karrotsishere Posted December 8, 2021 Share Posted December 8, 2021 Well Im surprised no-one has commented on any of these 3 articles. Think the situation is quite serious & its current affairs and of public interest. @Happy Sunrise @Rusty what are you thoughts on the 3 articles? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Sunrise Posted December 8, 2021 Share Posted December 8, 2021 3 hours ago, karrotsishere said: Well Im surprised no-one has commented on any of these 3 articles. Think the situation is quite serious & its current affairs and of public interest. @Happy Sunrise @Rusty what are you thoughts on the 3 articles? Auckland is screwed. Just not sure of the timeframe of the demise. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karrotsishere Posted December 8, 2021 Share Posted December 8, 2021 50 minutes ago, Happy Sunrise said: Auckland is screwed. Just not sure of the timeframe of the demise. Agree. Twas thinking based off these articles for approx past decade they seem to have been living in Disneyland. Are they still is the key question? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty Posted December 8, 2021 Share Posted December 8, 2021 7 hours ago, karrotsishere said: Well Im surprised no-one has commented on any of these 3 articles. Think the situation is quite serious & its current affairs and of public interest. @Happy Sunrise @Rusty what are you thoughts on the 3 articles? 4 hours ago, Happy Sunrise said: Auckland is screwed. Just not sure of the timeframe of the demise. Yes. Exactly what Happy said. They're farked. I can't remember if it was Auckland, or Cambridge... think it was Auckland... where they had this young hip dude with a funny haircut, running the show. The writing was on the wall then from that point on lol 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karrotsishere Posted December 8, 2021 Share Posted December 8, 2021 7 hours ago, Rusty said: Yes. Exactly what Happy said. They're farked. I can't remember if it was Auckland, or Cambridge... think it was Auckland... where they had this young hip dude with a funny haircut, running the show. The writing was on the wall then from that point on lol Haha re haircut, can't be Cambridge, as don't think the person who runs the place has or had a weird haircut. Also Cambridge Club are mostly very ontoit with exception of Jewels, event running IMO lol. But other than that very forward thinking, progressive & brilliant marketing etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karrotsishere Posted December 11, 2021 Share Posted December 11, 2021 Latest interesting article on ATC & the development. Covers all the mistakes & probs along the way. Remember I heard that they were advised when they asked about the land the Maori iwi advised them against building on it. Heard this was due to bones or something underground, as well as they said not good to build on. As per this article they encounted problems. Just as they were told they would. From the outset Canam encountered problems with the foundations. Unstable volcanic rock forced the club’s engineers Engenium to fill cavernous holes with concrete and to use piles instead of concrete bases under each column of steel, at an extra cost of more than $5 million, putting the build a year behind schedule. https://harnesslink.com/new-zealand/who-got-what-in-atc-v-canam-building-dispute-finally-revealed/ Also this bit too, which is fair & yes they should be raising fact that there were 2 or 3 folk that spoke out advising them against it & approx 6 voted against. Lets not forget that I was told by a member whom voted against, whom said they were laughed at at meeting for voting against. Fears expressed at original meeting Members at next week’s meeting are sure to remind the ATC board of the fears expressed about the numerous pitfalls of property development at the original special general meeting in November, 2014 when it was announced the club would run the project itself, rather than take a smaller guaranteed profit by paying someone else to build the apartments. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karrotsishere Posted December 12, 2021 Share Posted December 12, 2021 These ATC articles are coming out non-stop. The latest. Liking the noise made by former president Terry Quinn. https://harnesslink.com/new-zealand/members-unaware-atc-had-already-signed-exclusive-agreement-on-land-sale/ The Auckland Trotting Club was in such dire financial strife it was secretly negotiating to sell its land on Green Lane Rd more than three months before it sought approval from its harness racing members. When the ATC’s board put a motion to the annual general meeting on October 21, 2020, authorising it and a three-man committee to sell the land, none of the members knew that just one day earlier the club’s CEO Mauro Barsi had signed