IN a blaze of publicity on November 29 last year, the NSW Government announced a bold new direction for thoroughbred racing in NSW - the creation of a streamlined, five-member, independent Racing NSW Board to work in conjunction with a Racing Industry Consultation Group to control the industry.
The initial blueprint delivered by then racing minister Graham West was flawed and widely considered unworkable. A rash of industry complaints followed.
At a time racing badly needed leadership and direction, it meant more delays. Amendments to the managerial structure finally met acceptance and, mid-year, under new racing minister Kevin Greene, the process of determining a new board began. Alas, it was again flawed, probity issues and vested interests scuttled the whole thing.
We're still waiting for Greene and Co to announce three "independent" people who will make recommendations to the government on five "independent" board candidates.
Despite this, advertising for board nominees commenced on Friday (will those on the previous short list, mysteriously leaked to the press, apply again?).
The whole thing reads like a bad soap opera, a script from Fawlty Towers.
We're the laughing stock of the nation. Just a fortnight shy of 12 months from the original state government announcement and still no result. And how much has this unbelievably convoluted process cost the industry?
Someone has got to be accountable - Basil, Manuel or maybe Polly? Record tipped Goulburn & District Racing Club secretary-manager Greg Wilson is tipping record turnover at the club's Goulburn Cup meeting on Friday. The record is $2 million.
"With the big prizemoney on offer, our locality and indications from trainers about the quality of horses attending, we're hoping to give the tote record a nudge by providing top quality racing," Wilson said.
The cup meeting moves to a November Friday for the first occasion, Goulburn aligning with the Hawkesbury carnival and $200,000 Canberra Cup (November 30).
The Goulburn Cup (1600m) is worth $80,000. An addition to the program is the $35,000 Goulburn Rose (1300m) for fillies and mares. The club will also hold its Anniversary Cup TAB meeting on Sunday. Triple treats Queanbeyan apprentice Kayla McEwen continued her recent great form with a treble on her home track on Monday.
Apprenticed to Jack van Buren, McEwen scored aboard Sea Urchin, trained by Scott Watson, Tea For Two (Bill Warner) and Killer Dana (Miffy Rae). Rae also prepared a treble, Marsvee (Jessie Whipp) and Kurrajong (Tommy Berry) also saluting.
McEwen has zoomed into the top rank of apprentices with 15 winners, trailing leaders Joshua Jones (19.5) from Ballina and Tamworth's Timothy Bell (15.5).
■ Coffs Harbour-based Matthew Chadwick (15 wins) bids farewell to Australian racing later this month after a successful stint, returning home to Hong Kong. His master Brett Bellamy predicted the lad had all the hallmarks of a top jockey.
■ At Warren on Saturday, Phillip Ayoub, who came to the fore with now-retired multiple winner Velsontas, a former Gai Waterhouse cast-off, trained a treble for the first time in a long career there with Bloodsport, Glenorchy and Call A Friend. Ayoub stables his team at Baradine but trains on the track at Coonabarabran. The three were ridden by Michael Travers. Cup battle Consistency has been the hallmark of Stephen Hood's eight-year-old gelding Juerga, top weight in today's $45,000 Dubbo Cup (1600m).
Juerga's past 10 starts have netted eight placings and two fourths. Juerga resumed in February this year and has been in constant work since.
Juerga will be ridden by apprentice Kody Nestor and faces a strong line-up.
Trippy, trained by Peter McCauley, is the only local representative. Greg Ryan will partner last-start Muswellbrook Cup runner-up Phantom Thief. The $20,000 Open Handicap has attracted a smart field, including Nampara Bullet, Boomerang and Murray's Sun. Ballina jockeying Ballina Jockey Club is holding interviews for the position of secretary-manager. It received more than 20 applications following the resignation of Ros Lewis, with a short list of six under consideration.
The club's AGM is scheduled for November 30, and, with changes expected on the committee, the successful applicant may not be announced until after the meeting. Olympus first Former Clarry Conners-trained Olympus scored its first winner as a stallion at Scone on Tuesday when the Luke Griffith-trained two-year-old filly Sutton Princess won a maiden ridden by Leanne Henry.
Olympus stands at Erin Park Stud, Tamworth. They're racing TAB meetings: today - Dubbo; tomorrow - Tamworth; Thursday - Coffs Harbour; Friday - Goulburn, Cessnock; Saturday - Wellington.
Non-TAB: Saturday - Adaminaby, Armidale, Harden, Hay. Stable Secrets Miss Cutie: Looks good.
Cagey: May sneak in.
Frighten: Not scared to win.
tony_white3@bigpond.com
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