Members to vote on closing of stables

THE AUCKLAND Trotting Club has mellowed its stand on closing Alexandra Park as a training centre by announcing it will now allow trainers to work horses on the course with prior notice.

But the ATC board remains steadfast that from Friday no horses can be stabled on the course and it will put the issue to a vote at a special general meeting of members today.

In a letter to members, chief executive Dominique Dowding says the board’s original decision to cease stabling and casual training at Alexandra Park was based on potential risks associated with health and safety requirements.

It followed an incident when a horse escaped the track during morning work and ran headlong through the grounds and carparks.

But the decision drew widespread criticism, especially from those concerned that visiting trainers would no longer be able to familiarise their charges with the tricky right-handed circuit before raceday.

The board rejected a request from former ATC president Terry Quinn that it suspend its notice of termination to trainers pending a special meeting of members.

It wasn’t until the Star-Times revealed the existence of a 1988 resolution which was passed unanimously by members the last time the club tried to evict trainers that the board conceded.

Dowding says the board was unaware of the resolution which said the ATC must ‘‘promote harness racing by allowing maximum use of its facilities at Alexandra Park, including training tracks and permanent stabling, with preference for such use being given to members.’’

In the letter, Dowding says a number of changes had occurred since 1988 and in recent times only two permanent trainers had been using the stables. (Only four trainers were in residence the last time it went to a vote – Des McCaughan, Alan Dunsmuir, Barney Repia and Bill Halloran)

But it was the increased emphasis on health and safety regulations that was at the crux of the decision and the unsupervised use of the old stables presented unacceptable risks. The stables were in poor condition and the board intended to demolish them.

Affected trainers argued the ATC had an ulterior motive given it was in negotiations with the Auckland Blues over the building of a high performance unit on the exact same site.

In the letter Dowding says while Alexandra Park is one of two preferred locations for the Blues’ new home, no heads of agreement had been signed, no lease drawn up and no contractual negotiations entered into.

Dowding assures members Saturday workouts and trials will continue on the course and any Kidz Kartz, amateur driving courses or charity days would be permitted subject to a safety management plan.

Casual users of the track could use the course for training but only after first consulting with the racing manager.

‘‘This will be permitted under controlled conditions and will require the horses entering and exiting the track to be under supervision.’’

Veteran Ted Edwards, who has trained horses at the Park for 40 years and feared he would have to give up when issued notice of the course closure, was relieved at the new stance of the club.

Edwards said racing manager Kevin Smith had outlined to him the new procedure.

Trainers would be required to drive their floats into the new stables, close the door to ensure a secure area, then park at the birdcage end.

Horses would then access the track through the birdcage gate so if any escaped they could go no further than the birdcage arena.

Dowding’s letter makes it clear that the ATC does not intend to enter into any discussions today other than the closing of the old stables, a decision which is expected to be ratified.

Pleas from Quinn for the board to update members at today’s meeting on other issues like the Blues proposal and the progress of plans to develop land along Greenlane Rd were rejected.

Negotiations were at too sensitive a stage to discuss publicly. When the board had an approved consent, hopefully in the next couple of months, and could deliver a detailed report it would run workshops then call a special general meeting so members could make an informed decision.