Concerned Owners Group

For those who weren't around and perhaps don't understand a lot of the background:
I was not a member of the group and so I might well be short of detail so will welcome additions or corrections by anybody who was closer to the action.
Basically the gist was that there was a discontent and concern with the result of corporatisation and it was felt that the RA ,were not adequately representing owners in the battle with operators for stakes etc ,
There was also a conflict of interest in that there were common board members on the RA and Phumulela.
The group planned a revolt to bring down/takeover the RA.
Based on the debates on Tellytrack they were represented,up front,by Larry Wainstein, Joe Soma, Brett Maselle and Ian Jayes

In summary Joe Soma suddenly was training horses for Jooste and Larry Wainstein was the new head of the RA with a big package.
That sell out ended the revolt and what of their comrades?........... Brett Maselle was forced to resign from the RA and Ian Jayes was expelled from the Vaal.
Since then a couple of disruptive trainers have got a few horses together with green and black colours in the cupboard and suddenly have become ambassadors for the operators

It makes you realise that pieces of silver come wrapped in many ways and you have to wonder how many may have perhaps changed hands in subsequent successful negotiations by the operators.

Hard not be a bit cynical about the whole affair!

(This is a very brief overview----maybe others will elaborate.)

If you go back in the archives of the forum there should be pages and pages of hot debate at the time.( Brett posted as TROUBLESHOOTER )

I was invited to a few meetings at the death when they had a vote to carry on or stop.
Well documented probably on the site via the search function.

Has racing moved on from these days? for better or for worse?

There is certainly more racing

hibernia Wrote:

---

w

---

ended the scre

---

> Has racing moved on from these days? for better or
> for worse?
>
> There is certainly more racing

That's a very interesting question Bob-I guess it depends on how better is measured and for who?
There is one thing that is certain -the monopoly has got much stronger and you have to wonder whether Gold Circle can maintain it's independence if "P" really turned the screw -they are the only thing preventing total domination!

I'm not sure that we have more races - but certainly the pools have increased - however imo the pools have increased as a result of the economic factors and not because of P running the show (or most of the show). The fact is that tracks are still closing (even in GC country)and that surely can't be seen as an improvement.

Racing has not reached great heights, but neither has it died (although some may argue that it's only a matter of time), of course impossible to say what would have happened were the 'revolt' not stopped by a few seemingly questionable 'partnerships'.

As with most things in life I suspect that things could have been better, but they also could have turned out a lot worse :S

Did South Africa not race 3 or 4 times a week in those days?

They were certainly racing everyday by then!
The thing that would surely be more healthy for the industry would be for the various areas to be independent and therefore negotiate the best for themselves-I for one would like to see independent regulation and the RA still seem to hold hands with "P" on most issues.....but that was surely always the plan!

this thread should be included with the Milnerton one??

doesn't this thread my question about an inner ciecleon another post?

www.africanbettingclan.com/forum/phorum-...76,444022#msg-444022

I had 14 horses in training, owned wholly or in partnership when this went down. I recall Marcus Jooste making the comment " if you don't like what is going on in racing then get out".

So I did.

Gajima Wrote:

---

> I had 14 horses in training, owned wholly or in
> partnership when this went down. I recall Marcus
> Jooste making the comment " if you don't like what
> is going on in racing then get out".
>
> So I did.


I think its time u came back Gajima. All your pals must think you dead.
HELLO MR WHYTE. lol