Racing NSW considers Spring Carnival expansion amid turf war

Racing NSW is looking at ways to amp up the Spring Carnival after filing Supreme Court action against interstate racing authorities over a plan to exclude our state from the industry.

Racing NSW is considering proposals to further enhance the Sydney spring carnival despite an escalation in a bitter turf war with the Victorian racing industry.

The Daily Telegraph reported on Monday it had obtained a secret dossier that revealed interstate racing bodies were plotting to oust Racing NSW from the industry by forming a breakaway national body.

These papers are central to a NSW Supreme Court action being brought by Racing NSW against racing authorities in Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia.

There has been growing angst between NSW and Victorian racing authorities since Racing NSW introduced The TAB Everest, the world’s richest turf race six years ago.

The Everest has been a spectacular success with huge increases in wagering turnover and on-track attendances at Royal Randwick.

Spring racing at Royal Randwick on the TAB Everest Day. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

This has led to Racing NSW introducing more mega-money races and expanding the Sydney spring racing program.

But Racing NSW isn’t finished yet as it has recognised there is potential to further exploit a growing market for top quality racing through the months of October and November.

“We’re always looking at ways to further enhance the Everest Carnival and see this major event for Sydney grow even bigger,’’ Racing NSW’s chief operating officer Graeme Hinton said.

The Melbourne spring carnival had always dominated the racing and wagering landscape during October and early November but the increased competition from Sydney’s Everest carnival upset the status quo.

The Everest is now regarded as one of the world’s premier sprint races.

But Racing Victoria used its power of veto to block Racing NSW’s push to have The Everest elevated to Group 1 level which caused further discontent between the two warring states.

Racing NSW is now considering ways to amp up its Spring Carnival. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

The proposal to give The Everest Group 1 status has been on hold because the Pattern Committee, the racing body which determines which races are afforded Group and Listed status, has not met for two years due to the impasse between NSW and Victorian racing industries.

Racing Victoria chief executive Andrew Jones told News Corp on Monday that he would not comment on matters before the court but “we will vigorously contest Racing NSW’s claims”.

Racing Victoria chief Andrew Jones.

“We’re confident in the strength of our case. Racing NSW’s legal action is a fishing expedition in which it hopes to find grounds to sue everybody else,’’ Jones said.

Broadcaster Ray Hadley teed off at Racing Victoria in a seven-minute on-air spray on his 2GB radio program on Monday, accusing them of having a superiority complex.

“I didn’t think Racing Victoria could be so stupid,” Hadley said.

“Racing Victoria have been out to destroy (V’landys) personally for years now but now it’s all been captured in print.”

Hadley and Racing NSW claimed the covert plan amounted to attempts to form a cartel to eliminate any competition to racing in Victoria.

“They thought they were better than everyone else,” Hadley said.

“Then V’landys pops up and starts this question, if they are entitled to this God-given right to be the sporting and racing capital of Australia.

“They think they are better than everyone else but they aren’t smarter than everyone else if they put this in writing.”