Correspondents, letters, email or a thumb nail dipped in tar are welcome here but only those that are libel free. I have a heightened sense of truth and punter benefit but no wish to defend it in court.
Over the decades I have followed letters to the editor in newspapers, and racing publications, particularly Winning Post, and found them required reading thus I have kept the best, coming out of the barrier with one I saved for years.
MAX PRESNELL
There are healthy gamblers, and I’m one
“I was struck by the language of the seven anti-gambling letters on yesterday’s page, specifically the use of words such as ‘addict’ (included in the headline), ‘victim’, ‘problem’ and ‘weak’. I have gambled every day for the past 30 years or so, and such words relate to me the way the word ‘slow’ related to Phar Lap.
Gambling has never been a problem for me because – and I know there was those who don’t want to hear this – I decide how much to bet and when to stop. I don’t play the pokies, because of another decision: the odds are poor. If the odds were better I would play them occasionally.
I love gambling. It gives me joy. I feel enriched by it. I feel strong, not weak. I feel empowered (especially when I back a winner), not victimised, I feel in control, not addicted. In short – gambling no problem.
What are the odds that I’m not the only person on the planet who has this sort of relationship with gambling? Indeed I would wager I’m in a healthy majority. Perhaps those in the unhealthy minority and their anti-gambling apologists need to look hard at themselves rather than trying to spoil it for the rest of us.”
Stephen Romei, Matraville
Dubbo Races
“On Saturday May 25 I was one of the 1000 people who attended Dubbo races. In more than 45 years I have been to Dubbo meetings I have never seen the track and surrounds in better condition, a credit to CEO Sam Fitzgerald and his staff.
There was entertainment and a large infield screen. Food and drink were easily accessible. The main event was the Arrowfield Queen Of The West Benchmark 82 for fillies and mares, won by Deep Rouge from Tamworth.
These days Dubbo is a major training centre. Racing NSW shows Dubbo trainers have over 340 horses on their books with 150 to 180 constantly in work. Dubbo is now the largest provider of Country Club Trained Starters.
Dubbo has two major race days coming up: the $150,000 Dubbo Gold Cup on Sunday September 29 and Dubbo’s Biggest Social Event Derby Day on November 2. I suggest you get there.”
Peter Whealy, Dubbo
Thoughts "to the Max"
Hi Max,
Congratulations on taking this next step in meeting the challenges of technology.
Being of similar vintage to yourself, as well as someone I’ve known on radio, tv and print for almost a lifetime, I’m aware your passions extend beyond the racing game; more precisely to the finer things like fashion under the guise of ‘society Max’, the theatre, fine dining and travel – and more than balanced by a lifetime interest in Rugby League (a ‘Rabbitohs’ tragic) and more latterly to the ‘Swans’ (due to a compelling outside influence, no doubt) – a man of many interests and a raconteur of some renown!
Being newly subscribed to your blog, I’d be more than interested to hear your thoughts to the questions:-
1) “If you could choose the ideal place to spend a relaxing weekend away, where would you choose?”;
2) “It’s grand final time, with the dates for the AFL & NRL clashing for the big one – and the Swans, at the MCG, and the Rabbitohs, at the SCG, are represented – which event would you choose?;
3) “If you had to choose only one in each category, in your opinion (of those you’ve seen), name the best horse, the best trainer and the best jockey?”
I look forward to your insightful observations.
“Speed” of NORWEST.
Thoughts "to the Max"
Max’s response to “Speed” of NORWEST:
Question One Reply: Hardy’s Bay – with chosen sparring partners.
Question Two Reply: Swans at the MCG but if Jack Rayner or John Sattler’s Rabbits were involved it would be a tough decision. So, too, the Sam Burgess and GI’s team but only at the SCG. Homebush doesn’t hold a candle to the MCG.
Question Three Reply: The best horse, the best trainer and best jockey? The last winner I backed I Wish I Win,
under Luke Nolan for Moody and Coleman, in the Kingsford Smith at Eagle Farm recently.
Addendum: Asked at Randwick recently where I would rather be, Royal Ascot or Grafton, I had no hesitation going for the New South Wales country meeting. Royal Ascot has pomp and pageantry plus superb horses but like the Kentucky Derby been there, seen that. Grafton has memories that reverberate. Apart from the locals my favourites are Flemington on Derby day, preferable to the Melbourne Cup, and Cox Plate at Moonee Valley. One meeting not to be missed is Warrnambool but be quick. National Hunt racing won’t be around much longer.
“A Horse Named Winx”
Dear Max,
“A Horse Named Winx”
The Sydney Film Festival which has just concluded, included the premiere of the documentary “A Horse Named Winx” which was held at the Randwick Ritz on Friday 7th June attended by the director Janine Hosking, writer Andrew Rule (co-writer of the Underbelly series of books later adapted into a television series), Chris and Stephanie Waller, Winx’s owners, Larry Cassidy (won on Winx in the Sunshine Coast Guineas), racing personalities, racing and non-racing enthusiasts.
This documentary is not just a series of race replays but takes you behind the scenes and on a journey from foaling, to being sold at the Magic Millions, her early wins, defeats and battles with First Seal, before embarking on a winning sequence of 33, retirement and succeeding in her greatest battle (I won’t spoil that part for you, so I won’t say any more on that point). Even though I am a racing enthusiast and followed Winx’s career closely there were items that came up in the documentary that I did not know about.
While the documentary includes interviews with all the key players in Winx’s career, I found it particularly interesting that after her win in the Sunshine Coast Guineas, Larry Cassidy told Hugh Bowman prior to Hugh riding Winx in her next start that Winx was the best horse he had ridden. While Hugh thought this was high praise from Larry considering he won races on Sunline, Hugh admitted in the documentary that he took the comment with a grain of salt.
