Messara report with Peters

Winston Peters
Winston Peters
Australian administrator John Messara delivered his highly anticipated review of the racing industry to Racing Minister Winston Peters on Tuesday.

The delivery of the document means July 31, 2018, could be marked down as a historic day for horse racing in the nation.

Messara's review is set to recommend revolutionary change that will revitalise all three racing codes.

The report is not likely to see daylight for some time, however.

Peters' office said he would review the report in the coming weeks.

The minister recently pledged the racing industry would be better off once he was able to implement the recommendations of the report.

Messara helped bring landmark change when administering racing in New South Wales.

He led reforms to increase and boost long-term revenue streams in the state when chairman of Racing New South Wales and Racing Australia.

Peters recently signalled the type of changes Messara effected in Australia would form the basis for the change he will recommend for the New Zealand racing industry. That almost certainly means the Racing Act and the structure of the New Zealand Racing Board will be in for a major shake-up.

Peters has already slammed the Racing Amendment Act tabled by National before the election, which was to make tweaks to the Act.

The report looks set to recommend the consolidation of the country's racecourses.It is also likely to recommend the building of all-weather racetracks.

Peters preference is for one to be built in Waikato, one in Manawatu and another in Christchurch.

A consultation process with racing clubs would be entered into before the location of the three tracks was confirmed, the minister's office said.

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