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Jackson to retire
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) Chairman Dr Alan Jackson has today signaled his intention to retire from the Board at the AGM on November 17.
Jackson, who presided over a period of significant upheaval brought the benefit of more than 30 years of international business experience across a wide spectrum of industries and organisations to the role.
Under his chairmanship he guided the industry through the introduction of the Health & Safety in the Workplace Act; saw through the progression of the Messara Review and the introduction of the Racing Industry Act 2020; the development of a Venue Plan for thoroughbred racing and finally charted the difficulties raised by Covid-19 given NZTR entering in a sound financial position.
Among the achievements ticked off during his time in the chair were the introduction of gold standard Welfare Guidelines; trainer/owner reforms placing that relationship on a professional footing: increased alignment with Racing Australia; all-weather tracks and also delivering stake increases which included lifting the minimum to $10,000.
Throughout his time leading the NZTR Board Dr Jackson has been a strong advocate for the modernisation of the wagering business in New Zealand and the full development of the racefields opportunities. His grasp and understanding of the wagering and media landscape has been honed over decades of experience within the racing industry across three countries.
He promises to continue to push for increased returns to the New Zealand industry through joint venturing/partnering with an international wagering operator within the arrangements outlined in the new Act.
"I am proud of the work which has been undertaken by the NZTR Board over the last 5 years. There is now a sound foundation on which we can begin to reshape the industry to provide those additional revenues required for its prosperity, the journey is nearly in the home straight" Dr Jackson said.
Dr Jackson joined the NZTR Board in 2015, having previously served as a founding Director of the New Zealand Racing Board from 2003-2006, and again in 2012-13 as Chairman.
The Members' Council will incorporate seeking a replacement to fill the vacancy left by Dr Jackson's retirement as part of the selection process around other rotating and retiring directors.
Medalza best for Collett
Jockey Sam Collett has five rides at Tauranga on Saturday including returning Group One winner Roger That, who resumes over a mile. But the 30-year-old rider, who is closing in on 800 career wins, has plumped for the Stephen Marsh-trained Medalza as her best ride for the day.
The five-year-old mare will contest the Clark Mazey Bayleys Handicap (1300m) and enters off a solid sixth behind Gorgeous Geisha and a second to quality galloper Demonetization prior to that.
"She has had a couple of runs in this time to get fit and she is a mare I have a lot of time for," Collett said.
"She put a couple of wins together last prep pretty comfortably. She does like the cut out of the track and I think it is going to be pretty wet again tomorrow.
"She has also won at Tauranga before so she is really knocking on the door and won't run into Demonetization again tomorrow, so that will be helpful."
Oceanex commences Cup path at Caulfield
The road to the Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) commences on Saturday for New Zealand bred mare Oceanex when she contests the MRC Members' Tipstar Hcp (1400m) at Caulfield.
The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained daughter of Ocean Park booked her passage to the two-mile feature when winning the Listed Andrew Ramsden (2800m) in May, an exemption race for the Melbourne Cup.
"She can have a little go around with Liam Riordan (apprentice) on Saturday and then into the Makybe Diva (Gr.1, 1600m) and the Turnbull Stakes (Gr.1, 2000m)," Price said.
"She loves Flemington so she can have those two Flemington runs and then hopefully the Caulfield Cup (Gr.1, 2400m).
A $70,000 Karaka yearling purchase from Tony Rider's Milan Park, Oceanex has continued to furnish and Price credits English jockey Tom Marquand with recommending she be tried at a staying journey, and she duly proved that theory correct with victory in the Listed Port Adelaide Cup (2500m) before her Ramsden triumph.
"It is going to be a great ride, there are a lot of people in Oceanex and they are all going to be very excited," Price said.
