Call to Scrap Hay Showground Trust
Dear Editor
I bring to the attention of the Hay and District people the farce that is known as Hay Showgrounds.
I applied for permission to train racehorses in Hay using the racetrack and was knocked back by Hay Jockey Club in accordance with the supposed rules of the Hay Showgrounds Trust.
No big drama as Balranald and Mildura opened the door for me very quickly, confirmed in writing.
I’ve been down this road before but refused to cop the price asked by The Trust for stable rental. It is not exactly Royal Randwick.
I can understand fully that training racehorses on Hay Racecourse could create OH&S issues due to the caravans camping on course that provides a monetary return to Hay Shire Council, but there are ways around this with correct time frames and Licensed personnel acting in accordance with the Racing NSW rules of training horses.
The old Stables on course are still a total eyesore and I’m informed Council is waiting on The Trust to dismantle them and vice versa, so in fact nothing gets done.
Apparently, Council has a designated master plan for the Showgrounds upgrade and development. But when will this happen?
Apart from Hay Cup raceday, Gun Club activity and the Rodeo, the area now is a fast-growing caravan Park overseen by a capable Caretaker on no salary.
The Trust is not needed for anything in my opinion. Each section can raise any issues directly with Council.
The Hay Show is a dimming light of other days and there is now no Pony Club.
It’s time for the Showgrounds Trust to be cancelled out and made defunct.
Hay Jockey Club holds a very successful once a year meeting and set up the day themselves, but should include giving permission for anyone licensed to train horses to use the track, provided the OH&S guidelines and Racing NSW protocols are followed.
Not hard. After all, trainers do supply horses to race.
Hay Shire Council needs to act and take full and total control of the Showgrounds and Racecourse and decide the direction and pathways to make the area a showplace and workable facility.
Compared to the Hay schools, Hay Park Ovals, Sandy Point, Library, Council Office precinct and the like which are fabulous and a great credit to the township, the Showgrounds are at present running a clear last.
By the way, training racehorses employs people, trainers spend at produce stores and when we win, we party at the pub. We spend and we pay and on the odd occasion collect.
It’s indeed a process of discrimination against myself and always has been, but I would rather be the wolf that everyone hates than the donkey that everyone rides. >
Yours etc
Ron Johnson, Mildura.
