Caulfield battle enters crunch time as Demons firm
It’s crunch time for the Melbourne Football Club and their ambitious bid to move to Caulfield racecourse. It’s a move that racing – and especially the Melbourne Racing Club – currently oppose.
And much like their on-field performances, there seems to be an undeniable momentum that the football club are firming in their bid to call the racecourse home.
Betsy is told that despite the football club needing legislation changes to make the move happen – not to mention raise at least $70 million – there is a growing belief they are edging towards a deal.
What racing does in the meantime will be fascinating.
There has been talk of how to stop it happening, including speculation of legal threats, but for now it’s the lobbyists doing the work, not the lawyers.
Momentum is a funny thing – it creates a buzz and often the impression of likely success – but does it mean anything in this case?
The football club seemingly have convinced enough people in government that they should receive a lease of sorts, but the work for the football club is just beginning.
Betsy is told the first obstacle for the club is to at least get in-principle approval that says they can move.
Once that is done, then the club can go around raise the millions needed. The club costed their development at around $100m – some in racing reckon it’s now higher.
Racing doubts the football club can raise the cash given both levels of government are cash strapped. But the AFL is the biggest game in town.
Another big sticking point for the Demons is the need to essentially pass legislation through parliament for any move to happen.
The issue for the Demons, Betsy is told, is that the site is managed by a trust, and any new tenant must essentially tick off that it is essentially a community-focused outcome.
So how does a professional football club manage that? Well, it doesn’t, hence the need for parliament to make some changes. That’s not to say the Demons’ proposal will not have important community assets.
Both the MFC and MRC have been active in the halls of parliament of late pitching their case to ministers and their offices.
Depending on who you ask, some meetings went better than others.
The football club is reportedly using a lobby group with strong connections to the current state government – one of the founders was chief of staff to former premier Dan Andrews. Considering the Demons were facing long odds of securing a lease, it has been some turnaround.
Another crucial detail is that the football club, Betsy is told, are adamant that the tunnel they want to build on site won’t take anywhere near the 12 months to build that racing believes it will.
The racing club is adamant that if the Demons get permission to build their tunnel between the club’s proposed offices and their planned footy ovals that goes underneath the two race tracks, that it means no racing for a year, including their lucrative Spring Carnival.
The Demons believe a tunnel will take one month, a notion racing scoffs at. It is the kind of difference in detail that neither side will concede ground on.
The football club too had once been given a strict June 30 deadline to prove they have the money and a plan. There is a suggestion now that deadline may have been pushed back to accommodate their work.
All of this could point in one direction – court action.
There is speculation that the racing club would consider seeking an injunction against any moves to hand the Demons a lease based on their belief that under the current rules, racing can’t be worse off under any new tenant.
The MRC declined to comment.
Relationships too matter in this battle. Senior government ministers will have one eye ahead of their election battle in November.
With the odds now suggesting the current government could lose in November, are they more likely to throw caution into the wind and back a popular football club with deep connections into the city’s ruling class despite racing’s objections? Will personality clashes also help the football club’s bid?
Many think so.
Now the final battle of sorts awaits. On the football side leading the charge is board member Geoff Porz, a successful developer.
On the other, is MRC vice-chairman and billionaire Jonathan Munz, racing’s most powerful figure.
Both aren’t used to losing. It promises to be a fascinating month ahead.
Punters deserve better
The unusual situation this week that saw trainers have more than 24 hours to declare a jockey post the Group 1 barrier draws in Queensland surely needs addressing.
This weekend’s JJ Atkins in Queensland is case in point. The barrier draw was covered in-depth across racing media – a crucial part in how the race shapes up. Just like who is riding the horses in question.
Leading trainer Chris Waller has two red hot chances in the market – Tron Bolt and Stormy Marco.
Now Waller, under the rules, is allowed until lunchtime on Wednesday to notify who will ride his horses. Given the world’s best, James McDonald, is one of the jockeys in question, it is important information for punters.
Bookies will tell you that the J-Mac tax is real – he drives engagement and turnover.
This is no criticism at all of Waller or others who take their approved time – they are doing the right thing by their stable and owners.
And those in the know will tell you J-Mac was always likely to ride the short-priced favourite, Tron Bolt, and Nash Rawiller Stormy Marco.
But the barrier draw was on Tuesday – why make punters wait?
The result once the announcement was made? Punters acted.
Tron Bolt firmed from $2.25 to $2 and is back to $2.20 with TAB, while Stormy Marco drifted from $5.50 to $11 with TAB. Punters perhaps giving Tron Bolt the same vote of confidence as McDonald when the choice was made.
But it poses the question – if the barriers are drawn and punters are encouraged to bet – why not make it so those who fund the sport have all the necessary information as soon as possible?
Moonee Valley Racing Club CEO Michael Browell is never one to shy away from an opinion, or a willingness to share it too.
His posting on social media of late has the corridors of racing talking.
The posts are heavily critical of both the state and federal Labor governments – which again, is his right. And going by the polls, there will be people who agree with him.
The issue in the eyes of a few is how much the club – and racing in general – relies on state government support for funding and approvals, especially The Valley as they undergo a massive redevelopment.
Take this post from Browell regarding crime in Victoria.
At what point do Victorians stand up and say we’ve had enough of the lawlessness!
How have we allowed this to happen?
• Machete attacks at train stations and shopping centres.
• Car jackings
• Home invasions
• Hospitality venues being fire bombed
• Alleged corruption in… https://t.co/NEfM1IGfMW— Michael Browell (@777MJB) June 7, 2026
We support Browell’s right to tweet and say whatever he wants. Again, there’ll be those who agree with his sentiment and crime is undoubtedly a massive issue in the cold state.
The issue here, of course, is politics.
For those unaware, the police minister in Victoria is Anthony Carbines – who just happens to also be the racing minister.
The machetes, carjackings, fire bombings and such – much like the crucial financial returns to racing – all fall under Carbines’ portfolios.
There are countless other tweets from Browell that are heavily critical of Labor, from economic policy, cost of living and corruption.
Of course, this is the same state Labor government who have given the racing club many millions of dollars in funding and grants and even agreed to fast-track approvals on their development.
Carbines himself announced $5 million for the club in July last year – how times have changed. The electorate where The Valley sits is a long-time Labor stronghold.
There is just a few in the racing world that are wary of what the repercussions may be if the state government is returned in November.
Or as one eloquently put it in a text this week: ‘The club or whoever are free to hate their politics, but why tell the world as it makes it bloody hard when it comes time to ask for their cash’.
— Michael Browell (@777MJB) June 6, 2026
The good old days
Assuming it’s true, because it is almost too good to be so, this tale regarding legendary racing journalist and broadcaster Ken Callander is a classic.
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Whispers from the track
Could a well-regarded expert be set to provide help with some struggling tracks?
