwork. She followed up her fresh up run with a maiden win at Gore nearly a month later. Stepping up a grade has proved no problem with two second placings in as many starts.

Hot Propertys’ owners Richard and Anne White have long been supporters of racing in many facets although Anne had no interest in racing before meeting Richard. Richard was introduced to racing as a toddler when his grandfather took him to races. Richard was raised in Wingatui

so was not far from the track where his grandfather was the timekeeper and also accompanied his dad to races where his father was the handicapper for the Otago/Southland area.

When Richard left school he attained a degree in Accounting at Otago University and landed his first job in Dunedin before moving to Wellington for a two year stint. While in Wellington he purchased his first horse and gave it to Trainer Pat Corby at Washdyke where Richard had moved to. The mare won a race at Geraldine at the same time that the legendary GreyWay was racing.

Richard continued to race horses with Pat Corby for a while before taking out a Owner/Trainer Licence himself. He purchased four horses from the weanling sale at Hamilton with the idea of selling them. Managing to sell two he was left with two, one that Pat Corby trained ‘Black Rule’ and Richard trained the other ‘Newmarket’. These two horses accumulated 18 wins between them with the highlight being the Queens Birthday weekend of racing at Wingatui in 1982 when Black Rule won the Open Mile on the Saturday, Newmarket won the Birthday Handicap 2200m on the Monday and backed up the next Saturday to win the Open Mile which he defended his title win a year later. Black Rule also won the Waikouiti Cup in 1983. The outlay for these two when weanlings was $800 and $400.

Generally speaking Richard and his father always had a horse co-owned which they had trained by Pat Corby. Richard had brought a filly that he raced for a win and then she went on to become the foundation for Richards’ breeding ambition. She became the grand dam of the more recent horses to race for Richard and Anne being ‘Braemar’ and ‘Braehill’, both multiple winners trained by Michael Daly.

Richard and Anne can now have holidays and race days at their leisure as he has retired from accounting after thirty nine years at Martin Wakefield Accountancy firm in Timaru.

Richard is currently treasurer of the Timaru Racing Club and has been for more than twenty years, secretary of the Race Club Trustees for more than thirty years and Secretary of our Owners & Trainers Assoc from day dot being more than forty years ago.

At nearly seventy years of age Richard is still active and he gets to occasionally indulge his love of horses by riding a horse and leading one to the track as part of the Michael Daly racing team.

Another horse that I have written about for a good few years just keeps popping up and stealing a race here and there in the twilight of his racing career and that is ‘Ya Dreamin Jonesy’ who won the AWS Legal Queenstown Cup at the end of November making it his tenth win of his 68 race start career. Paying around $30 on the tote, ‘Jonesy’ led the field to the 800 where he was headed but he fought back to get the bob in and the spoils of the $25,000 purse. Once owned and trained by Graeme Dobbs at Orari, the ‘Pins’ gelding is now trained by Graeme’s son Lionel while Graeme enjoys his retirement.

wanganui taranaki roundup Brian O’Dea

Weather conditions have been disrupting trainers and owners plans but will now hopefully settle.

Wanganui member and former Wanganui J.C. President Dan O’Leary has had a frustrating spring health and horse wise. Dan’s Overtheriver, one of the leading lights by local stallion Metre An Jeu, having won seven races, has had track conditions against him on several occasions but still ran good placingsin class fields. Earlier success’s for Dan were Kaitoke Hall winning three races in 1998 in partnership with brother Patrick. In the 2000’s Dan was heavily involved in the ownership of Balmuse, winner of 15 races over a seven year career including the Kelt Capital, then worth over $1m.

Jason Hurley a good supporter of Stratford trainer Trudy Keegan had further success with Catwomando. New Plymouth member.

John Wheeler not only trains, but breeds, trains and races and has a couple of potential big cup winners in Pentathlon (4 straight wins) an Diamantine Involved in Pentathlon are Jim Martin and family.

The Taranaki-Wanganui thoroughbred breeders are hoping to have their annual foal walk probably in mid February. It has been normally a late autumn-early winter event which is always very wet, so keep an eye out for a confirmed date on their website.

Richard and his ‘Honey’ – Hot Property

JANUARY 2016 7

Mary Mountier’s enthusiasm for life – and a slice of her alcohol-laden Christmas cake – proved just the tonic for a case of pending exhaustion during the hectic holiday season.After being assigned to chat with Mary at her Waikanae home, my major difficulty lay in deciding how to kick the resulting article off.

Should it be by highlighting Mary’s lengthy association with journalism and writing, as author and co-author of seven books on thoroughbreds and racing? That way, I would also be able to mention her small but intimidating publication on spelling and grammar “Your Joking” which made this author somewhat nervous of future scrutiny by a master of the craft.

Perhaps it might be better to describe the fun she’s currently having as a co-owner of the more than handy galloper Our Gazza and how his growing photo library has forced a change in her planned Wall of Fame?

In the end, that night’s summer re-run of The Sound of Music sorted things out – I’d better “…start at the very beginning. A very fine place to start…”

Mary Mountier’s love of horse racing began when she first went with her family to Trentham at the age of 12. Since then she’s been involved in the industry as an owner, journalist, author and administrator, earning a national broadcasting profile during the 1980s when the popular Radio Racing Show teamed her up with Keith Haub and the late Alan Bright every Saturday morning.

