In recent months, the New Zealand racing industry has experienced a period of transformation, marked by the successful implementation of strategic initiatives aimed at restoring confidence in racing.
Joining forces with Entain Australia and New Zealand has enabled New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) to plan with certainty for the next five years and prioritise areas of the business to promote growth.
As the industry embarks on a phase of rejuvenation, NZTR has proactively unveiled a series of enhancements to both the calendar and its programmes, establishing a foundation for an exceptional few months of racing on home turf.
As a part of the strategic funding announcement made earlier this year, NZTR committed to introducing five new innovation races to the racing calendar. Additionally, substantial funding has been allocated to bolster the existing successful Southern Mile Series Final.
These innovative races represent a key part of the broader stakes enhancements previously unveiled in the wake of the TAB NZ Entain strategic partnering arrangement, including a stakes increase of $20.3 million on the previous racing season, taking NZTR’s total stakes funding to $90.8 million for the 2023/24 racing season.
Further details, including specific conditions and eligibility criteria for each of the five innovation races, are outlined below and presented in chronological order of their scheduled dates.
$350k Remutaka Classic (2100m)
Date
Saturday 20 January 2024
Meeting
Wellington Cup Carnival at Trentham
Distance
2100m
Weights
SWP
Conditions
Winners of six selected ‘Golden Ticket’ races in the lead-up are exempt from the ballot. To be spread over 65/75 and 3YO races
Golden Ticket Races
Canterbury JC – Riccarton Park Saturday 11 November 2023 – R65 1600m
Wanganui JC -Wanganui, Saturday 2 December 2023 – R65 1600m
Wellington RC, Trentham, Saturday 9 December 2023 - R65 1600m
Wellington RC, Trentham, Saturday 16 December 2023 – R65 2100m
Waikato RC, Te Rapa, Saturday 23 December 2023 – Mdn 1600m
Taranaki RI, New Plymouth, Friday 29 December 2023 – Mdn 2000m
Eligibility
Horses that have had one win or less as at midnight 31 July 2023 NZTR will be the sole judge to determine eligibility to compete in the final
$1m Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic (1600m)
Date
Saturday 27 January 2023
Meeting
TAB Karaka Millions at Ellerslie
Distance
1600m
Weights
SW
Eligibility
4YO (Not limited to New Zealand Bloodstock Sales Graduates)
$350k Sir Patrick Hogan Karāpiro Classic (1600m)
Date
Saturday 10 February 2024
Meeting
Legends Day at Te Rapa Racecourse
Distance
1600m
Weights
SWP
Conditions
Winners of six selected Golden Ticket Races in lead up exempt from the ballot
Golden Ticket Races
Waikato Thoroughbred Racing – Te Rapa, Saturday 2 December, 2023 – R65 1400m
Hawke’s Bay Racing – Hastings, Wednesday 13 December, 2023 - R65 1400m
Waikato Thoroughbred Racing – Te Rapa, Saturday 23 December, 2023 – R65 1600m
Taupo Racing Club – Taupo, Saturday 30 December, 2023 – Mdn 1400m
Waikato Thoroughbred Racing – Wednesday 17 January, 2024 – Mdn 1400m
Waikato Thoroughbred Racing – Wednesday 31 January, 2024 – Mdn 1600m
Eligibility
For Maidens as of Midnight 31 July 2023. NZTR will be the sole judge to determine eligibility to compete in the final
$350k Rangitoto Classic (1500m)
Date
Saturday 2 March 2024
When
Trackside New Zealand Derby Day at Ellerslie
Distance
1500m
Weights
HCP conditions max weight of 62kg
Conditions
For Trainers outside of the Top 10 in prizemoney at midnight 30 October 2023
Eligibility
The Top 10 Trainers will be determined for this purpose by NZTR based on stakes earned in New Zealand during the 2023/24 racing season as at midnight on 30 November 2023. Any horse transferred from a Top 10 Trainer’s stable to a Trainer who is not a Top 10 Trainer after midnight on 31 October 2023 will not be eligible to start in the race – 1500m
$350k Southern Alps Challenge (1600m)
Date
Saturday 13 April 2024
Meeting
Riccarton Park
Distance
1600m
Weights
HCP conditions max weight of 62kg
Conditions
Three ‘Golden Ticket’ event winners are exempt from the Ballot. The first three eligible placegetters in the Southern Mile Final are also exempt from the ballot
Golden Ticket Races
Banks Peninsula RC – Riccarton Park, Saturday 10 February, 2024 – R75 1400m
Canterbury JC – Riccarton Park, Saturday 23 March, 2024 – R65 1600m
Riverton RC – Riverton, Saturday 30 March 2024 – R75 1600m
The first three placegetters in the 2024 Southern Mile run at Wingatui on Saturday 2 March, 2024 will (if eligible) also be exempt from the ballot
Eligibility
Open to all horses trained by a trainer operating a Trainer’s Premises (as defined in the Rules) located in the South Island as at 1 August 2023. Horses must be stabled or trained at the Trainer’s Premises in the South Island as at 31 December 2023. Horses must start in a minimum of two races conducted at racecourses in the South Island after 31 December 2023
Full conditions for each of the innovation races are available to view on nztr.co.nz.