Racing: Three opt out of cluster plan

Three clubs have refused to join the groupings known as clusters for the start of the new season on August 1.

The Stratford and Foxton clubs have decided to stay outside the central cluster while South Waikato has also opted to stay alone. The system involves the grouping of clubs for the sharing of race dates and profits.

The other 71 clubs will be grouped into five clusters, fulfilling the dream of New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing chairman Guy Sargent, who mooted the idea 18 months ago.

There were to be seven clusters but this will be reduced to five or six, depending on whether Auckland and Waikato agree to form one group.

Southland and Otago have already joined forces as Gallops South. Another cluster is the old Trac (Thoroughbred Racing Action Consortium) group in the Bay Of Plenty-Thames Valley region with the addition of four more clubs. The other two clusters are the central region (which comprises 19 clubs in the lower North Island) and Canterbury.

Stratford and South Waikato had previously indicated they would not join the clusters but Sargent was surprised when Foxton opted out.

"I don't have a problem when them staying out but it's sad that not everyone is in," Sargent said.

"We have left the door ajar and hopefully they will reconsider. Foxton is quite comfortable with the way they are going and don't see a need to change at this stage."

Sargent said the Foxton track was under-utilised at certain times.

An early gauge of the strength of the cluster system will come this week when the New Zealand Racing Board decides on the location of a floating central region date. The October 20 licence was given to Foxton at one stage but became a floating date when the final calendar was released. Both Foxton and the central cluster have applied for it.

The central region, to be managed from Awapuni, is in the process of forming an eight-member board which will comprise two members from each of the four sub-regions within the cluster - Taranaki-Wanganui, Manawatu-Woodville, Hawkes Bay and Wellington.

Sargent believes clusters will make life easier in terms of dates, programming and rationalisation. They will provide clubs with a safety net when circumstances outside their control conspire against them.

"The reality is that if one club has a good day, it is generally because another club has had a bad day," he said. "Instead of clubs fighting for dates, they will be supporting each other as every date will be important to them."

Sargent said there had been a great response and he expected some rationalisation to result in the future.

"My belief is that the industry will change through evolution rather than revolution. They are more likely to be receptive to change if they are getting a share of the profits rather than taking the big stick approach," he said.

- NZPA