Murray Fish

Racing heavyweights to have greater role in its direction By Michael Guerin Sir Peter Vela will chair a new high-powered advisory committee on the future of the racing industry. Photo / Trish Dunell Some of New Zealand racing’s biggest players and a very special expat have joined together to help steer the future of the industry. New Zealand Bloodstock owner and internationally-renowned breeder and owner Sir Peter Vela will chair a new advisory committee to TAB NZ – the regulatory arm of the national betting agency – which works alongside Entain, the company charged with running the day-to-day operations of the TAB and its associate brand Betcha. With the enormous firepower assembled on the advisory committee, their influence looks set to be felt throughout the industry at a crucial stage in its history. The committee was the idea of Racing Minister Winston Peters and TAB NZ chairman Bill Birnie, so it seems certain to have the minister’s ear, as it includes many of the most powerful people in the industry. Vela is joined by Cambridge Stud owner Brendan Lindsay, Waikato Stud boss Mark Chittick, big-time investor and breeder Greg Tomlinson, Ken Breckon, who owns giant harness racing operation Breckon Farms, and in a huge coup, champion expat trainer Chris Waller. Waller lives in Sydney but took time out from a hectic week of sales and racing in Queensland to fly to New Zealand for the advisory committee’s first meeting in Auckland on Wednesday night. The committee is set to have at least one member added with both business expertise and detailed knowledge of the harness racing industry, to ensure the code is further represented. The group would be one of the most high-powered assembled in New Zealand racing history, with all having hugely successful business careers, many outside horse racing before all became enormous investors in the racing industry. The coming-together of the big six, soon to become big seven, comes at a time when New Zealand racing has made enormous advancements in the two years since Entain took over the running of the TAB, injecting expertise and much-needed investment into the struggling industry. Stakes have risen significantly and Entain has been able to grow turnover – but big questions remain around infrastructure and key drivers to ensure the growth continues. Among the most important issues will be tracks, particularly in thoroughbred racing, which continues to be plagued by abandonments, cancellations or unsatisfactory results after track renovations. They are proving enormously costly and are undercutting TAB/Entain’s forecasts as they can’t make money on race meetings that are cancelled. Another crucial factor in maximising turnover is the racing calendar, ensuring the most attractive product ends up in front of punters on the days they want to bet most. While both TAB NZ and Entain have input into that calendar, it is the codes that control and maintain the tracks and other infrastructure. Other key issues the committee will advise on include the breeding industry and how to stimulate the number of foals being bred in both codes, as more horses means bigger fields, which has a direct correlation to future turnover. Vela says although the industry has made enormous improvements since the TAB/Entain deal started, the advisory committee wants to ensure the best pathway forward, setting up the industry for long-term sustainability. Crucially, that includes when the five years of guaranteed returns under the TAB/Entain deal end and the codes have to be judged on their results and ability to implement key turnover drivers. “We have all been tremendously heartened by what has been achieved in the last two years and want to provide advice on the best way forward for the industry,” says Vela. “There are so many factors that go into making the racing industry sustainable, maximising its turnover and ensuring the momentum keeps going. “It was very encouraging having so much knowledge and expertise in that meeting on Wednesday and we hope we can help the minister, TAB NZ, Entain and the codes.” There will be no fees paid to the seven members of the advisory committee, all working pro bono for the future good of the industry. Birnie and TAB NZ chief executive Nick Roberts say the advisory committee will report back to their organisation in the first instance and recommendations can be passed on to the Racing Minister, Entain or the codes, or in some cases all three. “It is amazing to see so many of the industry’s genuine leaders wanting to give back their knowledge,” says Birnie. “To see Chris Waller fly in for 18 hours on Wednesday night to lend his knowledge is quite humbling when you think how busy he would be this week.”
 The formation of the advisory committee will also calm some of those who, while thrilled by racing’s renaissance, worry about its future sustainability as racing faces many of the same changes worldwide.

