Inside
RUNNING
Issu e 18, DeCeMb er 2007
Trackside Television unveils
15th birthday present
Trackside Television celebrated 15 years of broadcasting in
trucks. The new trucks come in two sizes and house up to 14
November and to mark the occasion Trackside unveiled the first of
cameras, vision and sound desks and recording equipment.
six new digital outside broadcasting trucks to replace the network’s
existing analogue fleet, following a $12.7 million investment by the
New Zealand Racing Board.
During the new truck’s first official outing Michael Stiassny, Chairman
of the New Zealand Racing Board, said the investment in digital
broadcasting technology is a big step for on-course production in the
New Zealand racing industry.
“The move from analogue to digital technology will significantly
enhance Trackside’s outside broadcast operation. The new wide
screen digital format provides better picture quality and allows for
picture analysis and live action replays, similar to that seen in a rugby
match with the third umpire.
“At the same time, the new digital platform will provide greater
opportunities for Trackside to simulcast live New Zealand racing
action to Australia and other countries wanting our racing product.
This in turn will generate new revenue streams for the New Zealand
Racing Board and the Codes.”
Specialist broadcast television equipment supplier Thomson Grass
Valley were commissioned by the New Zealand Racing Board late
last year to design and build the six new digital outside broadcast
IN THIS ISSUE: Contingency Planning Group in full swing.........................pg2
Global betting on Melbourne Cup Carnival.......................pg3
Research to improve equine health & wellbeing...............pg4
No BYO Policy a hit with racegoers...................................pg5
Destination Summer Holiday Racing................................pg6
NZRB Taupo Cycling Team sets new record....................pg7
NZRB launches BSport Radio..........................................pg8
“The new vans will cover the width and breadth of New Zealand,
covering more than 950 race meetings each year to bring Trackside
viewers live racing action 12 hours per day, 363 days a year,” said
Mr Stiassny.
Contingency Planning
Group in full swing
The New Zealand Racing Board has led the formation of a
New Zealand’s (MAF) current EI response plan, which is based
‘Contingency Planning Group’, to tackle the threat of possible
on containment and eradication.
crises such as an equine influenza (EI) outbreak in this country.
“The New Zealand Racing Board has negotiated a contract with
The group, comprising of representatives from the equine
Intervet to secure a guaranteed supply of 70,000 doses of vaccine
and racing industries will draw on their collective knowledge
for the New Zealand Racing Board’s exclusive use for a 12 month
and experience to ensure New Zealand has cohesive risk
period. This is over and above the 50,000 doses of vaccine held
management and contingency plans in place.
by MAF,” Mr Purcell said.
The New Zealand Racing Board has appointed Greg Purcell, the
The group is also undertaking a review of New Zealand’s
Chief Executive of Equinox Consulting Ltd, as Project Manager to
current quarantine measures. This work will identify potential
lead and co-ordinate activities with the equine industries.
risks to maintaining effective border control in the event of a
Graeme Hansen, Chief Executive of the New Zealand Racing
biosecurity threat.
Board said “Mr Purcell has a long involvement in the equine
“Currently, there is a total ban on horse imports from Australia
industry in Australia. His understanding of both the Australian
to New Zealand. A five week quarantine period for all horses
and the New Zealand equine industries has enabled the group
imported from Australia is likely to be introduced once the
to hit the ground running.”
import ban is lifted. Import quarantine restrictions are expected
One of the group’s immediate priorities is to heighten
to continue until at least February 2009.
awareness of the threat of the EI virus to the New Zealand
“Last year more than 1,500 horses were imported from
racing industry. The group is facilitating a series of workshops
Australia to New Zealand. However, the current New Zealand
around New Zealand to educate and build awareness amongst
equine quarantine facilities can only house up to 20 horses.
equine industry participants to the risk of EI infection, the
We will be working closely with MAF to ensure that appropriate
clinical symptoms of EI, the immediate on-farm or in-stable
quarantine facilities are established in New Zealand to manage
response to suspected EI infection and the required equine
the movement of horses across the Tasman,” added Mr Purcell.
hygiene and biosecurity procedures and supplies needed in
the event of an EI outbreak.
For more information about equine influenza visit
http://www.nzracingboard.co.nz/equineinfluenza/intro.html
Project Manager, Greg Purcell, said “the key to preventing
or controlling outbreaks in New Zealand is the individuals in
contact with horses doing the right thing.
“Equine Influenza is a highly contagious airborne respiratory
Equine Influenza Workshops
virus and that can be carried by humans, on cloth, skin and
There are still limited spaces available for the following
possibly in respiratory secretions.
