Evidence from Racing NSW chair Saranne Cooke will conclude the third and final day of public hearings of a NSW parliamentary inquiry into the potential sale of Rosehill.
Cooke will be the last of 12 witnesses to front a Select Committee when the inquiry resumes on Thursday into an Australian Turf Club proposal to sell Rosehill for redevelopment.
Her appearance will add a final layer of intrigue to a controversy that has divided the NSW racing industry since the ATC and the NSW government announced plans for Rosehill’s future in December.
Acting on what he said was an unsolicited proposal from the ATC, NSW Premier Chris Minns outlined “a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” to shut Rosehill and turn the precinct into a mini-suburb with 25,000 new homes.
In a joint press conference with ATC officials to announce Rosehill’s future, a $5 billion windfall for the racing industry emerged as a headline figure.
However, the committee has subsequently heard conflicting views about Rosehill’s value for redevelopment, varying from $1.6 billion to $23 billion.
In February, Cooke became the first woman appointed Racing NSW chair, replacing the long-serving Russell Balding.
She had been the regulatory body’s deputy chair since 2021 after joining the board appointment in 2015.
Cooke’s appointment came after the NSW Labor government abandoned plans to extend Balding’s term.
But the start of her tenure attracted political scrutiny after The Straight revealed that a three-person selection panel appointed by NSW Racing Minister David Harris included John Dumesny.
Dumesny is a former harness racing administrator who is a self-described “lifelong friend” of Racing NSW chief executive Peter V’landys.
Bren O’Brien
V’landys has already fronted the hearing and delivered an explosive submission on the second day of the inquiry last month.
He accused people within the NSW thoroughbred industry of “trying to get rid” him, claiming “wealthy breeders” were undermining his position in a smear campaign.
“They (the breeders) want to get rid of me, so they can put horses into abattoirs,” he said, referencing Racing NSW’s ban on sending thoroughbreds to knackeries.
“Because it's no longer a commercial proposition to these people, no matter how old the horse is, they want to send it to a knackery. Well, we won't allow that!
“We're going to put the cheats and the liars and the undesirables out. Of course they're going to put submissions in,” V’landys said.
V’landys was involved in a heated exchange with independent MP Mark Latham, who had called for his resignation during the lead-up to the chief executive’s appearance.
Quoting from private submissions, Latham questioned V’landys about a toxic culture within Racing NSW.
“There's been no complaints whatsoever about a toxic culture,” V’landys said.
“In fact, we take pride that the culture of Racing NSW is very vibrant and happy. And I've never had a complaint from any person about the culture.”
Bren O’Brien
Cooke is scheduled to give evidence at 4.30pm following an appearance from country-based racehorse trainer Debbie Prest, former stablehand Carolyn McDonald and experienced veterinarian Peter Kerkenezov.
A succession of bureaucrats will provide evidence to open Thursday’s hearing.
They include Sydney Olympic Park Authority chief executive Carla Armanet, Sydney International Equestrian Centre boss Karen Jones.
Sydney Metro chief executive Peter Regan will also give evidence.
Bren O’Brien
The inquiry, which opened on July 22 with more than 100 submissions, has heard from a who’s who of the NSW racing.
ATC chairman Peter McGauran, vice chair Timothy Hale, Racing NSW board member Garry Charny were key witnesses during the second day of the hearing.
Leading trainers Gai Waterhouse, Chris Waller, John O’Shea and Richard Freedman have also appeared,
The committee, chaired by opposition housing spokesperson Scott Farlow, has been asked to report on its findings and recommendations by November 30.
