The Straight Daily News – Trainers’ trust breached by bungle | Hazzard to head racing review | Aquis’ base part of redevelopment proposal
‘Should have been handled a lot better’ – Trainers fume over email breach
A divide between Racing NSW and sections of the state’s thoroughbred training cohort has deepened after claims the regulator breached privacy laws by distributing an email that identified licensees who were yet to meet new mandatory financial documentation obligations.
The email, which disclosed that more than 115 trainers had yet to satisfy the regulator’s requirements to be relicensed, requested “further evidence to demonstrate your ability to meet financial obligations as and when they fall due”.
Sent on Wednesday afternoon, the email addresses of all recipients were displayed rather than being blind copied, leaving the perception that those trainers may be at risk of not being relicensed for the 2025/2026 season.
The email asked for official bank statements and/or company financial documentation by close of business on Thursday, although it also listed August 8 as the deadline, adding to the confusion.
It is understood that some aggrieved trainers who appeared on the email distribution list are considering taking the matter to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner.xc
Trainers’ trust eroded after errant Racing NSW email bungle
Ex-Health Minister Hazzard to conduct review into NSW racing
Former Health Minister Brad Hazzard will lead a long-awaited review of the Thoroughbred Racing Act in NSW, with consultations set to begin in October and a final report expected to be handed down in 2026.
Racing and Gaming Minister David Harris confirmed in March that he would commission a full review of the Act, which was introduced in 1996.
That action was in response to the Rosehill parliamentary inquiry, which recommended that the Act be reviewed to determine if it was still fit for purpose. The Upper House inquiry raised several concerns about the function of racing in NSW.
Ex-MP gets call up for racing review
Aquis’ base among proposed housing development plans
The home of Aquis’ thoroughbred empire near Canungra on the Gold Coast is part of plans for a 742-hectare housing development, with community consultation on the possible project announced this week.
The massive project has been named Canungra360 and is being led by a consortium of private landowners, including the Fung family, who own Aquis, and have had a thoroughbred farm in the region for nine years.
The proposal covers approximately 742 hectares of privately owned land, located 4km north of Canungra township, along Beaudesert–Nerang Road.
Canungra plans cover Fung family operation
Public none-the-wiser after government meetings
Parliamentary documents have revealed that new federal Communications Minister Anika Wells met with broadcasters and gambling reform advocates in June, as she ramped up consultations and discussions ahead of possible reform on advertising.
While Wells had previously confirmed that she had been undertaking consultations with stakeholders over possible changes to federal government policy in the wake of the “You Win Some, You Lose More” report, the details of who she has been speaking to have come to light thanks to a parliamentary order.
In an initiative led by independent Senator David Pocock, Wells was ordered to produce documents surrounding any consultation she had had around online gambling since being appointed in her role after May’s federal election.
There were 14 documents covered by the order, but seven were withheld because of public interest immunity, in that they would both disclose or pre-empt the deliberations of federal cabinet.
Broadcasters and anti-gambling advocates in Minister’s meetings
Howlett maintains Tasmanian racing portfolio
Jane Howlett has retained her position at Minister for Racing within the new Tasmanian government.
Howlett has been the Racing Minister since April 2024, while she previously held the position from January 2020 until March 2022.
She will also hold the portfolios of Tourism, Hospitality and Events, Women and the Prevention of Family Violence.
Premier Jeremy Rockliff confirmed his new ministry on Thursday, having been appointed by the Governor Barbara Baker with a minority government earlier in the week.
However, with his Liberal Party only holding 14 of 35 seats, his grip on power is likely to tested by a vote of no confidence when Tasmanian parliament resumes on August 19.
Arqana connection keeps bringing Sandblom back
Finalists unveiled for Victorian Horse of the Year
Three bona fide stars of the Australian turf will vie for Victorian Horse of the Year honours.
Mr Brightside, Via Sistina and Treasurethe Moment have been revealed as the finalists for the award to be announced on Saturday night.
The award considers performances on Victorian racetracks across the 2024/2025 racing season.
