During his time in Queensland one of the key initiatives forty four year old Malcolm Holmes has been involved with is the merger of the two Brisbane metropolitan racing clubs. Prior to this he has held senior executive roles with ACP Media Limited, the Hurricanes Franchise and the Wellington Rugby Union, where he was Chief Executive for almost six years, Carter Holt Harvey Tissue and Woolyarns Limited.

Holmes is looking forward to getting started. "I'm excited by the opportunity to be involved in the New Zealand racing industry during this time of change. My recent involvement in Australia provides me with relevant experience that can be utilised to the benefit of the New Zealand industry."

"I am looking forward to making a significant contribution and to working very closely with the various industry stakeholders to ensure New Zealand's long and proud history of thoroughbred racing continues," Mr Holmes said

NZTR will introduce a new Rule precluding fillies and mares from racing beyond 120 days of pregnancy.

The New Zealand Equine Veterinary Association (NZEVA) has endorsed this new Rule.

The NZEVA advises that a similar Rule exists in the majority of racing jurisdictions.

It will be effective from 1 August 2009.

Specifically, the new Rule [402(5A) - Pregnant Mares] will state:

402(5A) (1) No mare or filly shall Race or participate in any trials or track work after day 120 of its pregnancy.
(2) A Trainer shall, as soon as practicable upon becoming aware of the pregnancy of a mare or filly in his or her charge, notify the Stipendiary Stewards in writing of the pregnancy, and the date of last service, of such mare or filly.

JUMPING RACES WEIGHT

Maidens
Set weight 65kg

All Opens (including Restricted Opens)
Min 64kg

Prestige Jumping Races (PJR’s)
Min 63kg

HIGHWEIGHT FLAT RACES
WEIGHT

Maiden Highweights
65.5kg (CG&E), 64kg (F&M)

Jumpers Flat & Handicap Highweights
Min 64kg

It was agreed to leave the minimum weights for PJR’s at 63kg.

The 2008 running again fell well short of the standard for Listed Handicap races, and the race could no longer be distinguished from other non-Black Type Handicap races

Following this decision, the Canterbury Jockey Club will programme a $40,000 Open 2000 metres race on the same day (Saturday 8 August), which will be known as the Christchurch Casino Winter Classic.

Given this race is no longer listed, no nomination or acceptance fees will be charged which effectively ensures that the race has a similar monetary value to what was previously advertised.

Official conditions of the race, which will appear in the July edition of the Thoroughbred Racing Monthly, are as follows:

OPN HCP–2000m CHRISTCHURCH CASINO WINTER CLASSIC HANDICAP

Of $40,000. $23,125 (plus trophy), $7,400, $3,700, $1,850, $925, 6th to 10th $600. Open Handicap. Min wgt 53kg. No apprentice allowances. 2000m. Special Condition: The first two place-getters in the 2009 Oamaru Jockey Club Oamaru Cup, so long as they are otherwise eligible, will be exempt from the ballot in this event.

Updated as at Friday 18 June

Steeplechasers
Position Horse Points
1st Mikemendaad 140
2nd No Rush'n 115
3rd Sportavian 97
4th Willie Winit 96
5th Climbing High 94

Hurdlers
1st Spirit Of Alaton 120
2nd= Birchwood Run 110
2nd= Kidunot 110
4th Bennyosler 107
5th Harvest The Gold 80

Trainers
1st J Wheeler 476
2nd B & S Anderton 193
3rd A Browne 170
4th R Connors 156
5th P Nelson 155

Jockeys
1st J Rathbone 497
2nd R Eynon 371
3rd J Riddell 353
4th S Houston 262
5th T Hazlett 261

24/6/09 Change to the Waikato Stud Foxbridge Plate distance

The distance of the Waikato Racing Club's Waikato Stud Foxbridge Plate (WFA) has been reduced from 1400 metres to 1200 metres.

The distance of this race, to be run on Saturday 15 August, has been changed to provide a more appropriate lead up race to the Mudgway PartsWorld Stakes (Group 1) over 1400 metres run two weeks later.

The change has been supported by the Pattern Review Committee and the Graded Stakes Committee.

The race has been promoted to Group 3 for the 2009 running of the event, having previously been run at Listed Status.

From an industry perspective, the shorter distance of the Waikato Stud Foxbridge Plate will provide better programming opportunities for horses campaigning towards the lucrative Spring Hawke's Bay carnival.

Set to claim a fourth New Zealand Trainers' Premiership in six years, champion trainer Mark Walker broke a career best record on Sunday, when the Te Akau-trained Regal Flame (NZ) crossed for line honours at Otaki.
Regal Flame’s two-and-a half-length win in the Railway Hotel 2YO Handicap represented the 100th Walker-trained runner this season, surpassing the 88 wins he achieved three seasons ago.
Walker, who leads the 2008/09 NZ Premiership by 32 wins, has claimed 11 stakes wins this season, and with almost $3.7 million won in stakes, has set a New Zealand record for domestic stakes' earnings.
Walker, who has had a long association with David Ellis and Te Akau Stud, first won the NZ Trainers' Premiership in 2003-04 with 76 wins, won the 2006-07 title with 81 wins, and shared the premiership with the Rogerson/Autridge in 2005/06 with 88 wins.

Current Top Ten Standings on the NZ Trainers' Premiership

Name Wins 2nds 3rds Stakes Starts G&L Strike Rate
Mark Walker 100 72 80 $3,693,899 619 11 6.19
Murray & Bjorn Baker 68 34 43 $2,364,613 406 8 5.97
Michael Pitman 65 79 60 $1,066,694 612 2 9.42
Stephen McKee 56 36 49 $2,303,614 415 9 7.41
John Wheeler 53 47 50 $1,056,734 489 6 9.23
Lisa Latta 52 55 45 $1,073,638 484 5 9.31
Graeme Rogerson, Scott Lucock & Roydon Bergerson 50 54 43 $939,958 496 5 9.92
Richard Collett 46 32 31 $868,254 250 3 5.43
Roger James & Paul Mirabelli 45 48 26 $920,095 292 4 6.49
John Sargent 45 45 49 $1,648,541 417 4 9.27

The Sandtrap five-year-old Indikator (NZ) scored the biggest win of his career at Tauranga on Saturday, bounding away to a four-length victory in the Listed Amcor Kiwi LRK-Trays Kiwifruit Cup (2170m).
Ridden by Andrew Calder, Indikator (NZ) sat just behind the pace and when asked for an effort rounding the turn for home showed a quick turn of foot to power to the line ahead of Our Star Pupil (NZ) (Pupil), with Strapped For Cash (NZ) (D’Cash) a nose back in third place.
Trained by Keith Opie and bred/owned by Peter Setchell, Indikator (NZ) has now won seven of his 29 career starts, with an additional eight placings contributing to his stakes balance of $192,800.
One of seven stakes winners for the Grangewilliam Stud sire Sandtrap (USA), Indikator (NZ) is one of six winning foals from as many to race for the Sir Tristram mare Lady Daintree.
Indikator (NZ) will now head to the Listed Taumarunui Cup (2100m) at Te Rapa on July 25.

21/6/09 Platinum Zana wins Tauranga Classic

The first class record of graduates of the Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale in New Zealand rolled on today when promising performer Platinum Zana won the listed Tauranga Classic (1400m).

The three-year-old filly by Noverre, a $46,000 buy for renowned kiwi agent Paul Beamish, got home in a busy finish to capture the feature weight-for-age contest.

The win provided a major season milestone for her trainer Lisa Latta - win number 50.

And it was a milestone for her sire, the one time Aussie shuttler Noverre - a Group One winning son of Rahy, his first Australasian stakes winner.

