The glorious vision of a rocking Royal Randwick was what Racing NSW chief executive Peter V’landys saw in his Everest dreams, and fortunately for racing in the premier state, the country’s best sporting administrator is here to stay.
V’landys has led racing to financial freedom via winning the race fields court case and a mountain of other battles before investing in the future of the sport with a marquee event which is an unstoppable force, and the Herald understands the Racing NSW board has secured him for another couple of years.
The busiest man in sport, with his rugby league commitments, will remain at the helm of racing and take it through the next stage of developing a sustainable 21st-century model into the 21st century with racecourse developments and the much-hyped Newmarket-like training centre.
V’landys didn’t wish to comment on any contract extension, but it might be the most important piece of the puzzle for racing in NSW.
The execution of the sixth Everest was an outstanding success and V’landys called it his best day at the races.
The Australian Turf Club continues to learn about what will fuel the crowd, which numbered more than 46,000 on Saturday, and Neil Diamond’s Sweet Caroline has become the anthem of the event. As the horses went to the barriers, it boomed from the PA, which was soon drowned out by the crowd.
More than 46,000 racegoers turned out at Randwick on Saturday.Credit:Flavio Brancaleone
It built the excitement to breaking point as the barriers burst open for The Everest and will be remembered as much as the win of Giga Kick.
Australian Turf Club chief executive Jamie Barkley is already thinking about how Randwick can hold a bigger crowd into the future, with one option extending the public area by 100 metres.
“It was a great afternoon for racing, and we are considering areas that we can use to get more people in in the future,” Barkley said.
Everest slots up for grabs
The talk after Giga Kick’s storming victory in The Everest turned to next year and what slotholders might do, but more interesting is what might happen with the ATC and GPI Racing slots in 2023.
Craig Williams steers Giga Kick past the post at Randwick on Saturday.Credit:Getty
The three-year deal with Hong Kong businessman Bon Ho, who owned 2020 Everest winner Classique Legend, is up with the ATC. There have been early negotiations about what might be done with the club’s slot, which will almost certainly be tendered out again.
The GPI Racing slot has been held by James Kennedy for the past two years and the Melbourne businessman has the option in his favour to take it for a third year.
Kennedy is the sort of face that The Everest needs, young and enterprising, and you wouldn’t bet against his drive finding him the winner in the next couple of years.
The immediate questions after Saturday are: does a slotholder lock in winner Giga Kick for next year early? Will the TAB go back to Lost And Running for a third year after the disappointment of his race-day scratching? Is this a changing of the guard with Eduardo and potentially Nature Strip not being there in 2023?
Lost And Running back for the Nature Strip
John O’Shea is confident Lost And Running will be run in the Nature Strip Stakes in two weeks on Golden Eagle day, despite the infection to a fetlock which cost him his place in The Everest.
Lost And Running was scratched on race morning from The Everest, but could still win the Sydney Sprint Series with double points available for the Nature Strip Stakes.
“He hasn’t missed any work and it was going to clear up quickly once we treated it.
Lost And Running was rubbed out of The Everest on Saturday morning.Credit:Getty
“I think he will have a barrier trial on Friday and be ready for it,” O’Shea said.
Mazu, who was third in The Everest, will head to the Nature Strip, while Bjorn Baker is tossing up the 1300m sprint and the Golden Eagle for Overpass.
Newnham pleased with Matcha Latte’s recovery
Mark Newnham believes he can win a second Spring Champion Stakes this weekend after Matcha Latte surprised him with the way he came through the tough run when nosed out by Sharp ‘N’ Smart in the Gloaming Stakes at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
“I thought he might feel that run a bit but when I came in on Thursday his bin was cleaned out,” Newnham said.
“He is going to have no trouble with the 2000m and the way he is, it will take a good one to beat him.”
Matcha Latte is a $9 hope in the Spring Champion with the Caulfield Guineas placegetter Osipenko the $3.50 favourite in front of Guineas runner-up Elliptical, who will be ridden by Blake Shinn, and Sharp ‘N’ Smart at $5.
Sheeza Belter ready for Invitation return
JJ Atkins winner Sheeza Belter will make her spring debut in The Invitation after recovering from a setback which might have proved beneficial.
There are still five runners to be announced for Saturday’s $2 million race, but Paul Snowden was happy to get the opportunity with his group 1 winning mare.
“She doesn’t really handle wet tracks, so to miss all those bad tracks with her was a bit of a blessing,” Snowden said. “She has had plenty of work, so the 1400m first-up will not be a problem.
“It will probably suit her because at 1200m they can get her out of her comfort zone and make her chase, whereas she will be more comfortable with the tempo at 1400m and can show her sprint.”
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