The committee of the Rockhampton Jockey Club last night endorsed their members’ decision to partner with Queensland Racing Limited (QRL) in the development of a company that will own the land and existing infrastructure at Callaghan Park.
Rockhampton Jockey Club (RJC) chairman, Mr Justin Doyle said the RJC has a long history of working with the control body to improve the racing product in and around Rockhampton.
“The committee and membership of the Rockhampton Jockey Club value this association and look forward to improving the facilities at Callaghan Park for racing stakeholders, members and the general public,” said Mr Doyle.
“The racing landscape has changed significantly in recent years and it is time that the racing industry looks to the future and addresses the external threats to this wonderful industry.
“The partnership with QRL will enable the RJC to focus on enhancing our member and corporate facilities to improve the experience to Callaghan Park patrons, whilst also providing an opportunity to diversify the facilities to enable the venues to be used for non-racing related events.
“Importantly, the club will no longer be burdened with the financial responsibility of providing high quality racing and training facilities with this being taken over by Queensland Racing.”
QRL chairman, Mr Bob Bentley, said the chairman, committee and membership of the RJC are to be congratulated for their vision and selfless approach to encourage the expansion of the central Queensland racing industry.
“This decision paves the way for the formulation of a company similar to that in place at Corbould Park, where the Rockhampton Jockey Club will take full responsibility for member and public facilities and Queensland Racing will assume responsibility for the costs associated with providing top quality racing and training facilities,” said Mr Bentley.
“This model is the way of the future and will ensure the industry will be positioned to repel the challenges from external market forces and improve the product delivered to on and off course consumers.
“The strong working relationship between the Rockhampton Jockey Club and Queensland Racing has already seen a $6.5m investment into the facilities at Callaghan Park and a priority of the new company will be to undertake a major review of the remaining infrastructure to ensure it provides the best possible returns for all concerned.”
Media contact:
For QRL chairman Mr Bob Bentley call QRL senior communications officer Hollie Roberts on 07 3869 9760 or RJC chairman Mr Justin Doyle on 0418 185 965.
Last night, Monday, March 29, 2010, a Special Meeting of RJC Members was held in the upper level of the Public Grandstand at Callaghan Park to discuss a proposal presented to the Club by Queensland Racing Limited (QRL) to enter into a partnership for the future ownership and management of Callaghan Park, Rockhampton.
The RJC Committee had always held the belief that any decision regarding the future ownership and management of our Club and its facilities should be discussed with the Members of the Club. With this belief the RJC had aimed to obtain as much information as possible to enable Members to properly consider this important proposal.
The meeting was well attended with a healthy discussion on the advantages and disadvantages of the proposal. A vote of Members was taken which indicated that the majority on Members were in favour of the Club proceeding with the QRL Proposal. The Club will meet with QRL shortly to continue discussions.
For further information please contact Justin Doyle, Rockhampton Jockey Club, Chairman on 0418-185-965.
Queensland Racing Limited (QRL) has today received advice from the Rockhampton Jockey Club (RJC) that at a meeting of members conducted last night, the membership of the RJC provided its approval to enable the committee of the RJC to enter into a company structure with QRL that will own the land and infrastructure at Callaghan Park.
QRL chairman Mr Bob Bentley said the vote by the members of the RJC ensures the racing industry in central Queensland is accountable for its own destiny and is positioned to provide high quality facilities at Callaghan Park.
“The new model will see QRL assume responsibility to ensure racing and training facilities are kept to the highest possible standard to encourage increased growth of racing in central Queensland,” said Mr Bentley.
“The chairman, committee and membership of the Rockhampton Jockey Club have shown great vision in taking this decision, by recognising that a new club racing model is long overdue and accepting the challenge of change.
“Further meetings will be held with a working group from the Rockhampton Jockey Club in the coming weeks to progress this issue and I am hopeful that everything can be in place for the implementation of the company and from July 1, 2010.”
Ends.
For further information contact QRL senior communications officer Hollie Roberts on 07 3869 9760.
Queensland Racing historians have scoured the records and confirmed to the best of their knowledge an Australian first at the Rockhampton Sand Track on Tuesday, January 19.
Female jockeys rode the entire seven race card, a first at a TAB meeting in our nation’s proud racing history.
The jockeys to pull off the feat were apprentice Alisha Taylor with three winners (County Sheriff, Fire Hazzard, Malicious Gal), apprentice Carly-Mae Pye with two winners (Ima Cool Dude, Run the Rapids), and one apiece to Trinity Bannon (In Bold Fashion) and Shayla Evans (Hezaburraboy).
In recent years female jockeys have ridden the card on an increased basis in country race meetings, so it was only a matter of when, not if, it would occur at a TAB meeting.
Even less surprising is the fact it happened in Queensland. Our state is blessed with a brilliant crop of female jockeys coming through the ranks, not just at provincial and country tracks, but on the metropolitan scene also.
The fact these four jockeys and the Rockhampton Jockey Club have entered the record books is a tribute to Queensland racing’s ever-evolving attitude to the thoroughbred racing industry and the pioneering female jockeys of the past.
