Foxton Race Course Meeting to Determine if Racing Returns

[Phar Lap Fan 104]

We shouldn't lose sight of the fact of declining attendances at race meetings. Consider the parallel in sports such as cricket and rugby. How many people will watch a club game, a provincial game and an international? There is not the population to maintain 55 racecourses now, let alone regular racing and even more so when it is an 'industry day'. Few people want to watch the lower levels in any sport. Smaller clubs do well on a few meetings each year because there have only a few meetings a year. 

However, who has the will to close small clubs and, if they own their courses, can make it happen, if only to the benefit of larger clubs? Less racing but of a better quality should appeal but that requires some innovation which doesn't seem to be present in current administration. Harness racing did well with Harness Jewels. Where is the equivalent in galloping?