Gore club fights to keep track
The Gore Racing Club is reaching out to the eastern Southland community for support to help retain thoroughbred racing in the town.
President Justine Abernethy said backing had been received from many areas of the district since a racing report, released last month, recommended 20 galloping tracks, including Gore and Winton, close within six years.
The clubs that use the 20 tracks have until October 19 to send submissions to the Department of Internal Affairs stating why their courses should remain open.
The Gore club held its first race meeting for the 2018-19 season yesterday with a small crowd on course.
Regular Gore racegoer Gladys Gerken, 85, said she was angry at the possibility of the track closing.
‘‘I was disgusted when I first heard about. I’ve been coming to Gore race meetings for more than 70 years.
‘‘I think its awful ... I’m past travelling [to watch races at other tracks].’’
Abernethy said the Gore District Council and Mataura Licensing Trust were helping with information for the submissions. The council and trust were providing facts and figures on the importance thoroughbred racing had on the eastern Southland economy.
‘‘This is not all about the Gore Racing Club ... it’s for our community,’’ Abernethy said.
The report, compiled by Australian racing administrator John Messara for Minister of Racing Winston Peters, said the rationalisation of tracks would help the industry regain profitability.
Messara recommended the tracks at Winton and Gore close in 2019 and 2024, respectively, and their race days be moved to Invercargill.
Abernethy has previously said the club would not race in Invercargill. Instead, it would disband, sell the racecourse land and assets and give the proceeds to the eastern Southland community. The Winton racecourse cannot be sold because it is on reserve land.
The Gore club has support from its tenants, including the Gore Harness Racing Club, Wyndham and Tapanui racing clubs, a pony club, a caterer based at the track and trainers who need tracks to work horses on.
The tenants, along with businesses and organisations in eastern Southland, have been asked by the club for letters of support that will be included in submissions to the Department of Internal Affairs.
National MPs Ian McKelvie (Rangitikei, spokesman for racing) and Hamish Walker (Clutha-Southland) will meet with Gore Racing Club executives and industry stakeholders on October 9 to discuss the track closure. The MPs also plan to meet with Winton Jockey Club officials.
Abernethy also wants to meet with NZ First list member Mark Patterson.