‘Aussie racing the loser’

Racing Victoria hits back at NSW legal action

RACING Victoria has slammed Racing NSW’s latest legal action as “a fishing expedition” and accused it of rank hypocrisy.

The nation’s two biggest racing jurisdictions have engaged in a series of running battles in recent years as Racing NSW engaged in a series of big-money incursions on the Melbourne Spring Carnival.

The NSW Supreme Court will be the latest battleground in racing’s internal fight.

Racing NSW began legal action in the NSW Supreme Court demanding five Principal Racing Authorities (PRAs) – Racing Victoria, Thoroughbred Racing SA, Racing Queensland, Racing and Wagering WA and Tasracing – hand over documents it alleges relate to a plot to form a cartel to exclude Racing NSW, potentially breaking corporations law.

Racing Victoria rubbished the logic of Racing NSW’s legal bid.

“Racing Victoria won’t comment on matters before the court but we will vigorously contest Racing NSW’s claims,” Racing Victoria chief executive Andrew Jones said on Monday.

“We’re confident in the strength of our case. Racing NSW legal action is a fishing expedition in which it hopes to find grounds to sue everybody else. We believe they have no case but Australian racing is the loser.”

Racing Victoria also holds a veto power at Racing Australia board level, which has prevented Australia’s richest race, The Everest, from becoming a Group 1 race.

However, Racing Victoria believes the Racing NSW action is the height of hypocrisy.

“There’s only one PRA trying to exclude another and that is Racing NSW,” Jones said.

“Racing NSW tried to exclude Racing Victoria from Racing Australia two years ago. Specifically, Racing NSW tried to have Racing Victoria derecognised as a PRA by Racing Australia and to have Racing Victoria’s nominated director Greg Nichols derecognised as a director.

“It is Racing NSW trying to exclude Racing Victoria, not the other way around.”

Jones said Victoria’s trial of races featuring less use of the whip on horses was the reason for Racing NSW’s previous action.

“Racing NSW saw limiting whip use as a reason to derecognise Racing Victoria as a PRA,” Jones said.

“That shows you where Racing NSW is at – ethically, mentally and strategically.”

The stoush between Racing Victoria and Racing NSW has largely led to the sidelining of Racing Australia.

Jones said Racing Victoria’s desire was for Racing Australia to return to significance as the national body for the sport’s governance. But he added that would be unlikely with the current administrators in place.

“Racing Victoria’s goal is a functioning Racing Australia. As simple as that,” Jones said.