Some Australian harness racing administrators would have to qualify for the most short sighted people on the planet.

With the reductions in breeding numbers on both sides of the Tasman, each countries remaining participants rely on the common market between the two countries to try to survive in the hostile environment which harness racing has become in Australasia.

So in a short sighted move to try to supposedly help their own breeding industry, the Australian authorities imposed levy on all imported horses from New Zealand. The aim was to encourage Australian breeders to breed and support the local product.

The reality was it didn't do anything for the Australian breeder with no great increase in breeding numbers and it has devastated the market for low priced horses being imported into Australia from New Zealand.

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