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NZ Herald
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- NZ Herald
Craig Grylls to be crowned champion jockey on last day of thoroughbred season
Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson are once again our champion trainers, the injured Lily Sutherland is the leading apprentice for the second year in a row and then there's the big one, the new one. Champion jockey: Gryllsy. He may only be 35 but Craig Grylls has been part of punters' lives for so long he can go by his singular nickname. Today is the realisation of a dream as he becomes the premiership winner, leading former two-time champion Michael McNab by 54 wins heading into today's meeting. A margin that size means Gryllsy had the premiership sewn up months ago when the TAB paid out on the result. But it will not be until they run the last race just after 4pm today that he officially becomes the champ, New Zealand's premiership-winning jockey. 'It still hasn't really sunk in,' he says. 'I know it has been coming and that I was going to win but tomorrow [Wednesday] makes it official. 'It is something to be proud of, and I am, but I haven't celebrated it yet.' Racing's relentless calendar leaves little time for celebration and like many who have won the title before him Grylls' achievement will be most publicly acknowledged at the Horse of the Year awards in Hamilton on September 7. It will be a popular award. Grylls has travelled so far and wide and ridden for so many trainers and owners that it seems everybody either knows him or feels like they know him. With a big smile for a little man, he is no-fuss on and off the track, busy enough to keep his horses handy when needed, so often the recipe for success in modern racing, particularly on the smaller circuits. 'It has obviously been a great season,' he says. 'Winning the NZ Oaks on Leica Lucy meant a lot to me because of the pressure and what it meant to Robbie [Patterson, trainer and close friend] and the owners. 'And winning the $1 million Aotearoa Classic on Orchestral on Karaka Millions night was also very special.' Besides being the most successful jockey this season, Grylls has also been the busiest and if all five of his engaged rides start today it will take him to 800 for the season, after starting the day on a new New Zealand record of $6,068,577 in stakes. 'I enjoy being busy but I had a little break recently. Just before that I was getting a little tired but I feel a lot better now,' he tells the Herald. 'Winter racing, when it is on the heavy tracks, is definitely harder on the body but I am feeling good now and looking forward to the new season.' The son of a jockey (Gary) and with a sister jockey in Bridget, Craig Grylls says today's achievement may have been two decades in the making. However, as tends to be the case with racing, life is about looking forward to the next meeting, the next winner, rather than pats on the back. 'We haven't talked about it too much but I know they [family] are proud of me and to be honest, so am I,' he says. 'But you never want to stop riding winners and next season starts the day after tomorrow.' That promises to be even more challenging as the jockeys' rooms, particularly in the north, will be their deepest in possibly two decades as Opie Bosson and Matt Cameron return, while Matt Cartwright is coming back from Australia. 'It will be strong and I like that. I actually think it is easier to ride in fields full of good jockeys and better for the punters.' As for today and his best chance of adding to his 140 wins and putting an exclamation mark on his dream season? 'All of mine have chances and are actually pretty even but I am on a few for Te Akau and that is always a big help.' Regardless of who wins today, Grylls will finally be where he has always wanted and now deserves to be. 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.
NZ Herald
2 days ago
- Business
- NZ Herald
Rotorua Council maintains pokie rules but warns of wider gambling issue
If numbers dropped below 350, a venue may open in the CBD with up to nine machines but must be 100m from schools or community facilities. Relocation rules vary according to location. However, several councillors remained uneasy with the current situation and would like to do more. 'We are straightjacketed by the legislation that we have to abide by,' said councillor Conan O'Brien. A suggestion to remove cash machines from pokie venues was considered to have limited impact, with bank ATMs sited nearby. O'Brien highlighted new self-service TAB terminals, which began operating in March, as a bigger concern. 'I find it very hard that the Government expects us to reduce gambling but not give us powers over TAB,' said O'Brien. 'The amount of TAB pods makes it very unequal. We have been tasked with dealing with something but not given the tools to do so.' The TAB's new self-service terminals. Photo / Supplied The Racing Industry Act requires councils to have a policy on TAB venues but they have no power to regulate the number and location of TAB agency venues, such as full-service shops or self-service betting terminals. Annual losses from gambling in Rotorua total over $26 million, a figure that has gone up year-on-year since the Covid-19 pandemic. The most recent data from the Ministry of Health showed 5.33% of all clients who received some form of gambling intervention in 2022-23 were based in Rotorua. Only Auckland (41.38%) and Christchurch (9.18%) were higher, leaving Rotorua with a higher gambling intervention share than the likes of Wellington, Hamilton and Tauranga. Councillor Conan O'Brien. Photo / Laura Smith Councillor Gregg Brown said he was concerned by some of the figures involved, including Rotorua's 2.3% share of the nation's class-four gambling venues, compared to its 1.5% population share. 