Rosehill rejection: Why did ATC members look a gift horse in the mouth?
Not since 100-to-1 outsider Prince of Penzance defied the odds to win the 2015 Melbourne Cup has a result so deeply confounded established racing logic. The rejection by members of the Australian Turf Club of a $5 billion proposal to sell Rosehill Gardens Racecourse to the NSW government comes close.
The prospect of 25,000 new homes on a site situated in the heart of Australia's fastest-growing region were stakes Premier Chris Minns had no option to mount. Under the National Housing Accord he has committed to delivering 377,000 new homes across NSW by 2029. Weigh up the racecourse's adjacency to a newly-constructed light rail network, a coming metro line and a surging jobs hub in Parramatta, and the odds looked impossible to ignore.
The NSW government has made no secret of the centrality of housing supply to its agenda. From its establishment last year of the Housing Delivery Authority, through to its pursuit of its Transport Oriented Development initiative, its colours were clear and unambiguous.
Recent measures by the premier to upscale the state's production of modular homes – and the contingent manufacturing jobs boost – only upped the stakes. As did the commitment from Peter V'landys, chief executive and board member of Racing NSW, to 'ensure the revenue derived from the [Rosehill] proposal is reinvested to benefit the racing industry as a whole'.
Even these assurances couldn't get the proposal over the line. Nor did the prospect of around $2 billion in upgrades to other racetracks, or the sweetener of food, beverage and membership fee concessions. If I know punters' logic, the reason might lie in sentiment, rather than logic. Let me tell you why.
Loading
My grandpop, Harry, was a veteran of the 1945 New Guinea campaign. He would forlornly recall he was 'too tall' to be a jockey. Still, he remained a lifelong horseracing devotee. He lived in a fibro housing commission house in Granville, due to the state's last great housing shortage post-World War II. It was only five minutes from Rosehill racetrack, where he would periodically venture to, 'see a man about a dog'.
Normally unassuming, Harry would harshly shush all of us grandkids when the races came on his 'transistor'. Either that, or he'd send us to the corner shop to buy him a packet of Rothmans Extra Mild cigarettes. 'Get some lollies' with the change he would add.
When I was older, I asked Harry in gambling parlance what the 'tells' were in backing a horse trackside. 'Form be damned', he would rail. 'If you see a horse in the mounting yard sweating too much on a chilly day, give it a miss', he advised. 'Ears up, ears up!' That was his favoured sign. An alert, edgy horse was a sure bet, pop assured me.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Advertiser
2 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Australia Post delivers a price hike to send letters after 'significant losses'
The cost of sending a basic letter is set to rise 20 cents to $1.70 from July 17 after the ACCC decided not to oppose an increase. The consumer watchdog acknowledged Post's "significant losses" in the hundreds of millions from its letter business to tick off a proposed 13.3 per cent increase. The price to send ordinary large letters up to 125g will increase 40 cents to $3.40, and ordinary large letters between 125 and 250 grams will rise 60 cents to $5.10. In the draft price notification, Australia Post said it generated a loss of $361.8 million on its letter business, despite modernisation improvements and the previous price increase of 25 per cent in 2024. ACCC commissioner Anna Brakey said they understood the increase would mean extra costs for consumers. "Australia Post's proposed price increase is based on evidence that the costs to Australia Post of providing the letter service are greater than the revenue it produces," Ms Brakey said. It was "crucial" for the postal service to have transparent dialogue with businesses that relied on or were required to send physical mail. There would be no change to the price of concession stamps, $3 for five and stamps for seasonal greeting cards, 65 cents. Ms Brakey said the ACCC was mindful of how the increase would affect vulnerable Australians and they recommended an increase to the annual number of concession stamps per customer from the current 50. Australia Post said letter volumes were now at a level not seen since the 1950s, with household only receiving two letters per week and expected to halve in the next five years. Federal communications minister Anika Wells has 30 days to reject the proposed increase before it takes effect. READ MORE: Dog deterrent spray rolling out to all posties after increasing attacks The cost of sending a basic letter is set to rise 20 cents to $1.70 from July 17 after the ACCC decided not to oppose an increase. The consumer watchdog acknowledged Post's "significant losses" in the hundreds of millions from its letter business to tick off a proposed 13.3 per cent increase. The price to send ordinary large letters up to 125g will increase 40 cents to $3.40, and ordinary large letters between 125 and 250 grams will rise 60 