National Tote set to become reality as V’landys and McLachlan edge closer to deal
Tabcorp boss Gil McLachlan’s goal of a National Tote is set to become a reality by the end of the month as negotiations entering the final stages with the three NSW racing codes.
The implementation of the tote will be over a couple of stages, with a simple model to merge Australia’s three pools into one to be used, but NSW has been assured it will not lose customers.
Racing NSW chief executive Peter V’landys has stated for 20 years that any National Tote will not leave his state worse off.
There are more attractive financial models for Tabcorp in states other than NSW and the migration of customers through possible commissions was a primary concern to NSW administrators.
V’landys is negotiating a more than $4 billion deal for NRL in his other role, but it could be argued that the National Tote will dwarf that amount as it will change the wagering landscape in Australia.
A strong tote is at the centre of the best gambling markets around the world because it provides the biggest return to industry.
In what may be the final deal for V’landys in racing, as he looks towards running rugby league during a four-month-long service break later in the year, he has driven a hard bargain.
He was better positioned than any other racing administrator to push back and demand better conditions from a National Tote. Discussions have been robust between him and McLachlan, including threats to walk away from the National Tote.
They have settled on a path forward, but within NSW, the trots and greyhounds also must sign off on the deal.
Both codes will look to get better vision deals for their codes linked to the National Tote.
However, all agree the National Tote is the way forward, but also understand that they will only have this strength in negotiations once.
The sign off from NSW will be conditional on a number of factors, particularly that its market share will not be diminished. There will also be components to other bookmakers betting into the National pool to make it stronger.
The National Tote will start on the understanding that the final financial model is still being developed. While a start date cannot be confirmed, the announcement of a National Tote will come within weeks.
Elbows out in McDonald commentary
James McDonald was back doing J-Mac things as he won Saturday’s Queensland Derby on Providence after a week where his previous Group 1 victory on Romantic Warrior drew a wide range of commentary.
Romantic Warrior won the Champions & Charter Cup, but it was how it was won that drew responses from jockeys, present and retired.
McDonald was given a three Hong Kong meeting suspension after he, according to stewards “directed his mount in when not clear of Deep Monster”, which loomed as a challenger in the straight.
Corey Brown said on Sky there was nothing wrong with his action, while Shane Dye believed the penalty was light and instead of careless riding, it should have been an improper riding charge.
The directing in wasn’t the main problem, but the untidy nature of McDonald’s riding for a couple of strides where he had his elbows out like an NBA player battling for a rebound.
McDonald has one of the neatest styles in the world and this was unusual. Dye explained it best on website, Idol Horse, where he stated that instinct took over when defeat loomed alongside panic.
Damian Lane took to Twitter with a couple of damning words, “Careless was kind”.
Blake Shinn was not critical of McDonald, who he noted accepted the suspension, but asked the question if another jockey would have been given a different penalty.
The commentary shows where McDonald sits in the world of jockeys and that is right at the top. He has not made comment on the incident, but would realise that with his standing comes more scrutiny.
Purton rises from nothing to 2000
Zac Purton knows he is closer to the end of his career in the saddle than the beginning and laps up every achievement, like his 2000th Hong Kong winner on Sunday.
The 43-year-old noted, after Rising World gave him the milestone victory, that he wasn’t always the centre of attention.
“To come here and not have the red carpet rolled out for me; I had to work for everything that I have got,” he said. “[It] wasn’t easy to stay determined, resilient and keep turning up, and everything that comes with that to be standing here today.”
“It makes it, obviously, feel like it’s all been worthwhile and obviously it has. I’ve had to work for it.”
Purton has won every Group 1 in Hong Kong, won in Japan and at Royal Ascot on Hong Kong gallopers, but in the twilight of his career he has found his best horse in Ka Ying Rising, which has continued Purton’s drive for success.
“Ka Ying Rising has been very big, of course; he stands atop. The association I had with Beauty Generation, I really enjoyed that,” he said. “There’s so many horses – I could stand here all day and name them all but there’s been a fair few horse-of-the-years that I’ve been able to throw my leg over and it’s made it a lot easier.”
Online effect is changing broodmare market
The realignment of the Australian bloodstock continues with the Magic Millions Broodmare Sale showing signs of how the online market has changed the market.
Magic Millions Broodmare Sale got out to four days at its peak, but now that the lower end of the market is restricted to online, where Inglis dominates, it is only two days.
There were about 145 fewer mares catalogued for this year’s sale than in 2025, which is a reaction to worldwide financial uncertainty and the change in marketing of some mares.
The average was down from $248,088 to $219,048, but median lifted from $90,000 to $105,000, which showed the lower end of the market wasn’t available at the sale.
The top end will always hold up and there is still a market for a sale where the mares can be inspected before sale.
It reflects what happened at Inglis last month.
“Obviously the thirst for quality is insatiable. I think when a quality horse walks through the ring there’s plenty of people that have been on most of those horses and that’s the main point and underneath that you’ve got to tread a little bit more warily and pick your mark, but there’s still a market there,” Magic Millions boss Barry Bowditch said.
Departing Judd sees bright future for Newcastle
Newcastle racing will lose more than 50 years of experience when Brian Judd stands down as chairman of the Newcastle Jockey Club at the end of the month.
Judd was the club’s chief executive in the 1980s and spent the past 10 years on the board, the final two years as chair. His contribution is unmatched.
“It is gratifying to conclude my involvement with the Club as Chairman at a time when the Club has such a bright future,” Judd said.
“I extend my sincere thanks to a committed Board, capable management team and loyal staff for their support and contribution and for their role in helping guide the Club to where it is today.”
