Month: April 2020

NZB’s South Island Sale to be held on Gavelhouse Plus

Editor BOAY

The first-ever New Zealand Bloodstock sale to be conducted on gavelhouse.com’s new online platform, Gavelhouse Plus, will be NZB’s annual South Island Sale. Postponed from its original April date to August due to the COVID-19 lockdown and travel restrictions, the decision has now been made to sell the horses online in June.  Gavelhouse Plus allows NZB to use the original conditions of sale which allows selling to registered bidders only while paying the vendor out as it would a traditional auction. “One of the biggest benefits is that the horses…

Cautious optimism following PM’s announcement

Editor BOAY

The announcement this afternoon by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, that New Zealand would move to Alert Level 3 from 11.59pm on Monday, 27 April, was greeted with cautious optimism by NZTR. The Prime Minister said that following two weeks at Alert level 3, a further review and alert level decision will be made on May 11. Over the past few weeks NZTR has developed protocols to enable training, trialling and racing to be safely conducted under COVID-19 levels 3 and 2.  The measures outlined within the protocols include strategies adopted in…

Tipping competition raises $27,500 for charity

Editor BOAY

A charity tipping competition run by thoroughbred stud farm Windsor Park Stud has raised $27,500 for charity. KidsCan and the Starship Foundation are the beneficiaries, with the money raised split between the two charities. Gordon Reid took out the competition and in doing so has won a free service to one of Windsor Park’s stallions.  Windsor Park Stud principal Rodney Schick was delighted with the competition’s success and the amount of money raised for charity. “We had 1253 entries and we had lots of fun. We raised $27,500 for charity,”…

RITA COVID-19 Update Share on Facebook

Editor BOAY

The Racing Industry Transition Agency (RITA) today (19 April) provides a further update on the potential impacts of, and its response to, COVID-19,  including initial consideration for the TAB of the restrictions announced by Government of a move to Alert Level 3 and pending consultation of the draft racing calendar for May, June and July 2020.  TAB Performance  TAB’s digital platform, as well as Trackside Television continue to operate despite available content declining by approximately 80% when compared to content available prior to COVID-19.  Thoroughbred, harness and greyhound race meetings in…

Britain making plans for racing return

AAP

Two Arena Racing Company tracks could be at the forefront of a return to racing in Britain when the time comes for the sport to resume following its suspension because of the coronavirus pandemic. Any resumption will be behind closed doors on the Flat, but only when government advice permits. Should there be a heavily quarantined reintroduction, two of Arena’s all-weather tracks have the facilities required to host such a scenario. Lingfield and Newcastle both have hotels on course which could be used to house the essential personnel needed to…

Vega One to begin Stradbroke build-up

AAP

Magic Millions Cup winner Vega One (r) will begin his Stradbroke campaign at the Sunshine Coast. Talented Vega One takes his first step towards a long-held date with the Group One Stradbroke Handicap when he runs at the Sunshine Coast. The Stradbroke (1400m) is one of only two Group One races to be run in Queensland this winter after the usual carnival was drastically re-shaped because of the economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic. The prize money for the race has been cut from $1.5 million to $350,000 but is…

Te Akau looking to Australian spring

AAP

Chipping Norton winner Te Akau Shark (r) will be part of the Te Akau spring team in Australia. Te Akau Racing boss David Ellis says he is looking to lease boxes at Flemington but has no plans to set up a permanent Australian base. Ellis sent several horses from New Zealand to target autumn races in Melbourne and Sydney with Probabeel and Te Akau Shark winning Group One races and Melody Belle running third in the All-Star Mile and fourth in the Doncaster. The Te Akau team plans another attack…

MVRC to explore a night-time Cox Plate

AAP

The Moonee Valley Racing Club will explore options to run the Cox Plate at night. Having considered not running the Cox Plate this year, Moonee Valley Racing Club chief executive Michael Browell says they are now exploring whether it can be run under lights. The 2020 Cox Plate marks the 100th running of the race and club was planning a big celebration involving past champions. But crowd lock-outs because of coronavirus and the likelihood those protocols will remain in the spring prompted Browell to consider holding the race over until…

Schofield’s hot streak continues

AAP

Chad Schofield nails a treble on Team Power Chad Schofield is well on his way to smashing his personal best Hong Kong tally after maintaining an excellent run of recent form with a treble at Sha Tin yesterday, Sunday, 19 April. The rider has registered a tally in the thirties in each of his four previous Hong Kong campaigns and this afternoon’s three-timer took him to 34 for the term, just four shy of his best ever 38, with 24 fixtures remaining. “I’ve had a nice run for about two…

New best for Yiu as Mighty Giant impresses

Editor BOAY

Mighty Giant (NZ) (Power) took another step up the ladder with an impressive performance in the Class 3 Dorset Handicap (1400m) at Sha Tin on Sunday, 19 April. The win completed a treble for Ricky Yiu, a return that gave the handler impetus in his quest for a first champion trainer title. He ended the day with 51 wins, two more than his previous best tally of 49, which he achieved in the 2010/11 season. Yiu headed home with a four-win cushion over his nearest rival Francis Lui at the…