Best case scenario: Three gallops meetings a week from July 1 - with lower stakes
By Barry Lichter • 14 April 2020
The best case scenario of a return to racing on July 1 would see only three gallops meetings run in New Zealand per week.
This sneak look into the immediate future of racing was given by New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing CEO Bernard Saundry in a conference call with 50 club representatives from around the country.
The plan is initially for one meeting to be held each week in each of three designated regions - north, central and south.
Saundry signalled the intention for “free racing” - ie with no acceptance fees - in recognition that stakes will be “flatter” - read lower - to try to return at least something material to as wide a group of stakeholders as possible.
“Inevitably some venues will be favoured ahead of others with anticipated travel restrictions under a COVID-19 level 3 or even lower level forcing a reliance on venues with a high local equine concentration.”
Saundry said the geographic spread meant the South Island would need to be broken into sub-regions.
While lead-up trials would be necessary in the weeks after training facilities are reactivated, Saundry said NZTR expected horses to be directed to racing as soon as possible.
A draft calendar for July will be released on Thursday with a provisional one for the following three months out on Friday.
“Once spring racing swings into gear, a rescheduled black-type schedule will have to be incorporated in the revised structure.”
Saundry said there was a need for substantial change and people should expect a completely new model from the traditional calendar.
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Lisa’s comments
Saturday at Trentham
Race 2: Platinum Tyche
1.05pm
“This is a big drop-back in class for her as her last two races have been very strong rating 75s. The track at Otaki was particularly wet and she just didn’t handle it. She has come through that run in fantastic order and is very bright and well. She shouldn’t be too far off the leaders from the good draw and I expect her to bounce back to form providing we get a decent track.”
Race 8: Platinum Attack
4.43pm
“He drew the outside barrier in this race last year and has been dealt the same card again. He couldn’t be looking any better though and his work has been phenomenal. He is right where he needs to be to win a race like this. We are going to need some luck from the draw but Craig Grylls knows him well now and I thought that he is certainly one of the better horses in the race. If he gets clear air at the right time then he will finish with a big run.”