The Whales to get active.....

[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.

[Chief Stipe]

16 minutes ago, Murray Fish said:

“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.”

want to provide advice on the best way forward for the industry

From a breeder or owner or punter perspective? 

I've always wondered where these guys were when our racetracks were heading downhill? 

Did they offer any advice about the Iconic redevelopment of the Ellerslie track? 

Will they "advise" that stakes at the top end are raised further? 

Shouldn't this "powerful" group provide advice to NZTR and HRNZ rather than trying to tell ENTAIN how to suck eggs when it comes to generating wagering revenue?

[Chief Stipe]

I hear Wightman aka @Transparency is on the warpath on a particular Facebook group site.  As usual is only antagonising people.  Talks about democracy when that site is hardly the epitome of it.  @Bird Cage Bill

[Freda]

17 hours ago, Chief Stipe said:

want to provide advice on the best way forward for the industry

From a breeder or owner or punter perspective? 

I've always wondered where these guys were when our racetracks were heading downhill? 

Did they offer any advice about the Iconic redevelopment of the Ellerslie track? 

Will they "advise" that stakes at the top end are raised further? 

Shouldn't this "powerful" group provide advice to NZTR and HRNZ rather than trying to tell ENTAIN how to suck eggs when it comes to generating wagering revenue?

Have to agree.

And although Chris Waller would be the only one who has any idea about the issues trainers face, I just wonder whether he has been away from the coalface a bit long from a grass roots perspective.   I have enormous respect for what he has achieved,  hopefully he can still have some valid input.  As for the others....not doubting their motives,  or generosity in giving their time pro-bono...but more breeding influence?  Really?

[Huey]

Breeders advising the TAB , are they not happy with the TAB racing Clubs purchases?

It all wrecks of more racing nepotism , you can be sure there isn't a single person who has an ounce of empathy for the grass roots in the sport in NZ, the very essence of the sport that needs revitalising. 

Increasing foal crops , coming from this lot . wow just wow!

[Chief Stipe]

Will there be full transparency of their discussions?

Going by the not so subtle changes in Thoroughbred racemeeting days and times I think there is a power play to canibalise Harness.  This unbalanced committee will push that agenda harder.

There will also be discussions over what happens to the revenue generated by Greyhounds in the next 12 months and then what is generated from overseas Greyhound racing.  No doubt they will be lobbying to get their hands on the biggest share of that dosh.

[jess]

"Advisory committee to the TAB"

Interesting that with all the big noises in the various arms of the industry, who presumably get together and work stuff out - that it's believed we need a new entity to advise.   

"Vela, Waller, Lindsay, Chittick ... (et al)"

Interesting members.  Who chose them?  Plenty of champagne but not a lot of grass roots there - or understanding, connection with or support for small owners/breeders.  Sometimes in TB racing, the gene-pool feels like it's shrinking & sphere of influence feels like existing in a cartel & a money-go-round (with fewer & fewer "horses" circling on that carousel). 

But I acknowledge I'm seeing it through my lens - and the good & the great may have worked out that the whole industry would be better off without the minnows..

[jess]

"Whales to get Active"

Well they're certainly big - but are they whales? - or are they sharks .... 

[westbrew]

This is just more of Winston's bullshit, wake up and smell the roses next year the TAB/Entain will be competing against 15 Licensed online Casinos, these casinos will be advertising and providing incentives to sign up like there is no tomorrow, and what do this list of people know about competing in that landscape, absolutely nothing.    

[Chief Stipe]

28 minutes ago, westbrew said:

This is just more of Winston's bullshit, wake up and smell the roses next year the TAB/Entain will be competing against 15 Licensed online Casinos, these casinos will be advertising and providing incentives to sign up like there is no tomorrow, and what do this list of people know about competing in that landscape, absolutely nothing.    

"Those people" don't know but ENTAIN do.

[The Centaur]

53 minutes ago, westbrew said:

This is just more of Winston's bullshit, wake up and smell the roses next year the TAB/Entain will be competing against 15 Licensed online Casinos, these casinos will be advertising and providing incentives to sign up like there is no tomorrow, and what do this list of people know about competing in that landscape, absolutely nothing.    

Good point.

This group have had plenty opportunity to make an impact with any good ideas they may have had. OK they have been successful in their business but much of the skill has been in employing the right people. Perhaps they can bring onboard that skill but as for new ideas very remote.

Look at iconic outfits such as Apple, Google, Facebook etc all those were started basically from garages or bedrooms. The whales of the time like IBM, Xerox, ICL etc although possessing the assets like technology and knowledge failed grasp the opportunities. Even Microsoft once fully established was slow grasping the future of the internet and gave startups an opening.

Good ideas can come from anywhere but I feel they have already been drained from this group.

[curious]

1 hour ago, westbrew said:

 the TAB/Entain will be competing against 15 Licensed online Casinos,   

Where did you get that?

