Racing: Chief stipe calls for fewer tracks to lift NZ racing

Ray Coupland with Princess Coup after the 2008 Kelt Capital Stakes. Photo / Glenn Taylor

Chief stipendiary steward Cameron George is calling for a massive reduction in the number of New Zealand racetracks.

George says he knows he will cop flak from some quarters, but he also already has plenty of strong support.

Per capita, New Zealand almost certainly has more racetracks than any other country.

Our 51 tracks are a handful more than England has to service a population of more than 60 million.

George's vision is for 15 to 20 tracks, which, he says, will lead to better and more consistent racing surfaces, better facilities for the public and ultimately much better prizemoney.

"It makes absolute sense," says George.

"We don't have the appropriate resources to service 50-odd racetracks to the level expected from the industry.

"At the moment, we don't have what is needed to provide surfaces that will maximise our product in all aspects."

George says it is unrealistic to expect New Zealand to come up with 50-plus topline racetrack managers.

"We have managers who have different methods for different reasons.

"As a result, participants are presented with a range of different surfaces. For mine, any successful industry will be one that comprises consistency, professionalism and safety.

"With so many tracks having so many issues in New Zealand we will never meet that criteria unless something is done to reduce the numbers.

"Take a breeder - they breed then rear a horse and by the time it gets to the races it can become a very expensive product.

"It deserves the best possible racing surface to be provided and we're not always doing that right now.

"What we will get from better racing surfaces is a stimulation in betting confidence and greater turnovers, where everything flows on from."

George says this is not about closing down racing clubs, just racing venues.

"But it's not an overnight process. We can only consider having 15 to 20 racetracks when that number are improved to a standard to be able to maintain the racing required.

"And we need to start now, not in 10 years' time.

"People have to start thinking with their heads and think about where we want racing to be in 10 years' time.

"In a business sense, unless hard decisions are made now we won't get the return back into the industry through owners and punters, which is where it all starts. I always think what are the disadvantages in having 20 of the best racetracks anywhere offering great racing, great entertainment and, ultimately, great stakemoney. Where's the disadvantage?"

A big supporter of George's views is perhaps New Zealand's biggest owner Ray Coupland.

"What Cameron says has to happen," said Coupland yesterday.

Venue reduction has been virtually impossible in New Zealand. Under an age-old system, those charged with making such decision were annually voted in by representatives of the individual clubs. Anyone making unpopular decisions was going to be quickly voted off.

George points to the Australian Football League (Aussie rules) in Victoria as a model to be aimed at.

"The league used to have games at all the grounds with each club having their own.

"Then they rationalised to five or six top stadiums and the crowd increases have been dramatic.

"I've been to race meetings in the last couple of months that frankly are not up to the standard required to present winter racing, both from a perspective of racing surface and amenities," said George.

"Foxton has been called off tomorrow. It's frustrating for the industry and frustrating for me deciding whether they should race.

"I walk away with my head down just begging people to show leadership in this issue."

KEEPING TRACK

* New Zealand's chief stipendiary steward says 51 racetracks is far too many.
* Cameron George believes 15 to 20 strategic venues would be perfect.
* It would result in more consistent racing surfaces, a much better racing product and greater stakemoney.