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The Sun
Friday March 1, 2019
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Les Whiteside
Katrina Whiteside
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Publisher
Telephone (03) 5777 868 The Sun 18,759 copies.
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Racing Club up to the fight to keep gallops at Waterlea Continued from page 1. Marlborough Racing Club chairman John O’Brien said in a statement to the NZTR at last Thursday’s meeting that what was being proposed “would kill this club and its opportunities to continue thoroughbred racing. “The Venue Plan paints a picture of small clubs which are struggling financially, which have unsafe tracks and rundown and potentially dangerous facilities,” he says. “This is not the case in Marlborough.” John says the club has no debt, a strong working relationship with the Marlborough Harness Racing Club, with whom they share 50 percent ownership of the Waterlea Racecourse. “It has to be recognised that if NZTR were to bring an end to thoroughbred racing in Marlborough, it could inevitably mean an end to harness racing in Marlborough also.” John says while he accepted the meeting needed to continue to show it was economically viable, under the proposal there would be no thoroughbred racing north of Christchurch in the South Island. Marlborough provides an important link between horses going south to Christchurch and those boarding the ferry to travel to the North Island. “We can cater for 150 boxes at Waterlea and that becomes an important link in the chain when there are travel disruptions,” John says. “I’ve spoken with trainers who come to our meetings and say they can bring 10 horses to
Marlborough Racing Club, Sue Grainger and John O'Brien ponder how many more winners will the Marlborough Racing Club see beyond this years April meeting. Whereas Marlborough Harness Club Chairperson Petrina Shutkowski and vice chairman Mike Rangi can look forward to more winners in 2020.
our meeting and they can win a cheque or a race or two and that might be the only race a horse wins but it gives the owners a thrill. “A lot of the horses aren’t top class but it makes for competitive racing. “We have to prove that we have the community support, we don’t lose money. “We have a healthy bank balance at present. “We want to keep thoroughbred racing here for our community because it’s a fun two days out.” Harness to stay Chairperson for Marlborough Harness, Petrina Shutkowski,
says they are very supportive of the Marlborough Racing Club, they are equal partners of the property Waterlea Racecourse. Unlike the MRC, Marlborough Harness have been allocated dates for 2020 and will celebrate 100 years at their meeting in January 2020. The summer harness meeting has been popular with the local community and trainers, alot of people are still in holiday mode says Petrina. “We are positive about harness racing,” says Petrina, “with a dozen local trainers domiciled at Waterlea and the amount of local infrastructure
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including an excellent track both all weather and grass for race day and trials.” Both clubs say that the NZTR haven’t taken into consideration that Waterlea Racecourse is an independent entity where each club benefits from other income streams that NZTR are not privy to. Waterlea Racecourse benefits the community in other ways, not just horse racing. Waterlea is a support centre for all horses and the transportation of horses across Cook Strait, plus for events like the Hospice car show that attracts 5000 people says Petrina.
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