Australian Turf Club (ATC) Chairman considers Defamation action against ATC Board candidate in bitter election

16 Nov 14

Australian Turf Club (ATC) Chairman considers Defamation action against ATC Board candidate in bitter election

According to the Daily Telegraph's racing reporter Christian Nicolussi on Friday 14/11, the Australian Turf Club elections have turned nasty, with threats of legal action over the scandalous content of a flyer and a series of distasteful and factually incorrect information put out by one candidate.

Nicolussi obtained a letter from candidate James Mathers to members that urged them "not to vote" for current chairman Michael Crismale.

It’s understood Michael Crismale was stunned when he sighted the letter and has sought legal -advice over inaccuracies in the 11 points listed.

He took particular offence to the claim that ‘‘as a senior member of the ATC board, surely he is responsible for the disgraceful condition of the club, including massive losses being incurred, and solvency issues requiring valuable assets previously owned by the AJC to be sold’’.

Mathers also suggested Crismale had failed to provide “absolute clarity as to the future of Canterbury’’, and had received life membership to the Chairman’s Club ‘‘within six months of taking office’’.

For the record, Michael Crismale has no such life membership, and told Daily Telegraph colleague Ray Thomas on September 19 about Canterbury: ‘‘It’s fair to say I have a soft spot for the track and I won’t sell it in my term.’’

Crismale refused to comment about the pre-election blow-up when contacted by The Daily Telegraph, preferring to focus on the November 27 election for the benefit of members.

The future make-up of the ATC board has become more important than ever with the ¬arrival of The Championships.

Four directors will be elected to the board by the members, with NSW Racing Minister Troy Grant to appoint three independents.

Mathers has enjoyed mass exposure on a Hong Kong racing website, which often leans on D-grade contacts from Sydney and Melbourne for its Australian content.

When contacted on Thursday, Mathers stood by the points he had raised about Crismale.

He appreciated the work put in by the current board.

His No. 1 hope if elected is to get punters back to the track, to make race days fun, and hire ‘‘creative types’’ to achieve that.

But he said Crismale and fellow board member Wilf Mula were the reasons the ATC had inherited the legacy debt in the first place (factually incorrect).

Matters stated “The legacy debt arose out of decisions ¬Michael and Wilf made while at the STC. They built the Grand Pavilion and couldn’t pay for it, so there were significant losses,’’ Mathers said (again untrue).

Fact: Crismale was not on the STC board when the Grand Pavilion was developed.

From A Dynamic Point of View:

Dean Watt, Managing Director of Dynamic Syndications offers his personal view on this unsavoury racing issue.

Firstly, I do know both men. Both are passionate about our club and both have been on the Board of the race clubs - MATHERS - AJC & CRISMALE - STC

From my perspective, that is where the similarities end.

From where I sit as an industry participant, the merged ATC has been a major winner for our club Members, for industry participants and importantly, owners who are the lifeblood to our sport.

I have had significant dealings with Michael Crismale, and his fellow directors.

Also very important is the high quality output from a tremendous team of staff at the Australian Turf Club, led by a first class and professional executive team, headed by Darren Pearce CEO.

MICHAEL CRISMALE - ATC Chairman

For those who have had the pleasure to work with the ATC Executive and the ATC Board they are aware how professionally managed the club is and readily noted it is free of angst. Obviously it's a harmonious environment.

The disappointing comments in Flyers being handed out at the races and on Social Media accredited to James Mathers have been vicious and totally without basis.

Mr Mathers is inexplicably "playing the man - not the ball".

It is distasteful and an alienating attempt to attract a protest vote from any disgruntled hand full of members and in the process, Mr Mathers has and is continuing to damage the image of the ATC and of Racing.

Mr Mathers is a "key-board warrior" and in his haste to become a "player-hater", he delivered nasty remarks about good men of integrity whom hold positions of leadership for which he aspires.

He hasn't confined his bile to Michael Crismale. He has also teed-off against Racing NSW and singled out Peter V'landys and John Messara as his focus.

He has accused the ATC CEO and his executive team of incompetence’s.

He hasn't missed attacking any of the existing ATC Board especially coming under fire Wilf Mula and the 3 independent appointments who answer to the Racing Minister Troy Grant.