an agreement which gave exclusive rights to Sydney finance company Gleneagle Securities. The agreement included not only a $50 million price, but such specifics as the size and timing of progressive payments, which would continue until June, 2023, the demolition of the Epsom stand, landscaping and roading. A clause in the term sheet, stipulating that the ATC was barred from dealing with any other party for 90 days subsequently incensed one of the three committee members appointed, former club president Terry Quinn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karrotsishere Posted February 2, 2022 Share Posted February 2, 2022 On 12/8/2021 at 3:13 PM, karrotsishere said: Well Im surprised no-one has commented on any of these 3 articles. Think the situation is quite serious & its current affairs and of public interest. @Happy Sunrise @Rusty what are you thoughts on the 3 articles? On 12/8/2021 at 6:23 PM, Happy Sunrise said: Auckland is screwed. Just not sure of the timeframe of the demise. Sheez think I predicted in or within 5 years the North would fall def within 10 years. Looks like its going to be before then. Very sad. But a reality. https://www.lincolnfarms.co.nz/stories/cut-in-friday-nights-death-knell-for-auckland-and-disillusioned-street-to-cut-back-on-buying/ Cut in Friday nights death knell for Auckland and disillusioned Street to cut back on buying By B Lichter • 1 February 2022 Bean counters at the TAB have sounded the death knell for harness racing in the North Island by drafting only 19 Friday night meetings at Auckland next season. And unless TAB NZ can be convinced to change its strategy when final submissions are taken on February 25, leading players are warning it will lead to a drop in stakes, fewer racegoers, sponsors pulling out, fewer people buying horses, more difficulty in syndicating them and eventually the complete collapse of the industry in the north. The Auckland Trotting Club received overwhelming support in rallying against the proposed new dates when it called a meeting last month of key stakeholders who agreed the reduction in Friday night meetings will impact directly on their livelihoods. In the draft set of dates, the Auckland Trotting Club, which once ran 44 Friday night meetings, will be cut back to 19 Fridays with a further 11 on Thursdays, one on a Saturday (New Year’s Eve) and one on a Sunday night. Under the Racing Act 2020, the TAB is responsible for maximising the wagering return and that includes setting the calendar - a task previously controlled by Harness Racing New Zealand - though it must first consult the codes. And the new dates reflect the TAB’s blinkered approach in allocating the best dates to clubs whose higher turnovers generate the most income for the industry. With smaller fields in the north, and hence lower gross betting revenue, more of the lucrative Friday dates have gone to Addington where fields are on average 20% bigger. Auckland Trotting Club vice president Jamie MacKinnon says his club understands the importance of domestic turnover as it drives the allocation of funding. “But adherence to this as a driver for the development of the racing calendar will put at risk the entire eco system that sustains racing in the north.” MacKinnon has met with HRNZ CEO Gary Woodham and told him Alexandra Park will be closed down within five years unless the TAB’s criteria is changed. Auckland vice-president Jamie MacKinnon … “you might as well close harness racing in the north if this calendar is approved.” He says the draft calendar contradicts HRNZ’s own strategic business plan which is ‘growing, regaining relevance in the community and delivering sustainable returns to its stakeholders’. “One of HRNZ’s strategic imperatives regarding clubs and venues relates to reversing the decline in horse numbers and participation levels in the upper North Island.” MacKinnon says HRNZ should be the ones demanding a change in the calendar - “They should be acting in the best interests of harness racing throughout New Zealand, not concentrating on their own back yard in Christchurch. “We need a business analyst to look at this not someone counting numbers. They’ll take us down the wrong road. The focus should be on how can we build the business, not how someone at the TAB can get an incentive bonus for driving up turnover.” No long term thinking in bean counting Steve Stockman, the owner of the country’s biggest racing operation Stonewall Stud & Stables, says there’s no long term thinking in bean counting. “HRNZ needs to take a New Zealand wide approach and think of not just turnover but what’s good for the whole industry and what will see it grow. It’s the wrong view to do north v south number crunching - you need to consider all the different parameters.” Stonewall Stud boss Steve Stockman, who has 100 horses in training, says