ATC BOARD MEMBER COMMUNICATION September 2015 Dear valued Member, Below is our second quarterly newsletter, devoted to you the Member, with updates and news items on a variety of subjects revolving around the race day experience and ATC business initiatives. As we have said previously, the Board and the Club s executives are committed to providing more information and communications to you on a regular basis. Please also remember that we have established a Sub-Committee, which includes ATC Directors Julia Ritchie, Trish Egan and Matthew McGrath, to receive feedback from Members and to report back to the full Board. We look forward to your feedback and seeing you at the track soon. Best regards, Michael Crismale ATC Chairman VALE BART CUMMINGS AM It was with sadness, but also a strong desire to celebrate a remarkable life, that we farewelled legendary trainer Bart Cummings AM at a special tribute race day at Royal Randwick on Saturday, 5 September ahead of his State Funeral at St Mary s Cathedral, and private wake at Royal Randwick. Bart moved his family and his main stable to Royal Randwick in 1975 in a career that spanned more than 60 years, and in which horses he trained amassed 268 Group 1 wins. His great legacy now lives on at Royal Randwick through son Anthony, grandson s James, who has taken over Leilani Lodge, and Edward, stable foreman for Anthony. Last Saturday on City Tattersalls Chelmsford Stakes Day the ATC hosted a range of tributes, including the appearance of one of Bart s great champions, 1996 Melbourne Cup and Cox Plate winner Saintly, who was on course as part of a minute s silence before the running of the Bart Cummings Tribute Ming Dynasty Quality. Almost 1,000 people signed condolence books in the Members and public concierges, special grass painted tributes and flags with Bart s famous green and gold colours were flown, a souvenir racebook was printed and featured on national TV, and jockeys paid respects with black armbands on the day. The tribute was widely covered by NSW and national media and was well received by all on track. The Club will continue to liase with the Cummings family to establish a more permanent tribute to Bart at Royal Randwick. Bart pictured with Beau Zam
ROSEHILL GARDENS REFURBISHMENT The first stage of a multi-million dollar refurbishment of the JR Fleming Grandstand at Rosehill Gardens started late last month, and we continue to act on feedback received during these temporary raceday arrangements. Once fully completed, the refurbishment will include a new indoor betting ring, modernised bars and restaurants on all levels, more access and walkways to outdoor seating, as well as fully updated private suites. Members would have noticed the first changes to access from Saturday 15 August, with refurbishment commencing on Levels 2 and 3. The total scope of work across all of the JR Fleming Grandstand is planned in three stages over the coming 12 months. During the refurbishment, Members and General Admission customers will be serviced by separate betting rings, as the first stage begins on the new indoor ring on the Ground Level, part of which takes in the existing betting ring. The temporary betting ring for ATC Members serviced by the same number of bookmakers is on the Ground Floor of the Grand Pavilion, accessed via the Cotton Fingers Bar on Level 1 of the JR Fleming Stand. We have already taken on board feedback from the first two Saturday race days and have added further TV screens in some areas, and dedicated screens to replay Rosehill races throughout the day. We have also increased lighting in these areas. Extra temporary TAB windows and operators have also been set up in areas of the JR Fleming Grandstand along with additional food options now available in the Birdcage Cafe and Cotton Fingers Bar. Level 4 including the popular Winning Post restaurant as well as all other Members and public areas will remain open during this first stage. We once again thank Members for their understanding and patience during this extensive and important project. SPRING PRIZEMONEY Thanks to several years of prudent financial management, the Australian Turf Club has announced a series of prizemoney upgrades for the upcoming Spring feature races. This is fully-funded by the ATC from the business cash surpluses, which are being returned to the industry. The Group 1 The Star Epsom in October will double in prizemoney to $1 million, and several major races through the Sydney Spring Carnival will also be part of a total prizemoney boost of $2.085 million. Feature two year old races in Spring as connections begin to plan for the iconic Longines Golden Slipper have also received prizemoney lifts, including the Breeders Plate and Gimcrack Stakes, both up $50,000, and the Pierro Plate and Golden Gift, both up $80,000 to $150,000. The full list for all Group 1 and Group 2 races and prizemoney increases is as follows:
Race name 2015 Sydney Spring Prizemoney Prizemoney Increase The Star Epsom Group 1 $1,000,000 $500,000 McGrath Estate Agents Metropolitan Group 1 $750,000 $350,000 Moet & Chandon Spring Champion Stakes Group 1 $500,000 $100,000 Colgate Optic White Stakes (George Main) Group 1 $500,000 $150,000 Coolmore Flight Stakes Group 1 $500,000 $100,000 The Golden Pendant Group 2 $400,000 $100,000 Premiere Stakes Group 2 $300,000 $100,000 Roman Consul Stakes Group 2 $300,000 $125,000 Pro-Ride Warwick Stakes Group 2 $250,000 $75,000 Tattersals Chelmsford Stakes Group 2 $250,000 $75,000 MTA Run To The Rose Group 2 $175,000 $50,000 In addition, there are prizemoney increases in several other races in Summer, totalling $175,000, which brings the total prizemoney increase for Spring and Summer to $2.26m. TRAINERS FEES The Australian Turf Club has cut training fees at its racecourses by 10 per cent from 1 August 2015, as well as investing further in facility maintenance, as we continue to retire debt and use improved revenue from TV rights and commercial operations to benefit the industry. ATC Chief Executive Officer Darren Pearce said: The reduction in track fees represents the beginning of a commitment to use surpluses to reduce costs for owners, and we are committed to doing more in the future as we focus on continual improvement. Importantly, the reduction in track fees spreads through to all owners and trainers in Sydney. NSW Trainers Association CEO Steve McMahon praised the ATC for its reduction in track fees: We re delighted the ATC has reduced track fees by 10 per cent. Reducing the costs of racing is paramount so it s great to see costs come down. It s a step in the right direction. CHANGES TO BALLOT CONDITIONS FOR MAJOR RACES Under changes to ballot conditions, several major races during the Sydney Spring will give connections the chance to earn automatic entry into the three richest races during The Championships the $4 million Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes, $3.5 million The Star Doncaster Mile, and the $2.5 million Darley TJ Smith Stakes.
PATTERN COMMITTEE UPGRADES - MAKING ATC RACES EVEN STRONGER We remain actively involved in having more of our races upgraded, as well as pushing Sydney s case to avoid clashes with some of Melbourne s feature races. Two races which have been upgraded at their next running will be the Guy Walter Stakes, now at Group 2 level for the mares, and to be run at Warwick Farm on Chipping Norton Stakes Day on 27 February next year. This race formerly known as the Wiggle Quality and run on Guy s home track is appropriately for mares, which Guy excelled with over his stellar career. The Festival Stakes will be upgraded to a Group 3 race when it is run at Rosehill Gardens late in November. The upgrade of these two races show that we are working hard to lift the quality of our racing at all levels, not just the biggest of the Group 1s. We are also committed to resolving the clash of the Girvan and Waugh Royal Randwick Guineas and the Australian Guineas at Flemington in the autumn, although no solutions have been presented that are acceptable to the ATC and VRC at this time. THE STABLES SYDNEY LEVEL 4 ROYAL RANDWICK ATC Members have enthusiastically embraced the opening of The Stables Sydney at the top of the Queen Elizabeth II Grandstand at Royal Randwick as one of our premium spaces to enjoy a race day. It has quickly become a popular place for Members looking to enjoy race days with a different atmosphere to other Members areas. Members are also able to bring guests to this Level, which provides trackside spaces and views, along with spectacular views over the Theatre of the Horse, Sydney CBD and Centennial Park. It has been especially popular after the races to continue into the afternoon and early evening with fellow Members and friends once the races have finished. We would encourage people to book spaces in advance for The Stables during the Sydney Spring Carnival as Members will be admitted on a first come basis until capacity is reached and we are expecting the venue to become