The term champion is often loosely applied to those not worthy of the mantle so it was interesting in the question and answer session that followed the screening that Chris Waller only thought Winx might be a champion after her second win in the W.S. Cox Plate.
Overall, an excellent documentary and a good evening with plenty of clapping from the audience during the footage of some of her memorable wins. “A Horse Named Winx” will appeal to both racing and non-racing enthusiasts. It runs for just under 2 hours and it will be released in early September 2024. Do go and see it.
Yours sincerely,
Anthony Spratt
“A Horse Named Winx”
Dear Max,
Horse lovers or not, when the documentary ‘A Horse Named Winx’ is released in September you need to go and see this remarkable story that is now etched in history.
Directed by Janine Hosking and written by Andrew Rule, the documentary premiered at the Sydney Film Festival on Friday 7th June 2024 at Randwick Ritz. This is a memorable journey not just of one of the greatest horses but one of the greatest athletes. From an unremarkable foal to an amazing feat of thirty-three consecutive wins, Winx became the people’s horse.
The documentary is more than race replays. From being purchased as a yearling at the Magic Millions sales, to her early races of both wins and defeats before achieving a modern-day record of thirty-three straight wins. Entwined with interviews from everyone who was part of this magnificent journey – the owners, trainer Chris Waller, stable staff, vets, the five jockeys who rode Winx and the beaten jockeys.
The race footage brought to life the excitement and the thrill of the crowds at seeing a horse that is now a champion. From young to old, people crammed every space available trackside to watch and sometimes only catch a glimpse of Winx. Wonderful memories of her final start came flooding back and to see people lining the fence on Alison Road outside the track, it encapsulated how the average person was part of this unique history.
Winx had many battles both on and off the track, some heartwarming, and others heartbreaking. Parts of Winx’s story have never been made public until now. No spoilers here.
The evening allowed me to sit back and relive the excitement of her victories and there was clapping from the audience throughout the journey, it was like being at the races.
In September, please go and watch an unremarkable foal grow into a champion.
Regards
Elizabeth Spratt
Cuisine Favourite
Hello Max,
As a long term fan of yours, knowing you are well travelled, would you please tell me which type of cuisine is your favourite….and why.
Many thanks
Kaye, Hardys Bay
Cuisine Favourite
Max Presnell’s response to Kaye from Hardys Bay:
Cuisine?
I am more of an eating joint epicurean. My first venture into the sphere was Bill Chee’s fish and chips opposite the Doncaster Hotel at Kensington around seven decades ago. It even surpassed the fish and chips at Fulham Road, London, accompanied by one slice of white bread plus a cup of tea for two bob, my only feed of the day.
Returning from the UK I was a regular at the Taiping in the Haymarket enticing a bias towards Chinese. After the Taiping, Stanley Wong’s Taiyuan was favoured and then the Barbecue King in Sussex Street which I tipped to the racehorse trainer Les Bridge only to find it difficult to get a table because he and his mates monopolised the tables.
In the UK I developed a taste for Indian, based along economy again. On return in the 1960’s I was a regular on Monday nights on route to the Sydney Stadium fights at the Bombay then the only Indian food within a reasonable radius. Now it’s the Malabar also in King’s Cross, tipped to me 20 years back by the turf enthusiast Lance Horan when it was over on the North Shore. For special occasions the Bronte Inn, food, with French twist, booze and service, contribute to a special night out.
For the best coffee and an Italian treat in the Eastern Beach suburbs? I won’t divulge the name due to the danger of a Barbecue King lack of space situation, but the barista is Enzo.
City Tatts and me
Dear Max ,
On Friday 21st of May at a Extraordinary General Meeting Meeting for members of City Tattersalls Club the Board had to make the difficult decision of asking those present to approve the sale of the long time site and home at 198 Pitt Street and the accompanying buildings attached.
Long time accumulated debt, downturn in trade along with decline in gaming revenue gave no choice.
First established in 1895 in the middle of a depression a small group of Leger bookmakers assembled and with 50 Guinness ($105.00) formed City Tattersalls following a dispute over their right to also field in the Saddling Paddock. Other vicissitudes of the time were part of matters.
The Club managed to survive much and in 1924 went to a purposed built home at 198 Pitt Street with the axis being the famous Lower Bar.
In 1968 my last year at school and familiar with racecourse life a job came for me at City Tatts . Being just sixteen years of age the youngest to be employed. The life of the Bookmaker and racing type was something I wanted to be near.
I learned a lot there very quickly and was welcomed by them, my own father was a well known long time clerk and with a City business was in the Club daily. Being a non drinker he mixed well with his lifetime mates.
The Lower Bar was the Bookies home for socialising plus the Settling and Registration of the Licence. Monday was exciting as they gathered to sort things out. The biggest of the day, and I now refer to the 1960s till 1980s. Huge amounts changed hands as Len Burke, Alex Gibson, Arthur Sing talked things through.
The other members and visitors were the racing characters like Dave “the dasher ” Segenfield, “Hoppy” Bob Kirkwood and Big Jim Mason, a regular attacker at the Rails and Clarence the Clocker (Arthur Davies). The British Actor James Mason would come with “Longshot” Tom Powell, a man who had a strong impression on me. The big SP blokes like “Melbourne Mick ” Bartley who would buy 3,000 lottery tickets at a time.
