The spotlight has already been on the country's racing surfaces as cancelled race meetings cause money to haemorrhage out of the industry.
The frustration led New Zealand Racing Board chief executive John Allen to call for urgent action to stop repeats of last season's 34 abandoned meetings, which cost the racing industry $2.3million.
Allen's suggestion that newly built all-weather racing tracks will be a key part of stemming that flow is a call New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing chief executive Bernard Saundry is backing.
``Certainly all-weather tracks have proven around the world to work.
``From a wagering perspective and a horse welfare perspective they are an important part of winter racing.
``We have fantastic product in New Zealand with fantastic foundations.
``We need to bring those to life now and work with the racing board and codes to deliver the right outcomes and synthetic track racing is right at the middle of that.''
A inspection of the country's existing tracks - with a close eye on the drainage facilities at each course - will be an essential part of formulating a plan on new builds, Saundry said.
``The infrastructure right across the country needs to be looked at.
``That has got to be done with the racing board, NZTR and the three codes of racing, because so many of the facilities across the country are shared facilities.''
``We do need a sustainable footprint of racing training and customer facilities that sustain our horse population.''
NZTR will not have a definite plan on where new facilities will be built until it holds discussions with the greyhound and harness codes, Saundry said.
``One of the things I am talking to the [NZTR] board about is actually working with the racing boards and the codes around how do we develop out a plan.''
Consulting the thoroughbred code's clubs, which could be affected by the possible closing of tracks if new facilities were built, and hearing their thoughts on plans for new builds was another part of the process, Saundry said.
``I am sure lots of the clubs have lots of good ideas in terms of infrastructure.
``I think it's important that we get the clubs' perspective.''
Saundry is only weeks into his role after moving to New Zealand following a lengthy career in Australian racing administration.
The ex-pat Australian is quickly getting a gauge on the key issues affecting the industry.
``The priorities I have picked up from my travels are around infrastructure, around prize money, how we grow a better digital destination for our customers, growing ownership and making sure we have pathway programmes for our participants and we need a robust training and education programme. And horse welfare and integrity are the licence we have got to operate the sport.''
``Integrity is the cornerstone of everything we have got.''
