Straight Up – Crabtree’s new era, Mula’s Slipper ambition and Kalgoorlie’s water reprieve
In this edition:
- Dorrington far from done – Crabtree sells property but links with Noorilim Park
- Mula hoping Slipper finally fits as countdown starts to Golden destination
- Racing reprieve for Kalgoorlie as state government steps in
- Bell tolls – Long-serving Brisbane Racing Club chairman steps down after 26 years
- Huge spring carnival delivers betr into profitability ahead of schedule
- WA regulators sifting through fallout after online bookie BudgetBet goes bust
- Satono Aladdin’s Book 2 Karaka double act
Investors like Robert Crabtree and Wilf Mula are crucial to the thoroughbred industry. Having built fortunes elsewhere, Crabtree through his car businesses and Mula through his cartridge import business, they have put back in through their passion for racing and breeding.
For Crabtree, an era is coming to an end, as he leaves his Dorrington Farm in northern Victoria and embarks on a new arrangement with Noorilim Park.
But he doesn’t see it as a step back, rather a repositioning of a long-term strategy which has produced a host of champion horses, including the family of the legendary Black Caviar.
Mula’s involvement has been primarily through ownership, both in his own Aston Bloodstock colours and as part of the China Horse Club/Newgate colts funds.
Speaking to Warwick Barr, Mula reflected on his greatest successes, and the desire he has to win the Golden Slipper, having have placegetter on three previous occasions.
On Saturday, the next wave of hopes take flight as he has one colt debuting in each colours in the Canonbury Stakes, Melaniite in his pink and black and Tropic as part of the CHC/Newgate syndicate.
There have been a couple of key stories emerge from Western Australia in the past day or so.
The WA government has stepped in to ensure racing at Kalgoorlie can continue for this year at least after an impasse with the local council over access to water.
The $261,000 in funding will get the job done for 2025, but with a local mining company looking to up its water usage, a long-term solution has yet to be found.
Meanwhile, a WA-based online bookie, BudgetBet, has ceased operations and left two government departments to sort through a host of impacted customers.
While we are on wagering, betr has announced its quarterly result and the news is positive as it builds towards a long-term target of doubling its current market share.
PointsBet has also announced its quarterly results with more of that later on Friday on The Straight.
Brisbane Racing Club has confirmed long-term chairman Neville Bell is retiring from the board. In a significant changing of the guard Richard Morrison steps into the Chairman’s role.
And the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale at Karaka has come to an end with the progeny of Satono Aladdin in high demand.
ICYMI this week:
- ‘It just makes me feel more loved’ – How Zac Purton flourished in the Hong Kong spotlight
- Olympics crunch a cloud for Racing Queensland as Jason Scott hints at motivations for leaving
- The great consolidation myth – Why the number of corporate bookmakers in Australia hasn’t changed
- Another Karaka million – Prowess’ trainer snaps up seven-figure sister
- Run The Numbers – Beyond Savabeel
- Eye-catching filly on song – Savabeel sister to Orchestral sets Karaka record
- Rowe On Monday – Tight sales schedule in 2026, Booming results for Rounsefell and Thwaites loses battle
Enjoy your racing weekend
Regards
Bren O’Brien
Managing Editor and Founder
The Straight
Author
