A move to change the political landscape of one Australia's oldest thoroughbred clubs has been formally launched within weeks of its premier racing carnival.The troubled Australian Jockey Club (AJC) has been served with a petition which will force the current board of directors to stand down.The petition, signed by more than 100 members, requires the AJC to hold a general meeting and calls for a spill of all but one of the current positions on the board.The petition was organised by a group name

A move to change the political landscape of one Australia's oldest thoroughbred clubs has been formally launched within weeks of its premier racing carnival.

The troubled Australian Jockey Club (AJC) has been served with a petition which will force the current board of directors to stand down.

The petition, signed by more than 100 members, requires the AJC to hold a general meeting and calls for a spill of all but one of the current positions on the board.

The petition was organised by a group named Save Our AJC which said in a statement on Monday the AJC constitution required a vote to be held within two months.

Save Our AJC believes the current board is dysfunctional, faction-ridden and led by a minority group operating outside of AJC rules and governance requirements.

Leading the Save Our AJC group is long-time member and prominent horse owner Alan Osburg who, with the support of a large group of dissatisfied members, wants most of the current board replaced.

"There is a need for change in the AJC," Osburg said.

"The members initiating these proceedings comprise long term AJC members no longer prepared to see our club and our valued AJC membership diminished by this current dysfunctional and factionalised board.

"Unfortunately the current board has lost sight of the AJC's long and proud history. It has become self-serving and has eroded the brand name of the AJC."

"This inept board is failing to protect for members our organisation's assets, its reputation and its long-standing leadership role in the Australian racing industry.

"Save Our AJC will nominate new candidates for the board to restore true value and pride in an AJC membership, proper and effective governance, and a return to our rights to participate in the functioning and development of the AJC something we are being distanced from."

One vacancy already exits on the 10-member board because of the resignation of Peter Falk last week.

The AJC has recently come under fire for bonuses reportedly paid to chief executive Norman Gillespie and executive director of racing Richard Freedman.

Last week, Gillespie came out in support of proposed merger with the Sydney Turf Club (STC).

His comments that the STC's Canterbury Racecourse was the "most valuable piece of land in racing" prompted STC chairman Bill Picken to post a letter to members on the club's website saying a merger did not necessarily mean the sale of the course.

In fact, Picken said it was hoped the club would gain approval to race on Friday nights in concert with Moonee Valley instead of Thursday.

Picken also outlined a master plan for Canterbury which proposes its development as a sporting and recreational centre to complement racing.

The AJC's master plan to redevelop Randwick estimates the cost at $200 million.

Its famous Easter racing carnival starts on April 11.