Racing Confidential: Suitable alternative site key to potential Rosehill sale, Australian Turf Club director nominee Lindsay Murphy says

Rosehill legend Lindsay Murphy, who intends to nominate for the ATC’s board of directors, has declared he has an “open mind” on the controversial proposal to sell the racetrack he worked at for nearly four decades.

Rosehill legend Lindsay Murphy has declared he has an “open mind” on the controversial proposal to sell the racetrack he worked at for nearly four decades.

Murphy revealed his position on the issue which has divided Sydney racing as he announced his intention to nominate for election to the Australian Turf Club Board of Directors.

The popular and widely-respected Murphy brings with him a considerable skillset and deep understanding of the racing industry. which makes him a worthy candidate.

Murphy worked for 42 years at the Sydney Turf Club and then the Australian Turf Club in various administrative and management roles including as Rosehill track manager before being put in charge of all four Sydney racetracks.

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He’s uniquely placed to talk about the possible sale of Rosehill and believes it is incumbent on the ATC board and senior management to continue investigating the proposal.

“I love Rosehill and I’m more than happy if the track stays,’’ Murphy said.

“But if the right location is found for a new racetrack and training centre then it must be looked at closely.

“If the alternative site can be developed, then the industry as a whole gets a great injection of money which is fantastic.

“But if you can’t find that alternative site, or it is not practical, then you can’t do it.’’

Murphy said if Rosehill is to be sold then it is non-negotiable that a new racetrack needs to be built in Sydney.

“We need another racecourse, you can’t have just Randwick as a primary track,’’ he said.

The Rosehill sale proposal, which some estimates suggest could raise over $20 billion, is a contentious issue with many participants against the idea of selling the famous western Sydney racetrack which is home to the Golden Slipper and Golden Eagle.

Murphy maintains a final decision on the Rosehill sale proposal can’t be made until everyone gets a chance to study in detail ATC’s yet-to-be-released plans for a new racetrack and training facility.

Nominations for the ATC board elections close on Friday.

• Clinton Payne’s Flight Stakes tips, runner-by-runner form assessment

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Brandy chases major sporting double

Greg Alexander (left) is a part-owner of Hooligan Tommy, who’ll race at Randwick on Saturday. Picture: David Swift

Penrith Panthers great Greg “Brandy” Alexander is hoping emerging galloper Hooligan Tommy can provide him with the first leg of a significant sports double at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Alexander is a part-owner of Hooligan Tommy, winner of successive races at Scone and Canberra, and is challenging for favouritism at $6.50 for the Midway Handicap (1800m).

The captain of Penrith’s 1991 premiership team, Alexander is sweating on third emergency Hooligan Tommy getting a start in the Randwick opener on Epsom Day.

Alexander, who works as an expert commentator on Fox League, will then be turning his attention to the Panthers attempt at a historic four-peat against Melbourne Storm in the NRL Grand Final on Sunday.

ATC is offering all NRL Grand Final ticketholders free entry to Royal Randwick on Saturday by showing their official Grand Final tickets at the racecourse entrance gates.

• Clinton Payne’s Epsom Handicap tips, runner-by-runner form assessment

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Key Everest hopes to trial on Friday

The Everest hopefuls I Am Me and Stefi Magnetica will have important barrier trials at Rosehill on Friday morning.

Racing NSW stewards have approved a request from I Am Me’s connections to withdraw the mare from a competitive 900m heat against the likes of Overpass and instead contest the opening 1030m trial.

Dean Watt of Dynamic Syndications, which races I Am Me, said the Ciaron Maher-trained mare would not be out to break any track records in her trial. “She’s just going around to raise a bit of a sweat,’’ Watt said.

Stefi Magnetica, trained by Bjorn Baker, continues her preparation for The Everest in a 900m trial against the likes of unbeaten Briasa.

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Three horses top market for early Golden Slipper betting

🪄 Lady of Camelot spins a magical win in the G1 TAB Golden Slipper for@GaiWaterhouse1 /Bott and @blake_shinn!@aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/bRVsmAwuF9

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 23, 2024

The first two-year-old races of the season, the Breeders and Gimcrack Stakes, are run at Royal Randwick on Saturday – but TAB Fixed Odds has already opened a market on the $5 million TAB Golden Slipper next autumn.

Icarian Dream, North England and Tuscany, all brilliant winners at the official Kensington two-year-old trials, have been made joint favourites at $26 for the Golden Slipper run at Rosehill on March 22.

“I didn’t feel there was a clear standout two-year-old at the trials so $26 is the longest opening price for a Golden Slipper favourite we have ever had,’’ said TAB spokesman Tim Ryan.

“We find every year there is good interest from punters for the Golden Slipper as soon as we come out with a market.

“But then a lot of punters like to have a bet once the Gimcrack Stakes and Breeders Plate are run. We will know a lot more after Saturday.’’

Icarian Dream, the Ciaron Maher-trained filly, early favourite at $3.90 for the Group 3 $250,000 Gimcrack Stakes (1000m), and the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Tuscany is at $4 – shading stablemate North England at $4.20 – for the Group 3 $250,000 Breeders Plate (1000m).

Remarkably, the Gimcrack Stakes winner has never trained on to claim the Golden Slipper later in the season.

But Lady Of Camelot did run fourth in the Gimcrack last year before winning the Golden Slipper during the autumn carnival.

In contrast, the Breeders Plate for colts and geldings has produced eight youngsters who have won the Randwick opener and the Golden Slipper with Capitalist (2016), Vancouver (2015), Pierro (2012), Sebring (2008), Luskin Star (1977), Baguette (1970), Eskimo Prince (1964) and Sky High (1960) winning both races.

Originally published as Racing Confidential: Suitable alternative site key to potential Rosehill sale, Australian Turf Club director nominee Lindsay Murphy says