Victoria’s racing minister has questioned the sport’s governing body’s handling of the Damien Oliver case, urging the racing integrity watchdog to review the inquiry. Racing Minister Denis Napthine has asked Racing Integrity Commissioner Sal Perna to examine whether Racing Victoria acted appropriately in opting not to stand Oliver down from… Read More »
Victorian racing authorities have defended their failure to stand down Damien Oliver while an investigation proceeded into a $10,000 bet he placed which has resulted in a 10-month ban for the jockey. Racing Victoria chairman Michael Duffy said such action would have jeopardised the case against Oliver. “The investigators formed… Read More »
Racing NSW will form a special unit to help stewards address potential integrity challenges for thoroughbred racing in the state. To be known as the Investigations and Surveillance Unit, the body will be headed by a person with senior police officer experience with proven investigative skills in intelligence gathering, forensics,… Read More »
Embattled Victorian racing authorities have hit out at newspaper reports that the same drug that has rocked the cycling world is in widespread use in the state. The peak bodies in both thoroughbred and harness racing issued strongly-worded rejections of a story published in News Ltd papers on Sunday, declaring… Read More »
The blitz by Victorian stewards on raceday treatments has turned up another case with trainer Ricky Maund under investigation after fresh blood was found on the neck of a horse in his stable on Saturday. Stewards found the sign of treatment on Timely Truce, who was entered for the Listed… Read More »
Victoria Racing chief steward Terry Bailey says he arranged for security at his home after claiming disqualified jockey Danny Nikolic had threatened him. Bailey was giving evidence at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) hearing of an appeal by Nikolic against a two-year ban from racing. Nikolic missed out… Read More »
Structured, ladylike and Mad Men-inspired fashion is set to take over Randwick this Saturday, TV personality Zoe Balbi says. The 27-year old Sydney Spring Carnival fashion ambassador helped draw barriers for Saturday’s Group One Epsom Handicap at Sydney’s The Star on Wednesday. Balbi told AAP there would be a smorgasbord… Read More »
The Newcastle Jockey Club has received a major boost with the announcement of $11 million in upgrades, highlighted by the creation of an inside track. The new turf racing surface will mimic the Kensington track at Randwick and will span 20 metres across to cater for 14 starters. The course… Read More »
For the usual retiree, life after work consists of leisure and relaxation, but for NSW racehorses, retirement could soon involve starting a new career. Retraining retired NSW racehorses for other careers will be compulsory in the next few years if Racing NSW chief executive Peter V’landys gets his way. The… Read More »
The race which has become a gilt-edged form reference for the Melbourne Cup is in line for an upgrade in status after figuring in a major prizemoney increase. The Geelong Cup will carry $300,000 in stakes this year – up from $225,000 in 2011. It’s a lift which the Geelong… Read More »
The rugby league State of Origin decider will be shown live on the mega screen at Rosehill Racecourse. The Australian Turf Club (ATC) will open the course free to the public for the match from Brisbane on July 4. The screen, which was officially launched during the autumn carnival, is… Read More »
The combined might of the NSW and Victorian thoroughbred racing industries has secured a broadcast rights deal to take the sport into a new era. The thoroughbred industry-owned television company TVN will now control who broadcasts vision of all NSW and Victorian racing until 2028. Under the previous arrangement the… Read More »
The Australian Racing Board has doubled the number of individual owners allowed to share in the ownership of a racehorse. From next season, up to 20 owners will be permitted per horse, up from the previous maximum of 10. The change is the result of a request by the Australian… Read More »
A new trackside hotel to be built at Royal Randwick will give guests a view down the home straight and club members another spot to wine and dine on carnival days. The Australian Turf Club (ATC) and the NSW Government on Thursday unveiled plans for the four-star hotel complex which… Read More »
Additional money raised at a function to support trainer John O’Shea will be split between two racing families who are doing it tough. The families of injured jockey Kristy Banks and late trainer Pat Quinn will share the $115,000 raised above the $175,000 target. The event was staged in Sydney… Read More »
Brisbane Racing Club chairman Kevin Dixon has resigned to take up a position as a board member of Racing Queensland Limited. Dixon’s decision is expected to ultimately lead to him taking up the vacant role as chairman of Queensland’s governing race body from May 1. BRC board member Bill Sexton,… Read More »
The board of Racing Queensland Limited (RQL) is expected to put forward a transitional plan to the Queensland government this week. RQL chairman Bob Bentley said his board was due to meet on Tuesday to discuss the new Queensland government’s racing policy. However, Bentley refused to speculate on his own… Read More »
The Australian Turf Club has received a major boost ahead of one of its biggest meetings of the year with prestige wine and spirits group Moet Hennessy signing a five-year sponsorship deal. Darren Pearce, chief executive of the ATC, said the merger of the Sydney race clubs had made sponsorship… Read More »
Racing Victoria has confirmed it will adopt the same turnover-based model on rights fees as its NSW counterpart. The decision comes on the heels of the High Court verdict last month which ruled wagering operators Betfair and Sportsbet must pay a 1.5 per cent fee on turnover to Racing NSW… Read More »
Racing Victoria has approved a Cox Plate eve race meeting for the Moonee Valley Racing Club featuring its premier sprint, the Group One Manikato Stakes. The Manikato moves from the club’s AFL grand final eve meeting in late September to headline the program on the Friday night before the Cox… Read More »