Upstairs were big card tournaments with nightclub owners like Joe Taylor, Eli Rose ,Sammy Lee and Reg Andrews. An American visitor Amarillo Slim (Tom Preston) came and smashed the place to pieces. Next also Snooker tournaments with Eddie Charlton, Warren Simpson, Alex Higgins from Ireland and Norman Squire who collapsed and died right in front of me.
I did witness a lot, the kind of thing that can form a personality and identity.
I am still involved there 56 years later. The last two years I spent collating the heritage of the place with hundreds of photos and beautiful artwork and of course I still go to the races still, a thankyou to Tobin Bronze .
Around about 1979 the astute racing man and bookmaker Charles Clarton said to me once City Tatts became less the home of the Bookies and the TAB gained strength City Tattersalls could see trouble ensue. Committeeman Owen Durham shared his fear.
Best wishes and stick around.
Mark Hewitt .
The Enthusiast Effect: Tabcorp's Chance to Reconnect
Blog Comment:
Not sure about bookies with horses!
Potential conflict of interest?
AllezPete
The Enthusiast Effect: Tabcorp's Chance to Reconnect
Max Presnell’s response to Allezpete:
Historically bookmakers have owned and raced horses in a less transparent period than Ladbrokes and others currently. Jack Mandel, a top bookie in my early day (late 50’s and early 60’s), had two outstanding horses, Prince Darius, and Persian Lyric, both rivals for champion Tulloch and beat him on separate occasions.
Rosehill and Victoria Park
Hello Max
Thought you might be interested in this. Rosehill and Victoria Park in perspective. Sydney Racing in the 1970s has sold really well, in no small part thanks to you. Jody says hello.
Wayne Peake
Racecourses. When they’re gone, they’re gone. The case of Victoria Park.
https://www.waynepeake.com.au/vic-park.html
Weights and Measures
Hi Max,
The constant search for the next winner is always a challenge. In weighing up the many factors determining how each runner compares to the rest, what do you consider to be the best approach?
There has been a bit of conjecture recently about weight variations and how much those changes can have – in particular, whether say what effect, if any, a 1k up or down change can have – if negligible, what change in weight can start to affect chances?
Your thoughts?
‘Speed” of Norwest
Weights and Measures
Max Presnell’s response to ‘Speed” of Norwest:
“Weights and measures” as advocated by Clif Carey, amongst others, in the good , old days, was considered more relevant than possibly the benchmark system currently. Three pounds or roughly 1.5 kilo equalled a length. Some modern theorists reckon horses are so big that few extra kilos doesn’t make a difference. Jockeys now are often allowed to declare overweight, even a kilo, which stewards once would not have permitted. Beaten a head and carrying a kilo more would have been treated with disdain. Still the benefit of a fit, healthy jockey over a half starved one is more the present policy. The best approach with personal handicapping? “Form” – “track” – “distance” – “potential” – “weight” – then consider the ground condition for the coming race, and tempo or how you feel it will be run. Get it right and you’re Einstein but when you put the effort in without a pleasing result you’ll figure pick it a pin is a better system.
Rosehill and Victoria Park
Great story by Wayne Peake on the history of racecourses around Sydney, and he hits on a very important point – the ATC own Rosehill, but do not own Randwick. If memory serves me, it was not so many years ago when the government decided to take some of the land at Randwick for public transport purposes, the then AJC had no choice in the matter – as an unfriendly government did in the past, it is not beyond the realms of possibility that some future government might decide that it has a better use for the land at Randwick.
Learn from history, and also look at the Singapore experience – some many years ago that government took the land at the previous racecourse at Bukit Timah for housing development (it still hasn’t been developed) and now is doing the same at Kranji where the club is to cease racing and once again the government cites need for housing as the reason.
Arthur Doyle
RACING INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS IN NSW & VICTORIA
Max,
I am thinking that your admirers are still mainly separate groups.
The first part offers links to industry news in Victoria and NSW that may be (should be but wont be) of general interest. The second part is a couple of personal observations about what is going on and next steps.
1
RACING INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS IN NSW & VICTORIA
Following are three links to media releases about both programming and prizemoney changes in Victoria and RVL’s new CEO (Aaron Morrison).
At the end is a link to the transcript of the Rosehill-sale inquiry in NSW on 9 August — an interaction that attracted attention is within pages 41 to 62.
https://www.racing.com/news/2024-08-21/news-industry-morrison-to-hit-ground-running
https://vrc.com.au/latest-news/all-star-mile-makes-for-a-super-saturday-at-flemington/
2
As regards RVL and Victorian racing one can only wonder what is going on. Under financial (and political?) pressure we do not know the full story behind the real movement at the station — expect regret to arrive home soon enough.
As regards RNSW, similar pressures in play are also unlikely to be resolved happily if the sell-Rosehill plan is abandoned, as seems likely. Any guess as to what plan-B might be but trouble is brewing
As for drawing additional responses, I am thinking the best option is a couple of letters to RVL and RNSW asking policy questions about what seems to be going on.
I will be giving that some thought.
I can never tell if the key industry players are smart or not — they sure talk like politicians, weaving stories that no one can understand.
My mind never wanders far from the idea that it is state politicians who run the game — which-party rarely matters — and the-game is about shifting money from the take on profitable city racing to subsidise provincial and country racing that is often not commercially viable on its merits.
Whenever there is ‘administrative discretion’ in the way money is distributed there are handmaidens corrupting the outcome. Time has taken its toll, it is now looking like more than one regret is about to come home, nationally.
Peter Mair
CEOLWULF
Hi Max,
The win of Ceolwulf, although exciting, was a long way off the record set by Hartnell as a top weight for his great year.
