Racing bosses ‘will listen’ as axe poised
Things look brighter for some tracks slated for closure by the Messara report
Thoroughbred racing bosses say they are willing to listen to communities who don’t want to lose their racetracks as the axe hangs over up to 27 venues around the country.
And NZ Thoroughbred Racing’s latest venue plans suggest they can be taken at their word after they have saved four tracks slated for closure by the Messara report.
NZTR’s future venues plan was already being undertaken in conjunction with the other two codes before the Messara report was released in August and the two differ slightly over which tracks should be closed as the racing industry looks to all but halve the number of tracks in the country.
The biggest winners from NZTR’s version, which has officially been released as a consultation document, are the Rotorua and Timaru tracks, while the much smaller Omoto track at Greymouth is also suggested as one which should be spared so the West Coast has the two tracks needed to create a summer circuit.
Almost everybody in New Zealand racing agrees some tracks need to be closed for a variety of reasons ranging from geography, the condition of the racing surface and/or amenities or proximity to better venues.
But parochialism being what it is the closing of some of those tracks has become an emotional issue.
NZTR chief executive Bernard Saundry says if communities really want to keep tracks in their area open, NZTR will listen to their proposals.
“This paper is open to discussion and we will take submissions until March 19,” says Saundry.
“And we want to hear from regions who could be set to lose their track but want to keep it. We want to hear their case and discuss how they can make that happen.
“So this is not cut and dried and still has other steps to go through and if a community or district wants to, for example, pay to maintain a track and its facilities then we will take that into account.”
One of the key factors in the report is NZTR explaining it doesn’t want to close clubs but tracks, meaning a racing club can retain its name and own finances but race at a suitable track in their region.
“I think that regional approach is crucial, keeping racing in each and every region of the country but at the best track or tracks for it,” says Saundry.
The closing of Timaru, named Phar Lap Raceway because it is so close to the birthplace of our greatest ever horse, was always going to be a hard sell, especially as there was little or no financial gain to the industry from it.
And Rotorua will also be spared if the new plan becomes reality after being put on the chopping block by the Messara report.
“We think common sense has prevailed,” says Rotorua chairman Andrew Bryant.
“We know this is still only at the report stage and still to go to the Minister or whichever body ends up in charge but we have plans for the future of racing in Rotorua and our council is supportive.”
While 10 tracks could be closed from next season, with their meetings in most cases to be held at venues in their region, the 10-year plan outlined in the report will be trickier to implement.
That includes the possible sale of Avondale and if that does happen who would benefit from those finances. And the development of a brand new multi-purpose racing venue in Waikato could depend hugely on whether Te Rapa is sold or remains open.
And while some thoroughbred clubs are almost certain to have to move next season, that doesn’t necessarily mean racing will disappear from that track.
Harness Racing NZ is believed to be issuing licences for next season for several tracks which are currently used by both codes even though they will no longer host thoroughbred meetings. So no harness racing tracks, with the exception of the now dormant Thames track at Parawai, are likely to lose their harness meetings next season.
The most obvious avenue open to communities who want to retain a racetrack threatened with closure would be for local councils or volunteers to take over the maintenance of their track and facilities and ensure it does not cost the industry any money heading forward while still meeting NZTR’s safety standards.