Racing Industry

Ten candidates, including two aligned with the “Save Rosehill” lobby group, are trying to win seats on the Australian Turf Club board as two of three voting options have closed before Thursday’s annual general meeting.

Victorian jockeys have stepped up their campaign to be paid for competing in the unofficial barrier trials.

The Victoria Racing Club’s financial woes have worsened with confirmation that it lost $24.2 million last financial year as rising costs took their toll at Flemington.

Australia’s state-based Principal Racing Authorities are searching for ways to cut costs and lift wagering revenues after recording $77.6 million in collective losses in the past financial year.

Heidi Lester has been appointed Tasracing’s new Chief Racing Integrity Officer, working under a new integrity system to be rolled out on February 1.

Port Lockroy has delivered a first Group 1 win for jockey Clint Johnson-Porter and a second for the training partnership of Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald, with a comfortable victory in the G1 Railway Stakes at Ascot.

Te Akau has already made a major mark on Australian racing in the 18 months since setting up base at Cranbourne. But David Ellis’ Australian plan is far from realised, writes Matt Stewart.