FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESK

The big issue for the NSW industry most recently would have to be, without a doubt, the calling for expressions of interest from persons wishing to be considered for appointment as a member of the board of Racing NSW.

To say the Minister “surprised” the industry with this announcement is a classic understatement.

As members would be aware, in 2008 the Association was an active participant (along with various industry bodies) in the selection process for the incumbent Board – the first independent board for the industry’s regulatory body.

Last month the Racing Minister George Souris announced that “the NSW Government will introduce legislation to Parliament to broaden the skills base of the Board and strengthen appointment procedures and eligibility and conflict of interest requirements”.

Mr Souris said proposed changes to the Thoroughbred Racing Act 1996 include:

• Increasing the Board from five to seven members to boost the capacity to meet workload and expand its skills base;
• Introducing a new requirement that a person is not eligible for a Board appointment if he or she has been an employee or committee member of a race club or industry association in the previous 12 months;
• Expressly prohibit Board membership if the Selection Panel determines that the person has a direct or indirect pecuniary interest in conflict with the role of a Board member;
• Strengthen the conflict of interest provision in the Act requiring the disclosure of a direct or indirect interest in a matter under consideration by Racing NSW;
• Prohibit a Board member from participating in the consideration of a matter in which they have acquired and disclosed a pecuniary interest;
• Enable the Board member Selection Panel to provide a shortlist of candidates to the Minister to make the final selection; and
• Enable the Minister to appoint the Chair and Deputy Chair of Racing NSW.

The Association applauded the Minister’s appointment of the three person selection panel but is firmly of the view that there should have been industry participation in the selection process as well ie via the Racing Industry Consultation Group (RICG).

In order for Racing NSW to ensure the future viability and sustainable development of the industry, surely it is essential that the very best people for these roles are considered.

To this end the Association is of the view that there should have been no restriction on applications. Why “cull” because of experience? Clearly this should be a preference rather than a deterrent. A classic example is the current board of the Australian Turf Club who are doing a sterling job.

On behalf of our Members, NSWROA is grateful for the sponsorship and support of Luxbet.

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ROYAL RANDWICK CLOSED

The 5 November meeting was the farewell to Royal Randwick as we now know it.

The grandstand will now be demolished, and Randwick redeveloped with a state-of-the-art new racing and general entertainment facility that is due for reopening in 2013. (By then the upgrades to the M2 should be completed as well, so those racegoers in north-western Sydney should be able to go to the Randwick reopening on a brand new road!).

While Royal Randwick will be closed for racing from now on with meetings traditionally scheduled for Randwick being spread amongst the other Sydney metropolitan tracks with provincial tracks also getting a fair allocation of midweek meetings to help share the workload.

Next year’s Autumn Carnival will, however, go ahead at Randwick on April 14, 21 and 28 over three consecutive Saturdays the Australian Derby, Doncaster Day and Sydney Cup Day will be run as per normal. Due to the reconstruction there will be limits required on the crowd size being able to attend, and the intention is that attendance will be by pre-booked ticket only. Consequently, if you would like to attend those meetings be aware of that situation so you can be prepared to book tickets as they become available.

While corporate functions will not be taking place as there won't be a grandstand to facilitate them, the Association is very pleased to advise that our Annual Sydney Cup Day Luncheon will be taking place at Royal Randwick in a marquee on the Leger lawn. Watch this space for further details.

At NSWROA we are looking forward to the Randwick finished product, so that Sydney will have a racing venue designed to match the very best in the world.

REGISTRATION FEE CHANGES

Please be advised that from 1 November 2011 there will be a fee increase applicable to some of the services provided by Racing NSW.

These fee increases are in line with recent increases to be charged by RISA.

** Additional Horse Fee applicable to registered syndicates with an interest in a horse (except if it is the first horse to be registered in the syndicates name)

- GST is not applicable to any of these fees.

To download forms please visit the Racing NSW website www.racingnsw.com.au.

MELBOURNE CUP REVIEW

NSWROA Committee member, Mr Louis Mihalyka, made his annual pilgrimage to the Melbourne Cup carnival and has kindly prepared for the interest of members, the following item.

*   *   *   *   *

Another exciting Melbourne Cup has been run and won, capping off another fantastic week of racing at Flemington.

