1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,387 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:13,747 Speaker 1: from News Talk ZB For a four. 3 00:00:13,587 --> 00:00:17,867 Speaker 2: Year hiatus, the Christmas Carnival returns to Allesleie Race Course 4 00:00:18,027 --> 00:00:21,507 Speaker 2: this summer. The Boxing Day and New Year's Day races, 5 00:00:21,667 --> 00:00:24,827 Speaker 2: major highlights on the racing calendar and one of the 6 00:00:24,827 --> 00:00:30,107 Speaker 2: country's richest annual sporting events. Paul Wilcox is CEO of 7 00:00:30,147 --> 00:00:32,907 Speaker 2: Auckland Thoroughbred Racing. It joins us now on Weekend Sport. 8 00:00:32,947 --> 00:00:35,307 Speaker 2: Thanks for your time, Paul. How exciting is it, first 9 00:00:35,347 --> 00:00:37,587 Speaker 2: of all to have the Christmas Carnival back after a 10 00:00:37,867 --> 00:00:38,707 Speaker 2: four year gap. 11 00:00:39,707 --> 00:00:43,587 Speaker 3: Oh look where we're delighted. It's been, as you pointed out, 12 00:00:43,627 --> 00:00:47,187 Speaker 3: a long time between drinks. So to have SkyCity as 13 00:00:47,227 --> 00:00:50,907 Speaker 3: our naming rights sponsor for both Boxing Day and Newsday, 14 00:00:50,947 --> 00:00:53,947 Speaker 3: we couldn't be more excited to finally be back at 15 00:00:53,947 --> 00:00:55,467 Speaker 3: Elsie and give it a good nudge. 16 00:00:55,707 --> 00:00:59,787 Speaker 2: How significant are these two days to the racing community, 17 00:00:59,827 --> 00:01:01,867 Speaker 2: not just in Auckland, Paul, but you know the New 18 00:01:01,947 --> 00:01:03,107 Speaker 2: Zealand racing community. 19 00:01:03,667 --> 00:01:07,547 Speaker 3: Look very good, point Piney. Very important in the fact 20 00:01:07,547 --> 00:01:10,587 Speaker 3: that on sky City Boxing Day racing we've got the 21 00:01:10,747 --> 00:01:13,987 Speaker 3: group one being the Cambridge Studs a Bell Classic and 22 00:01:14,027 --> 00:01:17,267 Speaker 3: then moving into New Year's Day, we've got the important 23 00:01:17,307 --> 00:01:21,267 Speaker 3: lead up races to a lot of future campaigns with 24 00:01:21,427 --> 00:01:25,307 Speaker 3: the sky City Clip Stakes, a ritual mile and a 25 00:01:25,427 --> 00:01:29,067 Speaker 3: great man who won't be forgotten, the Sir Patrick Hogan Steak. 26 00:01:29,267 --> 00:01:32,347 Speaker 3: So from an industry perspective, you know a lot of 27 00:01:32,347 --> 00:01:36,707 Speaker 3: these horses, this is either the start of their campaign 28 00:01:37,267 --> 00:01:41,627 Speaker 3: for further riches or either the finisher, as is the 29 00:01:41,667 --> 00:01:44,427 Speaker 3: case with the Group one Cambridge Studs a Bill Classic, 30 00:01:44,547 --> 00:01:48,947 Speaker 3: so extremely important, plenty of money on offer for connection. 31 00:01:49,187 --> 00:01:51,747 Speaker 3: So yeah, we just hope the sun is shining and 32 00:01:51,787 --> 00:01:52,827 Speaker 3: we have a good go at it. 33 00:01:53,027 --> 00:01:55,107 Speaker 2: I'm sure you well, I know a lot of Aucklanders 34 00:01:55,187 --> 00:01:58,267 Speaker 2: they spend Christmas Day doing the Christmas Day stuff, but 35 00:01:58,347 --> 00:02:01,307 Speaker 2: really it's just the it's sort of Boxing Day eve 36 00:02:01,467 --> 00:02:04,387 Speaker 2: Christmas Day for many people. How much of a tradition 37 00:02:04,587 --> 00:02:06,827 Speaker 2: had it become and how much you're looking forward to 38 00:02:06,867 --> 00:02:08,747 Speaker 2: reinfigurating that Boxing Day tradition. 