Heavy rain forces Alexandra Park meeting to be postponed after one race
'There wasn't a lot we could do because the rain was so heavy,' said Harness Racing New Zealand's Matt Peden, who was at Alexandra Park.
'But speaking to John Denton [track expert] he is confident, if the weather plays its part, with a bit of work we will be good to go for tomorrow night.'
The second Friday to Saturday shift at Alexandra Park in three weeks will make for a big Saturday night for harness racing fans as the Group 1 meeting will race alongside a huge card at Menangle, outside Sydney, where trotting heroine Keayang Zahara will be the star of the show as she contests the $100,000 Macarthur Mile.
Michael Guerin wrote his first nationally published racing articles while still in school and started writing about horse racing and the gambling industry for the Herald as a 20-year-old in 1990. He became the Herald's Racing Editor in 1995 and covers the world's biggest horse racing carnivals.
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NZ Herald
2 hours ago
- NZ Herald
Jonah Lomu's widow accuses Aussie book publisher of exploiting New Zealand rugby legend's trademark
But the book has gotten offside with Nadene Lomu who told the Herald neither the author nor Rockpool Publishing contacted her over the use of her late husband's trademark. In 1997 Lomu trademarked his own name, image and persona as intellectual property and registered it under his company Stylez Limited. Nadene Lomu has full control of the Lomu trademark, and its use. She believes it has been breached for 'commercial purposes' and is considering all her legal options. She is also upset about the unrelated online sale of T-shirts featuring the rugby great's face and branded the 'Lomu Tee'. Lomu, 40, died in 2015 from a heart attack caused by kidney failure. 'The Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand exists for anyone and everyone to see where ownership rights sit. Yet it's blatantly obvious people choose to ignore it,' Lomu told the Herald, calling it 'Trademark 101″. I'm over people constantly exploiting Jonah, thinking they can use him to fill their pockets Nadene Lomu 'The boys and I are well aware that tributes will always be made about their dad - and deservingly so, but here are two examples of where moneymakers should have known better. 'I'm over people constantly exploiting Jonah, thinking they can use him to fill their pockets. No one owns the rights other than Brayley, Dhyreille and myself. 'I would never steal another person's rights and family possessions the way people keep doing this to us and taking from our sons. It's a disgrace and enough is enough. Nadene Lomu with her and Jonah's teenage sons Brayley and Dhyreille. 'This is where the power of trademarks is truly underestimated, but let me clarify this ... Both examples provided are unlawfully infringing upon our trademark ownership rights, and we are sick of it!' The family learned of the book when one of her boys last weekend spotted it in a bookstore shortly after it was released in early July, Lomu said. Jonah Lomu scoring a try against Australia in Wellington, 1996. Photo / Nigel Marple Collection. She added anyone who wanted to use Lomu's likeness for any commercial purposes should be seeking the legal permission to do so; that would include approaching her as she controlled Lomu's trademark. Wall referred all queries to the publisher. Dennington said the book was a tribute, never intended to cause upset. Dennington did not know if Wall had spoken to the Lomu family, or lawyer Chris Darlow, the executor of the Lomu estate. He said he would be happy to discuss the matter with them. Nadene Lomu said the author and publisher should have known better. She believed the use of Lomu on the cover and in the book was an example of her and the rugby great's legal rights 'being stomped on'. The online apparel sales also breached the Lomu trademark, she said. Nadene Lomu also claims this organisation has breached the Lomu trademark with their T-shirts. 'Respecting someone isn't selling them out without the legal permission to do so,' she said. 'Perhaps instead of sweeping the dust on my floors, it's time to sweep up the outside trash, and hold these people liable for damages. 'Maybe, they should do their homework before commercialising on Jonah without the legal permission to do so because ignorance is a weak excuse and not a valid defence against trademark infringement.' Nadene Lomu had a dispute with her lawyer Chris Darlow then issued a reconciliation letter. Dr Victoria Argyle, Special Counsel at AJ Park, Intellectual Law Services, told the Herald the trademark abuse claims would be hard legally to stack up in the case of The Immortals of New Zealand Rugby. Lomu's claims were not cut and dry. The registered patent attorney said the issue was whether Lomu's name was being used in the book as 'a trademark, or in any other way that suggests authorisation, or simply as his name'. The book did not use Jonah Lomu in its name, and neither was his name - or claims of authorisation - used in advertising materials. While Argyle hadn't read the book, it appeared to be 'an independent story showcasing 15 New Zealand All Black players generally regarded as some of our best players'. In that case, legally, it was 'an example of a fair and descriptive use to legitimately refer to an historic figure and former rugby legend'. 'It does not appear to be doing anything that would mislead consumers, including as to its source. Thus, there is little that Nadene can do here to prevent the use of his name in this book.' Amicable decision on Lomu trademark Lomu's dispute with lawyer Chris Darlow has also been resolved. Darlow and Nadene Lomu had been involved in a legal dispute surrounding the estate and who is responsible for managing Lomu's assets, including intellectual property rights related to his name and image, including the production of a documentary about his life. 'Braylee, Dhyreille and I are extremely pleased to announce that after almost a decade since our devastating loss of our beloved Jonah, our hearts will never be the same; however, Chris Darlow and I with the support of Braylee and Dhyreille have reconciled our differences amicably,' Nadene Lomu said. Darlow added: 'I'm unable to speak to the media further on Lomu matters.' Joseph Los'e is an award-winning journalist and joined NZME in 2022 as Kaupapa Māori Editor. Los'e was a chief reporter, news director at the Sunday News newspaper covering crime, justice and sport. He was also editor of the NZ Truth and prior to joining NZME worked for urban Māori organisation Whānau Waipareira.
