In relation to the Stewards Reports, GWIC stated the format will change as punters find the original one, more difficult to read. I disagree, but willing to read and get used to the new format when it is standard across the State.

Who cares Simon...we all know what his game is

There is some flat land near the Lighthorse Junction of the M7 extending down to the Great Western Highway

I think that would be a perfect site for a greenfield project, if it can be obtained

Mark, more or less. But first GBOTA could no longer make ends meet at HP as the rent increased and trots/V'Landys wanted to do his own thing (including knocking back the hockey folk). The Racing Department then got into the act and agreed that the sums at HP were not reasonable for greyhounds. Hence all the parties concluded that joint operations at WPK would balance the books. Michelle just said what the Dept said - besides, he had a stake in better use of the grandstand/offices at Wenty, something which he had put through Parliament.

As for a Wenty replacement, I have no specific plot. What I did was to emphasise investigative work was overdue to set something up, partly because the triangle I quoted was where the action was and partly because there was no future in ploughing more funds into Wenty. This is the sort of task that is done every day by developers and others. The new airport is accentuating the challenge but it will not get any easier so someone has to bite the bullet.

Sure, Richmond could take up the slack but it is not in the ideal spot and has too many negatives.

Note where all codes of football are going now! With success.

We survived because we protested. The government is happy to take their split and window dress and tell us that they want us around, but really, we are a minor player against developers. Thirty one million dollars over five years is play money to the government. Gladys told one of her followers that her government deliberately gave the greyhound industry that amount and that it would not be getting anymore and that she expected us to fall over hence the revue that just happened or is happening. Big Tony as done a reasonable job. I'll tell you now he has a lot of supporters out Richmond way.

We fought hard to stay alive and cost the Liberal / Nationals (more so Nationals) Seats in Parliament. Otherwise, as Troy Grant told the industry, we will generate the monies (revenue) somewhere else. So, he didn't care. Do you know where he is now? He's with Vlandys involved in NRL Commission and Racing NSW.

I agree that some of those points are tough to handle yet that is the name of the game in a big city.

The theme is that doing no more than trying to turn some spot into a mecca for NSW greyhounds is a very risky process. We don't have enough "hand". Doing it alone is really not a goer, economically.

That's why I suggest that we look for partners - just as football clubs cannot work on their own any more so they and the stadium look for multiple users. They are also getting away from the traditional reliance on poker machine income from associated social clubs and building hotels, wave parks or whatever to broaden their appeal to the public as well as their income. Check out the Panthers, amongst others.

Conversely, those who try to tough it out - like bowling clubs - just do not have the horsepower to continue, so they disappear or get gobbled up by bigger clubs.

This is not a racing deal, it is an business entertainment prospect with the potential to be self-sustaining. Greyhounds have a solid core of people but the code also generates millions via betting turnover (which is why everyone from the TAB to the government value our contribution - ignore Troy Grant who was a biased fool and suffered the expected result). Still, we need to do more to cater for the long term and to be sure we can control what happens instead of being subservient to pollies and others.

It's a business, mate, but it is being treated like a glorified hobby. Wrong way. Go back and start again.

By the way, support for Richmond is all very well but as I said, it has a few insurmountable negatives. For example, can any track physically handle what would be in effect daily racing? Not sure about that. (Some clubs grumble about the difficulty of hosting three meetings a week).

Hi Malcolm,

Where's the land that you mention? Warwick Farm Race Track? Buckleys chance my friend, but I like your thinking lol. Some of it was sold or leased to Inglis for ..... thoroughbreds auctions. Some of the land nearby may or may not have been owned by STC, but Inglis and Sons purchased the land in 2018. See below. It looks very classy.

EXTERNAL LINK

EXTERNAL LINK

Exactly Ray, its only going to get dearer, not cheaper

How does anyone not understand this?

Sandro, ring up Tony and see what he thinks. I wonder if he understands it.

Its not up to Tony on his own, he has strategic advisors as well and then its up to them to put to the Board to explore these possibilities

Your sarcasm is wasted Mark