It has been a horror start to the year, with eight thoroughbred meetings around New Zealand either partly or fully abandoned, largely due to weather-related safety issues.
Wednesday’s crisis meeting, which included representatives from NZ Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR), the Racing Integrity Unit (RIU), the NZ Trainers’ Association and the NZ Jockeys’ Association, resolved to make procedural changes to identify issues and lessen the impact of abandoned race days.
"Every lost meeting is a cost to our industry we simply can’t afford," NZTR CEO Bernard Saundry said.
"This includes the loss of stakes to owners [and also] the cost of transporting horses and wages for staff for days with little or no racing.
"Yesterday’s meeting was productive, and it was heartening to see a high level of engagement from everyone as we worked together to discuss these issues.
"It is clear that appropriate steps were being taken on the day to ensure the safety of our horses and jockeys ...
"Our objective will be to reduce the number of abandonments by 30% in the next calendar year," Mr Saundry said.
He said one way that would be achieved was by more concise planning and co-ordination between racing clubs and officials leading up to race meetings, especially race days held on seldom-used tracks.
Clubs would be given better weather information so meetings could be rescheduled in high-risk weather situations. The parties also agreed to further assess the 2018-19 dates calendar. The latest in the run of cancellations came yesterday when the popular annual Kumara Gold Nuggets race day was abandoned.
A number of Otago and Southland trainers and jockeys were set to compete at the meeting, a feature of the West Coast’s New Year circuit. Only one of the four meetings was completed, when racing was held at Omoto, Greymouth on Sunday. Wednesday’s Hokitika meeting was also cancelled due to heavy rain.
Among those trainers faced with footing the bill from a disastrous trip is Wingatui horseman Steve Tyler, who took six horses to the West Coast and none of them have raced. Mr Tyler, who has to pay for horse transport, feed, accommodation and staff, said the bill would run into thousands of dollars. The last West Coast race meeting of the summer is scheduled to be run at Reefton racecourse on Tuesday.
