First for Racing, Racing First

Media Release
1 April 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
First for Racing, Racing First

Any race follower who has felt the frustration of a race being cut off halfway through its radio broadcast to make way for the 3pm news will be delighted to learn the New Zealand Racing Board is launching a new, dedicated racing radio network.

Radio Trackside hits the airwaves on Saturday April 9 and New Zealand Racing Board Chief Executive Graeme Hansen says there is one guarantee for listeners: “Racing will always come first”.

The new station is part of the NZ Racing Board’s strategy to broaden the appeal of racing and to significantly improve the service to our customers.

“Race followers will now have access to comprehensive coverage of all live racing, including scratchings, and results presented in an energetic and entertaining way by people who really know their stuff.”

Popular Trackside presenters such as Tony Lee, George Simon, Mark Rosonowski and Karyn Fenton-Ellis will be joined by racing personalities Peter Earley and Andrew Castles in the new format.

In addition to the significantly improved racing coverage, the new radio station will bring listeners the wider racing story – the personalities, the heroes, the spectacular achievements of our horses, our jockeys/drivers and trainers,” says Mr Hansen.

There will be other opportunities through Radio Trackside such as simulcasts of programmes and interviews on the NZ Racing Board’s television station, Trackside.

“We want to bring freshness to the way we present racing to the public. It’s a great, entertaining sport which we believe has wider appeal than it is currently attracting,” Mr Hansen says.

“There’s a whole new generation of New Zealanders coming through who are finding out about the excitement and fascination of racing.

“We’re seeing more and more young people on course enjoying a day at the races. We’re sure they’ll appreciate our additional radio coverage – it’s all about racing.”

The station frequencies around the country can be located by referring to racing publications, www.tab.co.nz, or by calling 0800 102 106 for details. (see attached list for specific regional frequencies)

Radio Trackside will be on air during the hours of racing, which are;
Monday 2.00pm – 8.00pm
Tuesday 2.00pm – 12.00am
Wednesday 12.00pm – 12.00am
Thursday - Friday 11.30am – 12.00am
Saturday 8.00am – 12.00am
Sunday 12.00pm – 7.30pm (10.00pm for Hong Kong racing)

Broadcast hours will be extended for key racing events that occur on public holidays.

Outside of racing hours, the frequency will be used by RadioWorks to broadcast its “companion talk” Radio Pacific format.

Radio Trackside Frequencies

Northland
- Kaitaia 95.2FM
- Bay of Islands 94.8FM
- Central Northland 95.6FM
- Whangarei 94.0FM
Auckland 1476AM
Waikato 954AM
Tauranga 96.1FM
Whakatane 92.1FM
Taupo 91.1FM
Rotorua 1548AM
Gisborne 1485AM
Hawkes Bay 549AM
Taranaki 97.2FM
Manawatu/Wanganui 828AM
Wairarapa 91.1FM
Wellington 711AM
Nelson 97.6FM
Canterbury 1260AM
Ashburton 1071AM
South Canterbury/Oamaru 1242AM
Westport 93.3FM
Greymouth 89.1FM/93.9FM
Hokitika 89.1FM
Otago 1206 AM
Southland 91.6FM

ENDS

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