Of his other nine worldwide stakes winners - the only other conceived in Australia (Profit Report) races in South Africa.

Platinum Zana was sold in Adelaide by leading New South Wales based thoroughbred nursery, Attunga Stud, as agent.

It wrapped up a big 12 hour period for graduates of Attunga Stud - an international stakes race double.

Overnight in South Africa the Gold Coast graduate Sharks Bay scored an impressive win in the Group Two Post Merchants at Greyville.

Platinum Zana, a three time winner and placegetter from just 15 starts with earnings of over $83,000, is one of three winners from the Mighty Avalanche mare Fanfare.

Fanfare, who won three races to 1100 metres, is a half sister to the Sydney stakes winner Dance Band (9 wins and over $133,000).
Other recent Adelaide Yearling Sale graduates to star in New Zealand include Group One winners Spin Around and Young Centaur and Group One performed sprinter Atapi.

The talented Lord Ballina mare Yanna Marie (NZ) will set out for a third career black-type success on Saturday at Tauranga, in the Listed Ingham-Sears Mercedes-Benz Tauranga Classic (1400m).
Shaping her future broodmare value with wins in the Gr.3 Cuddle Stakes, and the Listed Wanganui Stakes, the Kevin Myers-trained five-year-old has fashioned a career record of seven raceday wins and nine placings in 25 starts.
Yanna Marie (NZ) hasn't previously raced the Tauranga circuit, but the way in which she effortlessly disposed of the weight-for-age field at her last start at Wanganui suggests that class should again prevail on Saturday.
The fillies-and-mares feature has drawn a field of 16, with comparable form raiders including the last start winners O’Ceirins Angel (NZ), Irish Colleen (NZ), Lutry, and Glaze (NZ), and Platinum Zana

Fresh from success in the Listed Cornwall Handicap at Ellerslie on May 30, Strapped For Cash (NZ) (D’Cash) will seek a repeat nine-length win romp in Saturday’s Listed Kiwifruit Cup (2170m) at Gate Pa.
Strapped For Cash (NZ), and regular pilot Michelle Wenn, rollicked in the Ellerslie winter track conditions, beating home a handy field of open class gallopers, seven of whom he will face again on Saturday.
Indikator, The Strutter, El Perez, Run Aground, Our Star Pupil, Stabinthedark, and Kiri, have all accepted for the Tauranga Cup feature this weekend.
Trained by David Smyth, Strapped for Cash (NZ) has won eight of his twenty-three starts, for prize money of NZ$153,425.
Last year’s winner Kiri (NZ) was unplaced in the Cornwall Handicap at Ellerslie, but the honest daughter of Prized, was a winner over 2100m at Te Rapa the start prior.
Kiri (NZ), who is trained by Ernie Griffiths is warming up for a serious assault on the domestic Winter Cup spoils, with likely includes being the Te Awamutu and Taumarunui Cups.
Kiri (NZ) will be ridden by Te Awamutu jockey Mark Sweeney who has enjoyed a successful association with the Griffiths stable.

Specifically, the new directive will ban horses that experience any form of cardiac arrhythmia from racing or trialling until a veterinary certificate of soundness, which includes the result of an electrocardiogram (ECG), has been received and the horse has completed a trial of at least 1000m, and been examined by a vet and declared free of cardiac arrhythmia immediately post-trial.

Any horse experiencing more than two repeated episodes of cardiac arrhythmia may be suspended by the Stewards to allow a complete diagnostic evaluation by a veterinary specialist. The same conditions apply, as above - a horse will not be permitted to start in a trial or race until it has received a satisfactory veterinary report and performed in a trial and passed a post trial veterinary examination.

Any horse that continues to experience repeated episodes of cardiac arrhythmia following previous clearance from a relevant veterinary specialist will be ineligible to trial or race until Stewards decide a course of action.

NZTR consulted with the Jockeys Association (NZJA) and Trainers’ Association (NZTA) and both are supportive of this new NZTR directive.

16/6/09 Ballantine's Whiskey jumps star of the season points table

Points as at Monday 15 June

Steeplechaser
Position Horse Points

1st Mikemendaad 140
2nd No Rush'n 115
3rd Sportavian 97
4th Willie Winit 96
5th Climbing High 94

Hurdler
Position Horse Points
1st Spirit Of Alaton 120
2nd= Birchwood Run 110
2nd= Kidunot 110
4th Bennyosler 107
5th Harvest The Gold 80

Trainer
Position Trainer Points
1st J Wheeler 433
2nd B & S Anderton 193
3rd R Connors 152
4th A Browne 135
5th P Nelson 134

Jockey
Position Jockey Points
1st J Rathbone 432
2nd R Eynon 351
3rd J Riddell 313
4th T Hazlett 244
5th P Turner 234

Burton Contruction Amateur Rider Series

Michelle Northcott 20
Linda Jenkins 17
Patrick Ormsby 12
Scott Wenn 10
Christopher Dell 9
Sue Thompson 9
Carla Roughan 8
Jamie Richards 6
Kezia Murphy 3
Rayna Johansen 2
Philippa Kinsey 2
Scott MacNab 2
Richard Bandey 1
Karen Bruce 1
Luke Miller 1
Nikola Timpany 1

16/6/09 2009 Ellerslie Awards

The Auckland RC celebrated their final raceday of the 2008/09 season with the announcement of the 2009 Ellerslie Awards.

This year the awards went to:

Ellerslie Trainer of the Year - The training partnership of Gareth McRae and Garry Newham
Ellerslie Jockey of the Year - Vinnie Colgan
Ellerslie Apprentice Jockey of the Year - James McDonald
Ellerslie Horse of the Year - Gallions Reach
Outstanding Performance of the Year - Prince Kaapstad
The first three awards honour the leading performers of the season and are based on winning strike-rate. The Ellerslie Horse of the Year is voted by a panel of industry experts, while the fifth award, Outstanding Performance of the Year, is voted by the Members of the Auckland RC.

"We would like to congratulate all of today's deserving winners for their efforts and ongoing commitment to racing and the Auckland Racing Club. Special mention should go to the Ellerslie Horse of the Year Gallions Reach and his trainer Richard Yuill, who won the award by taking out both our Group 1 Zabeel Classic on Boxing Day and our Group 3 Lindauer Special Reserve Vintage 2004 Stakes earlier in the season" said Auckland Racing Club Chairman Bill Gianotti.

The first 2009/10 Season raceday at Ellerslie is the Pakuranga Hunt Raceday on Saturday 22 August 2009.

The Group 1 Kelt Capital Stakes on Saturday 3 October 2009 will carry a stake of $1.2 million.

Much effort and endeavour had gone into retaining a $2 million stake. The race's sponsor Kelt Capital Ltd had been incredibly supportive in the attempt to stage a $2 million race for the third year in a row, but with industry funding down this year, retaining the stake of $2 million was not sustainable.

Hawke's Bay officials are still confident the reduced stake will attract high interest from Australian trainers. Several years ago Starcraft was a star performer at the carnival and two years ago, before EI hit Australia, the Kelt Capital Stakes had attracted more than 40 entries from Australia. Last year also had no Australian horses because the protocols for EI were not lifted until early this year.

Since the lifting of the protocols Australian-trained horses have excelled in New Zealand with Coniston Bluebird taking out the Telecom New Zealand Derby, Dane Julia the Group 1 Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes and the two-year-old Sarge in Charge finishing second to The Heckler in the $1m Karaka Millions at Ellerslie.

First nominations for the Kelt Capital close at 4 pm on Tuesday 16 June.

The field selection criteria are available on the NZTR website http://www.nzracing.co.nz/ , noting that the Hawke's Bay Cup winner All In Trouble is exempt from the ballot.