Having raced 11 horses either in syndicates or on her own account since 1975, Mary’s run of books kicked off with Alister Taylor’s beautifully produced Notable Thoroughbreds series, with The Radio Racing Show (1985), The Racing Scene in New Zealand (1987), Racing Women of New Zealand (1993) and How To Pick A Winner (2004) to follow.

Selected in the early ‘80s to travel to Keeneland for the prestigious July yearling sales as part of an international bench of foreign media (alongside representatives from the United Kingdom, Europe and Asia), Mary was able to observe first-hand the power brokers of the day making huge outlays, was able to visit the leading blue grass stud farms and – and in a life-time highlight – pat the mighty Nijinsky. She also fed Secretariat autumn leaves but the ungrateful (or hungry?) champion bit her hand, leaving a blister.

Subsequently appointed New Zealand correspondent for the esteemed Kentucky publication Thoroughbred Record, Mary was kept busy back home, with extensive editing of stylish publications for the Wellington Racing Club and others, drawing on an earlier career producing Designscape magazine for the New Zealand Industrial Design Council.

However, all that attention to detail and her love of and care for the English language does not make Mary a snob. Humour underpins much of her writing, for instance How to Pick a Winner with its intriguing opening chapter entitled “Why this book is a lie…”

As Mary points out, if she really knew how to pick a winner she wouldn’t have been writing or talking about it – she’d have been betting away in secret and squirrelling the proceeds. Instead, she’s opted to keep racing as a balance in her life, not the primary focus.

Living by that ethos, she and late husband Garry Ward, the noted sports broadcaster, loved their lives on the Kapiti Coast where they were able to walk their dogs on the beach and entertain family and friends. Garry’s untimely death in 2009 shocked both the local community, the sportspeople he had worked alongside and his friends in the racing industry.

So much so that Wellington identities Cliff and Betty Condren reached out to Mary to see if she’d like to join them and legendary jockey Bill Skelton in racing an unbroken Handsome Ransom gelding, the last foal from their good mare Car Park Flyer. To be trained by Lisa Latta, the youngster would be named Our Gazza in honour of their mate.

After a pause, Mary thought “why not” and took on a 10 percent share, hoping as many owners do for perhaps one more win, one more photo to hang on the wall, something to remember the good times at Trentham and beyond. Thirty four starts and eight wins later and with a potential shortage of space on the wall, Garry Ward must be chuckling as the Gazza roadshow continues to roll along.

“It’s been so much fun,” says Mary over our cup of tea, with Our Gazza’s Winter Classic and Whyte Handicap wins in the background. “He’s such a character.” That’s very much like his namesake, it has to be said.

With one of Mary’s best known books being Racing Women of New Zealand, recounting the lives of Granny McDonald, Linda Jones, Kim Clapperton and company, it seemed particularly apt to be chatting to her so soon after Michelle Payne’s triumph at Flemington. With all Mary has done to highlight the success and achievement of racing, its people, its leading ladies and its horses, that breakthrough victory said much on many counts.

As an administrator who counted six years on the TAB board and now acts as Patron of the Wellington branch of Riding for the Disabled, Mary Mountier is the epitome of a well-rounded individual and as far from a “horsey bore” as one could imagine. She has also chaired the Consumers’ Institute and served as a member of the Government’s National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee and the Veterinary Council’s Complaints Committee.

A great conversationalist, she’s also a splendid cook. Remember that irresistible cake? Confession time. I actually enjoyed two hunks, not one. Mary explained that in Garry’s absence (but no doubt with his approval) she’s been randomly using some of his left-over spirits to soak her fruit mix. Whatever the secret, she got the balance exactly right in 2015.

Cheers! – Charlotte Gendall

MARY MOUNTIERAt home with …

CENTRAL REGION APPRENTICE ACADEMY PRIZEGIVINGThe Central Region Apprentice Academy Prizegiving was held in mid December and it was good to have current NZTR Apprentice Jockey Mentor and former Central Region Head Pupil Noel Harris in attendance.

Major prize winners were – Most Improved Apprentices – Madan Singh & Timothy Johnson; Most Promising Apprentices – Dylan Mo & Rebecca Goldsbury; General Attendance and Participation at Apprentice Academy – Ethan Wright; Best Presented – Rebecca Goldsbury; Leading Apprentice – Leah Hemi; Head Pupil – Nivesh Teeluk.

The Association was pleased to be a sponsor and was represented by Vice President Kevin Tod who handed over the Best Presented Prize to Rebecca Goldsbury.

NEW ZEALAND RACING HALL OF FAME INDUCTION DINNER To be held in Hamilton on Friday, 12 February, 2016“Now here’s a heads up and a must attend for any racing person who is passionate about our great industry and sport.

The sixth biennial New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame inductee gala dinner at SkyCity, Hamilton on Friday evening, 12 February 2016, celebrates racing’s past and present equine and human greats.