39 00:02:09,507 --> 00:02:12,547 Speaker 3: Yeah, I think a really good important point you raise there. 40 00:02:13,267 --> 00:02:15,987 Speaker 3: It was a tradition of a lot of people. You know, 41 00:02:16,067 --> 00:02:20,227 Speaker 3: they have Christmas Day with their family and even if 42 00:02:20,227 --> 00:02:23,707 Speaker 3: they've had the older family argument, they've ventured out on 43 00:02:23,827 --> 00:02:26,547 Speaker 3: boxing data to come and just soak it all up 44 00:02:26,587 --> 00:02:30,507 Speaker 3: and be able to relax in a really nice friendly 45 00:02:30,667 --> 00:02:36,107 Speaker 3: environment in the infield and with no pressures of time constraints, 46 00:02:36,547 --> 00:02:39,747 Speaker 3: have a good day and relax and watch some really 47 00:02:39,787 --> 00:02:45,107 Speaker 3: good quality racing. Look, we were aware or cognizant of 48 00:02:45,107 --> 00:02:47,067 Speaker 3: the fact that we haven't done it for four years, 49 00:02:47,107 --> 00:02:50,547 Speaker 3: so we want auckland Is to go, hey, heck, I 50 00:02:50,587 --> 00:02:53,587 Speaker 3: haven't been there for a time and come on back. 51 00:02:53,667 --> 00:02:58,507 Speaker 3: But to your other question, we usually turn around twenty 52 00:02:58,547 --> 00:03:02,187 Speaker 3: twenty five thousand people over those two days. So look, 53 00:03:02,227 --> 00:03:03,907 Speaker 3: as long as the sun is shining, we want to 54 00:03:03,907 --> 00:03:06,787 Speaker 3: give that a good nudge and get to those numbers 55 00:03:06,787 --> 00:03:10,547 Speaker 3: and if not beyond. So really hoping that the big 56 00:03:10,547 --> 00:03:14,147 Speaker 3: boy upstairs and a Scenters listening. All I ask for 57 00:03:14,227 --> 00:03:18,027 Speaker 3: Christmas is a nice, funny boxing day and follow that 58 00:03:18,187 --> 00:03:20,707 Speaker 3: through into Christmas into New Year's Day as well. 59 00:03:21,267 --> 00:03:24,067 Speaker 2: You talked about, you know, relaxing on the infield, but 60 00:03:24,347 --> 00:03:26,387 Speaker 2: it seems to me as though you cater for all 61 00:03:26,387 --> 00:03:28,667 Speaker 2: sorts of people. You know, there's the general admission obviously 62 00:03:28,707 --> 00:03:31,107 Speaker 2: the paddock, but then for those who like to you know, 63 00:03:31,147 --> 00:03:33,547 Speaker 2: get the glad rags on and push the boat out 64 00:03:33,587 --> 00:03:35,947 Speaker 2: a little bit on Boxing Day you've got them covered 65 00:03:35,947 --> 00:03:36,307 Speaker 2: as well. 66 00:03:36,947 --> 00:03:39,507 Speaker 3: Yeah, one hundred percent. And there look, you know there's 67 00:03:39,827 --> 00:03:42,667 Speaker 3: there's more than more than just racing. Obviously, that's the 68 00:03:42,707 --> 00:03:46,467 Speaker 3: reason for our being is racing. But we've got fashions 69 00:03:46,467 --> 00:03:49,547 Speaker 3: in the field for both the men and the ladies. 