By Bren O'Brien - May 29, 2025 Will Tabcorp’s renewed focus on retail deliver the wagering revival it is hoping for? Bren O’Brien dives into how it intends to reinvent the in-venue betting experience. Tabcorp chief executive Gillon McLachlan has revealed ambitious plans to reinvigorate the wagering firm's retail footprint. (Photo: Tabcorp) If Tabcorp chief executive Gillon McLachlan needed a reminder of the importance of retail, he would have got it while he was exchanging pleasantries and making introductions at the Magic Millions sales grounds in January. He may have been in thoroughbred industry heartland, but he was also in the ‘House of Gerry’, witnessing first-hand how the most influential Australian retailer of the last 50 years goes about his business. Gerry Harvey and Katie Page made Harvey Norman and a swag of other retail brands, commercial juggernauts. They may not have founded Magic Millions, but under their expert eye it has developed into a retail bloodstock powerhouse, a clear rival to Inglis as the biggest player in the industry. A bit like Tabcorp, while rivals have domination in the online space, faith in bricks and mortar has stayed the journey, be it selling TVs or selling horses. An old, unsourced quote from Harvey points to why this approach has worked. “Most people will not try anything new: their minds are not open to new ideas. But a retailer must be constantly looking for new ideas and trends,” he said. Tabcorp has been described as many things over the years - a wagering and media behemoth, a gaming services company, a now-divorced lottery outfit, but it has been a long time since its future has been seen as retail. Retail became a millstone around its neck during the pandemic. In an era of lockdowns, brick-and-mortar was a liability and retail returns slumped 27.9 per cent, and fell behind digital for the first time in 2020. As wagering boomed post-pandemic, retail, which Tabcorp has a near nationwide monopoly over, continued to decline. It also endured competition in that space from the likes of Entain, who looked to establish a quasi-retail offering through venue sponsorship. As cash no longer became king, and online betting exploded, the value of having a location where you could physically gamble diminished greatly. But as McLachlan took the reins last August, there seemed to be a glimmer of hope in the retail landscape. Amid a broadly disastrous 2023/24 annual report, which confirmed a loss of $1.36 billion, there was news that retail had grown for the first time in four years. “I see significant value in our unique retail business. People are back in the pubs,” McLachlan said in his AGM address last October. ”Cash betting outperformed digital in FY24 and I'm working closely with the team to continue to leverage our retail footprint.” McLachlan has spent much of the past six months formulating Tabcorp's new approach to retail. He has brought in Jarrod Villani as chief commercial officer and Michael Fitzsimons as chief wagering officer to spearhead that strategy. To seriously move the market in retail, an area which Tabcorp has a massive foothold through over 9000 venues, McLachlan also needs the hotels, which host so many of these venues, on his side. Gerry Harvey - Master Of The Trade As the Australian Financial Review reported this week, much like an old-style retailer would walk the floor, the Tabcorp CEO and his team have been working Australian Hotels Association (AHA) functions, selling their dream for a new era of wagering retail. The first signs of new innovation in this space came earlier this month when McLachlan announced that Tabcorp was trialling in app, in play sports betting at a handful of venues. In the words of one insider “Tabcorp was tired of punters sitting in TAB-sponsored venues and betting on blue and red apps and not with the green app.” Access to live, in-play betting via an app would give them a reason to bet through TAB. It was a small but significant play. And the strongest sign in a while that Tabcorp was willing to back in its product, and innovate, rather than just talk about it. Tabcorp uncertainty persists as NSW government drags heels on funding review Then followed the story, also broken in the AFR, that Tabcorp was proposing to change up the commercial and customer retail experience. It would offer venues the carrot of a revamped experience, with spending on fit-outs and greater generosities for customers, with the stick of cutting the commissions it pays for putting betting infrastructure in such as EBTs and machines. “This investment will make pubs and clubs busier and is at the heart of our business,” McLachlan told the AFR. “We will be injecting unprecedented levels of promotions and new initiatives into our retail network over the next 12 months as we aim to revitalise our retail offering.” Think less of the dingy agency or pub-tab experience of old, and more the Apple store with bonus bets. The AHA is worried that this may negatively impact smaller venues, particularly those in the regions. The deal would end commissions for 1300 pubs, which fall below a turnover threshold. Some would be exempt due to their remote nature, but there would be no incentive for others to continue. National significance – Why a single tote matters so much for Tabcorp and Gillon McLachlan This initiative may result in fewer retail venues, but Tabcorp is betting on growing the engagement in its bigger outlets. Thursday to Sunday is being targeted as the window for greatest engagement, with Saturday afternoons tagged as ‘Tabtime’ incentivising retail participation. The better a venue performs, the more Tabcorp will support them. Tabcorp doesn’t envisage the return of cash-first betting, but instead a new generation betting in app through venue mode and being rewarded for doing so. It gives them the best opportunity to leverage their major advantage over their rivals and turn bricks and mortar into dollars and cents. While McLachlan insists “people are back in the pubs”, for this strategy to really work, it will involve a change of behaviour. It is still fundamentally easier, cheaper and better experience to be on the couch at home, particularly when it comes to racing. It will also involve considerable co-operation from the venues. Something is far from a given when you consider that there is risk in this approach for them. As AHA’s Stephen Ferguson pointed out this week in a meeting. “The venues that currently earn probably about $8320 or something like that will go to zero overnight in an FY26 in NSW,” Ferguson said. “They’re going to have to keep paying $4500 for their terminal so ... those pubs will be $4500 in the red.” Perhaps McLachlan and his team could lean back on some further advice from Harvey, offered to journalist Malcom Knox a couple of years ago. Invest trust in those who know how to run a retail business rather than assume your approach is better. “You can’t build a big business if you’re untrusting. I know people who were better at their retail operations than me, and who were successful, but because I trust people and delegate, I could open more stores and make more money. It’s no different in the horse business,” he said.

