Jockey Jim Cassidy and trainer Chris Waller at the Sydney autumn carnival announcement.. Source: News Limited
A SUPER Sydney autumn carnival would be a huge benefit to Australian racing and is long overdue.
For too long the Victorian spring carnival has been the unchallenged flag-bearer of Australian racing, projecting our horses, trainers, jockeys, owners and outstanding facilities to the world.
Racing NSW's initiative for an autumn carnival boasting the Golden Slipper at Rosehill followed by successive Saturdays of fabulously rich racing ($18.2 millions spread over the two days) at Randwick, must be embraced.
The positive impact if this is successful, unlike other failed plans over the past two decades, will far outweigh any perceived negatives.
Sceptics suggest it is flawed in many respects and simply another example of throwing money at tired features to attract attention.
The ATC’s John Messara and John Cornish flank NSW racing minister George Souris. Source: News Limited
These sceptics suggest the idea that the main races, especially the $4 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes, will attract internationals is fanciful as the best 2000m weight-for-age horses in the world will be at the Dubai World Cup meet where prizemoney is $10 million.
They also say it's dangerous to rely on the NSW government to continue for more than the first year its $10 million sponsorship. If that money flow stops, the carnival will be a massive burden on Racing NSW.
But, nothing ventured, nothing gained. And NSW had so much ground to make up to be remotely competitive with the famous Flemington carnival it had to bite the bullet.
Victorian racing need not compete financially. The Cox Plate's $3 million purse is ample because it is the prestige of the race that adds the intangible value.
Concerns that trainers will have a light spring to prepare for the riches of the Sydney autumn should be allayed. The spring carnival is so big, so established, that trainers will continue to target the races, while the internationals will continue to arrive.
Jim Cassidy, Chris Waller, John Messara, George Souris, John Cornish, Peter V’Landys, Darren Pearce and Neil Werrett. Source: News Limited
Hopefully the Queensland government will pick up the baton also. Their main races are the BTC Cup, Doomben 10,000 and Stradbroke Handicap, all of which have been overtaken in prizemoney by the TJ Smith Stakes. An injection of funds from the Queensland government could be a bonus for racing in that state too.
Racing has waited a long time for a big statement from Racing NSW, especially after a couple of years when the Golden Slipper has lost its lustre and the new grandstand at Randwick has forced makeshift racing facilities there.
How impressive would Australian racing look to the world if it saw the massive Victorian carnival in the spring and a super NSW carnival in the autumn?
It would provide another avenue for racing to attract people to the sport.
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