Racing heavyweights to have greater role in its direction

[Pete Lane]

By Mick Guerin in today's Herald.

Some of New Zealand racing’s biggest players and a very special expat have joined together to help steer the future of the industry.

New Zealand Bloodstock owner and internationally-renowned breeder and owner Sir Peter Vela will chair a new advisory committee to TAB NZ – the regulatory arm of the national betting agency – which works alongside Entain, the company charged with running the day-to-day operations of the TAB and its associate brand Betcha.

With the enormous firepower assembled on the advisory committee, their influence looks set to be felt throughout the industry at a crucial stage in its history.

The committee was the idea of Racing Minister Winston Peters and TAB NZ chairman Bill Birnie, so it seems certain to have the minister’s ear, as it includes many of the most powerful people in the industry.

Vela is joined by Cambridge Stud owner Brendan Lindsay, Waikato Stud boss Mark Chittick, big-time investor and breeder Greg Tomlinson, Ken Breckon, who owns giant harness racing operation Breckon Farms, and in a huge coup, champion expat trainer Chris Waller.

Waller lives in Sydney but took time out from a hectic week of sales and racing in Queensland to fly to New Zealand for the advisory committee’s first meeting in Auckland on Wednesday night.

The committee is set to have at least one member added with both business expertise and detailed knowledge of the harness racing industry, to ensure the code is further represented.

The group would be one of the most high-powered assembled in New Zealand racing history, with all having hugely successful business careers, many outside horse racing before all became enormous investors in the racing industry.

The coming-together of the big six, soon to become big seven, comes at a time when New Zealand racing has made enormous advancements in the two years since Entain took over the running of the TAB, injecting expertise and much-needed investment into the struggling industry.

Stakes have risen significantly and Entain has been able to grow turnover – but big questions remain around infrastructure and key drivers to ensure the growth continues.

Among the most important issues will be tracks, particularly in thoroughbred racing, which continues to be plagued by abandonments, cancellations or unsatisfactory results after track renovations.

They are proving enormously costly and are undercutting TAB/Entain’s forecasts as they can’t make money on race meetings that are cancelled.

Another crucial factor in maximising turnover is the racing calendar, ensuring the most attractive product ends up in front of punters on the days they want to bet most.

While both TAB NZ and Entain have input into that calendar, it is the codes that control and maintain the tracks and other infrastructure.

Other key issues the committee will advise on include the breeding industry and how to stimulate the number of foals being bred in both codes, as more horses means bigger fields, which has a direct correlation to future turnover.

Vela says although the industry has made enormous improvements since the TAB/Entain deal started, the advisory committee wants to ensure the best pathway forward, setting up the industry for long-term sustainability.

Crucially, that includes when the five years of guaranteed returns under the TAB/Entain deal end and the codes have to be judged on their results and ability to implement key turnover drivers.

“We have all been tremendously heartened by what has been achieved in the last two years and want to provide advice on the best way forward for the industry,” says Vela.

“There are so many factors that go into making the racing industry sustainable, maximising its turnover and ensuring the momentum keeps going.

“It was very encouraging having so much knowledge and expertise in that meeting on Wednesday and we hope we can help the minister, TAB NZ, Entain and the codes.”

There will be no fees paid to the seven members of the advisory committee, all working pro bono for the future good of the industry.

Birnie and TAB NZ chief executive Nick Roberts say the advisory committee will report back to their organisation in the first instance and recommendations can be passed on to the Racing Minister, Entain or the codes, or in some cases all three.

“It is amazing to see so many of the industry’s genuine leaders wanting to give back their knowledge,” says Birnie.

“To see Chris Waller fly in for 18 hours on Wednesday night to lend his knowledge is quite humbling when you think how busy he would be this week.”


The formation of the advisory committee will also calm some of those who, while thrilled by racing’s renaissance, worry about its future sustainability as racing faces many of the same changes worldwide.

