Rosehill

The prospect of relocating racing in western Sydney to the brickpit site at Olympic Park is looking increasingly remote after a leading planning expert said the environmental conditions on the site are "inhibitive for any form of development".

The composition of the Racing NSW Board, the spread of prize money and the conduct of the Australian Turf Club have been put under scrutiny by respected thoroughbred industry figure Ron Finemore at the Rosehill parliamentary inquiry.

The Rosehill Select Committee parliamentary inquiry will hear evidence from two key players in the recent history of the Australian Turf Club/Australian Jockey Club when Matthew McGrath and Ron Finemore appear at the hearing.

Racing NSW has outlined its spending on its equine welfare fund, revealing it had topped up funding outside of the designated prize money levy to the tune of $3.33 million between 2018/19 and 2021/22.

There is likely to be an additional session of public hearings by the Rosehill parliamentary Select Committee, which has also sought and received an extension on its reporting date.

The NSW Privileges Committee will determine whether a submission from Racing NSW is in contempt of parliament despite the Minns government attempting to quash a motion to refer it onwards.

Australian Turf Club vice chairman Tim Hale insists an independent valuation of $1.6 billion, an amount described by chairman Peter McGauran as a “paltry return”, is the true improved value of Rosehill including rezoning and a Metro station.