john legend 744 Report post Posted May 23, 2019 As per usual , I disagree with closing otaki track for harness racing. Mary Coleman and the team have put in a lot of effort over many years . Its not my level of expertise (nothing is )but galloping people like to blame a few days of harness racing for their track being badly affected for months after. So want to stop racing at many venues . Our experts feel they dont want to pay the rental anyway and prefer it stays at harness tracks eg. palmerston north which is laudible but the downside would be low interest from Kapiti region(growing rapidly)and for Otaki and south sponsors not much return at Palmerston north. Also HRNZ will be reducing meetings at manawatu so the addition of kapiti(otaki) will not be a real increase. (smoke and mirrors) . Lets not destroy the interest in huge parts of New Zealand which in turn does nothing for betting figures. And the Accountants wonder why its happening.? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tim vince 985 Report post Posted May 23, 2019 U right Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
eljay 1,720 Report post Posted May 23, 2019 Wonder if they looked for an alternative grass track? Is Foxton still going? Similarly Levin? Woodville? To me, going to an all weather track defeats the whole purpose. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tim vince 985 Report post Posted May 23, 2019 I think the main point John made was once it's gone it's gone.another region where trotting is forgotten. john legend 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
eljay 1,720 Report post Posted May 24, 2019 Hawkes Bay a prime example john legend 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
john legend 744 Report post Posted May 24, 2019 There was a grand plan back in the 90s to purchase land on the kapiti coast for a new racing centre for all 3 codes. What great vision alas nothing eventuated and costs to build a state of the art complex now prob 3 times as much. offset by sale of Trentham etc. A facility with function rooms ,cafes, TAB poss Gaming room etc. Wow what a great vision but of course without visionaries nothing happened and probably never will.!! Iwonder if Winston could utilise the regional fund for the investigation at least.Around the country we have adapted buildings .many 100 years old for current requirements . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...