Get used to it: ATC is here to stay

Breeding & Racing reports: The ATC Board announced “Australian Turf Club” will be retained as the name of the merged Sydney Club (from the old Australian Jockey Club & Sydney Turf Club) “following strategic brand research” which consisted of “analysis of the club’s developing business strategy, an email survey to over 11,000 members, member focus groups & stakeholder interviews”. Over 1,300 former STC & AJC Members “actively participated in the research, as well as industry stakeholders including media, trainers & racehorse owners”. A key research finding was the majority of survey respondents (65%) think the name Australian Turf Club is an “impressive” to “excellent brand”. In considering alternative names the name Australian Turf Club “is preferred to the Sydney Jockey Club & Sydney Racing”. ATC chairman John Cornish announced the Board was “unanimous in their resolution to retain the launch name. As a Board, we are aware of the subjectivity of the matter & of the differing opinions in the market. We are never going to appease everyone; but the research findings support the chosen name, as well as the Club’s vision to be internationally recognised as a leader for racing, events & membership.”

Night Cox Plate "On Backburner For 5 Years"

B&R reports: Moonee Valley Racing Club "has put a night Cox Plate on the backburner for the next 5 years" reported The Herald-Sun. MVRC chief executive Michael Browell confirmed the "board had decided to lock in a 5.35pm start for the Cox Plate until 2016" & the club "would revisit an evening Cox Plate when the Moonee Valley track redevelopment was complete" (which is expected to be in time for the 2016 renewal). While "many expected Moonee Valley would swing to a Cox Plate under lights once its contract with sponsor Tatts expired after this year's race", Browell said the club was "looking to sign a 5 or 6-year Cox Plate sponsorship deal, with the race locked into a 5.35pm timeslot". (Feb 24)

Racing Qld $1.55m Flood Relief Package

Racing Queensland announced “an industry relief package to assist racing industry stake-holders devastated by recent catastrophic floods”. RQ chairman Bob Bentley said the relief package “would assist in keeping Rockhampton & other affected racing communities afloat” & “is aimed at providing access to critical funds for those licensee groups unable to ply their trade due to the closure of Callaghan Park for training & racing.” Bentley added: “RQ believes this package will protect & ensure members of our racing fraternity can survive this hiatus & that facilities are quickly made safe to recommence full training & racing activities.” Bentley said there will be 2 tiers of funding available:

• $1 million facility remediation fund;
• $550,000 licensee relief & relocation package.