Media statement 2 October 2000
For immediate release

NZRIB pleased with racing industry agreement in
Task Forces Report

The New Zealand Racing Industry Board will carefully analyse the recommendations in the Report produced by the three Task Forces and implement some of them immediately, NZRIB Chairman Rick Bettle said today.

Mr Bettle said he was pleased with the level of agreement reached by the Task Forces and he congratulated members on their achievements.

The three Task Forces were established by Racing Minister, Hon Annette King, in June to examine the administration, funding and future development of racing. The Minister released their Report this morning.

“The Report gives the Racing Industry Board a very clear mandate for the way forward. The Board will review these recommendations and we’ll begin work on some of them straightaway,” Mr Bettle said.

“It is obvious from the Report and its recommendations that there is widespread agreement in the industry on the key points which affect racing, and how they should be managed.

“Venue classification will be abolished. It has created ill feeling in the racing industry and, with hindsight, it was a mistake.

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“A far better way to go is club-led rationalisation, on a regional basis, as we have seen recently with Capital Racing. This umbrella group, formed by the Wellington, Otaki Maori, Levin and Masterton clubs, is designed to reduce costs and benefit racing in the long-term.”

Mr Bettle said the NZRIB was currently in discussions with Southland clubs which also wanted to work together, pooling their resources to increase horse starts, attract and retain trainers and increase betting turnover.

“While the Board will consider all the recommendations in the Task Forces Report, there are areas that will require changes to the legislation and should be actioned by the new Board formed from the merger of the NZRIB and TAB,”
Mr Bettle said.

Ends

For further information, please contact
Rick Bettle
Chairman
Tel: 0-4-479 9364

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