Page 14 - November 2007 The Game

14 The Game, November 2007 HBPA Ontario Update Canada’s Thoroughbred Racing Newspaper HBPA Administrative Of ces: 135 Queen’s Plate Drive, Suite 370, Toronto, Ontario M9W 6V1
Phone: 416-747-5252
Report from the Executive Director
year. A change in the dates will
only be considered where a
business case in support of the
change is provided and where
the ORC is rmly convinced
that the change is warranted
and will provide the greatest
bene t. To apply for change,
the racetracks are required to
include the following indica-
tors to demonstrate their case for change: 1) Customer Satisfaction & demand for product, 2) Adequate purse levels, 3) Rac- ing opportunities and avail- able horse supply, 4) Financial condition of the racetrack association to deliver, 5) Harmonization of date schedule with oth- er Ontario racetracks, and 6) Motivation to engage in the conduct of live racing. The submissions must be fully supported by statistical evidence or fact.
The policy directive further deals with mid-season requests for change.
Health and Safety - First Aid/CPR
This past summer the Ontario Racing Commission (ORC) approved a race date allocation policy (Policy Direc- tive # 3-2207) which has, to some degree, changed the landscape in how racetracks and horsemen’s associations deal with changes in live race schedules.
The directive states: “Any race date change re- quests received after a race- tracks’ annual schedule of dates has been determined by the ORC will be dealt with in the same fashion as the annual process, with an increased burden upon the applicant to demonstrate
benchmark of $1 million per card and that the shortage of horse supply jeopardize the attainment of this benchmark. In early October, the ORC administration rejected the application for change stating that they were “unconvinced that a compel- ling business case had been made for this change.” WEG immediately appealed the decision of ORC administration to the commission and a hearing took place on October 15, 2007. After submissions made by the ORC administration, WEG, and the Ontario Harness Horse Associa- tion, the commission panel deliberated for about 10 minutes returning with a verdict upholding the administration’s decision.
The policy directive can be summarized as follows: “Approval of a schedule of race dates for any racetrack is approved for all future years, subject to application for change. Any application to vary previously approved race dates or schedules will only be considered where a business case can substantiate the change. Once changed, the new schedule becomes the approved schedule for all future years, subject to any further application.”
the positive bene t to all stakeholders. Well it did not take very long for this directive to be tested. In August, Wood- bine (WEG) submitted a request to the ORC administration to can- cel eight Woodbine 2007 standardbred race dates in November and December (Sunday’s). The WEG argument on the cancellation was centered upon WEG’s commitment of offering only a high qual- ity racing product to their customers. Speci cally WEG argued that they had established a minimum pool size per card
In summary, we can conclude that this new directive has put a heighten onus on changing live race dates in mid season and any change requested must have a sense of urgency attached in order for it to be considered and amended.
What does this mean? Quite simply: in the annual process of determining live race dates for the subsequent year, the preceding year will form the basis or benchmark of live dates in the following
We still have not reached the required number of workers certi ed in First Aid/CPR to qualify for the Ministry of Labour’s “Umbrella Policy”.
In order to maintain your status within the HBPA of Ontario’s Pension Plan, you must complete an Annual Record of Employment (ROE) every year.
If we do not have at least 60 more workers certi ed then we will lose the “Umbrella Policy”.
ROE Forms have been mailed out, if you did not receive one, please pick one up at either of the track of ces.
It will then be up to each individual trainer to ensure that they have the required number of workers certi ed (based on number of employees) and to have at least one certi ed person in the barn whenever there are workers present.
These forms, when fully completed, including the “hours worked” section, can be mailed to the HBPA of ce at 135 Queen’s Plate Dr. Suite 370 Toronto, Ontario M9W 6V1 or handed in at any track of ce.
Pension-2007 ROE’s Due
For more information contact the HBPA backstretch of ce.
Forms that are not completed, signed and/or witnessed will no longer be accepted. Please keep us updated in the event of any change of address or bene ciary.
HBPA Backstretch Appreciation Day at the Races
HBPA Backstretch Christmas Parties
In place of the Awards Dinner and Dance this year at Woodbine, the HBPA presents “Backstretch Employee Appreciation Day” on Saturday, November 17 at Woodbine.
You better watch out because Santa’s coming to town with gifts for all the good boys and girls.
Present your Groom, Hotwalker, Exercise Rider, Assistant Trainer or Trainer’s license at the HBPA Woodbine Backstretch Of ce and register to receive a $10. food voucher and a $5. betting voucher (valid only on November 17 and to be used only on the frontside).
The HBPA Fort Erie Christmas Party will be held on Sunday, November 18 at the Crystal Ridge Community Center at 99 Ridge Rd., in Ridgeway.
The HBPA will also be honouring three “Outstanding Grooms” and three “Outstanding Assistant Trainers” of 2007 with a Certi cate of Excellence and a Financial Reward.
The festivities, which include a buffet lunch, will begin at 12 noon until 3pm. Santa will be making a visit with gifts for all the boys and girls.
For more information contact the HBPA Backstretch of ce at Woodbine.
The Woodbine Backstretch Christmas Party will be held on Tuesday, November 27 in the backstretch kitchen from 5 to 8 pm.
Please visit the HBPA Backstretch of ce at Fort Erie before November 7 at 3pm to register your attendance.
The kitchen staff will be serving up a traditional holiday meal and Santa will be making a visit to bring presents to all the good boys and girls.
Please sign up for the Christmas party at the HBPA backstretch of ce at Woodbine before November 20. Immediate family only.
RICHARD MOYLAN Thoroughbred Bloodstock Agent
Breaking & Lay-ups
Sales Prep & Sales Consignment
Broodmare Care & Foaling NEW Indoor Training Arena
Hunterview Thoroughbred Horse Farm
North off Hwy #9, Between Airport Rd. & Hwy #50 993445Mono-AdjalaTownline,RR#5,Orangeville,ON L9W2Z2
Farm Phone/Fax: 519-940-0319 Cell: 416-999-1249
Shedrow of the Month
The winner of the Shedrow of the Month for October at Woodbine is trainer Gary Aimonetti and his crew. The winning trainer will receive $200 ($100 from WEG and $100 from HBPA).
Fort Erie HBPA Backstretch Of ce Closes Nov. 7
The backstretch of ce of the Fort Erie HBPA will be closing for the season on November 7 at 3 pm. The HBPA of ce staff would like to wish everyone a healthy and prosperous off season and we look forward to seeing you all in the spring.
Visit the HBPA of Ontario on-line at www.hbpa.on.ca
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