I’ve been to all the previous five and won’t be missing this hallmark industry function again. But unless you get you get organised and tickets purchased ASAP you’ll likely not get to 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 021 159 4501 or msubritzky@xtra.co.nz or go to www.racinghalloffame.co.nz.

“You’ll thank me for it for sure!” – Allan Fenwick

KARAKA OPEN DAY – NEW ZEALAND BLOODSTOCK SALES COMPLEXSUNDAY 14 FEBRUARY 2-5pmA recent initiative is the Karaka Open Day which is designed as an informative afternoon to boost ownership at all levels. Members of the public are encouraged to join industry leaders to get their questions answered and maybe even get involved in ownership on the day!

Last year’s inaugural event had New Zealand’s iconic sports stars and race horse owners Sir Colin Meads and Hamish Bond captivating the audience with their love of racing. It is a great opportunity to meet syndicators, breeders, trainers and other potential owners.

Take advantage of this enterprising opportunity to mix and mingle with some of New Zealand’s most prominent racing figures at the Karaka Open Day on Sunday, 14 February 2016.

Karaka Open Day 2015

8 NEW ZEALAND THOROUGHBRED RACEHORSE OWNERS FEDERATION BULLETIN

Congratulations to NZB for delivering

on all the expectations around the RTR

Sale. Thanks to Lyndhurst, Diamond

Lodge and Riversley Park for again doing

such a great job with our horses. Both

Per Incanto and Nadeem finished in the

top 10 sires on average, with owners

collecting a great return on their service

fees. Willie Leung secured one of the

first Per Incanto’s earmarked for Hong

Kong, the gelding from Viking Angel.

On the racing front, the LA breds Irish

Moon and Shotover River have placed

five times in black-type racing here and in

Australia over the last 2 months. Nadeem

filly Ammirata took out the Belle of the

Turf Group 3 for Joe Pride in Australia

becoming his 13th stakes winner.

Per Incanto has the equal top rated two-

year-old in the country in Tennessee and

he has three stakes performing three-

year-olds over a mile. Ron Cunningham’s

lightly raced gelding Shadow’s Cast

finished second in the Group 3

Wellington Stakes and Bella Court filled

the same position in the Group 3 Eulogy.

Our 11 Karaka Premier LOTS include two

colts from sire of the moment Savabeel;

Australian Group 2 winner Savvy Nature’s

full brother LOT 310 is a neater, more

athletic type than his older brother while

the dual stakeswinning mare Kekova’s

first foal LOT 347 is a beauty, strong and

tough. Savabeel features again as the

dam-sire of Christopher Grace’s Cape

Blanco colt from a full sister to Group

2 winner Tullamore and the unbeaten

Shillelagh. When looking at LOT 225

Choisir – Change of Class colt, you’ll see

his name says it all. There are only five

Pins colts in Premier this year and our

colt LOT 43 from a young Exceed and

Excel mare is a powerhouse!

NZ’s leading second season sire Per Incanto and Nadeem feature amongst our

18 Select lots. The Willams families have again been to the fore this season with

the likes of Mongolian Khan and LOT 522. This Per Incanto filly hails from one

of the best, the Dayana and Grand Cidium clan and she certainly looks the part.

Another cracker is the Per Incanto filly, LOT 820, a half sister to the promising All

Roads from the Group 2 winner Dancing Daze.

Karaka winds up for us with two lots in the ‘value ‘Festival Sale. Remember that

Trevor McKee ‘found’ Tennessee at this sale last year.

Following the success we’ve enjoyed at the Inglis Classic Sale, Sledmere Stud

will present four yearlings by Per Incanto and one by Pins at the 2015 Sale which

starts on 6 February.

Little Avondale and the Williams Family

celebrate 75 years of breeding this year.

We have produced 47 Group 1’s,

45 Group 2’s, 38 Group 3’s and 78 Listed

wins during this time, a total of 208 black type

wins. We look forward to seeing you

at Karaka and Sydney to show off what we

hope will be your next Champion.

LOT 255 – CHOISIR-CHANGE OF CLASS

PROVENPROVEN

Years

TEA

M WILLIAMS BREED

ING

75

STUD CHAT WITH SAMJanuary 2016

Name: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Syndicate: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Stud: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Address: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Post Code: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Telephone: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mobile: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Email: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

I wish to be associated with: (please tick one)  Auckland   Bay of Plenty   Hawkes Bay

Manawatu   Waikato   Wanganui / Taranaki   Central South Island

Signature: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Date: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

NZTROF Bank Account: BNZ Manukau 020191 0148971 00FEDERATION CONTACTS: Tel: 0800 696 377 Fax: 07 855 0330 E-mail: nztrof@xtra.co.nz

Postal: PO Box 14 027, Hamilton 3252 Website: www.racehorseowner.co.nz

Racehorse Owners are the backbone of the racing industry, incurring significant cost to purchase and prepare horses for racing. It is essential that Owners are well represented by an independent body that seeks to maximise their returns – financial, social and overall enjoyment.Join the Thoroughbred Racehorse Owners Federation and support the voluntary organisation that is working for Owners .

The annual membership fee of $50.00 for single or $60.00 for dual will be the smallest investment you make in racing – but possibly the best. Choose which association you would like to join as below or go online to register your membership.If you race a horse with a syndicate or stud please name below.