consistent racing on Friday nights at Auckland is essential to attract racegoers. Stockman says no-one at HRNZ has spoken to him in two years even though he has arguably the biggest operation in the country with 100 horses in training in the North and South Islands with Steve and Amanda Telfer. “Having consistent racing at Auckland on Friday nights is crucial. People need to know racing is on a Friday night so it becomes part of their DNA. “It encourages people to come. Getting people on course is substantially more difficult on Thursday nights.” With a population of 1.7 million, Auckland is uniquely placed to attract younger people who work hard during the week but party hard on Friday night. “They come along, they like it, they take a 2% share in a horse and that’s how it starts.” TAB research has found that the most important driver for people to become interested in racing is an enjoyable on-course experience. “With a minimum number of meetings at Auckland it will also become a lot harder to syndicate horses,” says Stockman. Breeders Ken and Karen Breckon, of Breckon Farms: “The last thing the industry wants is to see sponsors pulling out.” Ken Breckon, who owns Breckon Farms, one of the country’s most successful breeding operations at Ohaupo, and also syndicates horses and sponsors races, says other clubs don’t need Friday nights like Auckland. “South Island clubs can survive without Fridays but I’ll struggle to get the clientelle I’m chasing to go on a Thursday night. “And I could see some sponsors not liking it if they can’t take their staff on a Friday night. The last thing the industry wants is to see sponsors pulling out.” The Auckland club, which is fighting to recover from a big loss on its apartments project, should be getting increased support from HRNZ with more Friday nights, says Breckon. With the stats revealing North Island owners buy 65% of the yearlings who stay in the country, it was also crucial they had Friday nights at Auckland to aim for, given Thursday night stakes would drop from $15,000 to $12,000 minimums. MacKinnon says he can’t see why both Addington and Auckland can’t race on a Friday night and doesn’t go along with the argument that turnover is lower than if the clubs raced solus. “You wouldn’t ask Ellerslie to race on a Thursday or Friday instead of Saturday because Trentham and Riccarton is also on.” Turnover could easily be boosted if more attention was paid to proper previews and reviews to drive betting, and harness races were held every 15 minutes, without interruptions from turn-off overseas meetings like Busan or Funabashi or the dogs. “There’s no question we’re missing out on dollars with people channel surfing.” Middle ground MacKinnon knows Auckland won’t get back its 44 Friday meetings but believes there is some middle ground between that and what is being proposed. MacKinnon says the club can’t survive without patronage and it’s impossible to attract people on Thursdays. Being able to open restaurants and bars at Alexandra Park is crucial to generating income. “When Covid is under control and people can come back we need to be able to open the bars and restaurants. How is the club supposed to generate funds with no people?” Exposure to offshore betting would also be reduced with Australian television coverage limited on Thursdays. “Auckland is prepared to consider alternative options for the pattern of racing in Auckland. We could reduce the number of races on a programme from 10 to eight. This would increase field sizes, which in turn would increase turnover. “The draft calendar proposes 32 meetings and 312 races. If we were to gain an extra seven Friday nights and run eight races this would still equate to 312 races (39 meetings x 8). “If the calendar goes ahead as they’re proposing you might as well close harness racing in the north. “We are the gateway to the business in the North Island and one of the premier clubs in Australasia and you’ve got to preserve that. “It’s not Auckland’s fault that horse numbers are where they are.” How the turnover figures relate to industry income Figures sourced from the TAB show average non-premier meeting turnovers at Addington in the past two years have been 20-30% higher than the equivalent at Alexandra Park, which equates conservatively to an extra $150,000 to $200,000 bet. Based on those figures and the average net margin for harness racing sitting at around 14%, this is a difference of between $21,000 and $28,000 per meeting in revenue for the industry. General Manager of Broadcasting and Operations, Edward Rennell says in the last two years there has been negligible difference between meeting turnovers on a Thursday night and Friday night on a like-for-like basis (i.e. same venue, excluding premiers). For Alexandra Park, the average turnover on Thursday night meetings has actually