MINUTES OF THE 2014 HRA ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Monday, 13 October 2014 RVL Board Room 400 Epsom Road, Flemington, Vic. ITEMS FOR DECISION The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting. ROLL CALL: Harness Racing Australia: Geoff Want (Chairman), Dean Cooper (Legal Counsel), Andrew Kelly (Chief Executive). Accredited Representatives: Observers: Harness Racing New South Wales New South Wales Harness Racing Club Racing Queensland Albion Park Harness Racing Club Harness Racing South Australia Racing Services Tasmania Tasracing Pty Ltd Tasmanian Pacing Club Harness Racing Victoria HRV Management Ltd Racing and Wagering Western Australia Gloucester Park Harness Racing Harness Racing Australia Harness Racing New Zealand New South Wales Harness Racing Club Racing Queensland Tasracing Pty Ltd Rex Horne John Dumesny Robert Marshall Warwick Stansfield David Fowler Mark Carey Tony Murray Brian Speers Phillip Young Ken Latta John Anderson Matt Benson Barry Hamilton Michael Radley Gary Kairn Julie Davies Edward Rennell Bruce Christison Darren Condon Dr Eliot Forbes Apologies: South Australian Harness Racing Club (Proxy John Lewis) Harness Racing South Australia (SAHRC proxy to Mark Carey) Harness Racing New South Wales Harness Racing Victoria Gloucester Park Harness Racing Richard Miller John Lewis Rod Smith Neale Wheat John Burt 1
It was MOVED to CONFIRM the Accredited Representatives, notified observers and proxies. Moved: Rex Horne; Seconded: Mark Carey. CARRIED The HRA Chairman was pleased to see new Albion Park Harness Racing Club (APHRC) Chairman David Fowler attending and representing APHRC at the meeting. MINUTES: It was MOVED to RECEIVE and CONFIRM the Minutes of the HRA Mid Season General Meeting held on 28th February 2014. Moved: Brian Speers; Seconded: Mark Carey. CARRIED. CHAIRMAN S REPORT: The Chairman s Report was tabled, distributed and verbally delivered. It was MOVED that the Chairman s Report be RECEIVED. Moved: Warwick Stansfield; Seconded: Ken Latta. CARRIED TREASURER S REPORT: Receipt of Financial Statements, Year Ended 30 June 2014. (Item A4 (i)) It was moved that the Final Accounts presented by the Treasurer including the Balance Sheet for the Year Ended 30 June 2014, Statements & Trading Accounts together with explanatory notes presented at the Annual General Meeting be RECEIVED and ADOPTED. Moved: Ken Latta; Seconded: John Burt. CARRIED. It was MOVED that the Financial Accounts for the Year ended 30 June 2014 be signed by the Chairman and Treasurer on behalf of HRA. Moved: Mark Carey; Seconded: Ken Latta. CARRIED. Appointment of Auditors (Item A4 (ii)) It was MOVED to APPROVE that HRA appoint the professional auditing firm of Prowse, Perrin and Twomey as Auditors until the 2015 Annual General Meeting. Moved: Mark Carey; Seconded: John Anderson. CARRIED. Receipt of 2014/2015 HRA Budget (Item A4 (iii)) It was MOVED that the 2014/2015 HRA Budget be APPROVED by Members. Moved: Mark Carey; Seconded: Brian Speers. CARRIED. 2
The Chairman spoke on the HRA Annual Report which has been provided to all representatives and commended Andrew HONOUR COMMITTEE: HONOURS COMMITTEE NOMINATIONS (Item A5) The Chairman advised that the following nominees had been approved for Awards by the HRA Executive acting as the Honours Committee. J.P. Stratton Award Graeme Campbell J.P. Stratton Award Ross Cooper Meritorious Service Award Kerry Ebert Meritorious Service Award The Denning Family It was moved to RATIFY the recommendations of the Honours Committee of the above Awards. RULE CHANGES: NATIONAL RULE CHANGES (ITEM A6) Australian Rules Of Harness Racing Item A6 (I)) Dean Cooper, Chairman of the Rules Committee spoke to this item and the thorough process for consideration of the rules and the recommended amendments put before you today. It was MOVED to amend the Australian Rules of Harness Racing in line with the recommendations. Moved: Mark Carey; Seconded: Rex Horne. CARRIED Robert Marshall spoke regarding the rule 254A and obligations in the stabling areas. The chief executive advised that the rules do need to be contextualized and that this can be done through good communication by Clubs/Tracks. The chairman agreed that it is a delicate issue and a good point - but management and implementation rested with the Members. Stud Book Regulations Item A6 (ii) The Chairman of the Rules Committee advised of a number of minor amendments to the Stud Book Regulations which have been endorsed by the Rules Committee and the HRA Executive and are now put forward for approval. It was MOVED to amend the Stud Book Regulations in line with the recommendations provided to the meeting. Moved: Mark Carey; Seconded: Phillip Young. CARRIED. Handicapping Rules (Item A6 (iii)) 3