Participant Information Statement Research study; Personality, Mental Health, and Recreational Behaviors Mr. Dennyson Veloso (Responsible Researcher) School of Psychology, Faculty of Science dennyson.veloso@sydney.edu.au 1. What is this study about? We are conducting a research study about the relationship between mental health, personality traits and recreational behaviors. Taking part in this study is voluntary. Please read this sheet carefully and ask questions about anything you do not understand or want to know more about. 2. Who is running this study? The study is being carried out by the following researchers: Dr Rachel Menzies, Lecturer, School of Psychology, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney Associate Professor Ilan Dar-Nimrod, School of Psychology, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney Mr Dennyson Veloso, PhD candidate, School of Psychology, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney Dennyson Veloso is conducting this study as part of his Doctor of Philosophy (Psychology) degree at the University of Sydney. 3. Who can take part in the study? We are seeking participants who frequently engage in recreational behaviors (e.g., drinking alcohol or gambling), as this is the area of interest for the study. Additionally, we are recruiting participants from the following countries: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, and the United States of America. We are recruiting only from these locations as participation in the behaviors of interest is most frequent and most visible in these regions. Furthermore, we are selecting these locations due to their high level of English fluency, which is required as the study will involve reading and responding to a series of psychological measures. You have been invited to take part in this study because you report that you frequently engage with one of the behaviours of interest (in this case, gambling). 4. What will the study involve for me? If you decide to take part in this study, you will be asked to respond to a series of questionnaires related to mental health, personality traits, and your engagement with recreational behaviours. You will also be asked to respond to demographic questions about yourself. It is expected that the total time commitment to the study is approximately 30 minutes. 5. Can I withdraw once I have started? Being in this study is completely voluntary and you do not have to take part. Your decision will not affect your current or future relationship with the researchers or anyone else at The University of Sydney. If you decide to start the study and then change your mind, you can withdraw by closing the tab housing the Qualtrics survey in your browser. Please note that withdrawal prior to full completion of the study will result in eligibility to enter the prize draw. By submitting your survey, you consent to take part in the study. You can withdraw any time before you submit however once your responses are submitted, they cannot be withdrawn. This is because responses are anonymous, so we will not be able to tell which one is yours. If you decide to withdraw, we will stop collecting information from you. Any information that we have already collected will be kept in our study records and may be included in the study results. As stated above, since all submitted responses are anonymous, we will not be able to tell which result is yours for withdrawal. 6. Are there any risks or costs? Minor inconvenience may be incurred because of giving up your time to participate in the study. Some of the questionnaire items discussed contain potentially sensitive topics (e.g., mental health, attitudes to life and death). It is possible that some of the questionnaire items may result in brief negative emotions or distress to some people. If any of the questions make you feel uncomfortable or distressed, you are free to withdraw at any point. While we do not expect the study to cause significant negative emotions, should you wish to seek psychological support, please contact: If in Australia, Lifeline: 13 11 14 (mobile) If in Canada, Crisis Hotline: 9-8-8 (text or call) If in New Zealand, Lifeline: 0800 543 354 (0800 LIFELINE) or free text 4357 (HELP) If in the United Kingdom, Samaritans: 116 123 (mobile) If in the United States, Crisis Text Life: Text HOME at 741741 or National Crisis Lifeline: 988 7. Are there any benefits? The benefit of you participating in this study is that you will be eligible to receive 1 of 3 Visa gift cards. Upon completion of the study, you will receive a link to a separate Qualtrics form where you will be able to enter your contact details to be eligible for the draw. Please note that only one submission of your survey responses and entry to the prize draw will be allowed. Detection of multiple entries will result in your submission being void. Please note that you are free to decide that you no longer want to complete the study at any point. Should you wish to close your web browser before completing the study, you will not be eligible to enter the prize draw. 8. What will happen to information that is collected? During the study, your responses will be stored electronically in a password-protected file on a secure computer. Only the researcher will have access to this data. Data will be retained in perpetuity and may be used in future research projects conducted by the researchers of the present study, or other researchers. However, you will not be individually identifiable in these publications. Your information will be stored securely, and your identity will be kept strictly confidential, except as required by law. By providing your consent, you are agreeing to us collecting personal information about you for the purposes of this research study. Your information will only be used for the purposes outlined in this Participant Information Statement, unless you consent otherwise. We plan to publish the study findings. You will not be individually identifiable in these publications. 9. Will I be told the results of the study? You have the right to receive feedback about the overall results of this study. If you would like to receive overall feedback about the study, please tick the relevant box in the consent form (i.e., "I consent to: Receiving Feedback"), and provide a contactable e-mail address. By providing your contact details through this consent form, your e-mail address will not be linked to your survey responses or data in any way. This feedback will be in the form of a one-page summary of the main findings. You will receive this feedback upon conclusion of the study. 10. What if I would like more information? After you have read this information sheet, the following researcher(s) are available to discuss with you and answer any questions you might have: Mr Dennyson Veloso, e-mail: dennyson.veloso@sydney.edu.au 11. What if I have a complaint or any concerns? The ethical aspects of this study have been approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) of The University of Sydney [ethics reference: 2024/HE001378] according to the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research. If you are concerned about the way this study is being conducted or you wish to make a complaint to someone independent from the study, please contact the University: Human Ethics Manager human.ethics@sydney.edu.au +61 2 8627 8176 This information sheet is for you to keep

