RITA: We won’t know just how black the forecast is until a date is set for a restart

The Racing Industry Transition Agency says it should be able to quantify the impact of COVID-19 in the coming weeks when it gets a clearer picture of when domestic racing can restart.

In a statement released today RITA says it is in discussion with the Government to demonstrate it can operate safely and play its part in minimising the transmission of COVID-19.

It is finalising a draft calendar for May, June and July which will be released after Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern reveals at 4pm on Monday whether the country will move out of lockdown on Wednesday.

The calendar is intended to reflect the restrictions applicable under alert levels 3 and 2, as they are currently understood, while also reflecting the requirement for suitable training and trialling before any race meetings are held. The closing date for feedback is April 28.

The RITA dates committee intends to release a revised draft calendar for the 2020-21 season in mid-May.

In the meantime RITA says the continuation of Australian racing is offsetting, to some extent, the 80% drop in betting content.

A total of 42,000 people bet on Australian racing last week, up 50% on pre-COVID levels, although the number of active accounts was down 25%.

Just 8000 people bet on sports, a decrease of 75%, half of the week’s total turnover on table tennis, followed by tennis and E-sport.

RITA says it expects that all TAB branches and offices will remain shut under alert level 3, and it is working with the Government to confirm conditions for an appropriate and responsible resumption to racing.

Any resumption will be supported with return to racing rules and protocols which will be issued by each of the three codes as soon as possible.

RITA says it is continuing to take steps to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on its financial position by reducing operating and capital expenditure, reviewing various commercial arrangements and identifying efficiencies.

Actions taken

It listed specific actions taken to date as:

Pre alert level 4 (March 22)

• A total recruitment freeze and a hold on RITA’s contract with its recruitment partner was put in place

• On-course presenters started working from the studio

• The use of non-essential contractors and casuals ceased

• Staff travel and payment of certain discretionary allowances were stopped (including overtime)

• All non-essential expenditure was stopped

• Presenter-led Trackside shows were cancelled

• Trackside radio moved to simulcast Trackside television

Post alert level 4 (March 23 to current)

• More than 3400 leave days were approved for the period through to the end of 2020 following a request for all TAB employees to use entitled annual or alternative leave

• All staff were asked to consider taking voluntary unpaid leave or reduce their hours

• Reductions were made in the remuneration for the RITA board, executive chair and executive management team

• Trackside radio programming on AM and FM was suspended on April 12

• Trackside production was scaled down with programming largely replaced with a live feed of Sky Australia coverage

• Active negotiations began with landlords, suppliers and other services to secure relief or amended conditions

• All non-essential capital expenditure was put on hold through to June 30, 2020 (at the earliest)

• The Government’s wage subsidy programme was accessed.

$4 million paid to 595 RITA employees

Revealing figures obtained today of Government COVID-19 subsidies paid to the racing industry include:

• $4,075,087 paid to 595 employees of RITA
• $476,947 paid to 92 employees of the Racing Integrity Unit.
• $93,859 paid to 21 employees of the Judicial Control Authority
• $278,354 paid to 40 employees of New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing
• $154,651 paid to 22 employees of Harness Racing New Zealand
• $112,473 paid to 16 employees of the New Zealand Greyhound Racing Association.

RITA executive chair Dean McKenzie … encouraged by the steps being taken by all industry bodies.RITA’s executive chair Dean McKenzie said he was encouraged by the significant steps being taken by all industry bodies, with the codes, Racing Integrity Unit, Judicial Control Authority and the Racing Laboratory all reducing their operational expenditures.

Other clubs and trainers who have claimed include:

NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club, 101, $582,657

Auckland Racing Club, 80, $542,560

Te Akau Stud, 62, $421,687

Marsh Racing Cambridge, 37, $251,606

Canterbury Jockey Club, 41, $242,940

RACE Inc., 33, $206,510

Pike Racing, 27, $189,799

Graeme Rogerson, 25, $172,910

Auckland Trotting Club, 47, $150,000

Cambridge Raceway, 27, $138,866

Christchurch Greyhound Racing, 21, $122,155

Cambridge Jockey Club, 16, $109,644

Wexford Stables, 15, $99,784

Robert Dunn Harness, 13, $91,384

Michael & Diane Pitman, 13, $80,066

Wanganui Greyhound Racing, 16, $78,518

Auckland Greyhound Racing, 15, $71,488

Otago Racing Club, 12, $67,377

Barry Purdon Racing, 9, $60,436

Lincoln Farms Bloodstock, 8, $56,236

Waikato Racing Club, 7, $46,377

Kentuckiana Lodge, 7, $46,377

Wellington Racing Club, 6, $39,348

Gore Harness Racing Club, 9, $37,800

Palmerston North Greyhound Racing, 8, $36,429

Forbury Park Trotting Club, 4, $28,117

* The higher numbers at Addington and Ellerslie reflect staff running non raceday function centres.