The Chairman of the Rules Committee spoke on the amendments to the Handicapping Rules in relation to Monté Races and Penalty Thresholds. These amendments had also been considered and endorsed by Chief Executives, the Rules Committee and the HRA Executive and are put forward for approval. Moved: Ken Latta; Seconded: Mark Carey. CARRIED The chairman thanked Dean Cooper for his continued good work. HRA OWNERS COMMITTEE (Item A7) The Chairman asked that if members agreed that an HRA owners committee should be established. Following discussion it was MOVED to establish an Owners Committee Moved: Warwick Stansfield; John Anderson. CARRIED The Chairman advised that Members to submit names to the Chief Executives over the next couple of weeks to be submitted to the next HRA Executive Meeting. COBALT (Item A8) NEW ITEM This item was deferred to after Dr Martin Wainscott s presentation. After the presentation the Chief Executive spoke to this new agenda item which was added by the HRA Executive following their meeting yesterday. It was MOVED that the following recommendation be APPROVED That 188A(2) be amended by adding sub-paragraph (k) to read:- (k) Cobalt at a concentration at or below 200 micrograms per litre in urine. Moved: Rex Horne; Seconded: Mark Carey. CARRIED. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION: 2015 INTER DOMINION REPORT (Item B1) John Dumesny and Bruce Christison gave an update on the 2015 Inter Dominion Championship Series. Information provided including with discussions with Government and ambassadors as well as the World Driving Championship. They also spoke on the support/social program. The Chairman congratulated them both on their new roles and wished them well. 4
2015/16 2017/2018 INTER DOMINION (Item B2) The Chairman spoke on behalf of the other members the Inter Dominion Event Committee (IDEC) and advised that they were greatly impressed by the submission by RWWA and Gloucester Park. Barry Hamilton spoke on the support of the RWWA Board and using the Inter Dominion to invigorate the industry in Western Australia as well as the other codes. He also highlighted the infrastructure legacy from the Inter Dominion and the fact that it will be the World s richest Pacing Event at $1.3million for the Final. Michael Radley spoke on the Series with 3 heats to be run on Friday 27 November, Tuesday 1 December and Friday 4 December and the Final currently set for Friday 11 December but they are looking at moving to a Sunday afternoon to accommodate the local, eastern seaboard and New Zealand markets. Transport logistics have been a problem in the past, but moving to November, the thoroughbreds already have a chartered flight from Melbourne which they can take advantage of. Barry Hamilton thanked New South Wales and New Zealand for their cooperation in finalising the dates. COBALT RESEARCH (Item B3) The Chairman spoke that Cobalt has been a critical issue that has occupied our time over recent months adding that there is a late item brought to the meeting by the Executive to consider a Rule amendment later in the meeting. Reid Sanders, Integrity Manager HRNSW, spoke on the background of his investigations into the use of Cobalt and the testing they had undertaken to develop thresholds for Cobalt in New South Wales. Dr Martin Wainscott, HRNSW Regulatory Veterinarian gave a presentation he recently made at the International Conference of Racing Analysts and Veterinarians (RCRAV). This presentation included details of research, monitoring, testing, formal studies and administration trials, including an exchange of information with other bodies, to arrive at an appropriate threshold. Darren Condon questioned the 200 level and not a 100 threshold. Dr Wainscott understood, but on the information available and the cohort researched it was better to be in the position of bringing the threshold back at some time in the future but implementing 200 initially. The accumulation of data has supported this level in the first instance. There were questions and discussion within the meeting to Martin Wainscott and Reid Sanders in relation to the levels, margins of error and the use of Cobalt. Both gentlemen were thanked for their presentations. 5
WAGERING WORKING PARTY (Item B4) The Wagering Working Party (WWP) consisted of Ross Cooper (chair), Sam Nati, Harvey Kaplan and Shane Anderson. WWP chair, Ross Cooper spoke on the terms of reference of the working party and the findings of the online survey, which in turn formed the basis of the recommendations put forward in the WWP Report. Ross Cooper thanked the committee members for taking the time to tackle this important issue and also commended Andrew Kelly for his work. Tony Murray spoke in support of the need for a national approach on the integrity issues. It was generally accepted these items could be discussed at the Chairmen of Stewards Conference. The Chairman spoke regarding recommendations that can be introduced in the short term, agreeing many of the issues require a national response. He requested that each jurisdiction especially the State Controlling Bodies take the report being distributed today to consider and to provide feedback to the next HRA Executive