For good measure, he has also let fly at the ATC Independent Auditors, questioning their integrity in the figures they signed-off upon.

So, Mr Mathers - who's left to blame ? The Tea Lady ?

Mr Mathers has had his stint on the AJC Board - his time has been and is well truly gone. He wasn’t put forward to sit on the new ATC Board by the Australian Jockey Club when the clubs merged.

The Board needs to be filled with capable Directors who have displayed outstanding commercial ability at a high level. We need our club to be in the hands of top businessmen and businesswomen who are capable of running the club professionally.

Can you imagine the turmoil if James Mathers sneaks-in on a protest vote and is elected to the Board, he could only become a “lame duck” Director.

Mr Mathers has slammed the credibility and the integrity by individual naming, an excellent group of industry leaders, all of whom are performing at an elite level with tremendous outcomes for our members and industry. He will have no alliances on this new Board, as he has offended everybody equally.

Surely disharmony must / would spill out of the Board room and affect the harmony within our club.

There is nothing worse than political self-interest being played out to the detriment of our 15,144 members.

Disappointingly, Mr Mathers chose to deliberately employ a tactic of mudslinging and pedalling blatant defamatory untruths about quality men and fellow candidates, rather than promoting his own abilities to the members.

Is this the type of person we need on our clubs Board ?

FACTS are FACTS: The ATC is in a wonderful position thanks to the Board’s leadership.

The ATC Board Members up for re-election are: Michael Crismale (Chairman), Bill Evans, Steve Grant and Wilf Mula. These men deserve our clubs support because under their watch:

*   Membership is up significantly to 15,144
*   Attendances are up 89,000 over the past 12 months
*   We have world-class racing facilities
*   We have wonderful levels of prize money and the ATC will add an extra $400,000 through several upgraded races this financial year.
*   We have been delivered world-class racing via The Championships.
*   The Board and executive have worked seamlessly to return a profit for the first time since the merger of $3.784 million
*   The Board and executive have also reduced debt by $18 million last financial year and have $17 million in funds allocated for debt retirement in this financial year.
*   Teething issues relating to the new Randwick Grandstand facilities and Theatre of the Horse have been identified and are being ironed out.
*   Racehorse Owners have world-class facilities at Randwick on racedays.
*   Work is earmarked for improvements at Rosehill, Canterbury and Warwick Farm.

These facts are supported by the independent auditors.

How could any fair thinking person be dissatisfied with the performance of the current ATC Board ?

Fortunately, when I was at the races at Rosehill on Saturday, I spoke to many ATC members. I was heartened to hear so many were as equally appalled by the “bottom of the birdcage” tactics that had been employed.

There is another first class candidate, Julia Ritchie that would value add to the ATC Board.

Julia is the only lady standing for election to the Board and has been on the AJC Board previously.

Julia is always at the races, she owns many horses and she owns an agistment property Oakridge Spelling Farm and a pre-training property “Wild Oaks”.

Julia understands racing and the needs of members and participants equally.

However it is unfortunate that 5 into 4 doesn’t go, so ATC eligible voters should consider their position and enter their proxy with the candidates they would like to see running our club.

ATC Voting is non-compulsory BUT ....., it should be, to avoid any candidates with petty personal agendas being placed into any position of power to sabotage the terrific deeds that have been achieved by the current ATC Board.

All ATC Members - Be heard - Vote !

Don’t let apathy destroy our club. Under the new structure you vote is vital !

Ballot papers WILL NOT be sent out. They do NOT exist. We now work under a different structure.

It's a vote by those attending the AGM at Rosehill on Thursday 27/11 at 2:00pm or by submitting a PROXY.

If you can't make it to the AGM at Rosehill on 27/11 at 2:00pm, use your proxy and have your voice heard.

Proxy forms are available online on the ATC website.

Be informed and be involved - now is not the time to risk the future of our great new club which is running smoothly, professionally and successfully.

I will be attending the AGM on 27/11 and would gladly submit eligible ATC Members PROXY VOTES if members wish to have them lodged independently.

Contact me on 1 800 61 99 99 or email at dean@dynamicdsyndications.com.au