[Chief Stipe]

39 minutes ago, The Centaur said:

OK they have been successful in their business but much of the skill has been in employing the right people. Perhaps they can bring onboard that skill but as for new ideas very remote.

Do you think their influence on NZTR has been positive?

Is this new committee saying that the Staff and Board of TABNZ are not doing a good job?  If they need advice have the wrong people been employed?

https://www.tabnz.org/about-us

These people were paid a total of $2.5m last year.

TABNZ Leadership Team

Nick Roberts
Chief Executive Officer

Jason Fleming
General Manager - Commercial and Finance

Niall Miller
General Manager Gaming

Heather Hay
Head of Legal and Regulatory

The TABNZ Board
William (Bill) Birnie CNZM
Chairperson

Wendie Harvey
Director

Hon. David Bennett
Director

Tim Gillespie
Director
 
Bill Moran MNZM
Director
 
Kereyn Smith CNZM
Director

 

 

[curious]

The weird thing about the above is that the Minister appoints the TABNZ board. Why would he then think they need an advisory group in order to do their jobs? Doesn't make any sense to me at all.

[Huey]

4 hours ago, The Centaur said:

Good point.

This group have had plenty opportunity to make an impact with any good ideas they may have had. OK they have been successful in their business but much of the skill has been in employing the right people. Perhaps they can bring onboard that skill but as for new ideas very remote.

Look at iconic outfits such as Apple, Google, Facebook etc all those were started basically from garages or bedrooms. The whales of the time like IBM, Xerox, ICL etc although possessing the assets like technology and knowledge failed grasp the opportunities. Even Microsoft once fully established was slow grasping the future of the internet and gave startups an opening.

Good ideas can come from anywhere but I feel they have already been drained from this group.

Well this will about sum up their ideas:

-Selling existing racecourses & consolidate or merge into mega venues 

- more top end races

- incentives for breeding tied through monopoly sales house

- pump $$ into Ellerslie & the Waikato

That'll be about it , completely useless!

[Freda]

18 hours ago, jess said:

"Advisory committee to the TAB"

Interesting that with all the big noises in the various arms of the industry, who presumably get together and work stuff out - that it's believed we need a new entity to advise.   

"Vela, Waller, Lindsay, Chittick ... (et al)"

Interesting members.  Who chose them?  Plenty of champagne but not a lot of grass roots there - or understanding, connection with or support for small owners/breeders.  Sometimes in TB racing, the gene-pool feels like it's shrinking & sphere of influence feels like existing in a cartel & a money-go-round (with fewer & fewer "horses" circling on that carousel). 

But I acknowledge I'm seeing it through my lens - and the good & the great may have worked out that the whole industry would be better off without the minnows..

Yes,  Jess,  I fear you might be right.   I just hope that the boy from Foxton hasn't completely forgotten his origin.

[Huey]

23 hours ago, jess said:

"Advisory committee to the TAB"

Interesting that with all the big noises in the various arms of the industry, who presumably get together and work stuff out - that it's believed we need a new entity to advise.   

"Vela, Waller, Lindsay, Chittick ... (et al)"

Interesting members.  Who chose them?  Plenty of champagne but not a lot of grass roots there - or understanding, connection with or support for small owners/breeders.  Sometimes in TB racing, the gene-pool feels like it's shrinking & sphere of influence feels like existing in a cartel & a money-go-round (with fewer & fewer "horses" circling on that carousel). 

But I acknowledge I'm seeing it through my lens - and the good & the great may have worked out that the whole industry would be better off without the minnows..

They despise the grassroots thats why, the trainer who picks up a cheap one and has a go. It's all being designed to exclude , most are too dumb to see it.

[Muzza]

1 hour ago, Huey said:

They despise the grassroots thats why, the trainer who picks up a cheap one and has a go. It's all being designed to exclude , most are too dumb to see it.

Correct

[Muzza]

17 hours ago, Huey said:

Well this will about sum up their ideas:

-Selling existing racecourses & consolidate or merge into mega venues 

- more top end races

- incentives for breeding tied through monopoly sales house

- pump $$ into Ellerslie & the Waikato

That'll be about it , completely useless!

Correct

[Chief Stipe]

There is no doubt that those on the committee will be driven by their particular self-interest in racing.  Don't forget most large breeders also race a number of their progeny.

So the issue really is will the interests of ALL stakeholders be considered.  The committee may then argue that they are working in the interests of racing therefore everyone benefits.  Which is a valid argument.

As I said above I suspect their main objective is to increase the pie for Thoroughbreds at the expense of Harness and of course Greyhounds (the latter still have a season to go by the way).  

My interpretation of the legislation though is that such a Committee deals with TABNZ not directly with ENTAIN.  That said I always thought that the TABNZ and its Board as an organisation was a bit of a lame duck in reality although legislated not to be.

[Chief Stipe]

I've always felt that the new Racing Act's management structure was its weakest part.