Harness racing to return to Globe Derby Park as deal brokered in bitter dispute

Harness Racing SA and the South Australian Harness Racing Club have ended their bitter feud and negotiated a deal to return racing to Globe Derby Park.

• Globe Derby harness racing future in doubt

South Australian harness racing will return to Globe Derby Park on June 1.

The sport’s controlling body Harness Racing SA (HRSA) and the South Australian Harness Racing Club (SAHRC) have negotiated a deal that will see the two previously warring parties’ work together going forward.

Harness racing was last held at Globe Derby in early April, with all meetings shifted away SA’s home of harness racing since 1973.

Results of the negotiations will see HRSA assume responsibility for the management and facilitation of both racing and training operations at the Globe Derby Park complex.

The SAHRC Committee will remain responsible for all club-related matters, including the management of club assets, the licensed club, gaming and wagering operations at the Globe Derby venue.

Both HRSA and SAHRC acknowledged both Harness Racing Australia and the Commissioner of Consumer and Business Services for assisting with the process of an outcome many believe is in the best interests of all participants in the industry.

Sidney Van Den Brande pilots That’s Perfect at Globe Derby Park. Racing will Picture: Graham Fischer

A statement issued on behalf of both parties said, “HRSA and SAHRC firmly believe that the outcomes achieved provides a clear and definitive pathway forward for harness racing at Globe Derby Park, with both organisations working tirelessly towards the common goal of promoting and strengthening harness racing in the state.’’

The SAHRC will hold an information forum to give interested parties the chance to discuss the outcome and provide further details in the coming weeks.

“It’s good news,’’ leading trainer Greg Norman said,

“They’re talking to each, that’s a start. You have to communicate to sort out your problems.

“There are obviously a lot of problems they still have to work through but with racing back at Globe (Derby) take bit of strain off owners and trainer,’’ he said.

Norman said the split away from Globe Derby had put enormous pressure on a large number of part-time participants while adding to already increasing cots for owners.

“You can run down to Globe Derby to race and then be back to work,’’ Norman added.

“Part-time trainers with jobs find it hard to get to the country meetings, a lot of people have good bosses who can work around racing and have a couple of hours to get to Globe Derby … It’s another thing to then go and get a full day off to go to the races at Victor Harbor or somewhere like that,’’ he said.

HRSA had previously demanded SAHRC’s board stand down, saying it had lost all confidence in the direction it had taken with Globe Derby in recent years.