WILL R.A. MEMBERS BE LOOKED AFTER AT THIS YEARS DURBAN JULY ?

Some of us R.A. members may be making the trek down to Natal for this years July. I am wondering if there will be any change this year with regards to hospitality & a decent venue for R.A. members wishing to watch this race live in Durban.
I have made this trip several times before, & while the food & decor of the "marquee " was up to scratch, we have generally been hosted in a lousy venue. One year the R.A. members were entertained under the GRANDSTAND - watching everthing on T.V.'s - why travel to Durban to watch everything on T.V. ?

ALL I am asking is that G.C. country to show some consideration to the R.A. folk who have bothered to come & watch one of the most prestigious races in S.Africa.

There is still 2 months to go before the big day. How about G.C. allocating to R.A. members say 300 tickets ( 150 couples ) a package that will include a good venue & at least a chance to SEE LIVE the race from a grandstand venue - with adequate T.V. coverage as well.

G.C. I challenge you to publish a package A.S.A.P & price structure, with a first come first served basis. Mr. Racing ( Graeme ) is now working in G.C. territory, perhaps he can get some changes in motion.

Overall I have the feeling that G.C. in Durban & Cape Town really do NOT want us R.A. members visiting them on their big days.

THE SOONER WE HAVE A NATIONAL OWNERS ASSOCIATION - LOOKING AFTER EVERY OWNER EQUALLY, ( visiting all centres ) THE BETTER FOR RACING.

biggest owners in gsuteng yet we get nothing need larry do something

Travel fun what you mean trouble?

WHY should they be 'looked after'? How are those members any more special than the regular local non-member supporters?

Is there a reciprocal arrangement even being thought about? Should there be?

Troubleshooter spits:
"Mr Basel is NOT A MEMBER of the RA BOARD. He is not entitled to this so-called benefit, although I am not sure how the RA benefits from this conduct. I will put money on it that his J&B MET expenses were put on the RA's account when there was no right to do so. He should refund the money to the RA.I am pretty sure that now I have pointed out and EXPOSED the error (intentional or not) of the Board's way, they will pass a resolution to ex post facto ratify the expenditure of Mr Basel."


Basel is not a director, he runs the RA.
That certainly entitles him to represent the RA at major racing events.
And at the RA's expense.

I think TS' ramblings against the RA are beginning to lose credibility.

I concur with Hacker though do I reckon reciprocal visit arrangements should be in place, perhaps with limited places for big race days assuming the local's satisfy demand for the more sought after facilities.

This is from York racecourse website, information for annual badgeholders....

Reciprocal visits for 2008 have been arranged with Newmarket, Chester, Haydock, Pontefract, Beverley, Goodwood, Newbury, Redcar, Ayr, Mussleburgh, Catterick, Fairyhouse & Yorkshire County Cricket Club.

I am a member of the RA. I attended the JULY last year with my family and visitors.My badge entitled me to free entrance(and wife), the other 4 had to pay.No free parking. We had to sit on the grandstand, could get one bet on for the day,because of queues, barbaric drinking and fighting was the order of the day on the stands.
We saw more of the JULY previous years on tv, as we did last year.We promised ourselves - never again!!

Troubleshooter,

In my book a CEO is a Chief Executive Officer - chief executive meaning the person in charge of the day to day affairs of the business.
It seems to me that such a person should be entitled to attend major events relating to the business at the expense of the business.
Common sense.

You have shown in your last message what the directors of the RA are entitled to.
It is fair enough that there are rules for director's expenses.
But Basel is not a director, he is the CEO.

In your business, do you pay our of your own pocket when you go on a business trip?
Or do you charge the business?

I'm trying to look at this issue in a broad sense, see what's fair and what not.
I apologize for having used the word 'ramblings' in connection with your contributions to the forum - that wording was unjustified given the efforts you put into this.

Hello Hacker, before I reply further, I would like to know, are you a race horse OWNER ?
If you are an owner are you a member of any owners accociation ?

Hello element,
I have got to agree with you 100 % - as you are an R.A. member, you should not receive the shoddy treatment you got at last years July.

All I am asking is that G.C make some reciprical arrangement for Joburg owners to be entertained in a decent fashion at G.C. territory. We all know this game relies on PUNTERS, but first come the OWNERS - it's quite simple, NO OWNERS OWNING HORSES = no industry & no punting.

We pay for horses & most of us belong to an OWNERS ASSOCIATION. Is it not fair that we get to experience a decent days outing, unhindered - even in G.C. territory ?

Let's just get a decent days entertainment at the July, in comfortable surroundings ( where you can get more than 1 bet on ) for the R.A. members on a first come first served basis.

Element, the answer to your question is I do own horses. I am not a member of any association other than obligatory colours. Why?

Question asked by Elvis!