Archer 296 Report post Posted June 9, 2020 meomy 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blossom Lady 67 Report post Posted June 10, 2020 No , the shit hole is closed for good !!! Baz (NZ) 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Spyro 408 Report post Posted June 10, 2020 2 hours ago, Proud Magpie said: No , the shit hole is closed for good !!! Oh no it isn't, well according to e - mail from secretary. Would think long legal battles ahead and if there was a change of government ( not likely though ) all bets are of.  Midget and Huey 1 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mooseman 802 Report post Posted June 11, 2020 On 6/10/2020 at 3:57 PM, Proud Magpie said: No , the shit hole is closed for good !!! You were only born 10years ago to say that 'crap comment' My Dad took me there when the whole car park was grass. Jan and the team are trying there best to make improvements, just one snake in the place, Get behind the AJC they will give it back with great affordable hospitality. Gordy55, Midget, hedley and 1 other 2 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrBigStuff 387 Report post Posted June 11, 2020 2 hours ago, mooseman said: You were only born 10years ago to say that 'crap comment' My Dad took me there when the whole car park was grass. Jan and the team are trying there best to make improvements, just one snake in the place, Get behind the AJC they will give it back with great affordable hospitality. Shut the bloody place down...it’s awful. Nobody wants to go there...it’s the slum of the industry. Jan Skinner - move on, do what is right for the industry and not just for your own self interest. Auckland doesn’t need two galloping tracks within a stones throw of each other. Just enjoy some days at the nations premier track down the road and invest your money wisely. There’s still a place for your club, just not at your current venue. The lawyers will drain your finances as well as the industry’s funds and at this time those dollars are more important than ever so do the right thing for everyone, not just your own club. Sadly this won’t happen I dare to say and self interests will prevail like they always do in racing. Nobody will look at the bigger picture, they’d rather just look at their own little patch. barryb, army, shaneMcAlister and 1 other 3 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huey 2,037 Report post Posted June 11, 2020 11 hours ago, MrBigStuff said: Shut the bloody place down...it’s awful. Nobody wants to go there...it’s the slum of the industry. Jan Skinner - move on, do what is right for the industry and not just for your own self interest. Auckland doesn’t need two galloping tracks within a stones throw of each other. Just enjoy some days at the nations premier track down the road and invest your money wisely. There’s still a place for your club, just not at your current venue. The lawyers will drain your finances as well as the industry’s funds and at this time those dollars are more important than ever so do the right thing for everyone, not just your own club. Sadly this won’t happen I dare to say and self interests will prevail like they always do in racing. Nobody will look at the bigger picture, they’d rather just look at their own little patch. Then who do they sell up next? Te Rapa?? or maybe Matamata?? It's never ending the industry needs to sort itself out without relying on government handouts and daylight robbery. If this goes ahead it will never end, racing trying to take the easy way  out again so it can have a few more days in the sun instead of facing up to the real issues like lack of leadership,innovation and structure. Dpn't make it out like its Avondale that are holding the industry to ransom when the entire industry has been in a state of apathy for decades and let it get like this. We have leadership across the industry who are desperate for this to happen to save their jobs and way of life for a few more years when they should be facing up to reality and attempting to find a long term solution for the industry, if this happens they'll all just sit idle on their hands again for a few more years, the industry needs a sort out from top to bottom!  Insider, Mr Spyro, mooseman and 2 others 2 3 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nomates 3,455 Report post Posted June 12, 2020 12 hours ago, MrBigStuff said: Just enjoy some days at the nations premier track down the road and invest your money wisely.  1 hour ago, Huey said: 12 hours ago, MrBigStuff said: Sadly this won’t happen I dare to say and self interests will prevail like they always do in racing. Nobody will look at the bigger picture, they’d rather just look at their own little patch.  That club down the road that you mention , it wouldn't happen to be the ARC , the club that's looking at the bigger picture and not just looking after their own patch , is it ? . Oh that's right , only for nine months of the year . Just who's looking after their own patch and not looking at the bigger industry picture . Close Avondale by all means , i have no issue with it but you can't have NZ's biggest city with no racing for 3 months . So perhaps all participants need to be looking at the bigger picture . Insider 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrBigStuff 387 Report post Posted June 12, 2020 13 minutes ago, nomates said:  That club down the road that you mention , it wouldn't happen to be the ARC , the club that's looking at the bigger picture and not just looking after their own patch , is it ? . Oh that's right , only for nine months of the year . Just who's looking after their own patch and not looking at the bigger industry picture . Close Avondale by all means , i have no issue with it but you can't have NZ's biggest city with no racing for 3 months . So perhaps all participants need to be looking at the bigger picture . Exactly, I agree with you on that. No racing in the biggest city for 3 months of the year is a disgrace. When they renovated the track recently they should have gone the whole hog and put in a Strathayr surface and done it properly once and for all rather than this halfway measure called sand slitting. Didn’t I see on here or somewhere Sha Tin racing after 500mm of rain the other