Racing: Rogerson manages to upstage Winston

Trans-Tasman horse trainer Graeme Rogerson was in commanding form during the Christmas Open Day at his Hamilton-based stables last Sunday.

Guest of honour at the function was Minister for Racing Winston Peters, who was lucky to leave the stable property at Tuhikaramea without having to buy a share in a Rogerson and Stephen Autridge-trained racehorse.

Rogerson was like a great predator surveying his next meal, as he welcomed people on to his property, looking for the opportunity to pounce, and clinch a new racehorse owner.

"A bird needs two wings to fly properly and a racehorse owner needs two racehorses to fly properly in the racing industry," was one of many memorable Rogersonisms.

Peters was the first racing minister to visit Rogerson's property and the well-respected trainer was bullish about the future of New Zealand racing.

"If Winston can deliver on what he said about tax relief for the racing industry and a massive boost in prize money, then everything is looking very good for the future of the racing game here in New Zealand.

"Having bigger stake money is only going to benefit the entire racing industry and I'll watch the upcoming policy changes over the next three years with interest."

Rogerson is a major player in New Zealand and Australia, with training establishments in Hamilton, Palmerston North, Sydney and Melbourne.

Peters was quick to pin-point issues within the racing industry that he wishes to address.

"We have to make racing worthwhile for owners and punters, and get them back and enjoying themselves in this industry.

"There must be a fair racing taxation regime. Racing is important to communities, because there are tens of thousands of people involved, and a lot more than government statisticians can account for.

"We hope to get some key policies through in the May Budget, but it will take three years to fix up the Government's racing policies and we'll do our best to put the framework in place to lift this industry.

"Currently, racing is the only industry in the world where they throw money over the table and hope to get something back.

"1.5 billion dollars is generated for GDP each year and we must foster and nurture these export figures and increase the profile of the racing industry.

"Graeme's statistics are quite amazing at what he has done in Australia by winning all that stake money.

"In the future, I'd like our industry in New Zealand to be where one win feeds and pays for the horse for the season."

Rogerson paraded a small select group of five young racehorses that he was syndicating for new racehorse ownership.

Other striking racehorses paraded included sprint sensation Keeninsky, attempting back-to-back victories in the (Group One) Telegraph Handicap, to be held at Trentham on January 21 during the Wellington Cup carnival.

"Keeninsky won a recent barrier trial by six lengths and he'll be ready for that sprint down the Trentham straight in the Telegraph.

"He looks in great order and I'd like to get him back to Melbourne for another shot at some of the top sprinting race.

"This will be his last season on the racetrack before he's retired to stud and another Group One win here in New Zealand will certainly help boost his appeal to New Zealand breeders."

- HERALD ON SUNDAY