Straight Up – Global ambitions, local challenges

Australia’s two most powerful racing executives, Peter V’landys and Aaron Morrison, are in Japan this week, speaking at the Asian Racing Conference in Sapporo.

Racing NSW CEO V’landys and newly minted Racing Victoria CEO Morrison feature on the same panel on Wednesday, discussing the state of horse racing.

It looks to be a busy schedule with other perspectives canvassed across the three days including those of elite jockeys and the importance of ‘fans’, ‘pop culture’, betting innovation, welfare, breeding, participant welfare and integrity.

It is a laundry list of racing’s current and future challenges and opportunities, many of which are universal across the globe.

But while many of racing’s challenges are universal, its interests are so often governed by what is happening locally.

V’landys headed to Japan amid a Rosehill parliamentary inquiry which has exposed significant divides in the thoroughbred industry. Racing NSW’s conduct and power has been put in sharp public focus and it is arguable that V’landys position has never been under such scrutiny in his 20 years in the job.

That inquiry resumes public hearings on September 12, while we can expect the Rosehill issue to feature prominently in an estimates hearing in NSW parliament this week.

Ahead of the spring racing fiesta, Racing NSW has released its latest draft strategic plan for public discussion, raising ownership and the breeding industry as key areas of concern.

Meanwhile, less than a week after Morrison was appointed officially, he has already made a series of key announcements, including a major change for the All-Star Mile as part of broader prize money reductions.

That comes as a skirmish has broken out around the Melbourne Racing Club, and the future direction of the Committee, with a push to save Sandown, and stop the renovation of Caulfield, building momentum.

A string of incidents in the final jumps meeting of the Victorian season has placed welfare of both jockeys and horses under the microscope, during a time where belts are being tightened at Racing Victoria due to difficult wagering conditions.

Those diminished wagering returns have prompted PRAs to initiate discussions with corporate bookmakers about how they can re-ignite wagering ahead of the spring carnival. One of the key moves being discussed is PRAs cutting product fees, of race field fees, in order to encourage a return to positive growth in turnover.

With so much happening off the track, the launch of the Group 1 season last Saturday was almost overshadowed. However, Via Sistina’s Winx Stakes win does set up a mouth-watering spring for the imported mare.

She secured a fifth Group 1 victory for the Yulong colours in Australia and this week’s Run The Numbers examines the burgeoning influence of Yuesheng Zhang’s outfit as a successful owner in this country.

Meanwhile in the bloodstock space, Inglis has confirmed its catalogue for the upcoming Ready2Race Sale, while the much-anticipated Magic Millions Virtual Sale will take place from 2pm on Tuesday.

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Regards

Bren O’Brien

Managing Editor and Founder

The Straight