been slightly higher (+8%) than those on Friday nights when premier meetings are removed, though this is based on a relatively small sample. * HRNZ and club representatives will meet on February 17 to finalise its wish list of changes to the draft calendar and it has until February 25 to make submissions to TAB NZ . Reducing the number of Friday nights at Alexandra Park could be the straw that breaks the camel’s back for Lincoln Farms’ boss John Street. Already worried about the way trotting is heading in Auckland, Street says he will be cutting right back on the number of yearlings he buys at the sales in two weeks. “Lincoln Farms is very disillusioned and we’re backing off and could pull out of the game completely unless they get their act together.” Street says if Auckland is to have any chance of digging its way out of a $100 million mountain of debt it must be allowed to operate on Friday nights, when the club can cater for racegoers and his partners can enjoy racing for good stakes. “I’m concerned about the club generally and definitely won’t be buying as many horses this year. Normally I’d get 10 or 12 but I might only buy three or four this year and spend a couple of hundred thousand. “I might not buy any, I don’t need any more.” The declaration must come as a chilling prod for industry chiefs given the investment Street has made in harness racing in recent years. He has topped the buyers’ list at the yearling sales in the last two years, buying 10 horses for $892,500 in 2020 and 12 for $880,500 last year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Double R Posted February 2, 2022 Share Posted February 2, 2022 The Auckland Trotting Club CEO has resigned today, and the president is stepping down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karrotsishere Posted February 2, 2022 Share Posted February 2, 2022 14 minutes ago, Double R said: The Auckland Trotting Club CEO has resigned today, and the president is stepping down. WOW thanks for that news DR. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karrotsishere Posted February 2, 2022 Share Posted February 2, 2022 https://www.lincolnfarms.co.nz/stories/sweeping-changes-at-the-helm-of-the-beleagured-auckland-trotting-club/ Major changes at the helm of the Auckland Trotting Club announced today will reposition the club for the challenges that lie ahead, says new president Jamie MacKinnon. In sweeping changes at the club, CEO Mauro Barsi has resigned after two and a half years, his position to be filled in the interim by Rod Croon, who has stood down as president but will remain a board director and become vice president. Elected director Graham Harford has also retired, but will retain his position as club lawyer, with his place at the table taken by the country’s leading trainer Robert Dunn. Independent board member Shaun Brooks, formerly of the TAB, has been reappointed. MacKinnon takes up the president’s role with the club still $100 million in debt after its disastrous apartment development and jokes there wasn’t a big queue for the position. “Its going to be a lot of work, a full time job. The club has a number of challenges, but if we bite things off in small pieces we’ll get there.” MacKinnon says Barsi goes with the blessing of the club after doing a great job during a very trying time for the club. “Mauro is looking at other things and we have come to a mutual arrangement. “A lot of trainers don’t know him and haven’t recognised his real value but he was terrific at navigating through problems with the development and the two contractors. “And he had special skills dealing with the banks. He had a magic touch at keeping people calm and letting them know we knew what we were doing and would get through it. “But our focus, apart from retiring debt, now has to be on sorting out our racing, not on property. MacKinnon says Croon’s understanding of the club, and his skills as a solution provider, would be invaluable to the club while it looked for a new CEO. But in Dunn, the ATC believes it now has someone on the board who can get racing back on track at the Park. “Robert is there to drive racing. We have a big issue with the dates and the TAB and we have to find ways of boosting stake money. “He has an intimate knowledge of the Pukekohe training centre and understands tracks and track management.” More to come Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Sunrise Posted February 2, 2022 Share Posted February 2, 2022 1 hour ago, Double R said: The Auckland Trotting Club CEO has resigned today, and the president is stepping down. Why? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Double R Posted February 2, 2022 Share Posted February 2, 2022 1 minute ago, Happy Sunrise said: Why? Hi Happy. Karrots has put the explanation above. Cheers. Robert. