KEY POINTS:
If the members aren't smiling at tonight's Auckland Trotting Club meeting they never will be.
Auckland's busiest race club will post its best ever financial result at the annual general meeting and ATC bosses are saying it is anything but a one-off.
The ATC recorded a remarkable $1.6 million profit on all operations last season.
The profit is just one of the reasons the ATC has been able to boost stakes for regular Friday night race meetings to the highest ever in New Zealand, with one-win races at $15,000 and maidens at $10,000.
And ATC president Sid Holloway says that sort of result could become the norm in coming years.
"The club has been very careful in how we have managed our assets and reinvested in Alexandra Park," said Holloway.
"And now we are seeing the benefits of that, with a few more key projects to come on line.
"It is never wise to be over-confident, but we feel the club is in very good heart and can only get better."
The club will soon open its new 850- capacity function centre, expanding its customer base in that area.
Most race night facilities that have yet to undergo improvement are scheduled to do so.
The financial result is music to the ears of all harness racing fans after the club barely made a profit last season.
It could also mean further stakes increases in the next few seasons.
While no ATC officials were willing to go on the record, the Herald understands that some on the board are targeting $15,000 maiden races at all Friday night meetings inside a season or two, with $20,000 for lower grade races.
That would make Alexandra Park the richest harness racing track in Australasia.
Holloway and vice-president Rod Croon will be re-elected unopposed tonight, as will retiring board members Kerry Hoggard and Alan Meadows.
The ATC has recently appointed a new chief executive in Graeme Running.
