Flemington losing grip on King Charles’ visit, industry figure claims

The race for King Charles’ visit to the track in Australia is all but won by Sydney, a Victorian MP says.

King Charles will head to Sydney’s races instead of the Melbourne Cup on his visit later this year unless Victorian racing gets its act together, an industry figure says.

Victoria’s peak racing body is still on the hunt for a new chair after Brian Kruger announced his plans to depart almost eight months ago.

Interviews are yet to be conducted for the Racing Victoria chair, with sources claiming that former AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan was a target.

The power vacuum has led to disquiet in Victorian racing, with insiders demanding the role be filled now.

King Charles attended the 1985 Melbourne Cup with Princess Diana, where the late John Elliott presented the trophy. Pic Brisbane Sun.

Tim Bull, a Nationals MP and opposition racing spokesman in Victoria, said the state was being steamrolled by New South Wales racing boss Peter V’landys.

“The chair’s role should have been filled before Christmas, not only do we not have an appointment, there’s no indication of when it will be done,” he said.

“The racing minister Anthony Carbines has been asleep at the wheel.”

Mr Bull said the delays were leaving the door open to NSW to steal a visit from King Charles.

The monarch previously attended the Melbourne Cup with the late Princess Diana in 1985.

“These matters are important when we pride ourselves on being the peak or pre-eminent racing state,” he said.

Mr Carbines rejected Mr Bull’s claims and said acting chair Mike Hirst had provided stability while a permanent replacement was found.

“We will have more to say on the chairperson appointment after the process to fill the current board vacancy has been completed,” he said.

“Victoria is the jewel in the crown of Australia’s racing industry and I’m confident our 2024 events will continue to attract millions of visitors — whether they be kings or not.”

Lady Eliza Spencer, the late Princess Diana’s niece and Lady Amelia at Flemington last year. Picture: Jason Edwards

Gillon McLachlan has been linked to the VRC chair’s role.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed this week that the king would visit Australia this year, likely after the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Samoa on October 21.

The battle is on to get the monarch to the track, with Mr V’landys naming a race after him — the $5 million King Charles III Stakes to be run on October 19.

Mr V’landys has already personally invited the king to Royal Randwick at a meeting in London last year.

Mr Bull said Victorian racing needed a figure to challenge Mr V’landys, who is also head of the NRL.

The Victoria Racing Club, which oversees Flemington where the Melbourne Cup is run, has reached out to Buckingham Palace to invite the King and Queen Camilla.

The Queen is known to dislike long haul flights, making this year’s visit a rare chance to get the royals to the races.

Tim Bull in Victorian parliament.

Industry figures want a clearer vision from Racing Victoria about how it plans to increase revenue in the sport.

Turnover was down four per cent to $8.8 billion in the latest financial year, although it was the second highest on record, according to Racing Victoria.

Mike Hirst was currently acting chairman but has indicated that he does not want the role permanently as he juggles work on the GMHBA and Adelaide Airport boards.

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