[scooby3051]

Lets hope its a positive step in the right direction...the industry needs to address quite a few issues to enable it to be in a good position for the future.

[nomates]

1 hour ago, scooby3051 said:

Lets hope its a positive step in the right direction...the industry needs to address quite a few issues to enable it to be in a good position for the future.

I hope so to , but this doesn't do anything to dispel the "myth" that big breeders have too much say over our racing .

[scooby3051]

5 minutes ago, nomates said:

I hope so to , but this doesn't do anything to dispel the "myth" that big breeders have too much say over our racing .

My thoughts too...but lets see how they go...I also would have liked to have seen a wider range of industry people involved....but prepared to keep an open mind and see where it leads.

[nomates]

2 minutes ago, scooby3051 said:

My thoughts too...but lets see how they go...I also would have liked to have seen a wider range of industry people involved....but prepared to keep an open mind and see where it leads.

I've had an open mind for a couple of decades but it's all but shutdown now by repeated lazy and unimaginative management .

I don't see how only having wealthy , and big breeders , gives the industry a realistic perspective on just how bloody hard it is for the non stars of the sport .

They want to increase the foal crop , how many small breeders that have abandoned it are they going to talk to , to get a realist understanding of the costs to those breeders whose pockets aren't endless .

Is it just going to be another report into the issues of the racing industry that disappears into the ether .

[Black Kirrama]

And where is Bruce Sherwin ?
He's Not on the list ????

He's Out there filling in for Georgey and has grass route connections.

People in the wash down bays and loading floats talk with him.

He doesn't talk "at" people. Rather "with" people. He's never been shy of explaining why 

a particular course of action would have negative consequences.

( as I well know !)

Rev

[elo]

2 hours ago, nomates said:

I hope so to , but this doesn't do anything to dispel the "myth" that big breeders have too much say over our racing .

Big Boys about to line their pockets further!

[Arkham]

1 hour ago, Black Kirrama said:

And where is Bruce Sherwin ?
He's Not on the list ????

He's Out there filling in for Georgey and has grass route connections.

People in the wash down bays and loading floats talk with him.

He doesn't talk "at" people. Rather "with" people. He's never been shy of explaining why 

a particular course of action would have negative consequences.

( as I well know !)

Rev

Bruce Sherwin would be an outstanding addition to this panel. But heck look at what the bloke is already doing - stand in Chief handicapper, Trackside host, commentator, bloodstock agent/racing manager.  Surely the most versatile and one of the most valuable people in NZ racing. The complete opposite to that other gone and not missed Bruce S. 

[scooby3051]

He has amazing knowledge of the industry not only here but internationally too...agree would be a huge asset in this type of role.I think everyone in the industry likes him too...a good guy.

[We're Doomed]

I suppose Greg Tomlinson is considered to be the SI representative.

[nomates]

1 minute ago, We're Doomed said:

I suppose Greg Tomlinson is considered to be the SI representative.

Wow , are they really including the SI ???

[Pam Robson]

I note this advisory group was instigated by Winston and Birnie as advisors to TAB NZ.  Not NZTR, not HRNZ.   Which [ to me ] indicates how irrelevant the code bodies are seen to be.

 

[scooby3051]

Just now, Pam Robson said:

I note this advisory group was instigated by Winston and Birnie as advisors to TAB NZ.  Not NZTR, not HRNZ.   Which [ to me ] indicates how irrelevant the code bodies are seen to be.

 

Fat cats getting fatter.

[We're Doomed]

18 hours ago, nomates said:

Wow , are they really including the SI ???

Only just. Probably by accident. Even the harness rep is a north islander, obviously the home of harness racing.

[Mattski]

I 100% agree that Bruce S should be on this committee.   How do we push for this??

