‘He’s just changed the place so much’: Inside John Kanga’s Melbourne Racing Club revolution
Debt wiped, Sandown saved, mounting yard moved, cheaper food. It’s been a whirlwind few months for John Kanga as Melbourne Racing Club chairman … but his impact is perhaps most noted at the grassroots level.
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Taking out a membership at the Melbourne Racing Club was the furthest thing from one punter’s mind … until Kanga took charge.
If there’s one social media interaction that encapsulates the impact that John Kanga has had since he took over as chairman in October last year, it’s this.
We contacted Jagjetfly this week and found out that her real name is Christina. She didn’t want her surname used as she “likes to fly under the radar at the races”.
But she was only too happy to talk about the day in February when car trouble left her unable to drive to a Saturday race day at Sandown, where she often enjoys a midweek punt.
Seeing her post on X, Kanga ventured into an area most racing committee people wouldn’t, publicly contacting Christina on social media and giving her his phone number in an attempt to get her to Sandown for the day.
It was that online interaction – one of several she’s had with Kanga without actually meeting the Melbourne Racing Club chairman in person – that sparked a change in Christina’s attitude towards membership.
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Never a fan of Caulfield racecourse – she has always much preferred her midweek journeys to Sandown – Christina actually paid for an MRC membership a few weeks ago and is now attending race meetings at Caulfield, a track she’d previously sworn off.
“I looked and I thought, ‘that’s nice of him’ (to offer transport to Sandown),” Christina said.
“I’ve always interacted with him on X because I like what he’s doing and I like proactive people.
“I’ve hated Caulfield for a long time but I’ve actually signed up as a member recently, which I thought I’d never, ever do.
“He’s just changed the whole place so much. I thought, ‘it’s worth going now’.”
Paul, We’ve only just begun transforming the experience for members & racing fans. A massive paradigm shift is underway in how a racing club is run-focusing on accessibility, value, innovation. Exciting times ahead as we reshape the future of racing @MelbRacingClub… https://t.co/3LfNc4gYHI
— Kanga (@johnkanga) February 24, 2025
• Kanga explains why he brought on MRC board spill
Kanga marked six months this week since taking over the MRC chair in an acrimonious battle against members of the previous committee.
Kanga and fellow committee members Caitrin Kelly and Alison Saville needed to secure a Supreme Court injunction to avoid being what they described as “silenced” in a disciplinary hearing.
The new committee swept to power of the MRC on the platform of stopping the sale of the Sandown Racecourse to housing developers, scrapping a costly new grandstand, which would have put the club deeper into debt and returning the Caulfield mounting yard to its old position in front of the grandstand.
How times have swiftly changed at the Caulfield Racecourse.
Caulfield has quickly become the place to be in Melbourne racing.
To everyone @MelbRacingClub who endured my Shout the Bar efforts… I’m sorry. Turns out, pouring a beer is an art, one I have zero talent for. If froth was currency, I’d be a millionaire. Pride of Jenni was the real star. I’ll stick to admin & leave bartending to the pros.🺠https://t.co/I7DfSpqBK3
— Kanga (@johnkanga) March 15, 2025
• ‘King’ Kanga holds court on Caulfield Cup day
The Valley is winding down before demolition after October’s Cox Plate as part of the Moonee Valley Racing Club’s astute redevelopment plan, featuring residential towers around the reconfigured course, which will secure the club’s financial position for decades.
The Victoria Racing Club has suffered heavy losses over the past few seasons, embarking on cost-cutting measures, including staff redundancies and closing members’ facilities on off-peak race days.
The Kanga-led MRC has addressed its balance sheet while fulfilling its election commitments, selling off a large parcel of land on the edge of the Caulfield Racecourse, with the proceeds wiping the clubs’ debt.
• MRC secures financial future with $195m land sale
Kanga lobbed at trackwork mornings in both the spring and autumn posing for pictures with members with his infectious energy rubbing off on punters and participants alike on race day.
An arson attack on a bar at Caulfield in January threatened to derail the Kanga-led revival but the club was back racing on its flagship track in less than six weeks.
“It was only 36 days from the fire to the Blue Diamond but we managed to pull it all together and everyone had a great race day,” Kelly said.
“That’s not just because of the committee, that’s a testament to the staff that we have working.
“It’s because we’re all one team now and pulling in the one direction that things can happen.”
Hi Shona, @MelbRacingClub rewards policy gives members ~2 seasons to use points. During COVID, we didn’t enforce this, creating a liability. To support members, we’ve encouraged points redemption for dining, food & drinks. We’ll now extend the redemption period to 31/7/2026 &… https://t.co/k39MfSqw8Y
— Kanga (@johnkanga) March 5, 2025
• Kanga: ‘Horrific’ grandstand fire could have been worse
Cheaper food and drink deals, an improved on-track atmosphere inspired by the return of the mounting yard from its previously despised location to its original spot in front of Hiskens Stand, and engagement with both the members and public, both in person and online, has given racegoers a sense of belonging at the track.
Members even reported “whooping and rapturous applause” and information sessions, a contrast to some of the anger-filled meetings over the sale of Sandown.
Shouting punters free drinks, as Kanga did when Pride Of Jenni won last month’s Peter Young Stakes, didn’t hurt either.
The gesture was such a hit that the VRC attempted to emulate it, only Pride Of Jenni wasn’t able to follow up her first-up performance in the Australian Cup.
Everyday punters can hit up Kanga on X with a query about their MRC member reward points, complaints about the quality of televisions to watch interstate races at the club’s three racecourses or even to suggest gluten-free food or beer options.
They all get a response. Issues get fixed.
Hi Anna, yes we did look after everyone - gluten free beers, non alcoholic beers, mineral waters, soft drinks. We love our racing fans on course. ðŸŽ
— Kanga (@johnkanga) March 15, 2025
Kelly said it’s the way things are under the new committee. Members are heard.
“I really enjoy it (working with Kanga),” Kelly said.
“That’s what our members wanted, they wanted the old mounting yard back.
“That was a promise that was made and a promise made is a debt unpaid.”
This masthead approached Kanga for a chat about his first six months in power at the MRC at the Flemington races.
“Are you sure you want to talk to me?,” Kanga said. “Nobody wants to hear from me again.”
We weren’t sure whether it was in jest or not.
Gary, If you could DM me our friends details I would love to evaluate further. Kanga
— Kanga (@johnkanga) February 28, 2025
So we asked a couple of Kanga’s mates, AFL premiership-winning coach Craig McRae and Collingwood list manager Justin Leppitsch, what made Kanga a leader.
Both Brisbane Lions legends have become firm friends with Kanga during their time with Collingwood, Kanga’s sporting passion other than racing.
McRae said Kanga had an infectious energy for people, which is vital in a leader.
“He’s just so genuine with other people,” McRae said.
“He’s a relationship guy and someone that can lead others and get them to follow him.
“He’s just a trustworthy guy and it’s amazing how much energy he has.
“He’s got a great energy for people, he’s always shaking hands and getting around people.
“I think people are drawn to that.”
Leppitsch said Kanga was no different to his busy persona away from racing.
“Any organisation needs someone that can just come in and get things done and Kanga is a guy like that,” Leppitsch said.
“He’s always working.
“He just gets things done.”
Originally published as ‘He’s just changed the place so much’: Inside John Kanga’s Melbourne Racing Club revolution
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