hesi Posted December 19, 2018 Share Posted December 19, 2018 A bit of a silver tongue, but one thing he said on Trackside today was worth some merit When talking about the contentious sale of racecourses and assets being transferred to NZTR(which he disagreed with). He said it was preferable that clubs in regions get together and voluntarily come up with solutions, rather than being mandated. In Auckland, we have Ellerslie, Avondale and Counties. Now Avondale are never going to go along with the Messara reco, and will tie it up in court for years, so Saundy's suggestion has some merit. Why don't all 3 sell, and put into a joint new racing complex at Karaka. Close to the sales, closer to the proposed new Waikato greenfields complex and other Waikato training centres, avoids the Auckland traffic, and still close enough to the Auckland population centre to allow oncourse attendance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horseboy Posted December 19, 2018 Share Posted December 19, 2018 Because forfeiting a central Auckland race track would be madness. One of NZs fastest growing cities, biggest population, highest growing asian population (they like a punt don't they?). If you rely on Auckland public transport to bring a crowd you will be sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hesi Posted December 19, 2018 Author Share Posted December 19, 2018 Karaka is 30 minutes away At a squint, you could still call that central Auckland, everyone has cars in Auckland anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horseboy Posted December 19, 2018 Share Posted December 19, 2018 If that logic held up for patronage of events, why are they trying to get a waterfront stadium to replace Eden Park? Why not build something out at Kumeu, it's only 30mins up the NorthWestern? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hesi Posted December 19, 2018 Author Share Posted December 19, 2018 3 minutes ago, Horseboy said: If that logic held up for patronage of events, why are they trying to get a waterfront stadium to replace Eden Park? Why not build something out at Kumeu, it's only 30mins up the NorthWestern? It is also West Auckland, and that still has a huge stigma in Auckland Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Centaur Posted December 19, 2018 Share Posted December 19, 2018 29 minutes ago, hesi said: Karaka is 30 minutes away At a squint, you could still call that central Auckland, everyone has cars in Auckland anyway. Hesi you need a compass. There has been an explosion of population North of central Auckland. Many lifestyle blocks for small time owner trainers. The logical solution is cash in on Avondale and setup a track between Kumeu ond Orewa. Actually there is an ideal spot in Dairy Flat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hesi Posted December 19, 2018 Author Share Posted December 19, 2018 (edited) Have a compass TC, it gets me home every night to our lifestyle block at South Head With that option, you still have the issue of access from all the training centres in the Waikato, which you would not have at Karaka. It takes 35 min to get to Dairy Flat, via the Silverdale turn off, from central Auckland Edited December 19, 2018 by hesi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Centaur Posted December 19, 2018 Share Posted December 19, 2018 27 minutes ago, hesi said: Have a compass TC, it gets me home every night to our lifestyle block at South Head With that option, you still have the issue of access from all the training centres in the Waikato, which you would not have at Karaka. It takes 35 min to get to Dairy Flat, via the Silverdale turn off, from central Auckland I know the Avondale committee is adamant on keeping Avondale but selling off bits and pieces is hardly a solution. It means a sort of inertia "who's worried about racing we'll just sell some more land" Avondale needs to locate a piece of land. Get an option then do all the sums and guage public opinion. Somewhere between Kumeu and Helensville also ideal with a rail stop nearby. Perhaps there is no suitable location but if Avondale doesn't go looking then thats an option for the future lost. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hesi Posted December 19, 2018 Author Share Posted December 19, 2018 Was just really getting across Saundy's hope, that the 3 clubs work out a regional solution that works for the next 50 years, rather than having something forced on them, forced on Avondale to be precise Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belle Posted December 19, 2018 Share Posted December 19, 2018 Hesi your south auckland geography needs a tidy up. Last time I was there I understood Counties track was once Pukekohe and closer to those Waikato training centres you refer to! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huey Posted December 19, 2018 Share Posted December 19, 2018 So much damage done via internal local politics by organisations like NZTR etc I find it very difficult to believe there can be a consensus found easily amongst clubs with scenarios like this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hesi Posted December 19, 2018 Author Share Posted December 19, 2018 Is anyone able or willing to post an update on where Avondale stand, bearing in mind the reco in the Messara report "We recommend the sale of Avondale racecourse as soon as possible and are proposing it be closed and sold as early as 2020/21." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reefton Posted December 19, 2018 Share Posted December 19, 2018 17 hours ago, hesi said: A bit of a silver tongue, but one thing he said on Trackside today was worth some merit When talking about the contentious sale of racecourses and assets being transferred to NZTR(which he disagreed with). He said it was preferable that clubs in regions get together and voluntarily come up with solutions, rather than being mandated. In Auckland, we have Ellerslie, Avondale and Counties. Now Avondale are never going to go along with the Messara reco, and will tie it up in court for years, so Saundy's suggestion has some merit. Why don't all 3 sell, and put into a joint new racing complex at Karaka. Close to the sales, closer to the proposed new Waikato greenfields complex and other Waikato training centres, avoids the Auckland traffic, and still close enough to the Auckland population centre to allow oncourse attendance stop talking common sense Hesi! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reefton Posted December 19, 2018 Share Posted December 19, 2018 17 hours ago, Horseboy said: Because forfeiting a central Auckland race track would be madness. One of NZs fastest growing cities, biggest population, highest growing asian population (they like a punt don't they?). If you rely on Auckland public transport to bring a crowd you will be sorry. See this is the hypocrisy of the Messara devotees They don't mind them shutting down the racecourse close to me but the minute you want to shut down one close to them ..... Ellerslie is like all the other big metro tracks - it gets a decent crowd about twice a year. for all the million and a half people they don't use the bloody thing(nor do they use Eden Park and nor will they use a waterfront stadium) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hesi Posted December 19, 2018 Author Share Posted December 19, 2018 Too many fish hooks with Eden Park these days, though I think the move to the waterfront would be a positive one. Spark Arena down there gets well patronaged If Eden Park with so much tradition can relocate, then why not Ellerslie and the other 2 Auckland clubs. Saundry was right in saying, initiatives being put in place now, need to be ones that will last for the next 50 years. Half a billion plus from the sale of Ellerslie, Avondale and Counties, gets you a pretty swish new facility in the Karaka area, with everything. Otherwise this is all going to end up in the courts, and the divisions created will be permanent Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curious Posted December 19, 2018 Share Posted December 19, 2018 I'd say one decent facility in the Waikato, scrap all the Auckland tracks. Racing, the odd carnival aside, is no longer about proximity to human population. Needs to be proximal to the horse population to mitigate costs, which is in the Waikato. Pointless having a track in or near Auckland with no horses there for mine. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomass Posted December 19, 2018 Share Posted December 19, 2018 9 minutes ago, curious said: I'd say one decent facility in the Waikato, scrap all the Auckland tracks. Racing, the odd carnival aside, is no longer about proximity to human population. Needs to be proximal to the horse population to mitigate costs, which is in the Waikato. Pointless having a track in or near Auckland with no horses there for mine. Hahahahaha....and I thought you wanted to be taken seriously? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curious Posted December 19, 2018 Share Posted December 19, 2018 6 minutes ago, Thomass said: Hahahahaha....and I thought you wanted to be taken seriously? From your posts, you certainly don't suggest that you do. Try thinking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hesi Posted December 19, 2018 Author Share Posted December 19, 2018 25 minutes ago, curious said: I'd say one decent facility in the Waikato, scrap all the Auckland tracks. Racing, the odd carnival aside, is no longer about proximity to human population. Needs to be proximal to the horse population to mitigate costs, which is in the Waikato. Pointless having a track in or near Auckland with no horses there for mine. Only made the suggestion of close to the major population centre, as at best racing would be 50-60 days per year, so it would need to be utilised the other 300 days, and any development would need to encompass that. Also close to the major gateway to NZ, Auckland International Airport. The 3 clubs would never agree to a scenario of no racing in the Auckland region, but maybe a very small chance with a joint complex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curious Posted December 19, 2018 Share Posted December 19, 2018 (edited) Can't see the case for building a racecourse close to an airport. Needs to be close to the horses in training like Sydney and Melbourne. How many horses in training in Auckland again? Some bright spark once said "We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them." Seems like that's what you and Thommo and NZTR and Messara want to do. Need to lower industry costs and generate more wagering revenue if you ask me. Not going to happen racing in Auckland. Edited December 19, 2018 by curious Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curious Posted December 19, 2018 Share Posted December 19, 2018 And I think Saundry's suggestion is nuts. Any useful change needs strong leadership, not a wishy washy you go sort it out between you in your regions. And the idea of putting something in place that will last 50 years is a nonsense. That's partly how we got in the mess we are in operating on a 50 year old model. FFS, completely hopeless and I see no way forward here now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hesi Posted December 19, 2018 Author Share Posted December 19, 2018 22 minutes ago, curious said: And I think Saundry's suggestion is nuts. Any useful change needs strong leadership, not a wishy washy you go sort it out between you in your regions. And the idea of putting something in place that will last 50 years is a nonsense. That's partly how we got in the mess we are in operating on a 50 year old model. FFS, completely hopeless and I see no way forward here now. Disagree Strong leadership is about effectively facilitating change, getting everyone to buy in etc etc not forcing or mandating change, which will always create resentment somewhere Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curious Posted December 19, 2018 Share Posted December 19, 2018 Just now, hesi said: Disagree Strong leadership is about effectively facilitating change, getting everyone to buy in etc etc not forcing or mandating change, which will always create resentment somewhere That's what I'm saying exactly. Don't see any sign of it though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reefton Posted December 19, 2018 Share Posted December 19, 2018 1 hour ago, hesi said: Too many fish hooks with Eden Park these days, though I think the move to the waterfront would be a positive one. Spark Arena down there gets well patronaged If Eden Park with so much tradition can relocate, then why not Ellerslie and the other 2 Auckland clubs. Saundry was right in saying, initiatives being put in place now, need to be ones that will last for the next 50 years. Half a billion plus from the sale of Ellerslie, Avondale and Counties, gets you a pretty swish new facility in the Karaka area, with everything. Otherwise this is all going to end up in the courts, and the divisions created will be permanent No they won't use(or should I say fill) the waterfront stadium Hesi bar two or three All Blacks tests per year or a major concert(but you could have Rod Stewart or someone at Ekatahuna and you would sell it out). And anyway twelve years ago Auckland had the waterfront stadium debate before the World Cup and they blew hundreds of millions on Eden Park(I cannot remember for sure but I bet there was NZ taxpayer money included) - now they are back looking at the waterfront? Reminds me of the millions spent on all these Big city racecourse over the last forty years and they too still have their hands out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reefton Posted December 20, 2018 Share Posted December 20, 2018 4 hours ago, hesi said: Disagree Strong leadership is about effectively facilitating change, getting everyone to buy in etc etc not forcing or mandating change, which will always create resentment somewhere I always said the rules of economics would tell racing clubs when it was time to wave the white flag. When the trainers stopped nominating the writing would be on the wall. Mind you that would need a fair and proportionate income stream based on your turnover(rather than a fixed daily amount as is paid now) 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.