Racing NSW boss Peter V’Landys has defended changes to the Sydney spring carnival which may impact Melbourne saying he is doing the best for his state in an era of competition.
V’landys said the introduction of corporate bookmakers had changed the wagering landscape.
“We are in competition with each other,” V’Landys told Melbourne Radio RSN927.
“If a NSW punter bets with a corporate bookmaker on a Melbourne meeting, we get nothing.
“We are competing for the wagering dollar.”
“My job is to the maximise the revenues for NSW racing and that’s exactly what I’m going to do and I should have every opportunity to do so in any manner I have at my disposal.
“Why should the incumbent state continue to have incumbency forever and ever and restrict other states from maximising their revenue,”
Changes to the Sydney program include the introduction of the $10 million subscription race, The Everest, to be held at Randwick on October 14, the same day as the Caulfield Guineas in Melbourne.
V’Landys said it was the optimum time to promote racing in the absence of competition from rugby league and the AFL, adding future plans were to hold The Everest meeting on Friday night under lights at Randwick.
