Er, perhaps not entirely true the headline should read Gosford, anyway here's the story......
www.racenet.com.au/news/117977/Gosford-trainers-standing-firm
The majority of trainers at Gosford have resolved to fight against the Gosford Race Club’s decision to cease training at the venue from 2017 following a meeting on Thursday.
Around 15 Gosford trainers and staff met with Gosford chief executive officer James Heddo and chairman Michael Cuzick following Tuesday’s announcement that training is set to discontinue at the track due to rising costs.
The trainers present unanimously voted to have the decision reversed.
"It was a passionate and emotional meeting. There is understandable anger from trainers and staff that their livelihood is under threat,” a statement from the New South Wales Trainers Association read.
"These trainers have young workers, kids in school, properties and a business to worry about. Youth unemployment is a big issue in Gosford too."
"We agree industryfunds should be used wisely. That's why we want to see a clear plan and strategy for training into the future."
"Our concern is that Gosford have broken the barriers early and taken off without there being a clear plan for trainers on the Central Coast."
Racing NSW has indicated an injection offunds to assist the local trainers with relocation however the NSWTA claims that "no formal commitment to dollars or timing to date” has been made by the industry body.
One proposal currently in place is to expand the Wyong training centre to allow for an influx of trainers and horses but there are currently logistical concerns with such a move.
The Gosford trainers’ campaign is expected to include media, social media, petitions, lobbying of MPs, council, local businesses and more.
Tom Walter Follow Tom Walter on: Tom Walter - Journalist
Tom Walter is a member of one of Australian racing’s most respected families being a nephew of the late Guy Walter and a son of syndicator Jamie Walter of Proven Thoroughbreds. Tom joined the Racenet team in 2013 as a part-time employee but quickly established himself as a young writer with talent... read more
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Comments (9)
Gosford is not the only club who would rather promote "Entertainment" than racing--but I wont mention the obvious North Coast club. How dare people expect Race Clubs to make Racing their main focus.(Spoken tongue in cheek, of course ). Here's a suggestion. All you board members of ALL race clubs who dont have RACING as their main priority--Tender your resignations, pool yourmoney and build yourself an Entertainment Centre somewhere else--and leave our Racing to those who are interested in Racing.
4/12/2015 10:44:03 PM from TIC
This is a disgrace. This is the Board who were certain Gosford would have night racing on a Friday, who commissioned reports to have the home straight extended, who implemented a golf driving range tosupplement incomes and have now unloaded its balance sheet to improve the off course facilities to accommodate a crowd of 300. Promotion of The Entertainment Grounds, not racing has been this clubs priority, above racing and training, for a long time. They should hang their heads in shame, step aside now and allow a new team who understands what is required. I hope this has not progressed too far and this decision can be reversed.
4/12/2015 1:01:11 PM from oldtimer
Yes jonmac that would to sensible for these guys. The have the personality of s brick wall that's why the trainers have been left out of any discussion. They probably need to get to the Elanora Friday nights where most of the directors meet and really have their board meeting!! Book the courtesy bus with Heddo!!
4/12/2015 10:28:32 AM from Enthusiast
This is the same issue as the Dinosaurs faced a few years ago, the world is ever changing, maintaining training tracks is a very expensive exercise, even if you have themoney if there is an alternative to duplication then it is a way you have to go, that is just a fact of life, it hurts to be the one that is in the Gun.....but you can't fight it, you may postpone the inevitable but you can't stop it....all you can do is try and get the best negotiated deal you can and move on.....the Dinosaurs wouldn't/couldn't change and look what happened to them!
4/12/2015 10:16:37 AM from BronzeBullet
Why not go the opposite way? Upgrade the training facilities and put more boxes in if possible and get more horses training out of Gosford. Everyone complains about poor field sizes why not give more opportunity to trainers to have more horses or get some of the smaller trainers from Sydney to relocate.
4/12/2015 10:01:47 AM from jonmac
So I'm told the GRC has reportedly 4 million in the bank and Racing NSW is set for a windfall of many millions with the lowering of the wagering tax... And yet between them they can't find enoughmoney to upgrade the training tracks at Gosford and ensure the future of so many in the community... An Absolute Disgrace...
4/12/2015 7:14:06 AM from Muppet
This is gut wrenching. The dislocation and anxiety that this has created is devastating for all the trainers and their families and workers, not to mention owners and the city of Gosford itself. This is but the first step I fear of what the smart alecks call "rationalisation for the good of racing". Well it's not good for racing and as Enthusiast said, all GRC members need to unite and stand up against the GRC and all the others lurking in the shadows.
3/12/2015 9:36:44 PM from Matrice
Well the trainers and owners deserve the support of all GRC members. The so called GRC board need to be brought to heel! Members need to unite and move for the vote of no confidence in the way this board conducts itself. They treat the industryparticipants with contempt.
3/12/2015 8:22:50 PM from Enthusiast
upgrade the clubs facilities then kick out the trainers well played Gosford Race Club
3/12/2015 8:07:37 PM from intrepidartsaus
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