Being misled about Turffontein lights

How do you avoid criticizm for your poor conduct? You try and blame someone else. That appears to be exactly what has happened in relation to the Racing Association/ Phumelela and night racing at Turffontein.

The Racing Association has told its members and anyone that will listen that "The project was to have cost in the region of R35-million before trainer Ormond Ferraris's objection to putting up lights in March 2007, which was subsequently dismissed by the Gauteng provincial government. Today the estimated cost has risen to more than R50-million."

Who are the Racing Association trying to blame? Ormond Ferraris. Well the only ones to blame are Phumelela and the Racing Association.

What about the rumours that Americans no longer want a signal? Has the Racing Association told its members that Ormond Ferraris was one of the first people to ask in early 2007 about a polytrack at Turffontein?

This was posted on this website so time ago.

MISLEADING ARTICLES IN THE RA MAGAZINE new
Posted by: TroubleShooter (IP Logged)
Date: December 19, 2007 03:29PM


The RA has recently published its December 2007 magazine. You can view it on the RA website.

I have no problem with the RA reporting recent facts and events to its members. I, welcome this sort of conduct as it keeps its members informed and abreast of developments.

I have a difficulty with the RA being biased and misleading its members as well as the racing public. When the RA reports facts and events it must do so honestly and in an impartial manner. If the RA does not know whether the facts are correct and true it should not report them.

One of the misleading articles is headed NIGHT RACING AT TURFFONTEIN.

In the above article the RA states,namely

"THERE is no official word yet on the future of night racing at Turffontein from the MEC for Environmental affairs. According to Phumelela Racing Executive Graeme Hawkins, a decision in this pressing matter is only expected at the end of February 2008"

Did the RA check whether the timeline given is true and correct? The issue of the lights at Turffontein is with attorneys. Was Mr Ferraris or his attorneys contacted to check the veracity of this allegation from Mr Hawkins? I put money on it that neither Mr Ferraris nor his attorneys have been made aware of the alleged date.If I am right (which I believe I am) the question that remains unanswered is where and how Mr Hawkins obtained this date. Also,why do the RA see this as a pressing matter?

The article also states:-
"Earlier this year veteran trainer Ormond Ferraris brought Phumelela's plans for turning Turffontein into a night racing venue to a virtual standstill when he raised an objection for environmental reasons, listing the noise created by thundering hooves at night and its disturbing effect on horses stabled nearby as his main concerns"

The above is disgustingly misleading and not truthful.These are the true facts:-
1. Phumelela has not been prevented from carrying out is environmental plan. The MEC gave Phumelela the right to proceed, but warned it that if it did it did so at its own risk.It was Phumelela that made the decision to to bring its "night racing venue to a virtual standstill" and no-one else.
2. Every trainer at Turffontein except Mr E Verdonese objected to night racing at Turffontein. Phumelela and in particular Mr Hawkins wooed Turffontein trainers to change their mind. Phumelela succeeded except for Mr Ferraris who stood his ground and remained adamant it is not in the best interest of the horse.
3.Each trainer that objected to night racing did so for the same reasons as Mr Ferraris. Those trainers who changed their minds did so without a single piece of expert evidence regarding the issue.
4.Larry Wainstein (now RA chairman) of the Concerned owners agreed with the Turffontein trainers that night racing should not take place. Wainstein was vociferously against night racing. However, for reasons not made known, Wainstein changed his views on the issue.

In addition the following is reported:-
Hawkins said:"We are keen to get this obstacle behind us and we are trying through diplomatic channels to get the MEC to make his decision as soon as possible. We cannot influence the result for obvious reasons,in the interest of racing, we need the issue resolved as a matter of urgency"

If Phumelela is doing what Mr Hawkins say it is, it is acting unethically and in a disengenous manner. The MEC must have his reasons for considering the matter. It is an appeal and a very important one at that.The article of the RA fails to disclose that nearly all the residents adjacent to the back straight of the racecourse have sent letters to the MEC objecting and asking for legal assistance. To me it is quite arrogant of Mr Hawkins to say it must be resolved as a matter of urgency. Who is it urgent for and why is it urgent? Phumelela has no right to contact the MEC directly or indirectly. I ask why Mr Hawkins said "We cannot influence the result....". It should not have been said. I am beginning to question Phumelela and the whole appeal process.

There is another article headed GOOD TURNOUT AS AGM RATIFIES SPECIAL RESOLUTION BY A LARGE MAJORITY.

To the best of my recollection there were approxinately 47 alleged members who attended the AGM. That included the old board, new board and RA staff members.If the RA has an alleged 1600 odd members I believe it is downright dishonest to allege a "good turnout".