The race named after six-time Group 1 winner Castletown, who was trained on the Foxton track by Paddy Busuttin, attracted eight entrants with punters unable to split Te Akau's Rio Fortune (Captain Rio x Bahira, by Volksraad) and unbeaten Moroney galloper Prince of Wales (Bachelor Duke x Serenity Princess, by Encosta De Lago) on the tote.

The colts started equal favourites at $2.70 for the win and rounding the final turn it looked like the two horse race was about to play out. Rio Fortune took the lead early in the straight with Flightoftheconcord (Savabeel) wilting quickly after setting a strong pace, and Prince of Wales loomed large on the chestnut gelding's outside.

Rio Fortune kicked too strongly though with James McDonald pushing him out powerfully, and Prince of Wales had no answer, finally finishing third after The Oaks Stud homebred Oakwood (Spartacus) who made good ground after a torrid trip to finish second, officially two lengths from the winner.

Rio Fortune sold at Lot 1 of Karaka's 2008 Premier Sale, with purchaser David Ellis securing him for $140,000 from Westbury Stud. His black type victory bodes well for his young Group 3 winning dam Bahira who herself is out of Group 1 ARC Championship Stakes winner Conifer Bay (Virginia Privateer).

Westbury Stud's Bahira now resides in New South Wales where she has visited Tale of the Cat, Not a Single Doubt, and More Than Ready since foaling Rio Fortune.

Owned by Fortuna No. 7 Syndicate, and managed by John Galvin, Rio Fortune will now walk the path Fortuna star Tell A Tale trod this season, with the clear objective to be in ideal condition for the Group 1 NZ 2000 Guineas at Riccarton in November.

Strapped For Cash (NZ) (D’Cash) would make running of the Listed DLA Phillips Fox Cornwall Hcp (2200m) a strictly one act affair at Ellerslie on Saturday.

Revelling on the slow 8 track, Strapped for Cash (NZ) assumed pacemaker duties for rider Michelle Wenn and when popped the question turning for home, answered big time with a 9 length demolition.

With eight wins and two placings recorded from his 23 raceday outings, Strapped For Cash (NZ) has proved a faithful servant for trainer David Smyth, who also acts as the horse’s part owner/breeder along with Ronald, Kathleen and Philip Smyth.

Now a stakes winner of NZ$153,425, the dominant display by the D’Cash 6YO is a far cry from his 2006 outlook, when his career looked to be seriously threatened by a cracked sesamoid.

Given three months box confinement and many months of restricted exercise, Strapped For Cash (NZ) showed little sign of this leg injury upon racing return, with significant reward coming at his 5th start back in the 2008 Listed Taumarunui Cup (2100m).

Strapped For Cash (NZ) is one of three stakeswinners for the Danehill stallion D'Cash - who stands at Belmont Park in Timaru and is the second foal from as many to race for the 5 time winning Beau Zephyr mare, Elfa Leather (NZ).

2/6/09 Yanna Marie (NZ) wins Listed AG Challenge Stakes (WFA, 1600m)


Yanna Marie (NZ)

The Lord Ballina mare Yanna Marie (NZ) careered home for the honours in the Listed AG Challenge Stakes (WFA, 1600m) at Wanganui on Saturday.

Dropping out to last after the jump, Yanna Marie (NZ) conserved her energy before putting her stride to full advantage in the straight outwide.

Bounding to the front in the hands of David Walker, Yanna Marie (NZ) had her rivals at bay by 1 ½ lengths at the line, with the strongest of opposition being mounted by Veloz (NZ) (Black Minnaloushe) in second and Bulginbaah (NZ) (Starjo) third.

All told the 5YO grey mare has recorded the 7 wins and 9 placings for trainer and part-owner Kevin Myers and Marie Bloodstock Ltd, with the net result of this being NZ$189,000 in earnings.

Saturday’s win serves as the second black-type win for the Brian Nally-bred mare, with Gr.3 honours being felled in the WRC Cuddle Stakes (1600m).

From the family of the Sydney Gr,1 winner Acushla Marie (NZ) (Lord Ballina), Yanna Marie is by the now deceased sire Lord Ballina and is out of Erin Marie.

Successful herself at 1200m, Erin Marie (NZ) (Catus) was a half-sister to the aforementioned Gr.1 winner and has produced six winners from nine named foals to race.

The honest Dean & Donna Logan, and Chris Gibbs-trained galloper El Perez (NZ) (Lord Ballina) will set out for back-to-back wins in the Listed DLA Phillips Fox Cornwall Handicap (2200m) at Ellerslie on Saturday.
Second at his last start, the nine-win son of Lord Ballina was powering home at the business end of things over a mile at Ellerslie one week ago, and looks right on track to claim his second career black-type success
Somewhat of an Ellerslie track specialist, the full-brother to the multiple group performed El Duce (NZ), boasts six wins here on New Zealand’s premier racetrack.

29/5/09 Veloz (NZ) looks for win recompense

With a slow opening start gate almost certainly costing him victory at his last start, the Russell and Robyn-Rogers-trained Veloz (NZ) (Black Minnaloushe) will be out for recompense on Saturday in the Listed AG Challenge Stakes (1600m) at Wanganui.
Veloz (NZ) showed plenty of heart to recover from the barrier malfunction at Te Rapa on May 16, and flew home to finish in third to O’Cartier (NZ) (My Halo) over 1400m.
Veloz (NZ) has had the five starts this campaign, counting a win and three placings here.
In total the five-year-old son of Black Minnaloushe has won five, and placed in six of his 16 raceday outings. He has twice saluted the judge at black-type level, with success coming here in the Listed TRC Mason Appliances 4YO (1400m), and the Listed Waikato Sprint over 1200m.

Scintigraphy, in simple terms, is bone scanning. The brand new unit in Matamata is only the third in New Zealand and while the unit is part of the MVS Equine Hospital, it is very much available to other veterinary practices. Partners in competing veterinary practices – the likes of Cambridge Vet Services and Hamilton Vet Services – were in attendance at yesterday’s launch.

The driving force and benefactor of the new unit is Henrietta, Dowager Duchess of Bedford who cut the ribbon at yesterday’s opening.

“New Zealand is the best place in the world to breed thoroughbreds,” the Duchess told NZTM yesterday.

“Scintigraphy provides diagnostic certainty for horses with ‘niggly’ issues,” said the Duchess who added that the establishment of the unit has all happened very quickly thanks to the combined efforts of a number of parties.

To find out more about scintigraphy, contact Jason Lowe at Matamata Vet Services – equine@matamatavets.co.nz.

The Mark Walker-trained 2YO colt Flying Fulton put his hand up as a horse to follow in the Listed Maltby’s Great Northern Foals Stakes (2YO, 1400m) at Ellerslie on Saturday.

Ridden quietly by Vinny Colgan, the 16.1hh son of Flying Spur seemed unsuited to the heavy track conditions, but responded gamely to his jockey’s urgings from the 600m mark, ensuring a thrilling home straight contest.

At the post however, Flying Fulton would prove too slick, winning by a long neck margin over the fast finishing Bally Duff (NZ) (O’Reilly), with pacemaker Justanexcuse (NZ) filling third a length away.

Second at his start prior, the win ensured Flying Fulton broke maiden ranks at start four and marked the 10th stakes winner for the Te Akau Racing stable this season.

Aware that the best is yet to come, trainer Mark Walker has mooted a probable start in the Gr.1 NZ 2000 Guineas for Flying Fulton and has suggested nominations too would be supplied for the Spring Champion Stakes and the VRC Derby.

Flying Fulton was purchased by David Ellis at the 2008 Ready to Run Sale of 2YO’s from the Mana Park draft for $210,000 and is now owned by Te Akau Stallion Syndicate No.2 (Mgr D C Ellis)

Bred by Anthony and Joseph Bongiorno, Flying Fulton’s potential stallion pedigree is given shape by the Gr.1 stallion Flying Spur and the Zabeel mare, Fulton.

