Victorian racing chiefs push for Garry Charny to chair Racing NSW
The hunt is on for a new chair of Racing NSW after the Coalition stopped a plan for his term to be extended. And one of the three leading candidates is being backed by Victorian racing bosses.
NSW
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As the hunt for a new chairman of Racing NSW begins, one of the three leading candidates is being fiercely championed by Victorian racing chiefs.
Current chairman Russell Balding’s term ends on December 18 after a botched vote by the Liberals and Nationals forced the NSW Government to scrap legislation to extend his term.
Racing Minister David Harris has called for expressions of interests to replace Mr Balding on the board and for someone to replace him as chair.
Deputy chair Dr Saranne Cooke has had her term extended and will chair the board until a new chairman is appointed. She and fellow director Simon Tuxen are in the running for the top job.
The third likely candidate is current Racing NSW board member Garry Charny, who has been given a ringing endorsement for the top job by Victoria Racing Club board member Vin Cox.
That endorsement comes as the Supreme Court heard the latest submissions in the anti competitive behaviour case Racing NSW has brought against Racing Victoria.
The case was brought after Racing NSW discovered a plot by the Victorians to form a new national racing body that excluded NSW.
At the heart of the issue is Victoria’s anger at losing its monopoly of the spring racing carnival to new high-profile races in NSW including The Everest and The Golden Eagle.
Mr Charny was among four racing figures who earlier this year met NSW Premier Chris Minns to lobby him not to extend Mr Balding’s term.
They also included Arrowfield Stud boss John Messara, Mr Cox, and Magic Millions co-owner Katie Page, who used to employ Mr Cox as bloodstock manager, and who also had Mr Charny on the Magic Millions advisory board.
After the legislation to increase Mr Balding’s term was scrapped Mr Cox, who now runs Yulong Investments racing and breeding operation in Victoria, said it was time to refresh the board at Racing NSW.
“There’s a real opportunity for a complete refresh of Racing NSW, and not just the board candidates but the chair. And in my view, Garry Charny is well-placed to do that,” Mr Cox told the Australian Financial Review.
“He is very strong on governance, process and has a very strong industry profile. He is across all facets of the industry, has broad industry knowledge and brings a very good perspective to decision-making.”
But the Victoria Racing Club board member did not explain exactly why Racing NSW needs a refresh, when NSW Racing Minister David Harris said it is positioned “as the leading racing state, with new marquee events such as The Everest, a revitalised Spring Carnival and record prize money to participants.”
However it is known that a few breeders are strongly opposed to new races such as The Everest which threatens the status quo of current group one races.
Thoroughbred Breeders Association chief executive Tom Reilly actively lobbied MPs and ministers inside parliament last week as the debate raged to ensure Mr Balding’s term was not extended.
The Coalition added untenable amendments to the legislation which saw Mr Harris scrap it altogether. But the Minister was clear that the breeders and Victorian racing officials’ wishes were not part of his plan. Mr Harris said Mr Balding’s legacy “is a revitalised racing industry in NSW that this Government will continue to support.”
Liberal and Nationals MPs voted with the Animal Justice Party and the Greens on their amendments, which Labor opposed.
Later, Animal Justice Party MP Emma Hurst boasted on social media that she had “screwed over” Racing NSW.
Mr Harris announced on Tuesday that the selection process to fill the chair’s role will start before the end of the year.
“This will include the establishment of a selection panel in accordance with the legislation, with a publicly advertised call for expressions of interest,” Mr Harris said.
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