MP’s petition aims to save Southland racecourses

Clutha-Southland MP Hamish Walker has launched a petition to keep two of Southland’s thoroughbred racecourses open in light of a government report that recommends they close.

The petition, which was announced on Friday, supports keeping both the Winton and Gore tracks open.

Winton Jockey Club president Howard Clarke said the support from Walker was positive news and that it was now down to the community to voice support. ‘‘The more support we get, the better it will be.’’

Gore Racing Club president Justine Abernethy agreed and said the club felt positive about the state of its track.

‘‘We feel we have a really good argument as to why the Gore club should stay.’’

They had put a submission forward in an attempt to keep the club open.

In August, Racing Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters commissioned John Messara, who is a top administrator and stud owner in Australia, to review the New Zealand racing industry, which has been in an ailing state for the past decade. he Messara Report recommends wholesale changes to the industry, with 20 New Zealand galloping tracks being earmarked for closure.

In the report, Messera says closing tracks and centralising race days will help the ailing racing industry regain profitability.

While Peters said he expected the industry to embrace the recommendations, Walker said the changes suggested for Southland were not logical.

The changes ‘‘made no sense’’ and Walker said the community needed to get behind the petition to keep the tracks open.

Without a strong public campaign, Walker said the two tracks could be closed and two communities will lose two vital assets.

The race clubs were not the only organisations to use the grounds and Walker said the the loss of these facilities would negatively impact the community.

‘‘Earlier this month, I met with Gore and Winton Racecourse stakeholders who are upset and concerned about the future of their courses. Generations have invested a huge amount of time, money and effort into these courses, making them what they are today.

‘‘They are all incredibly proud of their courses, and to lose them would be a real tragedy.’’

‘We feel we have a really good argument as to why the Gore club should stay.’ Justine Abernethy, Gore Racing Club president

Those wanting to support the petition could do so at: hamishwalker.national.org.nz/save_southlands_racetracks.