Racing: $2m bailout motion to cause a stir

Photo / Richard Robinson

Auckland is not an earthquake zone - that is likely to change at tomorrow morning's Counties Racing Club AGM.

Strongly tipped is a motion to loan the cash-strapped Avondale Jockey Club a large portion of the $2 million-plus it is in hock for.

To say there will be opposition to that is like saying we've had a wet winter.

"Bizarre," is how one Counties member describes the suggestion.

"It flies in the face of what was suggested at last year's AGM," said another.

"What was proposed then was a commercial investment in land or property from which the club would generate income. This is a major move away from that."

The Counties Club has indicated it is putting up track fees from $100 a month to $150.

"Why would you do that and disadvantage the owners of horses trained at Pukekohe at the same time you'd look to hand your financial assets to another club when there are other options," said one of the members.

Expect the first rumble about 11.30am.