Racing: The New Zealand racetracks targeted for closure

It was presented to the codes who have agreed with many of its recommendations but through their own working group, named One Equine View, disagreed with others.

As a result, seven tracks that currently hold race meetings are being slated for closure: Trentham and Rotorua (thoroughbreds only), Manawatū and Wyndham (harness tracks only) and Gore, Hāwera and Ōamaru, which are used for both thoroughbred and harness racing.

There are 11 other “non-racing” tracks, which are currently used for either training, trials or unused, which are also set to be closed: Kumeū and Spotswood Farm, Waikouaiti, Balfour (all harness only), Thames, Te Awamutu, Ōpaki, Wairoa, Foxton, Stratford and Levin.

Also now classed as a non-racing venue is Avondale, which officially held its last meeting just two weeks ago. It is also confirmed to be closing but that decision was made well before the commissioning of Project Stamina.

But the codes vetoed Project Stamina’s recommendations around some key venues, the best-known being Alexandra Park, Auckland’s embattled home of harness racing, which was suggested for closure by the report.

It has been listed alongside Cambridge harness as tracks whose tenant clubs will need to make their business case to code bosses to ensure they remain open heading forward.

At least one will definitely survive to ensure there is harness racing in the North Island.

Tuesday’s report technically says both Te Rapa and the Cambridge thoroughbred tracks are also subject to future business cases but that is because they are linked with the proposed Waikato Greenfields project, which is based on the voluntary closure and sale of Te Rapa and Cambridge and would effectively be their replacement venue.

While the Waikato Greenfields project is primarily seen as a thoroughbred racing facility, whether and when it happens could eventually play a major role in determining what happens in northern harness racing too.

Both reports released today highlight an appetite for just one harness racing track in the North Island and if harness racing becomes part of the Greenfields project, it could become the favoured venue.

But that would still mean abandoning Alexandra Park, which, even allowing for its enormous financial problems caused by a botched property development, is still one of only two iconic harness tracks in the country and no harness racing in Auckland may be deemed unpalatable to some of the code’s biggest players.

The two codes also voted to not close Matamata (which was being suggested as a training-only facility) Te Aroha, Ōtaki, Whanganui, Ashburton and Timaru (all thoroughbreds or dual code) as well as Motukarara harness, all going against Project Stamina’s recommendations.

The retention of Timaru may have been the death of nearby Ōamaru, the dual code race track from which there is bound to be plenty of blowback.

It has a small but loyal and very talented training community, with one of New Zealand’s best ever trainers of trotters Phil Williamson among those based there.

Of all the tracks facing closure, Trentham is the one that will create the most angst and dismay.

It has been the home to some of New Zealand racing’s greatest moments and the idea of there being no horse racing of any sort in Wellington will not sit comfortably with some people in powerful places.

Trentham has been part of the troubled Race Group, a consortium of clubs in the lower North Island, which also includes Awapuni, the latter’s track renovation having been a disaster.

The Wellington Racing Club, who run Trentham, has voted to leave Race Group and go it alone, untethered from Awapuni’s issues.

A club spokesman said the Wellington Racing Club is “digesting” today’s release before making comment but it would be stunning if they do not fight their suggested closure.

Outgoing NZTR chairman Russell Warwick says Trentham and other tracks that want to fight their potential closures will be given a fair hearing and the opportunity to make their case.

“Nothing is final yet and we of course will meet with and listen to any club who wants to challenge or discuss the two codes decisions,” Warwick said.

“But obviously Project Stamina was a starting point, with a strong emphasis on numbers and factors like horse and human populations and ability to attract horses and therefore turnover.

“We have then put a more racing lense, shall we say, over that which is why some of the tracks they suggested for closure aren’t endorsed in One Equine View.”

HRNZ chairman Grant Jarrold used the popular Motukarara as an example of the same in harness racing and says he understands Alexandra Park is a huge part of New Zealand harness racing, so their business case will be eagerly anticipated.

First, the Auckland-based club needs to carve huge chunks off its debt, still thought to be around $80 million.

One of the more surprising and pleasing aspects of both reports which will bring sighs of relief around the country is the support for small-town tracks rated as “community venues”.

While not major contributors to racing’s national finances, they have been retained for their tracks to keep racing present in the country areas, which, among other things, ultimately supply a lot of New Zealand racing’s human talent.

That, and the two codes working closely together, are huge positives from Tuesday’s report but for the tracks which are now endangered species, the fight for survival is about to get very real.

Racing’s infrastructure reports suggest closing:

Business cases needed:

Michael Guerin wrote his first nationally published racing articles while still in school and started writing about horse racing and the gambling industry for the Herald as a 20-year-old in 1990. He became the Herald’s Racing Editor in 1995 and covers the world’s biggest horse racing carnivals.