Bloke

Malcolm Gillies is not what you would call a "pie in the sky" developer. He is very successful. He has however, done well out of the Wellington Racing Club/ Race having previously purchased a large block of residential land on a deferred settlement which enabled him to build and sell properties then repay the WRC/Race for the land.

Lol. I see it as dishonest, Honest John

And you call yourself "Honest John"

General admission was free on Saturday, and you would not call that a large crowd. The Women's Football at Eden Park attracted probably 4 times as many. NZ's Racing's most costly day after having to subsidise one of NZ's richest by $650k. It will be interesting this Saturday to see how many turn up at Trentham with $50 general admission.

In a few years the WRC will follow Auckland who this year is providing free general admission for The Auckland Cup. Auckland has done a marginally better job in chasing away the general punter than Wellington thanks to their star CEO Weaver who was supported by his right-hand man, The Fat Butcher. They were followed by "Boy George" who was of the same ilk. However, after this year's Cup Day those few remaining soles should finally realise that they are being crapped on.

Yes, and from memory the charge then was $10, and it is now $20 still attracting huge crowds to rock up.

General Admission for the Auckland Cup is free. They are paying the price for stuffing up the racing calendar by moving The Cup to March and having a CEO at the time tell punters that they can piss off as they only want to sell booze. This has resulted in very few being interested in Cup Day, so entry is free now as the try to attract back a crowd.

For my sins I am a member of the Wellington Racing Club

I did not attend but I saw Wayne Guppy, The President, on Trackside. I have been to Trentham on small days and there has always been a Security Guard on the Committee Members Car Park. It basically sums them up.

Even though there was a miniscule attendance at Trentham, I can assure you that they would have had minimum, twenty security guards on course and that would have included a security guard posted to the Committee Members Car Park.

The CEO has to meet the agenda of the Members' Council and Reefton does not meet that agenda. He also is a man of integrity so would stand up to the Old Boys Network. Oh no they would not like that.

Tauherenikau charge $20 entry fee for 18 years and over and they flock there including myself. Another massive crowd on 2 January. They have a camping ground which was very full the night before the races and I counted 35 marquees set up at the back of the bird cage on race day.

Sorry Joe but I will remind you that you said, "mustn't speak ill of the dead" and then you did!

Hey Joe, you said in an earlier post "Mustn't speak ill of the dead" yet you are. Come on, give it a break.

Very sad, Sir Patrick was true Racing Royalty. A great man who has left a massive legacy.

I have not seen the financial accounts but if they are holding account holder funds in a bank account that should show on the balance sheet as both as an asset (account holder funds held in bank account) and as a liability (account holder funds) so therefore should have no impact on the equity. However, given that it is the TAB anything is possible.

Given the appalling record of the Warriors on and off the field since he commenced there, he should be given the "don't come Monday"

It was made even better because the sound system was stuffed, we could not hear the few races that were run. Shit, why let the race commentary get in the way of a good piss up. When they did call off the races it took some time to register because the announcement was inaudible. I was in the Phar Lap Room and decided to party on but the queue to the bar took me 20 minutes to get to front of. The answer is less Tote staff and more Cow Bell! Ugh I mean more bar staff. 😁

Gee I cannot recall Tauranga getting many dry Tracks in recent years. I guess it's called The Bay Of Plenty because they get plenty of rain and sun and I have enjoyed many great holidays at the Mount. However, luck does not appear to be on their side on race days

I agree that the problem is wider but if you need to cut costs you pick on the low-lying fruit which Karaka Millions is one. Will it happen? No, I do not think so because The Members Council select the Board and therefore set the agenda. Then look at the make-up of the Members Council and see who has a conflict of interest and who is part of The Old Boys Network. We need to go back to democracy and let rank and file clubs have some say in these appointments. Bit of course that is not going to happen either.

The Karaka Millions Sweepstake is run by a rich lister. He should simply be told "it is your business, you pay". After all, NZB raves on each year about how successful the sales are.

I recall watching Titch win The Kumara Gold Nuggets prior to going onto win the Auckland Cup

Well look where the Tories were at the last election. Crusher who was hated by most was the leader, after Bill English and Simple Simon was sent packing then Muller fell off his perch. We had some MP down your way pulling out his dick taking a photo and sending it to young women. We had a former President passing on confidential medical info to some MP who put it out in the public domain. Then there was the sex fend who stood for a seat the North Shore, the rent a crowd, Crusher picking on the fatties. Gee no wonder the Tories got a right old spanking at the polls.

Reefton if PM me, I may be able to help. I organise every year a group of around 20 for Cup Day. We book a BYO area where we can take in a good quantity of alcohol although that is not what the day is about. We start with brunch in the cafe across the road from the track. We than have lunch delivered and after the races we roll out Chatham Islands crayfish and salads rolls etc. and party until 8pm when a curfew is enforced.

Yes they get 1% of turnover and a small share of profits from betting on the sport