OWNERS TENT NEW ZEALAND BLOODSTOCK – KARAKA 2016 SALESNew Zealand Bloodstock’s annual National Yearling Sales Series takes place January 25-January 31 2016, at the world class Karaka Sales Complex, situated in Karaka – south of Auckland.

• JOIN UP • MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION FORM • JOIN UP •

Located in a prime spot next to the rose gardens, the Owners’ Tent is a relatively new initiative and is designed as an information hot-spot for regular buyers, potential future owners, and visitors to the complex.

Supported by New Zealand Thoroughbred Marketing (NZTM) and New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (under their new ‘Love Racing’ brand), the Owners’ Tent is the go-to place for all the information you could possibly need to enhance your day at the sales.

The ‘Love Racing’ brand is an initiative driven by New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing to increase ownership in New Zealand. The organization is establishing innovative ways for newcomers to get involved in racing. Visit their Facebook page (www.facebook.com/LoveRacingNZ) for more information.

The Owners’ Tent provides a wealth of information, regardless of whether you are a regular buyer or a first time visitor. Drop in for a chat or take advantage of the services on offer:

§ Behind the Scenes Tours at 10.15am and 3.15pm on Monday 25 and

§ Tuesday 26 January (register online at www.nzb.co.nz/behindthescenes/ to receive an exclusive ‘welcome pack’ after the tour)

§ A Beginner’s Guide to Racing

§ Karaka Million information

§ Complex maps

§ Information for Syndicators

§ List of authorised Bloodstock Agents and Registered Syndicators

§ Who to contact if you want a photo of your new purchase!

§ Karaka Open Day Information

Attending the tent will be experts in the thoroughbred industry, who will be able to answer your questions and help you find everything you need to know about racing, buying horses, becoming an owner and more.

Thoroughbred racing is a thrilling experience and there is no better place to buy the next champion than at Karaka 2016.

There will be 1378 yearlings auctioned off over the action-packed six days, attracting buyers from around the world. NZB’s 22 Group 1 winners last season, once again the most of any auction house in Australasia, earned in excess $16 million.

Graduates claimed Group 1 races in Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore and New Zealand and the last five seasons have seen over 100 Group 1 wins by Karaka graduates.

The Sale is renowned not just for its first class horses but also the outstanding hospitality, and we hope to see you at Karaka in January.

10 NEW ZEALAND THOROUGHBRED RACEHORSE OWNERS FEDERATION BULLETIN

THE OWNERS’ FEDERATION WELCOMES NEW MEMBERSWe wish to extend a very warm welcome to the new members who have joined the Owner’s Federation in November to December 2015.

We really appreciate your membership support and look forward to a long and enjoyable association with you.

WAIKATO

Mark Baker Te Kauwhata

Hallmark Stud Te Kauwhata

MANAWATU

R B & Mrs LR Stewart Wellington

HAWKES BAY

Tim Macphee Hastings

CENTRAL SOUTH ISLAND

Josie Hurley Nelson

Ashbury Stud Nelson

New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sales Series is just around the corner and the last few months have seen the team at Haunui Farm in full swing with 55 yearlings in preparation for the equivalent of their Group One of the season in the last week of January.

Mark Chitty says, “Our Premier Draft has almost doubled in size this year at 23 and as always, we have plenty of variety – buyers won’t just be seeing yearlings by two or three stallions. In fact, we have yearlings by 15 different stallions in our Premier draft alone with a good mix of proven and young sires.

“The past few years has seen a bit of a criticism from buyers in regard to the make-up of the Premier catalogue with the notion that New Zealand breeders have not been investing in new blood but this year, we have nine yearlings in the Premier Draft that are first foals. With yearlings by proven stallions Commands, Fastnet Rock, O’Reilly and Savabeel and then first season sires All Too Hard, Ocean Park, Pierro and Reliable Man, I feel we have all Lbases covered and will have a yearling for every buyer.

“We have traditionally always had a very strong Select Sale Draft and this year is no different. Again, there is plenty of variety in terms of sires and I’d go so far as to say that this group of yearlings are among the most physical and correct we have offered from the Karaka farm. We’re also pretty happy with the run of graduates that have been born and raised here such as Waikato and Counties Cup-winner Vavasour, Karaka Million-winner Hardline, Wakefield-winner Showboy and Group One-performers Belle Miraaj and Sardaaj.”

Haunui’s yearlings will travel to Karaka on the 18th of January and will be ready to parade from Tuesday the 19th. For more information, please feel free to contact Mark – 021 663 995, or Shannon – 0212 855 513. Also keep an eye out for the Haunui Farm Yearling Digi-Brochure in the New Year.

HAUNUI SET FOR BUSY FORTNIGHT AT KARAKA

Lot 122 Bernadini-Trilby

JANUARY 2016 11

I met up with NZTBA Executive Committee Member, Vicki Pascoe at the Pascoe Farm called Club Med Lodge. It’s a walk in agistment place on 100 lush acres south east of Taupiri. I am here to learn about the Pearl Series incentive scheme for fillies and mares.