EI Workshops:
“With more than 40,000 people deriving their livelihoods from
• Hawkes Bay – Monday 17 December
the racing industry in New Zealand it’s important that members
• Otaki – Monday 17 December
of the equine community are aware of the potential impacts and
• Featherston – Monday 17 December
measures they need to take help prevent an outbreak of, or the
spread of the disease.”
Workshops have been held in Auckland, Matamata, Cambridge,
Whangarei, Invercargill, Christchurch, Kumeu, New Plymouth,
Palmerston North, Pukekohe, Timaru, the West Coast and
• Nelson – Monday 17 December
• Malrborough – Tuesday 18 December
• Dunedin – Wednesday 19 December
• Invercargill – Thursday 20 December
Dunedin with a further seven workshops scheduled for the week
Please contact Alley Pycroft on 04 576 6139 for further
commencing 17 December.
information.
Another large component of the group’s contingency planning
involves exploring the potential impacts of MAF Biosecurity
Global betting on the
Melbourne Cup Carnival
The Melbourne Cup Carnival is the biggest event on the Australasian
pooling between South Africa, New Zealand, Tabcorp and other
racing calendar and this year’s event offered Kiwi punters an added
jurisdictions in the future.”
bonus through the introduction of commingled pools.
The alliance between the New Zealand Racing Board and Tabcorp on
For the first time ever, Kiwi punters were able to bet into the newly
pooling has been highly successful with the New Zealand totalisator
combined New Zealand, South African and Australian SuperTAB pool
pool contributing more than A$100 million to SuperTAB pools since
during Australian racing’s showcase week.
June. For the Melbourne Cup the combined SuperTAB win pool was
While New Zealand has been commingling with Tabcorp’s SuperTAB
pool since June this year on win, place and quinella bets on selected
$24.65 million compared to the New Zealand TABs $3 million win
pool the previous year.
races, the addition of the South African totalisator pool, which is
New Zealand Racing Board Chief Executive, Graeme Hansen, said
managed by Phumelela Gaming and Leisure Ltd, added a new
“larger pools have delivered significant benefits to Kiwi Punters and
dimension to the New Zealand Racing Board’s internationalisation
we are delighted to welcome South Africa to the SuperTAB pool.
agreements with Tabcorp.
“This year, the combined New Zealand, South African and Australian
Under the agreement between Tabcorp and Phumelela Gambing
SuperTAB pools and the strong contingent of New Zealand bred, trained
and Leisure Ltd, South African punters will bet into the combined
New Zealand and Australian SuperTAB win pool on selected races.
Phumelela Gold Enterprises International Director of Marketing and
Operations John Stuart said “we are delighted to be working with
Tabcorp, the New Zealand Racing Board and the Australian racing
industry to set the foundation for large international betting pools.”
and owned horses participating in the Melbourne Cup Carnival provided
plenty of entertainment for Kiwi punters with more than NZ$17.2 million
passing through the New Zealand TAB on Cup Day alone.
“Looking forward, the pooling of Tabcorp bets on New Zealand racing
exported to Australia is expected by the end of this calendar year.
Phumelela’s involvement in the SuperTAB pool moves us another step
forward in taking New Zealand racing to the world.”
“International pooling also gives all our
customers what they want – bigger pools
to bet into and more stable dividends.”
During the Melbourne Cup Carnival
the South African totalisator pool joined
the SuperTAB pool for all races except
the Melbourne Cup as the Phumelela
totalisator can only process fields with
no more than 20 runners – the 2007
Melbourne Cup field had 21 runners.
Over time and with growth in global
pooling, Phumelela will amend this.
While South African punters are not
expected to add significant turnover to
the SuperTAB pool in the short term,
South African interest in Australian
and New Zealand racing is bound to
increase.
Tabcorp’s Managing Director of
Wagering Robert Nason said the
agreement cemented the relationship
shared by Tabcorp, Phumelela and
the New Zealand Racing Board.
“This is a small, first step that we’ve
taken to set the basis for successful
Pictured left to right at Flemington race course, the home of the Melbourne Cup Carnival; Dale Monteith
(Chief Executive, Victoria Racing Club), Graeme Hansen (Chief Executive, New Zealand Racing Board),
Robert Nason (Managing Director - Wagering, Tabcorp) and John Stuart (Director of International Operations,
Phumelela Gambling & Leisure).
