It is radical alright Neil. Will take some getting used to having the Auckland Cup in March. I see there is no mention of 'Ensuring that all track distances are measured correctly so that punters can have confidence in the times'. Peter.
neil_franklyn wrote: > > 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 Links > > > > ------------------------ 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/
