Racing: Industry must 'restore integrity'

File photo / Richard Robinson

The perception of cronyism, corruption and drugs has been a factor in the declining racing industry, and integrity must be restored for the industry to thrive, Racing Minister John Carter says.

"It is very clear to me that perceptions around the racing industry and corruption need addressing," Mr Carter told the Judicial Control Authority for Racing's annual meeting in Wellington today.

"It is, at best, burying one's head in the sand if the people who make their living out of racing want to believe this is an industry without integrity issues."

Negative publicity such as a story about using snake venom to mask racehorses' pain had led to public mistrust of the industry; a recent survey by Nielsen showed that half of New Zealanders had a negative impression of racing and betting on racing.

Racing faces a wagering decline of $1.2 billion in the past 25 years.

"At the heart of moving racing into a profitable future is image. People will not invest in an industry - with time or money - if they don't believe in its integrity," Mr Carter said.

Mr Carter's office has analysed the Sunday Star-Times' coverage of racing issues since January 2009, and found 27 articles that fell into three categories - drugs, issues around gaming machines, and violence in the industry.

"Drugs made the front page on 13 June 2010 under the heading 'Riding High'. The article detailed the rise of a drug subculture in racing," Mr Carter said.

The independent and transparent Racing Integrity Unit, set to be running by February next year, would help re-establish the industry's image, he said.

"There must be no suggestions of cronyism. Indiscretions must not be ignored because of the value to the industry of the people involved. Integrity issues must be addressed in a professional and independent way.

"This new model of integrity services will give more independence to the 'policing' of racing.

"Making the rule-making, policing and the judicial systems independent and transparent is critical to the integrity of racing."