Hazzard report lodged, notice for SO52
On Tuesday, the Australian Financial Review confirmed that the Hazzard Review on the NSW Thoroughbred Racing Act was handed to Racing Minister David Harris last Friday.
The report is yet to be released publicly. However, on Tuesday, the Hon Wes Fang MLC gave notice that he will move a Standing Order 52 motion seeking the report's release within seven days. The motion is expected to be voted on by the NSW Legislative Council on Wednesday evening.
Bookies deny drug allegations
On Tuesday, bookies appearing before a Senate inquiry denied claims that they offered a high-spend customer access to illicit drugs and escorts. On Monday, Alliance for Gambling Reform chief advocate Reverend Tim Costello accused several bookies of enticing customers with drugs and escorts.
Sportsbet representative Jules Norton Selzer told the inquiry that allegations raised by Reverend Costello were “deplorable” and they had found “zero evidence” of them. TAB spokesperson Julian Whealing put the number of high-end customers at 400 from a base of 800,000 customers. On the issue of drugs, Whealing said such enticements “do not in any way form part of TAB's customer offering.”
“If these claims are true, we strongly recommend complaints are levelled with the individual operators as well as law enforcement and regulators, so that clearly illegal behaviours can be properly investigated,” Responsible Wagering Australia chief executive Kai Cantwell said.
There was a lengthy debate between Senator Hanson-Young and the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) over the bill's “notable person” provision with Hanson-Young pushing for a better definition of it and the ACMA representative saying they had “not formed the precise definition”.
The idea of black market gambling was again raised in the inquiry with Sportsbet, TAB and Responsible Wagering Australia all adding to Monday’s comments from Racing Australia and other PRAs. “We are not and have never been anti-reform,” Cantwell said.
“70 per cent of Australians enjoy a punt, and the key question is where they gamble. If the regulated market becomes less visible, harder to access or less competitive, consumers don't stop gambling … the evidence proves that they will move to illegal offshore operators.”
McDonald chasing fifth Cox Plate
Jockey James McDonald has won the past four G1 Cox Plates on Anamoe (2022), Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) (2023) and Via Sistina (Ire) (Fastnet Rock) (2024, 2025). “Four was remarkable and to think we are going for five on four different horses,” McDonald told racenet.com.au.
“When you talk Cox Plates you always get goosebumps and it is pride of place in our household and if we can get a good ride and to be a part of it is just amazing.” The first nominations for this spring’s Cox Plate were released on Tuesday with 103 horses nominated including 15 internationals. Sixteen 3-year-olds have been entered including Group 1 winners Campione D’Italia (Snitzel), Fireball (Snitzel), and Tron Bolt (Toronado {Ire}),
James McDonald | Image courtesy of The Hong Kong Jockey Club
But there’s only one with McDonald’s name on her. Aeliana (NZ) (Castelvecchio).
“Aeliana is young and a matured mare now. She didn't put a foot wrong last preparation and this is her time to be a Via Sistina. When you speak to Chris (Waller) about her – there is something about her Chris gets very excited about. Hopefully she can now rise to the top.”
Racing SA and Racing Victoria sign TV rights
Racing SA and Racing Victoria have renewed their longstanding media rights partnership for a further four years with South Australian racing to show on Racing.com through to 2030. “This agreement provides valuable long-term certainty for our industry and ensures South Australian racing remains accessible to a broad national audience,” Racing SA CEO Nick Bawden said.
Nick Bawden | Image courtesy of Ministry of Sports
“Since 2017, Racing.com has helped us showcase not only the quality of our racing, but also the horses, people, clubs and communities that make our South Australian industry unique. The partnership gives our race meetings consistent, high-quality coverage throughout the year, while creating greater opportunities to share South Australian racing stories with audiences across the country.
“We're delighted to renew that relationship through to 2030 and to continue building the profile and reach of South Australian racing together.”
Racing Queensland extend insurance levy
Racing Queensland announced on Tuesday that a 1% insurance levy placed on thoroughbred prize money for all TAB races will be extended until June 30, 2027. Eligible trainers may receive reimbursements of up to 30% of their WorkCover premium costs—a valuable contribution that helps manage rising insurance expenses.
Racing Queensland were pleased to announce that claims managed by RQ throughout FY25 showed an approximate 35% improvement in return-to-work outcomes during an injury claim.
Apprentice thrilled with first treble
Apprentice jockey Hayley Saunders rode her first treble at Tambo on Saturday and paid tribute to her boss Mark Goodwin. “Everyone loves him and everyone knows him. You can't go anywhere without someone asking how he is going,” Saunders told racingqueensland.com.au on Tuesday.
“To be 80 years old and still shoeing your own horses, it's next level. He’s a big helper. If I have trouble with a horse, he'll give me ways how to fix it until it's comfortable for me that I know what I'm doing. He knows what he is talking about.”
She won on the William Pugsley-trained trio of Mistrey Emperor (Kobayashi), Transceltic (Zoustar) and Sheriff's Star (Zoustar). There were only fives races on the card, and Saunders finished third on Pontoon Prince (Casino Prince) to cap a big day out.
