By MIKE DILLON
Expected controversy over the Auckland Racing Club's plans for a new $20 million training track failed to eventuate at the ARC annual meeting last night.
There was more interest in the election for deputy chairman, with Peter Grieve edging out Colin Devine 412-405. Devine is now lost to the ARC board.
Retiring chairman Barry Neville-White's final address outlined the three-year frustration in finalising plans for a new state of the art training facility to replace the current Takanini centre.
It is no secret a faction on the ARC board has been bitterly opposed to plans to site the new centre on the Prices Rd property next to Auckland International Airport.
Neville-White left the door open for alternative sites, but said doing nothing was not an option.
"We could have taken the easy way out. We could have sold Takanini, told the trainers to go elsewhere and invested the money.
"Short term that was probably a good solution, but it did nothing long term for the industry, the city and environs of Auckland and especially the Auckland Racing Club.
"It is crucial we establish a large pool of horses in close proximity to Ellerslie to maintain a supply of horses for its race meetings."
ARC chief executive Dave Lloyd said after the meeting, the club was finalising contracts with trainers after which the site would be chosen.
Meeghan Pollock-Johnston and Scott Richardson were re-elected and the three new members are Clyde Buckingham, Father Andrew Faith and Brian Stephenson.
Neville White is replaced as chairman by Geoff Clatworthy.
Racing: Training track row fails to materialise
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