'Even if it is virtue-signalling or signalling to our gambling suppliers that we would like to see the numbers reduced, that's where I sit with it,' said Brown. According to Entain Australia and New Zealand, which operates the TAB and Betcha brands in New Zealand, there are seven venues in Rotorua and Ngongotahā with TAB facilities. These included one full-service TAB store on Eruera St and self-service terminals at six other locations, including the Arawa Park racecourse. In June, new legislation banned offshore betting agencies from accepting bets from New Zealand punters – effectively giving Entain a monopoly on domestic racing and sports betting. The TAB store on Eruera St, Rotorua. Photo / NZME Entain said it had been 'relentlessly focused' on improving betting experiences and minimising gambling harm. A refresh in 2024 brought in safer betting tools such as deposit limits, individual bet limits, curfews, customer control on what markets are visible, blocking days of the week, self-exclusion and account closure. Some of those options are available on self-service terminals. 'Further to this, safer betting messaging is shared through self-service terminals, including information on where to seek help, and retail staff can assist customers with self-exclusion,' said an Entain spokesperson. The difficulty managing and understanding problem gambling is not limited to Rotorua. In February, the Gambling Commission criticised the Ministry of Health for seeking a $92 million levy increase without evidence its problem gambling strategy works. Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey called the situation 'unacceptable' and the levy was reduced to $81m. Rotorua Mayor Tania Tapsell acknowledged gambling causes 'significant harm' in the Rotorua community. 'It is a very challenging topic,' she said. 'It is difficult for a council but we do want to advocate further.' She also highlighted social media influencer betting ads as an increasingly dangerous activity for Rotorua's young population – insisting more assistance from central government was needed to tackle online gambling. Mathew Nash is a Local Democracy Reporting journalist based at the Rotorua Daily Post. He has previously written for SunLive, been a regular contributor to RNZ and was a football reporter in the UK for eight years. - LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
The Citizen
24-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
R10m Pick 6 ends season with a bang
It's also a World Pool day at Greyville. A Pick 6 with a likely pool of R10-million tops the betting menu at Sunday's Gold Cup race meeting at Greyville. It is a last chance to play for outsize payouts for a while as the fixture is a climactic send-off of the 2025 season. It's not just the Pick 6 that will draw in punters. The Quartet on the World Pool Gold Cup itself – South Africa's most important marathon race – is predicted to top R2-million, thanks to TAB bunging in a R500,000 carryover. As the big-race sponsor indicates, the meeting is a Hong Kong World Pool event. This means all TAB betting (accessible through Betway) on the card will be comingled into gigantic pools hosted by the Hong Kong Jockey Club and open to punters in racing centres around the world. The World Pool bets are Win, Place, Exacta, Quinella and Swinger. These bets must be in multiples of R2 – for example, R8, R10, R12 and so on. In addition to the Gold Cup, Race 7 on the card, four Grade 1 contests and five other feature events make up the 10-race bill of fare. The R1.5-million HKJC Champions Cup over 1800m is the headline grabber as it sees Durban July champion The Real Prince taking on Equus Horse of the Year Dave The King, who won the race last year. These two charismatic stars were level-pegging at 1.36 for the Win on Wednesday afternoon. The Mercury Sprint sees some of the country's best speedsters vying for a R1-million purse. The ante-post favourite here is Tenango at 1.40, with Mia Moo, I Am Giant and Buffalo Storm Cody jointly on offer at 2.00. The Douglas Whyte Thekwini Stakes (Race 4) honours the famous Durbanite who ruled the Hong Kong jockey championship for more than a decade and who now runs a successful training yard in the racing-mad enclave. Interestingly, the hot-pot favourite here is an uncommon raider from the Eastern Cape, Alan Greef-trained Golden Palm (1.05) to be ridden by champion jockey Richard Fourie. The filly goes for a fourth win in a row, within five months, and offers a potential banker for punters to kick off their assault on the R10-million Pick 6.
The Age
23-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Age
Flemington is favourite to host 2026 Cox Plate, but bookies say it's not past the post yet
The TAB entered a six-year, $40 million broadcasting deal with the VRC last year, which includes the owner of this masthead, Nine, broadcasting Melbourne Cup week. But the two sources said TAB boss Gillon McLachlan would welcome a Cox Plate at Flemington and has had positive ongoing discussions with the VRC and Entain, which owns Ladbrokes, about sharing oncourse advertising space. Both racing clubs have several conflicting brands that would need to be onboard before a Cox Plate venue was announced. The VRC has ongoing deals with the TAB, Lexus, Crown, beer brand Furphy and is about to start a partnership with De Bortoli Wines, while Moonee Valley lists some of its key carnival partners as Ladbrokes, Mercedes dealership 3 Point Motors and Seppelt Wines. Moonee Valley CEO Michael Browell said last week that an announcement on the Cox Plate was close. 'We would have liked to have had that wrapped up by now, but a decision on that is imminent,' he said. The VRC chose not to answer specific questions about its corporate partners, but CEO Kylie Rogers continued to hold the line that her club wanted next year's Cox Plate run at its famous racecourse. 'It would be a privilege to host the Cox Plate at Flemington,' Rogers said. 'We have been a key player in discussions and await official confirmation.' A TAB spokesperson said it was working 'collaboratively with all stakeholders on future Spring Carnival scheduling options that can benefit both the industry and our customers', while a Ladbrokes spokesman said the betting giant was 'working closely with the Moonee Valley Racing Club, Racing Victoria, and all relevant stakeholders to support discussions around the most appropriate venue for the 2026 Ladbrokes Cox Plate'. Racing Victoria said it was awaiting a final recommendation from Moonee Valley before making its decision. 