Spring winner for Written Tycoon
Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman-trained 3-year-old gelding Oxley Tycoon (Written Tycoon) put his juvenile debut far behind him with a maiden win at Bairnsdale on Tuesday. Owned by Ron and Judi Wanless, he was bought by KPW Bloodstock from Sledmere Stud’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale draft for $350,000.
Oxley Tycoon is a full brother to stakes placed Winmar, and their dam You Hadme At Hello (Not A Single Doubt) won twice including at Morphettville.
Treble for Encryption at Warwick
Encryption dominated Tuesday’s Queensland meeting at Warwick, siring the winners of three of the nine race card. Shes A Belle and Oliverjohnny both won their maiden events.
Jake Capwell-trained Zarippa took his record to two wins, having also won on debut in February 2025. He was sold by Eureka Stud at the Magic Millions March Yearling Sale to Tom Templeton for $35,000 and is a half-brother to Group 3 winner I’m A Rippa (Love Conquers All).
Double for Denman at Gundagai
On Tuesday Denman sired a double at Gundagai with Kerry Weir-trained Justbetryin’ winning for the second time in his career. Craig Weeding-trained 3-year-old gelding Imperial Valley won his maiden at start number two. He is the first winner for Star Fragrance (Zoustar).
Nysos retires to Coolmore America
Multiple Grade 1 winner Nysos (Nyquist) has been retired from racing and will stand at Coolmore's Ashford Stud for the 2027 breeding season.
The decision was made following a routine diagnostic evaluation that revealed subtle imaging changes on a scan. While Nysos remains sound and uninjured, trainer Bob Baffert and the ownership group comprising Baoma Corporation and the Coolmore partners unanimously agreed to take a strict precautionary approach, prioritizing the horse's long-term health and safety above all else.
“Nysos is not hurt or injured, but taking a precautionary approach is strictly about doing what is right for the horse,” said Baffert. “With the minor changes shown on the evaluation, we simply don't have the time needed to prepare him for the Breeders' Cup the way we would want to. He has given us everything and retiring him completely sound and at the top of his game is the proper decision.
“He possessed a great mind, raw speed, and incredible intelligence. He is a remarkably talented racehorse. When he opened up on a field, the margins he put on top horses were unbelievable. He made top-class competition look ordinary, and I have no doubt he will be a massive success at stud.”
Group 1 target for Affirmative Action
Group 1-placed Affirmative Action (Yes Yes Yes) won a trial at Te Rapa on Tuesday as he builds towards spring targets. “We will have a nom in for the Proisir Plate for Affirmative Action. We will just see how it comes up and ratings wise whether we are going to get in or not, I think it is going to be quite strong,” trainer Pam Gerard told Loveracing.nz.
Affirmative Action | Image courtesy of Kenton Wright (Race Images)
“We do have a Plan B where we can try and get his confidence back, but we will see how he pulls up over the next few days. It was pretty heavy out there today, so hopefully it hasn’t taken its toll too much. We will be targeting a few of the bigger races through the season and hopefully pick something up.”
Foal to Finish Line launched
The inaugural 'Foal to Finish Line' forum will take place before racing at Newmarket on Saturday, August 8, with the aim of giving racegoers an insight to the world of bloodstock and sales.
The brainchild of sales consignor Jamie Railton, the initiative has gained the backing of the Federation of Bloodstock Agents, Thoroughbred Breeders' Association, Racehorse Owners Association, National Trainers Federation and sales companies Tattersalls and Goffs.
“I have always been concerned about the disconnect between the bloodstock world and the racecourse and I thought it was an opportunity for racegoers to understand how they can get involved in bloodstock,” Railton told TDN.
Planned as a series of short seminars conducted over roughly 30 minutes prior to racing, Foal to Finish Line will appear after its Newmarket debut during two days of York's Ebor Festival.
Railton added, “It is our aim to encourage people to come to public auctions – not many people realise they can come along for free to see the potential champions of tomorrow – and to hear more about how they can get involved in the bloodstock world.”
Ryan Moore to Shergar Cup
Ryan Moore will make just his second appearance in the Shergar Cup at Ascot on Saturday, which has also been boosted by news that Irish champion jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle will also be in action.
Moore, who won the Silver Saddle award for leading rider in the team competition in his sole outing to date in 2006, has become available with no Flat racing in Ireland that afternoon, with the Phoenix Stakes instead taking place at the Curragh on Sunday.
Moore will ride for the Great Britain and Ireland team alongside Saffie Osborne and McMonagle, who won the Oaks aboard the Joseph O'Brien-trained Thundering On at Epsom in June and followed up with stablemate Johanna Walsh in the Irish version at the Curragh.
For the first time the Hong Kong Jockey Club has a team, captained by Vincent Ho, a winner of the Shergar Cup in 2019 when part of the successful Rest of the World team. He will be joined by Jerry Chau and Luke Ferraris.
Christophe Lemaire will captain Europe, alongside Marie Velon and Frida Valle Skar, while Jamie Melham (nee Kah) will return to lead the Rest of the Word. Partnering her will be by Japan's Yutake Take and Suraj Narredu, who guided team Asia to victory last year.