70 00:03:50,347 --> 00:03:52,987 Speaker 3: The crowd favorite as we've just talked about, the infield 71 00:03:53,107 --> 00:03:56,387 Speaker 3: is back and that's a very relaxed environment for and 72 00:03:56,507 --> 00:03:59,027 Speaker 3: a low cost way for families to enjoy themselves. But 73 00:03:59,987 --> 00:04:02,507 Speaker 3: a new one we've got coming back in association with 74 00:04:02,547 --> 00:04:05,267 Speaker 3: the Grand Tour, which is which has been going great 75 00:04:05,587 --> 00:04:09,267 Speaker 3: great guns around the country already is the Paddock and 76 00:04:09,307 --> 00:04:12,467 Speaker 3: that's where we go for the young ones, pinty, the 77 00:04:12,587 --> 00:04:15,827 Speaker 3: under thirties, and they've got an all day DJ and 78 00:04:16,267 --> 00:04:19,347 Speaker 3: lots going on there in the Barrett Lawn, so plenty 79 00:04:19,387 --> 00:04:22,307 Speaker 3: on off. There's lots to choose from. Whether you want 80 00:04:22,307 --> 00:04:24,987 Speaker 3: to just come and watch racing, that's sorted. If you 81 00:04:25,027 --> 00:04:28,627 Speaker 3: want to have a bit more of a high energy day, 82 00:04:28,787 --> 00:04:30,947 Speaker 3: that's sorted. Or if you just want to relax with 83 00:04:31,027 --> 00:04:33,987 Speaker 3: friends and family, we've got that sorted as well. So 84 00:04:34,307 --> 00:04:39,227 Speaker 3: multitude of different environments or precincts for people to be 85 00:04:39,267 --> 00:04:42,187 Speaker 3: able to enjoy them their way and how they want 86 00:04:42,227 --> 00:04:42,987 Speaker 3: to enjoy the day. 87 00:04:43,227 --> 00:04:46,507 Speaker 2: So twenty to twenty twenty to twenty five thousand guests 88 00:04:46,547 --> 00:04:51,107 Speaker 2: coming along, I guess you need quite a few staff, security, hospitality, management, 89 00:04:51,147 --> 00:04:52,347 Speaker 2: that sort of thing. So what would you have three 90 00:04:52,427 --> 00:04:53,627 Speaker 2: or four hundred on the day. 91 00:04:54,187 --> 00:04:56,507 Speaker 3: Oh, you're a good man, you're just about bang on. 92 00:04:56,587 --> 00:04:59,347 Speaker 3: We'll split it down the middle. So look, normally we 93 00:04:59,427 --> 00:05:02,027 Speaker 3: have day and day out. We've got twenty two full 94 00:05:02,027 --> 00:05:06,107 Speaker 3: time staff here working between Allesley and Pococo. But as 95 00:05:06,107 --> 00:05:08,067 Speaker 3: you I went out on that day, three hundred and 96 00:05:08,107 --> 00:05:11,147 Speaker 3: fifty staff come on board. So so again it's not 97 00:05:11,267 --> 00:05:14,067 Speaker 3: just you know again people sort of think, oh, it's 98 00:05:14,107 --> 00:05:16,027 Speaker 3: just racing, but it's you know, it's a lot of 99 00:05:16,067 --> 00:05:18,787 Speaker 3: income for a lot of people, and we're happy to 100 00:05:18,827 --> 00:05:24,267 Speaker 3: support them. And what is normally a day where everyone's relaxing, 101 00:05:24,267 --> 00:05:26,227 Speaker 3: we've got a lot of people here working to make 102 00:05:26,267 --> 00:05:28,667 Speaker 3: it more endurable. So yeah, three hundred and fifty on 103 00:05:29,267 --> 00:05:31,947 Speaker 3: over the both of those days, So three hundred and 104 00:05:31,987 --> 00:05:36,587 Speaker 3: fifty each. It's a fair whack of the old wages 105 00:05:36,627 --> 00:05:38,547 Speaker 3: bill that comes out the following day. 106 00:05:38,627 --> 00:05:41,107 Speaker 2: And let me tell you no. I know you're focused 107 00:05:41,107 --> 00:05:42,747 Speaker 2: on Boxing Day and New Year's Day, but can I 108 00:05:42,827 --> 00:05:45,907 Speaker 2: just ask you about March the eighth and and Champions 109 00:05:46,027 --> 00:05:48,787 Speaker 2: Day with the three and a half million in steaks 110 00:05:48,787 --> 00:05:51,707 Speaker 2: on the first ever slot race to hit New Zealand. 