Hi folks, For those that haven't seen it . . . here's the NZ Thoroughbred News report on proposed race changes.
Regards Neil By Phillip Quay Sweeping changes proposed to the New Zealand racing season in the 2005-06 season are detailed in a report released today by New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR). The report titled "The Strategic Review Of the Pattern Of Racing" was compiled by a committee headed by Peter Fennessy, of Dunedin, and was commissioned by NZTR. The major aspect of the recommendations is moving the Auckland Cup, New Zealand Derby and New Zealand Oaks to March from their traditional December-January dates. A "Cup Week" in Auckland is suggested which will involve the running of the Derby and Auckland Cup on a Saturday and Wednesday respectively. The Auckland Trotting Cup will also be scheduled as part of this week. Auckland Racing Club chief executive Chris Weaver said the idea is to create a week of galloping and harness racing action in Auckland along the lines of the highly successful New Zealand Cup week in Christchurch in November. Mr Weaver said the week in the autumn could attract 10,000 people to Auckland and bring an estimated $150 million in economic benefits to the region. It is also hoped to have other sporting and cultural events as part of the promotion including rugby and rugby league. The Strategic Review of the Pattern of Racing has recommended a number of changes which include: * The New Zealand Oaks to be run at Trentham in March instead of January. * The NZ Two Thousand Guineas at Riccarton to be run on the final day of the NZ Cup meeting (Saturday) rather than the second day (Wednesday). * The Avondale Guineas dropping back from 2000m to 1600m in December. * The Great Northern Guineas being staged on Boxing Day at Ellerslie over 2000m. * All black-type fillies and mares races be run under weight-for-age conditions. * The industry should commit to an investment in track maintenance and upgrading as well as research and assessment so that track surfaces are presented at their optimum. * More two-year-old races to be scheduled over 1400m and 1600m. The Matamata Breeders Stakes to be put back until late February and the Champagne Stakes at Ellerslie be moved forward from May to mid-April and the distance increased to 1600m. * The Waikato Guineas be run at the international race-meeting in February instead of November. * The Railway Handicap, Gr. 1 1200m, switching from New Year's Day to Boxing Day. * The Auckland Cup carnival becoming two days instead of four with the December 28 and January 2 meetings transferring to other venues possibly Taupo and Ruakaka. Submissions are being called by New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing on the draft report and these close on October 15. ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Make a clean sweep of pop-up ads. Yahoo! Companion Toolbar. Now with Pop-Up Blocker. Get it for free! http://us.click.yahoo.com/L5YrjA/eSIIAA/yQLSAA/9cOolB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/racebase/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
