Racetrack managers call for better funding

NEW Zealand’s racetracks needs to be better resourced to serve the racing industry — that was the key message heard from the New Zealand Racecourse Managers Association in Dunedin yesterday.

More than 30 of the track managers charged with keeping New Zealand’s racetracks in premium condition gathered for the association’s annual conference in the city over the past three days.

Much of their time was spent cracking the books, taking an intense look at cuttingedge techniques the managers could take back to apply to their home tracks.

They also mixed their time with inspections and practical sessions at the Forbury Park and Wingatui racetracks, and Forsyth Barr Stadium.

The nation’s thoroughbred tracks have been been under the microscope after a spate of aban donments hit the racing industry earlier this year.

Those abandonments could be avoided if tracks had the funding to be properly maintained and the appropriate machinery for that, association chairman Alan Chapman said.

New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing boss Bernard Saundry told the meeting he had also heard that to produce good tracks, track managers needed better support.

‘‘Everyone is under more scrutiny and that is why we are applying to Bernard Saundry to get what we need,’’ Chapman said.

Some tracks had used a ‘‘bandaid’’ mentality in patching up track problems, but that unsustainable practice could end if track managers were better resourced.

Investing in better mainten

ance could stop the kind of losses the thoroughbred industry suffered when meetings were abandoned earlier this year.

The conference concluded with a dinner and awards presentation last night.

Addington track manager John Denton was crowned New Zealand Racecourse Manager of the Year at the event.

Wingatui track assistant Blake Prince has an exciting year ahead after he was awarded the inaugural New Zealand Racecourse Managers Association’s scholarship.