Racing Victoria and Racing NSW Spar Over Conflicting Race Dates
Whether you view the Melbourne Racing Club’s decision to purchase a slot in The Everest as an attempt at détente or a betrayal of Victorian racing, chances are, you are not alone.
Brian Kruger, Racing Victoria chairman, is in the second camp, feeling that the decision to take the available slot was a case of betrayal of the interests of Victorian racing.
We ourselves found ourselves scratching our heads over the MRC decision to fill The Everest slot for 2019 with Trekking, but the winner of the Group 2 WFA race at Caulfield ran third in The Everest and alleviated our itch, despite having to race twice in the span of one week.
Trekking jumped $31 and was half a length behind Santa Ana Lane and another half behind the winner, Yes Yes Yes.
Kruger was harsh in denouncing the MRC; mainly it seems, because of The Everest being held on the same day as the Group 1 Caulfield Cup.
In prior years, the ATC had shown some deference to Victoria, holding The Everest on days when it would supply less scheduling conflict with Melbourne spring racing.
In an RSN interview, Kruger said, “It wasn’t something I was in favour of personally. I think there were pros and cons for the Melbourne Racing Club but my concern, and I’ve expressed this directly to them as well, I feel like the fact that they bought the slot in The Everest sort of endorsed the whole NSW encroachment onto spring racing from a Victorian racing perspective.”
Racing NSW honcho Peter V’Landys staunchly defended his jurisdiction, mentioning that spring carnivals are not an exclusive Racing Victoria franchise.
The Everest and the Caulfield Cup fall on the same date in 2020, so for now at least, it seems as though the debate will continue.
It is yet to be determined with certainty whether the MRC will keep The Everest slot or it will be sold off.
Our perspective is that we would like to see the MRC’s Everest slot galloper be given a bit more lead up.