EXCLUSIVE: Caulfield mounting yard controversy sparks Melbourne Racing Club board spill
A serving committee member at the Melbourne Racing Club is leading a motion to spill the board in protest over matters including the controversial new mounting yard at Caulfield.
Horse Racing
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Racing in Victoria faces fresh upheaval with a serving committee member at the Melbourne Racing Club leading a board spill in protest against matters including controversy over the new Caulfield mounting yard.
John Kanga, who raced Group 1 star Russian Camelot, has instigated a special general meeting (SGM) which calls for the removal of several MRC executive committee members.
Kanga has established the “Save Our MRC group”, insisting the MRC is in “disarray” over what he claims are costly failures of the new mounting yard and jockey rooms at Caulfield as part of a new $64 million precinct and the committee’s proposal to build a “white elephant” new grandstand.
• How an Aussie racing ‘Cinderella story’ stopped a village in Lebanon
If the board spill is successful, Kanga said the first priority for the new board will be to return the Caulfield mounting yard to its original position as soon as possible for this spring carnival as well as ruling out building an expensive new grandstand and to ensure racing continues at Sandown.
“I have been overwhelmed with feedback from members about their frustrations with what has happened at Caulfield recently and it is my belief these members need to be listened to,” Kanga said.
“If the SGM is successful, we will endeavour to have the mounting yard returned to its original position in front of the grandstand during spring and return the unique atmosphere that Caulfield was famous for.
“In any event, the club needs to own up to the problem and promise to rectify the position as soon as possible.”
The other nine members of the MRC board released a statement on Friday evening denouncing the move.
“The nine members of the executive committee are concerned that Mr Kanga is seeking to bypass the election process in a bid to install a new block of Committee members outside of the upcoming election process,” read the statement, which was signed by the nine members.
“We are shocked by this unprecedented move and remain united in our commitment to the MRC’s established and fair election process.
“We are working together effectively and believe in upholding the values of transparency and democracy that our members expect.”
• Caulfield in race against the clock to fix new jockeys’ rooms
The new mounting yard generally has drawn the ire of participants, members and punters while the size of the new jockeys’ room has caused frustrations.
Prominent owner Rupert Legh told News Corp the new mounting yard was “soulless” because of its location.
“The new mounting yard doesn’t work,” Legh said.
“It is not user-friendly for owners, members or the general public.
“It lacks atmosphere and has no soul and that defeats the purpose of being at the races. We need to return the mounting yard to its original rightful location as soon as possible.
“It would also, in my opinion, be irresponsible for the Committee to pursue its current proposal to spend hundreds of millions of dollars on replacing a grandstand that works perfectly well as it is.”
Another well-known owner, Col McKenna, said: “What they have done to Caulfield racecourse is a joke. The responsible people who have made these irresponsible decisions should be axed.”
• Racing Victoria announces new chairman
Long-time MRC chief executive Josh Blanksby has resigned and finishes up this month while chairman Matt Cain is retiring.
The SGM calls for the removal of MRC Executive committee members including Nick Hassett, Mark Pratt, Brooke Dawson, Scott Davidson and Jill Monk.
New committee members proposed by the Save Our MRC group include Lofts Quarries Founder Paul Lofitis, communications executive Belinda Meyers, town planner and construction manager Robyn Gray, transport executive David Gambell and food service businesses boss Frank Pollio.
Kanga claimed the existing board had “been wracked by division and is in disarray. Voting in a new group of committee members with a clear mandate will allow the Club to move forward with a united purpose.”
It continues some tumultuous times in racing in Victoria.
Former Racing Victoria boss Andrew Jones quit in April after a controversial tenure where he had an agenda for change but ended up locking horns with racing participants over secret proposals including Big Bash-style teams racing and whip-free racing formats.
Aaron Morrison was appointed this week as Racing Victoria chief executive and vowed to review RV operations, including its media arm, as a matter of priority.
Originally published as EXCLUSIVE: Caulfield mounting yard controversy sparks Melbourne Racing Club board spill
US racing tycoon eyes The Everest visit
Resolving US Breeders Cup scheduling clashes is the key to American thoroughbred tycoon John Stewart making the trip to Sydney to watch his brilliant colt Storm Boy contest The Everest.
The $37 million trial: Group 1 stars clash at Randwick
If this group was to clash in a race, it would be one of the highlights of the spring carnival but instead they will contest a 1000m trial at Randwick on Tuesday morning.