Its inception came from the vision of the late Peter Francis, NZTBA President with the full support of his Executive and then approval from NZTR . They all recognized how crucial it was to incentivize fillies to race and then eventually transition to breeding.

New Zealand Bloodstock Insurance came on board as the primary sponsor with reciprocal race naming rights 3 seasons ago so the oldest are now 4yo mares. Due to the enthusiasm shown by all parties there will be another 2 seasons of complete Pearl Series before a review. This will cover current fillies at foot.

Following are a couple of outcomes before we get to the nuts and bolts of the scheme and the ease of entry.

Lance and I bought a Pins-Artesia filly that became named TESIA at the 2015 Select Sale, specifically to syndicate. Her mother had won 3 races for us and we knew the family well. She was easy to syndicate mostly with our existing owners.

We have supported the Pearl Series from the start but this is the first race that we have won, although we have nominated every filly we have bought since the scheme started. The entry fee is built into the purchase price.

It’s phenomenal that the bonus is worth more than the stake in most cases so for a small entry fee it’s a no brainer really.

Tesia ran a meritorious 4th in a strong field at Ellerslie on Boxing Day. We will chase some ‘black type” for her and look for any other Pearl Series race that suits.

– Leigh Noble

Tesia 2YO first start winner of $11,500 including Pearl bonus $8,000 with happy Owners

NEW ZEALAND BLOODSTOCK INSURANCE PEARL SERIESThe Pearl Series is one of the most exciting things to happen in racing as the reality is it is easier to target these races than black type. The series is at this stage aimed towards Maiden and R65 races.

As soon as the entries came out the first season and every season since we have nominated every filly we have bred and we target Pearl Series races. It’s really worth doing as we are the owner, trainer and nominator and if we win we keep the whole bonus.

Our two recent Pearl Series wins were 12k Maidens and with the 11.5k bonus we banked nearly 40k. For the first time in ages we are excited about racing again. Now we just need to win some A Bonus races. Robyn and Russell Rogers

– Kendayla Park

The New Zealand Bloodstock Insurance Pearl Series is a scheme for fillies and mares offering bonuses of almost $2.6 million and prizemoney of nearly $2.8 million across 200 individual races for each crop of enrolled fillies and mares over three seasons’ racing. The scheme has been designed to benefit all owners, trainers and breeders of thoroughbred fillies racing in New Zealand. Bonuses are available throughout all regions of the country.

The series is administered by the NZTBA.

NZB Insurance Pearl Series 2016 is now open to fillies that are of the 2014 crop (2015 yearlings).

Eligibility for the scheme is restricted to fillies nominated for the scheme as yearlings.

Bonuses are provided on 215, 2YO, 3YO and 4YO races for each series comprising:

§ 15 specified open sex 2YO races. Additional to the winning stake a Pearl Bonus (if eligible) $8000, comprising $7000 to Owner, $700 to Trainer and $300 to Nominator (at fee payment)

§ 180 mid-week fillies’ and mares’ races throughout this Series. These carry a stake of $12,000. Additional to the winning stake a Pearl Bonus (If eligible) Owner receives $10000, Trainer $1000, Nominator $500.

§ 20 Saturday fillies’ and mares’ races. Additional to the winning stake (if eligible) Owner $17500, Trainer $2000, Nominator $1000.

These races will be open to NZB Insurance Pearl Series-nominated and non NZB Insurance Pearl Series-nominated fillies and mares. Only fillies and mares nominated for the NZB Insurance Pearl Series are eligible for bonuses.

A Pearl series nomination covers the filly for its 2-3-4 year old seasons.

2YO races will be open to NZB Insurance Pearl Series-nominated and non NZB Insurance Pearl Series-nominated fillies, colts and geldings. Only fillies nominated to the NZB Insurance Pearl Series are eligible for bonuses.

NZB Insurance Pearl Series Eligibility & FeesThe pathways into the scheme* are: For any NZ or Australian yearling filly to be eligible to participate in the NZB Insurance Pearl Series 2015, she needs to be nominated with New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association (NZTBA) either:

§ On or before 28 February 2016. The nomination is to be accompanied by an Early Bird fee of $690.00*; or

§ From 1 March 2015 to 31 July 2016. The nomination is to be accompanied by a nomination fee of $920.00*; or

§ For yearling fillies catalogued in the NZB South Island Sale in April 2016, by 30 April 2016. Such nomination is to be accompanied by a nomination fee of $690.00.

*Enquire at NZB Karaka Sale or NZ South Island venues.

Please note: Nominations and payment can be completed on-line at www.nzthoroughbred.co.nz/pearl-series Contact NZTBA (07) 827 7727The nominator of the award is rewarded upon any and every success of the entrant so an Owner is incentivised to enter the filly in the Pearl Series.

As we walked out to the car to leave Vicki pointed out to a large group of mares and foals grazing contentedly in the home paddock. “That’s what it’s all about” she said. Odds on half of the ‘babies’ were fillies. I know she is right! – Neil M

12 NEW ZEALAND THOROUGHBRED RACEHORSE OWNERS FEDERATION BULLETIN

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KEY MESSAGES 1. It’s good to see the Government taking this

issue seriously.

