How the black-type dominoes fell
For most punters out there, they couldn’t give a rats if a race is a Group 2, Group 1 or even unlisted [remember the Everest?!].
But the announcement last week that the Golden Eagle is now a Group 1, which was one of many NSW races to get new Listed status, surely ushers a new time in Australian racing.
There is now a clear path for the once hated pop-up races to receive credibility from those who once tried to kill them – and will now make good money from them – the breeders.
But just how did NSW get so many more upgrades than Victoria?
Well, those in Sydney say it is on merit, which of course is easy to argue.
Those who sit on the Black Type Advisory Group [which won’t surprise you are made up of those who rely on breeding being financially lucrative] that essentially makes recommendations to the Asian Pattern Committee all signed non-disclosure agreements. That means they aren’t supposed to talk about it, even privately.
Betsy is told the committee came to Racing Victoria and essentially said, of your races, this is what we think should be upgraded.
Racing Victoria then took that advice and accepted that recommendation.
This included not asking for some races to be upgraded despite having the ratings to seek such a move.
What is curious, however, is whether other states played the same card as Victoria – and whether it was the right move.
NSW now has as many Group 1s as Melbourne. The Spring Carnivals, once a jewel in the Victorian crown, is now a shared commodity.
Talking of the Golden Eagle, one line from the Racing NSW press reveals that as part of the new National Tote deal with the TAB, the ongoing funding of the new Group 1 will remain in place until 2031.
It’s another win for Peter V’landys and his team. As PVL heads off on his long-service leave, he can add another victory to his resume of late, which includes the richest television deal in history with the NRL, the pattern as per above and now the National Tote.
The new National Tote too is a huge win for Gil McLachlan. He may have missed his June 30 deadline, but it is a win for the former AFL CEO that has delivered him a legacy.
More Organised Crime
The greyhounds made news yesterday when a potential Group 1 star was forced to change their name from Organised Crime because of a complaint.
The ownership group clearly have a sense of humour, changing the name to Wrongly Accused.
But there is another potential runner with the same name – but in thoroughbred racing.
Lloyd Kennewell has an unraced 2yo colt, partly owned by Newgate, called Organised Crime.
We asked Racing Victoria whether they had an issue with the name, to which they declined to comment, pointing us in the direction of Racing Australia, who accept or reject name applications from owners.
We asked the RA CEO Paul Eriksson for his take, to which he simply ignored us.
Lobbying begins for Racing Queensland’s next CEO
There is some quiet lobbying behind the scenes surrounding who will get the Racing Queensland CEO permanently.
The role is currently held by Lachlan Murray in an acting capacity after the well-regarded Jason Scott stood down.
By all reports, Murray is capable and a respected figure who has the strong support of many within Racing Queensland.
But do a few want an outsider to come up to the sunny state and run racing?
The Brisbane winter carnival just came off one of their best wagering results in recent time
But Murray’s acting term is due to expire at the end of the year, and there are a few from around the country eyeing off the role.
There is also a few keen, who despite their experience, who won’t get a look in.
Others who may be interested might pass because of the pay cheque, which depends on who you ask, is anywhere from $600,000 to $800,000 a year.
There is a whisper that RQ might ask the government to again raise the salary to $1 million. The state government must sign off on any rise given it is essentially a public service role [with many thinking the government will reject such a request].
Such a salary is arguably on par given the realisation the CEO must also run the dogs and trots too.
Reach for the Sky
Sky Channel has started promoting a new channel Sky Plus, which will feature all trots and dogs races.
The channel will be in addition to Sky 1, Sky 2 and Sky Thoroughbred Central [soon to be run by Racing NSW] with the two smaller codes, who have confirmed the new channel to Betsy, with some fearing it is the start of pushing them off the main channels.
Is Melbourne calling…
Which administrator, on the nose locally, is seeking a return to Melbourne?
