One week down in lockdown and like many people around the country (and the world) I have had to become an expert at holding meetings via Zoom.

 

As you would expect there have been plenty of meetings to discuss how we can best position our industry for a return to racing once the alert level drops and the State of Emergency is removed.

 

Industry participants will have seen the statement from the NZTR chairman Dr Alan Jackson and me which was released earlier this week.  In the statement we outlined some of the key points around the four-month indicative calendar which is being drafted.

 

NZTR has not undertaken this work alone and we need to acknowledge the contribution of the club administrators and Trainers’ Association representatives during this process.  As we have worked to create a workable programme for jumpers within the North Island we have also relied on the expertise of the NZTR Jumps Co-ordinator Paul Claridge, and we appreciate what he has brought to the table.

 

This resuming phase from the target date of 1 July also includes black type races which have been impacted.  Representatives of the Pattern Committee have been working with us to come up with workable solutions which preserve the integrity of our pattern racing.

 

There has also been considerable involvement from RITA and the other codes during this time.

 

Over the next week we will be able to give more detail around just what a return to racing will look like.

 

During the next week we will be meeting with our clubs through our monthly conference call; we will also be meeting with our recognised industry organisations through our now, weekly, conference calls.  If you do have any questions please either ask your respective Association or club representative to bring them to those calls, or alternatively email me directly.

 

A number of you did email me with questions and feedback following the statement released earlier this week and I am endeavouring to respond to all of you. 

 

It is good to know there is still such passion in and for our industry, we will need every ounce of it as we make our return to racing.