2. Off-shore bookmakers are having a growing impact on the local industry and without Government action, it will only get worse.

§ The number of Kiwis betting off-shore has almost doubled over the past 5 years.

3. The reason we have the NZ TAB is to ensure benefits from betting fund racing and sports in NZ.

4. Off-shore bookmakers take bets from New Zealanders and on NZ racing and sporting events and give nothing back. That is money lost to our local racing and sporting sectors.

§ $58 million in gross revenue is bet by Kiwis off-shore;

§ Australian bookmakers are taking $300 million worth of bets on NZ racing.

5. The NZ TAB must become more competitive and attractive to customers. But we also need to see off-shore bookmakers making a contribution back to NZ.

6. The recommended fee would bring in approx. $16 million for racing and sport.

7. These bookmakers comply with similar obligations in other countries (e.g. Australia, UK, Ireland, France and Italy). We’d expect the same here.

SUMMARY OF WORKING GROUP RECOMMENDATIONS 1. Introduce legislation that would require all

off-shore gambling operators to register and pay a fee whenever they accept bets on NZ racing or sport and/or from NZers.

2. The NZ TAB must be more competitive. Measures include:

§ Improved products and service available from NZ TAB; and

§ Amendments to The Racing Act 2003 to permit in-race betting, offer bets on sports that are not covered by a national sport organisation (e.g. mixed martial arts) and a new legislative provision that would allow the NZ TAB to bring new betting products to market via regulation.

3. Revenue from the Off-shore Bookmaker Fee will be used to allow development of racing in NZ, increase the competitiveness of the NZ TAB, and benefit sport (through SportNZ).

WHY RACE FIELDS LEGISLATION WILL DELIVER ESSENTIAL BENEFITS TO OUR RACING AND SPORTS INDUSTRIESBriefing Notes – Support for Race Fields LegislationWith the busy summer racing season upon us there will no doubt be opportunities for your local MPs and Ministers to attend race meetings around the country.The below Briefing Note provides you and club committees with the information required to advocate and explain the importance of the work carried out by the Offshore Racing and Sports Betting Group, the report they produced to the Racing Minister in October this year and the positive financial uplift the recommendations in the report would provide to the racing industry and sports organisations in New Zealand – and will grow significantly beyond these estimates.The following note is provided to set out the reasons for supporting the measures contained in the Off-shore Racing And Sports Betting Working Group Report.

THE FACTS ABOUT OFF-SHORE BETTING Issue 1: NZers Betting Off-shoreNumber of NZers betting off-shore 40,000 Value ($) $58m gross revenue Issue 2: Value of International Betting on NZ Racing and Sport Value ($) of International Betting on NZ Racing (via Corporate Bookmakers) $300 million (turnover) Value ($) of International Betting on NZ Sport $60-$225 million (turnover) Size of the Prize: Off-Shore Bookmaker Fee Revenue Estimated (based on 2% fee) Revenue $16 million per annum

QUESTION & ANSWERS How large is the issue? This is a significant issue for racing and sport. About 40,000 New Zealanders bet off-shore – the number has doubled in the last 5 years. They are betting approx. $58 million gross revenue. In addition, off-shore bookmakers are taking around $300 million in turnover internationally on NZ racing and $60 – $225m in turnover internationally on NZ sport without paying any fees.

What is the solution? We need the Government to ensure off-shore bookmakers, who are making significant profits, are making a contribution back to NZ racing and sport. Introduction of a fee for taking bets from NZers and on our racing and sport is a step we’ve long called for and is consistent with the approach Australian state governments have taken. The NZ TAB also needs to be more competitive. We have made a good start (e.g. mobile app) but more needs to be done to ensure we’re competitive with overseas bookies.

What are the benefits of the Government taking action on this issue? This would deliver a meaningful revenue boost of approx. $16 million for NZ racing and sport which will continue to grow as corporate bookmakers increase their market share. The Working Group also estimates the Government could benefit from $7.7 million in additional GST revenue.

How can we get off-shore bookmakers to comply? These are large multinational players that comply with similar schemes in other countries (e.g. Australia, UK, Ireland and France). We’d expect the same here. We’d also like to see the DIA given the power to notify overseas counterparts of non-compliant bookmakers so other operating markets may also be jeopardised by the offshore bookmakers not complying with NZ legislation.

Why don’t you just ban these bookmakers? A blanket ban on off-shore betting wouldn’t address the underlying drivers of the problem.

The Working Group report was very clear that NZers are betting overseas because they get a better range of products and a better service. The NZ TAB must be more competitive. Also, because off-shore bookmakers pay no GST and make no contribution back to the NZ industry, they have more flexibility to pay rebates and higher dividends. The NZ TAB must be given the opportunity to compete on a level playing field.

Doesn’t this mean the monopoly on betting has run its course? The NZ TAB has a unique status in NZ. The whole purpose is to ensure the benefits of betting go back to racing and sports in NZ. The NZ racing industry delivers real value to NZ with 17,000 jobs, $1.6bn in GDP and valued facilities in local communities. Racing and sports have a stake in the future of our communities and the NZ TAB has a stake in the future of our racing and sports – $1 bet through the NZ TAB delivers benefit to NZ racing and sports.

