Gilbert Gardiner analysis: Victorian racing is bigger than a personality clash

The right decision was made on Wednesday to reject a move to spill the Racing Victoria board. Right for racing today and into the future, writes Gilbert Gardiner.

Racing Victoria CEO Andrew Jones.

Racing is bigger than the individual.

Who voted for what?

It matters not.

The right decision was made on Wednesday to reject a move to spill the Racing Victoria board.

Right for racing today, and into the future.

Why? Because a personality clash cannot alone be the catalyst for change on an otherwise competent board.

Imagine the uncertainty and disruption if one person’s views on a decision or administrator could trigger such actions?

Who’s to say the new board, under that scenario, would be any better than the predecessors?

Racing has enough on its plate, increased competition for the wagering dollar and the need to maintain social licence, than to chop and change the hierarchy on a whim and patch self-inflicted wounds.

Nothing like boardroom bickering to whet the appetite for racing, said no one ever.

The punters want a winner.

Jason Richardson with Racing Victoria CEO Andrew Jones at The Festival of Racing Launch at Port Melbourne Yacht Club.

The fans want completion between the best horses, jockeys and trainers, be it in the maiden or Group 1 arena.

We know Thoroughbred Racehorse Owners Association boss Jonathan Munz doesn’t like RV chief executive Andrew Jones.

It is well documented.

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Munz, architect of the defeated motion against the RV board, has taken any and every opportunity, in the past, and again on Wednesday, to call for Jones’s removal.

One might suspect any dislike could be mutual.

That is OK, too.

Neither is in their respective position to make or be friends.

Their role is and should solely be focused on doing the best for the racing industry.

Munz took a shot and missed.

The motion to unseat up to five board members was defeated 17 to three with 15 abstain.

TROA held three of the 35 votes polled in a secret ballot at Epsom Road on Wednesday.

Everyone else, party to the Special General Meeting behind closed doors, either voted against the motion or abstained.

A lopsided result at face value, but there were no winners or losers on Wednesday.

Just the right decision made for the sport.

Let’s move on.

■ Gilbert Gardiner is a racing reporter for Racenet and the Herald Sun.

Originally published as Gilbert Gardiner analysis: Victorian racing is bigger than a personality clash