by Brian de Lore Published 6th December 2019 Saturday at Ellerslie saw one of the worst decisions seen on a New Zealand racecourse for some years when stipendiary stewards reversed the first and second placings in race two, the Executive Travel Maiden Two-year-Old over 1100 metres. To add insult to injury, the Judicial Control Authority (JCA) ratified the mistake by rubber-stamping the decision – bringing into question both the competence of the JCA officials on the day and the entire Racing Integrity Unit (RIU) structure which has in the past…
Category: Opinion – De Lore
Breeders, Owners and Trainers merge for stronger stakeholder representation?
In the UK the Owners and Breeders have pooled resources to produce this high-quality monthly magazine. Why couldn’t it happen here in NZ? by Brian de Lore Published 29 November 2019 The headline isn’t true, but such a merger which in principle is supported by NZTR, could give stakeholders much more grunt and a stronger voice in the future running of the thoroughbred industry. In an industry that has contracted significantly over a long time, why would these sub-stakeholder groups not want to cut their cloth accordingly by standardising and…
John Messara: Dynamic leadership is the key
by Brian de Lore Published 22 November 2019 The New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association will today, Friday November 22nd, host former Chair of both Racing NSW and Racing Australia John Messara AM at a luncheon in Cambridge where he will be the guest speaker. NZTBA invited its members to hear Messara speak publicly for the first time in New Zealand since he completed his ‘Review of the New Zealand Racing Industry’ and presented the 82-page document to Minister Peters on 31 July 2018. Ninety to 100 guests are expected to…
Robbie Waterhouse reflects on racing’s problems
Robbie and Gai Waterhouse at Tulloch Lodge by Brian de Lore Published 15 November The Optimist made its debut back in April and in the ensuing eight months the editorial content has often revolved around the discussion ad-nauseam of the ongoing problems confronting the New Zealand racing industry. RITA, I’m assured, is doing its best in the limited space in which it has to move and we, the industry participants, need to be patient and wait for better days, which, I’m also assured, will be forthcoming. But many of…
Betting guru has advice for us Kiwis
by Brian de Lore Published 8 November 2019 The headwinds for racing which were thought to be zephyr-like at season’s start have strengthened to a steady trade wind as Australian spring racing declines in both crowd numbers and betting turnover. Bad publicity driven by animal activists through the Australian ABC slaughterhouse program and the double-edged sword recoil from the Point of Consumption (POC) levies are the two likely causes. That double-whammy has both damaged racing’s image and reduced betting turnover. Nearly all of Melbourne’s major spring race days have been…