In no particular order I summarize as follows: Survey results still being worked on but what I have taken as the key elements from the survey are as follows: 1)  Encourage Trainers to communicate more effectively with their owners. At present communication from some trainers very poor 2)  Increase stakes especially at the grass roots level. These are the bread and butter horses that keep the industry going and these are the horses that we have to look after. 3) Owners pay all the bills now and deserve better recognition on and off the track. Various suggestions have been made for b...

At the time of writing this report all the clubs have been consulted in relation to the proposed new club based model and for those who do not know Harness Racing New Zealand (HRNZ) are looking at amalgamating  45 clubs into 9 Super clubs. This concept is progressing well at this stage but it will take some time to implement fully and most likely we will see changes to the concept at some stage in the future. It is just a start and at least the clubs are discussing the issues amongst themselves. HRNZ had commissioned two retired accountants to look at all the clubs financial accounts up to ...

A New Zealand Racing Board  report this week, outlining the 2015/2016 season race dates,  said that: ``Harness Racing NZ  has decided to consolidate in a bid to increase field sizes and improve the quality of racing. A total of four race meetings and 59 races have been removed from the 2015/16 season...'' Harness Racing New Zealand was asked to explain the decision more fully. HRNZ Chief Executive, Edward Rennell replied. ``Regarding your query concerning dates. The draft calendar provides for 4 meetings less – or 50 races less overall. It is hard to summarise the four deleted, as th...

Four harness meetings, 59 races removed The New Zealand Racing Board has released its 2015/16 racing calendar with a focus on delivering better value to the community and the wider racing industry. Monetising the calendar is a key strategic focus over the coming year, and the NZ Racing Board is working closely with the Greyhound, Thoroughbred and Harness Codes on further shaping the calendar to maximise the potential from race meetings. Harness Racing NZ has decided to consolidate in a bid to increase field sizes and improve the quality of racing. A total of four race meetings and 59 ...

Our owners rep on HRNZ has sold us out and we are calling for his resignation immediately (not later when it suits him).  Here is the letter that Richard received a couple of days ago.  We want someone who will represent owners interests not the Breeders Assn takeover - they are funded by HRNZ and have quite a different agenda to us. To:  NZ Trotting Owners Association   Attention:  Mr Richard Brosnan      Dear Richard    I am writing to advise the New Zealand Trotting Owners Association that I will be resigning from my position as their representative on the HRNZ board at the New...

 Driver, John Dunn had his hands full  during a few hair-raising moments at the start of the RD1 Handicap Trot, at the Rangiora  Harness Racing Club's meeting last Sunday. Dunn's drive,  in Race 10 on the programme,  Commander Paris, made a spectacular rear after  another runner, Rocknpop  reared up at the start when the barrier tapes were released, and swung around sideways into him. The starter, Peter Lamb, called a false start. However, Commander Paris was once again  badly hampered by Rocknpop during a similar incident  at the second attempt to start the race. This time though...