tim vince 985 Report post Posted May 29, 2015 it was quite interesting to see a quick and significant increase in membership- I wonder how many of the recruits are regular attendee's owners etc. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nslram 80 Report post Posted May 29, 2015 Ashoka who are the appointed people at ATC who are not well versed in need and nature of harness racing? Board members include Derek Balle and Barry Purdon who are current trainers and Myself who was a trainer and I continue to own and breed and all other board members own and breed harness horses. Tim I can tell you all the people I got to join ATC are people who care about the industry or are involved in the industry including my family members who own and breed horses, Zac Butcher, Tony and Suzanne Herlihy ,Sean Grayling and Luke Sullivan whose father and step father are past presidents as well as Luke himself been an owner cantab matt 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashoka 1,179 Report post Posted May 29, 2015 Nslram... Can you provide us with the background and experience of the ATC Chief Executive? It would be great if you could tell us how she came to be appointed to her current position. It may not mean much, but I hadn't heard of her until recently. I have made my predictions based on my personal experiences within the ambit of the racing industry. As I have said, I hope that all my predictions are completely wrong. Time will tell. Again, I don't see Alexandra Park being able to provide all the facilities required of a modern harness racing complex. The future belongs to those who create communities around a racing complex, such as has been done in Victoria and New South Wales. The money realised from a sale of Alexandra Park at current real estate prices could ensure that such a development happened in the right location in the top part of the North Island. However, the fact that those in control of Alexandra Park would, most likely, lose a good deal of their current influence and advantages will ensure that this never happens. I'm not saying that such an attitude is the property of those associated with Alexandra Park...it is this attitude that is current killing racing in all codes all over New Zealand. All the best. Ashoka Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nslram 80 Report post Posted May 29, 2015 Although Dom was appointed before me I know the process. A senior management recruitment agency short listed several candidates from the pool of applications and from that short list the Board selected their preference which is the process all commercial companies use and amongst other things this system eliminates any conflicts of interest. Dom has a background in commercial property development and commercial catering. You seem to have a problem relating to ATC Board and management you say based on your experiences on committees yet you can't see that ATC has a variety of harness and commercial people working to make Harness racing viable in the Northern region Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nslram 80 Report post Posted May 29, 2015 I would add you don't appear to have an idea of realistic land prices in the Northern area or you would realise the folly of your suggestion regarding purchase of land to build a new track tonkatime and cantab matt 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashoka 1,179 Report post Posted May 29, 2015 Nslram... Thank you for answering my question. You are correct, I do have concerns regarding the members of the ATC Board but that is because I have concerns regarding all the members of all the Committees and Boards of all racing clubs in all codes. I am no more concerned about the membership of the ATC Board than I am about the membership of any other similar racing industry committee or board. In all three Codes, it is the Clubs that are supposed to be dictating what happens. Is this the reality? Like hell it is. As it is not the reality, how could anyone with a working brain have confidence in the capabilities and the integrity inherent within the management structures of any club? Without doubt, there are some clubs that are well run and working hard to better the racing industry. However, overall, the club system is a disaster and, since it is the bigger clubs who, effectively, decide what is going to happen, it is the membership of the big clubs' committees and boards that concern me the most. In regard to land prices, your attitude is no surprise. Moving away from Auckland may be necessary in order for the harness industry to survive in the North, but you and your colleagues will never support anything that diminishes the benefits you derive from having things at your fingertips. All the best. Ashoka Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nslram 80 Report post Posted May 29, 2015 My attitude is because I do know land prices and what you suggest is not viable. Ask the members if they want to shift to a country area even if it was financially feasible . I guess you don't want members attending meetings similar to Melton and Menangle!! And remind of the benefits I receive because ATC is in Epsom. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnevans 71 Report post Posted May 29, 2015 What A Post. I have trained and worked for trainers and can categorically swear that neither myself or anyone I worked for doped horses that I knew of. Here you are saying that every trainer you've known does it. Poppycock. Yeah of course there are those who do it, a few actually get caught but it's not like you say. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnevans 71 Report post Posted May 29, 2015 Cantab Matt. You only confirm what I said. That it was easy to get crowds to the races in the 70s and 80s but that it's not like it now. I am saying that we still have the same type of folks even though well meaning running most clubs. I said Addington and Auckland are doing things differently to make money for stakes. But is it enough? In the 70s the NZ population was 3 million. It's now more than 4 1/2 million and yeah many Asian people of whom many like to gamble. That's a 50% population increase. So just stating there is super rugby and casinos and pokies now shouldn't be relevant. Especially considering the 50% increase in population. Why can't our industry hold it's participants numbers wise all round including race day crowds, owners, breeders and trainers? In fact why can't we look to get the numbers of participants up higher? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
