Auckland call for stronger representation

Press, 19 September 1985, Page 42

Auckland call for stronger representation

PA Auckland The system of representation on the executive committee of the New Zealand Racing Conference was outdated and should be remedied, Auckland Racing Club’s president, Dr Calvin Ring, told members this week. In his annual report, Dr Ring claimed that equal representation for each region should be the objective. Representation at national level, he said, should more realistically reflect the strength and contribution from each area. Dr Ring said: “From 22.1 per cent of racing dates, the Auckland district provides 31.4 per cent of stakes, attracts 41 per cent of course betting, 30 per cent of off-course betting and contributes 32.4 per cent of the conference levy, yet has just one representative on the 12-man executive committee.” Representation at the conference was based on one representative for each of the 10 districts. Furthermore, he said the division of the districts took no heed of the distribution of equine and human populations. Dr Ring said that his own club had 8.6 per cent of the racing dates, yet provided

16.6 per cent of stakes, drew more than 22 per cent of course betting and nearly 13 per cent of T.A.B. betting and contributed 15.2 per cent of the racing conference levy. He said effective use of management and marketing skills would be the “name of the game” for the future of racing. “This cannot be achieved,” he said, “if there is a dilution of talent spread over a wide area. There must be a centralisation of administrative talent initiated through the amalgamation of clubs, not necessarily of race courses.” Such regional management would need to have greater autonomy than existed in the present formula of district control, said Dr Ring. The requirements by way of date structure, horse populations and ancillary needs were markedly different from one region to another. He said that many important races in Europe, the Americas and Asia were held on a Sunday.

It was a mistake, in his view, that crowds were allowed to enjoy every possible international sporting event on a Sunday but not racing.

“This subject has been

raised at racing conference level,” he said, “but I would like to see it pursued more aggressively by both Conference and the Racing Authority.” Dr Ring also suggested a weekly national racing jackpot. He said that by arranging with the T.A.B. for the introduction of a weekly national jackpot for thoroughbred horses — the net pool remaining in a separate throughbred racing account — the conference would be grasping a “marvellous opportunity” to create interest and promote racing.

Referring to the club’s record surplus of $511,522 for the season Dr Ring pointed out that the return on assets employed would be considered unsatisfactory by what he termed a normal commercial enterprise. “Members should note that, by way of totalisator duties paid by the club, the Government received nearly $6,500,000, an increase of $520,000 over the previous year.” It was pleasing, he said, that while recording a substantial increase in profit, the club was able to increase stakes by more than $400,000. Stakes in the 198586 season would exceed $3,200,000.