NZ Herald
2 hours ago
- NZ Herald
‘Run it straight' $200k Dubai winner apologises after Kiwi teen's death linked to controversial sport
Speaking to the Herald five weeks after winning the Dubai event, Olosoni said Satterthwaite's death 'hurt me so much'. Ryan Satterthwaite, 19, died from serious head injuries suffered during a copycat run it straight game in Palmerston North in May. Photo / Instagram 'It made me think about life. Imagine being so young and you could've been something, then that happens to you... It's pretty rough [and] I feel sorry for the family that is enduring that pain,' he said. 'I apologise for that as well... influencing the younger generation to do that type of thing.' Olosoni said the incident made him rethink his participation in the sport and prompted Runit organisers to hold a string of meetings with competitors. 'They had a few conversations about it, making sure the boys understood what we were getting into, because it [death] is a possibility. 'In anything you do, you are at risk... Everything's risky, and the thing is we have to manage risk. 'One thing could happen inside the contact where if you're not trained enough, it could affect you long term. If you have constant concussions, you'll have dementia down the line.' Vulangi Olosoni, 26, took home A$200K after winning the Runit Championship League's Dubai-based final in June. Photo / Sylvie Whinray But Olosoni said the sport is helping people's lives, with life-changing sums of money up for grabs. 'This sport is going to help people who love contact, but also who would love to be in a contact sport where it can help their family long term. 'This income has helped my family, but also helped many others create income for their families as well.' He urged against copying the sport in an unprofessional setting like a backyard, over fears of another death. 'We had everything, that's why we were safe. We had doctors, nurses, a physio and made sure the referees were well trained in CPR and stuff like that. We had everything we could to give our best.' Despite the safety measures in place during the Dubai final, three competitors were forced to retire after displaying symptoms of a concussion – including former NRL veteran and Kiwis representative Kevin Proctor, who suffered a serious head injury and subsequent seizure after a collision. 'Run it straight' and other emerging combat sports are now at the centre of top-level Government discussions, with a decision on their futures in New Zealand set to be reached in the next six months. Concussion to Runit champion Olosoni, who grew up in rural South Auckland's Waiau Pa, said he was first told about the new sport by one of his closest friends – whom he used to 'run it straight' with in the backyard growing up. His background in sport includes 1st XV rugby at Rosehill College and a stint at premier club level in the Counties Manukau region, but he hung up the boots in 2022. 'The curious person I am, I went online and started searching run it straight up. I was like, 'Wait, I've done this many of times in rugby'.' His fears of getting seriously injured were put aside after he prayed and decided to throw his name in the hat. 'When I'm old, say for instance 65, would I regret not taking a chance that I could've? And that's what made me choose it myself.' Vulangi Olosoni: 'You feel like you have something to prove to everybody, that you should be there... I had to remember why I was there, to win for my family.' Photo / Sylvie Whinray Despite not playing any form of contact sport for three years, Olosoni was accepted to compete at the second Auckland trial night at Trusts Arena in front of hundreds of spectators. 'When I was there preparing, all these negative thoughts came to me. It was like 'You're not good enough, you won't achieve it, you won't win, you won't succeed'. 'My head space was cooked.' Olosoni ended up having only one run on the night after copping a shoulder to the head while he was tackling, causing him to stumble around and struggle to stay on his feet. He was forced to retire from the event. 'I wanted to make sure I kept my head away but I still got smacked in the head and that impact caused me to have a concussion.' Vulangi Olosoni was forced to retire during the Auckland trials after suffering a concussion while tackling. Photo / Photosport Two weeks after his concussion, he was contacted by the organisers asking him to compete in the final as a wildcard – bringing with it a free trip to Dubai, with Runit covering costs of flights, accommodation and giving the eight competitors spending money. 