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purple Parsnip Posted February 2, 2022 Share Posted February 2, 2022 3 minutes ago, Happy Sunrise said: Why? Looking at other things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Sunrise Posted February 2, 2022 Share Posted February 2, 2022 Just now, Double R said: Hi Happy. Karrots has put the explanation above. Cheers. Robert. Yip, just read it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Sunrise Posted February 2, 2022 Share Posted February 2, 2022 1 minute ago, Double R said: Hi Happy. Karrots has put the explanation above. Cheers. Robert. What do you think about the situation DR? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Double R Posted February 2, 2022 Share Posted February 2, 2022 10 minutes ago, Happy Sunrise said: What do you think about the situation DR? I have been a life long racing enthusiast Happy, and to answer you, "not flash". 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Sunrise Posted February 2, 2022 Share Posted February 2, 2022 18 minutes ago, Double R said: I have been a life long racing enthusiast Happy, and to answer you, "not flash". What is the answer? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Double R Posted February 2, 2022 Share Posted February 2, 2022 3 minutes ago, Happy Sunrise said: What is the answer? I hope I am wrong, but it might be past the point of no return. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Sunrise Posted February 2, 2022 Share Posted February 2, 2022 3 hours ago, karrotsishere said: Under the Racing Act 2020, the TAB is responsible for maximising the wagering return and that includes setting the calendar - a task previously controlled by Harness Racing New Zealand - though it must first consult the codes. And the new dates reflect the TAB’s blinkered approach in allocating the best dates to clubs whose higher turnovers generate the most income for the industry. I don't see how this blinkered when the TAB are set the task of maximising the wagering return. Seems like common sense from the TAB's point of view. If HRNZ gave up the setting of the calendar then it is no surprise the TAB are going to shed the poor performing clubs. I doubt HRNZ will step in until their own reviews which are going on at the moment are finished. Funny though how the TAB get to determine race dates alone when HRNZ are doing said reviews. That is really muddled. 3 hours ago, karrotsishere said: In the draft set of dates, the Auckland Trotting Club, which once ran 44 Friday night meetings, will be cut back to 19 Fridays with a further 11 on Thursdays, one on a Saturday (New Year’s Eve) and one on a Sunday night. Seems fair considering the field sizes, turnovers and working in with Cambridge. 3 hours ago, karrotsishere said: MacKinnon has met with HRNZ CEO Gary Woodham and told him Alexandra Park will be closed down within five years unless the TAB’s criteria is changed. I look forward to a press release from Mr Woodham stating what he will do to support harness in the north and updates on the progress of their own reviews. 3 hours ago, karrotsishere said: “HRNZ needs to take a New Zealand wide approach and think of not just turnover but what’s good for the whole industry and what will see it grow. It’s the wrong view to do north v south number crunching - you need to consider all the different parameters.” HRNZ didn't do that during their covid reviews. Ask Waimate who had a very successful one day meet for their community. Ask Forbury? The ease in which they took it away in the name of the dollar was worrying. 4 hours ago, karrotsishere said: “Having consistent racing at Auckland on Friday nights is crucial. People need to know racing is on a Friday night so it becomes part of their DNA. “It encourages people to come. Getting people on course is substantially more difficult on Thursday nights.” With a population of 1.7 million, Auckland is uniquely placed to attract younger people who work hard during the week but party hard on Friday night. “They come along, they like it, they take a 2% share in a horse and that’s how it starts.” TAB research has found that the most important driver for people to become interested in racing is an enjoyable on-course experience. But racing is not about the on course experience anymore. It is not even about the TV presentation of the product. It is revenue driven. Maybe more thought should have been given to the demise of grass track racing in the north over summer and someone should have stuck up for it. It may have helped horses numbers. 