Research to improve
equine health and wellbeing
Earlier this year, the New Zealand Equine Trust, which funds
Bowed tendon, an injury to the superficial digital flexor tendon
research and educational proposals, invited expressions of
on the back of the front leg, is a very common equine injury,
interest for funding of research projects that will support the
particularly in racehorses. Currently, there is no scientifically
future wellbeing of the New Zealand equine industry.
based or consistently successful method of treatment for
The Trust aims to increase the number of people working in the
bowed tendon.
industry with in-depth knowledge of equine science, technology
Professor Janet Patterson-Kane and her team at the School
and business. Research Co-ordinator Professor Elwyn Firth of
of Veterinary Science at the University of Queensland, in
Massey University said “the aim of the research is to address
collaboration with Massey University and University College
major equine health problems and target research to improve
London, are exploring a very novel therapy for the treatment
breeding and the rearing of horses in this country.
of bowed tendon that could have exciting prospects for
“Racing and breeding are major contributors to the New
Zealand economy. Increasing our learning and research
capability is critical to the industry’s future wellbeing.”
In the first round for expressions of interest the Trust received
18 proposals for funding. Projects to receive funding include
the development of a simple, non-invasive method to diagnose
equine health.
“After treatment and recuperation, which can take up to 12
months, close to 80% of horses re-injure the tendon because
weak, brittle scar tissue persists for long periods of time.
This injury is a significant cause of wastage of Thoroughbred
horses,” says Professor Patterson-Kane.
gastric ulceration in foals and developing new treatments for
“Cells in tendon called tenocytes produce and maintain the
bowed tendon injuries – two very common equine health issues.
tendon’s structure and substance. Collagen, a protein that forms
Dr Margaret Leyland of the Massey University Veterinary
Teaching Hospital is leading the gastric ulceration project
that aims to take the first step towards the development of a
bloodtest for diagnosis and monitoring of gastric ulcerations.
“Approximately 50% of healthy foals suffer from stomach
ulcers, and an even higher proportion of sick foals are
affected. Ulcers can cause major problems for foals if they go
fibres, gives the tendon its strength. The tenocyte cells are
joined together by gap junctions, many of which are comprised
of a protein called connexin 43.
“In skin wounds, inhibiting the action of the connexin 43 protein
for a few hours after injury can significantly reduce inflammation,
dramatically accelerate the healing process and reduce the
formation of scar tissue.
undetected. Foals often appear listless and off their normal
“Our research will involve conducting a series of experiments
feeding routine and in extreme cases an ulcer can rupture
using the tenocyte cells to determine if increasing or decreasing
causing severe illness or death,” explains Dr Leyland.
the action of the connexin 43 protein alters collagen production.
“At present, the only way to reliably diagnose gastric ulceration
is by gastroscopy which involves passing a small camera
This will tell us if inhibiting this protein after the first few hours of
tendon injury enhances the horse’s recovery.
through the foal’s nose into the stomach. This requires specialist
If Professor Patterson-Kane’s research is successful the
and expensive equipment and is relatively inconvenient and
financial benefit could be huge. There is a significant
invasive,” she added.
cost involved in the loss of training and racing days, long
Dr Leyland’s research will involve taking blood samples and
measuring serum lactose in a large number of foals to see
if their blood sugar levels could be a marker of stomach
ulceration. Analysis of the results will determine if there is a
strong correlation between the blood test and the presence and
severity of stomach ulcers.
If successful, this research will improve foal welfare and enable
vets without access to gastroscopy to diagnose and monitor
gastric ulceration using a simple non-invasive method.
periods of healing, and particularly the large number of
horses experiencing re-injury following their return to racing.
Accelerating and improving the healing process for bowed
tendons has the potential to reduce costs and increase returns
to owners.
For more information on the New Zealand Equine Trust visit
http://www.equinetrust.org.nz/ or contact Professor Elwyn Firth
at [email protected]
No BYO policy a hit with racegoers
Facilitating the responsible consumption of alcohol has long being
in this area is our ability to check each individual vehicle arriving
a major issue for race clubs around the country. This year, for the
on-course. It will always be a challenge for us as it is for many clubs
first time, Hawkes Bay Racing introduced a ‘No BYO Policy’ for the
throughout New Zealand. However, the potential benefits of applying
Kelt Capital Spring Carnival in an attempt to create a more enjoyable
a ‘No BYO Policy’ to this area could be huge,” said Kim.
raceday experience.
Hawkes Bay Racing Sales & Marketing Executive, Kim Treweek, said
“as an entertainment provider we have a responsibility to provide a
clean, safe and enjoyable environment. In recent years, alcohol has
been the major cause of unruly behaviour on-course, often requiring
an increased security presence.
“Unfortunately a few people over-indulging can ruin the event
experience for many racegoers, added to which it can become very
expensive for the club.”