Leading into this year’s Cup it seemed inevitable that a Northern Hemisphere horse would win the race, as the quality and quantity of the overseas visitors were higher than ever before. In the end it was the first time that the first four placings were filled by foreign horses, even though third-placegetter Lucas Cranach was Australian-trained, being with Anthony Freedman. In fact the first seven home were all foreign invaders, so the face of the Cup has now become well and truly international, and it is something that we will have to get used to.

Including fifth-placegetter Manighar, the third, fourth and fifth horses home were at least Australian-owned and it is now becoming an increasingly popular move by Australian owners to buy into horses that have already qualified, and so fulfil their Cup dreams and ambitions that way. It seems a lot safer option than buying a yearling and hoping that you end up with a Melbourne Cup runner.

Australian owners and trainers certainly are trying to establish a better understanding of the handicapping after horses that were Group-performed in Australian races were further down the pecking order of qualification than Saptapadi who was the winner of only one race from twelve starts prior to his arrival, and that was a Doncaster maiden. However due to his non-winning performances (he was Group 2 and 3-placed) his handicap rating was such that he managed to scrape into the field as the 24th horse with 52kg.

Local media, trainers and owners have put forward arguments for making certain Spring Carnival race achievements exempt from the ballot for the Melbourne Cup, which is a suggestion that has merit in principle, but finding the right balance within the specific rules may prove more difficult and we can’t see that being introduced in the immediate short-term.

While a Melbourne Cup win by a foreign visitor is becoming a more frequent occurrence, one pattern remains consistent. The overseas horses that are winning have all raced here at least once, with the exception remaining Vintage Crop in 1993. The subsequent overseas winners, Media Puzzle, Delta Blues, Americain, and now Dunaden all had at least one start in Australia, which both helped the Australian punters assess their prospects, but obviously helped the horses to adapt to the Australian racing style. This year that statistic only held true by the length of a flared nostril as Red Cadeaux went within millimetres of winning the Cup without having had a run here.

Melbourne Cup week is truly Mecca for Australian racing fans, and remains an outstanding week of highly-competitive racing. Derby Day remains one of the highest-quality race meetings on the annual Australian calendar, with four Group I races on the programme and five other Group 2 and 3 races. Melbourne Cup Day is highly competitive racing with big fields, and probably doesn't need another big race, as the Cup itself dominates. Stakes Day has now emerged as another high-quality meeting with the Patinack Classic providing a second Group I on the day. Helped in the last two years by the appearance of Black Caviar, it was an absolute pleasure to see her race once again. She idles effortlessly and looks like she has plenty up her sleeve, but she still manages to produce outstanding times, so it is hard to imagine how much faster she can actually go.

Oaks Day is the one day that probably needs a bit of help racing-wise as the Oaks itself is the only Group I race on the day, and the varying quality of Oaks fields, and without the support of another high-profile race, means this day’s racing can be the flat spot of the week.

The Melbourne Cup Carnival remains one of the very best racing carnivals in the world. It is the single biggest annual event in Australia, and has a greater economic impact on Melbourne and Victoria than we understand any other annual event, sporting or otherwise, on the Australian calendar. The fact that racing can achieve that can only be a good thing. And when you read this, there will only be about fifty more weeks until next year’s Melbourne Cup!!

NEXT TAB SADDLE-UP SUNDAY MEETING – 4 DECEMBER 2011 – LISMORE TURF CLUB

The next TAB Saddle-up Sunday Meeting will be conducted by the Lismore Turf Club on Sunday 4 December 2011 with the Trinity Jubilee Cup, sponsored by Trinity Catholic College, Lismore, the highlight on the card.

Located on Woodlawn Road in Lismore, race goers can take the country link train trip or enjoy the scenic 775km drive up to the NSW coast. If driving why not take your time and experience all the NSW north coast has to offer with stops on the way including Port Stephens, Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour. Flights are also available as a quicker travel alternative.

Winners of the 2010 Gold award for visitor and information services, Lismore has plenty to see and do so if you want to make a weekend of your TAB Saddle-Up Sunday you won’t be disappointed.

Visit the website – www.gocountryracing.com.au – for further information on the race meeting, accommodation and local activities to make a perfect weekend away.

THOROUGHBRED RETRAINING PROGRAM

Racing NSW’s Thoroughbred Retraining Program is an innovative not-for-profit program dedicated to finding new homes and careers for retired racehorses.

Overseer of the program is former NSW Mounted Police horse trainer and classically trained rider Scott Brodie. Scott has a unique spin on the retraining of retired racehorses, utilizing a surprisingly smooth synergy of natural horsemanship and the practical application of classical dressage. His systematic approach to this often difficult and dangerous endeavour ensures the smoothest and fairest transition for the horse from racing machine to a pleasurable riding partner.

