In today's Straight Shorts, Magic Millions has a new Hong Kong agent, NSW MP Mark Latham faces a possible racetrack ban, New Zealand's star filly set for Treasurethe Moment clash and Cool Aza Beel sires first Australian winner.

New Hong Kong representative for Magic Millions

Magic Millions has bolstered its bloodstock department, recruiting experienced horseman Thomas Yeung as its new Hong Kong representative.

Yeung, who was a professional jockey in Western Australia until 2013, has a wealth of knowledge of the Hong Kong racing industry and long-standing relationships with the jurisdiction’s trainers, owners and administrators.

His career spans roles as a jockey, track rider, stable manager, a senior administration officer, and he currently represents Kentucky Equine Research in the Hong Kong and Conghua markets.

“Having worked in the Hong Kong racing industry for over two decades, I’m passionate about supporting local trainers and owners and helping them discover the world-class opportunities Magic Millions has to offer,” Yeung said. 

“I look forward to strengthening existing relationships and building new ones as I proudly represent Magic Millions in Hong Kong.”

Magic Millions managing director Barry Bowditch says Yeung’s unique skillset as a hands-on horseman and administrator would be a great advantage to the sales company.

“We’re also excited for Thomas to work closely with our expanding network of representatives across Asia, including Amy Feng in China, Ancy Palma in the Philippines, and Yoo Jae-Hyong in Korea,” Bowditch said. 

“He’ll also be joining forces with David Chester, who is about to embark on a month-long tour of South East Asia to promote our upcoming National Sale which we’re full steam ahead on at the moment.”

In effect, Yeung replaces Nicky Wong who was headhunted by Inglis last year as its international business development manager. Yeung will be based in Hong Kong.

Latham could face racetrack ban

Independent MP and strident Racing NSW critic Mark Latham faces a possible ban from NSW racetracks after an altercation with Australian Turf Club executive Steve McMahon.

The Sydney Morning Herald has reported that former chief executive of the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission and ex-deputy commissioner for national security with the Australian Federal Police, Michael Phelan, has been engaged by Racing NSW to investigate the exchange between Latham and McMahon at Rosehill races earlier this month.

As a registered owner, Latham is subject to the Rules Of Racing and could face a racetrack ban should he have been found to have engaged in ‘conduct detrimental to the interests of racing’.

The ATC held a separate investigation which could result in Latham being stripped of his membership.

The outspoken MP has played a major role in the scrutiny of the ATC’s plan to sell Rosehill racecourse and has also been a long-time antagonist of Racing NSW chief executive Peter V’landys.

Latham took to Facebook to voice his displeasure at the inquiry.

“I'm about to be banned from NSW racetracks for telling Steve McMahon (Chris Minns' Labor mate) he wasn't welcome in a private conversation, plus he had duped Australian Turf Club (ATC) members over the Rosehill sale process,” Latham said.  

“Imagine that: country race facilities in NSW are falling apart, yet Racing NSW has enough money to pay a spook to 'investigate' me because I hurt McMahon's feelings in telling him off. I only swore once, too, how lucky was Snowflake Stevie?”

“But there's one guarantee: this bulldust won't deter me from scrutinising racing corruption in NSW.”

Applications open for the Les Young Scholarship to the UK’s National Stud course 

Applications are now open for the 2025 Les Young Scholarship, with one young thoroughbred industry professional recipient receiving a scholarship to undertake an international course and paid placement at the renowned National Stud in the UK.

The scholarship is open to individuals aged 18 to 25 who have at least two years of industry experience in breeding, bloodstock, spelling, or racing and intend to continue contributing to the thoroughbred industry.

Caitlin Smith, manager of AgriFutures’ Thoroughbred Horses Program, said: “The scholarship provides an opportunity to gain experience in foaling and breeding, bloodstock husbandry, and equine management. 

“The successful applicant will undertake both theoretical coursework and practical training at The National Stud, with all travel and accommodation expenses covered.

"With a growing demand for skilled professionals in thoroughbred breeding, investing in the next generation is critical. This scholarship is about fostering talent and ensuring the industry continues to thrive." 

