Racing Confidential: Chris Waller, Peter McGauran, Peter V’landys to appear at Rosehill inquiry on Friday

The parliament select committee inquiry into the Rosehill sale proposal continues on Friday with some of the sport’s biggest names called to give evidence.

Trainer Chris Waller will be joined by Peter McGauran (inset, top), Peter V'landys (inset, middle) and Richard Freedman at the inquiry into the proposed sale of Rosehill on Friday.

The parliament select committee inquiry into the Rosehill sale proposal continues on Friday with some of the sport’s biggest names called to give evidence.

Racing NSW chief executive Peter V’landys and Australian Turf Club chairman Peter McGauran are among those scheduled to appear at the inquiry along with leading trainers Chris Waller and Richard Freedman.

The “Save Rosehill Group” is represented by owner-syndicator Jason Abrahams and former ATC director Julia Ritchie.

Last December, the Australian Turf Club and NSW Government announced a $5 billion proposal to sell Rosehill and use the land to build 25,000 new homes. The proceeds of the sale would fund various racing industry projects including a new racetrack.

But Rosehill’s possible sale is dividing the industry and the inquiry has been set up to “investigate the involvement of the NSW Government prior to the unsolicited proposal being made.”

The inquiry will also consider the effects of the proposal on the racing industry and animal welfare.

Racing NSW boss Peter V’landys headlines a list of witnesses that will appear before the Select Committee into the proposed sale of Rosehill Gardens on Friday.https://t.co/ncEoLsvX0A

— Racenet (@RacenetTweets) August 7, 2024

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King the queen of the World

Star jockey Rachel King. Pic: Photo by Jeremy Ng/Getty Images)

Star Sydney jockey Rachel King has been selected to captain the all-girls Rest of the World team at the prestigious Shergar Cup at England’s famous Ascot racecourse on Saturday.

King, who rode at Royal Ascot in June finishing runner-up on Strutting in the Sandringham Stakes, flew to England on Wednesday evening.

“I am thrilled to be, not only invited to compete in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup, but also to captain the Rest of the World team,” King said.

“It’s a unique and exciting event that brings together some of the best talent in horse racing from around the globe.

“To lead such a talented group and to be back at Ascot so soon is a tremendous honour.”

King’s Shergar Cup team will also include Japan’s Nanako Fujita and South Africa’s Rachel Venniker.

They will be competing against a Ladies team captained by Hayley Turner, the Great Britain and Ireland side led by Tadhg O’Shea, and the European team featuring Kazakhstan’s four-time leading German jockey Bauryzhan Murzabeyev.

Thrilled to share that I’ve been chosen to captain the Rest of the World team at the @DubaiDutyFree Shergar Cup @Ascot . An incredible honour to be involved. Excited for the challenge and to represent Australia in this prestigious event.⁰#ShergarCup#TeamRestOfTheWorld#Ascotpic.twitter.com/fa7DQNefZv

— Rachel King (@RachelK11) August 7, 2024

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Giga ready to Kick into gear

Giga Kick wins The TAB Everest!@Dougie_5 trained Giga Kick charges home to claim the $15 Million #tabeverest defeating Private Eye and Mazu with favourite Nature Strip fourth. @[e-mail]/zqBqorlPui

— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) October 15, 2022

Giga Kick, winner of The Everest two years ago, is due to barrier trial at Royal Randwick next Friday.

Trainer Clayton Douglas confirmed Giga Kick would have two trials in Sydney before resuming in the Group 3 $1 million Concorde Stakes (1000m) at Randwick on September 7.

Douglas plans to give Giga Kick two Sydney starts before hopefully securing the sprinter a start in the $20 million The TAB Everest at Royal Randwick on October 19.

The brilliant Giga Kick hasn’t raced since suffering a hip muscle injury when third to Imperatriz in the McEwen Stakes last September.

"He’s ticking all those boxes ... it’s not long now."

Clayton Douglas is getting excited with Giga Kick a month away from his long-awaited return. @gilbertgardiner@c_douglasracinghttps://t.co/QvfPJcEWDL

— Racenet (@RacenetTweets) August 7, 2024

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Sydney shoots into Group racing

Bjorn Baker is ready to test Shezanalister in stakes company in the Group 2 Missile Stakes on Saturday. @MitchRWCohen@BBakerRacinghttps://t.co/8N9BJt2Vna

— Racenet (@RacenetTweets) August 7, 2024

Stakes racing returns to Sydney on Saturday with the Group 2 Missile Stakes the first feature race of the new season.

The Missile Stakes signals the start of 14 consecutive weeks where there is at least a Group or Listed event, or a $1 million-plus race featured every Saturday in Sydney through until The Hunter meeting at Newcastle on November 16.

Sara Ryan is keen to back-up Much Much Better in the Group 2 Missile Stakes. @MitchRWCohen@DomelandRacinghttps://t.co/pjEREopyF0

— Racenet (@RacenetTweets) August 6, 2024

Originally published as Racing Confidential: Chris Waller, Peter McGauran, Peter V’landys to appear at Rosehill inquiry on Friday