The fact that the proposal to change the standardbred horse’s birthday from 1 August to 1 January went through the Special General Meeting without dissent, and without even any questions being asked, was a credit to the way the idea has been promoted and ‘marketed’ by the staff at HRNZ.

Next week sees a Special meeting of Clubs and Kindred Bodies to decide whether or not to move the birthday of standardbreds in the Country from 1 August to 1 January, arguably one of the most momentous changes in the Industry for decades.

On 9th May 2021, new regulations under the Animal Welfare Act 1999 came into effect. These regulations clarify who can carry out certain surgical procedures on animals and how they should be done.

Full credit to the Ashburton Trotting Club for responding to a request from the Trainers & Drivers Assn. to move their 1609m starting point back almost 100 metres to a 1700m start.