The Racing Industry Transition Agency (RITA) confirmed on Tuesday changes it was taking in response to the impact of COVID-19, including a reduction of 230 roles, including 150 permanent staff, across all areas of the TAB. The decision follows consultation with staff on a range of proposed changes aimed at ensuring the business was sustainable for the future and best placed to meet the needs of New Zealand racing and sport. The changes, which impact 30 percent of all roles, are expected to deliver savings of more than $11 million…
Month: May 2020
Pearl series early bird special set to close
The NZB Insurance Pearl Series has become an important part of the New Zealand racing calendar and the New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association (NZTBA) that administers the series eagerly awaits the continuation of the Series in the new 2020-21 season. The NZTBA’s chief executive Justine Sclater said that when the new calendar for the season is finalised Pearl Series bonus races will be programmed. “After fielding calls from owners who have Pearl fillies eligible for bonuses in the new season, I have been in discussion with New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing…
Elliot set to surpass season’s best
Ryan Elliot winning aboard Beauden at Awapuni in December after stumbling when leaving the gates. Photo: Grant Matthew (Race Images Palmerston North) Waikato jockey Ryan Elliot was a little disappointed about the season being curtailed as a result of COVID-19, but he is looking forward to getting back raceday riding in just over a month. The 21-year-old hoop was able to keep relatively busy at trainer Graeme Rogerson’s private training property in Hamilton over the lockdown period, but he said he is glad the workload has increased in the last…
Pride eyeing Group Three assignment for Stockman
Promising three-year-old Stockman. Photo: Bradleyphotos.com.au Tavistock gelding Stockman continued to show his progressive talents at Randwick on Saturday when taking out his 2000m event, and trainer Joseph Pride is now eyeing some loftier targets for his charge. It was his third victory this preparation from just four starts, ranging from 1300m to 2000m, and Pride has been impressed with the promise shown by the three-year-old. “They are promising signs when they’re able to win a 1300m race first-up and three out of the first four runs of the preparation, you…
Savaheat cherry ripe at Flemington
Savaheat winning at Flemington on Saturday. Photo: Natasha Morello/Racing Photos Savaheat was cherry ripe ahead of the Brew’s Anniversary Plate (1800m) at Flemington on Saturday, according to trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent (Jr), and he duly delivered. The five-year-old son of Savabeel settled midfield for jockey Michael Dee before he asked his charge to improve from the 800m mark. Savaheat took control of the race with a furlong to go and he was able to hold out Duke Of Plumpton to record a New Zealand-bred quinella. His connections were…
Second winner for Contributer
Mapperley Stud stallion Contributer was represented by his second individual winner when Jeronimos scored a strong win in a Newcastle Maiden over 1200m for trainer James Cummings. The two-year-old colt stepped out for the first time at the same venue three weeks ago when finishing third and showed plenty of fortitude to defeat three-year-old Brutality on Saturday. Out of the stakes-winning Volksraad mare Viana, Jeronimos was bred by Jonny Orr and sold by Mapperley Stud at the 2019 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sales in Book 1 for $250,000 where…
Tavistock three-year-old tenacious at Randwick
Desert Realm winning at Geelong on Friday Photo: Reg Ryan/Racing Photos A patient ride aboard Stockman, a three-year-old son of Tavistock, has helped Sam Clipperton to break a run of outs and land his first metropolitan win since Anzac Day. Clipperton has been happy with his form but the depth in the Sydney jockeys’ ranks has made getting on the better chances challenging. “I have been getting good support without getting on the prized cattle, so to speak,” Clipperton said. The hoop made the most of his opportunity aboard Stockman,…
Gray hoping for brighter times ahead
Octogenarian trainer Kevin Gray hasn’t particularly enjoyed the last couple of months. The Palmerston North horseman’s age group have had the most stringent measures imposed on them as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and he just wants things to go back to normal, including racing. “I have been all right, but it has been pretty hectic when you have got 50-odd horses around you and we are going nowhere,” he said. “I had 10 staff and I had to put off five of them because I didn’t have the…
Costa takes giant steps to Gunsynd Classic
Supergiant winning the Gr.3 Gunsynd Classic (1800m). Photo: Grant Peters Trainer Michael Costa is genuinely excited about his promising three-year-old Supergiant (NZ) (Red Giant) stepping up to middle-distance racing. Supergiant will be having only his fifth race start in the Group Three Gunsynd Classic (1800m) at Eagle Farm. Supergiant’s ability was the worst-kept secret at the Gold Coast before it became public knowledge when he beat stakes horse The Candy Man in an exhibition gallop in March. Since then Supergiant has won at Ipswich in impressive fashion before running second…
Winston Peters: Women’s Christian Temperance Union to run racing in NZ
by Brian de LorePublished 29 May 2020 Minister of Racing Winston Peters has today announced the departure of RITA henceforth and from June 1st racing will fall under the administrative control of WCTU NZ (Women’s Christian Temperance Union of New Zealand). The Minister said he was forced to put the WCTU in charge when he came to his senses and realised it would be better, both for his image and for racing, to go bankrupt under the control of an organisation with good Christian values, which they exemplified on the…