Fulton, who has only had the one foal to date, was placed in Australia and is a 3/4 sister to the Gr.3 South Australia Fillies Classic winner Zapurple and a half-sister to Purple Groove - the winner of the Listed VRC Let’s Elope Stakes

The Oaks Stud sire Bachelor Duke will look to his promising two-year-old son Prince of Wales (NZ) to extend his lead on the New Zealand First Season Sires’ Premiership on Saturday, when the talented youngster steps out in the Listed Maltby’s Great Northern Foal Stakes (1400m) at Ellerslie.
Bachelor Duke, a group one classic winner by Miswaki, is currently on top of the freshman sire ranks in New Zealand this season, largely due to the deeds of his exciting two-year-old daughter Bewitch (NZ), who was twice placed at stakes level in her first campaign.
The Mike and Paul Moroney-trained Prince of Wales (NZ) kept his unbeaten record intact with a rousing one-and-a-quarter length victory at Tauranga three-weeks ago, the win following a stylish debut performance over 1100m at Avondale earlier in April.
Paul Moroney paid NZ$150,000 for Prince Of Wales at the New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale at Karaka last year, with the colt now owned by the Ballymore Stallion Makers Syndicate No 2 package.
Moroney reported that Prince Of Wales (NZ) had shaped as the stable's best two-year-old earlier in the season but a hock injury resulted from a training accident had prevented him from contesting the early rich summer juvenile features.
Also looking to keep their faultless formlines in tact on Saturday will be the Lisa Latta-trained Justanexcuse (NZ), and the Stephen McKee-trained Fromm (NZ).
Fromm (NZ), one of two juveniles in the race for Waikato Stud’s champion sire O’Reilly, stepped out on debut at Te Rapa on April 25, leading all the way to register career win number one.
Justanexcuse (NZ), who is by O’Reilly’s barn-mate No Excuse Needed, indicated his galloping ability with a four-length debut win at Wellington in April, and franked this form with success over 1200m at Masterton on May 3.

The field for the Listed Maltby’s Great Northern Foal Stakes (1400m).
HORSE BREEDING
JUSTANEXCUSE (NZ) No Excuse Needed x Aggressive by Val Dansant
PRINCE OF WALES (NZ) Bachelor Duke x Serenity Princess by Encosta De Lago
FLYING FULTON Flying Spur x Fulton by Zabeel
THE CRUNCHER (NZ) Handsome Ransom x Falcons Fire by Kaapstad
BALLY DUFF (NZ) O’Reilly x Zazu by Rhythm
GREEN SUPREME Oasis Dream x Haibah by Rainbow Quest
FROMM (NZ) O’Reilly x Disciple by Danasinga
BEIJING GOLD (NZ) Captain Rio x Haughty Miss by Heroicity
VERONICA FRANCO (NZ) Johar x Crystal Hailey by Greinton

Points as at Friday 15 May

Steeplechaser

Position Horse Points

1st Honour Victory 80
2nd The Mussel Man 50
3rd Jamie's Chance 48
4th Mikemendaad 40
5th Asset Stripper 36

Hurdler

Position Horse Points
1st Kidunot 110
2nd Mr Bojangles 51
3rd Buddy Budweiser 43
4th Mr Charlton 40
5th Torrent 35

Trainer

Position Trainer Points
1st E Winsloe 115
2nd B & S Anderton 102
3rd K Thompson 91
4th J & K Parsons 85
5th P Richards 72

Jockey

Position Jockey Points
1st J Rathbone 190
2nd M Browne 144
3rd M Scott 132
4th T Hazlett 94
5th J Riddell 92

New Zealand’s popular warhorse Bulginbaah (NZ) (Starjo) returned to a rousing reception at Awapuni on Saturday.

Making light of his 59kg weight impost and the slow track, the toppy sidled up to his opposition turning for home in the Listed James Bull Rangitikei Gold Cup (1600m) and when asked to extend, rewarded jockey Jason Symes with plenty.

At the line ¾’s of a length distanced him from his nearest rival Bruce Almighty (NZ) (Deputy Governor), who crossed with 2 lengths to spare from Romeo (NZ) (Howbaddouwantit).

Trained at Wanganui by Ken Cropp and Catherine Wilson, Bulginbaah (NZ) has rarely failed to return a cheque in his 61 career starts, effectively banking NZ$546,450 in earnings along the way.

All told the Starjo 8YO has endeared with 19 wins, 12 seconds and 6 thirds – many of which coming at black-type level.

Highlighted by his Gr.3 win in the 2007 Manawatu Challenge Stakes, Bulginbaah’s (NZ) black-type haul has included no less than 6 Listed level wins.

At the elite level, he has also been well distinguished with top three efforts in the Gr.1 Hawke’s Bay Mudgway Partsworld Stakes and the Gr.1 Captain Cook Stakes.

Bred by his trainer Ken, Bulginbaah (NZ) is by Cheveley Stud’s Star Way sire Starjo.

Best represented by his Gr.1 winning son Pakaraka Star, Starjo has to date sired 8 stakes winners and has achieved a winners-to-runners ratio of 58.3 per cent in Australasia.

Looking to his bottom line, Bulginbaah (NZ) is the first foal from the Tristimus mare Lady Tristimus (NZ) – a three time 1600m winner who produced a Royal Gem colt in 2008.

The full 2009/10 racing calendar will shortly be available on the http://www.nzracing.co.nz/ website. The traditional racing calendar booklet published by the TAB will be available in July.

The calendar continues the pattern of holding race meetings across the seven days of the week to optimise domestic and international opportunities for wagering.

The majority of traditional race dates for the 2009/10 season remain unchanged. The Kelt Capital Stakes will be run on Saturday 3 October and New Zealand Cup and Show Week in Christchurch is scheduled for Saturday 7 to Saturday 14 November. Next year, Wellington Cup Day moves back a week to Saturday 30 January and Auckland Cup Week runs from Friday 5 March to Saturday 13 March.

A number of Clubs will again participate in the NZ Racing Board-led Summer Festival and Christmas at the Races franchise events this coming season. There will be 42 Christmas at the Races events, including nine new events, and 39 Summer Festival events in the 2009/10 season.

The dates for the major race days for the 2009/10 season are:

Kelt Capital Stakes Saturday 3 October 2009
New Zealand Cup Saturday 14 November 2009
Wellington Cup Day Saturday 30 January 2010
Auckland Cup Week NZ Derby Saturday 6 March 2010
Auckland Cup Wednesday 10 March 2010

“It provides a clear explanation of the methodology applied by the handicappers in determining a given horse’s rating; a vital component in a Trainer’s and Owner’s armoury if a horse is to be placed to full advantage.”

New Zealand was one of the first racing jurisdictions in the world to introduce a Ratings Based Handicapping (RBH) system (numerical rating used to determine the weights in handicap races). New Zealand also has a ratings-based race programming system. This means that eligibility for certain races is determined by a horse’s rating.

The template by which weights are allocated for all races in New Zealand has been included in the Handicapping Guide and is now being made public for the first time so that Trainers will have an easy to use reference point to work out the likely weight to be allocated to a horse in any given race.

The Handicapping Guide is available to be downloaded from the NZTR website Handicapping Policy and will be updated from time to time to ensure it remains current and relevant.

Following trials of safety vests for barrier attendants and discussions with the Senior Health and Safety Inspector from the Department of Labour (DOL), the wearing of these vests will be mandatory for barrier attendants from 1 August 2009.

There are approximately 55 barrier attendants working in New Zealand.