scooby3051 10,869 Report post Posted May 29, 2015 what a post, on 28 May 2015 - 5:52 PM, said: Cantab matt.I think the use of performance enhancers is common. I have not come across anyone that doesn't. For example you can legally give your horse cobalt or arsenic at levels which fall below the legal threshold but will enhance your horses performance but do long term damage to their health. I could go on about the use of other drugs but will ask you a quite simple question. Why is it when record times are recorded over the longer distances there is such huge gaps between where horses finish. Ive seem umpteen examples of races in all grades on the bigger days when certain stables simply have many lengths over the opposition. Tell me why that is? Are the trainers who used to be able to keep up that poor now? You refer to the aussie dogs. Quite simply they are a good example of what im talking about. Watch them and you will see the higher the grade the more even they are with the result heavily influenced by draws and box speed. You refer to the live bait issue. They dealt with the offenders . Can you answer my question and keep a straight face? Can you prove what you say,if not do not repeat it without substantiated proof ..or go for a spell..your choice. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
what a post 811 Report post Posted May 30, 2015 Do you have any idea what you are talking about.? Do you really want me to go over who has recorded positive tests to arsenic and have you ever read the cobalt levels published in nsw. Get real and do your homework before making stupid threats. Are you the one who gave my name to someone so they could post ridiculous posts under my real name last year only to be banned for silly comments. Someone who runs this site did and ignored my complaints. Get your head out of the sand. Ban me if you like. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tim vince 985 Report post Posted May 30, 2015 I am sure some of the people who joined the atc are trotting followers but can u tell us the motivation for such a quick spike in membership- there was one wasn't there.? or was it just a coincidence- I am not a huge believer in coincidence. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nslram 80 Report post Posted May 30, 2015 I don't think 20 extra members is a Huge spike but of course it was not a coincidence with the people I have mentioned. They joined because they wanted to support me and our commercial plans to keep the club viable Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tim vince 985 Report post Posted May 31, 2015 really how many meetings has mr Sullivan been to this season and how many shares in horses does he have- I don't want to get personal that's why I questioned mr sullivans attendance not your family - and by the way how many have you been too- thought people really passionate about harness racing would be regular attendees and did all the new members pay their own membership and john u know the motivation as well as I do . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nslram 80 Report post Posted June 1, 2015 Tim since when do you have to attend race meetings or sporting events to prove you are passionate. I don't attend race meetings or sports events but I watch them all on TV in my lounge where I can have a bet, a drink and watch the viewing in peace and I love it!! And you want to question the credentials of Luke Sullivan because he became a member. His father was a past president his mother a past committee member, he applied and missed out on racing secretary when Rod Croon was president, he has been to Alexandra Park at least 10 times in the last year, he has owned horses with me since I returned from Australia in 2003 but worst of all he is a friend of mine and he believes in what we are trying to achieve at ATC. Maybe you could start a petition to get him banned!!! Ashoka I have the good grace to answer your questions but you choose to ignore mine . What benefits do I get by ATC been based at Epsom ? You clearly stated it happens so what are they?? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashoka 1,179 Report post Posted June 1, 2015 Nslram... I apologise for not replying. I thought that the answer was self-evident. This is a venue that you are familiar with and over which you have a degree of influence. This venue is closer to you than what a new, purpose-built venue is likely to be. I am going to leave it at that, at this juncture. I have seen the largesse extended to themselves by members of racing club committees and boards but have no reason to believe that the current ATC Board is of that ilk. I note your use of the "straw man" methodology in your reply to Mr Vince. I interpret Mr Vince's question to be in relation to the timing of the new memberships. If the involvement of these people is so justifiable as to be unquestionable, then one is left wondering as to why they were not already members and why they all seem to have joined at the same time. Please don't get me wrong, I wish you and your colleagues all the very best in your collective endeavours. I have owned horses that have raced at Alexandra Park and look forward to doing so again. However, I truly believe that Alexandra Park is, now, in the wrong place to facilitate the needs of harness racing and that this situation will worsen as time passes. While Alexandra Park is what we have, I wish only the very best for the place and all those involved with her. All the best. Ashoka Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nslram 80 Report post Posted June 1, 2015 I live in Clevedon so it would suit me a lot better if the track was in South Auckland but I don't go to the races anyway only to Board Meetings and as an independent Board member I'm only interested in the commercial success of the building programme and the handicapping system and when the building is finished I will be out of there!! And tell me what makes someone becoming a member justifiable? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashoka 1,179 Report post Posted June 1, 2015 Nslram... You seem to have lost your passion for the pure racing part of the harness racing business and that's a shame. You have contributed significantly and clearly have a lot more to contribute should you choose to do so. What justifies somebody becoming a member? Agreeing with me, of course...now that is self-evident... All the best. Ashoka Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toblerone 242 Report post Posted June 1, 2015 nslram.... surely you turn up to watch The Orange Agent??? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nslram 80 Report post Posted June 1, 2015 Never seen her race live but never missed watching her on TV or iPad Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
2Piper 408 Report post Posted June 21, 2015 interesting to note ,there is no recent harness racing board news posted on its website, last one was news from march 7th 2014. key aspects was lower turnover by nearly 1% with slightly more races than previous season with November and December being disappointing and Febuary /March starting to pick that back up. I think with moving Auckland Cup week to March instead of December has been a factor in this . Late November and December have become lower status meetings at Alex Park with no build up towards premier racing, therefore less interest. During March there is always build up towards premier racing with Derbies ,top 4yo races, Rowe Cup(May) etc. The other thing with no new board news posted since then there is no transparency into the objectives and performance of the Harness Racing code. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
