Harness racing in South Australia to be overhauled by sport’s peak body
South Australia’s financially troubled harness racing industry will be dismantled and replaced with a “completely new model”, says the sport’s peak body.
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South Australian harness racing’s peak body will seek new powers to take control of the ailing sport.
Harness Racing SA (HRSA) has sent a newsletter to hundreds of the industry’s participants saying it was working on a new constitution as part of a move to overhaul the industry.
The organisation last month conducted a survey following revelations the SA Harness Racing Club (SAHRC) — which manages the peak harness racing venue, Globe Derby Park — was in serious financial difficulties.
HRSA’s recently appointed chairman George Fiacchi said 120 people had provided suggestions on how the sport could be restructured, including the future management of the SAHRC.
“What’s become very clear is that the participants, clubs and associations want change and want HRSA to take control of the industry and drive this change,” he said
“We are going to dismantle harness racing in South Australia and create a completely new model which will be relevant to 2020.”
Mr Fiacchi, a former Port Adelaide Football Club player, said the new constitution would have “set criteria for racing, behaviour, reporting and administration”.
“Everything we do will be to benefit harness racing first, not personal agendas,” he said.
“To do this we need everyone in the industry to work together focused on the future, not the past, so that future generations can enjoy this great sport.”
Mr Fiacchi said industry experts would work with the HRSA to address issues involving welfare and integrity, the future operation of the SAHRC, marketing, handicapping, breeding and prizemoney.
The HRSA’s move to seize control of harness racing follows years of conflict with the SAHRC, which culminated last year with the club being stripped of its right to host meetings.
Mr Fiacchi told The Advertiser the new constitution being drafted by the HRSA would give it greater powers to determine how clubs operate. similar to the AFL.
“We are going to be tough initially and clean out whatever rubbish which is out there,” he said.
“This is all about making sure the sport has a future without having our hands tied behind our backs.”
Mr Fiacchi said one of the HRSA’s main priorities was addressing problems within the SAHRC, which is owed millions of dollars by a developer who was given the title to land at Globe Derby Park before paying the full amount,
The SAHRC repeatedly has refused to comment.