Parliamentary Inquiry to be held over proposed sale of Rosehill Racecourse
A parliamentary inquiry will dive into the Australian Turf Club's controversial and unpopular proposal for the redevelopment and potential sale of Rosehill Racecourse.
The inquiry will cover several critical areas: the process and probity of the unsolicited proposal, government involvement before the proposal's submission, its role in achieving housing targets, effects on the Sydney Metro's cost and delivery, potential impacts on Western Sydney's parkland, implications for New South Wales' racing industry, and any other relevant issues.
This decision was facilitated by a vote in the NSW Upper House, which resulted in the formation of a Select Committee with a narrow approval margin of 21-18. The committee will consist of nine members, with Scott Farlow, Opposition Housing Minister, serving as Chair and Animal Justice Party's Emma Hurst as Deputy Chair.
Rosehill Racecourse
Hurst said, “The Animal Justice Party has significant concerns about the conduct of Racing NSW, the lack of transparency in Government oversight more generally, and the way that this links with the proposals in regards to Rosehill Racecourse, and of course the link between animal welfare."
“A multi-billion dollar proposition should not be drawn up on the back of a napkin. It should go through the appropriate processes for such a major project,” said Damien Tudehope, the leader of the opposition in the Upper House.
Independent MP Mark Latham said, “It's been a weird, weird, confusing, perplexing, disastrous process that's led us to the point of a proposal for the sale of Rosehill racecourse... So the committee is warranted for that and many other reasons.”
Rose Jackson, the Minister for Housing, argued, “We welcome transparency... this is nothing more than a stunt because those opposed are determined to snuff out any discussion about more housing in this state.”
Bella Nipotina on song for another Group 1 run
Trainer Ciaron Maher isn’t bothered that Bella Nipotina (Pride Of Dubai) will be having her sixth run in a fourth state this preparation in Saturday’s G1 Doomben 10,000. “She's been phenomenal, and I think her only wet track was in the TJ and it wasn't actually that wet,” Maher told Racing.com.
“She thrives on it, if it keeps raining up there, she'll certainly thrive. She's on the beach at Newcastle at the moment and she's run very well - some of her best races, out of there. We're very happy with her, she's been up for a little while but she seems to be handling it no worries.”
Bella Nipotina was fourth in The Quokka last start, and second the G1 TJ Smith S. prior to that.
Wee Nessy to give rivals a scare in Group 1
Co-trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr know that Wee Nessy (Snitzel) needs things to go her way in the G1 Doomben 10,000 but if conditions are right, the 4-year-old mare can give her rivals a good scare. “I thought she was beaten fair and square the other day, but I think Doomben will suit, she likes those tight tracks, likes Soft ground, she's at the peak of her form, she's settled in well in Queensland,” Price told Racing.com.
“She'll give a bit of cheek, if the gods were smiling she'd win, but if there's anything just that little bit better than her - probably vulnerable.”
New juvenile winner for Zoustar in New Zealand
Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh made the correct call in sending 2-year-old colt I’m All In (NZ) (Zoustar) to the races instead of the trials when he won nicely on Wednesday on Cambridge’s synthetic surface. “We’ve always liked him and he’d had a spell and we were going to trial him at Cambridge on Monday,” Marsh told Loveracing.nz.
I’m All In (NZ) | Image courtesy of Race Images
“There was this 970m race and he’d had a jump-out a week ago and gone really well. I was very happy with him so thought let’s not go to the trials and go straight to the races. It was worth $17,000 and rather than trial over 950m we might as well race him and it worked out really well.”
I’m All In was having his third start and is the sixth 2-year-old winner for Zoustar this season. He is raced by Cambridge Stud.
Angel Capital vulnerable in Queensland debut
2-year-old colt Angel Capital (Harry Angel {Ire}) will step up in class in Saturday’s G2 Spirit Of Boom Classic at Doomben. “He’s a very good horse and has shown us plenty of ability at home,” trainer Clinton McDonald told Racingqueensland.com.au.
“We’re expecting a forward showing from him and he’s settled in well after flying up a week ago. He galloped terrific at Doomben on Tuesday and I couldn’t be happier with him. This could be a vulnerable race for him over 1200 metres around Doomben but he’s a pretty good horse and we’re happy with him. Whatever he does Saturday he’ll improve again.”
Harry Angel colt to make an impact at Doomben
Trainer Marcus Wilson thinks 2-year-old Heavenly Impact (Harry Angel {Ire}) is potentially the best horse he has ever put a bridle on. Second in the Magic Millions The Debut earlier this year at his only start, he runs in Saturday’s G2 Spirit Of Boom Classic at Doomben.
“In his one start, he got into nice clear room in the straight and he really hit the line well, only going down by three quarters of a length or so. The debut was terrific. He is going to be a better horse as he steps out over distance,” Wilson told Racingqueensland.com.au.
Husk wins juvenile race at Sandown
Team Hawkes won the first race at Sandown on Wednesday with 2-year-old filly Husk (Calyx {GB}), with Wayne Hawkes heaping praise on jockey Jordan Childs. “One thing about Jordan Childs, he's a really good 2-year-old rider, helping them jump, getting them balanced,” Hawkes told Racing.com.
Wayne Hawkes
Raced by Kirks Bridge Farm, Husk was having her second start. She is a half-sister to Group 2 winner Casino Seventeen (Casino Prince).
Kennedy gets first city double at Sandown
Apprentice Jaylah Kennedy claimed her first city double at Sandown on Wednesday with Heart Of Glass (Impending) and Scissor Step (Toronado {Ire}). Both are trained by Tony and Calvin McEvoy.
