2020 election: Judith Collins’ horse loses but hopes National’s racing policy is a winner

Judith Collins’ horse lost in the races; thankfully, it was only a $ 5 bet. However, by her own chance of winning in two weeks, the National leader has a little more to lose.

Standing at a Hawke’s Bay racetrack, Collins was asked what he thought his odds were for the Oct. 17 election.

“You know what? I think they’re better than if I wasn’t here at the racetrack,” he said with a raised eyebrow.

“Four to one or better?” A man in the crowd joked.

“I’d say it has to be.”

Collins was at the Spring Racing Carnival to announce National’s racing pledges of $ 1.6 billion.

The policy does not promise the sector any funding windfalls, but promises to investigate the feasibility of tax breaks for blood, support improvements to the racing infrastructure and the return of Trackside Radio.

Collins said they weren’t offering money to the sector because they hadn’t asked for it.

“What you see here are business people who are not begging, they are actually asking for help and that is what we are doing.”

If elected, National has committed to making NZQA’s career-aligned qualifications clearer, including careers on its accelerated Primary Sector Visa, and implementing the Career Industry Act to ensure “appointments are made. Appropriate “on the boards of directors of TAB NZ and Racing NZ.

The industry would also benefit from the repeal of the Resource Management Law.

National’s policy does not mention animal welfare, and Collins said that was because he was not concerned.

“The reason why is not [a concern] It is because I know that horse owners and breeders and trainers really take care of their animals. It is very important to remember that without these animals in optimal condition, there are no races.

“I wonder, some people who don’t understand racing, how could they think that. I’ve seen people working with horses, they love their horses. They are not going to put their horses at risk.”

Earlier in the day, one of the tips they gave him was to support a horse called “Blue on Black.”

“Do you know what is really important?” Collins replied.

“It is not to be cynical and also to remember that I come from Matamata, which is one of the places in the heart of racing.”

New Zealand First has a large fan base in the industry, thanks to Career Minister Winston Peters, who recently secured $ 72 million in funding.

Peters later called National’s policy “incredible” and said Collins’ team “needs to get out of their way. [arses] and stop making yourself look stupid. “

“We passed the Racing Act, we revived racing and you complained when we got skilled workers for the ‘all-weather tracks,’ now you want to do the same,” he said.

Collins spent the day in Hawke’s Bay and visited Napier Farmers Markets in the morning, where he bought a seedless sourdough bar, some cheese, and lots of photos with supporters.

The women driving the dumpling food truck were disappointed that Collins was not a customer, so the national leader had to explain that he would have been pleased if it weren’t for the threat that a photo of her eating would end up in the press. .

In chatting with several locals, Collins said he was about to hit the races “and have a little fun.”

At the racetrack, he said that $ 5 was all he needed to get a bit of excitement, although he always ended up wanting to bet more every time his horse entered.

“When is my horse race?” he asked after announcing the policy.

His agriculture spokesman replied: “In two weeks.”