Frosty Flemington after board saga
On a freezing Victorian Saturday, it seemed anywhere out of the elements at Flemington for the Turnbull Stakes was the place to be.
But according to multiple folks, the Victoria Racing Club committee room was at times as frosty as the strong wind blowing across the Flemington straight.
It followed upheaval at the club after it revealed its “comprehensive succession plan” to the media and its members last week.
Veteran chairman Neil Wilson decided his time was up and, according to the club, bloodstock whiz Vin Cox had been appointed his successor.
What has become clear is the board itself was at loggerheads over the plan, with suggestions some didn’t see the move coming. Others are curious about how long the plan had actually been in place.
When it came time to choose Wilson’s successor, Betsy is told the vote was split.
The casting vote went to Cox, stunning supporters of vice-chairman Michael Ramsden, who had designs on the job.
People close to Ramsden say he is upset with how it played out. His father, Andrew, once led the historic club. Politics can be a brutal game.
Supporters of Cox say his interstate base doesn’t matter and point to several reasons for backing him. Among the reasons put to Betsy were his opposition to mergers and a desire to keep aggressive outside forces out of the VRC.
Many remain somewhat surprised that the club chose to endorse Cox despite him facing election in December. What happens in the unlikely event he is rolled?
One thing everyone seems to agree on, however, is that this saga isn’t going away.
The VRC has historically played its politics inside its own four walls. It has been disciplined and often ruthless – and we mean that as a compliment – in keeping the peace and managing its governance.
But this saga is threatening to spill outside the comforts of the committee room.
Gately fronts TAB’s Harbour stunt in One Pool launch
TAB continues its push behind OnePool, with prominent racing analyst David Gately the latest to throw his support behind the concept.
“The launch of ONE POOL is massive, and it’s something all us punters have been wanting for a very long time,” he said.
“We’ll now have bigger betting pools and better returns, especially with trifectas, quaddies and other exotics.
“I also love what it does for the industry, providing better returns for all participants.”
Gately was among the racing personalities involved in TAB’s Sydney Harbour stunt to promote the launch, with leading racecaller Darren Flindell also taking part.
Stewards keep close watch on Caulfield after track stoush
Stewards have asked the Melbourne Racing Club to advise them no later than two days before a scheduled race meeting if any track maintenance has been carried out on the racing surface as part of their review into ‘plug-gate’.
The Underwood Stakes meeting was temporarily suspended after jockeys and stewards deemed sections of the track unsafe.
The club strongly rejected those concerns, blaming jockeys for moving turf plugs that it said are used at racetracks around the world. Naturally, the riders didn’t take kindly to the suggestion.
Stewards, Betsy is told, have since asked further questions about the club’s use of the plugs.
By all reports, the Caulfield track is looking spot-on ahead of a big fortnight of racing for the MRC
Leek’s battle away from racing
Fresh from her remarkable training performance to snare the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes, Andrea Leek revealed the family turmoil she is facing.
Her husband, John Leek Jnr, was recently disqualified for three years over the attempted raceday stomach-tubing of one of his runners.
The kicker for the family is that their home sits on their training premises, which are registered with Racing Victoria. This means that, as a prohibited person, John has had to move out of home.
“I think I’ve been lucky to have this focus. It’s been tough on the family and I have just focused on my horses and that is what has got me through,” she told Nigel Carmody on racing.com post-race on Saturday.
Leek Jnr has now applied to the Racing Victoria board for leniency and permission to return to the complex.
It is understood Leek Jnr has suitable accommodation while Racing Victoria considers the application, with the board making the ultimate decision on whether he can return home.
Racing Victoria is finally advertising for a new chief vet after the infamous hiring and firing of its last choice, Dr Glenn Robertson-Smith.
The good doctor, of course, lost the coveted role after RV became aware he had been charged by Victoria Police over allegations he threatened a former Melbourne Racing Club executive – something he had not disclosed to his new employer, which found out via Betsy.
An advertisement went out this week for the role – this time with a recruiter taking ownership.
Racing Victoria commissioned an independent review of the Robertson-Smith fiasco, with recommendations made to strengthen the organisation’s recruitment policies and processes. Those recommendations were accepted by the board.
Meanwhile, the highly regarded Dr David Sykes has again been overseeing the important Melbourne Cup scanning process, with all reports suggesting international trainers feel more engaged in the process.
He has been assisted by RV deputy chief vet Dr Stephanie Chapman.
Demons’ ambitious Caulfield move looks increasingly cooked
Time is almost up for the Melbourne Demons’ ambitious plan to move their training base to Caulfield.
With the state government nearing caretaker mode – when its ability to make major decisions becomes limited – it increasingly appears the Melbourne Racing Club has, at least for now, won its battle to keep the footballers away from the horses.
Betsy has been told the Demons are privately conceding the Caulfield plan is cooked.
Barring a late miracle, Caulfield looks set to remain racing-only.
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