At the NZTR Integrity Committee meeting in January this year, the Committee endorsed the mandatory use of safety vests for barrier attendants subject to successful national trials and a robust consultation process. Both have now been completed.

There is widespread use of these protective vests by barrier attendants overseas.

NZTR has discussed the use of safety vests with one of the leading barrier attendants (Andrew Duff) in Victoria. He stated that there was no way the attendants would ever return to not using the vests (even if allowed to).

Forty-eight starts on thirteen tracks in four countries across five seasons. Thirty-two wins, 13 of them at Group One level, and almost $14 million in prizemoney. Two Cox Plates, the Hong Kong Mile, two Doncasters, two All Aged Stakes, two Coolmore Classics, two Waikato Sprints – and seven Horse of the Year titles.

From her first start at Paeroa in May 1998 to her final racetrack appearance in the 2002 Cox Plate at Moonee Valley, Sunline was driven by a wondrous physique and a ferocious competitive spirit that made her a superstar of global racing.
By Ra Ora Stud import Desert Sun from the family of the great Phar Lap, she was reared and educated in the Waikato before joining the stable of canny trainers Trevor & Stephen McKee.

They soon knew they had something exceptional on their hands and after she won black type as a late two-year-old, they set their sights on Sydney’s Princess Series for three-year-old fillies. An unbeaten spring campaign ended with her first Group One victory, the Flight Stakes.

She returned in the autumn to run away from ten other Group One winners in the Doncaster Handicap G1, and in the spring of 1999 headed to Melbourne where she won the Cox Plate, defeating Tie The Knot and Sky Heights. It was her second Cox Plate win a year later, in her finest season, that sealed her fame. Sunline romped home from a field that included Redoute’s Choice and Testa Rossa, to win by a record-equalling seven lengths.

Less than two months later came the unforgettable Hong Kong Mile at Sha Tin, where she held off champion Fairy King Prawn on sheer class and indomitable courage.

It was fitting that Sunline returned to Sydney for the last great phase of her career, as an autumn six-year-old, to reel off three stunning wins in the Coolmore Classic, All Aged Stakes and her second Doncaster Handicap, defying 58 kg and Shogun Lodge’s desperate charge. It was enough to earn her a third Australian Horse of the Year title, and induction to Australia’s Racing Hall of Fame – the only horse to receive that honour while still racing.

SUNLINE (NZ) 1995 bay mare
BREEDING Desert Sun (GB)-Songline (NZ) by Western Symphony (USA)
RECORD 48 starts from 2 to 7: 32 wins from 1100m-2040m,
12 placings, $A11,351,607
BREEDERS Susan Archer & Michael Martin, Auckland
OWNERS Thayne Green, Helen Lusty & Trevor McKee, Auckland
TRAINERS Stephen & Trevor McKee, Takanini
JOCKEY Greg Childs
GROUP ONE WINS MVRC W.S. Cox Plate – twice, AJC Doncaster H. – twice, HKJC Hong Kong Mile, AJC All Aged S. – twice, STC Coolmore Classic – twice, MVRC Manikato S., AJC Flight S., Waikato RC Waikato Sprint – twice
AWARDS Champion Australian Racehorse, 2000, 2001, 2002
New Zealand Horse of the Year, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002
Timeform's World Champion Turf Mare, 2000 (ATR: 129)
Australian Racing Hall of Fame, 2002
New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame, 2006

The Meista (NZ) wins Gr.3 Coca-Cola Canterbury Gold Cup (2000m)
Monday May 04, 2009

The penny looks to have dropped for The Meista (NZ), who demonstrated a marked improvement in maturity in the Gr.3 Coca-Cola Canterbury Gold Cup (2000m) at Riccarton on Saturday.

Settling well at the rear of the field after being slow away, the talented 3YO son of Montjeu burst to the lead at the 200m mark, and was able to accelerate all the way to the line, something his earlier tendency to over-race had hindered.

At the post the talented Dawn and Peter Williams-trained 3YO had ensured a 1 ¼ length buffer from the fast finishing Mirkola Lass (NZ) (Prized), with O’Reilly Rose (NZ) (O’Reilly) featuring a length back in third.

With previous placings in the Gr.3 Wellington Stakes (1600m), the Gr.3 Waikato Guineas and the Gr.2 ARC Championship Stakes (2100m), The Meista (NZ) was one of the hotpots for the NZ Derby, but after exerting too much energy early, wilted to 14th in the straight.

Subsequently sent to the spelling paddock, The Meista (NZ) has now made each of his two outings since successful ones.

Owned by Brent, Grant, Graeme, Lorraine, Priscilla & Philippa McKenzie, The Meista (NZ) has achieved 5 wins and 5 placings from 13 outings and has returned $150,650 in stakes.

Probable targets ahead for the horse include the Gr.2 Couplands Mile, the Gr.1 Thorndon Mile, whilst consideration is also being given to an Australian mission in the spring.

Bred by Brent & Grant McKenzie, The Meista (NZ) is out of Gr.3 Wakefield Challenge stakes winner, Zablinka (NZ) (Zabeel), a mare who has produced four winners from five to race.

Not Now Norman wins Listed CJC Champagne Stakes (1200m)
10:30 AM Monday May 04, 2009

The Terri Rae-trained galloper Not Now Norman (King Cugat) made it two from two in the Listed CJC Champagne Stakes (2YO, 1200m) on Saturday.

Bred by G Harvey, Not Now Norman won his first start at the Riccarton track over 800m and had no problem stepping up to stakes company at the same track on Saturday, comfortably winning by 1 ¼ lengths from Regal Flame (NZ) (Not a Single Doubt), with Gofonze (NZ) (Golan) a neck back in third.

Owned by M J Brereton, D H Herbert, Miss T Rae & M R Shepherd, Not Now Norman hails from the Vettori mare Miscellanea and is by King Cugat – the same sire as the recent Gr.3 CJC Easter Cup winner, Hold It Harvey.

Classy 3YO Bertolini filly Juice (NZ) will be out to justify a tilt at the Gr.1 Queensland Oaks (NZ) in the Listed Platinum Homes Rotorua Stakes (1400m) at Te Aroha on Saturday.

Juice (NZ) won the Gr.3 Hawke’s Bay Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) last September and is strongly distinguished on the resume with a second placed effort behind the Australian Oaks winner Daffodil (NZ) in the Gr.1 New Zealand One Thousand Guineas (1600m) two starts later.

Since her last start in the NZ Oaks on March 14, the John Wheeler-trained runner has enjoyed a break from the track but is sure to be in top order on Saturday having undergone some hill work during this time.

Believed to be most effective on a good track, Juice (NZ) will benefit from an improvement in the track, which is currently rated a dead 5.

Awkwardly drawn, however, Juice (NZ) will jump from barrier 13 with top hoop Michael Walker on her back.

Conversely, Attalla (NZ) (Volksraad) - the horse tipped to be her biggest danger, has drawn the ace marble.

The Lance Noble-trained opponent is a two time winner at 1400m and brings to the equation a win two starts back and with the skills of Michael Coleman aboard.

With a view to the proven black-type performers in the race, admiration need go to Gr.3 winners Jazzella (NZ) (Black Minnaloushe), O’Ceirin’s Angel (NZ) (Al Akbar) and to the Listed winners Ististar (NZ) (Istidaad) and Loaded Command (Commands).

The exciting Don Eduardo filly All In Black (NZ) will look for her 5th consecutive win in the Gr.3 First Sovereign Trust Rotorua Cup (2200m) at Te Aroha this Saturday.

The John Wheeler-trained 4YO has gone from strength to strength since March, with the strongest of her wins coming at her last start in the Gr.3 Hawke’s Bay Gold Cup (2200m).

