Racing Confidential: Federal MP Darren Chester warns Greens plan to introduce ‘levy on punters’ to fund Horse Racing Transition Taskforce

Federal National Party MP Darren Chester has sounded alarm bells about the Greens’ agenda to ban horse racing, which he says would see punters forced to cough up a levy to fund a ‘Horse Racing Transition Taskforce’.

Nationals MP Darren Chester is concerned about the Greens' plan to shut down horse racing, which forms part of their policy platform for the next federal election. Pictures: File, Screengrabs

Federal National Party MP Darren Chester has sounded alarm bells about the Greens’ agenda to ban horse racing.

With the nation set to go to the polls before mid-May, Chester, the Member for Gippsland, took to social media this week to label the Greens the “ultimate fun police”.

“The Greens are determined to dramatically change Australia with their extreme agenda which includes banning the Melbourne Cup and all other horse racing,’’ Chester said

“The policy on the Greens website proudly boasts of their ‘plan’ to shut down the entire horse racing industry. The national ban on horse racing would see 75,000 Australians lose their jobs with a flow-on impact to hospitality, fashion and catering industries.’’

Chester revealed the Greens wanted to introduce a “Horse Racing Transition Taskforce” to facilitate the racing industry shutdown which he said would bizarrely be funded by “a levy on punters!”

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Injured jockeys Tommy Berry and Dylan Gibbons will soon be rejoining the Sydney riding ranks.

Berry is confident of getting a clearance from his doctor on Friday to return to trackwork riding at Rosehill on Saturday morning.

It’s a remarkable recovery for Berry after he fractured a vertebrae in his neck and suffered ligament damage to a shoulder in a fall at Randwick four weeks ago.

Hey everyone,
I just want to thank you all for the kind messages I have received since my fall! It has been overwhelming to say the least.
I will be out of action for the near future but will be doing all I can to get back to the track when my body is ready.
Take care 🙏🏻💙

— Tommy Berry (@TommyBerry21) January 26, 2025

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Berry could even make his comeback as early as Saturday week when Group 1 racing returns with the Verry Elleegant Stakes and Surround Stakes at Royal Randwick on March 1.

Gibbons hasn’t ridden since the Big Dance meeting at Royal Randwick on Melbourne Cup Day last year.

He needed shoulder reconstruction surgery but after more than three months of rehabilitation, he was able to resume trackwork riding at Newcastle on Thursday morning.

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ENGLISH maestro William Haggas has changed his mind and will send both Dubai Honour and Desert Hero to Sydney for autumn carnival.

Haggas had initially wanted to keep Dubai Honour in the northern hemisphere but entered the 2023 Ranvet Stakes-Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner for the $5 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Royal Randwick on April 12.

Desert Hero, who is owned by King Charles III, has also been entered for the Queen Elizabeth Stakes and the $2 million Sydney Cup (3200m) the same day.

“I’m not sure yet which races I will run Dubai Honour and Desert Hero but they are both in everything,’’ said Haggas, who is reluctant to have the duo clash in Sydney.

Haggas indicated Desert Hero could go first-up into the $1.5 million Tancred Stakes (2400m) at Rosehill on March 29.

DUBAI HONOUR WINS THE G1 QUEEN ELIZABETH!

The battle we had all been waiting for, @WilliamHaggas and @TomMarquand have achieved the feat once again. 🙌 pic.twitter.com/t36Q3MWjZO

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 8, 2023

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CONGRESSMAN, Cossack Warrior and Coronation Day, who have all raced well this month, share their names with three talented gallopers from 40 years ago.

The Chris Waller-trained Congressman made his debut at Warwick Farm on Wednesday, finishing third behind King Of Pop.

A real “Thriller” at the finish! 📸

King Of Pop wins the Warwick Farm opener! 🌟@GRyanRacingpic.twitter.com/Xk8cpBuMfW

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) February 19, 2025

But racing enthusiasts will remember the George Hanlon-trained Congressman who won the Herbert Power Handicap and finished a close second to Imposera in the Caulfield Cup during the 1988 spring carnival.

Cossack Warrior, trained by Cody Morgan, won at Tamworth two weeks ago, reviving memories of the Colin Hayes-trained stayer with the same name who won the 1987 Herbert Power Handicap and Carlyon Cup.

Coronation Day, a three-year-old filly trained by Team Hayes at Lindsay Park, has started her career with two placings in recent weeks and was due to race at Pakenham on Thursday evening.

She has the same name as the Max Lees-trained Coronation Day, winner of the 1992 George Main Stakes and Spring Champion Stakes.

Originally published as Racing Confidential: Federal MP Darren Chester warns Greens plan to introduce ‘levy on punters’ to fund Horse Racing Transition Taskforce