meeting in December. The meeting formally acknowledged the working party members for their work. Ken Latta asked whether we are going to formally acknowledge them for their time. The Chairman advised that we would. STALLION FERTILITY RESEARCH (Item B5) Dr Zamira Gibb from the University of New South Wales gave an update on her research project into stallion fertility including their major scientific findings, the progress, commercialisation opportunities and the future direction of the project. STANDARDBREDS UNHARNESSED (Item B6) Kathleen Mullan spoke and gave an emotional presentation about her standardbred James who was the first standardbred to compete in the Garryowen competition at the Royal Melbourne Show. The Chairman presented Kathleen with a HRA Special Recognition Award for For perseverance, dedication and success in the promotion of Standardbreds in life after racing activities. AUSTRALIAN DRIVING CHAMPIONSHIP (Item B7) The Chief Executive gave an update on this new series being held at 6
Globe Derby Park on 19 October with the best two drivers in each State competing. Mark Carey spoke further on the program including non penalty racing for the series. He spoke on TattsBet coming on board and the media exposure for the series. He thanked the Chief Executives in each state for their co-operation. The rotation of the series will be reviewed after the series. The Chairman wished Harness Racing South Australia and the South Australian Harness Racing Club well with the series. ITEMS FOR REPORT: HARNESS RACING NEW ZEALAND REPORT (Item C1) Edward Rennell gave an update on the situation and key issues affecting the New Zealand industry. 2015 WORLD TROTTING CONFERENCE & WORLD DRIVING CHAMPIONSHIP (Item C2) The Chief Executive gave an update on the conference and social programs. The Conference commences with a welcome BBQ on the 25 th February with the Constitution Committee meeting that afternoon. The Conference officially opens on the 26 th February with plenary sessions in the morning and the committees meeting in the afternoons. He also gave an update on the World Driving Championship including drivers and countries announced. The drivers will be drawn into their barriers first with each driver being allocated each barrier twice. He thanked HRNSW and NSWHRC for their cooperation in the organisation and the use of the media The drivers are also being integrated some of the social program of the world trotting conference. Some drivers have indicated their interest in staying on after the world driving championship for the Great Southern Star meeting. The involvement and attendance of HRA Members will be advised in a formal notice to the Chief Executives. The Australian representative for the World Driving Championship will be made by the HRA Executive. ITEMS FOR INFORMATION MINUTES OF MEETINGS PREVIOUSLY DISTRIBUTED (Item D1) Noted. 7
SEASON STATISTICS (Item D2) Noted. GENERAL BUSINESS (Item E1) ELECTION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICE POSITIONS (Item E2) There was no general business. There being no other nominations, the following properly validated and nominated Accredited Representatives were returned: Deputy Chairman Ken Latta (Vic) Treasurer Mark Carey (SA) Executive Members Rex Horne (NSW) Brian Speers (Tas) Warwick Stansfield (Qld) Matt Benson (WA) All were declared duly elected in accordance with our rules. APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEES AND SUB- COMMITTEES (Item E3) The Chief Executive spoke on the extension of the Feature Race Committee. Michael Radley was nominated to be added to the Feature Race Committee. Moved: Barry Hamilton; Seconded: Brian Speers. CARRIED. The Chairman asked the Rules Committee chairman if the Rules committee needed to have a steward added to the committee. The CEO said we had a Stewards Meeting and felt that if appointing anyone to the Committee, then it should be an Integrity Manager rather than a Steward. The Chairman of the Rules Committee said if there was a Steward on the Committee, he did not know how it would be received by the other Stewards. He concurred with the Chief Executive regarding the Integrity Manager as they attend the stewards meeting with their chairman of steward but says the rules committee works well as it is. The consensus of the meeting was for the committee to remain as is. It was noted that the Chief Executives will be driving the Media Consolidation Committee. All other Committee's were re-appointed in line with the 2014 Membership. 8
APPOINTMENT OF PUBLIC OFFICER & HONORARY OFFICERS (Item E4) DETERMINATION OF DATE, PLACE & TIME OF NEXT HRA MEETINGS (Item E5) Gary Kairn Public Officer Dean Cooper Legal Counsel Moved: Mark Carey; Seconded: Brian Speers. CARRIED The mid season meeting was determined to be held in Melbourne on Monday, 20 April 2015. It is proposed to have the Annual General Meeting in Perth during the Inter Dominion Championship in November. Meeting closed at 2.50pm 9