Recent events led the club to rethink it’s stance on allowing alcohol
to be brought on-course and in a bid to provide a more pleasant
environment the club decided it was time to take action. The ‘No
BYO Policy’ would apply during the club’s biggest event of the
season, the Kelt Capital Spring Carnival.
“Our goal was to improve the overall ambience of the event and to
encourage people to drink responsibly. We applied the ‘No BYO
Policy’ to the main grandstand, lawn and marquee areas. Customers
using the infield were still able to bring alcohol in.”
The club cordoned off the main grandstand and lawn with fencing
and turnstiles which enabled security to check people coming
through the gates. Prior to the event the club promoted the policy
in the local paper and on radio to avoid confusion at the gates and
placed signs on-course.
“We received a great response from the general public attending the
main grandstand, lawn and marquees. There were no confrontations
and friends and families
could picnic on the lawn.
On the whole it was a more
enjoyable environment.
“Customers could still
purchase a drink from the
lawn bars, we just had greater
ability to control the amount
people were drinking,”
said Kim.
“In comparison, the infield
required police presence
over and above the general
security presence and greater
resources to manage the
clean-up.
“One of the main barriers to
applying the ‘No BYO Policy’
For the club, the ‘No BYO Policy’ generated increased interest in presold packages and significantly enhanced bar revenues.
“Increased sales, together with more opportunities for beverage
suppliers and sponsors to showcase their products, will strengthen
our bartering power when we negotiate new contracts,” Kim said.
Customers surveyed at the Kelt Capital Stakes, as part of the New
Zealand Racing Board’s ongoing programme of on-course customer
research, indicated that they believed the improved measures in
relation to the serving of alcohol, combined with the BYO restrictions,
provided a safer on-course environment.
This feedback has implications for many clubs as not only is
the responsible service of alcohol an issue in terms of customer
satisfaction, and hence customer retention, but it also has the
potential to boost club revenues through increased bar and
sponsorship income streams.
More recently, in a bid to control the amount of alcohol brought
on-course, the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club introduced
beverage packages for the Christchurch Casino New Zealand Cup
Day at Addington.
Customers could pre-order their beverage package at wholesale
prices for collection on the day. This concept proved very popular as
it removed the need for customers to bring refreshments on-course
and, for the club, it provided a new revenue stream and helped
create a safer and more enjoyable environment.
Destination Summer Holiday
Racing – part and parcel of the great Kiwi summer
A day at the races is part and parcel of the great Kiwi summer, and if
you go to one of 30 SpringFresh Destination Summer Holiday Racing
racedays all around New Zealand, it’s even better.
Now in its third year, the Destination Summer Holiday Racing
programme combines a blend of high customer standards, good old
fashioned family entertainment and local racing character to deliver
a fantastic day out for all ages.
New Zealand Racing Board On-Course Marketing & Events Manager,
Janice Hill, says Destination Summer Holiday Racing introduces
New Zealand families to the fun and excitement of a day at the races.
“Over the past two seasons we’ve seen a renaissance in on-course
attendance with more than 240,000 people attending Destination
Summer Holiday Racing events.
“Destination Summer helps clubs to develop new strategies to package
their on-course customer experience and this work is paying off.
Improved on-course facilities and better customer service, free live
entertainment for adults and children alike and offering good value
for money have been key to the Destination Summer Holiday Racing
programmes success.
“This year, we’ve introduced a mini-marquee programme which is
run in partnership with the clubs for those who want to relax and
enjoy their day at the races in their own space, away from the crowd.
Racegoers can enjoy their own marquee in a mini-marquee village
for as little as $25 per head - it’s a great way to entertain family and
friends. Marquees are pre-booked so there’s no need to rush out of
bed to get the best spot.”
From late December until February, some of New Zealand’s most
picturesque racing destinations including Tauherenikau, Kumara, the
Omakau trots and Ruakaka will play host to SpringFresh Destination
Summer Holiday Racing events.
“Principle sponsors SpringFresh will again be supplying free bottles
of SpringFresh Pure New Zealand Artesian water and SunSmart
will have free sunscreen on hand at all Destination Summer Holiday
Racing events so all we have to do now is to pray for a fine, hot
summer day.
“We are delighted with the support from SpringFresh and our national
sponsors. To promote the Destination Summer series, SpringFresh’s
popular 750ml water bottles feature a special Destination Summer
Holiday Racing promotional label. 70,000 of these have been put into
stock at supermarkets around the country,” said Janice.
This year, the New Zealand Racing Board has teamed up with
supporting sponsors Ford and Air New Zealand to offer some great
prizes for customers purchasing a Summer Six Pack on-course at
selected SpringFresh Destination Summer Holiday Racing events.
