Now to infer as Pitty has that the "Club" could have continued if the committee had put their assets elsewhere is pure revisionist history of the worst kind. Given the pittance it received in funding it relied heavily on the support of a town of 3,000 and those further south in South Westland. The point is it was and thankfully still is a community asset NOT a Thoroughbred Racing asset. Often the Sunday Harrier run we would do a "lap of the track" on our way to longer runs up the Spur or out to Kaniere. In my teens I spent a lot of time running round that track training for sports that I was involved in. Dad had the largest panel beating/coach building business in town and like many of the local businesses donated his own time, his staff time, materials and equipment to the club. I remember many a Saturday or Sunday at the course doing "jobs". With a father who had a strong interest in horse racing (both codes) I acquired a similar level of interest. I lived in Hokitika for the first 20 years of my life.
They have this world view that every racing club asset is a Thoroughbred Racing asset. Yes and that is the problem with those driven by self-interest such as Pitman. Typically, that trust was misplaced, and the moves within the club to protect their asset for the community understandable. He trusted Winston to 'look out for the regions' as was a NZF platform. Gray Eatwell was a former NZ First member, knew Winston well, and I know he went to Wellington and met with him where Hokitika's fate was discussed. You may take issue ( rightly IMO ) with the machinations within the committee that dramatically changed it's makeup, however, it is a stretch to blame that committee for the loss of the venue. By the way I enjoyed going to Hokitika, was where I trained my first winner! They reap what they sow, Greymouth next! They could have given the land to the council but didn't need to give away the cash they had accumulated. I know Past President Gray Eatwell lobbied very hard to stop this happening. Which I predicted would happen at the time, I feel for all the generations of volunteers who put in over many years to have a committee come in and wipe out their racing venue, club and race days.
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