cents to $5.10. In the draft price notification, Australia Post said it generated a loss of $361.8 million on its letter business, despite modernisation improvements and the previous price increase of 25 per cent in 2024. ACCC commissioner Anna Brakey said they understood the increase would mean extra costs for consumers. "Australia Post's proposed price increase is based on evidence that the costs to Australia Post of providing the letter service are greater than the revenue it produces," Ms Brakey said. It was "crucial" for the postal service to have transparent dialogue with businesses that relied on or were required to send physical mail. There would be no change to the price of concession stamps, $3 for five and stamps for seasonal greeting cards, 65 cents. Ms Brakey said the ACCC was mindful of how the increase would affect vulnerable Australians and they recommended an increase to the annual number of concession stamps per customer from the current 50. Australia Post said letter volumes were now at a level not seen since the 1950s, with household only receiving two letters per week and expected to halve in the next five years. Federal communications minister Anika Wells has 30 days to reject the proposed increase before it takes effect. READ MORE: Dog deterrent spray rolling out to all posties after increasing attacks The cost of sending a basic letter is set to rise 20 cents to $1.70 from July 17 after the ACCC decided not to oppose an increase. The consumer watchdog acknowledged Post's "significant losses" in the hundreds of millions from its letter business to tick off a proposed 13.3 per cent increase. The price to send ordinary large letters up to 125g will increase 40 cents to $3.40, and ordinary large letters between 125 and 250 grams will rise 60 cents to $5.10. In the draft price notification, Australia Post said it generated a loss of $361.8 million on its letter business, despite modernisation improvements and the previous price increase of 25 per cent in 2024. ACCC commissioner Anna Brakey said they understood the increase would mean extra costs for consumers. "Australia Post's proposed price increase is based on evidence that the costs to Australia Post of providing the letter service are greater than the revenue it produces," Ms Brakey said. It was "crucial" for the postal service to have transparent dialogue with businesses that relied on or were required to send physical mail. There would be no change to the price of concession stamps, $3 for five and stamps for seasonal greeting cards, 65 cents. Ms Brakey said the ACCC was mindful of how the increase would affect vulnerable Australians and they recommended an increase to the annual number of concession stamps per customer from the current 50. Australia Post said letter volumes were now at a level not seen since the 1950s, with household only receiving two letters per week and expected to halve in the next five years. Federal communications minister Anika Wells has 30 days to reject the proposed increase before it takes effect. READ MORE: Dog deterrent spray rolling out to all posties after increasing attacks The cost of sending a basic letter is set to rise 20 cents to $1.70 from July 17 after the ACCC decided not to oppose an increase. The consumer watchdog acknowledged Post's "significant losses" in the hundreds of millions from its letter business to tick off a proposed 13.3 per cent increase. The price to send ordinary large letters up to 125g will increase 40 cents to $3.40, and ordinary large letters between 125 and 250 grams will rise 60 cents to $5.10. In the draft price notification, Australia Post said it generated a loss of $361.8 million on its letter business, despite modernisation improvements and the previous price increase of 25 per cent in 2024. ACCC commissioner Anna Brakey said they understood the increase would mean extra costs for consumers. "Australia Post's proposed price increase is based on evidence that the costs to Australia Post of providing the letter service are greater than the revenue it produces," Ms Brakey said. It was "crucial" for the postal service to have transparent dialogue with businesses that relied on or were required to send physical mail. There would be no change to the price of concession stamps, $3 for five and stamps for seasonal greeting cards, 65 cents. Ms Brakey said the ACCC was mindful of how the increase would affect vulnerable Australians and they recommended an increase to the annual number of concession stamps per customer from the current 50. Australia Post said letter volumes were now at a level not seen since the 1950s, with household only receiving two letters per week and expected to halve in the next five years. Federal communications minister Anika Wells has 30 days to reject the proposed increase before it takes effect. READ MORE: Dog deterrent spray rolling out to all posties after increasing attacks
Sky News AU
18 hours ago
- Sky News AU
Prince Harry eyeing Royal Family reunion, extending invite to next Invictus Games but scheduling could be conflicting