Why are New Zealanders betting off-shore? Off-shore bookmakers are able to offer a broader range of products and a better service. NZ TAB has been investing in ensuring we’re coming up to scratch, but we need the Racing Act to be amended to ensure we’re able to compete on a level footing with these businesses.

The report says New Zealanders are betting $58 million off-shore, but in the past many have said it was $300 million, does this mean the problem is not as serious as previously thought? No, the Working Group found the value of off-shore betting has increased from $32 million to $58 million. The $300 million figure is a turnover figure and the $58 million is gross revenue (i.e. turnover less dividends).

Further information: Campbell Moncur (NZTR), Tel: (+64) 4 576 6247 Mob: (+64) 027 704 8511 E-mail: campbell.moncur@nzracing.co.nz 11 Dec 2015

JANUARY 2016 13

SUPREME FASHION WINNER WOWS IN VINTAGE COUTURE AT SCORCHING ELLERSLIE BOXING DAY RACESAuckland, Saturday 26 December 2015: A near capacity crowd turned up early to enjoy brilliant sunshine, top thoroughbred racing and elegant fashions at the New Zealand Herald Boxing Day Races at Ellerslie today.

While both the sun and racing were hot, classical and elegant fashion was the order of the day in the Fashions in the Field competition. The Supreme Award went to Talia Marshall, 33, a lawyer from Papamoa, who impressed the judges in a vintage couture-inspired outfit from Melbourne.

More than 100 contestants put their best foot forward in the fashion competitions, one of the best the Judges have seen for a number of years. Head Judge and stylist Lulu Wilcox said the standard of entry was “excellent. It was great to see new faces, especially in the Men’s Racewear section”.

She added that Talia’s outfit was “fresh and light, and she looked effortlessly well groomed and poised, perfect on a warm day like today.” Talia picked up a prize package valued at $4,000 and one of 10 spots in the Viva Prix de Fashion final on Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup Day in March.

Talia’s outfit featured a pale blue Vessano Couture long-line dress, and Marileno Romeo hat, both from Melbourne, matched with an Allanah Hill handbag and a pair of vintage cream gloves.

The Viva Fashion in the Field category winners included:

Women Under 25: Johanna Neuhauser

Canvas Ladies Wear: Talia Marshall

Hawaiian Airlines Ascot Lady: Anna Campbell

Men’s Racewear: Peter Grooby

14 NEW ZEALAND THOROUGHBRED RACEHORSE OWNERS FEDERATION BULLETIN

JANUARY 2016 15

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.

P C Alexandre Papamoa Beach SNOW SECRETP M & Mrs C A Algie Greytown JACKSSTARR G Allen Carterton SANJARAA O Avis Auckland UNTAMED DIAMONDDowager Duchess of Bedford

Matamata TAVY, HOWLAND, SNAPSHOT, HASSELHOOF

K R Beer Morrinsville SOMETHINGVAINDr W J Bishop Selwyn BIG HOSSP J Blacktopp Christchurch ZAH KEISHAD F & Mrs M D Bodle Morrinsville IN A FRENZYJames Bridge Clarks Beach MACKINTOSHJohn Bridge Havelock North MACKINTOSHJ G & Mrs E A Carran Otautau SOUTHERN SAV, EL CHICOT J & Mrs M Carter Cambridge MR KNOWITALLJ T Cassin Bombay BONINSKYMrs R Chojnacki Waitakere UNTAMED DIAMONDM A Collinson Palmerston North TALK THE TALK, CARNABYR A & Mrs J D Coupland Christchurch ANOTHER COUPM D & Mrs K A Courtney Palmerston North DELILAH DELTORO, SILVER BLADEP Crawford Tirau FAALTLINEMs F B Crimmins Papakura SASANOF’S HEROMrs M J Davies Hamilton SMASHINGJ G & Mrs T A Donovan Lower Hutt CELTIC CROSSMrs G M Drought Opunake CATALINA DE LAGOJ D Druce Woodville WRITTEN COMMANDF T & Mrs F I Drummond Pukeatua EL PESCADO, EL FERNANDOD McK Duncan Marton BALHAMEasdon Lodge Matamata FAME SEEKERDame Sian Elias Ellerslie STARSTRIPEMrs M E A Evans Howick WATCH THIS SPACE, DEZIGNATORM & Mrs F L Fearon Palmerston North WRITTEN COMMAND, IRISH CHAT, IRISH

WHISPERA R & Mrs S J Fenwick Marton SILVER BLADE, TALK THE TALK, CARNABYM C Fenwick Marton CAORUNNH A Fletcher Ellerslie STARSTRIPEA R & Mrs E A Galbraith Auckland PIAFMiss C E Galbraith Remuera PIAFM W Gething Howick ARROW IN THE SANDJ A & Mrs A Gibbs Matamata HASSELHOOFP G Gillespie Mt Maunganui LEEDS, TIGER TIMM J Gilmore Papakura UNTAMED DIAMONDW J Gleeson Palmerston North TIGER TIMGo Racing Herne Bay NO MORE TEARS, BILLY MOJO, PINZANO,

