Meetings moved
Racing NSW has advised of the following transferred race meetings, in light of Tuesday’s announcement regarding new work-related restrictions in the Western and South-Western Local Government Areas in Sydney.
Saturday, August 7: Rosehill transferred to Randwick.
Wednesday, August 11: Randwick Kensington transferred to Newcastle.
Thursday, August 12: Newcastle transferred to Scone.
Saturday, August 14: Randwick transferred to Kembla Grange.
Saturday, August 14: Kembla Grange transferred to Goulburn.
Wednesday, August 18: Canterbury transferred to the Randwick Kensington Track.
Sale gets the nod
Racing Victoria and Country Racing Victoria announced on Thursday that Sale will play host to the state's inaugural Good Friday race meeting, pending state government approval.
The decision comes after RV and CRV confirmed last month that it intended to create a feature annual meeting share among country clubs.
“It would be an incredible honour for the Sale Turf Club to host the first Good Friday race meeting in Victoria and we warmly welcome the opportunity to showcase the sport and our region on what will be a historic day, if approved by Parliament,” Sale Turf Club Chief Executive Brad Evans told Racing.com.
Kavanaghs join forces
Father-son duo Mark and Levi Kavanagh will join forces and enter a training partnership in the coming weeks.
Hugh Bowman and Levi Kavanagh | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
“I wanted to start off and do my own thing for a while and it has worked out well. It’s been good for the last five seasons or so. I think it’s a good time to combine,” Levi Kavanagh told Racenet.
“I’ve attracted a younger clientele and Dad has some longer-term ones and we’ll continue to provide good service to our clients and be able to expand on that too, I’d say.”
Sweeney recovering
Jockey Brendan Sweeney, who was involved in a horror three-horse fall at Darwin’s Fannie Bay racecourse in June has been transferred to the Royal Adelaide Hospital after coming out of an induced coma.
“They removed the tracheostomy tube yesterday and he is showing movement and talking to some extent,” Kevin Ring, of the Australian Jockeys’ Association, told Racenet.
“He even swore at one of the nurses yesterday, he hasn’t forgotten his vocabulary. The fact he is talking is great, he acknowledges his family.”
Officials stand by Farm
Queensland Racing Minister Grace Grace is confident the under-fire Eagle Farm racetrack can avoid another rebuild.
The surface was ripped up in August 2014 and again in May 2017, at a $13.7 million price point.
Tofane (NZ) winning at Eagle Farm during the Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival | Image courtesy of Michael McInally
“I understand the performance of the track continues to create discussion within the industry. However, my understanding is the basis for improvement is very good,” Grace said.
“I know Townsville went through a similar situation as this and after the third year their track came on very well.”
Waller on target
Hall of Fame trainer Chris Waller requires one winner on Saturday to break his current career-best of 339 winners.
Waller will saddle up multiple runners across three venues, including 18 runners across eight races at Randwick.
Chris Waller
Tofane returns
SEN Track host Andrew Bensley has reported that three-time Group 1-winning mare Tofane (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) is being set to resume in the G1 Memsie S. at Caulfield on August 28.
Puzzle primed
Cranbourne-based trainer Cindy Alderson is confident exciting juvenile Jigsaw (Manhattan Rain) can deliver in the opening event at Moonee Valley on Saturday despite lumping 60kgs.
Alderson said the impressive last-start winner is in superb order ahead of the 1000-metre event.
“There’s going to be a few of the little factors that might make it a little bit trickier for him, but he's got a nice draw and I think he should handle the track," Alderson told Racing.com.
Olszanski appointed
Victorian-based racecaller Adam Olszanski has been appointed CEO of the Stony Creek Racing Club, effective August 1.
"As a racecaller I have enjoyed coming to Stony Creek for many years, so it is exciting to be able to spend more time at the Club, helping drive future plans and welcoming even more people to the races over summer," Olszanski told Country Racing Victoria.