very popular over the coming months, particularly once the races finish. Packages for The Stables Dining Room on race days start from just $85 per person. The exclusive Moët & Chandon private dining room with stunning trackside views is available to reserve for small private events. We are also continuing to look at operating special events on non race days for ATC Members, such as the recent State of Origin night. CHANGES TO MEMBERS AREAS AT ROYAL RANDWICK Following feedback from ATC Members, we have made some operation changes to the flow of the Royal Randwick Grandstand. These include: The Skyline Room on Level 3 is now an exclusive ATC Members and Annual Guest Card Holders only area ATC Members now have access to the Chairman s Club Dining Room when purchasing a hospitality package Some further detail is set out here. THE SKYLINE ROOM: will now become an exclusive area for hard card Members and Annual Member Guest Cards only. The room will continue to be the location for Members seeking a traditional day at the races without the necessity of participating in a formal food and beverage offering. A contemporary menu will be available; plus during Carnival and signature race days, the ATC chefs will create specials and themed offerings. SKYLINE REWARDS: In addition to the above, the ATC has launched a complimentary seating system to reward ATC Member attendance. The Skyline Rewards Reserve is a section located within the tiered seating area. Seating is rewarded to the ATC Member only and rewarded to those Members with the highest attendance based on Saturday race days throughout the calendar year. CHAIRMAN S CLUB DINING ROOM: now open to ATC Members and their guests to purchase pre-paid race day hospitality. This venue will provide Members and their guests the ultimate race day experience with restaurant quality Table d hôte menus; showcasing the best of seasonal produce combined with beverages assembled from ATC premium beverage partners, making it the perfect place for entertaining and enjoying the racing excitement with views overlooking the Winning Post. LIGHT RAIL ROYAL RANDWICK Transport for NSW has advised that light rail works which will affect operations on race days around Royal Randwick will now begin in later 2015. The first change Members and our customers will notice will be construction work on the new stabling yards for light rail carriages, which will be located between the racecourse and Doncaster Avenue. This will mean changes to Members and VIP parking spaces as the NSW Government acquires land to build stabling yards for the light rail vehicles. The first stages will involve drainage works and the construction of a sound mitigating wall. The work around these areas will affect parking for Members who have purchased Lawn Reserved spots, and who received communications relating to these changes earlier this year.
Parking will be re-allocated closer to construction and a notice will be sent to those affected once the parking plan is in place. We will continue to keep you updated in the weekly EDMs to Members once further details and more specific timelines are available. We are also working with Transport for NSW and local council to hold information nights at Royal Randwick. LIGHT RAIL AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT ROSEHILL GARDENS As part of the Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue, we and other major businesses in Sydney s west continue to hold good discussions with the NSW Government around the potential of light rail around Rosehill Gardens. The rollout of light rail, partially funded by Camellia land owners, would be a vital component of our masterplan for a lifestyle and entertainment precinct around Rosehill Gardens, making optimum use of land that the ATC owns in the area. The ongoing development of the wider Camellia Precinct, and its transition from light industrial to more commercial and residential development, is one of the more exciting opportunities for our Club in this growing part of Western Sydney. As part of our longer term strategy around Rosehill Gardens we are also proposing to ATC Members to accept an amalgamation proposal with the Rosehill Bowling Club. Under the deal the ATC has agreed to maintain the bowling greens at the current site and then build new greens as part of the proposed new development at the race track. Members of the ATC will be fully informed of the proposal and will be asked to vote in favour of the amalgamation at our AGM on 26 November. The amalgamation does not become formal until the application is signed off by the Department of Liquor and Gaming, which may take up to six months from our Members vote. If all is successful the ATC will then work with council to progress the next stage of plans to build on the current site. HERITAGE OFFICE MOVES AS PART OF LIGHT RAIL DEVELOPMENT The ATC continues to maintain a significant heritage collection, and is set to re-locate its main office at Royal Randwick. Racing memorabilia, photographs, artworks, and archives which record the history of racing in Australia as well as the history of both the STC and AJC remain a very important part of our Club and Sydney racing. The building where much of the material is currently housed is due for demolition as part of the NSW Light Rail Plan from October 2015. The Heritage Office will be temporarily re-located to offices on the ground floor of the Administration Building at Royal Randwick.
