Racing: NZTR backs radical move for single body to control industry, TAB

New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing is to support a radical shake-up of how the racing industry is governed.

NZTR, which runs the thoroughbred code, commissioned an independent review of its structure last year.

It yesterday endorsed the review's major recommendation of a new enterprise - combining many of the functions of NZTR and the New Zealand Racing Board, which runs the TAB.

Currently the industry has four separate boards and management teams - the racing board and those that run the thoroughbred, harness and greyhound codes. The new model would have one board and management team.

The model envisaged would include harness and greyhound racing, but it was not vital, NZTR chairman Guy Sargent said yesterday.

"While this is the preferred outcome, we do not believe that the support of the greyhound and harness codes is necessary for the new enterprise to be successful," he said.

Harness Racing NZ and Greyhound Racing NZ are considering their positions over the recommendation, he said.

The report, by consultant Graeme Nahkies, said that if the other codes decided not to participate, "it would be reasonable to expect that there would be advantages accruing to thoroughbred racing of NZTR being the first [and largest] mover in any integration with NZRB".

His recommended model was based on the structure employed in the racing industry in Western Australia.

Nahkies said the racing board controlled many of the decisions that went to the heart of the viability and future of the thoroughbred code. NZTR did not have sufficient authority to meet its own responsibilities and its resources were largely "handed down" from the racing board.

Sargent said the new enterprise approach would provide direct access between the industry's governing body and its stakeholders by reducing the two tiers that currently exist to one.

"It would greatly improve our strategic capability and encouraging a broader overview of the racing industry, allow us to make decisions that benefit the entire industry rather than specific sections," he said.

Initial feedback from NZRB had been positive and the two bodies had agreed to develop a plan to present to stakeholders for consideration and feedback.

A taskforce involving members of both bodies was to be set up, with two independent appointments to review the process.

It was vital that the interests of the thoroughbred code were fully protected should a new body be set up, Sargent said.

- NZPA