The Association has received an update on various aspects of the stable audits they are currently conducting. See below:

Following a recent meeting with Racing Integrity Board officials, at which the Association was requested to provide a submission on Whip Rules, the following submission has been forwarded:

Following two requests from the Association, the Racing Integrity Board has posted on their website, www.racingintegrityboard.org.nz, an announcement that they have updated their Penalty Guide for harness racing, albeit two weeks after the document came into force.

A new penalty Guide has just been released by the Racing Integrity Board, and there are aspects of it that are concerning the Trainers & Drivers Association. Consequently, we have written the following to HRNZ:

One of the biggest turnouts for a Branch Committee meeting for several years, recently met with RIB Chief Executive Mike Clement and HRNZ Racing Manager Catherine McDonald. Also attending on zoom were Jay Abernethy, Bret Gray and Peter Ferguson.

The RIB and the Association have been consulting over aspects of the stable audits that have recently begun. While they may sound daunting, they take the form of a robust stable inspection. If, like me, you just skimmed over the details and thought, yes we do all that, I’d suggest that you have another look at the regulations, as it is not quite that straightforward.

As we move into a busy period of horse activity, remember New Zealand has some nasty infectious diseases that we need to ensure we don’t spread through carelessness.

The meeting began with a review of the current state of the Trainers & Drivers Association, in particular, the Greater Canterbury Branch.

To All Licenceholders - As a "thank you" Addington will be having a Christmas Shout for all Lincenceholders during the meeting on Friday 23rd December.

The Trainers & Drivers will be hosting a meeting of license-holders with HRNZ officials on the afternoon of Thursday 15 December in the HRNZ Boardroom.