Racing continued today at Cambridge and moves tomorrow to Hawera.   As outlined previously, this may create issues for those trainers located in regions such as Hawke’s Bay and Wellington (which includes Otaki and the Wairarapa).  Those regions are not adjacent to Taranaki, so while horses are able to be transported, people cannot move across multiple regions.

From midnight tonight Northland will join the remainder of the country already in Alert Level 3, leaving Auckland at Alert Level 4. 

The implications regarding the transport of horses and travel of trainers remains the same.  If we are advised of any changes regarding this, we will pass this information on to those impacted.

While industry participants go about their business legitimately under Alert Level 3, others are questioning media and officials as to how this can happen.  In response, NZTR is informing interested persons that there are no public permitted at meetings, and that racing is a business activity operating in compliance with specific COVID protocols that are endorsed by Worksafe NZ.

Again, we offer sincere thanks to industry participants for adhering to these protocols which allow racing to continue, it is appreciated.

We have positive news from TAB NZ, which continues to perform strongly, with the confirmation of the budgeted distribution to the codes for the month of August.

There is also positive news about horse numbers, with 30 heats programmed at Cambridge tomorrow and sufficient horses to warrant another trial meeting also scheduled for Cambridge on Monday, 6 September.

Tomorrow morning NZTR CEO Bernard Saundry will provide an overview of what has been happening since the country entered lockdown from midnight 17 August, with an update on Facebook Live at 9.30am. 

Bernard will talk about how the industry has responded to the challenges of working within the constraints of the various Alert Levels. 

This will be a brief update, rather than our usual interactive Facebook Live session.

Finally, a reminder to think of the wider community, as well our own industry, as we encourage people to make the most of the opportunity, open to all ages to go out and get vaccinated.