The Corner with Garry Chittick
We live in a vastly different world to the world I was born into 80 years ago. Of course, I would not feel the effects of the political values of the time with any likelihood of understanding, perhaps for 30 years, and yet the environment in which my cousins and I were raised in has had an entrenched effect on our lives.
Our parents were market gardeners in Lower Hutt; their small plots of land were adjacent to the very significant social experiment of bulk social housing in one area of Taita and Naenae. Our education, therefore, was well and truly interspersed with a representative cross section of race, social and political views. From a very young age, we were required to work after school and weekends; we never assumed this was anything other than normal, that is, until what was then Standard Four.
We played our weekend rugby in the Taita Club – it was here at this age we came to realise the spoils of our parents’ toil enabled us to live in a better abode, ride in a better car. Our education, though, was fashioned in the same classrooms. In hindsight, I have no doubt now the majority of our teachers were like now, left-wing. So, how did this affect us? Well, the first thing I noticed was decision-making. Our parents never showed any indication of being entitled; however, strong views were supported by strong decisions. Therefore, from a young age, we believed our decisions were of more consequence than of course they were; still, you may have noticed it’s a hard habit to shake.
All ‘Corners’ are about racing, as is this, so why the preamble. Well it seems to me the current world of supposed fairness is in racing, undermining our ability to get anything done. To be fair, this is a universal issue. Who is prepared to stand for elected roles, look at our upcoming local body elections. Racing appears to be blighted by a similar fungi, for whatever reason, we are having similar lack of enthusiasm to stand for our Racing Clubs. Why, well, without casting aspersions on those administrators we do have, those that are prepared to raise their head above the parapet have decided it’s safer not to appear.
So we now have paralysis of analysis – do you doubt me, well you will argue what is more earth-shattering than the recent Entain deal. What’s earth-shattering is that we needed them. I won’t traverse all details of the deal and sincerely hope it works. But what changed, personal, their self-belief is just what we need, or dare I say needed.
But back to my point, in my racecourse travels I struggle to find a spirited fighter. They will still exist, but won’t put up their hand.
We now have an opportunity, apart from Board members entitled to, and reoffering themselves, we have other vacancies to fill. The two of you – this is not your chance, this is your responsibility to find suitable candidates.
Just a note to finish, I was lucky enough to have a horse trial Tuesday. Shouldn’t be noteworthy except to say my trainers were keen to trial three potential Group 1 starters, only to be told the suitable trial was not to be run. A very intelligent decision, perhaps they didn’t need that final hitout whilst multiple maidens yet to run did. You can see why our better horses cross the Tasman. The decision-makers need to be very wary; if we continue to weaken our Group-race starters, we won’t have Group races.
G
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