All In Black (NZ) will head to the spelling paddock after Saturday and could have some ambitious plans ahead for next season.

Should she indicate to her trainer that she has taken the next step up on her return, Gr.1 targets include the Kelt Capital Stakes and the Melbourne Cup.

Looming large amongst her opposition on Saturday is Ginga Dude (NZ) (Istidaad).

Ginga Dude (NZ) won the Gr.2 Japan New Zealand International Trophy (1600m) in 2008 and takes added confidence to the start having since won the Listed Rotorua Challenge Plate (2000m) and with two wins from his last three starts.

Dual Gr.1 winner Spin Around also warrants significant respect, particularly given that one of these – the Avondale Gold Cup, came at the 2200m distance.

New Zealand’s warhorse Dezigna (NZ) (Volksraad) similarly counts Gr.1 class, although the 9YO galloper will need to take improvement on his last start 4th in the Hawke’s Bay Gold Cup.

Whilst yet to be proven at black-type level, there is also a lot to like about the last start win form of Gasnier (NZ) (Victory Dance), Tin Goose (NZ) (Pentire), Calatrava (NZ) (Desert Prince) and Quetzalcoatl (NZ) (Le Destin).

O’Reilly Rose (NZ) will be out for gold at her hometrack on Saturday.

A bronze medallist of the 2008 running of the Gr.3 Coco-Cola Canterbury Gold Cup (WFA, 2000m), O’Reilly Rose (NZ) will be on a quest to go two better in its 2009 renewal at Riccarton.

Super impressive on heavy footing at Matamata in February, O’Reilly Rose (NZ) ran rivals ragged with a 13 length win in the Listed Stanley Group Stakes (2000m).

At her next start on a good track, O’Reilly Rose (NZ) produced another eye catching display in the Gr.1 Whakanui Stud International Stakes (2000m), pulling ground off the breakaways MacO’Reilly (NZ) and Sir Slick (NZ) to miss by 0.5 of a length.

In her 2009 Gold Cup attempt, the locally trained Peter and Dawn Williams representative will carry an additional 0.5 kg (57kg) but will benefit from a better barrier in the three stall and with the first time services of Opie Bosson aboard.

Sure to make the O’Reilly 5YO’s quest an honest affair will be the presence of the Northern raider Vosne Romanee (NZ) (Electronic Zone).

Prepared by Jeff Lynds at Awapuni, Vosne Romanee (NZ) finished 1.1 lengths behind All In Black (NZ) at his last start in the Gr.3 Hawke’s Bay Gold Cup (2200m) and with 6 additional career wins from 1400m-1600m to his credit, is considered the one to beat.

With a last start 1400m tick to his name, O’Reilly Rose’s stablemate The Meista (NZ) (Montjeu) is another who could more than conceivably upset the applecart.

Prior to blotting his copybook in the NZ Derby, The Meista (NZ) had strung together a smart record of three wins (two at Riccarton) and five placings from eight previous outings.

Whilst yet to achieve black-type recognition in his own right , The Meista (NZ) has thrice achieved Group placings.

Alternatively, other opponents on Saturday who have achieved this milestone include the Gr.2 winners Megapins (NZ) (Pins) and Mirkola Lass (NZ) (Prized), along with the Listed winners Borninthestates (NZ) (Chief Bearhart), Titsgittin (NZ) (Danske), Kingsinga (NZ) (Danasinga), Relampago (NZ) (Yamanin Vital) and Princess Annaliese (NZ) (Van Nistelrooy).

1/5/09 Juveniles take centre stage at Riccarton

Two-year-olds take centre stage at Riccarton on Saturday with the running of the Listed Selwyn River Champagne Stakes (1200m).

The black-type feature has attracted a field of 12 juveniles, with the unbeaten Danske gelding Our Bee Jay (NZ) heading ratings.

Trained by Lisa Vaughan at Ascot Park, Our Bee Jay (NZ) commenced his flawless racing career at Gore on January 17, and franked his winning debut with success over 1200m at Cromwell on March 1.

Similarly boasting a last start winning performance is the Kevin Gray-trained Gofonze (NZ) (Golan) who has made the trip south to Riccarton in search of all important black-type form.

Reigning New Zealand champion trainer, Mark Walker, will send two stable representatives to the start, with the Not A Single Doubt colt Regal Flame (NZ), and the King Cugat gelding Cougar King sporting the Te Akau stable's tangerine and royal blue star colours here.

Both Walker acceptors have won one race a piece.

Whimsical Notion (NZ) (Captain Rio), from the stable of Mike and Paul Moroney, is also a winner of one race to date. The Captain Rio filly, who is owned outright by Paul, crossed the line for maiden success at her last start over 800m at Riverton on April 11.

The Maiden Points System has been amended, effective from 1 May 2009.

Horses that finish sixth at any of their first three career race starts will be re-rated to 51. That Rating reverts to 50 after their next start unless the horse again finishes sixth or better.

There will be no alteration to the points awarded to horses finishing second to fifth.

The full Maiden Points System is as follows:

Maiden horses start with a Rating 50.

Ratings are then adjusted based on race performances:

Placed second re-rated to 57
Placed third re-rated to 56
Placed fourth re-rated to 55
Placed fifth re-rated to 52
Subsequent second placed performances will result in a horse being awarded an extra two rating points, subject to the condition that a horse having run second at it's most recent start will not be rated below 57 or above 59.

Subsequent third placed performances will result in a horse being awarded an extra one rating point, subject to the condition that a horse having run third at it's most recent start will not be rated below 56 or above 59.

Subsequent fourth or fifth placed performances will not result in any change to a horse's rating subject to the condition that a horse having run fourth at it's most recent start will not be rated below 55 and a horse having run fifth at it's most recent start will not be rated below 53.

Maiden horses will lose a point for an unplaced effort (sixth or worse) and after three unplaced performances will revert to 50, which is the minimum rating a horse can receive in New Zealand.

Horses that finish sixth at any of their first three career race starts will be re-rated to 51. That Rating reverts to 50 after their next start unless the horse again finishes sixth or better.

Enquiries: should be addressed to Matthew Hall, NZTR Handicapper at ( 64) 04 576 6255 / ( 64) 0274 511 3152 or matthew.hall@nzracing.co.nz

An excited syndicate of 10 were afforded with much to look forward to after their highly promising Ishiguru galloper Geeza (NZ) raced away with the Gr.3 Windsor Park Stud Breeders Stakes (3YO, 1200m) at Te Rapa on Saturday.

Winning his last three on end, Geeza’s (NZ) trainer Lance Noble has now earmarked the Gr.3 BTC Classic (1350m) at Doomben on May 16th and the Gr. 2 Queensland Guineas (1600m) at Eagle Farm on June 6 as probable next targets, assuming he pulls up well.

Geeza (NZ) asserted his superiority in Saturday’s Gr.3 feature 300m from home and after seeing out the late charges of Santangelo (NZ) (Lonhro) and Singa Lass (NZ) (Danasinga) by ½ a length and a neck respectively, ensured the winners’ enclosure was lit up by his connections, the Easdon No.1 Racing Syndicate.

Lightly tried with just the six starts, the striking 3YO has won on four occasions and has been placed in his remaining two starts.

Purchased by Noble and his wife Leigh (who have retained shares), Geeza (NZ) was a $30,000 graduate of the 2007 Carnival Sale.

Bred by Chris & Jim Campin & Mark Fraser-Campin, Geeza (NZ) is one of 4 four group winners for their resident Danzig stallion Ishiguru and is the first foal from their Unbridled Song broodmare, Blazing Bridles.

Commencing stallion duties at Chequers Stud in 2004, Ishiguru’s oldest NZ progeny are now 3YO’s.