Young was a bloodstock agent, journalist, and long-serving member of Thoroughbred Breeders NSW, as well as a foundation member and vice president of the NSW Racehorse Owners Association.

In 1995, he co-founded the Equine Advisory Committee under the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation, driving funding for equine research. Today, the AgriFutures Thoroughbred Horses Program continues to support industry sustainability through research and development.

Raheen Stud’s Basil Nolan is currently in the UK completing the National Stud course as last year’s recipient.

New Zealand Oaks form under the microscope at Randwick

New Zealand’s best filly Leica Lucy will test her talent against one of the benchmarks of Australia racing at Randwick.

The daughter of Derryn was a near-unstoppable force in New Zealand, defeated in just one of her seven starts for former trainer Robbie Patterson, culminating in victory in last month’s New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham.

She has made her way across to Sydney where she has joined leading trainer Chris Waller’s Rosehill barn.

“She has had a long prep, but obviously a very successful preparation,” Waller told Trackside.

“Robbie Patterson has done an amazing job with her, not just to win the Group 1, but to get her on that path and be the best filly in New Zealand. It’s an honour to be taking over from Robbie.

“Since being here, she has settled in really well. She is eating well and has put on weight and adapted well to Sydney.”

Leica Lucy will face her stiffest task in Saturday’s ATC Australian Oaks where she will clash with the Matt Laurie-trained Treasurethe Moment, the Yulong fly who has won her past seven outings, including the VRC Oaks and Vinery Stud Stakes at Group 1 level.

SOS for soil, turf experts for under-fire Gosford racetrack

Further remediation work will begin on the newly renovated Gosford racetrack to ensure two key meetings go ahead as planned.

For the second time in less than a month, stewards were forced to abandon racing after the second event at the NSW Central Coast track on Thursday on safety grounds.

Racetrack and soil experts staged an on-site inspection of a section past the winning post and confirmed the presence of a crust layer that requires decompression.

Track remediation is being guided by leading turf specialists in collaboration with Gosford track manager, Steve Scollard.

“Every measure is being taken to ensure the racing surface remains safe and race-ready moving forward,” a notice posted on the Racing NSW website said.

A set of jumpouts have been scheduled for next Thursday ahead of the club’s traditional Anzac Day meeting and its standalone meeting featuring the $500,000 Coast for three and four-year-olds on May 10.

First Australian winner for Cool Aza Beel

Newhaven Park’s Cool Aza Beel marked his first Australian winner and his second winner overall with the victory of Gable at Geelong.

Trained by Leon and Troy Corstens and Will Larkin, Gable powered through the field to win over 1400 metres at his second start in a race for jockey Ben Allen.

The gelding, a $50,000 Inglis Classic Sale graduate, proved too strong late for the Mark Walker-trained son of Hello Youmzain, Signoretti.

Cool Aza Beel had had stakes placegetters in Cobra Club and Cool Archie, but had yet to have a winner in Australia before Friday. He did have Cool Aza Rene win two races in New Zealand.

‘Overwhelming’ response to Queensland’s Racing Review

Queensland’s Coalition government has received “overwhelming” feedback to its landmark Racing Review into thoroughbred, greyhound and harness racing industries in the state.

The review has received 1223 survey responses and submissions over the past five weeks with independent chair Matthew McGrath to conduct the inquiry to ensure the long-term sustainability of the industry in Queensland.

It has also been tasked with further strengthening integrity and animal welfare standards, recommending the necessary steps to deliver modern infrastructure, and safeguarding the ongoing success of country racing. 

“Racing stakeholders have made their voices heard loud and clear throughout this process and I want to thank everyone who took the time to make a submission,” Racing Minister Tim Mander said.  

“Racing is part of the fabric of many communities across the State and employs thousands of hard-working Queenslanders, so it is vital that, in shaping its future, we get this review right.” 

The racing industry’s economic contribution to Queensland exceeds $2.4 billion per year and employs around 16,000 people.

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