Sadly - yes, you're right.
I still live in hope that something can be salvaged..the whole point of the Messara land-grab concept was to realise sufficient funding to re-vamp a few specific tracks, and thus improve the racing/betting experience for the viewer and address the falling betting turnover.
He's no dummy...but, I do feel he has been poorly advised, there won't be much - if any - capital coming from any potential closures and thence no funding for improvements ; and to improve the racing experience, integrity /jockeyship must be improved, exponentially.
The RB and NZTR continue on their rampant way - if they were going to be replaced, surely they could have been prevented from spending precious funds in the meantime..? and MAC - with four members who could hardly be called 'impartial' - even Dean, who is very well respected, was on the NZTR Board that was responsible for this effing 'Draft Venue' document.
Maybe, bringing a bit of colour and atmosphere to raceday, in the form of on-course bookies..? might give some incentive to have a dollar or two on - that is, if the TAB platform hasn't turned everybody off NZ racing completely.