BLACK SAV, RUUD NOT TOO, SEIZE THE MOMENT, WHAT A DIVA, PASSING SHOT

A S & Mrs L R Goodall Hamilton PEPPER MILLJ H & Mrs S Goodman Cambridge MAID OF STEELA M Goodwin Herne Bay HASSELHOOFD J Gordon Hastings ALL ROADSC J Grace Hamilton SOMETHINGVAIN, DOCKETC R & Mrs S Grace Hunterville SHILLELAGH, PROFILE, ESTIMATEK & Mrs K A Gray Palmerston North MASH, THE DUKE’S SECRET, CRAFTY LADYA Groves Paekakariki AIDE MEMOIREHallmark Stud Te Kauwhata SUFFIRE 3, *, M Hansen Hunterville SKYBIRD 3, *, Mrs J H Harley Brightwater KIRINA BELLET O Harrison Parnell CASTLE BEE, ALAMERHaunui Bloodstock Papakura TRIACTION, PERFECT FIT, NEVER IN DOUBTK J Hickman Christchurch DELACROIX, TANIA, COOL TART, HOWLAND,

TASHA AIMEESir Patrick & Justine Lady Hogan

Cambridge OSMUNDA, DARTMOOR, LONELY BOY, RONCHI, HOWLAND, HIFLYER, STEPPENWOLF, HASSELHOOF

C K Hunter Mosgiel LUCILLEJ P Hurley Hawera CATWOMANDUA Jackson Napier SLAZENJAHP G & Mrs E L Karton Tauranga SERENA MISSP J & Mrs S L Kay Levin KEILIBKenamon Trust Remuera MADAME JAMAID W Lake Ashburton SERENA MISSMiss P A Lane Upper Hutt ETERNAL ANGELMiss M W Larsen Otane CAFE CULTUREC A Leishman Ellerslie PRECISION MISSMrs N R Leishman Epsom PRECISION MISSM J Lewis Remuera PIAFLincoln Farms Kumeu PLATINUM BALOS, REILLY LINCOLN, PLATINUM

EXPRESS, LINCOLN’S SUNSETT G Lines Papakura ZAH KEISHA, INA JAMLittle Avondale Trust Masterton PRECISION MISSP W Lock Te Aroha GOTTA KEEPERJ Lowry Hastings CHICTDB & Mrs BL Macphee Hastings THE INNKEEPER, MISS COBRAC R & Mrs S M MacRury Tauranga ENIGMA MACHINEJ N K & Mrs G A Martin New Plymouth PENTATHLONP Martin Greenlane LATIN ROSEB Mattison Howick LUCKY SWEEPI W McErlich Waitomo Caves ALAMERSir Colin Meads Te Kuiti TENNESSEEB M Mollet Drury UNTAMED DIAMONDP Murphy Upper Hutt ENZO’S LADP S & Mrs C Nelson Hastings NO CHANGES L Painton Silverdale SILVERDALES R Plant Mt Albert MARITIMOD N & Dame Wendy Pye Otahuhu SPEEDY JAXStephen Ralph Pukekohe THUNDER DOWN UNDERT L Riddell Palmerston North SPEECH CRAFTJ A Roache Marton WRITTEN COMMAND, IRISH CHAT, IRISH

WHISPERV J & Mrs J E Roberts Waipu AIMEES GOLD, D’CASH MAN, AIMEES BABE L M & Mrs C J Robinson Christchurch CANTILENAG A Rogerson Hamilton SERENA MISS, ALLELOOJAH, SABER, ABBA,

NIGHT FEVER, SANASAR, MARITIMO, FRANCIS DRAKE, STACCATO, DON’T LOOK BACK

S Rusbridge Hamilton STATHAMSeaton Park Ltd Morrinsville VICKI ANNEG A Shand Huntly HOWLAND, STOLEN DANCE, HASSELHOOFG R Shewan Hamilton ILLUMINATID S & M L Shuker Pokeno ALL ROADSW Slee Auckland DOUROD R & Mrs K M Smith Hamilton CRUCIALN H & R T Stanley Opunake DARCI MACR B & Mrs L R Stewart Wellington GREAT EXPECTATIONS, LUSTROUS, CITY CHICB D Stodart Winton DOCTOR EDENA K & K A Stove Pukekohe UNTAMED DIAMONDMrs M R Svensson Hawarden KASUNDIB M & Mrs C N Taylor Cambridge SMASHINGJ C & Mrs M A Thompson Howick CHACHAR, RANGIPOD & Mrs M A Thomsen Taumarunui BERGERACK G Towers Palmerston North WRITTEN COMMANDMrs P M Trusttum Timaru ALACRIASir Peter Vela Hamilton RASA LILA, BELLE ECLIPSE, POLYNESIA,

MOPSY, ARPEGGIOJ R & Mrs L M Wheeler New Plymouth CELTIC CROSS, DIAMANTINE, PENTATHLONR J & Mrs A L White Timaru HOT PROPERTYR J Wiltshire Palmerston North WRITTEN COMMANDJ Wong Warkworth NIGELISSIMAMrs P E M Woollaston Howick ARROW IN THE SAND