Seven days in … racing – The best of times are also distracting times

In this edition:

• Written In The Stars – ‘The ol’ horse racing itch came back’- Dave Appleton’s remarkable ride
• Tried and true blue – Baker chasing Epsom win for Godolphin
• Staking a claim – how a $1 million slot race found a home in WA’s desert
• Hail to the Chief – A champion, a guardian and a legend
• Dry argument – racing in spotlight over drinking, gambling obligations
• Racing NSW extends show-cause deadline for embattled Australian Turf Club
• Hazzard time: Consultancy over Racing Act review to cost $268,840

It’s the best time in Australian racing, yet those closest to the sport are fronting up for a spring when the political machinations of the industry continue to move in the shadows.

And despite Racing NSW giving the Australian Turf Club more time to prepare a defence of a show-cause notice, there is simply no escaping the off-track issues that can intrigue some but be downright tiresome for others.

Racing NSW will allow the ATC an extra two weeks to come up with a response outlining why the regulator shouldn’t sack the remaining four board members and appoint an administrator to run the club.

According to an ATC statement, the extension has been granted to allow the club the space to pour its energy and resources into ensuring the heavily backed Racing NSW Everest meeting can be delivered without the distraction of a showdown with the regulator.

For many industry observers, this is only staving off the inevitable. As Sydney prepares to stage three Group 1 races on Saturday, others admit they are no longer as engaged as they once were, having become less interested in racing as purists.

As one prominent industry identity told colleague Tim Rowe: “Because it’s so political at the moment, I’m not enjoying going to the races. You can’t talk.

“It’s like the Gestapo there. You’re either on one side or the other.”

Setting the politics aside for one moment, Bjorn Baker is hoping to be on the right side of the ledger at Randwick on Saturday.

Baker has runners in all three Group 1 races – the Flight Stakes, Epsom Handicap and The Metropolitan.

We have focused on his Epsom runner Pericles, a part of the Godolphin string that has been dispersed across stables in NSW and Victoria, since the departure of retained trainer James Cummings.

Those advocating for change to the way racing is administered in NSW – especially at a regulatory level – can at least have a say via a review of the Thoroughbred Racing Act.

Submissions are now open, and the vibe within the industry is that Brad Hazzard, the former state Liberal politician engaged to lead the review, will earn every cent of his $268,840 consultancy fee poring through pages of stakeholder feedback.

In contrast, an example of how engagement with the political process can benefit the greater good of racing has been on display in Western Australia this week.

Kalgoorlie, a mining town about 600km west of Perth, is staging a $1 million slot race.

A key to the Golden Saddle getting off the ground has been a $1.5 million contribution from the state government over a three-year period.

Wealthy and influential people with a strong Kalgoorlie connection helped make it happen after an audience with WA Premier Roger Cook.

Despite its remoteness, Kalgoorlie has a proud racing history, much like outback Queensland, which has a knack for producing champion horsemen.

Peter Moody readily comes to mind, and barring a few untimely growth spurts, American-based Dave Appleton could have easily followed his Queensland contemporary into racing.

Instead, Appleton found his groove on the rodeo circuit, moved to the United States and became a household name. All the while maintaining a link with the thoroughbred.

Appleton has taken our audience on his remarkable journey, through this week’s Written In The Stars piece from Jessica Owers.

On the subject of Queensland, there have been few more popular racehorses to come out of the state in the modern era than Chief De Beers.

As a racehorse in the 1990s, Chief De Beers was a Doomben specialist. As a member of the Mounted Police Force, his life off the racetrack was just as enriching.

Matt Stewart has gone behind the scenes to discover what made Chief De Beers, who eventually retired to the Living Legends, so special.

Victorian racing on Saturday will have the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes as its highlight race, but there is also plenty happening behind the scenes.

The Victoria Racing Club has announced a new committee appointment, a process has started to fill two Racing Victoria board vacancies, while a Moonee Valley Racing executive has been snapped up by New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing.

What you may have missed this week:

• VRC selects breeder and businessman Peter Murray to join board
• Racing Queensland weathers turnover troubles to post a $34.4 million profit
• Dry argument – racing in spotlight over drinking, gambling obligations
• Discussion paper released as part of Thoroughbred Racing Act review process
• Charlotte Mills in NZTR appointment to complete executive shake-up
• Process begins to fill two Racing Victoria board vacancies
• Entain shutters TAB Racing Club as CEO focuses on selling bets
• Parlay panic: $8 billion earthquake shakes up US betting industry
• Asian-based illegal racing site snares 17,000 bettors and more than $180 million
• Wagering windfall for state governments, but pokies still drive majority of gambling taxes
• A year on from supposed peace talks, Racing NSW and key breeders remain divided
• ‘It’s not an alien position to find ourselves in’ – Skybird ruled out of The Everest
• Run The Numbers – The stallion-making trainer in the stallion-making race
• Rowe On Monday – Agent-owner relationship now set in Stone, Tatts focus for Mulcaster, strong Rosemont connection to HK winner

Don’t forget to check out this week’s episode of the Straight Talk Podcast where hosts Bren O’Brien and Tim Rowe were joined by Inglis’ Harry Bailey and vendor and agent Shane McGrath about the upcoming two-year-old sales. 

We also explore the latest developments with the NSW Thoroughbred Racing Act review, while discussing the latest boardroom and executive shake-ups.

Enjoy your Group 1 racing weekend,

Warwick Barr

Senior Editor

The Straight