Racing: Industry unites people says minister

Minister of Racing David Bennett. Photo/supplied

Minister of Racing David Bennett says the thoroughbred racing industry is a mainstay and has a strong future.

"It's got a very big unity focus in the sense that people come together in our country to enjoy race track meetings," said Bennett who was at the meeting in Hastings yesterday.

He also saw a potent business aspect to the industry pertaining to breeding and exports through race days.

The Government is playing a pivotal hand in formulating race field legislation with the first readings intended before Parliament goes into recess midway through next month.

"That will be the first important stepping stone for the industry."

Bennett said that once the Bill was passed into legislation it would enable the Government to levy information charges on overseas betting on a Kiwi product from an overseas bookmaker.

"I think it's a product that we as a country and industry have provided so this is our opportunity to get some kind of charge on that."

The minister felt passion-fuelled industry playmakers were coming up with novel ideas that augured well for the future.

While there are welfare and safety concerns around jumps racing, Bennett said yesterday gave an ideal snapshot of the crowd-pleasing aspect of it.

"But we also have to be mindful of horse and jockey safety of the work the racing board or individual clubs also endeavour to work on so we've got to work through both issues."

He juxtaposed the industry growth in Hong Kong and Singapore to the potential here.

He considered himself privileged yesterday to see the winners emerge from a tight and tense finish. Bennett hails from Te Awamutu where horse Amanood Lad's owners, Johnny and Shirley Blair live.

"You have a great industry, be proud of it and we look forward to working together to make it even more successful in future."