KEY POINTS:
Matamata is earmarked to have New Zealand's first galloping synthetic track.
Racing Matamata has been asked by New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing and the New Zealand Racing Board to draw up a budget for the construction of a synthetic track alongside its current turf course.
The two racing bodies will not give final approval until they are satisfied with the design work.
Matamata has been chosen ahead of Awapuni (Palmerston North), Cambridge and Riccarton (Christchurch).
NZTR chief executive Paul Bittar said Matamata got the nod because it met the key criteria NZTR had set.
These included it being a racing, trials and training centre that services a large local horse population.
"Matamata also provides the optimum layout for integration of a synthetic track alongside a turf track. Its proposed 18-metre wide synthetic track, on the outside of the course proper, allows us to have 14 starters."
Bittar said the other three venues also provided strong cases for a synthetic track, but Matamata had the most compelling business case.
Cambridge Jockey Club president George Simon said the club was disappointed with the decision.
"I've made no secret of the fact all along that I've pushed hard to have the synthetic track installed at Cambridge on the basis of the number of horses we have trained on it," he said.
"There are 700 horses at Cambridge and during the winter serious pressures are placed on our grass tracks.
"There is a great push to get as many horses to the races as possible and we felt there was a good case to assist that push. Obviously, what held us back was that Cambridge doesn't have the facility to race and if the track proves very successful Matamata will be able to use that option where we couldn't.
"While naturally disappointed, we understand the reasons behind the decision and hope that if the track proves very successful Cambridge might be seriously considered for one in the future."
* * *
The NZTR is to introduce standard balloting conditions, with exemptions for some major races. An industry standard of six ballots has been approved.
There is also a clear criteria for eliminating or placing horses on the ballot and the order in which these horses are placed for maiden, handicap and weight-for-age races.
Exempted races will include top prizemoney events - including the Hawke's Bay spring series culminating in the Kelt Capital Stakes, the 3-year-old classic races and Karaka Millions events.
Approved series events, such as the Dunstan championship final and the Winning Edge Championship final, will also be exempt, as they have clearly defined balloting conditions to determine the final field.
NZTR chief executive Paul Bittar said the main reason for the change was to provide consistency across the country and greater clarity.
"Traditionally clubs or regional programming committees have set their own balloting conditions and these were different for each club and race programme," he said.
"The change ensures improved transparency and integrity of the process. "
The changes, detailed on the NZTR website www.nzracing.co.nz, take effect on August 1.
- NZPA