The first time women rode the card in Queensland was at Wondai in March 1990 when Monica Ryan rode four winners, and Jo Downes, Debbie Osborne and Jenny Cochrane picked up one each.
This was preceded by the first all ladies jockey raceday at Mount Isa on July 31, 1976. The winners were Pam O’Neill (Ocean Spray), Vera Turgeon (Ima Paddy, Sham) and Gail Lowe (Noble Light).
However, these meetings were non-TAB fixtures and the girls of 2010 did it far from easy in their seven race epic overcoming wide barriers, missed starts, running wide of the rails, and maiden winners to name but a few hurdles.
Taylor, the youngest of the quartet at 18-years-old, had a field day pulling off her Rockhampton hat trick early, riding to victory in races two, three and four and backed up the haul with a third in race seven from a mere five rides.
“I’ve ridden quite a few trebles, but yesterday rates very highly,” Taylor said.
“We were just hoping in the last race that we were going to get it, and Carly-Mae Pye got it for us. It’s a big achievement for the girls. It’s pretty exciting really.”
Indentured to her Rockhampton-based trainer and father, Garnett Taylor, Taylor junior has enjoyed a meteoric rise since beginning her apprenticeship in August 2008.
She classes the Bowen Cup win of last year, aboard Otto’s Delight for her father, as her best achievement to date and the Taylor family is obviously tight-knit having a strong influence on the jockey’s chosen career path.
“My brother, Clinton Taylor, he was a jockey too and my dad trained racehorses so I just took it on,” Taylor said. “I started riding and my weight was good so that’s where I decided this is what I want to be at a pretty young age.”
Currently holding a 13 per cent career win rate after eclipsing a half century of victories from 392 rides, the softly spoken Taylor has a foreseeable goal to ride in metropolitan class meetings.
“I’d certainly like to be riding in Brisbane or another metropolitan area,” she said.
“I’ve mostly been riding in the Rockhampton-Mackay area and I’m going to start riding down the Gold Coast way soon.
“I’ll be riding in Toowoomba this weekend. I’ll see how I go in my two rides at Toowoomba for Phillip Pengelly and start heading forward from there.”
Taylor’s determination to forge a career and achieve highly as a jockey is obvious after speaking with her father, despite his apprehension in seeing his daughter compete in one of the most dangerous and taxing professions on earth.
“She’s a hard worker,” said Garnett. “To get out of bed at 1:30am and be at the track by 2am every morning, she’s never complained. She rides upwards of 10 to 20 horses at trackwork.
“I hope she doesn’t make a career out of it in a way. It wasn’t my choice. I didn’t want her to be a jockey, but I lit a few fires possibly.
“She’s had her heart set on it, and what can you do when she’s been brought up with them. I tried to encourage her to be a vet really, but she must be the boss.”
There has been plenty of opportunity lately to talk with female stakeholders in the thoroughbred industry with the success of trainers Gillian Heinrich, Maryann Thexton and Helen Page, and jockeys Kristy Banks, Kelly Purdy and now the ‘Rockhampton four’.
Each are reading from the same book, stating that the previously male-dominated industry is certainly no longer the case.
Taylor echoes their statements from a northern Queensland perspective. “I think it’s all pretty equal really. The trainers put certain people on and everyone gives you a fair go. You just try and enjoy it then.
“Obviously Dad has helped me heaps, but most of the trainers are pretty good. I’ve been getting plenty of rides.
“The Brisbane jockeys haven’t been coming up for most of these meetings, but when they did at Yeppoon I was getting a full book still.”
To boldly attempt to even the ledger, male trainers swept the card in Rockhampton also. However sorry lads, Tuesday, January 19, 2010 on the Rockhampton Sand Track will go down as a true ladies day.
If anyone can point us to records that say the card at a TAB race meeting has been previously ridden by female jockeys we will happily relinquish the record.
But be assured, until this occurs Queensland racing and more importantly Alisha Taylor, Carly-Mae Pye, Trinity Bannon and Shayla Evans will claim this significant achievement.
QUEENSLAND Racing web news: Ross Dowd – January 20
For further information, including images of the new course proper, contact QRL senior communications officer Hollie Roberts on 07 3869 9760.
Queensland Racing Limited’s (QRL) racing services manager, Mr Paul Brennan said the project management team have provided advice that January 29, 2010 is the date that racing will resume on the course proper in Rockhampton.
“The racing and training facilities at Callaghan Park have undergone a remarkable transformation during the past six months and the confirmation of an opening date for the course proper is important to enable stakeholders and the Rockhampton Jockey Club to proactively plan for this historic date,” said Mr Brennan.
“Due to the extent of the work carried out throughout the facility a small set of barrier trials will be conducted on the new track on Thursday, January 21, 2010, to ensure all raceday services and the racing surface is in peak condition for the opening meeting.
“Local stakeholders are to be congratulated for their patience during the construction phase and to reward them for their tolerance, Queensland Racing Limited and the Rockhampton Jockey Club will hold a BBQ breakfast prior to the barrier trials, at which stage an information session and walk of the new track will be facilitated for any interested parties.”