4 hours ago, karrotsishere said: “And I could see some sponsors not liking it if they can’t take their staff on a Friday night. The last thing the industry wants is to see sponsors pulling out.” But that is of no concern to the TAB with their MO but it is a slippery slope. HRNZ showed no concern when they wanted to shift Geraldine TC to race at Methven. Why would local Geraldine sponsors front up with money for races an hour away? 4 hours ago, karrotsishere said: He says the draft calendar contradicts HRNZ’s own strategic business plan which is ‘growing, regaining relevance in the community and delivering sustainable returns to its stakeholders’. “One of HRNZ’s strategic imperatives regarding clubs and venues relates to reversing the decline in horse numbers and participation levels in the upper North Island.” But if you don't control something as key as the dates then what control do you have? Having a right of reply to the TAB is pretty useless. Will they listen? 4 hours ago, karrotsishere said: “You wouldn’t ask Ellerslie to race on a Thursday or Friday instead of Saturday because Trentham and Riccarton is also on.” Turnover could easily be boosted if more attention was paid to proper previews and reviews to drive betting, and harness races were held every 15 minutes, without interruptions from turn-off overseas meetings like Busan or Funabashi or the dogs. “There’s no question we’re missing out on dollars with people channel surfing.” Well, I think in harness they do. No one gave Forbury any good dates to help them survive. Methven took last week's meeting date off Geraldine and threw them the April one they didn't want. It is the in crowd looking after themselves to a certain degree. Races every 15 minutes are tricky. The gimmicky thing they had at Addington for a couple of years seems to have fizzled out. The 25 minute slots are the best by far but once Aussie racing kicks in on a Sunday they go to 35 or 40 minutes. Anybody who has ever been to a Sunday meet know people disappear when the intervals increase. I think Harness should start at 11 for day meetings and be all done before the Aussie stuff really kicks in. Busan and Keiba from Japan is the TAB looking to their MO. Nothing more despite the impact on the local racing scene. 4 hours ago, karrotsishere said: With the stats revealing North Island owners buy 65% of the yearlings who stay in the country Very concerning, or should be to the bosses. Almost a good enough reason alone to go into bat for Auckland and far north harness. It could have a big impact unless these horses are now trained in the south. 4 hours ago, karrotsishere said: “One of HRNZ’s strategic imperatives regarding clubs and venues relates to reversing the decline in horse numbers and participation levels in the upper North Island.” What have they done so far in practice? Not their vision on paper. Can anyone tell me? 4 hours ago, karrotsishere said: MacKinnon says HRNZ should be the ones demanding a change in the calendar - “They should be acting in the best interests of harness racing throughout New Zealand, not concentrating on their own back yard in Christchurch. Incoming.....Don't be negative Mr Mackinnon. Self Assured got a start the other night 👍 Happy families Part 1. 4 hours ago, karrotsishere said: Steve Stockman, the owner of the country’s biggest racing operation Stonewall Stud & Stables, says there’s no long term thinking in bean counting. “HRNZ needs to take a New Zealand wide approach and think of not just turnover but what’s good for the whole industry and what will see it grow. It’s the wrong view to do north v south number crunching - you need to consider all the different parameters.” Hello, Mr Stockman, if you have a job going I think we could do good things together. 🤣 4 hours ago, karrotsishere said: “There’s no question we’re missing out on dollars with people channel surfing.” Only when the Box Seat is on. Flicked through it today in the hope of something sensible being said but nothing on this. Just going on when the fields come out late. Wow, if that is as deep as you can get the fantasy land they live in must be paradise. 4 hours ago, karrotsishere said: “Auckland is prepared to consider alternative options for the pattern of racing in Auckland. We could reduce the number of races on a programme from 10 to eight. This would increase field sizes, which in turn would increase turnover. Should be implemented immediately. Given time to prove itself in the best interests of the industry. Only concern would be the rating bands which are pretty dodgy sometimes even now. 4 hours ago, karrotsishere said: * HRNZ and club representatives will meet on February 17 to finalise its wish list of changes to the draft calendar and it has until February 25 to make submissions to TAB NZ . 'No comment until February 17' most likely. 