'It will be run at a group 1 track that maximises wagering returns for the industry and where the host track partner can maximise engagement and the best promotion of the race,' an RV spokesperson said. Both Melbourne Racing Club, which runs Caulfield, and its major sponsor Sportsbet said they would support any decision Racing Victoria made about the venue for next year's Cox Plate. The ongoing delay comes as Moonee Valley reopens negotiations with major sporting organisations and sporting companies on the long-term lease of its racecourse infield. The Valley will lock its gates after this year's October Cox Plate and major work will begin on shifting its amphitheatre track as well as building a new grandstand and clubhouse. The AFL, Harness Racing Victoria, soccer organisations and a golf driving range firm are among those seeking exclusive access to the land. 'We haven't ruled anything out, but we haven't ruled anything in at this stage,' Browell said. The AFL wants two new ovals inside the racecourse that would be open to the public and could also potentially provide a training base for the league's homeless umpiring fraternity. Loading Harness Racing Victoria CEO Matt Isaacs said his organisation remained ambitious for a return to Moonee Valley and was in regular dialogue with the club about opportunities for such a move. 'It is an attractive option with significant potential, including exposing harness racing to a greater metropolitan market and building what would be one of the world's greatest harness racing venues,' Isaacs said. 'However, it would require significant investment and carries with it timing challenges. 'We will continue to do due diligence and work with the club and the state government to make sure any decision is in the best long-term interests of the sport.' The state government announced last week it would contribute $5 million to Moonee Valley's $220 million redevelopment, which will go towards new lights, grass and horse stalls.
Sydney Morning Herald
22-07-2025
- Automotive
- Sydney Morning Herald
Flemington is favourite to host 2025 Cox Plate, but bookies say it's not past the post yet
The TAB entered a six-year, $40 million broadcasting deal with the VRC last year, which includes the owner of this masthead, Nine, broadcasting Melbourne Cup week. But the two sources said TAB boss Gillon McLachlan would welcome a Cox Plate at Flemington and has had positive ongoing discussions with the VRC and Entain, which owns Ladbrokes, about sharing oncourse advertising space. Both racing clubs have several conflicting brands that would need to be onboard before a Cox Plate venue was announced. The VRC has ongoing deals with the TAB, Lexus, Crown, beer brand Furphy and is about to start a partnership with De Bortoli Wines, while Moonee Valley lists some of its key carnival partners as Ladbrokes, Mercedes dealership 3 Point Motors and Seppelt Wines. Moonee Valley CEO Michael Browell said last week that an announcement on the Cox Plate was close. 'We would have liked to have had that wrapped up by now, but a decision on that is imminent,' he said. The VRC chose not to answer specific questions about its corporate partners, but CEO Kylie Rogers continued to hold the line that her club wanted next year's Cox Plate run at its famous racecourse. 'It would be a privilege to host the Cox Plate at Flemington,' Rogers said. 'We have been a key player in discussions and await official confirmation.' A TAB spokesperson said it was working 'collaboratively with all stakeholders on future Spring Carnival scheduling options that can benefit both the industry and our customers', while a Ladbrokes spokesman said the betting giant was 'working closely with the Moonee Valley Racing Club, Racing Victoria, and all relevant stakeholders to support discussions around the most appropriate venue for the 2026 Ladbrokes Cox Plate'. Racing Victoria said it was awaiting a final recommendation from Moonee Valley before making its decision. 'It will be run at a group 1 track that maximises wagering returns for the industry and where the host track partner can maximise engagement and the best promotion of the race,' an RV spokesperson said. Both Melbourne Racing Club, which runs Caulfield, and its major sponsor Sportsbet said they would support any decision Racing Victoria made about the venue for next year's Cox Plate. The ongoing delay comes as Moonee Valley reopens negotiations with major sporting organisations and sporting companies on the long-term lease of its racecourse infield. The Valley will lock its gates after this year's October Cox Plate and major work will begin on shifting its amphitheatre track as well as building a new grandstand and clubhouse. The AFL, Harness Racing Victoria, soccer organisations and a golf driving range firm are among those seeking exclusive access to the land. 'We haven't ruled anything out, but we haven't ruled anything in at this stage,' Browell said. The AFL wants two new ovals inside the racecourse that would be open to the public and could also potentially provide a training base for the league's homeless umpiring fraternity. Loading Harness Racing Victoria CEO Matt Isaacs said his organisation remained ambitious for a return to Moonee Valley and was in regular dialogue with the club about opportunities for such a move. 'It is an attractive option with significant potential, including exposing harness racing to a greater metropolitan market and building what would be one of the world's greatest harness racing venues,' Isaacs said. 'However, it would require significant investment and carries with it timing challenges. 'We will continue to do due diligence and work with the club and the state government to make sure any decision is in the best long-term interests of the sport.' The state government announced last week it would contribute $5 million to Moonee Valley's $220 million redevelopment, which will go towards new lights, grass and horse stalls.