The alteration of dates to enable this meeting to be rescheduled from Thursday, January 28 to Friday, January 29, 2010 came about as a kind gesture by the industry focused Ipswich Turf Club which gave up their Friday race meeting to enable the Rockhampton Jockey Club to market this meeting to a broader audience.
Queensland Racing Limited and the Rockhampton Jockey Club will meet early next week to finalise a marketing and promotional strategy for the opening meeting.
Chief executive of the Rockhampton Jockey Club, Denis Cox said the Rockhampton Jockey Club is excited at the culmination of this major upgrade and grateful that Queensland Racing has taken the decision to mark this milestone with the running of a Friday race date and a $20,000 feature event.
“I would like to convey our appreciation to all local stakeholders for their support and patience during the construction period,” said Mr Cox.
“There is little doubt that these fantastic new facilities have secured a sustainable future for racing in Rockhampton and I look forward to working with Queensland Racing to ensure we are positioned to capitalise on their investment and to continue to promote racing within the Capricornia region.”
Rockhampton Jockey Club amendments to racing programs for January 2010
Friday, January 8, 2010 (to be conducted on inside sand track)
Open Hcp $10,000 1000m**
Class 6 Plt $12,000 1300m
Class 4 Hcp $10,000 1100m
Class 3 Hcp $12,000 1600m**
Class 2 Hcp $10,000 900m**
Class 1 Hcp $10,000 1150m**
Maiden Hcp $10,000 1100m
QTIS 3YO Maiden Hcp $10,000 1000m**
Tuesday, January 19, 2010 (to be conducted on inside sand track)
Open Hcp $10,000 1100m
Class 6 Hcp $10,000 1300m**
Class 5 Hcp $10,000 1000m**
Class 3 Plt $12,000 1600m
Class 1 Hcp $10,000 1300m
Class 1 Hcp $10,000 1000m**
Maiden Hcp $12,000 1150m**
QTIS 3YO Hcp $10,000 1100m
Friday, January 29, 2010 (opening day of new turf track)
Open Hcp $20,000** 1300m
Class 6 Hcp $10,000 1100m
Class 4 Hcp $10,000 1600m
Class 2 Hcp $12,000 1100m
Class 1 Hcp $10,000 1400m
Maiden Hcp $10,000 1300m
Maiden Plt $10,000 970m
QTIS 2YO Hcp $10,000 970m
** indicates amendment to original program
Ends.
For further information please contact the QRL racing department on 07 3869 9777.
The Club was fortunate that Fiona Booker, originally from Rockhampton and daughter of former RJC Committee Member Sandra Booker, was available to assist the Club with the development of the new branding.
The Club worked closely with Fiona and her business partner Trent Siddharta. The pair currently work in London specialising in branding, design and art publishing. In the past 12 months Fiona has been developing new brand identities for London’s iconic Bond Street and Kings Road. A specialist in art reproduction, Trent creates and produces work for some of the world’s leading museums, galleries and retailers including The British Museum, Smithsonian and IKEA.
The rational behind the brand refresh was a need to attract new audiences yet still appeal to the racing enthusiast. Through strong, fluid shapes the identity demonstrates the action and excitement of horse racing, whilst the typography sets a friendly, playful tone. The identity draws its strength from the logo icon and strapline, demonstrating the brands commitment to the future of country racing and the unique experience it offers.
The new brand ties in with the Rockhampton Jockey Club’s current $6M track redevelopment, soon to be launched new website and upgrade to the Club’s on course signage.
For further information please contact Denis Cox, RJC Chief Executive on
07-4927-1300 or deniscox@rjc.com.au
The new sand track will not only be used for training purposes but also upgraded to be suitable for the conduct of non-TAB race meetings with the first meeting scheduled to be held on Saturday, October 3, Central Queensland Amateur Racing Club Raceday.
Contour Consulting Engineers, under the direction of Paul Brennan, Racing Services Manager for Queensland Racing Limited, have been managing the project and recently engaged the services of Warren Williams who is the current General Manager of Venues at the Brisbane Racing Club but soon to join Queensland Racing as its Racetrack Development Manager.
After trailing various types and blends of sands and depths, and in consultation with the Rockhampton Jockey Club and stakeholders, Queensland Racing and Contour Consulting Engineers are confident that the track will be completed for Saturday week’s race meeting.
The schedule leading up to next week’s race meeting includes:
• Thursday, September 24 to Tuesday, September 29 – blend new material with existing sand
• Wednesday, September 30 – trial and jump outs on the new sand track
Trainers have been using the back track of a morning for training which will continue until Thursday, October 1. Queensland Racing and the RJC apologises for the inconvenience whilst an improved training and racing facility is being built.
Also as part of the track redevelopment changes have been made to the Mounting Yard and the position of the Winners Stalls which will be trailed at the upcoming three non TAB meetings in October and November, which are anticipated to have small fields. Queensland Racing Chief Steward, Wade Birch, has called for a review of the Mounting Yard layout, including the Winners Stall area, after the three meeting trial.
For further information please contact Denis Cox, Rockhampton Jockey Club, Chief Executive on 07-4927-1300 or 0407-332-156.
