A call for the three racing codes to form a single industry body has been criticised by greyhound and harness racing representatives who say it will lead to the rationalisation of venues.
A racing industry task force, which has the support of New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing and the New Zealand Racing Board, has found the industry could save $11 million a year if a single industry body was formed.
If the three codes - thoroughbred racing, greyhounds and harness racing - adopted a shared services model they could save $7 million a year in costs, and a "one industry" approach could save a further $4 million a year, the One Racing: Industry Task Force Report, released yesterday, said.
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing chairman Guy Sargent, of Palmerston North, said the task force was borne out of a governance review of "our archaic structure" more than a year ago.
While the task force did not involve the New Zealand Greyhound Racing Association or Harness Racing New Zealand it did have "several independents" including Kerry Hoggard and Kevin Hickman, Sargent said.
Other members of the taskforce are Michael Stiassny, Andrew Brown, Sir Patrick Hogan, Bill Gianotti, Alistair Sutherland and Sargent.
The task force findings, which had the unanimous support of the NZTR board, would be debated at the annual meeting on January 22.
There would need to be unanimous support from all thoroughbred clubs before it was discussed with other codes, he said.
"I don't see how people could vote against it."
Sargent said the findings of the task force was not about codes, but about improving an industry which was united by its ownership of the TAB.
He cited Gallop South as an example of what the industry could achieve if it looked at reviewing its structure.
"They have been a real success and we think we can do something similar nationally."
Sargent dismissed concerns smaller clubs would disappear, or that thoroughbred racing was intent on taking over the other codes.
The findings had been discussed with Racing Minister John Carter who "was very supportive", Sargent said.
However, the report was described as "simplistic and inaccurate" by Harness Racing New Zealand chairman Pat O'Brien, of Blenheim, who feared it would lead to the rationalisation of clubs.
O'Brien, who was informed about the report only last week, said it was unlikely rugby, rugby league or football would ever unite to be one code, "so why would we?"Both harness racing and greyhounds had increased in popularity in recent years, and this latest move was a possible attempt by thoroughbred racing for control of the industry and to "close venues".
"I am certain venue rationalisation is behind it."
New Zealand Greyhound Racing Association chairman John McArthur, of Wanganui, said while he supported a shared services model, he rejected a "one industry" approach.
"I think this would be the death knell for our industry. This is just a desperate attempt to wrest back control from the up-and-coming codes."
Gallop South chief executive Andre Klein said while he was not opposed to the sharing of administration duties he would be opposed to any rationalisation.
