NZRB Making Ground On Integrity

13 July 2005

NZRB Making Ground On Integrity

The New Zealand Racing Board has made good on its promise to develop a consistent approach to integrity issues with two announcements today.

The Board has reached agreement with New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing that random sampling will be introduced around trials races from August 1. The format for the testing will see Stipendary Stewards selecting random trial runners for testing at the trainer’s stable the day after the trial.

New Zealand Racing Board CEO Graeme Hansen commended all participants who worked to implement this initiative.

“We have been very pleased with the work done by the Thoroughbred code in introducing random sampling procedures,” Mr Hansen said.

The second announcement centred on the changing format for Penetrometer readings. From August 1, New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing will adopt the same track condition categories as Australia, and assign new Penetrometer bands to these categories based on the New Zealand scale.

Clubs will continue to take readings prior to their meetings. However, a further reading will be taken on race morning if the weather conditions overnight have impacted on the racing surface. Stipendary Stewards will be responsible for monitoring this process.

The Stipendary Stewards may also require a club to take a reading on raceday, for reasons other than weather. This could be initiated by the Stewards at random or in response to reasonable requests by interested parties, including participating trainers.

Mr Hansen acknowledged that one of the forces behind the Racing Board’s drive to increase the accuracy of integrity in the industry had been the betting public.

“We have more than 250,000 customers who regularly bet on New Zealand racing through the TAB. These customers are looking for consistency and transparency around the integrity of our racing and we must work together as an industry to achieve this.”

ENDS

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