"His review will also assist the Government in determining if the current Racing Act 2003 and the proposed Racing Amendment Bill are fit for purpose," said Peters.
That suggests Messara will be given licence to make recommendations on matters as important as whether the actual structure of New Zealand racing at its very highest levels works as well as how each code is funded.
That could mean changes to the Racing Act, which would be pivotal to any future sale or outsourcing of the TAB and importantly Section 16 of the Act, which deals with the distribution of TAB profits, which thoroughbred bosses believe their code don't get a fair percentage of.
While many in the racing industry are unhappy with its direction and financial health, most particularly around stakes and infrastructure, Peters' announcement that Messara will be asked to look directly at the Racing Act and its fit for purpose is the biggest suggestion yet of potential major change.
But Messara says he is going into the unpaid role with a very open mind about the challenges facing the industry and any possible solutions.
"I don't want to say too much because I have been asked to write a report and I want to do that without any agenda," said Messara.
"So while I will be talking to a lot of people in New Zealand, and I intend spending several weeks on the ground over there, I don't think it would be appropriate to make comment along the way."
Messara is not only the principal of hugely successful NSW-based thoroughbred stud Arrowfield but was the chairman of Racing New South Wales during its incredible resurgence in the last decade.
He has also acted as chairman of Racing Australia and his qualifications are impossible to argue.
But he also knows he will be seen by some in the New Zealand industry as understandably biased toward the thoroughbred code even though he has been tasked with writing a report that will affect all three codes.
"That won't be a factor," he assures.
"I will get around a lot of people and take a wide range of opinions on board. So I can allay those fears, if they exist, right now."
He says he can see some obvious similarities between challenges NSW and Australian racing faced a decade ago and those New Zealand racing is up against now but realises the trans- tasman racing industry doesn't have a one-size-fits-all blueprint.
Messara says he will be the sole author of the report, which he hopes to have finished by the start of the new racing season in August, although he will have research assistance from the Department of Internal Affairs.
His report could be one reason for delays around the Racing Amendment Bill, which will allow the industry to collect earnings from overseas betting operators making money out of New Zealand racing.
It has wide-ranging support in Parliament and its delay in becoming law could be costing New Zealand racing as much as $1 million a month.
If major changes are in the offing for the industry and indeed other sections of the Racing Act, that delay would make more sense as Parliament could be asked to vote on any other key changes suggested by Messara as part of the Racing Amendment Bill.
"But I might make it clear, I am writing the report but any decisions on the future of New Zealand racing will be for the minister to decide on," says Messara.