Kennedy has now won seven of 23 rides for the stable. “I’m very thankful to the McEvoy team, they’ve put me on some really nice horses. We’ve got a really good connection together,” Kennedy told Racing.com.
Scissor Step is the older half-brother to Group 3 winner Steparty (Artie Schiller {USA}) who runs in Saturday’s Listed Straight Six Handicap.
Treble for Orman at Ipswich
Jockey James Orman rode a treble at Ipswich on Wednesday with two of the winners for trainer Tony Gollan. He won race two on Chris Waller-trained Kenyada (Kermadec {NZ}) by 3.4l, then Gollan pair Hurts So Good (So You Think {NZ}) and I Am Takingthelot (I Am Invincible).
James Orman | Image courtesy of Trackside Photography
Strong team Neasham for Gosford on Thursday
Trainer Annabel Neasham will debut 2-year-old colt Superhero (Deep Field) on Thursday at Gosford, as part of a six-strong team that she will be running there. Sold by Twin Hills Stud at Inglis Easter Yearling Sale for $340,000 Superhero was purchased by Yes Bloodstock and Group One Bloodstock (FBAA).
Her other runners at Gosford are Summer Soiree (Russian Revolution), Machaon (Capitalist), Hiawatha (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), Akkadian Emperor (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}), and Eye Of The Fire (Epaulette).
Inquiry into Cherchi fall concluded
On Wednesday, Racing NSW stewards completed the final interviews as part of their inquiry into the race fall at Canberra on March 20 that led to the death of jockey Stefani Cherchi. “Jockey Stefano Cherchi (Hasime) was dislodged when his mount fell and jockeys Shaun Guymer (Dunjenni) and J Penza (Epic Statement) were both dislodged and further interference was suffered by other runners including Taytay Bay and Hardazhell,” said the statement.
“Further evidence was taken today from jockeys Damon Budler (Imalovaboy), apprentice Ms Coriah Keatings (My Rock Singa), Shaun Guymer (Dunjenni), Jeff Penza (Epic Statement), Jack Martin (Taytay Bay), Ms Ellen Hennessy (Hardazhell) and Josh Richards (Jennio’s Filly) and Ms Alysha Collett (Ferghana) was also present during proceedings.
“On the evidence it was established that in the lead up to the incident Hasime (S Cherchi) was racing in restricted room between Imalovaboy (D Budler) which was improving to its outside and Jennio’s Filly (J Richards) which was racing to Hasime’s inside. It was also found that Jennio’s Filly had shifted to the outside of the heels of Ferghana after that runner had earlier pressed forward and crossed Jennio’s Filly after the 900m.
“However, on the available evidence, which included video coverage which was lateral to the relevant section of the race, Stewards were not satisfied to the requisite standard that any charges should be laid under the Rules of Racing in respect of the fall. Accordingly, the matter was formally concluded.”
Winx movie premiere dates released for Sydney
A Horse Named Winx – the doco-movie about champion mare Winx (Street Cry {Ire}) will premiere in Sydney on June 7 in the Ritz Randwick at 7pm as part of the Sydney Film Festival. Another showing will be held on June 9 in the same location. Directed by Janine Hosking the film tells the story of Winx from behind the scenes and is a must for all racing fans. Tickets are available via the Sydney Film Festival website.
Winx | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Hitotsu service up for grabs in Dubbo
Dubbo Turf Club will host the second annual Arrowfield Queen of the West & Mercedes-Benz Dubbo Ladies Raceday on Saturday with the winner of the $50,000 Arrowfield Queen of the West receiving a nomination to Arrowfield sire Hitotsu.
“We are delighted to continue our partnership with Arrowfield in providing a quality race for high grade race fillies and mares,” Dubbo Turf Club's General Manager, Sam Fitzgerald told Racingnsw.com.au. Last year’s winner was Scott Singleton-trained Dollar Magic (Shamus Award) whose owners received a stallion nomination to dual Group 1 winner, Castelvecchio.
King Charles is the new patron for New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders
The New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association is delighted to announce that His Majesty King Charles III is their new patron. “It was a tremendous privilege to have received the letter through the post this week stating that His Majesty The King would be delighted to accept the patronage of our association,” NZTBA chief executive Nick Johnson told Loveracing.nz.
“Her Majesty The Queen was our patron for 32 years, and her love of the thoroughbred is widely known. To be able to have the patronage passed on to His Majesty I think is wonderful, we are very honoured.”
Lukas with two runners in the Preakness S.
88 year-old trainer D. Wayne Lukas, who first had a runner in the G1 Preakness S. 44 years ago, and has two runners in this year’s race with Seize the Grey (USA) (Arrogate {USA}) and Just Steel (Justify {USA}) who is a son of Australian G1 winner Irish Lights (Fastnet Rock).
D. Wayne Lukas | Image courtesy of Coady
“Our whole program is geared toward these type of races, the Triple Crown, the Breeders' Cup, and so forth. That's where our emphasis is all the time. We buy horses that we feel fit that mold and I try to develop them and try to get them there,” Lukas told bloodhorse.com.
American Pharoah entire tops Fasig-Tipton Digital Sale
Fasig-Tipton's May Digital Sale on Tuesday was topped by Lot 21 5-year-old entire Forbidden Kingdom (USA) (American Pharoah {USA}) who sold for US$310,000 (AU$466,000) to Legacy Ranch. The 75 sales horses averaged US$43,361 (AU$65,000) with a clearance rate of 75% and a gross of US$3,252,100 (AU$4.89million).
“It was another strong sale across the board,” said Leif Aaron, Fasig-Tipton's Director of Digital Sales. “Compared to last year's May sale, we doubled the number offered, more than doubled the gross, and saw a healthy rise in the average price. I'm very pleased with the results.”
