Always back the horse named self-interest, son. It'll be the only one trying
The word out of Alexandra Park is that Auckland Trotting Club chairman Jamie ‘ Watches’ Mackinnon is being paid a six-figure sum to act as a consultant to the club. A consultant on what? No-one seems to know. You’d certainly hope its not successful property developments or real estate deals. Mackinnon’s consulting role was never […]
The agenda for the Special General Meeting of the Auckland Trotting Club to held on 23 July has been released to members,a and it will come as no surprise to readers of this site that it contains no offer to buy the Franklin Training Centre at Pukekohe for $100 million, or indeed any offer at […]
Dear MEMBER, NOTICE OF SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING In accordance with Rule 17.7 of the Auckland Trotting Club Inc (ATC) Constitution, Notice is hereby given of a Special General Meeting (SGM) of Members of ATC to be held on Wednesday, 23 July 2025 at 6pm in the Tasman Room, Alexandra Park, Epsom. BUSINESS: Welcome. Apologies. Update on intended change to voting process for […]
Archie Here’s a funny one for you. Friday night 20 June at the Auckland Trotting Club meeting senior and well-respected horseman James Stormont received an Official Warning under Rule 869(2), Whip & Rein Reg 2.5 for “Failing to ensure tassel was removed from whip”. Rule 869(2) states “no driver shall during any race use a […]
The New Zealand racing rules provide that the Racing Integrity Board can order a licensee who is convicted of a rule breach to pay its (the RIB’s) costs incurred in prosecuting them. Imagine that in a democracy. Paying the police to prosecute you. It sounds like Nazi Germany. Of course the more you protest your […]
By Mark Geenty ANALYSIS: Some cash-strapped national sporting organisations (NSOs) are in line for a funding boost as Sport New Zealand decides how to distribute a $20 million windfall from the newly-passed Racing Industry Amendment Bill. The big question is: how fairly will it be dished out, and will sporting codes who receive very little in […]
They were unable to determine how the product entered the horse’s system. However, Meloxicam could be administered orally. BESIDE ME might have been an unfortunate and vulnerable target. She was a first-starter in a maiden race, paying $1.50 on the tote, by a leading sire in DOWNBYTHESEASIDE and out of a $1.4 million stakes-winning mare […]
Dr Andrew Grierson (pictured) is the HRNZ Chief Veterinarian. How he can possibly hold that role given the demonstrable conflict with his personal business interests is a question that needs to be answered, both by HRNZ and by the Racing Integrity Board, which role it is to maintain and uphold the integrity of the sport. […]
The NZ Racing Integrity Board adjudicator’s decision to fine trainer Cran Dalgety just $5750 for what was his eighth positive swab offence is quite frankly baffling, and so is the rationale for it. His star mare Beside Me threw a confirmed positive to the potent anti-inflammatory painkiller Meloxicam at the Nelson race meeting in January. […]
Crystal Hackett is one of New Zealand’s most promising young drivers. She is also one of the bravest. It looked like the little champ actually enjoyed this ride. Crazy brave Crystal. Don’t try this at home.