day....just get on with it. Ellerslie have the cash and the balance sheet to be able to do it! nomates 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nomates 3,455 Report post Posted June 12, 2020 16 minutes ago, MrBigStuff said: Exactly, I agree with you on that. No racing in the biggest city for 3 months of the year is a disgrace. When they renovated the track recently they should have gone the whole hog and put in a Strathayr surface and done it properly once and for all rather than this halfway measure called sand slitting. Didn’t I see on here or somewhere Sha Tin racing after 500mm of rain the other day....just get on with it. Ellerslie have the cash and the balance sheet to be able to do it! Thanks , they are supposedly NZ premier race club , and as you say have the cash . Build the strathayr and have racing every second Saturday at a minimum . Will they , i doubt it . Why ? . They say NZ racing should sort it's self out first , but here's a classic example why , The premier club just looks after it's own interests so why shouldn't the rest . hedley, Huey and Pam Robson 1 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nzhorseracing 55 Report post Posted June 12, 2020 People only attend Avondale when they have to work, yes the only way they get people on track is if they pay them to be there. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nomates 3,455 Report post Posted June 12, 2020 Well , well , Ellerslie now putting on a raceday on July 11 . Some common sense being applied . Now all the powers that be need to not race 3 times over 4 weeks at Awapuni , sure way to screw the track for the next few months . If they can hold trials at Otaki and Waverley then surely they can hold a race meeting . Patiti, TurnyTom and Kingshill 3 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Demophon 29 Report post Posted June 12, 2020 I was talking to a horse trainer and he doubted whether Pukekohe track will stand up to the scheduled winter racing and advised Avondale is a way better winter racing track. Mr Spyro, Huey, meomy and 2 others 5 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
100 1 1,386 Report post Posted June 12, 2020 34 minutes ago, Demophon said: I was talking to a horse trainer and he doubted whether Pukekohe track will stand up to the scheduled winter racing and advised Avondale is a way better winter racing track. Personally from a punting POV the best 2 tracks in the north are Avondale and Ruakaka.  Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
slam dunk 1,317 Report post Posted June 12, 2020 36 minutes ago, 100 1 said: Personally from a punting POV the best 2 tracks in the north are Avondale and Ruakaka. Â Have Avondale ever looked at the logistics and feasiblity of running a racemeeting straight after the Sunday markets. Lets say a 1.30pm start. Would be a tight sqeeze but could be OK. Would lead to marketing opportunities. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Varro 244 Report post Posted June 12, 2020 23 hours ago, mooseman said: You were only born 10years ago to say that 'crap comment' My Dad took me there when the whole car park was grass. Jan and the team are trying there best to make improvements, just one snake in the place, Get behind the AJC they will give it back with great affordable hospitality. jan has been on the committee for decades. what has she done ever, or her committee to improve Avondale?  great hospitality? shit pies and average hot chips? Gruff 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrBigStuff 387 Report post Posted June 12, 2020 6 minutes ago, Varro said: jan has been on the committee for decades. what has she done ever, or her committee to improve Avondale?  great hospitality? shit pies and average hot chips? Correct...she’s a dinosaur and a Labour Leftie. Been on the committee for years and done sweet FA. meomy, Gruff and Varro 3 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
meomy 971 Report post Posted June 12, 2020 21 minutes ago, Varro said: jan has been on the committee for decades. what has she done ever, or her committee to improve Avondale?  great hospitality? shit pies and average hot chips? She's dragged the place down and must go. Time for new blood, get ride of that Chris Ryan to.  They are an embarrassment and have very bad reputations. Don't ever overlook what happened and who's disgraceful behaviour caused the demise of the Friday Flash in 2004-2005 towards those who worked at the FF & their families and friends. Skinner had an appalling role in that that people need to be be aware of. She must be sent on her way. Plenty of people have lost jobs bc of Covid19 carry on who would be better suited for those jobs.  Gruff 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whyisit 227 Report post Posted June 12, 2020  From the trainers association newsletter   about the racing bill   Ian McKelvie, National MP and their Spokesperson for Racing sat on the Select Committee. He sent a letter out to racing enthusiasts earlier this week which encapsulates most of the changes to be made to the bill. We are very appreciative to Ian and all the Select Committee members who worked hard to get the required amendments through and keep the Bill on schedule. Following is Ian's letter: 9 June 2020     Dear Racing Enthusiast  As National’s Spokesperson for Racing, I thought it was important to write to you to provide an update on proposed changes to the structure of the Racing Industry.  As you will be aware, the Racing Industry Bill was introduced by the Rt. Hon. Winston Peters in December 2019 as the second stage of a restructuring the industry. It was in response to a report prepared by John Messara recommending substantial structural changes but, unfortunately, when the Bill was introduced, it bore little resemblance to the Messara recommendations.  The racing industry was naturally outraged and have been critical of the Minister for allowing this to occur. In response to this, our National members on the select committee - myself, Andrew Bayly and Tim Van de Molen - having listened to the submissions and spoken to many racing people, set to work to get the Bill into a state that we believe is what the Racing community want. We have led the reform of the Bill and have succeeded in making the following changes to the Bill:  TAB: We have amended the TAB board appointment arrangements to ensure all the Racing Codes and sports bodies have the ability to make specific nominations (based on merit) to sit on the TAB board and we have also built in an appropriate degree of accountability in setting the TAB’s Statement of Intent and reviewing its Business Plans.  