personally, I have turned of notifications from blackbook... heading to the spelling paddock for winter... only watch a race if a mate has a ownership interest! like today!

https://www.girlsgetracing.co.nz/?utm_medium=paid&utm_source=fb&utm_id=120225095399750710&utm_content=120225456563380710&utm_term=120225456563390710&utm_campaign=120225095399750710&fbclid=IwY2xjawKhsztleHRuA2FlbQEwAGFkaWQBqyB-vqkW1mJyaWQRMWlJTzRrVXdvMUJBanpnNUIBHqtkm-2TtfDDSijDIy8D2wJkraJF75EVSiZpLxD6kDBsaiWLmU7nRJkKEiWk_aem_p94PFTG4RXRLEbREbmPFgw

I was on course, It didn't take long for them to make their runs over where the official car were driven. I asked one trainer after they had a win how they would describe the track, Not sure they said! they are running slow times on it.

Any idea of the person who has been running it recently? My fb post resonated with many... "peace our brother" Jamie Searle I hope the lesson I shared with ya when you got your new camera were of help! : Jamie Seymour Searle passed away on Thursday 22 May. RIP

I know of one who did! and Did ride a winner! A free picture of the jockey to the first winner!

I have some interesting chats while on course the other day! Not big fans of Head Office as such, that M fella a strong NO! Will attempt to put some photos up, absolute crap as a track to take photos with strong low sun shining from the inside of the track, but what a History place! Great photos on the walls from the 1920's It be Freehold to I believe? What it be worth?

nope

How many at work at Riverton?

...the long historical drift to urbanisation, negating a relationship with the horse is one long term force at play. Economically, over the last 40 years, the disposable economics of more than 50% of nz'ers has Decreased! racing ability to captor its % has Shrunk on a massive scale.. its rather sickly if you graphed it! S.A, all that means, that for many at the coalface, it continues to be a ever grind...

Not sure, Ascot Park presented well the other day! One of the D bros was keen to tell me how they had gone and brought some land with profits from them previously sell some of their land off!

true story, I snapped a shot of the decaying "1st" which was above the winning return to scale slot! It had been slowly decaying... I discreetly slipped a cop of to a committee member, who did put in some effort to upgrade!

The historical background of racing, always very hierarchical. Trainers and Jockeys, they have always come to the table "cap in hand", still do! In the modern era, it's hard to be telling the owner positive things and then going public with 'doom and gloom'... I admire some of the young trainers in the South who are trying hard to make a living Training. It would make for interesting reading to see trainers tax returns, will NZ get like NSW and start asking for that sort of thing! Top of tree have been the rich owners (who mostly know the costs of playing with the Horses, just don't tell the Mrs...) along with the Leadership quorum in the Big Clubs! Often the same players! The secretary of those Clubs, counted the cash and then poured plenty into the 'members troughs' on any race day. I happened to catch the end of it at the once mighty Trentham! It was more about the size of the troughs! and who got to get their noses into them! that what was important, there were always horses to race on the track being presented! Jockey safety! slips, all part of racing. "let the tracks take care of themselves.." and they have!

Add in the reality of the % of disposable income available in the community that race get$! track that stat over the last 50 years! Don't mention the aging punter problem, the other day, I sat down with a senior racing person from there, showing him some people photos I took at a meeting of his club 10 years ago, I think there were 35 people shots, 23 now dead...

Winnie is just a lap dog to his financial backers... always has been, always will be!

use to have a 'waiting list' of 3000+ in the 70's

the strapper was ?

I bet a few 'heavy' jockeys would loved to have access to this sort of technology? :

well spotted

the one who jumped into the shot late! was the person to the right! not sure of his name

@TAB For Ever you rose tinted glasses take on this? please compare and contrast with NZ data of similar ilk. I have people beating their feet to my door to become involved! all keen to do due diligence before do so, where do I direct them!

who can you name? whom raced a multi G1 Filly? how many of the horse shoes can you name? a few champions to be seen!