On Track - Summer 2019-20

3 With the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival officially over for another year, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your fantastic support of the Moonee Valley Racing Club (MVRC) and our 2019 Ladbrokes Cox Plate Carnival. This year another chapter was written into the history of our LEGENDARY race with the first winner from Japan in Lys Gracieux taking out the 99th running of the W.S. Cox Plate, perfectly ridden by Damian Lane. This was a historic victory for trainer Yoshito Yahagi and connections from Carrot Farm as they become just the second international winner of ‘The Race Where Legends Are Made’. Our two-day Ladbrokes Cox Plate Carnival continues to receive great feedback from our Members and the team is constantly looking at ways to improve in many key areas, which your feedback in our member survey will provide us. With over 35,000 people attending The Valley over the two-days despite some typical Melbourne weather of four seasons in one day on Ladbrokes Cox Plate Day, it was an amazing vibe trackside that only our racecourse can conjure up. Of course, it would be remiss of me not to mention the current climate the horse racing industry finds itself in and the impact it possibly had on the 2019 Spring Racing Carnival, providing us with a challenge we all must face together. The ABC’s 7.30 Report that aired on Caulfield Cup week highlighted some confronting images that shocked many of us and I commend Racing Victoria for condemning those involved and putting in place appropriate actions to continually improve horse welfare activities in Victoria. The topic of horse welfare on the back of animal cruelty charges against once premier trainer Darren Weir, combined with poor weather, the cannibalization of horses and jockeys between Sydney and Melbourne racing carnivals, the point of consumption tax on punters and other issues have all come together to create the perfect storm that has put horse racing in the spotlight. But the great thing about our industry is the passion people in our industry have for this sport and more importantly, our love of the animal. Our members are no different and I look forward to working hard with the Committee and the team at the MVRC to ensure we are playing our part in helping drive our industry forward. The racing at The Valley continues now in earnest with our Ladbrokes Friday Night Lights season in full swing all the way through to March and I hope to see you and your guest’s trackside to take in all the action on and off the track. I will also take this opportunity to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a safe and prosperous New Year. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT DON CASBOULT Don Casboult Chairman Moonee Valley Racing Club