Intellectual Property (IP): We have removed the proposed transfer of the IP to the TAB (it is currently owned by the Codes), a move which was heavily supported by the industry.  Racing NZ: John Messara recommended a coordinating body called Racing NZ (to represent the Codes) be established to undertake a number of roles, such as setting race meeting dates and to act as the bridge between the TAB and the Codes. The initial draft of the Bill only provided for this as an option, but the Bill now specifically incorporates this arrangement and clarifies Racing NZ’s role and responsibilities.  Sale of Surplus Race tracks. There are eight clauses in particular (clauses 19 to 27 which relate to the sale of surplus racetracks) which we were very concerned about. We have succeeded in significantly altering the arrangements by adding substantial protections for provincial courses. There is now a 3 stage process:      Decision to withdraw racing licence: this is a Code/TAB decision and occurs normally as a result of an unsafe track, poor facilities or inability to attract sufficient horses to meetings.  At a later date the Racing Code may wish to sell the land of a Racing Club and, after negotiation with the Club, vest the proceeds back with the Code. At this juncture, if there are grounds that there is significant community interest in the use of the land then the Minister must appoint an independent reviewer to assess a number of specific factors, including how the track is used by the community, whether it will remain as a training facility, the level of financial contributions to its development by the local community, ownership interests in the land, etc. Only after this can the Minister then decide whether or not it should remain in community ownership and control. There is an appeal process to the High Court.  If the race course does not meet the threshold in 2 or the Racing Club offers no resistance, the Minister must then undertake an assessment having regard for all the factors listed in 2 as well as assessing the costs of removal of the buildings; whether any payment should be made to community or other ownership interests. Again, the Minister can only then decide if the land should be sold and whether the arrangements are fair. Should a decision be taken to sell the surplus land, the Bill is clear that any sale proceeds are to be reinvested into upgrading existing or constructing new racing facilities in the same region. Again there is an appeal process to the High Court.  We believe the new arrangements provide sufficient protections where there has been (and will continue to be) strong community use of a race course but the arrangements will also allow for a proper and fair settlement of unutilised race courses over time.  We are very keen to ensure the industry thrives as a result of these changes and very much hope that the industry will continue to get the very best people involved in the leadership positions as a result of the Bill passing into Law.  Finally, the international gaming market is extraordinarily dynamic and will need to be expertly managed by the new TAB board to ensure New Zealand racing remains relevant and has a sustainable income base to ensure its future and that of the breeding Industry.  Thank you for your help and advice and we wish you all the best in the coming season.  Yours sincerely Ian McKelvie MP for Rangitikei Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leggy 4,010 Report post Posted June 13, 2020 The codes "own" the IP? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huey 2,037 Report post Posted June 13, 2020 21 hours ago, Demophon said: I was talking to a horse trainer and he doubted whether Pukekohe track will stand up to the scheduled winter racing and advised Avondale is a way better winter racing track. Don't worry AWT will solve all racings problems. Baz (NZ), nomates and Pam Robson 2 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huey 2,037 Report post Posted June 13, 2020 20 hours ago, slam dunk said: Have Avondale ever looked at the logistics and feasiblity of running a racemeeting straight after the Sunday markets. Lets say a 1.30pm start. Would be a tight sqeeze but could be OK. Would lead to marketing opportunities. They have like most clubs not in "the club" looked at plenty of options, but hit dead ends with our governing body in doing anything innovative. Â Midget 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huey 2,037 Report post Posted June 13, 2020 19 hours ago, MrBigStuff said: Correct...she’s a dinosaur and a Labour Leftie. Been on the committee for years and done sweet FA. Tell us all about what you've achieved on your local racing club committee? Midget and Archer 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wobbly 76 Report post Posted June 13, 2020 16 hours ago, Huey said: They have like most clubs not in "the club" looked at plenty of options, but hit dead ends with our governing body in doing anything innovative. Â Dont go to too much bother Huey...just your top 5 AJC initiatives please Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huey 2,037 Report post Posted June 14, 2020 3 hours ago, wobbly said: Dont go to too much bother Huey...just your top 5 AJC initiatives please Do you wobble when you read? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houlahan's Dream 520 Report post Posted June 14, 2020 On 6/12/2020 at 9:23 PM, Varro said: jan has been on the committee for decades. what has she done ever, or her committee to improve Avondale?  great hospitality? shit pies and average hot chips? Actually their chips from the back caravan are ok! Coffee cart too...serviceable.  What gets me is the public stand....like a ghetto scene from the Wire. Cannot be legal to put people in that space.. Great track though. Flat and true.  mooseman 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...