New Zealand TAB reduces distributions by NZ$15 million
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) on Friday advised that TAB NZ have announced a reduction in distributions to Racing NZ of NZ$15 million for the remainder of the 2022/23 season.
This means for NZTR a reduction of NZ$8.5 million in distributions for the remainder of the 2022/23 season.
The New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Chairman Cameron George and CEO Bruce Sharrock have responded to the announcement with the key points summarised as follows:
- The NZTR Sustainable Reserves Fund will be used to underwrite stakes levels and club funding payments to allow these to remain as planned for the current season.
- This will not result in any reductions to the Infrastructure Fund which will continue to be used to fund vital infrastructure improvements for the industry.
- NZTR will continue to explore every avenue to secure the revenue needed to underpin the industry going forward.
Should further TAB reductions occur, the NZTR board would need to review its position.
Impressive win for Flying Temptress
The Clinton McDonald-trained Flying Temptress (Capitalist) produced an impressive display to break her maiden at the second attempt as she landed Race 1 at Moonee Valley on Friday.
Having finished second on debut, the daughter of Capitalist defeated Rackermann (Impending) 1.5l, while Magnupur (Magnus) was a further 2.25l away in third.
The 3-year-old filly was purchased by her trainer for $300,000 at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale from the Milburn Creek draft.
Strait Acer gets off the mark
The Edward Cummings-trained Strait Acer (Headwater) handed his brother a timely update ahead of his sale at the New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale next year as he got off the mark at Randwick-Kensington on Friday.
The 3-year-old colt stayed on strongly to beat Associate (Star Witness) by 0.1l with Sizzler (No Nay Never {USA}) another 2.3l further afield in third.
Strait Acer’s brother is catalogued as Lot 896 and will be offered as part of the Prima Park draft.
Cascadian well ahead of Northerly test
James Cummings said he is happy with Cascadian (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) ahead of his run in the G1 Northerly S. at Ascot on Saturday.
The son of New Approach (Ire) was last seen running fifth in the G1 Champions Mile at Flemington and he will have the services of James McDonald, who has been booked to ride the gelding.
Cascadian (GB) | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“He's feeling good, he's moving well and he's had one of the best preps he's had in Australia,” Cummings said.
“Here we are in a very suitable Group 1 for him at the end of this preparation, where he always tends to run his best races.
“He should have the right foundation to be winning, but it's going to be a big challenge for the horse.”
Ivy League to debut for Maher and Eustace
US-bred mare Ivy League (USA) (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}) will make her debut for Ciaron Maher and David Eustace when she lines up in the BM78 at Pakenham on Saturday.
Ivy League is the second US runner to be transferred by owner-breeders L N J Foxwoods to the stables of Maher and Eustace following the super exploits a year ago of popular grey Lighthouse (USA) (Mizzen Mast {USA}).
Ivy League has not run since December last year, when she finished fourth in the G1 American Oaks at Santa Anita, and Maher said this week that he feels the mare is unlikely to have an immediate impact.
“Lighthouse was very obvious, but this horse is more of a stayer,” Maher said.
“We were very confident when we took Lighthouse to Kyneton for her debut, whereas this is more of a kick-off point (for Ivy League) as I think she'll need further. But she's had a good grounding and she's a nice horse, so I expect her to be hitting the line.
“We've taken our time and put her through a pretty similar sort of process that we did with Lighthouse, so we'll see where we will end up.”
Record breaking Tattersalls December Sale concludes
The final session of the Tattersalls December Mare Sale brought the curtain down on the 2022 renewal of Europe’s premier foal and breeding stock sale.
The final day of trade on Thursday saw turnover for the December Mare Sale move further into record territory, with the four-day sale aggregate reaching 80,831,200gns (AU$152,556,600), up 30 per cent on last year’s sale total and 16 per cent higher than the previous record set in 2007.
The Tattersalls December Sale, comprising yearlings, foals and breeding stock rose 22 per cent to 120,587,750gns (AU$227,591,100), also a new benchmark.