On Friday I went to Equimillion at Horsley Park and Hartnell was competing as a Dressage Horse and making a fine job of it.
Mark Hewitt
RACING OUT OF CONTROL – 25 YEARS ON
Max,
The attachment — RACING OUT OF CONTROL – 25 YEARS ON — aims at sharpening the focus about needed reforms to the racing industry nationally.
The Australian racing industry has problems looming — mainly about funding and governance. A racing industry with ‘not enough money’ to meet promised payouts will require change to the business model. A different business model will similarly require change to the composition of both administrative boards and racing club management.
The politics to be played out across the states is the wild card.
Seat belts on.
RACING OUT OF CONTROL 25 YEARS ON
Peter Mair
TOO FEW DAYS
Dear Max
As a take away from yesterday with the races .
That horrible feeling that comes when you witness a Champion horse come to grief in front of a large crowd . Then to realise it was Think About It and then watch the screen come down as he made his own way back to cheers of the crowd .
Next was the convincing win of Duke de Sessa in the Caulfield Cup . The young rider Harry Coffee as the pilot doing so with the limiting factor of a chronic condition Cystic Fibrosis .
A good day with real triumph.
Regards
Mark Hewitt
A 'MOST UNCOMFORTABLE EXPERIENCE'
Spot on Max,
Alas Randwick on Saturday was the most uncomfortable experience I’ve ever had on a racecourse………….
I was not there. After a similar experience, I resolved to not go again on that day. New-Randwick was, sensibly, not designed for a 50,000 crowd. The Winx-stand probably helped the non-members.
I recall Craig Young, on the Monday after an early running, published a photo showing the ‘members’ stand full but the other areas poorly attended.
Unmentionable was the way the ‘crowd’ in the ‘members’ was contrived — actual members were given additional ‘members guest passes’. I suspect that contriving has continued as a pump-it-up marketing ploy.
I was also intrigued by the claimed demographic of ‘mainly under 35s’ — perhaps but it is not the racing and betting they were there for and they won’t be there again til next year.
………. it was a wonderful day’s racing across two states ………. winners not bet-on could still be feel-good applauded.
Peter Mair
PS Major Beel was ridden correctly but, at 100/1 off a last-win in a BM 94, it was one of three ‘bradburys’ unnecessarily inflating a G1 field — and paid well for running 10th with no skin in the game.
TOP 10 RACES IN AUSTRALIA
G’day Max.
I hope that you are well. I’ve always enjoyed your writing – particularly how you write about historic racing events/people and then bring that ‘theme’ through to the modern day. So, I’d love you get your opinion on which races would be in your Top 10 “traditional” races in Australia, ie prior to the introduction of events such as The Everest. This could be in terms of the prestige of the race and the quality of horses that the race attracts. No need to rank them in order. Secondly, what would be your Top 10 races now?
Cheers and best wishes.
Darren Rogerson
TOP 10 RACES IN AUSTRALIA
Max Presnell’s response to Darren Rogerson:
Darren,
My top 10, traditional and currently, not in preference order are:
Cox Plate
Doncaster
Melbourne Cup
Tancred
Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick
Stradbroke
Newmarket
Epsom
Caulfield Cup
Australian Derby
The Everest doesn’t make the cut now and then. The T.J.Smith at Randwick is superior.
Cheers,
Max P
COMMERCIALLY VIABLE RACING
Letter from Peter Mair to Peter McGuaran:
Dear Peter McGuaran,
Yesterday, the ATC ran six, low-grade, races at Rosehill.
I guess, like last year, when I took some kids to a like meeting, only the members’ stand was open and very few attended.
The prizemoney paid out was $400,000 and, taking a line off the total TAB turnover on the meeting across NSW&Victoria, a little over $1,000,000, total betting turnover across all service providers nationally, would be a (what ?) multiple of that.
Now you may like to consider questions akin to those put to RacingNSW in the attached letter, please.
In short, can you say if some 5% ( close?) was the ‘tax-take’ from national betting turnover on this meeting, was it a viable commercial proposition for the ATC to stage the meeting at Rosehill, one counted as being of ‘metropolitan’ standard.
The ATC has ‘obligations’ — but was it truly obliged to stage that meeting?
My concerns only grew today with a press report on the ATC’s 2023-24 year.
Among other things it was written, with my emphasis, that:
The Select Committee report is due to be handed down in December as McGauran says a due diligence phase continues before a possible membership vote to sell the racecourse is taken on April 3.
“I acknowledge there have been strong views expressed against the redevelopment of Rosehill racecourse,” he said.
“(But) the potential for the proposal to secure the club’s financial future is too significant not to be fully and rigorously investigated.
“The proposal is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to provide the ATC with a future income stream which is not dependent on wagering.
“This would secure the ATC’s financial independence and long-term future.”
The mind boggles at some implications of this line of thinking.
As I have alluded to previously, it can hardly be tenable that a substantial –‘$ billions’ — investment fund would be established and the earnings diverted to fund racing that, on its merits, would have little past, present or future, prospect of commercial viability — i.e. to cover costs paid from taxes miscast as ‘entitlements’.
Recalling memories of government responsibilities, to balance costs and benefits in the spending of tax-revenues, the general community may be concerned at how taxes on racing gambling are even now now by-passing proper accountabilities and budget disciplines.
Too many racing industry administrators seem determined to build something akin to a Pyramid at public expense — perhaps in the expectation of a deified afterlife.
As other correspondence has gone unanswered, we may need to just have a chat.
Peter Mair
THE INFAMOUS MR DIGBY SCANDAL
Hi Max,
Many decades on, and with the benefit of hindsight, I’m just wondering what your take is now on the infamous Mr Digby scandal of 1981?