A speedy 1200m winner in Australia and New Zealand for trainer Michael Pitman, Blazing Bridles is a half-sister to J’Lo (dam of the Gr.3 winner Glamorous Girl).

Since Geeza (NZ), Blazing Bridles has returned to Ishiguro for two colts and filly.

Ishiguru, an Irish group winner over 1000m at 3, stood at Chequers Stud for NZ$10,000 in 2008.

The four-year-old Hussonet entire Rios (NZ) (ex Gussy Godiva) further enhanced his future stallion prospects at Fielding on Satuday, scoring a third career win at stakes level in the Listed Ekraar @ Stoney Bridge Anzac 1600.
Settling beautifully in the running, Rios (NZ) unleashed a blistering sprint from the 600m, and galloped with authority to the line to cross one-and-a-quarter lengths ahead of My Astron (NZ) (My Halo), with Nitty Gritty (NZ) (Bahhare) running on to take third place.
It was the sixth win from 20 starts for the Murray and Bjorn Baker-trained galloper. His other two black-type successes comprise the Gr.2 Wellington Guineas and the Listed Bonecrusher Stakes. He was also Gr.1 placed in the Two Thousand Guineas.
Boasting a rich pedigree entrenched with Gr.1 winners and black-type performers, Rios (NZ) is a half-brother to the Gr.1 AJC Derby winner Roman Emperor (NZ), and is the first foal from the Last Tycoon mare, Gussy Godiva (NZ).
His 2nd dam, Sneetch (Grosvenor) produced the Gr.1 winner in the US in Black Mamba (NZ) (Black Minnaloushe), and his 3rd dam, Sellou (NZ) (Sound Reason) is the mother of the Gr.1 heroine Tully Thunder (NZ) (Thunder Gulch), who won the SAJC Australasian Oaks.
Since Rios (NZ) and Roman Emperor (NZ), Gussy Godiva (NZ) has produced a Volksraad colt named Volgus (NZ), who recently broke maiden ranks at his second start, and a 2007 colt by No Excuse Needed. Gussy Godiva (NZ) visited the Waikato Stud stallion Pins in 2008.
Purchased for NZ$65,000 at the 2006 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale, from the draft of Little Avondale Stud, Rios (NZ) is raced by Stuart Hale, together with Andy Chan.
Nb) a half-sister to Black Mamba and Gussy Godiva named Go Hayley Go (Centaine) will offer a weanling colt by the first season sire Lucky Unicorn (NZ) (Redoute’s Choice), via the Curraghmore Stud draft, at the upcoming National Weanling, Broodmare and Mixed Bloodstock Sale held May 4-6.

The Gr.1 winning racemare Culminate (NZ) (Elnadim) will be put to the staying test at Te Rapa on Saturday, when she sets out in the Gr.2 Travis Stakes over 2000m.
Culminate (NZ), who recently returned to NZ following a successful Sydney campaign where she finished second in the Gr.1 Coolmore Classic, will race over 2000m for the first time. This weekends litmus test is likely to shape her future racing assignments.
“We want to see if she can run 2000m” David Moore told New Zealand Thoroughbred Marketing.
The same race was used in similar fashion for the Soliloquy Lodge-owned Captivate (NZ) two years ago.
A possible future assignment for Culminate (NZ), providing she races up to expectation, is the $2million Kelt Capital Stakes (2040m) at Hastings in October.
“We would like to target the Kelt for her this Spring, but she would need to show her ability over 2000m on Saturday to go down this path” said Moore.
Culminate (NZ) achieved Gr.1 status earlier this season with an outstanding win in the Otaki-Maori Weight-For-Age at Otaki. This win followed a 3rd placing in the Gr.1 Thorndon Mile, and a brilliant Gr.2 victory in the ARC Rich Hill Stud Mile at Ellerslie.


24/4/09 My Astron (NZ) looks to extend purple patch of form

The honest My Halo galloper My Astron (NZ) will look to continue his recent purple patch of form when he steps out in Saturday’s Listed Ekraar @ Stoney Bridge 1600m at Fielding.
My Astron (NZ) was third in the Gr.1 Land Pride Easter Handicap at Ellerslie at his last start on April 11, the effort coming off-the-back of consecutive victories in the Gr.2 BOP Japan/NZ Trophy, and the ARC Winning Edge Presentation Handicap.
Trained by Kelly Burne at Waipukurau, My Astron (NZ) finds himself 2.5kgs better off at the weights from the top-rated Bulginbaah (NZ) (Starjo) who will carry 59kgs.
A winner of 18 races, the Ken Cropp and Catherine Wilson-trained Bulginbaah (NZ) has not saluted the judge since July 2008, but the evergreen galloper has always been thereabouts with seven placings counted in 10 subsequent outings.
Maximum Star (NZ) (Howbaddouwantit) is another consistent performer finding his hoof in the till of late.
Scoring back-to-back wins in the Listed Melbourne Racing Club Handicap at Trentham and the Listed Fairdale/Goodwood Stud Handicap at Manawatu, the Patrick Campbell-trained galloper has also been placed on two occasions from six starts this campaign.
Other stakes-winners in Saturday’s Listed Ekraar @ Stoney Bridge 1600m include:
Hurrah (NZ) (Bahhare) – Gr.1 Captain Cook Stakes/Gr.3 Kingston Town Stakes/Gr.3 Metric Mile
Pinsoir (NZ) (Pins) – Gr.2 Concorde Handicap
Rios (NZ) (Hussonet) - Gr.2 Wellington Guineas/Listed Bonecrusher Stakes
Nanjara (NZ) (Kilimanjaro) – Gr.3 Manawatu Cup
Princess Annaliese (NZ) (Van Nistelrooy) – Listed Wairarapa Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes

24/4/09 Volksraad pair out to reward sponsor

Bankside Belle (NZ) and Dinka (NZ) will serve as two useful ambassadors for the sponsor of Saturday’s Gr.3 Windsor Park Stud Breeders Stakes (3YO, 1200m) at Te Rapa.

Both horses are by Windsor Park Stud’s champion sire Volksraad and greet the starter with last start wins.

Of the two, Bankside Belle (NZ) boasts the most ring craft, with her 11 starts netting four wins and 3 thirds.

Trained by Mark Walker, Bankside Belle (NZ) blitzed her rivals at her last outing on March 21, racing home to land the Petersen’s Ladies Bracelet (1000m) at Hororata RC by 3 lengths.

Whilst lightly-tried in comparison, the Murray and Bjorn Baker-trained Dinka (NZ) also enters with compelling form.

In her three lifetime starts, Dinka (NZ) has achieved a 3 length debut win, a second placing and a last start 1.3 length win at Ellerslie over 1400m on April 13.

Tipped to be the leading dangers to the pair on Saturday are Al Qurhah (NZ) and Geeza (NZ).

The Peter McKay-trained Stravinsky filly Al Qurhah (NZ) beat home the 2006 Gr.1 Turnbull Stakes winner Sphenophyta and the 2007 winner of the Windsor Park Stud Breeders Stakes, Jazzella (NZ) at her last start on April 4 and counted an additional 1200m at her previous start.

Like Al Qurhah (NZ), the Ishiguru gelding Geeza (NZ) enters with last start ticks to his name.

Trained by Lance Noble, Geeza (NZ) has won his last two outings over 1200m and from his three previous outings, has counted an 1100m win and two placings.

New Zealand Racing Board chairman Michael Stiassny has announced the appointment of Andrew Brown as the Board's new chief executive.

Mr Brown originates from Australia but has worked in the UK for the past 13 years. He has practised as a lawyer and a management consultant in Sydney, London and Paris. He was also Business Development Director of ITV Plc, Britain's largest commercial TV broadcaster.

