fasthorse 57 Report post Posted April 6, 2014 Looks a great move , 28 sections which will clear their debt and provide money for track development, it seems the kick up the rear end the govt gave to the AK council is paying dividends. The club has applied to the council to be declared a special housing area which has been made possible under the accord signed by the Govt and the AK council , a map of the area shows this surplus land really is surplus and will not be missed by racing. The special housing classification will allow the development to start almost immediately. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scotch Thistle 133 Report post Posted April 7, 2014 Good news, they'll be selling the sections at bubble prices. Their track has provided excellent racing surfaces since the resumption, so it is to be hoped that "track development" doesn't jeopardise this. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ohokaman 5,839 Report post Posted April 7, 2014 A sensible move. Ellerslie have done it successfully and Alexandra Park have sold, and even more sensibly, leased some of their land. 28 sites should give them a decent return given Auckland prices. Let's hope they use it wisely. Al Feilding 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Centrofold 147 Report post Posted April 7, 2014 I hope they take a leaf out of Ellerslie's book and build a decent public stand. Also, Ellerslie did not sell it's land off for ticky tacky boxes. They sold some land off for a couple of businesses which does not give the course a "trashed look". Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ohokaman 5,839 Report post Posted April 7, 2014 I hope they take a leaf out of Ellerslie's book and build a decent public stand. Also, Ellerslie did not sell it's land off for ticky tacky boxes. They sold some land off for a couple of businesses which does not give the course a "trashed look". And plenty of houses too Jane, judging by those large edifices down the back straight.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
STRAIGHT STRIKE 37 Report post Posted April 7, 2014 And give them 3/5 years and they will be in exactly same place as they have been in the past 20 /30 years ......slowly going down the gurgler, give it another 10 years and it will all be housing. In Aust. the State Govt wouldn't let this happen to a Metropolitan track , in NZ they don't give a toss, fancy a rapidly growing city the size of Auckland having only one racecourse and the 2nd one continuing to struggle and having to continually sell land to stay afloat.....total B/S to the max. . racingsouthdude 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
biff 2,158 Report post Posted April 7, 2014 Dont know so much SS. Adelaide is about same size, sacked Cheltenham and Vic Park. Now they make do with Morphetville inner and outer tracks. A little jigging and Ellerslie would be a super centre for equine presentation. Maybe a tapeta [now that will get you going]. But truly, something has to be done, you can't go on same old, same old……some innovation is needed and needed urgently. An injection of funds is needed and as tote is going nowhere, and no sign of bookies being licensed which would be a great thing and add colour at least, money has to come from somewhere. Avondale has run its race, and if you look at the Gold Coast they run almost every week there and the track is a marvel. I'm not sure where you start SS, but as sure as night follows day, you guys have to start somewhere. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
fasthorse 57 Report post Posted April 7, 2014 S S is just another doom merchant , the reality is this is important for the whole industry , Avondale has huge potential . According to the Govt we are about to have five million extra Chinese tourists visit NZ each year. Tourism NZ recons these tourists want up market shopping and entertainment not a bus ride and a stroll in the bush . The AK casino will be their first stop , that's why sky city has been given permission to expand and the pokies for a town hall deal was done. The rub off for a race course close to the casino with good facility's could have huge benefits for the whole industry. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 2Admin2 Report post Posted April 7, 2014 S S is just another doom merchant , the reality is this is important for the whole industry , Avondale has huge potential . According to the Govt we are about to have five million extra Chinese tourists visit NZ each year. Tourism NZ recons these tourists want up market shopping and entertainment not a bus ride and a stroll in the bush . The AK casino will be their first stop , that's why sky city has been given permission to expand and the pokies for a town hall deal was done. The rub off for a race course close to the casino with good facility's could have huge benefits for the whole industry. Fasthorse ....there already is a racecourse close to the Casino....Ellerslie 6.8km .....Avondale 9.9km...........um oh yeah right your home track is Otaki Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
fasthorse 57 Report post Posted April 7, 2014 Fasthorse ....there already is a racecourse close to the Casino....Ellerslie 6.8km .....Avondale 9.9km...........um oh yeah right your home track is Otaki Excellent , that's 2.5 million tourists for each track , it just gets better. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
biff 2,158 Report post Posted April 7, 2014 In theory yes, If you know Happy Valley on a Wed night it has enough atmosphere to satisfy the most discerning. Lights at Ellerslie would work better than it did at Avondale given the right promotion. Summer season like M Valley. But mainstream media need to be involved, last Sat at Rosehill there were so many spare seats in the public stand and you got a beer and a feed no probs in the public also. The members was quite full, but the real indication will always be the hoi poloi, joe public and all and no matter what spin Pearce puts on it, disappointing to see that stand with empty seats. Tourism NZ should be involved in the consultation Fasthorse, after all they were responsible for that most amazing ''100% Pure'' campaign that saw the huge surge in inbound tourism and subsequent revenue increases for everyone involved. If they see the benefits re Chinese tourists I'm sure they would contribute, but even without that demographic their input would be valuable. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 2Admin2 Report post Posted April 7, 2014 Set up Avondale as a closed training and racing system like Happy Valley or Shatin - Fasthorse can then take his educated 2 or 3 year old up there, race it in front of the Chinese investors and then sell and fly it out to Asia. Kaching Kaching. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
