International (Irish) recognition of Wellington Cup day at Trentham
TRACK CONDITION Monday 23/01/2012 8am
20 mm of rain overnight with the track tested as a Dead 5 this morning. Weather clearing, no rain currently. Track looking to firm up.
Passing Of David Bennett
On Saturday January 14th the RACE Group of Clubs received the news of the sudden passing of David Bennett.
David Bennett was the immediate past Chairman of the RACE Board having stepped down from this role just last October. “Dave Bennett’s contribution to the administration of RACE was immense. He undertook his role in racing administration with great passion and guided the Awapuni Partnership and RACE through significant change” noted RACE Chairman John Henderson. “He had only just stepped down from the Board three months ago and noted in his final report that RACE continued to face significant challenges ahead but believed the RACE model was the blue print for the future of thoroughbred racing in New Zealand and was confident the business had the personal to succeed into the future. It was with shock and great sadness that his passing was received at the Marton JC races on Saturday. He was a well respected racing administrator in New Zealand and will be sorely missed by the industry and RACE in particular".
David had also recently stepped down from the Manawatu Racing Club Committee after nineteen years. In those nineteen years he served as the Club President for three years. Graeme Martin, President of the Manawatu Racing Club noted that David Bennett’s influence at Club level, Awapuni Partnership and RACE Board level would never be forgotten. “Dave Bennett put a lot of hours into horse administration. It was a passion also and he raced a number of good horses as well as leading us on the Manawatu Racing Club Committee. Dave first joined the Committee in 1992 and quickly progressed to Treasurer in 1995. In 1999 he took up the role of Vice President for the Club, which he held until 2006 when he became President. He would remain President until 2009. Just last October the Manawatu Racing Club awarded Dave, Life Membership for all his work and dedication to the Club. Dave told me that night he was most deeply moved by this recognition and was looking forward to joining us at many meetings at Awapuni. Unfortunately his life has been tragically cut short”.
The RACE Group OF Clubs extends its sincere condolences to David’s wife Estelle and his daughters and family.
Ortensia to chase New Zealand Group 1’s
Nic Ashman
Tuesday, 6 December 2011
Scone trainer Paul Messara will venture to New Zealand with top sprinting mare Ortensia later this month in a quest for more Group 1 glory.
After winning seven of her first ten starts the daughter of Testa Rossa hadn’t won a race since November 2009 until she was transferred to Messara’s stable earlier this year.
Ortensia has raced twice for Messara for two wins including a last start victory in the Group I Winterbottom Stakes (1200m).
Messara said the mare had pulled up "enormous” since the feature sprint and will head to the shaky isles before Christmas.
"Her win in the Winterbottom was very satisfying and she’s pulled up enormous,” Messara said. "She’ll fly over to New Zealand on December 20 and prepare for the first of two races.”
The trainer said Ortensia would take her place in the Group I Railway Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day.
"I think she’ll be really well suited in the Railway. She’ll get 56kg and be very hard to beat,” he said. "After that she’ll stick around for the Telegraph.”
The Group I Telegraph Handicap (1200m) will be run on January 21 at Trentham racecourse.
Messara has booked in-form Sydney jockey Christian Reith to partner Ortensia in her New Zealand campaign. Australia will also be represented in the Railway Stakes by this year’s Galaxy winner Atomic Force.
RACE INCORPORATED ANNUAL REPORT
RELEASE: NATIONAL JUMPS DAY
David Wilson, of Knottingly Farm has generously provided a $1000 incentive for the leading rider.....Click Here for the full article
EL CHEAPO CARS 2010 RACE JUMP SERIES - UPDATE THREE
After the third weekend of the El Cheapo Cars 2010 RACE Jumps Series, held at Trentham on Grant Plumbing Wellington Steeplechase Day, Saturday 17 July.......Click Here for the full article
EL CHEAPO CARS 2010 RACE JUMP SERIES - UPDATE TWO
After the second weekend of the El Cheapo Cars 2010 RACE Jumps Series, held at Awapuni on Saturday 17 June....Click Here for full article
EL CHEAPO CARS 2010 RACE JUMP SERIES - UPDATE ONE
After the first weekend of the El Cheapo Cars 2010 RACE Jumps Series,held at Trentham Saturday 12 June, the leader board.....Click Here for the full article
SALUTE TO THE STARS DAY AT TRENTHAM
In support of what has been a most exciting thoroughbred racing season, the Wellington Racing Club and RACE Incorporated will pay tribute to some of these great gallopers with the inaugural "Salute to the Stars" raceday..........Click Here for the full article
RACE INC BYO BAN - 6TH JANUARY 2010
RACE is rolling out a new approach to managing BYO, with restrictions being out in place for all major event days.........Click here for the full article
HORSE TRAINING AT TRENTHAM
At a meeting of local horse trainers called by RACE Inc in discussion of the future use of Trentham as a training facility, RACE Chief Executive Matt Reid advised the facility will remain open in the short term “RACE has a loyalty to existing Trentham based trainers and their horses” says Reid “The decision to retain training at Trentham will be reviewed annually, as directed by the RACE Board”.
Trainer Brian Lines agreed to head a consortium of the trainers which Reid invited to report back at the end of next week with ideas in consideration of assisting the facility staying open.
“The ultimate decision to close Trentham as a training facility is greater than merely a financial consideration. The other two venues in the group (Otaki and Awapuni) are acknowledged by New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing as strategic training venues moving forward and so they must be where our training energies are focused” said Mr Reid.