The brutal way in which Racing NSW chair Saranne Cooke exposed the failing business model of the Australian Turf Club poses broader questions about the future role of race clubs in Australian racing, writes Bren O’Brien.
Comment: The Australian Turf Club has spent much of the past two years with its dirty laundry on display to the world, but on Monday night it was Racing NSW chair Saranne Cooke putting the ATC’s unmentionables in the public domain.
Under the cover of addressing what Cooke said was “much misinformation” regarding Racing NSW’s decision to issue a show-cause notice to the ATC as to why it shouldn’t be put into administration, the chair set out a litany of concerns as to the future viability of the club.
It was an extraordinary attack, front-running Racing NSW’s own prosecution case for an administrator to be installed, while leaving the ATC board and executive on the back foot as it bids to run its own affairs.
However, while the escalation was swift, the action itself should come as no surprise. Ever since Racing NSW won the race fields legal case, which delivered it an increasing and now dominant share of the proceeds of wagering in 2012, the club model, as it stands in NSW, has been doomed.
Why now, arguably at the most important time of year for Sydney racing?
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