Victorian Government signs 20-year wagering deal with Tabcorp
The Victorian Government has signed a 20-year wagering deal with Tabcorp, reportedly worth around $140 million in annual earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation for the company.
The deal is set to begin in August 2024, after Tabcorp successfully fought off Sportsbet and allegedly will pay $600 million upfront to secure an extension to its Victorian wagering license. In addition, Tabcorp will pay $30 million per annum from August 2025/43.
Tabcorp’s Managing Director and CEO, Adam Rytenskild | Image courtesy of The Australian
Tabcorp’s Managing Director and CEO Adam Rytenskild said, “It is a license that will allow us to ignite our total Victorian wagering business.
“Significantly, the terms of this agreement will place Tabcorp on a level playing field with our competitors for the first time in Victoria.”
Racing Victoria also issued the following statement on Monday morning, “We’re aware of the announcement by Tabcorp regarding the Victorian Wagering and Betting Licence. We’re awaiting official confirmation and associated details from the Victorian Government and Tabcorp. We’ll comment once we’ve received and digested all relevant information.”
Welfare high on Tabcorp’s agenda
Tabcorp has pledged to contribute significantly towards animal welfare programs and responsible gambling initiatives after it was reported that the company successfully signed a 20-year wagering deal with the Victorian Government on Monday.
Speaking to shareholders and media on Monday morning, Tabcorp Managing Director and CEO Adam Rytenskild said, “Tabcorp will directly invest $2.5 million into racing industry animal welfare programs.
“As part of our commitment, Tabcorp is also directly investing $2 million into responsible gambling programs in partnership with the Victorian Government to help problem gamblers and gambling harm research.”
Storm Boy heads BJ McLachlan S.
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Storm Boy (Justify {USA}) heads a competitive field for Saturday’s G3 BJ McLachlan S. at Eagle Farm. Storm Boy was an impressive debut victor on December 2 at Rosehill, beating last Saturday’s Caulfield winner Traffic Warden (Street Boss {USA}).
Storm Boy | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Other runners set to contest the Group 3 include Customized (Capitalist), a $400,000 James Harron Bloodstock Colt Partnership Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale graduate, alongside the unbeaten Astapor (Tassort).
New golden ticket race for Blue Diamond
Racing Victoria announced on Monday that the newly named Rex Gorell Geelong Diamond will give the winner a golden ticket to the 2024 G1 Blue Diamond S.
The contest will be one of the highlights of the recently introduced Geelong meeting called ‘Super Saturday’ on January 6. The Geelong Diamond is to be held over 1100 metres and worth $230,000 in prizemoney and VOBIS bonuses.
Racing Victoria’s Executive General Manager, Matt Welsh | Image courtesy of Racing Victoria
“A guaranteed start in the Blue Diamond should see a quality field of juveniles descend on Geelong for the inaugural Super Saturday on the Coast, which is shaping as a great event for keen racegoers and holidaymakers alike,” said Matt Welsh, Racing Victoria’s executive general manager - Racing.
“Geelong is a terrific track that provides young horses with a great experience early in their career.”
Alabama filly on Diamond path
The Richard and Chantelle Jolly-trained Karavas, a daughter of Yulong’s first-season sire Alabama Express, has returned to work in preparation for a tilt at the G1 Blue Diamond S.
“She had three weeks in the paddock after the Ottawa S.,” co-trainer David Jolly told Racing.com.
“She’s a strong filly now and has let down. Karavas put on good weight in that short period. Because we’ve had rain and the feed has been so good, it looked like she’d been out for five or six weeks.”
Jolly indicated that Karavas would head towards the Listed Blue Diamond Preview or the G3 Blue Diamond Prelude (Fillies).
“We’ll take her to Melbourne and probably run her in the Preview at the end of January, and then it’s a month into the Blue Diamond.”
Hong Kong offers rejected for boom juvenile
Substantial offers from Hong Kong have come thick and fast for Clinton Taylor’s unbeaten juvenile Astapor (Tassort). However, Taylor and owner Rodney Hay are sticking solid with their $38,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale graduate, who will contest Saturday’s G3 BJ McLachlan S.
“Rodney (Hay) deserves a good horse; he tips a lot of money in, and it’d be good to see him with a talented one,” Taylor told Punters.
