The short to medium-term future of racing at Forbury Park is assured.
Its long-term future is in the hands of the southern harness racing industry and the club's management, according to Harness Racing New Zealand (HRNZ) chief executive Edward Rennell.
Rennell met Forbury Park Trotting Club officials last week, after attending the club's finals race meeting on Thursday night, to discuss the financial details of the next racing season.
While the club's immediate or long-term future was not necessarily on the agenda, it has been a talking point among industry insiders across the South Island.
Speculation that Canterbury horsemen wanted Forbury Park shut down stemmed from publicity following a meeting held by trainers to discuss handicapping procedures.
The future of Forbury Park as a racing venue was issues put to Rennell and other HRNZ representatives.
While in Dunedin, Rennell confirmed to The Otago Daily Times that HRNZ had no plans other than to foster and continue to support harness racing at the Dunedin venue.
The club's short to medium-term future of the club was assured given its improving financial position and its good field sizes, especially in the latter part of this season.
``I am a lot happier with where the club is heading,'' Rennell said.
``The club deserves a heck of a lot of credit for what they have done.''
The club had recorded consecutive deficits of more than $200,000 at its past two annual meetings, but was on track to post a much better result at the end of this financial year (July 31).
Forbury Park Trotting Club general manager Rodney Moore confirmed the club was forecasting a surplus.
That was driven by better accounting procedures and budgeting and securing better funding for major projects, he said.
``I think getting our budget clearly structured from the outset was the key.''
Moore was aware of recent industry talk about the club, but dismissed quickly dismissed
that.
``The club is not buying into that sort of talk. We are on our own course and our first priority is to get into a stronger financial position.''
The club had an important place in the harness racing landscape as it provided opportunities that some horses would not otherwise get, he said.
``Forbury Park has its own place in harness racing and we are providing a lot of opportunities for horses, trainers, drivers and owners.
``Our nominations are strong as they have ever and we are
still getting strong support from Canterbury, Otago and Southland.''
Rennell said withdrawing racing from a large population base could be bad news for punters, owners and horsemen and women.
``If Forbury Park shut down ... what about the people that are interested in racing in the region, if you have no racing in the region?
``They might sustain their interest for a while but gradually they might drift away.''
``Any time you reduce racing in a city it has to be done very carefully and reluctantly.''
The club's long-term sustainability would be driven by continued positive financial results and the support of southern horsemen and women. and owners, he said.
