"Alexandra Park is a big business and we have a lot of people coming and going. A few weeks ago we had a horse get loose in training and run uncontrollably around the carpark area near the main stand and the sports bar.
"It was only metres from Greenlane Road and I hate to think what would have happened had it got loose there.
"There are simply too many health and safety issues to have horses trained here full-time any more."
While only a handful of horses are trained on the track it does still get occasional use from trainers wanting to familiarise their horses with it before race night.
"But we have workouts and trials for that," said Smith.
The Herald however understands visiting horses, particularly those from the South Island, may be given access to the track on rare occasions for private workouts but in a far more controlled nature than at present.
"It is no different to Addington or Ellerslie. They don't have horses trained there and you certainly just can't turn up there and work your horse without asking."
ATC boss Dominique Dowding says the decision is in no way related to negotiations between the ATC and the Blues rugby franchise about the potential building of a rugby training facility at Alexandra Park.
While they are advanced, the Herald understands neither organisation has signed off on an agreement.
The move away from being a small-time training centre is overdue for Alexandra Park as the ATC looks to further develop the property on 223 Greenlane West to secure the long-term viability of harness racing in the northern region.
Already the projected returns from future property developments there, which in no way impact on racenights, have enabled the ATC to boost stakes to record highs in this country, which has seen a sharp boost in race field sizes.
As quaint as the notion of an inner-city training track may be, the future viability of the harness racing industry is of far greater importance.