Prince Harry is reportedly going to offer an invite to the Royal Family for the 2027 Invictus Games which could see a long-awaited reunion for the Duke of Sussex and his family. It's been reported Prince Harry, 40, is keen to reconcile with King Charles and other royal relatives for the seventh instalment of the Invictus Games. It is understood an emailed invitation will be sent out in late June, followed by a formal invitation, according to The Daily Mail. The invite is designed to be issued three years in advance to give Charles enough time to put into his schedule, sources said. Prince Harry was last pictured with the Royal Family for the late Queen Elizabeth II funeral on September 19, 2022. Royal commentator Katie Nicholl said there is a certain "possibility" the King might attend the Games, considering he "absolutely wants a relationship with his youngest son and with his grandchildren". "Harry has agreed that Invictus should extend an invitation to his family," a source told The Daily Mail on Sunday. "Invictus hopes the Royal Family will come along to support the wounded veterans taking part. Harry is hopeful his father will set aside their differences to attend the Invictus Games and support veterans. "The Royals have always been hugely supportive of Invictus and proud of what Harry has achieved in that arena. This is one olive branch from him which might be reciprocated." The Invictus Games are an international multi-sport event for wounded, injured, and ill servicemen and women. Prince Harry founded the Games in 2014 to use the power of sport to inspire, support, generate and respect a wider understanding for those who serve their country. The 2027 Games are set to be at Birmingham's NEC on July 12 and will conclude on July 17, landing on the day of Queen Camilla's 80th birthday. Scheduling conflict could derail Harry's invite with plans for Camilla's birthday likely already planned. The Duke of Sussex spoke to the BBC in May and made clear he wants to welcome a reunion with his brother, Prince William and father King Charles. "There's no point in continuing to fight any more," he said. "Life is precious. "Forgiveness is 100 per cent a possibility because I would like to get my father and brother back."
News.com.au
a day ago
- News.com.au
Irish master trainer Willie Mullins strengthens Melbourne Cup hand with Royal Ascot winner Sober
Irish master trainer Willie Mullins has bolstered a potential Melbourne Cup hand with Australian-owned Royal Ascot winner Sober also being aimed at Flemington. OTI Racing stayer Sober won the Queen Alexandra Stakes (4355m) by five lengths on Sunday (AEST). Mullins unveiled Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes-winner Ethical Diamond 24 hours earlier as a possible Cup raider. Ethical Diamond is raced by the owners of Mullins stablemate Absurde, who could also return for a third shot at the Melbourne Cup after placing fifth and seventh respectively the past two years. 'We bought this guy (Sober) and he is a lot better than we thought he would be,' Mullins said. 'I thought he had improved, and it looks like he has improved an awful lot. 'Terry (Henderson, OTI Racing director) would want to bring him down for the Melbourne Cup, so hopefully we get him qualified … there are a lot of hoops to jump through, but we will get them done.' DOMINANT! #ROYALASCOT — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 21, 2025 Henderson echoed Mullins. 'This is such a thrill for our partners back in Australia that invest in these horses,' Henderson said after OTI bookended the Royal Ascot meeting with Docklands and Sober. 'We all know Royal Ascot is the greatest race meeting in the world and to have a winner at each end of the meeting is just incredible. 'I think Sober can go to Australia, while Docklands can stay in England for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.' DOCKLANDS pips ROSALLION in the Queen Anne Stakes. Congratulations to jockey Mark Zahra, trainer @H_Eustace, and all connections. #RoyalAscot — Ascot Racecourse (@Ascot) June 17, 2025 • Mark Zahra wins at Royal Ascot aboard Docklands as Asfoora is denied Ethical Diamond and Sober must place in a Group race over 2300m or beyond to satisfy Melbourne Cup ballot conditions, or alternatively run fourth or fifth in a Group 1 within the distance criteria. Victoria Racing Club executive Leigh Jordon welcomed the European interest in the Melbourne Cup. 'It's early, (European) trainers concentrate on Royal Ascot first and then the July Festival, Goodwood and York, then the picture will become a little bit clearer,' Jordon said. 'You got to have a few balls up in the air to try and get a few.' SOBER bookends the carnival for OTI with victory in the Queen Alexandra Stakes. What a week it has been. Many thanks to @WillieMullinsNH and Ryan Moore. It was an easy, albeit long, watch. Melb Cup perhaps comes onto his radar! @FlemingtonVRC @MelbourneCup — OTI Racing (@OTIRacing) June 21, 2025 Jordon backed avid Cup supporter Mullins to qualify Ethical Diamond and Sober. 'He's won everything but he's hell bent on trying to win the Cup,' Jordon said. 'Leave it to Willie (qualification) … he's got plenty of ammo.' Ethical Diamond is $18 in pre-nominations Melbourne Cup betting, while Sober, not currently in futures market, could attract a similar quote.
