Aspiring Victoria Racing Club board candidate John Kanga has received a glowing character reference from one of racing’s most influential figures – champion trainer Chris Waller.
Waller told Betsy on Friday that he did not want to comment on the politics of the club but was happy to speak about his dealings with Kanga.
“He has a passion for racing, and he’s everywhere. You bump into him at Caulfield trackwork, he’s there. You bump into him at Flemington trackwork, he’s here,” he said.
“I bumped into him with his mucking out gear here at Flemington about three weeks ago.
“I said, ‘What are you doing?’ And he said, ‘He’s doing a strapper’s course.’
“He did the Racing Victoria strapper’s course. That, to me, it shows how passionate a person is about racing.
“Obviously, he’s a successful businessperson. And that’s about as much as I know.
“He’s the same person every day.”
Waller also made the point of Kanga asking him – and others – how he can help make racing better.
“He’s great in that he always listens. He’ll ask what’s the problem with the trainers? What’s the problem with the staff?” Waller said.
“From my perspective, that’s an ideal candidate. That’s what I can tell you as a character reference from what I’ve met from a man over the last three or four years. He’s been consistently the same.”
Waller’s comments follow a public endorsement for Kanga from Victorian trainer Troy Corstens on Thursday.
Kanga officially nominated for the VRC board on Thursday following months of speculation. It follows the retirement of veteran chairman Neil Wilson.
Betsy believes between 15 and 20 people will run for the VRC board.
Waller was at Flemington on Friday as he prepares several of his stars – including Autumn Glow and Joliestar – ahead of a big Champions Day.