4 hours ago, karrotsishere said: Street says if Auckland is to have any chance of digging its way out of a $100 million mountain of debt it must be allowed to operate on Friday nights, when the club can cater for racegoers and his partners can enjoy racing for good stakes. And as if the current racing situation was not bad enough. Oh my. 4 hours ago, karrotsishere said: Street says if Auckland is to have any chance of digging its way out of a $100 million mountain of debt it must be allowed to operate on Friday nights, when the club can cater for racegoers and his partners can enjoy racing for good stakes. “I’m concerned about the club generally and definitely won’t be buying as many horses this year. Normally I’d get 10 or 12 but I might only buy three or four this year and spend a couple of hundred thousand. “I might not buy any, I don’t need any more.” Karrots, you know how you once said harness racing in the north needed a sugar daddy to look after it, well, if the likes of Street etc pull stumps it will be game over. If Breckon Farms, Stonewall Stud and Lincoln Farms are making comment then the situation is dire and could fold in minutes. 1 hour ago, karrotsishere said: But in Dunn, the ATC believes it now has someone on the board who can get racing back on track at the Park. Happy Families Part 2. How would racing be back on track when there simply are not enough horses? Any ideas? Perception could speed up the demise even quicker. Owners, trainers and sponsors are going to blinking twice over this. HRNZ really need to step up big time publicly and express their open support for racing in the north. They need to get the studs involved and take on board their ideas. Get their commitment as well for a certain length of time. ATC needs to be the guinea pig for any solutions or ideas HRNZ have for harness in general. The Race, while not everyone's cup of tea at least brings a big dollar event to Cambridge and some of the other events do too. I would say Auckland's fate lies with this below and any work done on it needs to be presented pretty soon. See bullet point 2. Will a 'review' do anything? Auckland is in trouble if HRNZ adhere to their own guidelines. See bullet point 1. All very concerning. The demise of Auckland would mean what for Cambridge? Trainers and drivers would have to migrate south like Telfer and Canterbury harness would essentially become another state of Australia I suppose. Here is another great opportunity for HRNZ bosses to front publicly and do something constructive. Fingers crossed. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karrotsishere Posted February 2, 2022 Share Posted February 2, 2022 (edited) 11 hours ago, Happy Sunrise said: Karrots, you know how you once said harness racing in the north needed a sugar daddy to look after it, well, if the likes of Street etc pull stumps it will be game over. If Breckon Farms, Stonewall Stud and Lincoln Farms are making comment then the situation is dire and could fold in minutes. That was Lightning that used the Sugar Daddy term for Harness. His suggestion. Said about in Oz they had 1 or 2. Was under a thread I started for Alex P ideas. 1 of my suggestions was a FAMILY Day for a premier meeting. With lots of fun things, entertainment for kids & adults to do in-between races. Looks they were going to do a Family Day, as on Boxseat they it was for Millions Day, but due to RED Traffic light its been postponed. Good they are trying things. Re-reading 1 of those articles the last paragraph seems like they have succumbed to Alex P going. Talking about zoning & they would request a 2-3 year lease back. I recall also saying on the Alex P ideas thread, that in this current climate 2021 at that time of writing. They are SO VERY FORTUNATE to have Alex P located where it is. Incredible really. Enjoy it while its still there. Edited February 2, 2022 by karrotsishere Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Double R Posted February 2, 2022 Share Posted February 2, 2022 2 hours ago, karrotsishere said: That was Lightning that used the Sugar Daddy term for Harness. His suggestion. Said about in Oz they had 1 or 2. Was under a thread I started for Alex P ideas. 1 of my suggestions was a FAMILY Day for a premier meeting. With lots of fun things, entertainment for kids & adults to do in-between races. Looks they were going to do a Family Day, as on Boxseat they it was for Millions Day, but due to RED Traffic light its been postponed. Good they are trying things. Re-reading 1 of those articles the last paragraph seems like they have succumbed to Alex P going. Talking about zoning & they would request a 2-3 year lease back. I recall also saying on the Alex P ideas thread, that in this current climate 2021 at that time of writing. They are SO VERY FORTUNATE to have Alex P located where it is. Incredible really. Enjoy it while its still there. Hi Karrots. Alexandra Park has traditionally had a family day at their New Years Eve meeting, with a bouncy castle, go carts etc., but was cancelled last year, because of the uncertainty of Covid 19 settings, and reprogammed, and has to cancel again for next week because of the red