Saturday December 1, 2007
They're on - or off, as the course caller puts it
HOW has Brooke Sexton, a clerk of the course at Royal Randwick, spent her days while Sydney racing has been tucked up in bed with a sniffly nose because of this wretched equine influenza?
Leading them a merry Dance
AS WITH many returning to Royal Randwick today after the equine influenza plague, fitness level is the query with outstanding sprinter Takeover Target in the Arrowfield Stud Sprint.
Tabcorp goes hands-on in pursuit of punters
TABCORP, which has already taken a $300 million hammering from equine influenza, has signalled its intention to play a more active role in finding racing's next generation of punters.
Gavrilo primed even though trainer peeved
FOR racing tragic Mick Miladinovic, there is one concern about the exciting Gavrilo taking part in racing's return at Randwick today.
Tracks spot-on for first day back
THE pursuit of the perfect racing surface received a boost courtesy of equine influenza as Randwick's three main tracks were revitalised during the break from racing.
Tearing down the barriers
The flu's been subdued but the big battle is just beginning, writes Andrew Stevenson.
Friday November 30, 2007
Minister's new plan praised
ALTERATIONS to the governance structure of Racing NSW will ensure a streamlined five-member ruling board has ultimate power when it comes to driving the multibillion-dollar industry.
EI leads to Slipper qualification changes
SYDNEY Turf Club has altered the balloting conditions for next autumn's Golden Slipper.
Randwick man has no hard feelings
GERALD Phillips, 62, has been a member of the Australian Jockey Club family since 1967 when he was a part-time jockey and casual cleaner. "I could never knock the AJC," he commented, although he is one of the 36 staff recently made redundant.
Time for new beginnings
David Payne has seen EI up close before and is taking a softly-softly approach, writes Craig Young.
The music stops and an outsider steps up to take charge at the AJC
The trend when filling the position of Australian Jockey Club chief executive has been to get recruits seasoned on the turf, rather than the Opera House, from where the recently appointed Norman Gillespie comes.
Gallant mare leads the charge on return to HQ
THE wait is over, but David Payne remains cautious. The former champion trainer in South Africa has been housed at Randwick for the past six years and is looking forward to a return to racing.
Joe's precious cargo
AS HE made the trek down the Pacific Highway on Thursday with world
champion sprinter Takeover Target in tow, trainer Joe Janiak was a
touch disappointed to hear only five rivals would line up against
him in Saturday's Arrowfield Stud Sprint at Randwick.
Thursday November 29, 2007
West to keep reins of power with RNSW
THE Racing Industry Consultation Group is likely to be able to only advise rather than direct the new, independent five-person Racing NSW board.
Wednesday November 28, 2007
Sydney clubs put bookies on track to oblivion: Behrmann
INTERSTATE rails bookmaker Luke Behrmann plans to scale down his on-track operation at Sydney racecourses, citing a lack of support and incentive from the Australian Jockey Club and Sydney Turf Club for bookies to remain viable.
Tuesday November 27, 2007
Doncaster switch causes furore
THE Australian Jockey Club caused a stir among trainers last night when electing to move the Doncaster Handicap to the final day of its three-day autumn carnival next year.
Waterhouse ranks with greats
GAI Waterhouse last night joined her famous father Tommy Smith as
an inductee into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame.
Monday November 26, 2007
Million-dollar colt ticks all boxes
BEFORE El Presidente, which again was dashing in the Railway Stakes at Ascot on Saturday, Megatic was regarded as the most promising horse in Western Australia. Megatic bolted away with Ascot's WA Guineas on November 17 and $1 million offers from the usual sources have already been knocked back.
Owners save on jump-outs, but TAB is counting cost
SECRET trials have become a hot topic in the betting rings and have been widely discussed by punters on the radio and internet forums.
Trainers champing at the bit to resume
HALL of Fame finalist Gai Waterhouse can't wait for Saturday's
return to racing at Randwick with her top speedster Dance Hero set
for a first-up clash with world champion sprinter Takeover Target.
Beadman back in the saddle
DARREN Beadman is likely to be fit to ride in next month's International meeting in Hong Kong with the jockey set to return to the saddle on Saturday.
Sunday November 25, 2007
Six of the best proves ideal tonic for Gwenda
GWENDA Markwell stayed in the exclusion zone to tend to her big team of thoroughbreds down to race yesterday and the move was made worthwhile with huge haul of six winners.
Newitt protests, stewards say that's Like It Is
THE group 3 Eclipse Stakes had to be hammered out in the stewards' room yesterday.
Satin Robes beaten before start after disagreement with the stall
PUNTERS who supported short-priced favourite Satin Robes in yesterday's Timber Handicap at Sandown may have lost their money even before the gates opened for the event.
Six more sleeps until Randwick re-awakens
Only six sleeps before the return of racing at Royal Randwick. Hopefully Gai Waterhouse has more competition than Gwenda Markwell did at Kembla Grange yesterday.
