Cracking country racing raises questions: George Simon
George Simon • November 24th, 2025 3:48 PM • 4 min read
I got quite a bit of feedback from last week's column regarding Country racing.
I mentioned the fantastic day at Waipukurau last Sunday with the big on course crowd and, blessed with favourable weather conditions, the wonderful atmosphere trackside.
I questioned whether NZ Racing could afford to lose that Country vibe.
Apparently, there was discussion over my perceived change of stance regarding the Messara Report and country racing.
I supported one of the main tenets of the oft quoted Messara Report, specifically regarding centralisation.
It made sense to me that NZ Racing took its "product" to where the people were, possibly to the detriment of some of our country venues.
Last time I looked it wasn't a crime to change your mind.
The scenes at Waipukurau unequivocally showed there is still a place for so called Country racing.
In my travels I've seen racing at a number of country venues throughout NZ, some of which have already been closed.
Gisborne, Wairoa, Dargaville, Paeroa and Te Teko readily spring to mind.
Others are still going and so they should.
The famous West Coast South Island circuit in early January is the obvious example and having been to the last two of them, I hope they continue forever.
The traditional West Coast hospitality more than compensates for, how do I say this, the unique racing facilities.
So where am I going with this?
Full disclosure, I'm on the Racing Te Aroha Committee and have been for a couple of years.
Racing Te Aroha had a pretty successful inaugural NZ Jumps Carnival in September.
We unashamedly promoted the two day event extolling the country racing theme.
And it worked.
We had Jumping enthusiasts from throughout Australasia in attendance.
From a first up effort perspective, we were delighted with the support from sponsors, the Jumping fraternity and those who were there.
With news filtering through last week that the Awapuni racetrack will again undergo further renovations, it does raise an interesting possibility.
Racing Te Aroha's flagship race, the Group One NZ Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes, was relocated to Pukekohe and Ellerslie for the past two years.
For 2026, the race was added to Manawatu Sires Produce Day at Awapuni.
With Awapuni now out of action, could the NZ Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes come back home to Te Aroha?
Or are Group One races solely the domain of the chosen few?
