As part of a recent meeting of the National Council, the recently appointed HRNZ Chair Phil Holden and Vice-Chair Cam Bray, asked to present their vision for the future of the Board and the Industry.

Have you got an R35 to R50 pacer that you’d relish the idea of lining up in a $10K penalty free race with only 10 competitors? Well, next week, you get that opportunity.

There has to be questions about the value of the recent Sapere reports that were commissioned to investigate the viability of racecourses in Southland and Canterbury. I have no idea of the costs involved, but judging by the results to date, on the face of it, they appear to be too high.

It was disappointing to see the timing of the Christchurch edition of this event (9.30am), particularly from the point of view of horse trainers. On enquiring from the TAB, I found that this situation was brought about by the late planning due to having to wait for the Ministerial approval,