[TurnyTom]

I find it odd to have 3 from breeding background on the team. I would have thought the major issues are operational, tracks, cancellations, track closures, racing programme etc etc …. not sure a full balance will unfold

[scooby3051]

9 minutes ago, TurnyTom said:

I find it odd to have 3 from breeding background on the team. I would have thought the major issues are operational, tracks, cancellations, track closures, racing programme etc etc …. not sure a full balance will unfold

I always have worried the breeders in NZ have to much say and in essence to much control...I hope this in fact does not make the problem worse, but as I say lets see what actually happens.

[We're Doomed]

1 hour ago, TurnyTom said:

I find it odd to have 3 from breeding background on the team. I would have thought the major issues are operational, tracks, cancellations, track closures, racing programme etc etc …. not sure a full balance will unfold

A bit sad that no domestic trainers are considered worthy enough to have any useful input.

[TurnyTom]

1 hour ago, scooby3051 said:

I always have worried the breeders in NZ have to much say and in essence to much control...I hope this in fact does not make the problem worse, but as I say lets see what actually happens.

You are more positive than I am Leigh, but let’s wait and see …. As long as it has no impact on my Aussie racing not too concerned

[scooby3051]

6 minutes ago, TurnyTom said:

You are more positive than I am Leigh, but let’s wait and see …. As long as it has no impact on my Aussie racing not too concerned

Maybe it should have been announced that this was going to happen...or dont the stakeholders like the backbone of it all the ones who pay the bills the owners could have had some input.I hope its not just the Old Boys gonna look after themselves even more.

[Pete Lane]

Wightman has really stirred up the natives with this post on Facebook. 

"I need some help here guys. I see where a group of 6 or 7 industry knowns have appointed themselves to an advisory board hoping to give leadership or ideas to the NZ TAB. One is a fisherman who owns NZ Bloodstock. Two others are stud-masters making up a total of 3 Thoroughbred Studs of the 6 self appointees .. a token gesture breeder from Harness .. and some other character I’ve never heard of .. plus an Australian horse trainer by the name of Chris Waller. Apparently Peter Vela is the self appointed head of this advisory panel. So not only is NZTR run by an Old Boys Club system where OWNERS, TRAINERS or JOCKEYS have no voice at the code bodies Board table (Members Council saw to that) .. but here we’ve got a near duplication of self appointees to the NZ TAB/ENTAIN advisory system which will link in closely with RACING MINISTER Winston Peters who is already on their payroll. Where does “democracy” become part of the equation?????  Or is it just another self serving FIEFDOM????"

 

[scooby3051]

He may be a caustic p.... but he does say some things that maybe others wont....that in alot of cases need saying.

[nomates]

4 minutes ago, Pete Lane said:

Wightman has really stirred up the natives with this post on Facebook. 

"I need some help here guys. I see where a group of 6 or 7 industry knowns have appointed themselves to an advisory board hoping to give leadership or ideas to the NZ TAB. One is a fisherman who owns NZ Bloodstock. Two others are stud-masters making up a total of 3 Thoroughbred Studs of the 6 self appointees .. a token gesture breeder from Harness .. and some other character I’ve never heard of .. plus an Australian horse trainer by the name of Chris Waller. Apparently Peter Vela is the self appointed head of this advisory panel. So not only is NZTR run by an Old Boys Club system where OWNERS, TRAINERS or JOCKEYS have no voice at the code bodies Board table (Members Council saw to that) .. but here we’ve got a near duplication of self appointees to the NZ TAB/ENTAIN advisory system which will link in closely with RACING MINISTER Winston Peters who is already on their payroll. Where does “democracy” become part of the equation?????  Or is it just another self serving FIEFDOM????"

 

Well he's not far wrong , the large majority in racing already feel completely disenfranchised , all this does is reinforce that narrative .

Perhaps whenever Peters says I have my experts informing me this has been his go to team all along .

[Pete Lane]

A number of people objected to him calling Sir Peter a fisherman.

[We're Doomed]

59 minutes ago, Pete Lane said:

A number of people objected to him calling Sir Peter a fisherman.

Many people would consider fishing a more reputable occupation than horseracing.

Did he get his sirship through fishing or racing?