Straight Shorts is a rolling news update service on the biggest stories in racing, wagering and breeding. Today, Tabcorp's half-yearly results are trending the right way, James McDonald says its all systems go for Romantic Warrior but fitness clouds hover over key Blue Diamond runners. Plus, the latest from the Perth Magic Millions Sale.

Tabcorp chief executive Gillon McLachlan says the wagering firm is "operating with a bias for action and increased accountability". (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

Tabcorp’s transition under new chief executive officer Gillon McLachlan is taking shape, with the wagering giant’s half-year results pointing to increases in revenue and profitability.

Tabcorp’s group revenue grew 10 per cent in the first half of 2024/25 compared to the same time last year to be $1.33 billion, while EBITDA was up 12 per cent in comparison to $190 million.

The publicly listed wagering company has revealed it is already reaping dividends from its new licensing agreement in Victoria, with an EBITDA uplift of $36 million already, while it has targeted a reduction on operation expenses of $30 million.

There has been a massive period of transition over the past six months, with McLachlan coming into the role in September and overseeing a major refresh of the executive.

“Tabcorp is getting fitter. We have increased our wagering and media capability at the leadership level, developed a simpler, more cost-effective operating model, and are operating with a bias for action and increased accountability,” McLachlan said.

“The improvement in earnings reflects the commencement of our reformed Victorian licence, cost discipline and increased competitiveness that was amplified with new innovations during the TAB Everest, Melbourne Cup carnival and Magic Millions.”

“Today’s pleasing results demonstrate a company executing better. The outcomes of an improved cadence and a culture of accountability. We have taken significant action over the last six months to improve our cost and capital discipline which you can see today. 

“When I joined Tabcorp I said I was drawn to the value that can be unlocked within our unique set of strategic assets. Unlocking that value and taking a broader strategic focus will be the key to growing value for shareholders in the years ahead.”

Full presentation 

Playing God colt sets early pace at Perth Magic Millions sale 

Perth automotive industry businessman Idan Young has long admired the exploits of Western Australia’s champion sire Playing God.

Early on day one of the Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale Young finally had one of his own Playing Gods after spending $450,000 on a colt by the sire from the family of Widden sire Portland Sky.

Dan Morton will train the Alwyn Park Stud-consigned and Anita Vale-bred colt, the first foal out of Clear Blue Sky, Portland Sky’s unraced half-sister by Sessions.

“He just has that long stride, a beautiful head, and most Playing Gods haven't got the nicest of heads, with all due respect,” Young said. 

“But he's got the Lonhro-Octagonal cross and I like the Blackfriars with a Sessions cross. 

“I looked at him several times and I had to have him, he's just a beautiful type.”

Nervous wait on two Maher-trained Diamond runners

Blue Diamond Stakes stablemates Cherish Me and Icarian Dream will have to pass a second round of Racing Victoria veterinary tests to take their place in the $2 million race.

The Ciaron Maher-trained two-year-olds ‘presented with a change in their gait’ when inspected on Thursday.

Along with the Jason Warren-trained Palm Angel, Maher's runners will undergo another veterinary examination on Friday morning before a final decision is made on their fitness.

Cherish Me is the more fancied of the Maher pair as the all-conquering trainer bids to win Victoria’s only juvenile Group 1 race for the first time.

She occupies the third line betting at $7 on the strength of a debut win at Geelong on January 4.

Maher has promising filly Wiltshire Square set to run from a wide draw.

Unbeaten favourite Field Of Play was provisionally passed fit but will be inspected again after being replated.

Latest stewards' update on Blue Diamond inspections.

Breeders’ Cup winner More Than Looks to stand at Yulong

Yulong will stand last year’s US Breeders Cup Mile winner More Than Looks, a son of the influential champion shuttler More Than Ready, on its Victorian roster in 2025.

Zhang Yuesheng’s Victoria-based operation confirmed on Thursday that More Than Looks, a five-time winner from 11 starts at ages three and four for trainer Cherie Devaux, would join its roster alongside stallions such as Alabama Express and Pierata.