'You feel like you have something to prove to everybody, that you should be there. I had to remember why I was there, to win for my family.' As he stood 20m away from his opponents, Olosoni said there was 'a lot of fear that came over my body'. Despite this, he won two match-ups to qualify for the final against Australian Samuel Suamili. 'Everyone knows him as the 'Iceman', because he freezes bodies, and I was just like, 'Whoa, calm down'.' The final was called off after three of the six runs, when it was determined Suamili was too dazed to continue. Emotion overcame Olosoni, who burst into tears as his arm was raised in victory. 'It felt like the weight off my shoulders was lifted. I was just relaxed and tears were coming down my eyes. I was just appreciative to the people who were right by my side, my wife and God, as well as my little sister who flew out too. 'Wouldn't you regret not reaching your potential? Imagine that you reach 70-years-old and you think, 'I should've done this'. The worst thing [that could happen] is that you learn from it.' As for his A$200,000 prize, Olosoni said he's given away about $32,000 to family and friends, but hasn't touched the rest, and had enlisted the help of financial advisers to help him long term. Vulangi Olosoni said he's given about $32k of his prize to family and friends, but hasn't touched the rest. Photo / Sylvie Whinray The Herald understands Runit's next event will be held in the United States in the coming months, but organisers say it is yet to be confirmed. Olosoni said they were trying to push the next event further out so competitors would have more time to prepare. He hadn't decided if he would compete at the next event. 'My biggest choice that I'm thinking about right now is if it's worth it. If I did get chosen again, I would have to make sure that I get income before I even go. I've got to make sure that my family is looked after.'
NZ Herald
a day ago
- NZ Herald
West Coast trying to join four-peat club in Grand National Steeplechase
The four-peaters are a rare breed. The most recent, obvious adored four-peater was Winx, who won four Cox Plates in a row. Mic drop. Yeats won the prestigious Ascot Gold Cup four times and in harness racing Blacks A Fake won the Inter Dominion four times, but not in a row. There have been five-peaters (now there is a term you really don't hear that often). The great Australian sprinter Manikato won the William Reid Stakes five straight years from 1979 to 1983. Then there is the king of the peats, Koral. The big southerner won the Homeby Steeplechase at Riccarton seven times and finished second another. They got so sick of etching his name on the trophy they simply named the race after him. Which brings us to the $200,000 Racecourse Hotel Grand National Steeplechase at Riccarton today. It is the 150th running of the iconic race, which could have so easily been lost had jumps racing been canned. But today's 5600m is a chance for West Coast to join Winx, Yeats and the Penrith Panthers in the four-peat club. West Coast is a magnificent horse. Big, raw-boned but with a certain nobility in the way he stands. What is notable is the way he has carried 73kg in almost every steeplechase he has contested in the past two years, including his second and third Grand Nationals. There is no doubt he is the most accomplished horse in today's Grand National but eventually something has to give. West Coast is now a 10-year-old and carries 7kg more than favourite Jesko, even though the latter has been our form steeplechaser this winter. West Coast may have carried that same daunting weight to win the last two years but there was no Jesko in those races. To rub salt in the wounds, Jesko has stolen West Coast's regular rider Shaun Fannin, who trains the former and so obviously rides him. West Coast will still be our great racing warrior and he will still do what he always does in the home straight today: continue to go forward. But will he join the four-peaters? That may depend on what toll the step up to 5600m takes on Jesko. He had too much speed and too little weight for Captains Run and West Coast in the Koral (yep, that one) last Saturday and if today's race was over the same 4250m trip Jesko would start $1.30 again. But whether his leg speed burns quite so brightly, after 5000m and with 600m more to go, might decide this race. Earlier in the day, West Coast's stablemate Berry The Cash tries for one of those aforementioned three-peats in the Grand National Hurdles. He faces the same weight issues as West Coast but his arch-rival Dictation has been scratched so history awaits him. Michael Guerin wrote his first nationally published racing articles while still in school and started writing about horse racing and the gambling industry for the Herald as a 20-year-old in 1990. He became the Herald's Racing Editor in 1995 and covers the world's biggest horse racing carnivals.
