Straight Shorts is a rolling news update service on the biggest stories in racing, wagering and breeding. Our coverage includes the latest from the Tasmanian Yearling Sale, executive moves at Entain and two court cases involving the Victorian Gambling and Casino Commission's crackdown on underage betting.
Tough trade in Tassie as trio top sale at $80,000
A trio of mainland buyers stepped up to pay a top price of $80,000 for a trio of yearlings, on what was a brutal day of trading at the Magic Millions Tasmanian Yearling Sale.
As of the final lot exiting the ring, the gross was $1.77 million, substantially down on last year when it was $2.8 million, and a huge slump from two years ago, when it grossed just short of $4 million.
Prime Thoroughbreds' Joe O’Neill returned to a tried and tested formula in buying a Needs Further filly from Armidale Stud.
O’Neill paid $65,000 for a Needs Further filly, Zany Girl at this sale last year, and she has since come out and won over $150,000 in prize money.
Lot 89, who cost $80,000, is a sister to Vivilici, another successful filly in Tasmania for Prime.
“One of the best things about this sale is that if you know the families then you can buy a horse for a reasonable amount of money, for under $100,000," O'Neill said.
"She’s a nice horse, and you've got a good chance of racing it in Tasmania against the ones that are left here, like we did with Zany Girl."
Belmont Bloodstock and McEvoy Mitchell Bloodstock also went to $80,000 for a filly by Satono Aladdin, offered by Macleay Thoroughbred Stud.
Tasmanian-born syndicator Denise Martin has enjoyed significant success for her Star Thoroughbreds on the Apple Isle of late, including victories in the two Tasmanian Magic Millions races this month with sale graduates Sanniya and Durazzo.
Zany Girl's half sister by Gold Standard (ex Isn't Life Strange, Lot 21) has sold for $80,000 at the Tasmanian Yearling Sale to @StarTbreds and @RBloodstock. The filly was offered by @Armidale_Stud. #MMTas2025 pic.twitter.com/paF93Y7HXn
— Magic Millions (@mmsnippets) February 24, 2025
Attending the sale in person for the first time in several years, Martin and her bloodstock adviser Brett Howard of Randwick Bloodstock paid $80,000 for Lot 21, a Gold Standard filly and $70,000 for Lot 29, a colt by King’s Legacy.
Both horses were offered by Armidale Stud.
The average for the sale as it stands is $25,028, down from $29,984 last year, while the median was $20,000, down from $24,000 last year.
The clearance rate hovered in the 50s for most of the day, but lifted to 63 per cent by end of play with more deals still being done.
“We expected a significant downturn going into the sale and it's probably slightly below our expectations leading into it and that's disappointing,” Magic Millions managing director Barry Bowditch said.
“I think you can do all you can to get interstate people down here and market the sale to the best of your ability but obviously you need good product here.
“I think in some cases there was good product here but in other cases buyers that come from the mainland couldn't find what they were looking for, which makes it hard to lift that gross and boost that clearance rate and therefore you're sort of quite reliant on a local market that is isn't getting any bigger.”
Sam Moncur appointed to key Entain executive positions
Respected wagering identity Sam Moncur will take up the role of Entain’s managing director in New Zealand.
With more than a decade of experience in racing and wagering, Moncur has an acute understanding of the industry through his roles with the NZ Racing Board, TAB New Zealand and Entain, the NZ News Desk reports.
Moncur will take up his new role from Champions Day at Ellerslie on March 8 and also becomes Entain Australia and New Zealand’s chief financial officer.
Entain Australia and New Zealand chief executive Officer Dean Shannon said Entain was fortunate to be able to promote elevate Moncur into the roles.
“Sam has worked right across many parts of the business in New Zealand, and has a special blend of financial acumen, wagering knowledge and relationships within the racing industry,” Shannon said.
The changes will also allow Shannon to enjoy more hands-on involvement with the racing industry in New Zealand.
“Sam’s appointment follows on from other key leadership positions being filled by our own talented and driven people, which is a great reflection on the talent we have within Entain,” Shannon said.
With experience in all parts of the New Zealand business, Moncur follows on from Cameron Rodger and Lachlan Fitt who have both been at the forefront of the growth in the New Zealand racing industry since Entain established a strategic partnership with TAB New Zealand in June 2023.
Rodger and Fitt announced their departures from Entain last week.
Victorian TAB operators fined over underage betting
Two Victorian TAB outlets have been fined after pleading guilty to breaches of the Gambling Regulation Act 2003 relating to underage betting offences.
Correct Bet Pty Ltd, the operator of the Coburg TAB, pleaded guilty to two charges and was fined $3000 without conviction after a Magistrates’ Court of Victoria hearing on February 13.
The company was also ordered to pay Victorian Gambling and Casino Commission (VGCC) costs of $5500.
Magistrate Hodgson considered that Correct Bet had no prior convictions in 14 years of operation across multiple venues and had implemented additional measures, including staff training, mobile phone policy changes, and regular CCTV monitoring.
Separately, Supreme Edinburgh Pty Ltd, trading as the Duke of Edinburgh in Brunswick, pleaded guilty in the Magistrates’ Court to three counts of breaching the Gambling Regulation Act 2003.
The operator was fined $2500 and ordered to pay VGCCC costs of $4950.
“It is a venue’s responsibility to ensure minors do not access a designated gambling area, let alone gamble, no matter how determined or convincing a child might be,” VGCC chief executive Annette Kimmitt said.