The news of More Than Looks, a Grade 1-placed entire on turf, comes just days after Yulong bought Australian Guineas favourite Angel Capital as a stallion prospect.

A service fee for More Than Looks has not been announced.

“More Than Looks is by one of the best stallions we have seen shuttle to Australia in More Than Ready,” Cox said. 

“He’s extremely good-looking and as his name suggests, won some proper races including the Breeders’ Cup Turf Mile. 

“Coupled with an outcross pedigree, More Than Looks provides huge appeal to the Australian market, and we are delighted to stand him at Yulong this season.”

Inside barrier for Romantic Warrior, McDonald in Saudi Cup

James McDonald says he isn’t worried about Hong Kong champion Romantic Warrior racing on a dirt track for the first time in the Saudi Cup.

Romantic Warrior will start from barrier three in the $US20 million race, the world’s richest thoroughbred event, at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

“I’ve got a feeling that he will be successful on the dirt,” McDonald told the Hong Kong Jockey Club.

“He’s just a very good racehorse - so he’ll adapt well.

“I haven’t ridden on too many dirt tracks so I can’t really compare too many, but he seemed to handle it OK.

“It’s a real powdery sort of track and the kickback was there but it wasn’t coarse or anything.”

The Saudi Cup will be run at 4.40am on Sunday (AEDT).

One of Romantic Warrior’s main challengers will be Japanese star Forever Young, who is back in Saudi Arabia 12 months after his success in the $US1.5m Saudi Derby.

Forever Young has drawn the widest gate in barrier 14.

Click here for Saudi Cup meeting entries.

Thedoctoroflove has heart set on New Zealand Derby

Expatriate Kiwi trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young are hoping for a case of third-time lucky with their staying three-year-old Thedoctoroflove.

The Cranbourne-based couple have sent the son of So You Think across the Tasman to run in Saturday’s Group 2 Avondale Guineas (2100m) ahead of a return to Ellerslie for crack at the $1.25 million New Zealand Derby (2400m) on Champions Day.

The stable is treading a well-worn path to Ellerslie following two previous Derby assaults with 2017 runner-up Rising Red and last year Interlinked ran third in the Avondale Guineas and fifth in the Derby behind Orchestral.

“This horse looks similar to those at this stage so hopefully he runs very well,” Busuttin told the NZ News Desk.

To be partnered by Daniel Moor, Thedoctoroflove placed at his first two starts before he won over 2000m at Flemington and finished sixth against older horses over 2100m at Sandown.

Busuttin and Young will also be central figures in the outcome of the Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield as the trainers of the favourite Field Of Play.

Mumbai Muse, Dancing Alone entered for Chairman’s Sale

Talented racemares Mumbai Muse (Zoustar) and Dancing Alone (I Am Invincible) headline early entries for the 2025 Inglis Chairman’s Sale.

Trained by Michael Freedman and raced by a syndicate including Woppitt Bloodstock, Robert McClure, Kia Ora Stud and Craig Pickford, Mumbai Muse is a winner of the Group 3 Red Roses Stakes and Listed Brian Crowley Stakes.

She was a $525,000 Inglis Easter yearling sale graduate as a sibling to three black-type performers and hails from a quality international family that includes leading US sire Speightstown.

Dancing Alone won six of her 10 career starts and was Group placed during Melbourne Cup week at Flemington.

From a family synonymous with elite Australasian speed, she is a half-sister to top three-year-old Growing Empire and closely related to Terravista, Tiger Tees and outstanding juvenile Il Quello Veloce.

Proven producer Enbihaar, the dam of top-class filly Too Darn Lizzie, is also among early entries for the sale at Riverside on May 8.

Welsh government delivers last rites to greyhound racing

The Welsh government will ban Greyhound racing "as soon as practically possible", according to UK media.

In what is a first for the UK, deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies announced plans to wind down the sport, the BBC reported.

The ban could come into effect before the next Welsh Parliament election in May 2026.

There have been bipartisan calls for a ban, a government consultation and a petition that attracted 35,000 signatures.

Greyhound racing will be banned in New Zealand from July, 2026.

shortsNews