Racing: HRNZ boss slams one-industry approach

Harness Racing New Zealand has hit out at a taskforce report recommending a "one-industry" approach to racing's governance.

The taskforce has identified $11 million in savings if the three codes - thoroughbred, harness and greyhound - join the New Zealand Racing Board to form a single industry body.

New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing and NZRB has been pushing the concept, but the harness and greyhound organisations were not involved in preparing the taskforce report, which was presented to them late last week.

"HRNZ has conveyed to the NZRB numerous times that it is supportive of exploring shared services and efficiencies in industry administration, but is not supportive of combining the industry's governance structures," said its president Pat O'Brien.

"My preliminary view is that the report is one-sided in approach to its recommendations and consideration of alternative structures.

"The report is simplistic and inaccurate with its assessment of the potential savings that could be delivered under such a model, with no information given as to the basis to support the assumptions in the report.

"There is also no analysis of similar models in other racing administrations.

"In my opinion, the savings estimated in the report cannot and will not be delivered under such a model."

O'Brien said he thought the current code-driven model, introduced in 2003, generally served the industry's interests well and had delivered considerable benefits. He said information provided by HRNZ to a separate review was used by the taskforce, without reference back to HRNZ.

"This undermines the trust of HRNZ in its dealings with the NZRB on this matter and further emphasises in my opinion that the report was written with the clear objective in mind of assuming greater control of the industry without due consideration of alternatives."

Harness racing would have serious concerns about dates, funding and possible venue reductions if the proposed model was introduced, O'Brien said

"It is felt the overall interests of our industry participants and the development of our code would be compromised under such a model, with priority given to thoroughbred racing."

HRNZ is to have a special executive meeting on December 2 to review the report and is likely to call a meeting of all its clubs early next year to confirm a united industry position.

- NZPA