It created huge headlines at the time, and also years afterwards with prolonged inquiries.
A horse on a two day backup under the right conditions is now gold for most modern day punters, who are hugely aware of this fact.
We saw Chris Waller win with Dazzle Legend at last Saturday’s metropolitan meeting at Newcastle, who was heavily backed and halved his price from his Friday odds, after finishing a plain 3rd on a three day backup at a midweek meeting at Rosehill.
Not surprisingly, Chris Waller was not brought in for a “please explain”.
Was it all bluff and bluster at a time when Racing Officials were less intelligent than those that needed to survive with superior racecourse knowledge? Or were there real underhand tactics at play? Would love to hear your thoughts.
Yours kindly,
Kevin Skene
THE INFAMOUS MR DIGBY SCANDAL
Max Presnell’s response to Kevin Skene:
I’m working on it.
Cheers,
Max
SATURDAY RACING AT FLEMINGTON
CARNIVAL CROWDING
There is no point saying this on Sunday.
Five of the eight quadrella races at Flemington on Saturday will be run over 1400m.
This 1400m course is not well suited to fair racing especially when the fields are stacked with ‘bradburys’.
Race 3 – a Group3 with 9 starters — looks ok as does Race 6 – a listed event with 11 starters.
Race 7 – a Group3 for 3yro C&G has16 accepting: it looks a risky race with half the field at 20/1 or worse. Similarly risky is Race 9 – a listed event for 3yro fillies with 12 accepting.
Race10 – a BM 84 — has half of the 15 accepting listed to start at ‘good’ odds.
In short, it is not good quality control for RVL to run crowded fields of 3yros over this 1400 course and it smacks of being simply unfair to modest punters to, as usual, overcrowd a 1400 race as the last leg of the main quadrella. RVL should be asked to explain its policies — a couple of rough-results on Saturday may put the question in sharp relief again.
Peter Mair
ANOTHER ROUGH DAY AT FLEMINGTON?
The Saturday program at Flemington is looking fraught — as it did two weeks back (…. and it was fraught — likely to result in something undesirable).
RVL still has questions to answer about product-quality management — there will be more after tomorrow. Greed is not good.
Four of the eight quadrella races will be run over the 1600 (3) and 1400 (1) courses which are problematical when there are big fields with many at ‘bradbury’ prices. Much the same applies to straight-course races for 3yros and ‘low’ benchmarks with big fields with many ‘no-hopers’ hoping to cover costs — ‘winning’ ‘$000s for running 10th or better.
Apart from Race 7 — the G2 Blamey stakes over 1600 — the other 7 quadrella events have ‘bet sparingly’ stamped on the market.
Bet sparingly!
Peter Mair
THE BLINKERS NEED TO COME OFF RE PROPOSED ROSEHILL RACECOURSE SALE
When Moorefield Racecourse, Kogarah had its final race meeting on July 14, 1951 there were not many other sports or social activities to entertain the population. Racing was then well supported.
I remember my late father telling me that “he had attended Doncaster and Derby days with a 70,000 strong race crowd.” This simply does not happen today. Race crowds have declined in Australia, and wagering has also declined.
I have been a member of the ATC since 1987. I researched, wrote and self-published “The History of Moorefield Racecourse Kogarah, Sydney, Australia (1888-1951). This was launched in mid-2016 at James Cook Boys Technology High School, Kogarah, which is on the site of the old Racecourse I know a little, about the sale of a racecourse…
I fail to understand why the ATC needs a $5billion investment in racing. Most members would like to see the facilities urgently at Warwick Farm, and Canterbury.
Members don’t need a Life Style Club with a gym, bars and a pool at Randwick Racecourse. Yes, build more stables for the horses, and provide better viewing areas to provide for a better racing experience at Randwick Racecourse. Forget the rest.
Many in the racing industry, question the “misguided attempt” to bring what they see as progress to the racing industry in Sydney. Trainers such as Gai Waterhouse, John o ‘Shea and Chris Waller think so, as they are supporting the Save Rosehill Committee. I am supporting them with a No vote.
Anne Field
March 18 2025
RUMBLING ROSEHILL --- PAUSE FOR REFLECTION
It was prescient to say, two weeks ago, that it was too early to unravel the nonsense around the ‘sale of Rosehill’.
Whatever may have been going on, not all the cards played in this game have been played on top of the table.
Recall a story published by The Straight on 17 March:
Reflect on these believe-it-or-not extracts:
- ………. one would think that the role of Racing NSW would be crucial….the hands-off approach of those at Druitt Street, …….has been intriguing.
- McGauran is unequivocal that it will be the ATC’s money to manage, and the regulator won’t control the funds of any sale.
- McGauran ……. reiterated his belief that the members have everything they need to make an informed vote.
- ….. certainly committed to razing Warwick Farm to the ground…….. ……..so that Group 1 racing can return to this western Sydney racecourse.
With the ‘sale-or-no sale’ 3 April vote postponed to12 May, will the rumbling ahead of that be an open book?
………… one dare not speculate on who may be the string master
Peter Mair
STOP PRETENDING: THERE IS NO 'WHIP' RULE
Riders ride to the rules – ‘win if you can’ is the only rule in place.
Saturday’s Australian Oaks may be a moment to treasure for the connections of the winner but not for racing administrators: the outcome again showed them that they have neither a rule about use of the whip nor the integrity to either say so or properly enforce a rule ignored at will.
The fine of 1% of the winners purse will be covered by the connections, people also unfairly enriched by the additional value now attaching to sale as a broodmare.
