In today's Straight Shorts, a Group 3 winner has been added to the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale, changes to the Racing NSW stewards' panel, date set for Entain hearing in Federal Court, Playing God fee stays the same.
Group 3 winner Queen Of Dragons supplemented for Magic Millions
Group 3-winning mare Queen of Dragons, who is entered for a stakes race in Brisbane on Saturday, is one of five late entries for Tuesday’s opening Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale session.
An acceptor for Saturday's Group 3 $200,000 Magic Millions Fillies & Mares Mile (1600m) at Doomben, Pierro mare Queen of Dragons will be presented as an elite racing and breeding prospect through the Newgate Consignment, as agent for Trilogy Racing.
As well as Queen Of Dragons, four-time winner Spirit Of Boom mare Avone and the Group 2-placed Ballroom Bella will be offered for sale on Tuesday through vendors Kenmore Stud and Widden Stud respectively.
The lightly raced and winning Capitalist mare Giliana, a half-sister to stakes winner Garibaldi, will be offered through the Eureka Stud draft, while
Te Akau has also supplemented the well-related Fastnet Rock mare Bella Voce for the International Section to conclude the race fillies and mares session at the Gold Coast on Tuesday.
Of Queen Of Dragons, Trilogy’s racing and bloodstock manager Colum McCulloch said: "I had the honour of working closely with her during my time as racing manager for Peter and Paul Snowden, having watched her develop from a yearling right through to her Group-class performances on the track.
"Mentally, she was as professional as they come - much like her full-sister Paris Dior - and she has continued to strengthen and furnish with every preparation. She's a mare who is genuinely still on an upward trajectory, and her best racing days may well still be ahead of her."
Moxon to take reins as Racing NSW chief steward, remote officiating a reality
Tom Moxon has been appointed Racing NSW chairman of stewards in a move that coincides with a new era in policing the sport in the state.
Moxon replaces Steve Railton and will take over on June 1.
He has worked for the regulator for more than two decades, serving under Ray Murrihy, Marc Van Gestel and as Railton’s deputy since November 2022.
Railton will remain with Racing NSW in a senior capacity and his new role will include remotely officiating race meetings via the new stewards control room at Randwick.
“Tom is a highly respected figure within the industry and has demonstrated
outstanding leadership throughout his tenure with Racing NSW,” Racing NSW chief executive Peter V’landys said.
“His appointment ensures continuity and strong oversight in maintaining the high level of integrity that Racing NSW prides itself on, being the benchmark in world racing.”
Railton will also be called to provide support to the stewards' panel across NSW.
“Steve has made a significant contribution to Racing NSW during his tenure as
chairman of stewards and we are delighted that he will remain involved in a key mentorship role to continue to provide his experience to the broader integrity team,” V’landys said.
Federal Court sets date for AUSTRAC action against Entain
International wagering firm Entain will front the Federal Court later this year over allegations of non-compliance with Australia’s anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CTF) laws.
A date has been set for September 17 and follows a two-and-a-half year AUSTRAC investigation.
The financial watchdog alleges Entain’s board and senior management did not have appropriate oversight of its AML/CTF program.
It is also alleged that the 24/7 nature of its business “created risks that persons unknown to Entain could access and use Entain's betting platform including through third party providers”.
AUSTRAC also alleges that Entain did not have appropriate controls to confirm the identity of customers making deposits and the source of this money.
In Australia, Entain is the parent company of wagering brands Ladbrokes and Neds.
If found guilty, Entain could be subject to substantial fines from the Federal Court.
Playing God to stand at state-high $49,500
Western Australia’s leading sire Playing God will remain at an unchanged fee of $49,500 (inc GST) for the 2025 breeding season.
Set at the state record fee last year by Darling View studmaster Brent Atwell, Playing God is the sire of 23 individual stakes winners with his current crop of three-year-olds such as West Star and September Born continuing to perform on the track.
Rising 18-year-old, Playing God, who will serve a maximum of 140 mares this year, will stand alongside Zoustar’s Group 2 winner Lightsaber, whose first crop are weanlings.
He will also remain at an unchanged fee of $6600 while Snitzel’s sprinting son Splintex will stand for a reduced fee of $7700 as his first crop are being educated to race as two-year-olds in the new season.
Racing NSW steps in to help flood-affected racing participants
Racing NSW has responded to the flood crisis along the state’s mid-north coast, providing a $650,000 emergency financial assistance package for impacted industry participants.
To be implemented with immediate effect, $500,000 will be distributed directly to trainers located in affected regions, with the sum to be allocated based on the number of horses unable to race due to the wet weather.
Trainers will retain 20 per cent of the payment to help offset their financial losses, while the remaining 80 per cent will be credited to owners’ accounts to offset training fees.
Racing NSW has also set aside $150,000 to support jockeys, including apprentices, whose earning capacity has been impacted by the wet weather and flooding.
The racing regulator, the NSW Trainers Association and the Manning River Race Club at Taree, whose racecourse is under water, have also worked together to assist trainers in the area to relocate horses to higher ground while delivering feed and other essential supplies.
“This initiative reflects our unwavering commitment to supporting the hardworking participants of the NSW racing industry during times of crisis,” Racing NSW CEO Peter V’landys said.
“We understand the immense challenges our trainers and jockeys are facing, and we want to play our part to ensure the financial stress is minimal.”
First Australian winner for Admire Mars
Two-year-old Planet Red has become the first southern hemisphere-bred winner for Arrowfield Stud shuttler Admire Mars.
The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained gelding finished powerfully from back in the field to win a Pakenham two-year-old maiden over 1200 metres on debut. He defeated Ghaiyyath colt Observer and well-backed Super Seth filly Ruska Roma.
Planet Red defies an almighty drift, spiralling over the top to win impressively 👀
— Racing.com (@Racing) May 22, 2025
The son of the Japanese stallion, Admire Mars, may have a future ahead of him.@MickPriceRacing @beau_mertens pic.twitter.com/hPDEtKI6Qb
A $260,000 NZB Ready To Run graduate who sold for $100,000 through Magic Millions Gold Coast as a yearling, Agent Red is out of Helmet mare Lucky Helmet, a half-sister to multiple stakes winner Flying Mascot and Listed winner Koala Bear.
He is Admire Mars’ sixth Australian runner from his first Arrowfield-conceived crop.
