Seven days in … racing – Hazards and Hazzard

In this edition:

• Ex-Health Minister Hazzard to conduct review into NSW racing
• ‘Should have been handled a lot better’ – Trainers’ trust eroded after errant Racing NSW email bungle
• ‘Most magnificent’ – The kid from Calca’s journey to SA racing’s greatest honour
• Dressed for success – Nichols springs into action with blueblood filly
• Racing’s executive conveyor belt – How V’landys’ long tenure defies a national trend
• Ballesty’s ‘bold’ strategic moves – NZTR executive undergoes major changes
• Golden Eagle flies east – Sydney’s signature $10 million race to be run at Randwick

During a NSW parliamentary career of more than three decades, Brad Hazzard forged a reputation as a matter-of-fact Liberal MP.

Elected in 1991, Hazzard earned the moniker ‘Battleship’ well before his hardline stance became a staple of daily 11am press conferences as NSW Health Minister during the COVID-19 pandemic.

He retired from politics at the 2023 state election, vowing to spend more time in the south of France as he reassessed his priorities in life.

The soon-to-be 74-year-old will be in the public sphere and thrust into the cauldron of another political beast as he leads a review into the Thoroughbred Racing Act 1996.

Hazzard’s relationship with racing during his time in Macquarie Street, which included 25 years on the frontbench, wasn’t an obvious one.

As Minister for Planning and Infrastructure, he stepped in to delay the planning process around mining giant Anglo American’s bid to open sites in the Hunter Valley when it was revealed Coolmore and Darley could have been forced to move if two projects were approved.

He also boasts a close friendship with Barry O’Farrell, who resigned after three years as NSW Premier only to become the chief executive of Racing Australia.

Hazzard was also reportedly a guest in the directors’ suite at Randwick for the 2022 Everest meeting and, last year, he was spotted again at the Sydney racetrack on Melbourne Cup day “enjoying retirement as he soaked up the atmosphere”.

A review of the Thoroughbred Racing Act 1996 is a long-awaited move that originated as one of the recommendations of the inquiry into the proposed sale of Rosehill.

Its range won’t extend to the independent status of Racing NSW and it won’t be concerned about industry funding arrangements.

But there should be enough regulatory fodder for Hazzard to get through as an independent reviewer if the events of the past 48 hours are anything to go by.

Racing NSW is in damage control following an administrative blunder after the names of 116 trainers were revealed in an email chain concerning new financial obligations imposed on stables throughout the state.

Embarrassingly, the email addresses of all recipients were displayed, giving the impression that those trainers may be at risk of not being relicensed for the 2025/2026 season.

While one industry representative body suggests licence renewal will still be a “straightforward” process, we understand that some aggrieved trainers who appeared on the email distribution list are considering their legal options.

All in all, it is an unnecessary turn of events involving an issue that ensured The Straight was the first media outlet to report on the new financial responsibilities imposed on NSW trainers.

The bungle came to light not long after Bren O’Brien took a deep dive into the lifespan of chief executives attached to Australia’s principal racing authorities (PRA).

In a revealing piece, Racing NSW boss Peter V’landys has outlasted 26 counterparts since his appointment in 2004.

Except for NSW, it has been a merry-go-round of the most senior executives.

In contrast, tenancy at racing’s coalface – particularly among the high-profile stables who help keep the industry rolling – has a stability that, in Tony McEvoy’s case, ultimately comes with industry recognition.

He has been in the game for 50 years as a jockey and a trainer, and following news of his induction into the South Australian Racing Hall of Fame, Matt Stewart delved into the life and times of a racing survivor who is now preparing for generational change with his son Calvin involved in the family business.

Shane Nichols is counting on a family connection of the equine kind continuing to pay dividends when he unwraps blueblood filly Esha for the spring at Moonee Valley on Saturday.

Just as I Am A Star has been an important horse in Nichols’ career, the Mornington trainer is hoping her daughter can also do good things for his stable.

Esha will be odds-on to make a winning return and, if she is successful, it won’t be the only short-priced result to land in racing in the space of 24 hours.

After months of speculation, the first lobbed on Friday when Racing NSW and the Australian Turf Club announced the $10 million Golden Eagle will be moved to Randwick after being staged at Rosehill since its inception in 2019.

What you may have missed this week:

• Redacted – Public none-the-wiser after government meetings with gambling reformers and broadcasters
• Aquis’ base among proposed housing development plans
• Arqana connection keeps bringing Sandblom back
• The Netflix effect – Fasig-Tipton stampede continues global bloodstock surge
• Virtual Star – Olentia makes $2.6 million at Magic Millions sale
• Punter’s $60 loss leads to $15,000 fine for CrossBet
• Comment: The Punting Nation and the Federal Government: A History
• Rowe on Tuesday – The aura of racing’s spiritual home and the magnificence of Goodwood
• Run The Numbers – The big blue change
• Caulfield Guineas winner Griff lands in Tasmania

Don’t forget to check out this week’s episode of the Straight Talk Podcast where we bring together bloodstock agent Dave Mee of Pinhook Bloodstock and form analyst and professional punter Aaron Gooden of The Good Oil to discuss what they see in a horse, be it at a yearling sale or in a mounting yard. That intel might prove useful as the spring action heats up.

Enjoy your racing weekend,

Warwick Barr

Senior Editor

The Straight