The article states "more than 350 proxy ballots were submitted". Markus Jooste as told to me by Mr Basel refused to allow me to inspect the alleged proxies. Here I am in an association not for gain and am being treated as an outsider of a secret society.These proxies were crucial to the voting on the special resolution. I also wanted to check if individuals were members and this right was refused to me.

Much was said and done at the AGM. It was filmed. I asked for a copy of the video.That was the 5th December and I am still waiting for a reply. In terms of the companies act, the minutes have to be in the minute book by the 5th January 2007.The RA is obliged to minute the meeting accurately. I hope to post the minutes for all to see and to confirm how misleading the article is.

Agree Uncle Ormie a legend. RA and Big P not so much

Maybe its time for the Phumelela/RA/Trust cartel to come clean.

As I have posted recently on ALL websites it irritates me when a group of men running an organisation on behalf of its members ie RA are able to announce on 21st July 2008 via TV and printed/electronic media that Night racing at Turfontein is ON and then just a few weeks later 30th September 2008 go back on the same media and say Night racing is OFF.

Although the fact that Night racing is off is upsetting its not the night racing per se that Im moaning about..its the way in which the whole issue has been relayed to the public!! and more importantly its members.

Surely to goodness before one announces to the world on behalf of members you represent..you as the directors would have done ALL the necessary research to back up the announcement ie that night racing is ON.???

RA anyone please answer these questions:

1. What happened between 21st July and 30th Sept which changed your decision?

2.Was it the RA or Phum who made the final decision?

3.Did you research the decision to go ahead annoncement made 21st July properly?

4. Could you furnish your members with your latest 3 quotes on putting up the lights?

And please give your members assurance that these type of seat of the pants announcements will not be made in future as that type of behaviour does not go down well with at least some of us.

oscar it should be clear to you and all others this cesspit of an organisation does not for its members. We have the gm who has no formal qualifications calling the shots while dancing to his masters strings like the puppet he is. The RA legacy is one of asslicking and succuming to Phumelelas wishes. Why should it change.

Lets list their achievements - The Elevation room

Lets list their shame - Gosforth, Newmarket ( wonder who enriched themselves there huh?, Bloem, The lights, Nightracing )

Vote them out and lets get sonme decent opposition in.

Sorry administrator they were NOT responsible for the elevation room..that was the previous guys led by Bruce!..and he was also AGAINST selling off Newmarket.

administrator Wrote:

---

> oscar it should be clear to you and all others
> this cesspit of an organisation does not for its
> members. We have the gm who has no formal
> qualifications calling the shots while dancing to
> his masters strings like the puppet he is. The RA
> legacy is one of asslicking and succuming to
> Phumelelas wishes. Why should it change.
>
> Lets list their achievements - The Elevation room
>
> Lets list their shame - Gosforth, Newmarket (
> wonder who enriched themselves there huh?, Bloem,
> The lights, Nightracing )
>
> Vote them out and lets get sonme decent
> opposition in.


For a moment I thought I was on a pron site, what with the ass licking and succuming!

I humbly submit to you that if the RA partook in more of these activities, they would have a lot more satisfied members.

Send me an application!

if it looks like a bear, walks like a bear, smells like a bear then it must be a bear

with respect old man, i know viagra has done a lot for your age group, but lets be realistic now shall we?

I have posted under this pseudonym before. I prefer not to disclose who I am, but can tell you that Scotia is aware of my identity.

What is say below I cannot say more about or confirm with solid content as it was given to me on the basis of me not disclosing the individuals name who has given it.

The Turffontein lights saga has not ended.

The lights from Newmarket are still around and oddly enough the RA and P know that the lights are right under their noses.
Maybe a search of Turffontein race course will tell us where to find the lights?

I believe we can expect an announcement before the end of February 2009.

If we hear nothing about the lights before the end of February 2009 it will mean that the lights going up at Turffontein has been shelved for the foreseable future.

Muhammed Ali was known to have said "I'm so fast that last night I turned off the light switch in my hotel room and was in bed before the room was dark.”
I venture to say that P and the RA are as "fast" as Ali was. They are extremely well prepared and conditioned and should not be underestimated.

all of this should be the next U B THE JUDGE show

I stand by lights up the home straight = early races around the oval 4.15'ish - 6.30'ish last 3 up the straight 7 -8.15'ish - job done!

I heard they had 100% working lights in the past at a Track in the south of JHB. May have been just a rumor.

Why not give jocks and horses night goggles/blinkers. Patrons and punters anyways in the darks so we would not no the diff if we could not see the horses run in the dark.