There are three Ford Focus cars up for grabs and thirty $1000
Air New Zealand vouchers to be won!
In addition, the TAB has guaranteed twenty-two $25,000
terminating Summer Six Pack pools for the Destination Summer
Holiday Racing events.
Destination Summer Holiday Racing springs into action in Rotorua
on December 27 and wraps up in Tauherenikau on February 6.
For more information about Destination Summer Holiday Racing
events, and to book your mini marquee visit www.theraces.co.nz
or call 0800 102 106.
NZRB Taupo Cycling Team
set new record
In November, eight budding cyclists togged out in a New
Janice, Peter and Bryon all set new personal best times, while
Zealand Racing Board strip collectively rode 640 kilometres
Vince, who is a member of the New Zealand Racing Board’s
around Lake Taupo in what is known as New Zealand’s largest
Technical Services team, clocked in a very impressive 4 hours
cycling event, the Wattyl Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge.
and 23 minutes on his new bike beating Olympic Triathlon
In perfect cycling conditions, the relay team comprising of
New Zealand Racing Board employees Jenna Rogers,
Silver medallist Bevan Docherty by 10 minutes. Vince is now
eligible to ride in the Taupo Classic for elite riders next year.
Natalie Murphy and Carol Bakker, with the help of Jenna’s
The Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge has become an annual
dad who was called in after a late scratching, each cycled
event on the New Zealand Racing Board employee calendar
40 kilometres to finish the race in record time.
attracting cycling enthusiasts from across the organisation.
For the team’s solo riders, Janice Hill, Peter Evans, Bryon
Mabbet and Vince Wyatt, several months of intense training
finally paid-off.
As part of the New Zealand Racing Board’s employee
sponsorship programme, the Board provides financial and
logistical support to encourage employees to get involved.
Main image: Vince Wyatt gets ready to take the lead.
Inset: New Zealand Racing Board solo riders Peter Evans, Janice Hill and Byron Mabbet.
NZRB launches BSport Radio
In October, the New Zealand
“Whilst racing is well covered with Radio Trackside, we lacked
Racing Board, in conjunction
a dedicated station that provides quality sports commentary
with Radioworks, launched its
and market information. The obvious solution was to develop
new sports network: BSport –
BSport Radio.“
sports radio you can bet on.
BSport features both breakfast and late morning shows
Just like the strategy behind an
combining the youth and experience of some of the country’s
intense test match, BSport radio
most talented sportspeople and broadcasters including; former
aims to bring listeners and sports
Black Caps wicket-keeper Ian Smith, former Kiwi League
purists the stories and opinions behind the game as well as up
International and sports promoter Dean Lonergan, sports
to the minute results and the latest market information.
commentator and radio broadcaster Nathan Rarere and TV3
Glen Broomhall, the New Zealand Racing Board’s Head of
sports journalist Kevin Sinnott.
Broadcasting, said BSport, New Zealand’s first dedicated sports
BSport radio is complemented by Radio Trackside coverage
and racing network, was launched in response to the growing
from 12 noon Monday to Friday and from 8am on Saturdays.
sports betting market.
BSport frequencies
• Gisborne 1485AM
• Oamaru 89.6FM
• Wanganui 828AM
• Alexandra 107.1FM
• Greymouth 89.1FM/93.9FM
• Queenstown 93.6FM
• Wellington 711AM
• Ashburton 1071AM
• Hawkes Bay 549AM
• Rotorua 1548AM
• Westport 93.3FM
• Auckland 1476AM
• Hokitika 89.1FM
• Taranaki 97.2FM
• Whakatane 94.5FM
• Bay of Islands 94.8FM
• Invercargill 1224AM
• Taupo 91.1FM
• Whangarei 92.4FM
• Central Northland 92.4FM
• Kaitaia 95.2FM
• Tauranga 873AM
• Christchurch 1260AM
• Kapiti Coast 93.5FM
• Timaru 1242AM
• Cromwell 107.1FM
• Manawatu 828AM
• Waikato 954AM
• Dunedin 1206AM
• Nelson 97.6FM/990AM
• Wairarapa 91.1FM
Integrity
> Have transparency of purpose
> Fulfil our social responsibilities
> Do the right thing at all times
Teamwork
> Combine our experience and skills by working together effectively
> Leverage these principal resources with effective communication
Inside Running is published by the New Zealand Racing Board. ISSN: 1177-1879
106-110 Jackson Street, Petone, PO Box 38899, Wellington Mail Centre, New Zealand
Phone: (+64 4) 576 6999 Fax: (+64 4) 576 6942
Email: [email protected]