The Club is proud to announce it will invest in a dedicated Heritage Centre to house and display this ever growing Collection. The Racing NSW Drug Laboratory located trackside at Royal Randwick has been earmarked to become the official ATC Heritage Centre. The aim is to include a research library and provide an enjoyable non race day experience for Members and the general public to enjoy. It is hoped, the new Heritage Centre renovations will be completed by early 2016. The Heritage Office continues to exhibit more than 150 years of Sydney racing history at Randwick City Council s Bowen Library in Anzac Parade at Maroubra, which will end on 13 September. The collection has included donations from fans and participants of the industry but is primarily from the meticulous record keeping and dedication of the ATC s Heritage Office staff and volunteers over many decades. SKY THOROUGHBRED CENTRAL The ATC, is continuing to work with Sky Channel regarding the coverage of Sydney races on this premium channel, known to most as channel 521 on Foxtel. Some feedback from Members has suggested the coverage lacks enough pre and post-race interviews and information, and we are working to address that issue. We are also forming a sub-committee to continually provide feedback and seek improvements to the coverage of Sydney racing from the ATC tracks. KENSINGTON TRACK The Australian Turf Club has committed to further repair and maintenance of the Kensington track through the coming months to determine if it can be used again early next year for racing. In consultation with Racing NSW and staff from StrathAyr, the Australian Turf Club s track team will undertake a new program and try different maintenance techniques throughout Spring and the early Summer months. Our tracks team believes that the coming months are the best period to grow the kikuyu surface, and to continue to monitor if the Kensington profile and mesh system can regrow strongly enough to withstand a full race meeting. The ATC team along with Racing NSW will continue to monitor the track s progress and hold test gallops before making any decision on its return to racing. The ATC s track management team is due to take over the maintenance of all tracks later this year once the contract with Turnpoint concludes in December.
NEW ATC WEBSITE LAUNCHES! We are pleased to launch our new ATC website which is stage 1 of an exciting Digital and Media strategy you will notice take shape in coming months. The first stage is a website that is able to be viewed on all devices and is designed to make the Member s online experience more straightforward and seamless. The second stage will include a shopping cart linked to your Member log in. For Members, each upcoming race day will have key information front and centre with all the enhancements such as guest ticketing and dining easy to navigate to and share. We will continue to add features that will enhance the value of your Membership. The team will spend the next few weeks monitoring traffic and making changes based on how Members choose to use the site and also based on your feedback so please provide any feedback to members@australianturfclub.com.au. LONGINES POSITIONING SYSTEM AT ROYAL RANDWICK AND ROSEHILL GARDENS We are continuing to work with our great partners Longines in refining the race field positioning system, Longines Positioning System (LPS) at Royal Randwick. The ATC team lead by Graeme Ferris have been carrying out further tests over the past months to ensure the complete integrity and accuracy of the system before we move on to Rosehill Gardens. The new Longines race field positioning and tracking system (LPS) at both racecourses will eventually also be integrated with our broadcast partner Sky, along with the ATC s new website as part of a wider digital strategy. WHITE PAPER AND DATE FOR AGM The Board is continuing to receive feedback from ATC Members in regards to the white paper which was sent to Members addressing the need for changes to the Club s constitution. The closing date for feedback was Monday, 31 August, and the Board will now consider submissions before recommending changes to the consitution of the ATC. These recommendations have come from Member feedback following the previous AGM. Amongst these amendments we are seeking to review are how to come to a decision should there be a potential deadlock during the Members vote, as well as rules surrounding the election and rotation of ATC Directors. If changes need to be made to the Club s constitution, these will be done by a vote at the ATC s next AGM, which will be held at Royal Randwick on 26 November, 2015. THE END