Under the Program retired racehorses are retrained for a life after racing, including equestrian competitions, police work, recreational riding and as companion animals.

So, how can we as owners help this very worthwhile cause? There are a number of ways.

Firstly, you could make a tax deductible donation to the NSW Thoroughbred Rehabilitation Trust, the charitable arm of Racing NSW’s Thoroughbred Retraining Program. This can be done by contacting Natalie Tipping, General Manager – Special Projects at Racing NSW on telephone 9551 7581 or by email ntipping@racingnsw.com.au.

Secondly, you could purchase a horse that has graduated the program. All proceeds from the sale of retrained horses are reinvested back into the program.

Thirdly, you could sponsor a horse in the program. Enquiries regarding this should be directed to Scott Brodie on 0448 088 844 or by email scott.brodie@optusnet.com.au.

Would you like to know more?

Depending on feedback, Scott is considering holding an open day for NSWROA members to show us what they do. If you are interested in attending an open day, simply contact the NSWROA office by either email nswroa1@ozemail.com.au or telephone 9299 4299.

The Thoroughbred Retraining Program is a wonderful way to give our equine friends a life after racing. Any support you could provide would be very welcome.

My thanks to Furdography for the wonderful photos in this article.

BOBS & BOBS EXTRA UPDATE

In the first three months of this racing season owners have picked up 174 BOBS bonuses, worth more than $1 million.

The BOBS Extra figures have increased dramatically this season and by the end of October, 47 bonuses worth another $328,750 had also been paid out, with most of that money gathered by horses which won at provincial and country meetings.

Five times as many BOBS bonuses are now being won as in 2002 when the scheme started, but the entry fee has remained at $660 throughout that period.

To keep BOBS financially strong the Board of Racing NSW has now decided the time has come for the BOBS entry fee to be increased. Accordingly, in 2012 it will cost $990 (including GST) to nominate a horse for BOBS, while the BOBS Extra fee will remain at $840.

The $990 fee – or $1830 total for a horse entered in both BOBS and BOBS Extra – will be payable by 1 September 2012.

The BOBS entry fee remains a tiny part of the overall cost of racing a horse, yet it returns enormous value to winning owners. BOBS is the most rewarding bonus scheme because there is a potential payout on every race at every meeting anywhere in NSW, with the exception of Group and Listed events.

Catalogues are about to be printed for the Magic Millions sale on the Gold Coast from 11-15 January 2012 and for the Inglis Classic yearling sale in Sydney during 22-24 January 2012.

Once again these catalogues are dominated by BOBS Eligible yearlings and we certainly encourage owners to purchase those horses because they have a greater potential to pay their way by winning bonus prize money.

After three months of season 2011-12 these were the leading BOBS bonus winners:

If you have any questions about BOBS or BOBS Extra, please call John Gatfield on (02) 9551 7574 or email jgatfield@racingnsw.com.au.

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 October 2011:

NSWROA MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS – BOWERMANS OFFICE FURNITURE

In this issue of the newsletter we are highlighting another of the benefits of NSWROA membership, the 10% discount with Bowermans Office Furniture.

Bowermans Office Furniture was established in the mid 1940's and has been supplying businesses and individuals for over 65 years. Bowermans has earned a well deserved reputation of excellence through its dedication to a high level of service and unique furniture solutions.

As a company that is recognised for creating workplace and home office furnishings that inspire, expand and endure, Bowerman’s commitment to innovation and modern design has produced a comprehensive portfolio of reception counters, seating, files, storage, tables and desks.

Bowermans Office Furniture prides itself on its:

• Low Prices
• Promptness
• Customer Service
• Quality
• Delivery
• Understanding
• Responsibility
• Reliability
• Professionalism

Bowermans Office Furniture has also for some time now been a regular supporter to our wonderful industry via its various sponsorship agreements.

Bowermans Office Furniture are located at Canterbury and North Parramatta or simply visit their website www.bowermans.com.au for further information.

To redeem your 10% NSWROA Members discount, simply present your NSWROA membership card at the time of purchase.

GENERAL

If you have you recently moved, changed your postal address or obtained an email address, it would be greatly appreciated if you could contact the office in order for our records to be updated.

Yours in Racing
Ray McDowell, President
17 November 2011