As for the rider, any rider, a suspension is ‘personal’. The possible cost (likely income foregone) is part of the code in the trade: being obliged and trusted to do-what-you-have-to. Depending on the wash-up of what could have been, the connections may well be up for more to keep their side of an implied contract.
All that said, unless and until there is determination in the management of the industry to relegate or, preferably, disqualify a horse unfairly advantaged – participants will behave as if there is no rule.
……….. and there is practically no rule of any consequence for whip use or, much more importantly, careless riding.
Peter Mair
THE LAMENT FOR A MATE: PETER CAMERON
Thanks for that tribute Max. Sadly the Courier Mail where he worked for over 45 years did not report Peter’s death or write an obituary. I flew up for the funeral to share memories with Allen Volz and Bruce Clark. He was one of a kind and one of the last of his kind, except for you of course Max.
Leeta Witham
GLOAMING
G’day Max.
I’ve been looking up the records of some of our best horses and particularly those from the “earlier” years. I came across the amazing record of Gloaming in the 1910 and 20s. It’s always so different to work out where top horses from different eras fit into the overall scheme of things. However, I’d love to get your opinion on how Gloaming rates, given the following:
He won 57 races from 67 starts with 9 2nds between 1918 and 1925. The only time he was unplaced, he got caught up in the starting strand and fell.
He won from 4 furlongs to 12 furlongs and still holds the Australasian record for 4 furlongs.
He won 48 races in NZ with 4 2nds and the fall. In Australia, he won 9 races with 5 2nds.
Of his 4 seconds in NZ:
– beaten as a 3yo by NZ Cup winner Sasanof
– beaten as a 3yo by top horse Desert Gold by a neck, after getting caught up in the starting strand and missing the start by 4 lengths.
– beaten as a 6yo by Thespian over 8 furlongs in an Australasian record
– beaten as an 8yo by Razzle Dazzle by a half head, after being caught out well away from the line at the start and missing it by 10 to 12 lengths.
Of his 5 seconds in Australia:
– beaten as a 4yo by a head by Poitrel who is in the Australian Racing Hall of Fame
– beaten twice as a 7yo by Beauford who was the new star of Australian racing. Gloaming also beat Beauford twice
– beaten as a 9yo by 3yo Heroic, who is in the Australian Racing Hall of Fame, after being pocketed and then taken out wide.
– beaten as a 9yo by Ballymena by a short neck after being blocked for a run.
At his first start, as a 3yo, Gloaming won the Chelmsford Stakes over 9 furlongs in race record time – the first time a 3yo had won the race at its first start. He then won the AJC Derby at his 2nd start.
He only raced once in Melbourne, winning the Melbourne Stakes (later MacKinnon Stakes). He also had an exhibition gallop on Cox Plate day and broke the 5 1/2 furlong track record.
Many of the races that Gloaming raced in had small fields. Only 10 of his 67 starts had fields of more than 7 runners; and, of those 10, he ran 2nd in four of them.
Cheers,
Darren Rogerson
GLOAMING
Max Presnell’s response to Darren Rogerson:
Darren,
I find it hard enough attempting to sort out the greats I’ve seen let alone the credentials of those comparable in the past. Thus I depend on the written word. “Gloaming set an Australasian record for four furlongs that had still not been broken when metrication was introduced to racing in 1972. He also set New Zealand figures for one mile and numerous race records including the AJC Derby at his second start,” according to Peter Pring’s “Analysis Of Champion Racehorses”. You have supplied evidence to support Pring’s opinion that he was “one of the mightiest gallopers ever to race on the Australasian turf.”
Cheers,
Max P
A PARTIAL ENDORSEMENT ….....something we should (not) let pass
As the pressure builds, ahead of the ATC vote on the fate of Rosehill, the game being played on the field has been reset.
Not least, RacingNSW is, apparently, now sitting quietly on the bench blowing kisses to the ATC, apparently, back in centre field after going close to being sin-binned for incompetence.
Not disclosed so far is the name and tactics of a new coach appointed to restore order and give a lost cause new hope – someone is now counselling players on the buyer-seller team previously running all over the field in all directions without the ball.
With the ATC vote rescheduled by the very same, but now ‘disinterested’, RacingNSW, fans on the sidelines are being given renewed voice – predictably, some calls from the stalls are feted by the racing-media and some not.
An open question, as always, is about editorial bias as between tied media players and the sad reality that other mainstream media are compromised by commercial tongue-ties.
Whatever, with $ billions for funding racing up for grabs, Racenet promoting the predictable preferences of some may be a portent of things to come. The new coach of the ‘sellers and buyers’ team may also have sleeve-cards to play as the pressure builds ahead of the whistle.
Peter Mair
ROSEHILL: MORE THAN JUST A RACING VENUE
G’day Max ,
Being one ATC member that fought the good fight to hang on to Rosehill from the wrecking ball other numbers at the place came into my knowledge
Rosehill is a well known venue for Trade Shows and Community Engagement.
Each year many events with nothing to do with racing draw numbers .
A few weeks ago a Hot Rod Show drew its forecast 20,000 patrons .
The Caravan and Camping Show gets around 80,000 .
This one knocks me out ; The knitting and Quilting Show brings 100,000.
High School Formals of many local Schools use the venue as well as exam markings are held in a pavilion at the top of the straight .
A model railway show attracts a few thousand and Weddings of many hundreds of guests fill the function centre .
A prominent Rosehill trainer told me three weeks ago 450 horses are in the stables regularly and jobs for up to 700 stable staff are there.
Looks to me like more than a racing venue .
