Perhaps "all" NZ Racing Clubs could merge, creating one new entity called "The NZ Racing and Gambling Enterprise"? NZ R.A.G.E. All the assets would be combined into RAGE and all members of the clubs would become members of RAGE and be able to go to any race meeting in NZ as a member. Key tracks would be selected in areas that house the majority of the horse population - say 8 tracks across both Islands. Then there would be some training centres with stables built for lease. All tracks not utilised would become part of a commercial operation and a business development plan would be adopted to use these assets to generate income whether it be from light industrial development, office parks, grazing etc. no e would be sold but they would be reserved for income producing for RAGE so that the Trentham exercise wasn't repeated. RAGE would have an integrity unit, in fact, it would take over all the current activities of NZTR and be responsible for form guides, integrity, handicapping, marketing the product etc. any promotion of NZ breeding would be the responsibility of the people who benefit most - the breeders. All money generated by the RAGE product would go to RAGE.
We then would have the required "venues" to provide the right racing surfaces including a number of "Strathayr" type surfaces to operate on when weather turns to crap and we don't have H11 listed to race on. Next is the product. In conjunction with trainers, owners and breeders, a strategic plan would be req'd to set out what races are req'd to cater for the horse population. Included in this plan would be an assurance that our horse ratings and track rating system is identical to Australia (for obvious reasons). Now there's the wagering to address. The monopoly granted to the TAB has to change or, the way it conducts its business must change. So, the Govt would need to be engaged by RAGE in order to detail the need for change and what benefits would result for the long term health of the industry. There would only be 2 organisations operating thoroughbred racing. RAGE providing the venues and products. The other would be RNZ, a small governance Board with a RAGE board member on it. So there's the start. We now have only one organisation, one race club RAGE and we control our own destiny and nobody loses. You could even develop Ellerslie into a huge business Park. Imagine the income per annum that would flow from that? $20+mill ? Imagine a RAGE member on holiday in the South Island or on business and decides, "I'll just stay on and go to Riccarton races - a RAGE venue. Motels could be established on key tracks with special rates available to RAGE members etc etc.