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Entries Open for Karaka 2022; Former Police Deputy Commissioner to lead new Racing Integrity Board; Standout season for Grylls; Sharrock confident with Trentham duo
Entries Open for Karaka 2022
Entries are now open for New Zealand Bloodstock's 2022 National Yearling Sales Series, with the Sale set to take place next January at the Karaka Sales Centre.
Continuing NZB's traditional sale format, Book 1 is set to commence from Sunday 23 until Tuesday 25 January, while Book 2 will begin directly after from Wednesday 26 until Friday 28 January. The National Online Yearling Sale will take place in April.
Managing Director Andrew Seabrook is already looking forward to the prospect of selling next January and putting together what will be a quality catalogue for prospective buyers.
"The amount of people who surfaced to show their support at Karaka 2021, both physically and via our online bidding technology, was unparalleled considering it was the first time since Phar Lap sold that no internationals were present," he said.
"In what were testing conditions due to international border closures and a reduced catalogue size, the results were a tremendous success with the average and median increasing on previous years and the clearance rate settling at 82 percent.
"This is a testament to the outstanding quality of our New Zealand-bred and sold horses, and for the wonderful job our vendors did in preparing and marketing their horses.
"We have had strong feedback from the Australian buyers that they will be back here in force next January.
"This, along with a more confident domestic market and great online bidding technology, gives us confidence that Karaka 2022 is going to be an outstanding success."
To nominate your yearlings for Karaka 2022, please visit NZB's online portal at portal.nzb.co.nz or contact the Entries Coordinator Mary Jane Harvey (+64 9 393 9832 or +64 9 298 0055, or email maryjane.harvey@nzb.co.nz). Entries close 5pm Friday 9 July 2021.
Former Police Deputy Commissioner to lead new Racing Integrity Board
Mike Clement has been appointed chief executive of the new independent Racing Integrity Board which will oversee the racing industry from 1 July 2021.
"The Board is delighted to have been able to secure a leader of Mike's standing, experience and impeccable integrity," Racing Integrity Board chairman Sir Bruce Robertson said.
The Racing Integrity Board takes over the functions of the Racing Integrity Unit and the Judicial Control Authority for Racing, both of which will be disestablished as of 30 June 2021 with all employees transferring to the new Board.
"Importantly, the new Racing Integrity Board - announced by Minister for Racing Hon Grant Robertson on 8 June - is independent and separate from the thoroughbred, harness and greyhound racing codes. Its establishment was a key part of the racing industry reforms in the Racing Industry Act 2020," Robertson said.
Clement took retirement from the New Zealand Police last year after 42 years of service. He was Deputy Commissioner National Operations at Police Headquarters from 2014 and prior to that he was District Commander Auckland City.
"I think it is universally acknowledged that a strong, effective and credible integrity system is critical to the public's confidence in the conduct of racing. My challenge is to ensure the very high public and industry expectations as to the conduct, standards and integrity of racing are met," Clement said.
Clement will be based in Auckland and will take up the role on 1 July 2021.
Standout season for Grylls
Craig Grylls is enjoying his best season yet in the saddle and is keen on improving his place on the New Zealand Jockeys' Premiership at Te Rapa on Saturday.
With 82 wins to his name this term, including 10 at stakes level, the Waikato hoop currently sits third on the premiership.
While runaway leader Danielle Johnson is firmly out of his sights with 146 wins to her name, second-placed Samantha Collett is within touching distance, just two wins ahead of Grylls.
He is keen to breach that gap this weekend and he believes he has a couple of chances at Te Rapa, including the Lance O'Sullivan and Andrew Scott-trained Treasure State in the Skycity Hamilton 1200.
Grylls rode the gelding on debut at Counties where wet conditions played against the two-year-old, but he did show his best work late to run on for fourth.
"It was pretty wet at Counties that day, I think we're going to cop a better track tomorrow," he said. "I think he will learn a bit from that run, I'm quite happy to stick with him.
"He's a really lovely type of a horse, he's well put together. I think he will be a very nice animal in the long term."
Grylls has been enjoying his riding and that has shown in his results, with the highlight being victory aboard Rocket Spade in the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) at Ellerslie in March for Wexford Stables.
"They've been big supporters of my career," he said. "I've ridden a lot of winners for them. It was great to win the Derby (Gr.1, 2400m) for them, a great way to repay their loyalty."
Sharrock confident with Trentham duo
New Plymouth trainer Allan Sharrock is making the long trek down to Trentham with two runners on Saturday and he has high hopes for the pair.
Collinstreet will be vying to make it back-to-back wins in the Jennian Homes 2100 and will benefit from apprentice jockey Callum Jones's three-kilogram claim.
"He loves Trentham," Sharrock said. "I would have preferred a mile after the 1400m, but I couldn't slot one in. But he will be fit enough, and he will go very well.
"Callum is a good kid and you definitely need three kilos off when you are an 85 rater with 62kg.
"I am confident he will race well with 59 kilos, I don't think that will stop him."
Stablemate Darci La Bella has made a pleasing start to her career, winning three of her four starts, and placing in the other.
She will attempt to record her fourth win in the carfinance.co.nz 1000 on Saturday where she will have the advantage of apprentice jockey Ciel Butler's four-kilogram claim.
"Ciel has had the benefit of a ride on her in a jumpout. She knows the filly, she is very genuine, and she will travel on the bit all the way," Sharrock said.
"I think getting away from the older horses is a big advantage for any three-year-old. It will be her last run for the season.
"I am picking she will start favouite and she will be the hardest to beat in that race."
