Dan,
You're spot on about rationalisation by HRNSW and pushed by those in charge at Harold Park. One example was the forced closure of Richmond due to, as claimed, excessive dust on the video of the races. (in the middle of a very dry period and Richmond was grass,seen as a no-no) They raced on Tuesday afternoon and therefore were seen as a threat to HP's Tuesday night meetings. The next HP midweeker was a Tuesday day meeting and guess what, the water truck couldn't keep it up and the dust plumes were horrendous.
Not just Richmond gone, you've mentioned Cessnock and Maitland, try Wyong (in the bar at the track they have an honour roll of the horses that have won there, some of NSW's finest ever) Gosford (ran a $3000 race every meeting way back then) Muswellbrook (didn't need to check the calender always raced every Monday public holiday with a standout race like Sires Stakes) Taree ( Great Christmas carnival every year) Oh I forgot Fairfield, the most forward thinking club in Sydney, but maybe that was the problem ( Have a look at the new track plans).
The odd thing is that the now CEO of the gallops (RNSW) is the same person who was the protagonist for this 'rationalisation' but sees fit to give country gallops clubs (even those that race on dirt) at the very least one meeting a year.
At least now he now knows how to promote his current industry from the 'grassroots', pity that idealogy wasn't apparent during his time at HP.
That's why Harness racing is imploding and becoming a small industry centred around one major track. All the other 'sweeteners' that are thrown
out is purely window dressing, to keep us 'participants' happy so as to ensure the greater good of the 'Holy Grail' MENANGLE
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