ALBURY solicitor Mark Cronin has slipped into the big shoes left by outgoing Albury Racing Club president David Wallace.
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Mr Cronin, a long-time vice-president, was confirmed as Mr Wallace's replacement at the club's recent annual meeting.
His election to the top job completes the overhaul of the club's board as required by Racing NSW as part of the $1.6 million track upgrade presently under way.
Mr Cronin was one of four independent board members appointed by Racing NSW recently with the others being Dick Sloane and two newcomers, Steve Stewart and Michael Dyordyevic.
The other board members are Glenn Chapman, Geoff Miller, Rod Mullavey, Craig Sheather, Gerald Judd and Ann McHardy.
They have all been appointed for two-year terms.
Mr Judd has been elected vice-president and Mr Mullavey will be treasurer.
Board members John Ervin and Geoff Alexander also retired.
The club's latest profit of $28,970 was well down on the $134,566 profit from 12 months ago with operations hit hard by a string of cancelled meetings.
Mr Cronin was unable to comment on his appointment on Tuesday.
He is also president of the North Albury Football-Netball Club, which will hold its annual meeting in early December.
It is highly unlikely he will do both jobs.
Mr Cronin returned as the Hoppers president two years ago during a time of turmoil at Bunton Park on and off the field.
Mr Stewart is an Albury real estate agent and a former Albury Junior Football Club president and Mr Dyordyevic works in the banking sector.
Mr Wallace was Albury Racing Club president for 31 years in a total of 51 years on the committee.
He was presented with the Order of Australia Medal in 2005 for his services to racing and in 2009 received the prestigious Simon Nivison Award from Racing NSW Country.
Meanwhile, the Albury track upgrade is making strong progress after being impacted by the big spring wet.
Improvements to cambers, full course drainage, a new 1500m chute and a new irrigation system are all part of the works being carried out by three contractors.
Replacement turf is expected to be laid in mid-November with a view to resuming racing in early March.
The club's next scheduled meeting is March 19 which will be a heat of the prestigious NSW Country Championships.
The next meeting will be the Gold Cup on March 24.
The club's latest phantom meeting was held on Tuesday.
