What has changed in 6 years?

TONY RIVALLAND, the Chairman of the KZN Trainers Association, has accused the Gold Circle Board of poor business ethics, a failure to uphold corporate governing standards and tactical corporate maneuvering which he believes is hampering progress and prosperity in Gold Circle regions.
Writing in his 2009/10 Chairman’s Report, Rivalland estimates that Gold Circle will show a loss of R20 million for the most recent financial year-end. That Gold Circle’s remuneration committee recently granted executive salary increases knowing this, gives him “a bitter taste and a degree of despair”.

Tony Rivalland.
Rivalland feels that Gold Circle has left (trainers, etc) “weak and at the mercy of fate” in what he terms “the darkest time in our history”.
He lists a number of issues he believes are of concern and argues that:
-The dismissal of former Gold Circle CEO Michel Nairac was a hasty decision “engineered” by the company’s Western Cape Chapter.
-Gold Circle’s Chief Operating Officer Graeme Hawkins lacks business acumen.
- Commercial Director Patrick Loker does not have the experience to develop a “turnaround strategy”.
-A joint venture between Gold Circle and an unnamed developer for a potentially income-providing boutique hotel at Summerveld was “hijacked” by one Gold Circle director after it was given a unanimous thumbs-up by the Regional Board.
-The recent 42% stable rental increase wasn’t tabled for trainers’ approval, showing Gold Circle’s “blatant disregard for protocol”.
-The new lease contracts contain unacceptable conditions and anomalies that would set the region’s trainers back a great deal considering the reduction in stakes announced last month.
Hawkins commented: “Tony Rivalland has behaved in a delinquent manner and we’ll be investigating his conduct at Board level.”
Rivalland concluded that he was positive about the possibility of a blueprint for a “new and unified Gold Circle”, already mandated to a special sub-committee comprising members of both the KZN and Western Cape regions.
He said, that the future of Gold Circle lay either with or without a third party investor, alternatively as two separate entities in an amicable and equitable divorce proposal.

A door was opened to the train and now all has died a natural death. :whistle: :pinch:

Who can argue that based on the Financial reports 2010 - 2015

The remuneration package of the CEO was increased by more than 20% 2014 to 2015 and stakes were increased 3,4% but Mr Rivalland has not spoken out. Mr Nairac is CEO again and Mr Hawkins is out.

Clairwood race track was sold and between the upgrade to Summerveldt and the Poly track R161 million was spent. WHat was the calculation used to warrant the Poly track? Let's say over a ten year history, 10 race meetings a year were lost to inclement weather. Did the net profit from 100 race meetings warrant the expenditure? Could Greyville have been used as an inside and outside grass race track with the Poly track being built at Summerveldt?

I am not against the Poly track per say even though i am not a fan however the race programming is what frustrates me as an owner & punter. Weeks and weeks of out of season poly racing is not for me. Does it have its place? Definately

So what can be done to turn racing around? After reading the Leon Smuts article it is clear that everyone needs to put their heads together to get horse racing and punting moving in the right direction.

It is also time to give input for change to something that is ultimately better for all stakeholders, as i own race horses in GC country i will put forward what i believe are some of the things that would have a positive effect.

For the Punters
Make the TAB GOLD / Betting World outlets a place that people want to spend time and yes have a members section which is world class in each outlet.
Have pre-race interviews with answers that the punters are looking for
Have interviews with a jockey & trainer walking the course discussing the conditions
Get sectional timing off the ground
Trainers bringing a horse back from a rest of more than 90 days has to have a public gallop
Have spend rewards for punters and invite the top 5 punters from different outlets to the course with friends, sponsored food & table
Go and talk to punters, on course and in the outlets, give them a platform for feedback (this is something you must tip your hat to with Rob Scott)
Get the punters input on race programming
You have representatives from all sectors represented at GC except for a punters representative (Maybe something Pirates/Rob would consider)
Have punting competitions at the course, maybe DBN vs JHB teams
Invite punters to use the boxes at Greyville as rewards
Offer betting vouchers to punters that attend the course on a race day (music & flea markets do not attract punters)
Hillcrest where i live has one shitty little betting outlet that i know of, for an area that has had enormous development and growth with many owners living in the area i am sure a lot more could be done.

Owners
There should be a welcoming team for new owners, invite them to the course and host them the first time (currently the trainers must attract new owners & do much of the work GC should be doing)
New owners pay for their horse, pay to register their colours and then have to pay to be a member of GC to get a badge. Owners should not have to become members of GC to get a badge. Either merge the two functions into one in KZN or give owners the same access as GC members at the race courses.
Give each trainer a sponsored day at the races where they can invite clients, pay for the meals and have a representative present. The amount spent on drink and betting will cover the outlay.
Have meetings with owners and not only when it is the GC AGM.
The boxes at Greyville are unused for 95% of the year which is a crying shame and then there is a waiting list to get one. Owners should be given the opportunity to use a box at least once a year.
The sooner GC realises that they play an integral part in attracting and keeping owners the better also that they actually have a responsibility to do so.
Get the owners & trainers input on race programming.

Get the people who are already your customers involved and stop looking for new punters and owners that may be attracted by music on the roof or flea markets. The current customers of GC are actually the biggest source of new growth opportunity that exists. Current punters and owners attract new customers if they feel it is something worth while or fun.

Some very good ideas TS
(The good news for the operators is that punters representation has never,and won't ever, succeed -the forum is ample proof that punters agree on very little.)
A vital step is to force Bookmaking betting to make the same contribution to the costs of racing as the tote-the operators have been unbelievably poor at these efforts (they couldn't convince a judge that a tote dividend did not represent "fixed odds"!!!!! (You figure)

If the bookies won't compromise,Tab should apply for the right to extend its trading to fixed odds (aka as a betting exchange) and extend to all sports .......that would put a dent in the bookies trade and they would probably utilize the platform anyway,giving the tote another shine off the penny!

Another issue that makes no sense and should be fought tooth and nail .....sports betting ,which makes no contribution to the financing of the activity is free of tax ,and yet horse racing betting pays 6% tax, in spite of its contribution to stakes and events!!!!!
Surely a good case could be made for leveling tax for both at 3%-a huge boost for racing and more revenue for SARS overall!!

IMO bookies carry the risk whereas the Tote does not. Rieturns and contributions shld be commensurate with risk. As for taxes, for the life of me I cannot understand why horseracing with its industry of employment pays taxes. Tax sportsbetting.

Some great feedback and very interesting points raised which are both valid & relevant especially for us "Cyber Fools"

Just imagine if the operators took the opportunity to be Proactive & Interactive.

I think the most significant change is the bank balances of the applicable people. It seem to me that those who make noises are paid well to stop the dissenting. Just look at who is in charge and follow the cash. They are all right Jack!

Over the Air wrote: I think the most significant change is the bank balances of the applicable people. It seem to me that those who make noises are paid well to stop the dissenting. Just look at who is in charge and follow the cash. They are all right Jack!

Spot on!