Regards
Mark Hewitt
NSW GOVERNMENT REVIEW OF THE RACING LEGISLATION
NSW GOVERNMENT REVIEW OF THE RACING LEGISLATION
While so far largely unnoticed and unremarked, the NSW Government , after months of searching, has appointed someone to conduct a review of the racing legislation.
Gentle readers will recall that back in June the Minister for Racing said:
…..the government was looking for someone to undertake the process. “We are trying to find any potential conflicts of whoever that person might be and have them be fully independent, but with an understanding of the racing industry. As you might expect, that’s not an easy task,”
Apparently it was a very difficult task — as announced, low-key, last week:
The NSW government has appointed former NSW Minister and Liberal Party member, the Hon Brad Hazzard, to lead a review into the Thoroughbred Act 1996 ……
This, after I opined back in June:
“The NSW government is wary of a wide-ranging inquiry mooted by the opposition. This government, that should be taking control, is still only toying with a review of the racing legislation. The minister for racing has given no starting date, reporting deadline or indicative riding instructions”.
Presumably Brad Hazzard, formerly a long serving minister in LNP governments, met the KPIs for the appointment — ‘fully independent’ and ‘having an understanding of the racing industry’.
Such mutual respect across party lines may be unusual but it is not new — the ATC’s Peter McGuaran was a federal liberal minister and the board of RacingNSW currently has two recently reappointed members, both former Ministers for Racing and RNSW board members – one , presumably still a LNP party member and another, similarly presumably, an ALP party member.
All that may well be, but this appointment of a recently retired LNP minister to head a review of the racing legislation takes the political bipartisanship surrounding racing industry policy to a different level.
An appointment of this nature would likely need the negotiated cooperation and endorsement of political party leaders and elders of both stripes.
At one level it is a troubling development — especially as in NSW, and nationally, racing industries are themselves in troubled times. As canvassed previously ‘troubled times’ sufficient to call for very fundamental reform.
So, what may be troubling at one level becomes rather disturbing when the limited scope of the review expresssly precludes the very things demanding attention.
This gem in the terms of reference leaves no doubt that what many believe should be done will not be:
“For the avoidance of doubt, the scope of the review does not include: provisions of the Act that establish Racing NSW as a body corporate that is independent of government (Sections 4 and 5); and provisions of the Act that relate to thoroughbred racing industry funding arrangements (such as the totalizator distribution arrangements in Division 3 of Part 2A).”
This retreat from the thrust of the report on the ‘Rosehill matter’ is not unexpected. However, the backstop that was hoped for would also now seem to have been reneged — implicitly it looks like the LNP Opposition will not proceed, as threatened, to initiate a racing industry review in the NSW Legislative Council.
In short, cutting to the brutal political realities, the review of the NSW racing industry on the terms proposed will probably be of no material consequence.
All up, a sad reflection on the disregard the political leaders involved have for the best interests of the whole community when weighed against the small and mainly rural sectional interests associated with the racing industry.
Peter Mair
JIM COOREY - DOC AND LOLLY PIG, COURSE CHARACTERS ALIVE IN MEMORY
G’day Max
I’ve been trying to track down what happened to Jim Coorey , one of the part owners of Gunsynd. In one of your articles “Doc and Lolly Pig, course characters alive in memory” you mention Jim and I infer from that that Jim must have been living in Sydney. I’ve been doing some research and found that a Jabour Coorey died in 1989 at the age 79. Are you able to confirm it?
Many thanks,
Tony D’Amico
PS: Keep up the great work!!!
JIM COOREY - DOC AND LOLLY PIG, COURSE CHARACTERS ALIVE IN MEMORY
Max Presnell’s response to Tony D’Amico:
Tony,
I can’t confirm what happened to Jim Coorey. He was a regular at the Doc McGirr debating society with the Lolly Pig (Jack Hogan), held regularly at the Watson’s Bay pub. Jim in my time around him he did not go back go back to Goondiwindi where his association with Gunsynd began.
Cheers,
Max P
CAN HORSES BE REINCARNATED?
G’day Max,
To quote Mr John Tapp “I sat bolt upright on the lounge last Wednesday (August 8th) when a horse called Itsa Fait Accompli stormed down the outside to win a BM 71 at Canterbury for trainer David Blundell and jockey Robbie Dolan.The colours lilac, red sash and white cap have been carried by many horses owned by the Doyle family, Sydney’s famous seafood restauranteurs.”
While not the same colours or the same fishmonger owners I too sat bolt upright in my recliner last Saturday when I saw Show County’s name splashed on my TV screen, my immediate thought was I had died and gone to horse heaven but then I heard the voice of god (my wife) say “you need to fix this for me NOW”
I couldn’t believe my eyes and thought surely they could not use his name again.
I am sure you remember, Max, Show County winning a barrier trial at Randwick by 10 lengths, then winning the Breeders, Silver Slipper and smashing in the Maribyrnong Plate down the straight at Flemingtion. He would come back to Sydney and win 2 more lead up races before the Golden Slipper, making it 5 in a row, all riden by Brian Wood.
Quote courtesy of Tappy, “Brian and his all time favourite enjoyed a fantastic journey together. Their “dynamic dozen” embraced the Breeder’s Plate, Silver Slipper Stakes, Maribyrnong Plate, Kindergarten Stakes, Skyline Stakes, Grafton Golden Goblet, San Domenico Stakes, Roman Consul Stakes, Heritage Stakes, Stan Fox Stakes, Challenge Stakes, and Canterbury Stakes. “Woody” and Show County also recorded Gr 1 seconds in the Lightning Stakes and Oakleigh Plate of 1990. A rain affected track dimmed his brilliance in the 1989 Golden Slipper, but he was still good enough to get third behind Courtza and Paris Opera.”
