Part of the rich tradition of "Cup and Show Week" in Christchurch could be lost forever if a proposed revamp of the racing calendar goes ahead.
Plans to move the South Island's only two Group One thoroughbred races north haven't gone down well in the mainland.
That proposal is for the 2000 and 1000 Guineas group one races, to move to the North Island this November.
Over the past five years, more than 80 percent of the fields in both Guineas races at Riccarton have consisted of North Island horses.
Leading trainer Tony Pike believes it makes sense to move both races to Auckland.
"With the number of North Island horses that are running in those races, just in the next 12 months anyway it seems logical for those races to be held in the North Island," Pike told Newshub.
Canterbury Jockey Club Chief Executive disagrees, believing the loss of the two races would be a kick in the teeth for South Island racing on the back of COVID-19.
"Look I can recall a day I think when the All Blacks had 12 Aucklanders," Mills said.
"We didn't play every test match at Eden Park.
"Look I just think it takes the gloss off it and I don't know why an industry that's looking to rebuild after the catastrophe we're in at the moment, wouldn't be looking to pump its chest and go 'look we're back we're bold and big, cup week's here and showcase it in all it's glory'".
New Zealand Cup day at Riccarton is one of the glamour events' on the racing calendar, but for this year at least, it looks like logistics could overrule nostalgia.
"The last few years with that Karaka Million race in place, there have been some tough decisions around getting to Christchurch or staying in the north to target the Karaka Million mile," Mills said.
A final decision on the proposal is expected to be made in July.