Between the trio, they claimed seven Group 1 races in Victoria.
The awards night will be live streamed via the Racing.com digital platforms, and will climax with the announcement of the 30th recipient of Victorian racing’s highest individual honour, the Scobie Breasley Medal.
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McEvoy stable delivers for Godolphin at Ballarat
Godolphin’s foray into the public training arena has continued to reap new-season dividends.
Fresh from striking for the first time with Chris Waller at Rosehill last Saturday, Godolphin teamed up with Tony and Calvin McEvoy for a well-bred winner on Ballarat’s synthetic track on Thursday.
Immerse. a daughter of Frosted and a half-sister to Darley’s new-season sire Traffic Warden, held on bravely to clear maiden ranks under jockey Harry Coffey.
She was placed in three of four starts during her juvenile term for James Cummings.
“That was fantastic. She’s a filly with a very good pedigree – she’s a half to Traffic Warden – so it’s important that she goes to the races and performs,” Calvin McEvoy said.
“We picked a fairly low kick-off point for her, but I didn’t think she had all the favours today.
“Fantastic to get the monkey off the back with Godolphin and I’m sure the guys will be happy.”
American flags Melbourne Cup plans
The owners of Parchment Party are determined to send the star American stayer to November’s Melbourne Cup after his win in the Birdstone Stakes at Saratoga on Wednesday.
Already qualified ballot-free for the Flemington feature thanks to his earlier win in the Belmont Gold Cup, the Bill Mott-trained entire is set to become the first American-trained runner of the Melbourne Cup.
“It’s our plan,” owner Dana Bernhard of Pin Oak Stud told the Saratoga Live broadcast
The latest victory over 2800 metres on a dirt track will now see Parchment Party head to England for quarantine before coming to Australia for the spring.
“We’re leaning in that direction. We’re trying to make all the early plans that we need to make,” Mott said.
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Former shuttle sire Cable Bay dead at 14
Cable Bay, the sire of 2023 Oakleigh Plate winner Uncommon James and this year’s July Cup hero No Half Measures, has died at the age of 14.
The Northern Lights Stallion Syndicate, which purchased the son of Invincible Spirit to stand in India, announced Cable Bay’s death via a social media post.
“With profound sadness, we inform you that Cable Bay, the sire of the 2025 July Cup, Gr1 winner No Half Measures, as well as several individual black-type winners and performers, passed away last night,” read a syndicate statement.
“In the three years with us, he has given us quality foals and we hope that they can carry forward his legacy.”
Bred by the Irish National Stud, Cable Bay stood four seasons in Australia at Woodside Park.
His other Australian black-type winners included Bubba’s Boy (twice) and Flying Missile, successful in the Listed Placid Ark Stakes.
Cable Bay shuttled from his UK base at Highclere Stud between 2017 and 2020 before his transfer to Dr Kehar Singh Stud in India in 2022.
In 2019, his first crop yielded 25 individual two-year-old winners in Europe.
Matt Cartwright off and running for NZ season
Australian jockey Matt Cartwright has made an instant impact on his return to New Zealand, riding two winners from nine rides in the past week.
The 22-year-old Australian hoop moved across the Tasman last year to further his riding career, and he was rapt with his season tally of 53 wins, including seven Group or Listed victories.
His mounts amassed more than $NZ3.2 million in prize money.
Cartwright has started the new season the right way, winning on Cashla Bay for Andrew Forsman at Ruakaka last Saturday and Secret Beau for Joe Waldron at Riccarton’s synthetic meeting on Wednesday.
“I am very happy to get a couple of winners within my first week of riding back in New Zealand,” he said.
“I am feeling fit and well, so I am ready to have a good crack this season and hopefully a bit of support comes my way, and I have a bit of luck over the next month or two.”
Cartwright has a number of horses he is looking forward to riding in the new term, including the Stephen Marsh-trained Kiwi Skyhawk, who he rode to victories in the Group 3 Manawatu Classic (2100m) and Group 3 Championship Stakes (2100m).
