Eight candidates will contest three seats on the Auckland Racing Club board. Voting closes at noon on Monday and the results will be announced at the club's annual meeting that night. Colin Devine is also vying with present vice-chairman Peter Grieve for the chairmanship.
The eight candidates are:
WALTER HILSDEN
Former director and president of the NZ Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association. Currently races four horses, three with Roger James.
"It is sad that Price Rd development has created a division in the board. I believe in teamwork and we are not going to achieve that with a divided board. Pivotal to all this is the much-awaited report on racing."
LANCE HUTCHINSON
Bank manager, chairman Life Education Trust.
"As a banker I am well aware of the competition for the leisure dollar and the need for racing to differentiate itself to be successful.
"I am keen to bring a fresh perspective to the board. We must learn from 'best practice' overseas to enhance our image.
"Ellerslie is the showpiece of New Zealand racing. It must be the course at which owners want to race their horses."
PAUL KENNY
Solicitor. Involved in family farming, thoroughbred breeding, property and finance.
"The three issues I see as critical are:
"Membership. We have to get that back to be a sought-after commodity. We have to build the value of that membership to make it even more attractive. A new member of today is a new owner of tomorrow.
"Stake-money. It is racing's fortune and it now comes from non-racing income and can come from savings in the core racing activity of the three clubs in Auckland.
"The third is the resolution of the Price Rd training establishment."
SAM MALCOLMSON
Former All White. Senior manager with international companies in Europe, the United States and Melbourne.
"Politics should not be part of the board operation. Business perspective is what is crucial.
"I also believe people should not form together on one ticket in an election. Candidates should be confident of what they individually have to offer.
"Ellerslie has to be the strength of every facet of New Zealand racing. It is a magnificent facility. We have a lost generation in racing and we need to attract them back with excitement and great racing."
ROB McANULTY
Former business executive.
"The three things I would like to change are:
"Get rid of Price Rd.
"The second is [achieve] transparency for members of the club on all property deals, so everyone knows exactly where they stand.
"I'd also like to see a greater involvement by clubs in race programming.
"To be a racing club you've got to be selfish in what you want for yourself. We should either be running the Derby at sales times or running another day at sales time."
PETER WALKER
Former transport owner-operator. BMW Thoroughbred Owner Of The Year, 1998.
"To address the lack of funding and, as a consequence, the profitability of the racing industry, a fresh approach is needed on all levels.
"Racing clubs must recognise: the contribution to racing by owners; development of stakes policy that supports the industry and is sustainable; further development of club assets to sustain our main core business of racing."
RUSSELL WARWICK
Studmaster. Business partner with Eric Watson in Westbury Stud.
"My horseman's background tells me the proposed Price Rd facility is flawed.
We need to consider alternative options and we should do this in co-operation with other clubs in the region.
"I want to make membership at our premier club popular again. I want to see owners want to bring their horses to Ellerslie because the stakes are so good."
JOHN WELLS
Businessman.
"Normally I am not an election person, but can be, and will be, when the issue is important enough. The future of the club is such an issue and I readily accept the challenge.
"Price Rd is something the board needs to look at urgently. Membership issues must be paramount in the minds of the new board."
Racing: Board candidates pledge skills and experience
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