Trainers David Eustace, Mick Price meet with Racing Victoria to gain clearer picture on programming

Trainer David Eustace has sought clarification over the summer scheduling and turnover from night and twilight meetings during talks with Racing Victoria.

Leading trainers David Eustace and Mick Price on Tuesday met Racing Victoria’s general manager of operations Paul Bloodworth to gain a clearer picture on programming and turnover from night and twilight meetings.

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The discussion came after both trainers expressed strong views leading into last Saturday’s Flemington twilight meeting, particularly around work-life balance of industry participants.

Eustace told the Herald Sun the meeting gave him a better understanding of wagering turnover and the importance of flexible programs in summer months.

“Paul was extremely helpful and approachable,” Eustace said.

“We just wanted to get some answers on how much turnover is produced on those certain evenings.”

David Eustace was critical of Racing Victoria’s fixturing last week when of the six meetings on the Friday and Saturday, only one was a day meeting.

“It created a bit of a clearer picture. We hear a lot about percentages of turnover, but (getting) the more exact figures is always helpful.”

Eustace was critical of RV’s fixturing last week when of the six meetings on the Friday and Saturday, only one was a day meeting.

“We are all well aware we need twilight meetings for turnover … (it’s) the backbone of our prizemoney,” he said. “But we also need to create a little bit of balance as well.

“Some of the start times (for trackwork) need to be looked at.

“The most important thing is to give everyone as much as possible an option — if people want to start early they can, but if they want to start later, they can do it.”

Ciaron Maher and David Eustace (left) have one of the biggest training operations in Victoria.

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Eustace and Ciaron Maher’s exciting two-year-old colt Rathlin will contest Wednesday’s Spirit Of Boom Phelan Ready Stakes at Doomben on the pathway to a Magic Millions date next month.

“He has drawn very well and the form is in the book,” said Eustace of the $1.80 favourite.

“He is a horse who has always been earmarked as a potential Magic Millions horse.”

Originally published as Trainers David Eustace, Mick Price meet with Racing Victoria to gain clearer picture on programming