biff 2,158 Report post Posted April 7, 2014 Set up Avondale as a closed training and racing system like Happy Valley or Shatin - Fasthorse can then take his educated 2 or 3 year old up there, race it in front of the Chinese investors and then sell and fly it out to Asia. Kaching Kaching. Oh Yeah Baby! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
fasthorse 57 Report post Posted April 7, 2014 Good to see your catching on 2admin2, it's taken a while but your getting there. These 5 million tourists have money , they want to spend it and have a good time. That doesn't mean 5 days on a bus eating sausage rolls and looking at birds that can't fly. racingsouthdude 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hedley 1,900 Report post Posted April 7, 2014 ..there should be an Ellerslie initiative..where Butch and Brent "Coops" take Chinese punting entourages through an Ellerslie card for the day., the 'tour' being a punting~gambling experience..with the associated hospitalities that culminate in a dinner or a 'rave-on' ..computor tablets and apps for electronic debit and credit to make it slick'n'quick. (the money side of it) through contacts and affiliates, these partys of people could then be ushered in fishing trips, or goodness knows how many outdoor or indoor pursuits that NZ's full of, by other chaperones suitably qualified to do so. Chinese love to punt..if they know they're getting the good oil ..success breeds a wildfire of word.of.mouth., and hey presto...you have 'a tiger by the tail' Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rambling_Kidd 160 Report post Posted April 7, 2014 and for entertainment, halfway thru the card they could have Butch, Walker & co run 100 metres down the ellerslie straight in their underwear ........ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trump 2,741 Report post Posted April 7, 2014 Fasthorse, you are the ultimate dreamer! The 5mill Chinese ? They don't speak English you twitt! How can they place a bet ? On top of that, they pay for everything before they leave China, all meals etc and don't spend a penny! racingsouthdude 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
scooby3051 10,906 Report post Posted April 7, 2014 Good to see your catching on 2admin2, it's taken a while but your getting there. These 5 million tourists have money , they want to spend it and have a good time. That doesn't mean 5 days on a bus eating sausage rolls and looking at birds that can't fly racing is not allowed in mainland China,so most if not all the 5 million will have little or no knowledge of racing and would not want to come to NZ to learn about it... shows how little you know about China really...I think admin is onto it... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Christopher Thomson Report post Posted April 7, 2014 racing is not allowed in mainland China,so most if not all the 5 million will have little or no knowledge of racing and would not want to come to NZ to learn about it... shows how little you know about China really...I think admin is onto it... www.chinahorseclub.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
slam dunk 1,317 Report post Posted April 7, 2014 racing is not allowed in mainland China,so most if not all the 5 million will have little or no knowledge of racing and would not want to come to NZ to learn about it... shows how little you know about China really...I think admin is onto it... Investigating the the traffic from mainland to Macau that take in horse racing on top of casinos could be interesting. If there was some way to slice into that market and divert them to New Zealand could bring a travel organiser a nice earn. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
scooby3051 10,906 Report post Posted April 7, 2014 www.chinahorseclub.com They don't even have a race club... or anything like it as yet... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
fermoy 226 Report post Posted April 7, 2014 and for entertainment, halfway thru the card they could have Butch, Walker & co run 100 metres down the ellerslie straight in their underwear ........ how rediculous!!we dont want any more of those big holes to open up,especially in the home straight!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Centrofold 147 Report post Posted April 7, 2014 And plenty of houses too Jane, judging by those large edifices down the back straight.... http://web.env.auckland.ac.nz/courses/geog103/103WebAtlas/page-37%20Ellerslie%20Racecourse%20tcol063.html Are you talking about Ladies Mile and Peach Parade? They were there prior to the other businesses being set up on the course, surely?. Is the Hotel to the left of the stands new? If it is that was a smart move. Nice big space where the original public stand use to be. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 2Admin2 Report post Posted April 7, 2014 I hope they take a leaf out of Ellerslie's book and build a decent public stand. Also, Ellerslie did not sell it's land off for ticky tacky boxes. They sold some land off for a couple of businesses which does not give the course a "trashed look". Why build a new public stand for no-one to sit in? Better to spend the money on the track and horse facilities. A nice strathyr track and purpose built stables - have quality racing, increase TAB turnover, then worry about the nice to haves. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Centrofold 147 Report post Posted April 7, 2014 I would think it obvious Admin. Are you familiar with the old public stand at Ellerslie. It did not get used, which is why they pulled it down. Very few people use the public stand at Avondale - it should be bulldozed. A new one could have multi uses like the new public stand at Ellerslie. Where do you live? I live in West Auckland and one of the things that puts me off supporting Avondale is the facilities. A complete upgrade is required, if they want the Club to flourish. For those who want synthetic tracks, let those who want it pay for it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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