Mr Brown brings a wealth of experience of the racing industry from his most recent position as Chief Operating Officer of Racecourse Media Group, where he founded and ran Racing UK, Turf TV, Racing International and thebettingsite.co.uk website to deliver significant profits for British racing.

He holds an MBA from INSEAD in France, as well as a Bachelor of Laws, Master of Laws and a Bachelor of Science from Sydney University.

Mr Stiassny said the Board is delighted to appoint Andrew Brown to lead the next phase of the organisation's development.

"We conducted an extensive and rigorous recruitment search for a new chief executive, both in New Zealand and offshore, and the Board is pleased to have secured such a high calibre individual for this position," he said.

"Andrew brings wide experience of the racing industry and international business, which he developed through his challenging operational and strategic roles at Racecourse Media Group, ITV and Oliver Wyman," Mr Stiassny said.

The NZ Racing Board is a huge business with an annual turnover of $1.5 billion and around 800 employees across the country, Mr Stiassny said.

"Each year the NZ Racing Board offers wagering on more than 30,000 races and last year more than 8.6 million sports bets were placed across 35,000 different options.

"The New Zealand racing industry is also an important contributor New Zealand. It generates more than $1.4 billion in economic activity each year and around 40,000 people are involved in some capacity in supporting the industry in New Zealand."

Andrew Brown succeeds Graeme Hansen as chief executive of the NZ Racing Board and will start his new role on Monday 11 May.

21/4/09 Jumping season minimum field sizes and prizemoney policy

New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR), after consulting with relevant industry bodies and participants, has introduced a policy for minimum field sizes and prizemoney to be paid in jumps races with less than six runners. This policy is designed to ensure maximum opportunities for jumping horses throughout the 2009 jumping season.

When there are fewer than seven entries at closing time for withdrawals for any jumps race, consideration will be given to deleting the race and transferring the horses entered into another race on the same programme [Standard Regulation 12.2]. This is subject to the Rules of Racing 820 (5) and (6), which prevent any horse being transferred into any handicap race for which weights have been declared.

All decisions on race deletion and transferring of horses will be made by NZTR after consultation with NZ Jumps Inc, affected stakeholders, and the Club holding the race meeting.
In order to ensure horses are given every opportunity to compete, there may be occasions where races are run with fewer than six runners. In these circumstances, stake reductions will apply according to the sliding scale shown below. Stakes reductions will not apply to Prestige Jumping Races.

The final field size will be determined at the advertised scratching deadline. Where there are fewer than five starters in a race, the distribution breakdown will be adjusted so that all of the allocated percentage of the original stake is distributed. These adjusted breakdowns are shown in brackets.

Field Size % of original stake
Five Starters 85% (Standard distribution breakdown applies)
Four Starters 75% (1st - 65%, 2nd - 20%, 3rd - 10%, 4th - 5%)
Three Starters 70% (1st - 70%, 2nd - 20%, 3rd - 10%)
Two Starters 50% (1st - 80%, 2nd - 20%)

While a race with only two starters is unlikely to go ahead, it is possible that a race could proceed with five runners at final withdrawal stage, and scratchings could then deplete a field to two horses.

In the event that Maiden jumping horses are transferred into a Handicap jumping race due to a maiden jumping race(s) being deleted, a $1,000 bonus will be paid to the first Maiden horse to finish, subject to the provision that the bonus will not be paid if the first Maiden horse finishes first or second in the race.

The John Wheeler-trained mare All In Black (NZ) (Don Eduardo) put her hand up for the 2009 Gr.1 Kelt Capital Stakes in super impressive fashion at Hastings on Saturday.

The 4YO Don Eduardo mare flew home to land Saturday’s Gr.3 Hawke's Bay Gold Cup in Association with Fairview Livestock Ltd (2200m) – a race that affords an automatic berth into the Gr.1 Hastings feature.

Victorious by 3/4’s of a length over stablemate Stand Tall (NZ) (Zabeel) in the hands of James MacDonald, All In Black's (NZ) victory marked a successful graduation from Rating 80 company.

Successful in all four of her recent outings, All In Black (NZ) has now won 5 races from 1200m-2200m and in her 9 additional starts has registered four placings.

Should her connections decide to proceed to the Kelt, the mare will look to right her family’s close but no cigar record in the race.

Bred by Mrs M O & P J McDonald, who now share ownership in the horse with B J & Mrs L Whittington, All In Black’s dam All In Grace (NZ) (Prized) is a half-sister to the dual Gr.1 winner All In Fun (NZ) (Alleged Dash).

All In Fun (NZ) achieved a 2nd, 3rd and a 4th in the Kelt Capital Stakes.

All In Grace (NZ) was herself a three time winner from 1600m-2000m and has produced the two black-type foals in All in Black (NZ) and All In Brawl (NZ) (Bertolini), who won the Listed Champagne Stakes.

With the win, All In Black (NZ) continued her sire Don Eduardo’s hot run of late.

Standing at Haunui Farm for NZ$7000 plus GST in 2009, Don Eduardo (NZ) was supremely represented in Australia last weekend when his daughter Divine Rebel (NZ) added to her STC Listed Epona Stakes win with a dominant performance in the Gr.2 AJC Chairman’s Hcp (2600m).

In all, Don Eduardo has produced 6 stakes performers since January; with the Zabeel sire's versatility clearly evidenced by his Gr.1 Railway Stakes (1200m) runner up Dashing Donna (NZ) and with his strong Gr.1 Sydney Cup (3200m) hope Divine Rebel (NZ

The King Cugat 4YO Hold It Harvey registered an impressive win in the Gr.3 Christchurch Casino Easter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton on Saturday.

Hold It Harvey put approximately four lengths on his Terri Rae-trained stablemate Don’t Say Clang (Clang) at the line – a result that would seal his 4th black-type win.

Previously successful in the Listed Timaru Stakes, the Listed Ray Coupland Stakes and the Listed Canterbury Stakes, Hold It Harvey has won 7 races from 1400m-1600m for owner Matthew Shepherd.

Bred by G Harvey, Hold It Harvey is the first foal to race for Daly Charm (Best Western) - a mare who heralds from the family of the French Gr.1 winner Princesse Lida.

The remarkable season enjoyed by Waikato Stud added another dimension at Riccarton on Saturday.

Already successful with 6 individual Gr.1 winners (see table 1) and as the breeders of the 2008/09 New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year & Gr.1 AJC Oaks winner Daffodil (NZ) (No Excuse Needed), Waikato Stud secured additional honours with Bird (NZ) (Danasinga) - the 2008/09 heroine of the New Zealand Bloodstock Southern Filly of the Year.

Waikato Stud Graduate Gr.1 Race (s)
Vision & Power (NZ) (Carnegie x Escada) Doncaster Mile,
George Ryder Stakes
Markus Maximus (NZ) (Pentire x Shafty Lady) WA Derby
Metal Bender (NZ) (Danasinga x Jacquin) Randwick Guineas, Rosehill Guineas
Alamosa (NZ) (O'Reilly x Lodore Mystic) Toorak Handicap
Swick (NZ) (O'Reilly x Creme Anglaise) VRC Stakes
Daffodil (NZ) (No Excuse Needed x Spring) AJC Oaks, NZ 1000 Guineas.

Previously second to Scarlet Vanharra (NZ) (Van Nistelrooy) in the NZB Air Freight Stakes, the Waikato Stud graduate carried three points into Saturday’s NZB Southern Filly of the Year series finale- the Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Warstep Stakes (2000m).

Stalking the leader Mystique (NZ) (Montjeu) throughout, Bird (NZ) flew the coup shortly after turning for home, leaving the early pacemaker and The Speaker (NZ) (Volksraad) to fight out the minors.

Achieving seven points for the win, Bird