Defibrillate a boost for locked down Kiwi owners

Matamata trainer Graham Richardson may not have any horses in New Zealand racing this weekend as a result of COVID-19 restrictions, but his colours will still be seen.

Richardson is the co-breeder and part-owner of smart galloper Defibrillate, who will don his colours at Moonee Valley on Saturday in a 1500m handicap.

The son of Shocking was in excellent form last preparation for trainer Patrick Payne, winning four consecutive races, including the Listed Mornington Cup Prelude (2000m) and Listed Lords Stakes (1700m).

An exciting spring could be instore for the seven-year-old, who is nominated for the Gr.1 Caulfield and Gr.1 Melbourne Cups (3200m), but Payne is maintaining reserved expectations.

“He is entered in the better races, but he is probably not good enough,” Payne told RSN927.

“You would think more realistic goals would be more like the Bendigo Cup (Gr.3, 2400m), but we will wait and see.

“Normally the Moonee Valley Cup would be a really nice race for him, but you would think it would be stronger than usual (with the increase in prizemoney).”

Despite his reserved outlook, Payne has been pleased with the way Defibrillate has returned ahead of spring racing.

“I think he has come back equally as good, hopefully a bit better (than last preparation), but we won’t know that until raceday,” he said.

“He is strong, healthy, happy, and well.”

Payne is looking forward to stepping out Defibrillate for this first time this preparation on Saturday, but isn’t expecting a lot over the shorter distance.

“I would think they will be too quick for him (on Saturday). There are some nice horses in that race for a 1500m handicap,” he said.

“I am really happy with the way he is going, but I would think that the others will have a bit too much dash for him first-up.”

 

Perfect start for Tivaci filly

Tivaci filly Never Been Kissed made the perfect start to her career when winning on debut over 1000m at Hawkesbury on Thursday.

The Waikato Stud-bred and raced filly had been given two trials by trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott to fit her for her first trip to the races and she delivered in style.

Never Been Kissed was three wide in the body of the field and when rider Tim Clark asked her to lengthen stride in the straight she responded positively and was too strong over the concluding stages.

She is the first foal of the Savabeel mare Movie, who was successful on three occasions, and is a half-sister to the three-time Group Two winner Ocean Emperor.

They are out of the Gr.3 Mannerism Stakes (1400m) winner Tootsie.

This is also the family of the multiple Group One-winning Savabeel mares Probabeel and Savvy Coup.

Never been Kissed is the third winner for the Matamata farm’s emerging young stallion Tivaci.

 

New whip regulations announced by NZTR

There is to be less use of the whip in New Zealand Thoroughbred racing.

From 1 September 2021, the whip must not be used in consecutive strides of the horse at any stage of the race.

This change will have most effect at the end of the race, since at present, riders can use their own discretion over the last 100m, though there will also be some impact on already tight restrictions on the use of the whip up till the final stages.

The changes followed a period of wide consultation by New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) around the use of the whip, involving both industry participants and the general public. 

“The consultation recognised previous rule changes to restrict the use of the whip in New Zealand, comparison with overseas jurisdictions, and community perceptions, which is a driver of future public engagement and investment in racing,” NZTR GM Welfare & Sustainability Martin Burns said.

The NZTR Board, noting how well New Zealand jockeys had adapted to past changes, and considering detailed analysis of current average whip use in flat races, supported the change to non-consecutive use which will mostly affect the final 100m of a race.

“Throughout the process we have had constructive and positive engagement from the New Zealand Jockeys’ Association,” Burns said.

“Our participants are well aware of the need to ensure racing remains attractive and relevant to the widest possible audience.”

Leading jockey Lisa Allpress, a four-time New Zealand premiership winner, said she was confident that the riders would quickly adapt to the changes and that the changes would not reduce the sport’s competitiveness.

“There has been a significant shift in the use of the whip in recent years and these changes will sustain that momentum,” Allpress said.

The rule changes and the subsequent penalties for breaches of these have been circulated to the NZ Jockeys’ Association and will be available on the NZTR website.