111 00:05:51,787 --> 00:05:53,587 Speaker 2: You're well and truly and you're planning for that. 112 00:05:54,347 --> 00:05:59,547 Speaker 3: Ah yeah, absolutely, and look you're you're raising good points here. Pointys. 113 00:06:00,387 --> 00:06:03,467 Speaker 3: We quickly go out of Boxing Day and Newsday straight 114 00:06:03,507 --> 00:06:07,987 Speaker 3: into the Kracker Millions, which has turned in too be 115 00:06:08,107 --> 00:06:12,547 Speaker 3: the not to mis event, but Champions Day hot on 116 00:06:12,587 --> 00:06:14,467 Speaker 3: the heels of that, and that's going to be an 117 00:06:14,467 --> 00:06:17,067 Speaker 3: exciting day as well, with as you point out, the 118 00:06:17,227 --> 00:06:20,427 Speaker 3: n Zibekiwi which is the inaugural running of the n 119 00:06:20,507 --> 00:06:23,787 Speaker 3: Zbkiwi with three point five million dollars in stakes, but 120 00:06:24,307 --> 00:06:27,587 Speaker 3: remissing me not to mention the other stakes at following behind, 121 00:06:27,667 --> 00:06:30,627 Speaker 3: she's going to be over ten million in stakes for 122 00:06:30,707 --> 00:06:35,187 Speaker 3: the one day, something we can't wait for. But get 123 00:06:35,227 --> 00:06:38,467 Speaker 3: these two races out do the Cracker Millions as well, 124 00:06:38,507 --> 00:06:42,547 Speaker 3: which again has got some huge steaks money up for 125 00:06:43,347 --> 00:06:46,947 Speaker 3: the Connections to have a lock at. But Champions Day 126 00:06:46,987 --> 00:06:51,707 Speaker 3: we're excited, we can't wait. But look that seems a 127 00:06:51,707 --> 00:06:54,547 Speaker 3: long way away. When you've got this Boxing Day on 128 00:06:54,587 --> 00:06:55,867 Speaker 3: the back doorstep. 129 00:06:55,467 --> 00:06:59,227 Speaker 2: Let me tell you I can imagine exciting times ahead. Mate. Look, 130 00:06:59,267 --> 00:07:00,987 Speaker 2: I wish you all the best for Boxing Day, for 131 00:07:01,027 --> 00:07:03,667 Speaker 2: New Year's Day and for a huge twenty twenty five 132 00:07:03,707 --> 00:07:06,187 Speaker 2: as well. Auckland Racing dot co dot nz has all 133 00:07:06,187 --> 00:07:09,227 Speaker 2: of the information about these race days and everything else 134 00:07:09,267 --> 00:07:11,307 Speaker 2: everybody wants to know. We'll keep an eye on the 135 00:07:11,347 --> 00:07:13,587 Speaker 2: forecast for you. Paul. Thanks for joining us across New 136 00:07:13,667 --> 00:07:14,747 Speaker 2: Zealand on zed B today. 137 00:07:15,307 --> 00:07:18,227 Speaker 3: Good Man Piney and all the best to you as well. 138 00:07:18,267 --> 00:07:20,747 Speaker 2: All the best to you, Paul. That is Paul at Wilcox, 139 00:07:20,907 --> 00:07:23,987 Speaker 2: CEO of Auckland Thoroughbred Racing. The Boxing Day and New 140 00:07:24,027 --> 00:07:27,507 Speaker 2: Year's Day races are back on the racing calendar, having 141 00:07:27,547 --> 00:07:29,427 Speaker 2: been missing for the last four years. 142 00:07:30,307 --> 00:07:33,507 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 143 00:07:33,587 --> 00:07:36,867 Speaker 1: to News Talk zed B weekends from midday or follow 144 00:07:36,907 --> 00:07:38,467 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio.