FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESK

Members, it is with great pleasure that I advise that Messrs Louis Mihalyka and Tom O’Callaghan have joined the NSWROA Committee with effect from 7 March 2011.

Mr Mihalyka, a well known racing participant and proprietor of Laurel Oak Bloodstock (a company that are bloodstock agents to a private client base but also deal with many facets of the industry), has a long association with the racing industry. Founding Laurel Oak Bloodstock some 20 years ago, his aim is to make racehorse ownership easy and enjoyable.

Mr O’Callaghan, a practising lawyer for 38 years specialising in banking and insurance law, has been involved in horse racing for more than four decades and is passionate about the advancement of the industry.

NSWROA has been most fortunate to obtain the services of such great racing enthusiasts for our Committee. Both gentlemen bring a wealth of knowledge to the table together with an unfailing passion for the industry and will be valuable additions to our Committee.

Speaking about valuable additions, I am also pleased to advise members that the Association has a new Vice President. Mr John Vouris, has kindly agreed to take on the dual roles of Vice President and Treasurer for the Association. As members may be aware this role has been vacant for some time and I thank John sincerely for agreeing to take on the role to assist both myself and the Association.

At the time of writing, the industry is awaiting with great anticipation, the announcement of the appeal in the race fields legislation court case. It goes with saying, that the Association fully supports Racing NSW in their endeavour to provide much needed funding to an industry that has suffered greatly from the absence of same.

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SYDNEY CUP DAY LUNCHEON – 23 APRIL 2011

The President and Directors of the NSW Racehorse Owners Association (NSWROA) would like to invite you to join them for a great day of racing – Sydney Cup Raceday at Royal Randwick – Saturday 23 April 2011.

As previous attendees will confirm, the NSWROA Sydney Cup Luncheon is an event not to be missed.

Network Ten & TVN Presenter Frank Coletta will join us again as Master of Ceremonies at this great day out.

The package for the day includes a sumptuous buffet luncheon and beverage package, afternoon tea, Guest Tipsters and Tipping Competition, Best Hat & Best Tie Competition, a Raffle with great prizes, race book and pen and full tote and bookmaker facilities.

The luncheon, which is held in the Vista Room, Level 5, Queen Elizabeth Stand, is priced at $180.00 per person, GST inclusive. Click here for a booking form.

BOOK NOW as numbers are strictly limited. Please note that all bookings and payments must be received by 13 April 2011.

BMW BARRIER DRAW COCKTAIL LUNCHEON – 29 MARCH 2011

How would you like to witness the excitement of being a part of the Barrier Draw for The BMW – Sydney’s premier Weight for Age event?

It’s easy to do as the Association, in conjunction with Sharon Lenton Events, is holding a cocktail style luncheon to celebrate The BMW Barrier Draw on Tuesday, 29 March 2011.

The function is to be conducted at Three Lounge at Bar 333, 333 George Street, Sydney and will run from 1.00 pm – 3.00pm.

Sky Racing’s Jo McKinnon will be “in charge of the microphone” for the afternoon.

So do not delay, book your place today. For further details visit www.sharonlentonevents.com.au.

BOOKINGS CLOSING FOR HATS & TEA FUNCTION – 20 MARCH 2011

A reminder to members that bookings are closing soon for the Hats & Tea Function.

The event, which is held in conjunction with Sharon Lenton Events, will take place on:

This is one of the glamour events leading into the Sydney Carnival – so book now to avoid disappointment.

A showcase of the latest collection from Lindsay Clare, who is now based in Europe, is just one of the many highlights of the event.

To reserve your place at this glamour event visit www.sharonlentonevents.com.au.

REMINDER – ANNUAL RACING FRATERNITY MASS

A reminder that the 2011 Annual Racing Fraternity Mass will be conducted this Sunday, 13 March 2011, at Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church, 4 Roma Avenue, Kensington.

The Mass will commence at 11.00 am and light refreshments will be served at the conclusion of the Mass. The Racing Mass is attended by all denominations and by people who are representing all sections of the racing industry, and is offered for the well-being of the racing industry as a whole.

Brother Dan Stafford from the Australian Racing Christian Chaplaincy will be officiating as always and everyone is welcome.

WINNERS ARE GRINNERS

A WINNER – there are no better words for an owner to hear!

As members are aware, as part of our membership renewal process, NSWROA requested members to forward the names of their racehorses in order for us to acknowledge their racing triumphs in our publications.

The listing under comprises wins recorded in New South Wales as well as Australian black type successes which are recorded in bold type.

Accordingly, hereunder are the lucky NSWROA members who had winners in February 2011:

BOBS & BOBS EXTRA UPDATE

We’re now at that stage of the year when most owners have a pretty good idea of which horses they’ll be racing as two-year-olds in the coming season – whether they’re youngsters they’ve bred themselves or yearlings purchased from the sales.

So even though there are a few months to go until BOBS and BOBS Extra nominations close, it’s a good time to remind owners of the basic guidelines for the scheme, in the hope that no-one misses out on those lucrative bonuses through an oversight or misunderstanding.

First, any yearling sired by a BOBS stallion is eligible to be nominated for the scheme, regardless of whether it was foaled in NSW, interstate or even in New Zealand. You can check the list of BOBS stallions on the Racing NSW website but as a broad guide, almost every commercial sire at stud in this state is paid up for BOBS. Interstate or NZ-based stallions are not included.

A common misunderstanding among owners comes from the “BOBS Eligible” logo in a sales catalogue. That means the yearling is eligible, but it does not mean it’s nominated. You the owner, (or your trainer), must fill out the nomination form and pay the $660 fee.

The closing date for BOBS and also for BOBS Extra is 1 September 2011. If you miss that deadline it will cost you $5500 for a late nomination to BOBS, but there is absolutely no way you can make a late entry into BOBS Extra.

BOBS covers the horse as a 2YO and 3YO. BOBS Extra pays bonuses to horses from the day they turn 4YO until they retire, but only for winning over distances of 1600m and longer.

Racing NSW makes bonuses available on every race at every meeting where eligible horses are competing, except for Group and Listed events. So whether it’s in the Sydney metropolitan area, at the provincials, at country meetings or even at picnic races, BOBS bonuses are there to be won!

Most owners still take the bonus as a cash payment. But the BOBS Double-Up option is increasing in popularity month by month, as owners forego the cash in favour of doubling their money in the form of a voucher. Racing NSW pays the Double-Up amount directly to the auctioneers when it’s used to buy another BOBS eligible yearling.

To Double-Up, just download the form – “Convert cash to voucher” - from our website and send it back, telling us not to pay the cash, and we’ll then open a “BOBS Buyer” account in your name, immediately doubling the value of that bonus.

If you want to Double-Up every time your horse wins a bonus the second form is the one to fill out – “Convert cash for all bonuses to voucher” – and we’ll do that automatically. If you have more than one horse you can list them all on that form and we’ll just keep doubling the value of your bonuses.

A word of warning however – if you ask us to Double-Up automatically, let us know if there’s any change in the horse’s ownership or lease, because a change of names results in the computer program regarding it as a “new” horse.

And remember you have two years to use your Double-Up voucher to buy a yearling – if we don’t hear from you it becomes void and of no value at all!

Nominations forms and more information about BOBS can be found by visiting www.racingnsw.com.au

For further information please contact John Gatfield, BOBS Executive Officer, Racing NSW on telephone: (02) 9551-7574.

CORPORATE MEMBERSHIP – QANTAS CLUB

A reminder to members that NSWROA has a corporate membership scheme for The Qantas Club.

This means that as an NSWROA member you are eligible to obtain a substantial discount when joining the Qantas Club.

Please note that you must be a Frequent Flyer member, and quote the NSWROA membership number which can be obtained from our office.

NIGHT RACING COCKTAIL FUNCTION – CANTERBURY RACECOURSE

As members are aware, the Association conducted a Night Racing Cocktail Function, which was attended by members, friends and supporters of the Association on Friday 18 February.

L-R Les Young with Kath and Michael Ford		L-R Ann Vouris with Bronwyn and Chris Bennett

Thank you to the Australian Turf Club for allowing the Association to utilize their Directors Room for our cocktail function. The room which overlooks the Winning Post, provided our guests with a fantastic view of the action on the track whilst they enjoyed the superb food and beverages on offer.

L-R Darren Pearce, Andrew Vouris, Peter & Cassandra Beer		L-R Bill & Leslie Picken with Alan & Belinda Brown

The night was an “informal function” with NSWROA President, Ray McDowell making a very short speech thanking everyone for their attendance.

L-R David Crewdson, Steve McMahon & John Cornish		L-R NSWROA Committee Members Max Whitby, Ray McDowell & John Vouris

The cocktail function was the first event of the year for NSWROA.

Upcoming functions for the Association during March are the Hats and Tea (20 March) and the BMW Barrier Draw Cocktail Style luncheon (29 March).

We look forward to welcoming members to the various functions throughout the year.