setting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karrotsishere Posted February 2, 2022 Share Posted February 2, 2022 16 minutes ago, Double R said: Hi Karrots. Alexandra Park has traditionally had a family day at their New Years Eve meeting, with a bouncy castle, go carts etc., but was cancelled last year, because of the uncertainty of Covid 19 settings, and reprogammed, and has to cancel again for next week because of the red setting. Hi DR Yeah know that 😄 Was meaning more & above that😄 I also mentioned that Cambridge has fun entertainment activities such as face painting, bouncing castle, Kidz kart rides, Jinga etc. I had added in some more activities to that. A fun kiddy tote, maybe a singer, dancer, walking crowd entertainers, like how they have them sometimes by Commercial Bay. Amongst other ideas. To help with the GAP between races. Was mocked by some for ideas. But that essentially was all it was just ideas/thoughts to try & help on-course turnover & on-course attendance. Figured had to try something to get & keep the people, to come & tell their friends family had a GREAT time, & come back. Could of even had a room that isn’t used to have been like an art show/gallery or just something so people can go & check out in-between races. And to do it in Summer. With the population of Auckland its a No Brainer. But anyway moving on. That was a thread in the past, AND yes its so hard with Covid. So when an opportunity opens up GOTTA take it. Just so hard to plan nowadays re Covid. Its to the point of no return now tho IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Double R Posted February 2, 2022 Share Posted February 2, 2022 13 minutes ago, karrotsishere said: Hi DR Yeah know that 😄 Was meaning more & above that😄 I also mentioned that Cambridge has fun entertainment activities such as face painting, bouncing castle, Kidz kart rides, Jinga etc. I had added in some more activities to that. A fun kiddy tote, maybe a singer, dancer, walking crowd entertainers, like how they have them sometimes by Commercial Bay. Amongst other ideas. To help with the GAP between races. Was mocked by some for ideas. But that essentially was all it was just ideas/thoughts to try & help on-course turnover & on-course attendance. Figured had to try something to get & keep the people, to come & tell their friends family had a GREAT time, & come back. Could of even had a room that isn’t used to have been like an art show/gallery or just something so people can go & check out in-between races. And to do it in Summer. With the population of Auckland its a No Brainer. But anyway moving on. That was a thread in the past, AND yes its so hard with Covid. So when an opportunity opens up GOTTA take it. Just so hard to plan nowadays re Covid. Its to the point of no return now tho IMO. They are all excellent ideas of yours to get people to the races. These days no one wants to do anything for nothing, and most activities come at a cost to the club. I know the shoe shine man at Ellerslie charges over $500 for the day. I guess, as an old racing codger, I don't need to be entertained between races, because you go to the parade ring to see the horses before they go out onto the track, and then warming up on the track, racing, and enjoying the racing atmosphere. Yes, I know life is different now, but there are very few places you can go now to see live action for free. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karrotsishere Posted February 2, 2022 Share Posted February 2, 2022 (edited) 39 minutes ago, Double R said: They are all excellent ideas of yours to get people to the races. These days no one wants to do anything for nothing, and most activities come at a cost to the club. I know the shoe shine man at Ellerslie charges over $500 for the day. I guess, as an old racing codger, I don't need to be entertained between races, because you go to the parade ring to see the horses before they go out onto the track, and then warming up on the track, racing, and enjoying the racing atmosphere. Yes, I know life is different now, but there are very few places you can go now to see live action for free. Yes & I had suggested putting a charge on the gate. Same as they do for the Jewels. And how they do the Easter Show next door. If they had enough entertainment to deem a charge people will pay. And looking for value cost effective entertainment. But anyway it was an old thread as such. Doesn't matter anymore. And yea it wasn't about attracted the usuals, it was about the general public. YES they need to be entertained in this day & age. Adds another dimension other than JUST racing. Helps to move away from away from lets get smashed mentality. Anyways over & out 😄 Edited February 2, 2022 by karrotsishere Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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