04 December 2007

AUTUMN PROGRAM REMAINS UNDECIDED

No decision has been made on the final format for next year's revamped Sydney autumn carnival after a meeting of industry stakeholders in Sydney was adjourned.

Racing NSW met with representatives of Sydney's two metropolitan race clubs, the Australian Jockey Club (AJC) and Sydney Turf Club (STC), along with a contingent of trainers.

Greg Rudolph, Racing NSW's general manager commercial and racing, said the AJC's proposal to stage the Doncaster Handicap on the final day of the 2008 carnival and the possibility of moving the Coolmore Classic race day from Canterbury to Randwick were among the topics discussed.

" There are positive discussions between Racing NSW, the Sydney Turf Club and the Australian Jockey Club officials and the trainers," Rudolph said.

" No firm decision has been made on either the Doncaster being changed back to May 3 or whether the Coolmore meeting on April 5 goes to Randwick or stays at Canterbury."

" The AJC and STC have agreed to have further discussions regarding the financial implications of the Coolmore meeting being at Canterbury or Randwick and they are to come back on the outcome of those discussions."

" We're hoping to resolve these issues within the next week."

The 2008 Sydney autumn carnival has been pushed back five weeks from its usual Easter timeslot due to equine influenza and the Doncaster Handicap's Monday date has been lost with the compression of the showpiece event from four days into three.

The AJC last week announced its intention to controversially run the Doncaster (1600m) on the final day of the carnival, May 3, rather than on the AJC Australian Derby program a week earlier.

Trainers believe the Doncaster should be held on April 26 to give runners in that race the opportunity to back up a week late in either the All-Aged (1400m) or Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m).