Clinton Taylor | Image courtesy of Racing Queensland
“He turned down offers around the $1 million mark, but we don’t know how genuine the offers were.
“Astapor would have to measure up and race well on Saturday to push onto the Magic Millions. And he probably needs a bit of prizemoney to get a run.”
Malkovich chases Kensington S.
Bjorn Baker’s speedball Malkovich (Choisir) is set to tackle the Listed Kensington S. on Wednesday down the Flemington straight.
The son of Choisir has already shown a penchant for Flemington, having claimed the Listed Bob Hoystead H. in March of 2022 and has been placed in the Listed Century S.
Bjorn Baker | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“Malkovich has a good record over the 1000 metres,” Baker told RSN.
“He was good first-up over 1100 metres and back to the 1000 metres should suit and he seems really bright and well.”
Heinjus to return to Adelaide
Rob Heinjus will leave his role as the Bendigo Jockey Club’s Chief Executive Officer in the new year to return to Adelaide with his family. Heinjus took up the position in late 2022, but family reasons have made him resign.
“It’s a really tough decision given how much I’ve enjoyed the role here in Bendigo and working with the community,” Heinjus told Racing.com.
“With my family, we’ve decided to move back to Adelaide. We leave on great terms with the Club, albeit I’m sure they’d like me to stay around.”
Heinjus will remain at the Bendigo Jockey Club until the end of February 2024.
Rothfire to be crowned King of the Mountain?
Star Robert Heathcote-trained galloper Rothfire (Rothesay) will chase victory in the $750,000 King of the Mountain at Toowoomba on New Year’s Eve.
If successful, Rothfire will receive a wildcard into the $1 million Racing Queensland Magic Millions QTIS Open on January 13.
Robert Heathcote | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“I have to look after his longevity, so it is three runs this summer, that is all,” Heathcote told Racenet.
“He will carry 60.5 up there at Toowoomba, which he carried and almost beat Zoustyle the other day in the George Moore.
“I know what I have got. I have a horse that can win the King of the Mountain and the QTIS race at Magic Millions and can be successful throughout the winter carnival.”
Options aplenty for Munhamek
The Nick Ryan-trained Munhamek (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}) will be forever remembered as the horse that provided Champion Jockey Damien Oliver’s final winner. Ryan shared races such as the G1 CF Orr S., The All-Star Mile in the autumn and the G1 Stradbroke H. in the winter all rate as potential options for the son of Dark Angel (Ire). However, no plan has been locked in.
“Once we all get back to Earth, we’ll sit down and have a think,” Ryan told Racing.com.
“I guess Munhamek’s rating will go up now and will give us a few options. It might open a few doors, but I’ll sit down with the team and devise a plan.”
Murphy successful in Indian Classic
Oisin Murphy continued his red-hot streak of success around the world with a first trip to Mumbai, yielding a victory in the Indian 1000 Guineas aboard heavy favourite Jendayi (Ind) (Gleneagles {Ire}). The same connections scored a race prior in the R J Kolah Trophy with Chamonix (Ind) (Dunaden {Fr}), landing Murphy and Jendayi’s conditioner Pesi Shroff the double.
The jockey follows a similar path Richard Hughes enjoyed in riding a Classic winner for the decorated local trainer, who lays claim to the remarkable achievement of winning both the Indian 1000 and 2000 Guineas in 2009 and then claiming both the Indian Oaks and Derby a year later.
Oisín Murphy | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
“It was great to come out here,” said Murphy. “I actually rode for the same connections as Richard Hughes was successful with Jacqueline a couple of years ago when she won all the Classics.”
He added: “Both my rides won, and I really enjoyed the experience in Mumbai. The track here is excellent and the people have been incredibly hospitable and made me really welcome.”
Speak In Colours retired
Multiple Group winner Speak In Colours (GB) (Excelebration {Ire}) has retired and will stand at Haras des Fontaines for €1900 (AU$3100) next year. The Jour de Galop reported the news on Saturday.
Speak In Colours (GB), retired | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
Bred by Scuderia Archi Romani, the half-brother to G1 Nassau S. heroine Lady Bowthorpe (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) won a total of six stakes over a six-year career and was also third in the 2019 G1 Prix de la Foret. He won the G3 Phoenix Sprint S. in 2018, the G3 Renaissance S. in 2019, and the G2 Greenlands S. and G3 Ballycorus S., both in 2020.
