My money

[aquaman 1,352]

My money says Addingtons all weather track will surrender to the elements. Will be surprised if they last the card going on the rain where I am.

[aquaman 1,352]

Must say, the track held up well, although the worst of the rain bypassed CH CH. Whatever they have done to the track is working, well done to the latest curator. Shame it only took 18 yrs to work it out.

[Jape 344]

It is hard to believe - for me certainly but others too I'm sure - that the CGRC will have been at Addington for 20 years in October. I hope they recognise the occasion.

Where did those two decades go?

Incidentally, aquaman, do you remember a straw vote being taken at a meeting of all concerned at QEII which showed the preferred option for a move was to Riccarton, and by a considerable margin? 

The Club did make approaches to the NZ Racing Authority and the NZ Racing Board to set up at Riccarton but were rebuffed each time.

We can only wonder how that might have worked out. 

[aquaman 1,352]

Sorry about delay in response Jape, computer issues. I do remember vote well. I also remember Gordon Kingston and co wanting to go to the block of land next to QE11 where the athletes used for warming up prior to the Commonwealth games of 74. It would of resulted in a track smaller than the one at St Andrews domain. This was where the CH CH Club wanted to go. I also remember putting a motion that the Club investigate moving to Riccarton whom wanted us, or Addington. My personal preference was Riccarton. I hate to think that if the Club were not forced into investigating other venues besides the QE11 warm up track, then it would not be the Club it is today.

[Kotare_Hunter 748]

What chance is there, that one day the CH Ch Club will have its own cosy venue?

[Lowdown 299]

Very little. Manukau is the last surviving stand alone greyhound tote venue, all others share venue/facilities with the other codes. Was too much $ and effort for the NZRB/TAB to go to the botique, rural community tracks hence why through the decades they have closed. Gone are the days of seeing people standing 3-4 deep at intimate dog venues..visions of QE2 and Solway for mine. Sigh...i know this is just the story of professional sport on the whole...why come to the track when I can sit at home. But it has taken dog racing completely off the radar for a lot of communities over the last few decades.

[Joe blogs 202]

last time I was at wanganui it was stand alone when did that change 

and I have been there this week haha

[Lowdown 299]

Did you look over the back fence Blogsy..? 

[Joe blogs 202]

yep but they don't share the same facilities do they

[Dazzer 68]

I haven't been to all NZ greyhound tracks but have been to the most and Hatrick is a standout - in terms of experience, the only racecourse I've been on that has a similar leave of raceday experience is New Plymouth. 

It's a real pity that there isn't a similar type of facility in Wellington.  I went to Wenty the last time I was in Sydney on a Saturday night - compared to NZ tracks, the number of young people on course was staggering. Would love to have seen something like that in Wellington.

[bunyarra 185]

Sydney has a population around the same as the whole of NZ and Wenty is located right in the city in close proximity to Star City Casino. In the '80's Wenty had over a hundred  bookmakers now just two or three and the patronage was in the 1000's now in the low to mid 100's on a good night. 

[Happychappy 0]

16 minutes ago, bunyarra said:

Sydney has a population around the same as the whole of NZ and Wenty is located right in the city in close proximity to Star City Casino. In the '80's Wenty had over a hundred  bookmakers now just two or three and the patronage was in the 1000's now in the low to mid 100's on a good night. 

Yes & that was when Harold Park dogs were still goingWas a regular back in those days especially if I'd had a good day on the punt at the track.These days it is much easier to sit at home in comfort as we have all the convenience at our fingertips.I still go to our local meetings & there are a lot of younger ones there,especially when we have a twilight meeting.

[MrBigStuff 394]

11 hours ago, Dazzer said:

I haven't been to all NZ greyhound tracks but have been to the most and Hatrick is a standout - in terms of experience, the only racecourse I've been on that has a similar leave of raceday experience is New Plymouth. 

It's a real pity that there isn't a similar type of facility in Wellington.  I went to Wenty the last time I was in Sydney on a Saturday night - compared to NZ tracks, the number of young people on course was staggering. Would love to have seen something like that in Wellington.

Have to agree, went on a boys night to wanganui once for the Guineas meeting the next day across the back fence. Great set up...modern, well populated, good food and drink. 

Also agree with Pukekura Raceway - one of the best around for mine. Shut Stratford, Hawera and have this as the permier venue in the naki. New plymouth has the population, horse population too. Sell up Hawera, not sure about Stratford as it maybe racecourse reserve but its a shithole and pool your resources into one great venue. New Plymouth always gets good crowds on the times I've been there, Saturdays & even midweeks!

Far to many people however protecting their petty little self interests and patches. Times have changed

 

[Jape 344]

On 7/28/2017 at 9:57 AM, aquaman said:

Sorry about delay in response Jape, computer issues. I do remember vote well. I also remember Gordon Kingston and co wanting to go to the block of land next to QE11 where the athletes used for warming up prior to the Commonwealth games of 74. It would of resulted in a track smaller than the one at St Andrews domain. This was where the CH CH Club wanted to go. I also remember putting a motion that the Club investigate moving to Riccarton whom wanted us, or Addington. My personal preference was Riccarton. I hate to think that if the Club were not forced into investigating other venues besides the QE11 warm up track, then it would not be the Club it is today.

My apology likewise for a very tardy response, aquaman.

I believe it was the people who lived around that area who put the kybosh on using the land next to QEII. (Remember when it was the New Brighton race track? I used to really enjoy the meetings there}. Then it was John Alexander  of the NZRB who poured cold water all over the Riccarton idea. "There are far too many derelict race courses around NZ without introducing another one."

So Addington it was. And still is, nearly 20 years on.

I seem to remember that the CGRC initially paid $1000 per meeting to the NZ Met for the use of the facilities. Last time I was involved administratively it had risen to $1500 but am not sure if that is still the case.