Watershed Year
Like most of you, I had no idea what that word ‘watershed’ meant until I googled
it (see above), or how it came to relate to major changes in a particular
sphere. So, while I’m reluctant to use words I don’t really understand, it just
sort of fits when I look ahead and imagine how 2019 is going to shape up.
Anyone working with the tarot cards or peering into the crystal ball in
an effort to work out where harness racing, indeed the entire racing industry,
will be this time next year, faces an almost impossible task. Shortly, the
structure of the HRNZ Board will almost certainly change, hopefully for the
better, a new General Manager will jump into the hot seat, the report of the
group looking into the Messara Report will be made public, and then the real
squabbling and political chicanery will begin. Add to that the Racing Board
will likely be replaced by another entity, tax relief will be in place, if you
can believe our Racing Minister, the ever growing phenomenon that is Operation
Inca will have moved forward, although, by how much and in what direction is
anyone’s guess, and a new format for Yearling Sales will have revealed it’s
worth, or otherwise.
Of course, on a slightly smaller, yet important scale, the Handicapping
system will continue to evolve, pleasing some and upsetting others, Clubs and
their hard working bands of volunteers will battle away as they strive to hold
their own, and the TAB will sort out its’ new website….we hope.
In the meantime, horse people all over the Country will carry on plying
their trade and producing winners and also-rans, the AllStars will produce
another raft of super animals, and more time barriers will be undoubtedly be
broken.
Safety vests and helmets on, folks, it’s going to be an eventful
rollercoaster ride.
Pete Cook