Lisa Prager: Best Bets...

Come along people, place your bets, the Local Body Electoral Sweepstake is about to begin.

The prestigious tri-annual race can be a dirty affair: politicos jockeying for position, back room bribes and waka jumping. But at least we the punters still get a chance to vote and affect how we are governed.

Political parties and their media trainers have been working hard promoting candidates, hoping to catch your eye and win your vote, even though you don’t have the faintest idea who they are, what they stand for or how on earth they got there. The shanty town of flimsy corflute signs, clutters every corner paddock and motorway on-ramp, advertising a new batch of amatuers and a few old nags.

So before anyone breaks down my door wanting the best bets and hot tips for who to vote for this time round, let me give you the track record of the best and worst in show.

It’s been three long years since the last scandalous local body race. Where vote fixing and sly doping were alleged. Bucking tradition Ms G.Sage ran under the Citizen and Ratepayer’s (C&R) colours. Winning a place on the Waitamata Local Board she was expected to support her team, but instead she went feral and galloped over to the opposition City Vision (C.V). Winning a wage of approximately $104,000 as chairperson, to many of us it looked more like a bribe than a wage. In my opinion C.V and Sage should be sanctioned for their abuse of our democratic system. Voting them out of the game in October is one way to stop future match fixing.

So, who to vote for and why? I’d put money on Mike Lee for Auckland City Councillor for Waitemata. He has plenty of experience, puts up a brave fight, always runs with integrity and has a long pedigree of wins. Not the fastest out of the gate but has lots of staying power and a mind of his own. Good odds, he gets my vote.

Sarah Trotman is a winner. She is in form and race ready, her larger than life personality is obvious when parading pre race. A big heart and enthusiastic, she tops the odds in winning the community board stakes. Already recognised by the late Queen, this horse is bound to please and already has my vote. 

Another worthy competitor is Gael Baldock, running as an independent for a place on the community board. She is a committed, hardworking and intelligent show pony, her political nouse and community advocacy are ribbon winning. Under rated she has good odds and deserves your vote.

Muy Chhour is a new comer to the field. She ran well in the K’Rd Cup and rode hard against the Auckland Transport hacks. A good nose for business, down to earth and trains hard, she gets my vote for starters.

The well known mare Anne Batley Burton is a favourite of the elite punters, champagne anyone. Known for her form and charisma she is expected to be good over the distance, a tick from me.

The other stable mates in C&R are Nick Nielson a new contender with a deep interest in saving Ponsonby Road from the two wheelers. Keen on preserving heritage, he gets my tick.

Leo Grachev is the young colt in the field, passionate about politics, a strong supporter of protecting Owairaka, he has a big future and gets my stamp of approval.

Greg Moyle and Allan Matson are the veterans of this event, they provide a steady pace and can be expected to help bring home the superfecta.

Meanwhile C.V stands out as a stable in decline with a lack lustre team for this competition. However, owner Coom and trainer Chambers are experienced at manipulating the system and despite losing the race last time they managed to skew the outcome. Expect more dirty tricks from this team in the up and coming mad dash for power.

Alex Bonham, the aging entrant for C.V, is a mouthy mare, an evangelical acolyte for the bike brigade. Not a good bet.

Anahera Rawiri was born and raised on the rich pastures of Tamaki Makaurau and has some local support but is really just a pace maker and seat warmer who lacks focus on the end game. Not expected to place.

Peter Elliot is the dark horse who could be a good bet if he ignores his jockey’s instructions and makes a break for the finishing line. A talented galloper with a number of wins in his class. This horse is the best bet out of the C.V stable.

The rest are just there to make up the numbers in their maiden race.

Of course Wayne Brown a.k.a Brownie is the front runner, a controversial entrant in the Mayoral Stakes. Clearly a shoe in.

Take my advice, vote! Don’t let apathy get in the way. Go for gold, hit the jackpot and let’s win Auckland back.

Lisa Prager
Political Spectator

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