Chief Stipe

Crippling interest payments threaten Auckland Harness Racing harnesslink.com The ATC’s financial future was destroyed when the first two apartment complexes built at Alexandra Park encountered enormous issues and losses, the fallout from which still continues. The ATC found itself owing over $120m although that amount was almost halved by the sale of remaining land at Alexandra Park, which will now be developed by its new owners. The ATC has a contract to sell the Franklin Park Training Centre in Pukekohe for $100m, with the Chinese-based company who is buying it having already paid its $10m deposit. The remaining $90m is due for payment on November 8, just days before Cup week in Christchurch and it can’t come soon enough for the ATC. ATC president Jamie MacKinnon revealed to the Herald this week the club is paying $115,000 interest a week on its outstanding loans and when the $90m is paid and it clears its debts the ATC will have little more than $10m left. That is, sadly, its only cash uplift after selling all the property it can while still retaining Alexandra Park as a race track. Whether that affects the size or quality of the training centre the ATC is committed to building remains to be seen but the numbers make depressing reading, although without an understanding bank and some astute legal assistance the damage could have been terminal. Alexandra Park came far closer to closing than most in the industry will ever know and that would have been disastrous for harness racing in New Zealand, meaning the code wouldn’t have had a presence in New Zealand’s two biggest cities after Hutt Park near Wellington closed in 2002. With that threat seemingly behind the ATC, the future strategic battles loom larger. While the club could soon be out of debt that may not last long as it is committed to building a new training centre to replace Franklin Park. “The developer who is buying it has agreed to a two-year lease back to us so we have two years from November, all going well, to have a new training centre,” says MacKinnon. “We have looked very hard at three different places and the one that is most favoured at the moment is in Maramarua. “We also need to talk more to Harness Racing New Zealand about how much they can contribute to it because we don’t believe we should be the only club in the country who has to build a training centre to keep racing going up here. “Obviously we are looking forward to the money coming through as the interest we have been paying for a long time now is quite stifling.” The mega money stuff up aside, the ATC now faces a less important but still challenging problem of how to draw enough horses to race there almost every Friday next season. It will be aided by Cambridge having most of its meetings moved to Tuesdays but MacKinnon says for Alexandra Park to be able to fill fields it will look to programme more sprint and 2200m races. “We like holding 2700m races but we believe horses are more likely to back up the next week if they race in sprints or up to 2200m races so we will be programming more of those.” by Michael Guerin, for the NZ Herald

Sarah O'Reilly?

Is that your horse @curious ?

Have you ever spoken to Liz?

@Huey many of these finalists are up at 4am in the morning working in the industry in all weathers. Remember that when your prostate summons you to the sheltered bathroom during the night.

https://www.racingnews.co.nz/matthews-going-from-strength-to-strength/ How many 25 yr old woman jumps jockeys have led the jumps comp?

Liz is the Chief Operating Officer for GRNZ and is a Wellington Racing Club Steward. Ex-Trackside presenter. Talked to Liz last December when at the WRC races. Enthusiastic about racing and definitely not stale or male.

Hunter Durrant Te Akau foreman in Canterbury. Looked after Imperatriz in OZ. Spent 6 months working for Annabel Neasham.

Michaela works for Roger James and was Orchestral's strapper. I met Michaela at New Plymouth and I was impressed with her professionalism and passion for the industry. Actually I've met a dozen young people actively working in racing over the last year which gives me hope that things may come right. Only if we old farts make sure the over paid suits do their job.

Fake news. Never expected you to publish the truth. I understand Liz is also on the Wellington Racing Club committee.

I wouldn't like to comment on your guess other than to say you would be light on numbers. You also need to provide a number for the other meeting So the entry format is: 1. Club with the most and number; 2. The number for the second club. For example: 1. Avondale, 178. 2. 72.

I've met at least three of them and have found them to be young and passionate about the racing industry. Very encouraging for the future. So I don't see it as a joke at all.

Your arrogance knows no bounds as does your ignorance of racing.

A bit more information for you. I see they hold more race meetings than Ellerslie each year. ______________ Approximately a one hour drive from Sydney and the gateway to the magnificent Blue Mountains, the Hawkesbury is one of Australia's oldest settlements, first explored by Governor Phillip in 1789. Surrounded by wide open spaces, a backdrop of the glorious Blue Mountains and the history of a well established racing venue, Hawkesbury Race Club is the perfect location for your event. We are a NSW provincial club and hold 25 race meetings per year, with Clarendon Train Station on our doorstep and ample free parking, it is an excellent venue to enjoy. Hawkesbury Race Club can cater for your event, whether it is a conference, convention, meeting or wedding reception. We offer a 4 star Motel which includes 30 luxuriously appointed rooms. You can be assured our dedicated function team, will provide the best care and attention to your event.

The omen bet for you @TAB For Ever is in race one. Out of those 11 two year olds going around in the first on a heavy July track horse 9 Piccaderro.

Given you are in a padded cell we gather you haven't met them either.

Good fields tomorrow at Hawkesbury. Get on @TAB For Ever ! https://www.racenet.com.au/form-guide/horse-racing/hawkesbury-20240711/congratulations-eliza-shannon-mdn-plate-race-1/overview

The plot thickens. Can't be league talent.

I sense there is some politics involved with Te Aroha. However there is an irony - there was a few farmers involved.

There's a few Greyhound folk in there. Mikayla Clark and Liz Whelan. Although the latter is involved with Trentham as well. Michaela Sobieska works for Roger James and is the strapper for Orchestral.

Pray tell.

I've seen all that spin before and to be honest I bought into it once. But that ended when I bred and raced a horse that won 5 and returned a cheque everytime it raced but couldn't pay its way.

Probably dining with the TABNZ board in the Maldives.

The industry is in crisis but where's Sharrock? Or Aldridge for that matter. Can't dine on Entain shareholder funds forever.

Then why the hell move Avondale to an absolutely stuffed Pukekohe? What's worse is the dropping of two winter race dates from Ruakaka!!! One being the venue for the annual regional pub punting competition. 19 teams this year. No doubt the spin merchant @TAB For Ever can tell us why!