Hong Kong has been one of the few nations to continue racing through the COVID-19 pandemic, though trainer Paul O’Sullivan expects the effects of the virus to reach the Asian racing jurisdiction. Regular trading partner nations throughout Europe and New Zealand have long been a source of private purchases, though with racing halted in those countries, along with many others, potential imports have not been competing. “I think it will impact the PP (private purchase) guys with what’s happening in England, a good majority of those come from England,” O’Sullivan…
Month: May 2020
Synthetic track in Christchurch gets thumbs-up
Racing every week at Riccarton. It’s a distinct possibility and something that excites the South Island’s leading trainer Michael Pitman, who trains in partnership with his son Matthew. On Tuesday, Minster for Racing, Winston Peters, announced that the Government has approved $20 million from the Provincial Growth Fund to construct two new synthetic race tracks – at Riccarton Park in Christchurch, and Awapuni in Palmerston North. “I’ve been very constant in my wish for a synthetic track for 10 years,” Pitman said. “The synthetic tracks in Victoria get supported by…
Central Districts buoyed by funding announcement
The announcement of funding for two all-weather tracks in New Zealand has been welcomed by the racing industry. Minster for Racing, Winston Peters, announced on Tuesday that the Government has approved $20 million from the Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) to construct two new synthetic race tracks – at Riccarton Park in Christchurch, and Awapuni in Palmerston North. Alasdair Robertson, chief executive of RACE Group, who operates both Trentham and Awapuni racecourses, said the announcement couldn’t have come at a better time for racing. “It is something that we have been…
Pike pleased with Government stop-gap
Cambridge trainer Tony Pike believes the $72.5 million dollar COVID-19 emergency support package for the racing industry announced by Minister for Racing Winston Peters on Tuesday has breathed life back into the $1.6 billion industry which has been halted by coronavirus. The support package consists of $50 million relief grant for the Racing Industry Transition Agency (RITA); up to $20 million in funding to construct two new all-weather racetracks; and $2.5 million for the Department of Internal Affairs to fast track work on the online gambling revenue, and address loss…
Emergency support for Racing’s recovery
Minister for Racing Winston Peters has announced a $72.5 million dollar COVID-19 emergency support package for the racing industry. “We can’t guild the lily. The racing industry has been hit by the perfect storm of COVID-19 while in a weak financial state and in the midst of a reform programme,” Peters said. “As a result, there is a genuine risk of insolvency and the industry losing the future gains of its reforms. “The Government has a respond, recover, and rebuild strategy for COVID-19. This announcement is the first step towards…
Collett has an eye for design
Jockey Samantha Collett hasn’t been idle over the COVID-19 lockdown period. Photo: Trish Dunell Leading New Zealand jockey Samantha Collett hasn’t been idle during the country’s near two-month lockdown as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Just two days into lockdown the Matamata hoop decided to follow her passion and enrolled in an interior design course. Interior design has been a growing passion for Collett, which was heightened last year when she was furnishing her new property, which she owns with partner and fellow jockey Shaun McKay. “I have been…
First winner for Pure Champion
Manhattan Spector winning at Ballarat on Sunday. Photo: Ross Holburt/Racing Photos The maiden victory of the John Sadler-trained three-year-old Manhattan Spector at Ballarat on Sunday provided his Group One-winning sire Pure Champion with his first winner. Ridden by Regan Bayliss, Manhattan Spector sat outside the leader throughout and out-toughed his rivals over 1500m, having placed at his previous outing at Werribee. Pure Champion retired to Mike and Barbara Cooney’s Willow Glen Stud in Waimate in 2015 and Manhattan Spector is one of 15 foals from his first crop. A son…
Kiwi import vindicating Costa’s judgement
Supergiant finished runner-up to Vanna Girl in the Listed Doomben Guineas (1615m) on Saturday. Photo: Grant Peters Gold Coast trainer Michael Costa is delighted with Kiwi import Supergiant (NZ) (Red Giant). The three-year-old gelding was narrowly beaten when second at his first attempt at stakes company at Doomben on Saturday. The son of Red Giant was runner-up to Vanna Girl in the Listed Doomben Guineas (1615m) and has shown plenty of ability since crossing the Tasman, recording comfortable victories at the Gold Coast and Ipswich for the emerging horseman. Supergiant…
RITA forced into action but have waited too long
by Brian de Lore Published 8th May 2020 Better late than never, but Wednesday’s announcement by RITA that it’s finally decided to reduce costs is a classic case of ‘too little, too late.’ It may be a short-term respite for RITA’s chronic cash-flow condition, but it neither addresses the long-term competitiveness of the racing industry in any shape or form and nor will it off-set the expected substantial decline in code distributions, hence the pending prizemoney decline for 2020-21. That predicament is notwithstanding RITA’s application to Treasury for a COVID-19…
Baker keen on prospects of new stable addition
Starspangled Rodeo makes a winning debut from the Bjorn Baker stable at Canterbury Park Photo: Bradleyphotos.com.au A gritty victory last Wednesday by recent stable addition Starspangled Rodeo (Teofilo) has trainer Bjorn Baker excited about the immediate prospects for the former New Zealand galloper. The Teofilo five-year-old won three of his five local starts under the name Rhinestone Cowboy for former trainers Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman before transferring to the Mornington stable of young expat Kiwi Joseph Waldron when he set up his new base there. Under the name Starspangled Rodeo…