I had seen Show County run in all his races including his runs in Melboune and truly believe on a dry track who would have led all the way in the Golden Slipper, he was a champion in my eyes. I was so happy for the horse and jockey Brian Wood and the connections the Doyles when they announced the “The Show County Quality” in honour of this marvelous Sydeysider, a group 3 race to be run at Randwick. To say I am disappointed at how his name can be used again is an understatement but I don’t have any bad feeling towards the current Show County and owners, but I feel very let down by the administrators of racing.
What are your thoughts Max?
Cheers
Gary Rockcliff
CAN HORSES BE REINCARNATED?
Max Presnell’s response to Gary Rockcliff:
Gary,
Champions are personal. Greats are many and the title well-earned. But champion is another level and one that’s sacred to the person. To me the original Show County was great. I agree his name, and those in the category, should be kept elite.
Cheers,
Max P
CUP DAY -- RVL v. TATTS LOTTO
On the racing-religion calander Cup-Day is close to all-saints-day. It also heads the field for on-turf racing romances. …………… as modern racing reality, however, the ranking is rather different.
Not to labour the point the Cup itself may be losing caste with the faithful but it is holding its own as a day for liquid-excess and a ‘lose the lot’ attitude to the wagering.
The scene is set for a day to remember on Tuesday. Put aside races prelude to the Cup and consider the prospects for a quadrella dividend to salivate over.
The Cup aside, RVL has again scheduled the last three legs of the quadrella to be run with full-fields over the 1400 m course, one ‘notorious’ for wide-barriers adjusting the handicap.
A wet-track forecast after substantial rain before Tuesday only adds to the intrigue.
Peter Mair
PS: the ‘last-three’ treble last year ‘paid’ $12,000 and the quadrella a lazy $750,000k.
REVIEW OF THE THOROUGHBRED RACING ACT 1996
SUBMISSION: PETER MAIR
The intention that a review of the racing legislation in NSW will proceed with the express intention of precluding comments on the exclusion of RNSW from scrutiny of its funding and administration by the parliament and the auditor general, is objectionable.
So objectionable as to preclude any expectation of much needed genuine reform.
True or not, indications in recent days that the scope of the review may be broadened to embrace the funding and administration of RNSW are welcome but not trusted.
Whatever, the welcome possibility of a broader perspective prompts a suggestion that the review look for and consider comments published under my name, over the past year or so, on the only two websites that allow ‘punter focused’ contributions to racing industry policy debates.
The two websites are:
RACING ROYALTY AT RANDWICK
The Australian racing industry, at its grass roots, welcomes all comers – that sense of a fraternity of equals was on open display at Randwick on Sunday afternoon.
Billed as an opportunity to meet the royalty of Sydney racing – barbecued food, free of charge, washed down with $5 beers – the couple of hundred that came were not disappointed.
On the contrary, including world-class players, trainers and jockeys turned out in remarkable numbers.
Seemingly all of them were there and happy to be there — willing to meet the people, enjoyably posing for selfies and responding to questions. What other major industry, or political party, puts on a comparable open-day for all-comers?
Apart from a very few welcoming words from the CEO of the ATC, there were no formalities. Not needed perhaps – these days, with modern media coverage, punters know the faces and personalities of most player participants. Even so, their being there in-person adds a special dimension.
Hopefully, what was a first time on Sunday becomes a next-time next year and the concept is built into the Sydney racing calendar.
Peter Mair
SCONE RACES
A group of 12 of us travelled from Clovelly to Scone for the event (16 May 2026), having heard great things from those who had attended in previous years.
We arrived at the track on Friday at 10:30 AM, but unfortunately, our experience was disappointing. By midday, the wait times for drinks had reached 45 to 60 minutes, and the lines for the men’s bathrooms were approximately 30 minutes long. It was clear that the facilities were inadequate for the crowd size; providing only four extra portaloos and two urinals was not sufficient.
Additionally, we found the food options to be poor value. I paid $20 for a teriyaki chicken and rice dish that was inedible and had to be discarded. Due to these issues, our group decided to skip the races on Saturday and return home early.
It was a significant letdown for our group. I hope the Scone Race Club will learn from this year and improve the organization and facilities for next year’s event.
Matthew Scott
RNSW v. ATC
The hearing of ‘the appeal’ in the RNSW v. ATC dispute opened this morning before three judges on the bench.
As with the original proceedings it was turgid stuff — old ground was being ploughed over leaving lots of dust but, again, no point in lingering long in the court room.
That leaves open the question of why this lawyers-picnic has still not been rained-out — as it could-should have been at the outset.
The way was always open for the NSW Government to simply say it would act to resolve any confusion about the power of RNSW to put an administrator in control of the ATC (or, presumably, any other race-club).
The focus turns to why the NSW Government did not do this — and onto the possibility that the ‘long game’ is still about Rosehill.
Having so publicly ‘lost’ the plot (and the ATC vote) to sell Rosehill, it might be a bit rich for the Government to make an over-the-top, legislative power-play to compulsorily ‘reclaim land needed for a housing-highway’. As it could.
Public perceptions, of a comparable outcome, will be at least confused and be more politically palatable, if the current appeal is upheld leaving RNSW free to appoint an administrator to the ATC. An administrator who may, on careful reflection on what’s best for ‘racing as a whole’, decide to ‘sell’ Rosehill (to the Government).
That looks like a good bet to me. May be wrong.
Peter Mair